Blade opening and closing device and imaging device

Abstract

Provided are a drive lever rotatable in a first rotational direction from a first rotational position to a second rotational position and in a second rotational direction from the second rotational position to the first rotational position; a drive body applying a driving force to the drive lever as a rotational force in the first rotational direction; a biasing spring biasing the drive lever to apply a driving force to the drive lever as a rotational force in the second rotational direction; and an opening and closing blade that is operated in a closing direction to close an opening as the drive lever is rotated in the first rotational direction and in an opening direction to open the opening as the drive lever is operated in the second rotational direction. The drive body applies a driving force in the first rotational direction when the driving force from the biasing spring is not applied to the drive lever, and the biasing spring applies a driving force in the second rotational direction when the driving force from the drive body is not applied to the drive lever.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technology relates to the technical field of a blade opening and closing device having opening and closing blades for opening and closing an opening through which light is transmitted, and an imaging device including the blade opening and closing device. Background Art

[0002] Various imaging devices, such as video cameras and still cameras, include an imaging element that performs photoelectric conversion on light captured by an optical system consisting of a lens group and optical elements. In such an imaging device, for example, when imaging a subject, light is controlled by a focal plane shutter, which functions as a blade opening and closing device, and is incident on the imaging element.

[0003] In some blade opening and closing devices, a base body formed with an opening, an opening and closing blade that moves (travels) relative to the base body, and a drive rod that applies a driving force to the opening and closing blade are provided, and the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing blade to open and close the opening is performed by the rotation operation of the drive rod (for example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0004] The drive lever rotates between a first rotation position (initial position) and a second rotation position. When the drive lever is held in the first rotation position, the opening and closing blades are, for example, in the open position for opening the opening, and when the drive lever is held in the second rotation position, the opening and closing blades are, for example, in the closed position for closing the opening.

[0005] The blade opening and closing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a first drive lever (in Patent Document 1, a first closing lever) and a second drive lever (in Patent Document 1, a second closing lever) which are respectively rotatable.

[0006] In the blade opening and closing device described in Patent Document 1, biasing force is always applied to the second drive lever by the tension coil spring, the second drive lever rotates against the biasing force of the tension coil spring, and the opening and closing blades are operated from the open position to the closed position.

[0007] Citation List

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-296641 Summary of the Invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the present invention

[0011] At the same time, in the blade opening and closing device described in patent document 1, it is configured to always apply the biasing force of the tension coil spring to the second drive rod, and when the opening and closing blade is operated from the open position to the closed position, the second drive rod is rotated by the driving force that overcomes the action force of the tension coil spring.

[0012] Therefore, when the blades are opened and closed from the open position to the closed position, a large driving force needs to be applied to the second drive lever. As a result, there is a possibility that the size of the driving body applying the driving force to the second drive lever will increase, and power consumption will increase. In addition, in order to ensure a reliable and stable rotation state of the drive lever from the second rotation position to the first rotation position, it is desirable to increase the biasing force of the extension coil spring.

[0013] However, in this case, when the opening and closing blades are operated from the open position to the closed position, a greater driving force needs to be applied to the second driving lever, which further increases the size and power consumption of the driving body.

[0014] Therefore, one object of the blade opening and closing device and the imaging device of the present technology is to reduce the size and power consumption of a driving body.

[0015] Solutions to Problems

[0016] First, according to the present technology, the blade opening and closing device includes: a drive rod, which is capable of rotating along a first rotation direction from a first rotation position to a second rotation position and a second rotation direction from the second rotation position to the first rotation position; a drive body, which applies a driving force to the drive rod as a rotation force along the first rotation direction; a bias spring, which applies a driving force to the drive rod as a rotation force along the second rotation direction by biasing the drive rod; and an opening and closing blade, which is operated in a closing direction of closing the opening as the drive rod is rotated in the first rotation direction, and is operated in an opening direction of opening the opening as the drive rod is operated in the second rotation direction, wherein, in a state where the driving force from the bias spring is not applied to the drive rod, the driving force in the first rotation direction is applied from the drive body, and in a state where the driving force from the drive body is not applied to the drive rod, the driving force in the second rotation direction is applied from the bias spring.

[0017] Therefore, when the opening and closing blades are operated in the closing direction of the closing opening, the rotation operation in the first rotation direction is performed without the driving force being applied to the driving rod from the biasing spring, and when the opening and closing blades are operated in the opening direction of the opening opening, the rotation operation in the second rotation direction is performed without the driving force being applied to the driving rod from the driving body.

[0018] Second, in the above-mentioned vane opening and closing device, preferably, a vane return spring is provided which biases the opening and closing vanes in the opening direction and biases the drive lever in the second rotational direction.

[0019] Therefore, the drive lever is rotated in the second rotation direction by the driving forces of both the biasing spring and the blade return spring.

[0020] Third, in the above-mentioned blade opening and closing device, it is preferred that the driving body is provided with a rotor, the driving rod is capable of rotating independently of the rotation operation of the rotor, the driving rod rotates integrally with the rotor in a first rotation direction through the driving force of the driving body, and the driving rod rotates independently of the rotor in a second rotation direction through the driving force of the biasing spring.

[0021] Therefore, the drive lever is rotated in the first rotation direction by the driving force of the drive body, and is rotated in the second rotation direction by the driving force of the biasing spring.

[0022] Fourth, in the above-mentioned vane opening and closing device, preferably, the rotor and a portion of the drive rod are positioned opposite to each other in a rotation axis direction of the rotor, and a biasing spring is disposed between the opposing rotor and a portion of the drive rod.

[0023] Therefore, the biasing spring is located between the rotor and the drive rod in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor.

[0024] Fifth, in the above-described blade opening and closing device, it is desirable that, when the driving body is not energized, the driving rod is rotatable in the first rotation direction independently of the rotor.

[0025] Therefore, when the drive lever rotates in the first rotation direction due to the occurrence of impact while the rotor does not rotate, the drive lever rotates in the second rotation direction by a driving force different from the driving force of the rotor and is held in the first rotation position.

[0026] Sixth, in the above-mentioned blade opening and closing device, it is preferable that the center of gravity of the rotor is located on the rotation axis.

[0027] Therefore, this makes it difficult for the rotor to rotate when an impact occurs.

[0028] Seventh, in the above-mentioned blade opening and closing device, it is preferable that the rotation axis of the rotor and the rotation axis of the driving rod are the same.

[0029] Therefore, the rotation of the rotor and the rotation of the drive rod are carried out around the same fulcrum.

[0030] Eighth, in the above-mentioned blade opening and closing device, preferably, the rotor is provided with a pressing portion, the driving rod is provided with a pressed portion pressed by the pressing portion, and when the pressed portion is pressed by the pressing portion, the driving rod is rotated along the first rotation direction by the driving force of the driving body.

[0031] Therefore, the driving force of the driving body is transmitted from the pressing portion to the pressed portion, and the driving lever is rotated.

[0032] Ninth, in the above-mentioned blade opening and closing device, preferably, a brake lever is provided that can be operated between a deceleration start position and a rotation stop position, wherein when the brake lever is operated from the deceleration start position toward the rotation stop position, the rotation speed of the drive lever decreases when rotating along the first rotation direction.

[0033] Therefore, when rotating in the first rotational direction, the rotational speed of the drive lever is reduced by the brake lever.

[0034] Tenth, in the above-mentioned blade opening and closing apparatus, preferably, a lever support portion is formed on the brake lever, and the driving lever that rotates in the first rotation direction is supported by the lever support portion.

[0035] Therefore, since the rotation speed of the drive rod is decelerated by the brake rod and the drive rod is supported by the brake rod, there is no need to separately provide a member that decelerates the rotation speed of the drive rod and a member that supports the drive rod.

[0036] Eleventh, in the above-mentioned blade opening and closing device, it is preferred that a brake stop member is provided for pressing the brake lever and stopping the brake lever at the rotation stop position, and the brake lever is stopped at the rotation stop position by the brake stop member, and the drive lever is maintained at the second rotation position.

[0037] Therefore, in a state where the brake lever is stopped at the rotation stop position by the brake stopper, the drive lever supported by the lever support portion is held at the second rotation position.

[0038] Twelfth, in the above-mentioned blade opening and closing device, preferably, a support base is provided, on which a drive rod is rotatably supported, the drive rod is provided with a connecting shaft, and the opening and closing blades are connected to the connecting shaft, and a position retaining portion for retaining the drive rod at the first rotation position is formed in the support base, and the drive rod is retained at the first rotation position by pressing the connecting shaft against the position retaining portion by utilizing the biasing force of the blade return spring.

[0039] Therefore, since the connecting shaft connected to the opening and closing blades is pressed against the position holding portion and the drive rod is held in the first rotational position, there is no need to separately provide a portion connecting the opening and closing blades to the drive rod and a portion holding the opening and closing blades in the first rotational position.

[0040] An imaging device according to the present technology includes: a blade opening and closing device that controls light taken in through an optical system; and an imaging element that performs photoelectric conversion on the light taken in through the optical system, wherein the blade opening and closing device includes: a drive lever that is rotatable in a first rotational direction from a first rotational position to a second rotational position and in a second rotational direction from the second rotational position to the first rotational position; a drive body that applies a driving force to the drive lever as a rotational force in the first rotational direction; a bias spring that biases the drive lever to apply a driving force to the drive lever as a rotational force in the second rotational direction; and opening and closing blades that are operated in a closing direction for closing an opening as the drive lever is rotated in the first rotational direction and in an opening direction for opening the opening as the drive lever is operated in the second rotational direction, the drive body applying the driving force in the first rotational direction when the driving force from the bias spring is not applied to the drive lever, and the bias spring applying the driving force in the second rotational direction when the driving force from the drive body is not applied to the drive lever.

[0041] Therefore, in the blade opening and closing device, when the opening and closing blade is operated in the closing direction of the closing opening, the rotation operation in the first rotation direction is performed in a state where the driving force is not applied to the driving rod from the biasing spring, and when the opening and closing blade is operated in the closing direction of the closing opening, the rotation operation in the second rotation direction is performed in a state where the driving force is not applied to the driving rod from the driving body.

[0042] Fourteenth, in the above-mentioned blade opening and closing device, it is preferred that the blade opening and closing device includes a driving block including a driving body and a mechanism block including a mechanism for opening and closing the blades,

[0043] In the moving direction of opening and closing the blades, the size of the driving block is smaller than that of the mechanism block, the driving block is located on the outer peripheral side of the mechanism block, and the terminal portion is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the mechanism block opposite to the driving block in the moving direction of opening and closing the blades.

[0044] Therefore, the terminal portion is arranged in the space on the outer peripheral side of the mechanism block. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Figure 1 and Figures 2 to 20 An embodiment of a blade opening and closing device and an imaging device of the present technology are shown together, and is a perspective view of the imaging device.

[0046] Figure 2 Is shown from Figure 1A perspective view of the imaging device observed in different directions.

[0047] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an imaging device.

[0048] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the blade opening and closing device.

[0049] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the blade opening and closing device.

[0050] Figure 6 It is an exploded perspective view showing a drive mechanism and the like.

[0051] Figure 7 is a front view showing a state in which the opening and closing blades are held at the open position.

[0052] Figure 8 is a front view showing a state in which the opening and closing blades are held at the closed position.

[0053] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the rotor, biasing spring, and drive rod.

[0054] Figure 10 is a rear view of the rotor, bias spring, and drive rod.

[0055] Figure 11 and Figures 12 to 16 The operation of the blade opening and closing device is shown together, and is a rear view showing an initial state.

[0056] Figure 12 is a rear view showing a state immediately after the closing operation of opening and closing the blades is started.

[0057] Figure 13 It shows that Figure 12 A rear view of a state in which a closing operation of opening and closing the blades is then performed, the connecting shaft of the drive lever comes into contact with the brake lever, and the drive lever is held at the second rotation position.

[0058] Figure 14 It is a rear view showing a state immediately after the opening operation of opening and closing the blades is started.

[0059] Figure 15 It shows that Figure 14 A rear view of a state in which the opening operation of opening and closing the blades is then performed and the drive lever is separated from the brake lever.

[0060] Figure 16 It is a rear view showing a state in which the connecting shaft is pressed against the position holding portion and the driving lever is held at the first rotation position.

[0061] Figure 17 and Figure 18 Together, it shows the operation of the blade opening and closing device when an impact or the like occurs when no power is supplied, and is a rear view showing a state in which the drive lever is rotated toward the second rotation position.

[0062] Figure 18 It is a rear view showing a state in which the drive lever rotated toward the second rotation position is rotated to the first rotation position by the biasing force of the biasing spring or the like.

[0063] Figure 19 It is a rear view showing the positional relationship between the driving block and the mechanism block.

[0064] Figure 20 is a block diagram of an imaging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0066] In the embodiments described below, the imaging device of the present technology is applied to a still camera, and the blade opening and closing device of the present technology is applied to a focal plane shutter provided in the still camera.

[0067] Note that the application scope of the present technology is not limited to still cameras and focal plane shutters provided in still cameras, and can be widely applied to, for example, various imaging devices incorporated in cameras and other devices, and various blade opening and closing devices such as apertures provided in these imaging devices.

[0068] In the following description, it is assumed that the front, rear, up, down, left, and right directions are indicated as directions seen from the photographer when imaging with a still camera. Therefore, the subject side is the front, and the photographer side is the rear.

[0069] Note that the front, rear, up, down, left, and right directions described below are for convenience of description, and implementation of the present technology is not limited to these directions.

[0070] Furthermore, the lens group described below may include other optical elements, such as one or more lenses and an aperture, in addition to the optical element configured by one or more lenses.

[0071] <Schematic Configuration of Imaging Apparatus>

[0072] First, a schematic configuration of the imaging device will be described (see Figures 1 to 3 ).

[0073] The imaging device 1 includes, for example, a horizontally long flat housing 2 (see FIG. Figure 1 and 2 ) of the required units inside and outside. Figure 1 As shown, the imaging device 1 may be a device to which an interchangeable lens 200 can be attached and detached.

[0074] A flash 3 is provided on the front surface of the housing 2. A shutter button 4, a zoom switch 5 and a power button 6 are provided on the upper surface of the housing 2 (see FIG. Figure 1 and 2 A display 7 , various operating units 8 , 8 . . . , and a viewfinder 9 are provided on the rear surface of the housing 2 .

[0075] like Figure 3 As shown, in the housing 2, there are arranged in sequence from the front side an optical system 10 including a lens group, optical elements, etc., a blade opening and closing device (focal plane shutter) 11 for controlling the amount of light taken in by the optical system 10, and an imaging element 12 for performing photoelectric conversion on the light taken in via the blade opening and closing device 11.

[0076] <Configuration of blade opening and closing devices>

[0077] Hereinafter, the configuration of the blade opening and closing device 11 will be described (see Figures 4 to 10 ).

[0078] The blade opening and closing device 11 includes a base 13, a pressing plate 14, an opening and closing blade 15, links 16, 16 and a driving mechanism 17, and is arranged on the front surface side of the imaging element 12 (see Figures 4 to 6 ).

[0079] The base 13 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the horizontal direction, for example, and has a rectangular opening 13a that penetrates in the front-rear direction (see FIG. Figure 4 and 5 The opening 13a is slightly larger than the effective incident area of ​​light on the imaging surface of the imaging element 12, which is an area on which light captured by the optical system 10 and necessary for generating an image is incident.

[0080] The portion of the base 13 below the opening 13A is provided as a holding portion 18 serving as a holding area for holding the opening and closing blades 15 in the open position, and the portion of the base 13 on one side of the opening 13A is provided as an attachment portion 19. The imaging element 12 is disposed on the rear side of the base 13.

[0081] Pin insertion holes 19a, 19a, which project forward, are formed at the side ends of the attachment portion 19 so as to be vertically separated from each other. A shaft movement hole 19b, which is formed in a generally circular arc shape, is formed in the attachment portion 19. The attachment portion 19 is provided with a spring hook protrusion 19c that projects forward above the pin insertion holes 19a, 19a.

[0082] The pressing plate 14 is formed to be substantially the same size and shape as the base 13 and has a through hole 14a. The pressing plate 14 is attached to the base 13 from the front side, with the opening and closing blade 15 inserted between the pressing plate and the base 13. When the pressing plate 14 is attached to the base 13, the opening 13a is positioned immediately behind the through hole 14a.

[0083] A clearance hole 14b is formed in the pressing plate 14. The clearance hole 14b is formed in an arc shape. In a state where the pressing plate 14 is attached to the base 13, the clearance hole 14b is located on the front side of the shaft moving hole 19b.

[0084] The opening and closing blade 15 includes a plurality of plate-like sections 15a, 15a ... (see Figure 5 In the blade opening and closing device 11 serving as a focal plane shutter, for example, a so-called electronic front curtain shutter is constituted by a combination of an electronic curtain serving as a front curtain by controlling the imaging element 12 and an opening and closing blade 15 provided as a mechanical structure and serving as a rear curtain.

[0085] The segments 15a, 15a... are horizontally elongated, and for example, four segments are provided. In the opening and closing blade 15, at least a portion of the segments 15a, 15a... overlaps with each other in the thickness direction. The segments 15a, 15a... are respectively pivotally coupled to two connecting rods 16, 16.

[0086] The connecting rods 16, 16 are formed into a sheet shape and function as parallel connecting rods. Support holes 16a, 16a are formed at one longitudinal end of each of the connecting rods 16, 16. One connecting rod 16 has a long connecting hole 16b formed near one longitudinal end. The other connecting rod 16 has a spring hook hole 16c formed in it.

[0087] Support pins to be described later are inserted into support holes 16a, 16a of the links 16, 16, respectively, and the links 16, 16 rotate with the support pins as fulcrums. The links 16, 16 rotate relative to the base 13 and the pressing plate 14 while maintaining a parallel state.

[0088] When the connecting rods 16, 16 rotate, the segments 15a, 15a ... move (advance) in a substantially vertical direction. At this time, the segments 15a, 15a ... move in different amounts, and the overlapping area changes, so that in the open position (refer to Figure 7 ) and the closed position of the closing opening 13a (refer to Figure 8 ) to perform open / close operations.

[0089] The moving direction of the opening and closing blade 15 from the open position to the closed position is the closing direction, and the moving direction of the opening and closing blade 15 from the closed position to the open position is the opening direction.

[0090] When the opening and closing blade 15 moves as described above, the overlapping area of ​​the segments 15 a , 15 a . . . changes with the moving position, and the area is smallest at the open position.

[0091] Therefore, since the arrangement space of the opening and closing blades 15 is reduced at the open position and the area of ​​the opening and closing blades 15 is maximized at the closed position, the blade opening and closing device 11 can be reduced in size in the moving direction of the opening and closing blades 15 and can form an opening 13a of sufficient size.

[0092] Note that sheets (not shown) having light-transmitting holes positioned corresponding to the openings 13a are arranged between the opening and closing blades 15 and the front surface of the base 13 and between the opening and closing blades 15 and the rear surface of the pressing plate 14, and the operation of opening and closing the blades 15 is smoothed by these sheets.

[0093] The driving mechanism 17 is configured by arranging necessary units on the support base 20 (see Figure 5 and 6 ).

[0094] The support base 20 is formed in a vertically long plate shape facing the front-back direction. A substantially arc-shaped shaft operation hole 21 is formed near the lower end of the support base 20. One end edge of the shaft operation hole 21 in the longitudinal direction is formed as a position holding portion 21A.

[0095] Support pins 20a, 20a protruding forward are provided on the support base 20 so as to be vertically separated from each other. A receiving protrusion 20b protruding rearward is provided on the outer periphery of the support base 20.

[0096] The support pins 20a, 20a are respectively inserted from the rear into the pin insertion holes 19a, 19a of the base 13 and from the rear into the support holes 16a, 16a of the connecting rods 16, 16. Therefore, the connecting rods 16, 16 rotate relative to the base 13 and the pressing plate 14 with the support pins 20a, 20a as fulcrums.

[0097] The support base 20 is attached from the rear to the attachment portion 19 of the base body 13. In a state where the support base 20 is attached to the attachment portion 19, the shaft operating hole 21 is positioned immediately rearward of the shaft moving hole 19b.

[0098] In a state where the support base 20 is attached to the attachment portion 19, the blade return spring 22 is supported by a support pin 20a (see Figure 7 、 Figure 8 ). The blade return spring 22 is, for example, a torsion coil spring, and includes an annular coil portion 22a and arm portions 22b, 22b protruding from the coil portion 22a.

[0099] In the blade return spring 22, the coil portion 22a is supported by the support pin 20a, one arm portion 22b is supported by the spring hook protrusion 19c of the base 13, and the other arm portion 22b is inserted into and supported by the spring hook hole 16c of the link 16. Therefore, the blade return spring 22 applies an urging force in one rotational direction to one link 16, the urging force of the blade return spring 22 is transmitted from the one link 16 to the opening and closing blade 15, and the opening and closing blade 15 is urged in the opening direction by the blade return spring 22.

[0100] The rotor shaft 23 is attached to the support base 20. The rotor shaft 23 protrudes rearward from the support base 20. A brake support portion 24 is provided on the back side of the support base 20. A brake stopper 25 protruding rearward is attached to the back side of the support base 20. The brake support portion 24 and the brake stopper 25 are located around the shaft operating hole 21.

[0101] The driving mechanism 17 is provided with: a cover plate 26, which is attached to the support base 20; a driving body 27, which is partially attached to the cover plate 26; a driving rod 28, which is rotatable relative to the support base 20; and a biasing spring 29, which biases the driving rod 28 (see Figures 4 to 6 ).

[0102] The cover plate 26 includes a cover surface portion 26a facing the front-rear direction and attachment protrusions 26b, 26b, ... protruding forward from the outer periphery of the cover surface portion 26a, and distal ends of the attachment protrusions 26b, 26b, ... are attached to the support base 20 by screw connection or the like.

[0103] The driving body 27 includes a yoke 30 , a coil 31 , and a rotor 32 .

[0104] The yoke 30 is formed in an annular shape, attached to the cover surface portion 26a of the cover plate 26 from the front, and located inside the attached protrusions 26b, 26b, ... The coil 31 is attached in a state of being wound around a part of the yoke.

[0105] The rotor 32 includes a rotor base 33 comprising a resin material and a rotor magnet 34 attached to the rotor base 33 (see Figure 9 、 Figure 10 The center of gravity of the rotor 32 is located on or near the rotation axis.

[0106] The rotor base 33 has an annular base portion 35 and a cylindrical portion 36 that protrudes rearward from the center of the base portion 35. The rotor magnet 34 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is attached to the rotor base 33 in a state where the cylindrical portion 36 is inserted into the center and one axial end surface is in contact with the base portion 35.

[0107] On the outer periphery of the base portion 35 , a pressed portion 37 , a pressing portion 38 , an acting portion 39 , and a spring support portion 40 are provided in this order and spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The pressed portion 37 protrudes toward the opposite side of the cylindrical portion 36 .

[0108] The drive lever 28 includes a plate-shaped operating base 41 formed into a predetermined shape, and a connecting shaft 42 protruding forward from one end of the operating base 41. The operating base 41 has an annular rotation fulcrum portion 41a and an arm portion 41b protruding from the rotation fulcrum portion 41a. The connecting shaft 42 protrudes from the distal end of the arm portion 41b. The operating base 41 is provided with a pressed portion 41c protruding from the continuous portion between the rotation fulcrum portion 41a and the arm portion 41b. This pressed portion 41c protrudes from the rotation fulcrum portion 41a in a direction different from the protruding direction of the arm portion 41b.

[0109] The rotor shaft 23 is inserted into the rotation fulcrum portion 41 a of the drive rod 28 , and the drive rod is rotatably supported by the support base 20 with the rotor shaft 23 serving as a fulcrum.

[0110] In a state where the driving rod 28 is supported by the supporting base 20, the connecting shaft 42 of the driving rod 28 is inserted into the shaft operating hole 21 of the supporting base 20 and the shaft moving hole 19b of the base 13, and is also inserted into the clearance hole 14b of the pressing plate 14. The connecting shaft 42 is inserted into the connecting hole 16b formed in one of the connecting rods 16 between the shaft moving hole 19b and the clearance hole 14b (see FIG. Figure 5 ). Therefore, when the driving rod 28 rotates, the connecting shaft 42 moves, the connecting rods 16, 16 rotate while maintaining a parallel state, and the segments 15a, 15a, ... move in a substantially vertical direction as the driving rod 28 rotates.

[0111] Furthermore, in the rotor 32, the rotor shaft 23 is inserted into a portion extending from the base 35 to the cylindrical portion 36, and the rotor shaft 23 is made rotatable relative to the support base 20 as a fulcrum (see FIG. Figure 6 ).

[0112] As described above, the drive rod 28 is rotatable about the rotor shaft 23 as a fulcrum, the rotor 32 is rotatable about the rotor shaft 23 as a fulcrum, and the rotation axis of the rotor 32 is the same as the rotation axis of the drive rod 28 .

[0113] Therefore, since the rotation of the rotor 32 and the rotation of the driving rod 28 are performed around the same fulcrum, the blade opening and closing device 11 can be miniaturized.

[0114] The biasing spring 29 is, for example, a torsion coil spring and includes an annular coil portion 29a and arm portions 29b, 29b protruding from the coil portion 29a (see FIG. Figure 6 、 9 and 10).

[0115] In the biasing spring 29, the coil portion 29a is supported by the rotor shaft 23, one arm portion 29b is supported by the spring support portion 40 of the rotor base 33 in the rotor 32, and the other arm portion 29b is supported by the pressed portion 41c of the action base 41 in the drive lever 28. Therefore, biasing forces in directions opposite to each other in the direction in which the pressing portion 38 and the pressed portion 41c approach each other are applied to the rotor 32 and the drive lever 28.

[0116] In the blade opening and closing device 11, the rotor 32 and the rotation fulcrum portion 41a of the drive lever 28 are positioned to face each other in the rotation axis direction of the rotor 32, and the biasing spring 29 is positioned between the rotor 32 and the rotation fulcrum portion 41a positioned to face each other (see FIG. Figure 10 ).

[0117] As described above, in the vane opening and closing device 11 , the rotor 32 and a portion of the drive rod 28 are positioned facing each other in the rotation axis direction of the rotor 32 , and the biasing spring 29 is disposed between the rotor 32 and a portion of the drive rod 28 positioned facing each other.

[0118] Therefore, since the biasing spring 29 is located between the rotor 32 and the drive rod 28 in the rotation axis direction of the rotor 32 , the biasing spring 29 does not protrude outward from the rotor 32 in the radial direction of the rotor 32 , and the vane opening and closing device 11 can be miniaturized.

[0119] In the driving body 27 configured as described above, when current is supplied to the coil 31 , the rotor 32 rotates in a direction corresponding to the direction of the current.

[0120] Furthermore, the drive lever 28 rotates between a first rotation position that is a rotation end in the direction of the biasing force of the biasing spring 29 and a second rotation position that is a rotation end in the direction against the biasing force of the biasing spring 29. The rotation direction of the drive lever 28 from the first rotation position to the second rotation position is a first rotation direction, and the rotation direction of the drive lever 28 from the second rotation position to the first rotation position is a second rotation direction.

[0121] The drive mechanism 17 is provided with a brake lever 43 (see Figure 6 The brake lever 43 is formed in a substantially V-shape and is rotatable with the brake support portion 24 of the support base 20 as a fulcrum. The brake lever 43 rotates between a deceleration start position at which the drive lever 28 starts to decelerate and a rotation stop position at which the rotation stops.

[0122] The brake lever 43 is provided with a V-shaped bent portion as a supported plate portion 44, and the supported plate portion 44 is supported by the brake support portion 24. In the brake lever 43, a portion extending from the supported plate portion 44 to one side is provided as a brake arm 45, and a portion extending from the supported plate portion 44 to the other side is provided as an action arm 46.

[0123] A recessed portion serving as a rod support portion 44a is formed at a side edge of the supported plate portion 44. An operated portion 45a protruding rearward is provided at the distal end of the brake arm 45. A stopper portion 45b protruding rearward is provided on the outer periphery of the brake arm 45.

[0124] The brake lever 43 is supported on the brake support portion 24 by a support member 48 via a pressure spring 47. Therefore, the brake lever 43 is supported in a state where a constant load is applied to the support base 20 by the pressure spring 47, and rotates relative to the support base 20 when a rotational force greater than the frictional force with the support base 20 generated by the pressure spring 47 is applied.

[0125] <Operation of blade opening and closing device>

[0126] Hereinafter, the operation of the blade opening and closing device 11 will be described (see Figure 7 、 8 and 11 to 16).

[0127] First, the initial state of each unit in the drive mechanism 17 will be described (see Figure 7 and 11 ).

[0128] In the initial state before the power button 6 of the imaging device 1 is operated, the coil 31 is not energized, no driving force is generated in the driving body 27, and the rotation of the rotor 32 is stopped (see FIG. Figure 11 At this time, the rotor magnet 34 is attracted to the yoke 30 by magnetic force, the rotor 32 is held at a predetermined rotational position by the detent torque, and the pressed portion 37 presses the receiving protrusion 20 b of the support base 20 .

[0129] In the initial state, the drive lever 28 is biased in the second rotational direction by the biasing force of the biasing spring 29, and the connecting shaft 42 is held in the first rotational position by pressing the position retaining portion 21a of the shaft operating hole 21 formed in the support base 20. At this time, the pressing portion 38 of the rotor 32 is in contact with or close to the pressed portion 41c of the drive lever 28. Consequently, the biasing force of the vane return spring 22 in the second rotational direction is applied to the drive lever 28 via the connecting rods 16, 16 and the opening and closing vanes 15. The connecting shaft 42 is pressed against the position retaining portion 21a of the shaft operating hole 21 by the biasing force of the vane return spring 22 and is held in the first rotational position.

[0130] Note that, in the blade opening and closing device 11, only the blade return spring 22 may be provided among the blade return spring 22 and the biasing spring 29. In this case, the drive lever 28 is held at the first rotational position by the biasing force of the blade return spring 22 pressing the connecting shaft 42 against the position holding portion 21a.

[0131] Furthermore, in the blade opening and closing device 11 , for example, the spring force of the blade return spring 22 is smaller than the spring force of the biasing spring 29 .

[0132] In the initial state, the opening and closing blade 15 is biased in the opening direction by the blade return spring 22 and is held in the open position (see FIG. Figure 7 ).

[0133] At this time, the imaging element 12 is in an OFF state (non-exposure state) in which no light is incident through the electronic curtain (front curtain).

[0134] In the initial state, the brake lever 43 is held at the deceleration start position, and the brake arm 45 is separated from the connecting shaft 42 of the drive lever 28 (see Figure 11 At this time, in the brake lever 43 , the acting portion 39 of the rotor 32 contacts the operated portion 45 a , the stopper portion 45 b is separated from the brake stopper 25 , and the acting arm 46 is held at a position not overlapping the shaft operating hole 21 .

[0135] In the above initial state, when the coil 31 is energized, the opening and closing operation of the blade 15 is started (see Figure 12 ). At this time, the control of the electronic curtain is started before the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing blades 15.

[0136] When the coil 31 is energized, the rotor 32 begins to rotate to one side, and the opening and closing blades 15 operate in the closing direction from the open position to the closed position. When the opening and closing blades 15 are operated from the open position to the closed position, a slit is formed between the electronic curtain and the opening and closing blades 15. The electronic curtain is controlled according to the operating speed of the opening and closing blades 15, and light is incident on the imaging element 12 through the formed slit to perform exposure.

[0137] When the rotor 32 begins to rotate to one side, the pressed portion 41c of the drive lever 28 is pressed by the pressing portion 38 of the rotor 32, and the drive lever 28 rotates in the first rotational direction from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. The drive lever 28 rotates by being pressed by the pressing portion 38 of the rotor 32, thereby rotating integrally with the rotor 32. Therefore, when the drive lever 28 rotates in the first rotational direction, the biasing spring 29 also rotates along with the rotor 32 and the drive lever 28. The biasing force of the biasing spring 29 does not act as a load on the rotor 32, and the rotor 32 rotates at a high speed toward the second rotational position due to the driving force of the driver 27.

[0138] At this time, as the rotor 32 rotates, the action portion 39 separates from the operated portion 45 a of the brake lever 43 .

[0139] As described above, in the blade opening and closing device 11, the pressing portion 38 is arranged in the rotor 32, the pressed portion 41c pressed by the pressing portion 38 is arranged in the driving rod 28, and the pressed portion 41c is pressed by the pressing portion 38, whereby the driving rod 28 is rotated along the first rotation direction by the driving force of the driving body 27.

[0140] Therefore, since the driving force of the driving body 27 is transmitted from the pressing portion 38 to the pressed portion 41 c and the driving lever 28 is rotated, the driving lever 28 can be reliably rotated with a simple structure.

[0141] As the drive lever 28 rotates, the opening and closing blade 15 operates at high speed in the closing direction from the open position to the closed position.

[0142] Then, the coil 31 is energized, the rotor 32 is then rotated to one side, and the drive rod 28 is further rotated toward the second rotation position, thereby further operating the opening and closing blades 15 toward the closed position (see FIG. Figure 8 、 11 and 13).

[0143] When the driving rod 28 is further rotated toward the second rotation position, the connecting shaft 42 contacts the brake arm 45 of the brake lever 43 held at the deceleration start position, and the brake lever 43 is pressed by the connecting shaft 42 and rotates from the deceleration start position toward the rotation stop position overcoming the friction force relative to the support base 20 (see FIG. Figure 13). Therefore, the rotation speed of the driving lever 28 is gradually reduced by the brake lever 43 as it approaches the second rotation position, and the operation speed of opening and closing the blade 15 is also gradually reduced as it approaches the closed position.

[0144] At this time, the connecting shaft 42 of the driving lever 28 is inserted into the lever support portion 44 a of the brake lever 43 , supported by the brake lever 43 , and rotated integrally with the brake lever 43 to the second rotation position.

[0145] When the stopper portion 45b of the brake arm 45 contacts the brake stopper 25 attached to the support base 20, the rotation of the brake lever 43 stops and is held at the rotation stop position. When the brake lever 43 is held at the rotation stop position, the rotation of the drive lever 28 also stops and the drive lever 28 is held at the second rotation position.

[0146] At this time, the energization of the coil 31 is stopped, and the rotation of the rotor 32 is stopped.

[0147] In the state where the drive lever 28 is held at the second rotation position as described above, the opening and closing blade 15 operated with the rotation of the drive lever 28 reaches the closed position, the operation from the open position to the closed position of the opening and closing blade 15 is terminated, and the opening and closing blade 15 is held at the closed position to close the opening 13a of the base 13 (see FIG. Figure 8 ).

[0148] As described above, the blade opening and closing device 11 is provided with a brake lever 43 operable between a deceleration start position and a rotation stop position, and the brake lever 43 is operated from the deceleration start position toward the rotation stop position so that the rotation speed of the drive lever 28 decreases when rotating in the first rotation direction.

[0149] Therefore, since the rotation speed of the drive rod 28 is reduced by the brake rod 43 when rotating in the first rotation direction, when the drive rod 28 is rotated by the driving force of the driving body 27, impact due to contact with another component of the drive rod 28 (such as the support base 20) can be prevented, and the drive rod 28 can be stably maintained in the second rotation position.

[0150] Furthermore, a lever support portion 44 a is formed in the brake lever 43 , and the drive lever 28 that rotates in the first rotation direction is supported by the lever support portion 44 a .

[0151] Therefore, since the rotational speed of the drive rod 28 is decelerated by the brake rod 43 and the drive rod 28 is supported by the brake rod 43, there is no need to separately set up a component for decelerating the rotational speed of the drive rod 28 and a component for supporting the drive rod 28, and the proper operating state of the drive rod 28 can be ensured while reducing the number of components.

[0152] Furthermore, a brake stopper 25 that presses the brake lever 43 to stop the brake lever 43 at the rotation stop position is provided, and the drive lever 28 is held at the second rotation position by the brake lever 43 stopped at the rotation stop position by the brake stopper 25 .

[0153] Therefore, since the drive rod 28 supported by the rod support portion 44a is held in the second rotational position when the brake rod 43 is stopped at the rotation stop position by the brake stopper 25, the drive rod 28 can be stably held in the second rotational position while being supported by the brake rod 43.

[0154] When the operation of opening and closing the blades 15 from the open position to the closed position is completed, the operation of opening and closing the blades 15 from the closed position to the open position is subsequently started. When the operation of opening and closing the blades 15 from the closed position to the open position is started, the imaging element 12 enters the closed state (non-exposure state) in which no light is incident through the electronic curtain.

[0155] By energizing the coil 31 in a direction opposite to the previous direction and rotating the drive rod 28 as the rotor 32 rotates, the operation of opening and closing the blades 15 from the closed position to the open position is started.

[0156] When the coil 31 is energized in the opposite direction, the rotor 32 starts to rotate in the other direction (see Figure 14 When the rotor 32 starts to rotate to the other side, since the drive rod 28 is held in the second rotation position by the brake rod 43, the rotor 32 rotates independently of the rotation of the drive rod 28.

[0157] At this time, since the driving rod 28 does not rotate even if the rotor 32 rotates, the opening and closing blade 15 is maintained at the closed position.

[0158] When the rotor 32 rotates to the other side to a specific position, the operated portion 45a of the brake lever 43 is pressed by the action portion 39 as the rotor 32 rotates. Figure 15 ) When the operating portion 39 presses the operated portion 45a, the brake lever 43 rotates from the rotation stop position toward the deceleration start position.

[0159] When the brake lever 43 is rotated from the rotation stop position toward the deceleration start position, the drive lever 28 supported by the brake lever 43 is rotated from the second rotation position to the first rotation position in the second rotation direction as the brake lever 43 is rotated, and the connecting shaft 42 is separated from the brake lever 43. Therefore, the drive lever 28 is released from the state of being supported by the brake lever 43.

[0160] At this time, as the driving lever 28 rotates, the opening and closing blade 15 operates from the closing position to the opening position in the opening direction.

[0161] Since the drive lever 28 is biased in the second rotational direction by the blade return spring 22 and the bias spring 29, when the support state of the brake lever 43 is released, the biasing force of the blade return spring 22 and the bias spring 29 is used as the driving force, and the drive lever rotates at a high speed toward the first rotational position (see FIG. Figure 16 ).

[0162] At this time, since the rotor 32 rotates to the other side before the drive rod 28 rotates, the rotor magnet 34 remains magnetically attracted to the yoke 30 and returns to the initial state due to the detent torque, and the pressed portion 37 enters a state of pressing the receiving protrusion 20b of the support base 20. When the rotor 32 returns to the initial state, the energization of the coil 31 stops.

[0163] As described above, in the blade opening and closing device 11, the action portion 39 is provided in the rotor 32, and the operated portion 45a is provided in the brake lever 43. By pressing the operated portion 45a by the action portion 39, the brake lever 43 is operated from the rotation stop position toward the deceleration start position, and by the operation of the brake lever 43 from the rotation stop position toward the deceleration start position, the support state of the rod supporting portion 44a of the drive lever 28 is released.

[0164] Therefore, when the operated portion 45a is pressed by the action portion 39 of the rotor 32 and the brake lever 43 is operated from the rotation stop position to the deceleration start position, the support state of the brake lever 43 relative to the drive lever 28 is released. Therefore, as the rotor 32 is rotated, the support state of the brake lever 43 relative to the drive lever 28 is released, and the drive lever 28 can be reliably rotated from the second rotation position to the first rotation position, while simplifying the structure without requiring a dedicated drive body 27 that applies a driving force for operating the brake lever 43 from the rotation stop position to the deceleration start position.

[0165] Furthermore, when the drive lever 28 is pressed by the operated portion 45 a , the state in which the drive lever 28 is supported by the lever support portion 44 a is released.

[0166] Therefore, since the operated part 45a has both the function of operating the brake lever 43 from the rotation stop position toward the deceleration start position through the driving force of the rotor 32 and the function of pressing the drive lever 28 to release the support state of the drive lever 28 by the rod support part 44a, the drive lever 28 can be reliably rotated from the second rotation position toward the first rotation position while simplifying the structure of the brake lever 43.

[0167] When the connecting shaft 42 is pressed against the position holding portion 21 a of the shaft operating hole 21 , the driving lever 28 rotating in the second rotational direction stops and is held at the first rotational position.

[0168] At this time, the brake lever 43 is held at the deceleration start position, the operating portion 39 of the rotor 32 is in contact with the operated portion 45 a , and the stopper portion 45 b is separated from the brake stopper 25 .

[0169] The connecting shaft 42 of the drive lever 28 is pressed against the position holding portion 21 a by the biasing force of the blade return spring 22 and the biasing spring 29 , and is held in the first rotational position.

[0170] As described above, in the blade opening and closing device 11, a support base 20 is provided on which the drive rod 28 is rotatably supported, a connecting shaft 42 to which the opening and closing blades 15 are connected is provided to the drive rod 28, a position retaining portion 21a for retaining the drive rod 28 in the first rotational position is formed in the support base 20, and the drive rod 28 is retained in the first rotational position by pressing the connecting shaft 42 against the position retaining portion 21a.

[0171] Therefore, since the connecting shaft 42 connected to the opening and closing blade 15 is pressed against the position maintaining portion 21a and the drive rod 28 is maintained in the first rotation position, there is no need to separately provide a portion for connecting the opening and closing blade to the drive rod 28 and a portion for maintaining the opening and closing blade 15 in the first rotation position, and the drive rod 28 can be reliably maintained in the first rotation position while simplifying the structure of the drive rod 28.

[0172] The opening and closing blade 15 is operated in the opening direction as the drive lever 28 is rotated, and the drive lever 28 is held in the open position by being held in the first rotation position (see FIG. Figure 7 ).

[0173] As described above, in the imaging apparatus 1 , the so-called electronic front curtain shutter is constituted by a combination of the electronic curtain serving as the front curtain and the opening and closing blade 15 provided as a mechanical structure and serving as the rear curtain.

[0174] Some imaging devices use an electronic shutter that electronically opens and closes both the front and rear curtains. In this case, the front curtain is opened using a cleared charge, while the rear curtain is opened through continuous reading. However, with an electronic shutter, the speed is limited by the sensor's readout speed, potentially leading to a problem known as rolling shutter distortion, where images captured by moving subjects are distorted. Meanwhile, some imaging devices use a mechanical shutter that opens and closes both the front and rear curtains. In this case, both drive mechanisms are required, leading to an increase in the size of the imaging device and the number of components.

[0175] Therefore, by adopting the configuration of the electronic front curtain shutter by the combination of the electronic curtain and the opening and closing blades 15 as in the imaging apparatus 1 , the occurrence of rolling shutter distortion can be suppressed while suppressing an increase in size and the number of components of the imaging apparatus 1 .

[0176] Note that although an example has been described above in which the opening and closing blades 15 are operated from the open position to the closed position by the driving force of the driving body 27, a spring mechanism may be provided that applies a biasing force from the open position to the closed position to the opening and closing blades 15, and uses the biasing force of the spring mechanism as a driving force to rotate the driving rod 28 in the first rotation direction to operate the opening and closing blades 15 from the open position to the closed position.

[0177] <Operation of the blade opening and closing device when not powered>

[0178] Next, in the imaging apparatus, an operation when an impact occurs at a non-energized state when the coil 31 is not energized will be described (see FIG. Figure 17 and 18 ).

[0179] There are cases where, for example, a shock is generated in the imaging apparatus 1 when the user moves the imaging apparatus 1 in a state where the power is not turned on before the power button 6 is operated, or when the imaging apparatus 1 is accidentally dropped.

[0180] In this case, the rotor 32 hardly rotates because it is held in the initial state by the detent torque, but the drive rod 28 and the opening and closing blades 15 rotate in the first rotation direction from the first rotation position to the second rotation position against the biasing force of the blade return spring 22 and the biasing spring 29 according to the magnitude and direction of the force applied at the time of impact (see Figure 17 ).

[0181] At this time, in the initial state, the brake lever 43 is maintained at the deceleration start position in a state where the action portion 39 of the rotor 32 contacts the operated portion 45a. Therefore, since the rotor 32 does not rotate, the brake lever 43 does not rotate from the deceleration start position to the rotation stop position.

[0182] The driving lever 28 is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position until the operating base 41 contacts the operated portion 45a of the braking lever 43. At this time, the opening and closing blade 15 is operated in the closing direction toward the closed position as the driving lever 28 rotates.

[0183] When the force due to the impact is reduced, the drive lever 28 and the opening and closing blade 15 are rotated in the second rotation direction toward the first rotation position by the biasing force of the blade return spring 22 and the biasing spring 29 (see FIG. Figure 18At this time, since the biasing forces of both the blade return spring 22 and the biasing spring 29 are applied to the drive lever 28 and the opening and closing blade 15, the drive lever 28 rotates at a high speed toward the first rotation position, and the opening and closing blade 15 operates at a high speed toward the open position.

[0184] When the connecting shaft 42 is pressed against the position holding portion 21a of the shaft operating hole 21, the rotation of the driving lever 28 rotating in the second rotation direction is stopped and held in the first rotation position, and the opening and closing blade 15 operating in the opening direction is held in the open position.

[0185] As described above, in the blade opening and closing device 11 , when the driving body 27 is not energized, the driving rod 28 is rotatable in the first rotation direction independently of the rotor 32 .

[0186] Therefore, when the drive rod 28 rotates in the first rotational direction due to the impact generated when the rotor 32 is not rotating, the drive rod 28 rotates in the second rotational direction by a driving force different from the driving force of the rotor 32 and is held in the first rotational position. Therefore, the drive body 27 does not need to have a large detent torque for holding the drive rod 28 in the first rotational position, and the drive body 27 can be miniaturized and power consumption can be reduced.

[0187] In addition, after the drive rod 28 rotates in the first rotation direction due to the generation of the impact, the drive rod 28 rotates in the second rotation direction and remains in the first rotation position by the biasing force of both the blade return spring 22 and the biasing spring 29, so that the rotation in the second rotation direction is performed at high speed and by a large driving force.

[0188] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the bouncing due to rebound when the connecting shaft 42 in the drive rod 28 contacts the position maintaining portion 21a, and the time from the rotation of the drive rod 28 in the first rotation direction to the return to the first rotation position is shortened, so that the user can quickly use the imaging device 1 after the impact occurs, and usability can be improved.

[0189] Furthermore, since the center of gravity of the rotor 32 is located on or near the rotation axis, the rotor 32 is less likely to rotate when an impact occurs, and the drive lever 28 can be prevented from rotating in the first rotation direction as the rotor 32 rotates.

[0190] Summary

[0191] As described above, in the imaging device 1 and the blade opening and closing device 11, the drive rod 28 can be rotated independently of the rotation operation of the rotor 32, the drive rod 28 is rotated integrally with the rotor 32 in the first rotation direction by the driving force of the driving body 27, and the drive rod 28 is rotated independently of the rotor 32 in the second rotation direction at least by the biasing force of the blade return spring 22.

[0192] Therefore, the rotation of the drive lever 28 in the first rotation direction is performed together with the rotor 32, and the rotation of the drive lever 28 in the second rotation direction is performed separately from the rotor 32, and the drive lever 28 is held in the second rotation position by at least the biasing force of the blade return spring 22. Therefore, it is not necessary to generate a driving force of a magnitude that overcomes the detent torque in the drive body 27 in order to rotate the drive lever 28 toward the second rotation position, and it is possible to reduce power consumption and reduce the size of the drive body 27.

[0193] Furthermore, a biasing spring 29 is provided which is supported between the rotor 32 and the drive lever 28 and biases the drive lever 28 in the second rotational direction.

[0194] Therefore, since the biasing spring 29, which biases the drive lever 28 in the second rotational direction, is supported between the rotor 32 and the drive lever 28, and the drive lever 28 rotates integrally with the rotor 32 in the first rotational direction, when the drive lever 28 rotates in the first rotational direction, the biasing force of the biasing spring 29 does not act as a load on the driving force of the driver 27. Consequently, the driving force of the driver 27 that rotates the drive lever 28 in the first rotational direction can be reduced. Furthermore, since the drive lever 28 rotates in the second rotational direction due to the biasing forces of both the blade return spring 22 and the biasing spring 29, the drive lever 28 can reliably rotate to the first rotational position at high speed.

[0195] In addition, in the imaging device 1 and the blade opening and closing device 11, in a state where the driving force is not applied from the biasing spring 29 to the driving lever 28, the driving force in the first rotational direction is applied from the driving body 27, and in a state where the driving force is not applied from the driving body 27 to the driving lever 28, the driving force in the second rotational direction is applied from the biasing spring 29.

[0196] Therefore, when the opening and closing blade 15 is operated in the closing direction to close the opening 13a, the rotation operation in the first rotation direction is performed in a state where the driving force is not applied to the drive rod 28 from the biasing spring 29, and when the opening and closing blade 15 is operated in the opening direction to open the opening 13a, the rotation operation in the second rotation direction is performed in a state where the driving force is not applied to the drive rod 28 from the driving body 27.

[0197] Therefore, when the opening and closing blades 15 are operated from the open position to the closed position, it is not necessary to apply a large driving force to the driving lever 28 , and the size and power consumption of the driving body 27 can be reduced.

[0198] In addition, since a blade return spring 22 is provided that biases the opening and closing blades 15 in the opening direction and biases the drive rod 28 in the second rotation direction, the drive rod 28 is rotated in the second rotation direction by the driving force of both the biasing spring 29 and the blade return spring 22, so that the drive rod 28 can be rotated at high speed in the second rotation direction to shorten the operation time.

[0199] In addition, the driving body 27 having the rotor 32 is set as a driving body so that the driving rod 28 can rotate independently of the rotation operation of the rotor 32, the driving rod 28 rotates integrally with the rotor 32 in a first rotation direction by the driving force of the driving body 27, and the driving rod 28 rotates independently of the rotor 32 in a second rotation direction by the driving force of the biasing spring 29.

[0200] Therefore, since the drive lever 28 is rotated in the first rotation direction by the driving force of the driving body 27 and in the second rotation direction by the driving force of the biasing spring 29, the drive lever 28 can be reliably and smoothly rotated in the first and second rotation directions with a simple structure.

[0201] <Other>

[0202] The blade opening and closing device 11 mainly includes a driving block 50 and a mechanism block 60. The driving block 50 includes a driving rod 28, a yoke 30, a coil 31, a rotor 32 and a brake rod 43. The mechanism block 60 mainly includes a base 13, a pressing plate 14 and an opening and closing blade 15 (see FIG. Figure 19 ).

[0203] As described above, the driving block 50 mainly includes the driving rod 28 , the yoke 30 , the coil 31 , the rotor 32 , and the brake rod 43 , has a simple structure, and is reduced in size.

[0204] As described above, in the imaging device 1, due to the reduced size of the driving block 50, the width of the driving block 50 in the moving direction (vertical direction) of the opening and closing blade 15 is smaller than the width of the mechanism block 60. Therefore, in a state where the driving block 50 is arranged on the side of the mechanism block 60, an arrangement space can be formed on both sides of the driving block 50 in the moving direction of the opening and closing blade 15 inside the housing 2.

[0205] Therefore, in the imaging device 1, the terminal portions 70, 70 are arranged on both sides of the driving block 50 in the moving direction of opening and closing the blade 15. The terminal portion 70 is, for example, a terminal for headphones, a terminal for a microphone, or a terminal for connecting to an external device such as a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI: registered trademark) or a Universal Serial Bus (USB).

[0206] As described above, in the imaging device 1, the size of the driving block 50 in the moving direction of the opening and closing blade 15 is made smaller than the size of the mechanism block 60, the driving block 50 is located on the outer peripheral side of the mechanism block 60, and the terminal portions 70, 70 are arranged on the opposite side of the outer peripheral side of the mechanism block 60 with the driving block 50 interposed therebetween in the moving direction of the opening and closing blade 15.

[0207] Therefore, since the terminal portions 70 , 70 are arranged in the space on the outer peripheral side of the mechanism block 60 , the imaging apparatus 1 can be miniaturized by effectively utilizing the arrangement space.

[0208] <One embodiment of the imaging apparatus>

[0209] Hereinafter, a configuration example of an embodiment of an imaging device according to the present technology will be described (see Figure 20 ).

[0210] The imaging device 1 includes a camera block 90 having an imaging function, a camera signal processing unit 91 that performs signal processing such as analog-to-digital conversion of captured image signals, and an image processing unit 92 that performs recording / reproducing processing of the image signals. In addition, the imaging device 1 includes a display unit 93 (display 7) that displays captured images and the like, a reader / writer (R / W) 94 that writes and reads image signals to and from a memory 100, a central processing unit (CPU) 95 that controls the entire imaging device 1, a lens drive control unit 96 that controls the drive of the lens arranged in the camera block 90, and an operation unit 97 such as various switches (a shutter button 4, a zoom switch 5, a power button 6, an operation unit 8, etc.) on which a user performs desired operations.

[0211] The camera block 90 may be provided with an interchangeable lens 200 .

[0212] The imaging apparatus 1 is provided with an imaging element 12 such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) that converts an optical image captured by a camera block 90 into an electric signal.

[0213] The camera signal processing unit 91 performs various types of signal processing on the output signal from the imaging element 12 , such as conversion into a digital signal, noise removal, image quality correction, and conversion into luminance / chrominance signals.

[0214] The image processing unit 92 performs compression encoding / extension decoding processing of an image signal, conversion processing of data specifications such as resolution, and the like based on a predetermined image data format.

[0215] The display unit 93 has a function of displaying various data such as the user's operation status on the operation unit 97 and captured images. Note that the imaging device 1 may not be provided with the display unit 93, and may be configured so that captured image data is sent to another display device and the image is displayed.

[0216] The R / W 94 writes the image data encoded by the image processing unit 92 into the memory 100 , and reads the image data recorded in the memory 100 .

[0217] The CPU 95 functions as a control processing unit that controls each circuit block provided in the imaging apparatus 1 , and controls each circuit block based on an instruction input signal or the like from the operation unit 97 .

[0218] The lens driving control unit 96 controls a lens driving unit that moves the lens based on a control signal from the CPU 95 .

[0219] The operation unit 97 outputs an instruction input signal corresponding to the user's operation to the CPU 95 .

[0220] The memory 100 is, for example, a semiconductor memory that is attachable to and detachable from a slot connected to the R / W 94 , or a semiconductor memory incorporated in the imaging apparatus 1 in advance.

[0221] Hereinafter, the operation in the imaging apparatus 1 will be described.

[0222] In the shooting standby state, under the control of the CPU 95, a captured image signal is output to the display unit 93 via the camera signal processing unit 91 and displayed as a camera-through image. In addition, when an instruction input signal is input from the operation unit 97, the CPU 95 outputs a control signal to the lens drive control unit 96, and the lens is moved under the control of the lens drive control unit 96.

[0223] When a shooting operation is performed according to an instruction input signal from the operation unit 97, a captured image signal is output from the camera signal processing unit 91 to the image processing unit 92, undergoes compression coding processing, and is converted into digital data in a predetermined data format. The converted data is output to the R / W 94 and written into the memory 100.

[0224] In the case of reproducing image data recorded in the memory 100, predetermined image data is read from the memory 100 through the R / W 94 according to the operation of the operation unit 97, and after the image processing unit 92 performs decompression decoding processing, the reproduced image signal is output to the display unit 93, and the reproduced image is displayed.

[0225] Note that in the present technology, "imaging" refers to processing that includes only part or all of a series of processing, from the photoelectric conversion processing of converting the light captured by the imaging element 12 into an electrical signal to the conversion of the output signal from the imaging element 12 into a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, noise removal, image quality correction, conversion into luminance / chrominance signals, etc., compression encoding / decompression decoding processing of the image signal based on a predetermined image data format by the image processing unit 92, conversion processing of data specifications such as resolution, and writing processing of the image signal into the memory 100 by the R / W 94.

[0226] That is, "imaging" may refer only to the photoelectric conversion processing of converting the light captured by the imaging element 12 into an electrical signal, or may refer to the processing from the photoelectric conversion processing of converting the light captured by the imaging element 12 into an electrical signal to the processing such as conversion into a digital signal, noise removal, image quality correction, and conversion of the output signal from the imaging element 12 into a luminance / chrominance signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, or may refer to the processing from the photoelectric conversion processing of converting the light captured by the imaging element 12 into an electrical signal to the processing such as conversion into a digital signal, noise removal, image quality correction, and conversion into a luminance / chrominance signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, and then refer to the compression encoding / decompression decoding processing of the image signal based on a predetermined image data format and the conversion processing of data specifications such as resolution by the image processing unit 92. This processing may refer to processes ranging from photoelectric conversion processing for converting light captured by the imaging element 12 into an electrical signal, to processing such as conversion into a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, noise removal, image quality correction, and conversion into luminance / chrominance signals, compression encoding / expansion decoding processing of an image signal based on a predetermined image data format by the image processing unit 92, and conversion processing of data specifications such as resolution, and may refer to processing until the image signal is written into the memory 100 by the R / W 94. In the above-mentioned processing, the order of each processing may be changed as appropriate.

[0227] Furthermore, in the present technology, the camera block 90 and the imaging device 1 may include only a part or all of the imaging element 12 , the camera signal processing unit 91 , the image processing unit 92 , and the R / W 94 that perform the above-described processing.

[0228] Furthermore, the camera block 90 may include a portion of the imaging element 12 , a camera signal processing unit 91 , an image processing unit 92 , and an R / W 94 .

[0229] <This technology>

[0230] The present technology can also be configured as follows.

[0231] (1) A blade opening and closing device comprising:

[0232] a drive lever rotatable in a first rotational direction from a first rotational position to a second rotational position and in a second rotational direction from the second rotational position to the first rotational position;

[0233] a driving body, the driving body applying a driving force to the driving rod as a rotational force along a first rotational direction;

[0234] a biasing spring that applies a driving force to the drive lever as a rotational force in a second rotational direction by biasing the drive lever; and

[0235] opening and closing blades, the opening and closing blades being operated in a closing direction for closing the opening as the drive lever is rotated in the first rotation direction, and being operated in an opening direction for opening the opening as the drive lever is operated in the second rotation direction,

[0236] wherein, in a state in which the driving force from the biasing spring is not applied to the driving lever, the driving force in the first rotation direction is applied from the driving body, and

[0237] In a state in which the driving force from the driving body is not applied to the driving lever, the driving force in the second rotation direction is applied from the biasing spring.

[0238] (2) The blade opening and closing device according to (1) above, further comprising

[0239] A blade return spring biases the blades open and closed in an opening direction and biases the drive lever in a second rotational direction.

[0240] (3) The blade opening and closing device according to (1) or (2) above, wherein

[0241] The driving body is provided with a rotor,

[0242] The drive rod can rotate independently of the rotor's rotational operation,

[0243] The drive rod rotates integrally with the rotor in a first rotation direction by the driving force of the drive body, and

[0244] The drive lever rotates in the second rotational direction independently of the rotor by the driving force of the biasing spring.

[0245] (4) The blade opening and closing device according to (3) above, wherein

[0246] The rotor and a portion of the drive rod are positioned opposite to each other in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor, and

[0247] A biasing spring is positioned between the opposing rotor and a portion of the drive shaft.

[0248] (5) The blade opening and closing device according to (3) or (4) above, wherein

[0249] When the drive body is not energized, the drive shaft is rotatable in a first rotational direction independently of the rotor.

[0250] (6) The blade opening and closing device according to any one of (3) to (5) above, wherein

[0251] The center of gravity of the rotor is located on the axis of rotation.

[0252] (7) The blade opening and closing device according to any one of (3) to (6) above, wherein

[0253] The rotation axis of the rotor and the rotation axis of the drive rod are the same.

[0254] (8) The blade opening and closing device according to any one of (3) to (7) above, wherein

[0255] The rotor is provided with a pressing portion,

[0256] The driving rod is provided with a pressed portion pressed by the pressing portion, and

[0257] When the pressed portion is pressed by the pressing portion, the driving lever is rotated in the first rotation direction by the driving force of the driving body.

[0258] (9) The blade opening and closing device according to any one of (1) to (8) above, further comprising

[0259] A brake lever operable between a deceleration start position and a rotation stop position,

[0260] Here, when the brake lever is operated from the deceleration start position toward the rotation stop position, the rotation speed of the drive lever decreases when rotating in the first rotation direction.

[0261] (10) The blade opening and closing device according to (9) above, further comprising

[0262] A rod support portion formed on the brake rod,

[0263] The driving rod rotating along the first rotation direction is supported by the rod supporting portion.

[0264] (11) The blade opening and closing device according to (10) above further includes

[0265] a brake stopper that presses the brake lever and stops the brake lever at the rotation stop position;

[0266] The brake lever is stopped at the rotation stop position by the brake stop member, and the drive lever is held at the second rotation position.

[0267] (12) The blade opening and closing device according to (2) above, wherein

[0268] A support base is provided on which the driving rod is rotatably supported.

[0269] The driving rod is provided with a connecting shaft to which the opening and closing blades are connected,

[0270] A position holding portion for holding the drive lever at the first rotation position is formed in the support base, and

[0271] The drive lever is held at the first rotational position by pressing the connecting shaft against the position holding portion using the biasing force of the blade return spring.

[0272] (13) An imaging device comprising:

[0273] a blade opening and closing device that controls light taken in through the optical system; and an imaging element that performs photoelectric conversion on light taken in through the optical system,

[0274] The blade opening and closing devices include:

[0275] a drive lever rotatable in a first rotational direction from a first rotational position to a second rotational position and in a second rotational direction from the second rotational position to the first rotational position;

[0276] a driving body, the driving body applying a driving force to the driving rod as a rotational force along a first rotational direction;

[0277] a biasing spring that applies a driving force to the drive lever as a rotational force in a second rotational direction by biasing the drive lever; and

[0278] opening and closing blades, the opening and closing blades being operated in a closing direction for closing the opening as the drive lever is rotated in the first rotation direction, and being operated in an opening direction for opening the opening as the drive lever is operated in the second rotation direction,

[0279] In a state where the driving force from the biasing spring is not applied to the driving lever, the driving force in the first rotation direction is applied from the driving body, and

[0280] In a state in which the driving force from the driving body is not applied to the driving lever, the driving force in the second rotation direction is applied from the biasing spring.

[0281] (14) The imaging device described in (13) above, wherein

[0282] The blade opening and closing device includes a driving block including a driving body and a mechanism block including a mechanism for opening and closing the blades.

[0283] In the moving direction of opening and closing the blades, the size of the driving block is smaller than that of the mechanism block,

[0284] The drive block is located on the outer periphery of the mechanism block, and

[0285] The terminal portion is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the mechanism block on an opposite side of the drive block in a moving direction of opening and closing the blades.

[0286] Reference Signs List

[0287] 1 Imaging equipment

[0288] 11 blades opening and closing device

[0289] 12 imaging elements

[0290] 13A opening

[0291] 15 Open and close blades

[0292] 20 support base

[0293] 21 Position holding unit

[0294] 22 blade return spring

[0295] 25 brake stop

[0296] 27 drive body

[0297] 28 drive rod

[0298] 29 Bias spring

[0299] 32 rotors

[0300] 38 Pressing part

[0301] 39 action part

[0302] 41c pressed portion

[0303] 42 connecting shaft

[0304] 43 brake lever

[0305] 44a Rod support

[0306] 45a operated portion

[0307] 50 driver blocks

[0308] 60 mechanism blocks

[0309] 70 terminal part

Claims

1. A blade opening and closing device comprising: a drive lever rotatable in a first rotational direction from a first rotational position to a second rotational position and in a second rotational direction from the second rotational position to the first rotational position; a driving body, the driving body applying a driving force to the driving rod as a rotational force along a first rotational direction; a biasing spring for applying a driving force to the driving lever as a rotational force in a second rotational direction by biasing the driving lever; as well as opening and closing blades, the opening and closing blades being operated in a closing direction for closing the opening as the drive lever is rotated in the first rotation direction, and being operated in an opening direction for opening the opening as the drive lever is operated in the second rotation direction, wherein, in a state in which the driving force from the biasing spring is not applied to the driving lever, the driving force in the first rotation direction is applied from the driving body, and In a state in which the driving force from the driving body is not applied to the driving lever, the driving force in the second rotation direction is applied from the biasing spring.

2. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 1, further comprising A blade return spring biases the blades open and closed in an opening direction and biases the drive lever in a second rotational direction.

3. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein The driving body is provided with a rotor, The drive rod can rotate independently of the rotor's rotational operation, The drive rod rotates integrally with the rotor in a first rotation direction by the driving force of the drive body, and The drive lever rotates in the second rotational direction independently of the rotor by the driving force of the biasing spring.

4. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 3, wherein The rotor and a portion of the drive rod are positioned opposite to each other in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor, and A biasing spring is positioned between the opposing rotor and a portion of the drive shaft.

5. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 3, wherein When the drive body is not energized, the drive shaft is rotatable in a first rotational direction independently of the rotor.

6. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 3, wherein The center of gravity of the rotor is located on the axis of rotation.

7. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 3, wherein The rotation axis of the rotor and the rotation axis of the drive rod are the same.

8. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 3, wherein The rotor is provided with a pressing portion, The driving rod is provided with a pressed portion pressed by the pressing portion, and When the pressed portion is pressed by the pressing portion, the driving lever is rotated in the first rotation direction by the driving force of the driving body.

9. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 1, further comprising A brake lever operable between a deceleration start position and a rotation stop position, in, When the brake lever is operated from the deceleration start position toward the rotation stop position, the rotation speed of the drive lever decreases while rotating in the first rotation direction.

10. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 9, further comprising A rod support portion formed on the brake rod, in, The driving lever that rotates in the first rotation direction is supported by the lever support portion.

11. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 10, further comprising a brake stopper that presses the brake lever and stops the brake lever at the rotation stop position; in, The brake lever is stopped at the rotation stop position by the brake stop member, and the drive lever is held at the second rotation position.

12. The blade opening and closing device according to claim 2, wherein A support base is provided on which the driving rod is rotatably supported. The driving rod is provided with a connecting shaft to which the opening and closing blades are connected, A position holding portion for holding the drive lever at the first rotation position is formed in the support base, and The drive lever is held at the first rotational position by pressing the connecting shaft against the position holding portion using the biasing force of the blade return spring.

13. An imaging device comprising: A device for opening and closing blades that controls light entering through the optical system; and an imaging element that performs photoelectric conversion on light taken in by the optical system, The blade opening and closing devices include: a drive lever rotatable in a first rotational direction from a first rotational position to a second rotational position and in a second rotational direction from the second rotational position to the first rotational position; a driving body, the driving body applying a driving force to the driving rod as a rotational force along a first rotational direction; a biasing spring that applies a driving force to the drive lever as a rotational force in a second rotational direction by biasing the drive lever; and opening and closing blades, the opening and closing blades being operated in a closing direction for closing the opening as the drive lever is rotated in the first rotation direction, and being operated in an opening direction for opening the opening as the drive lever is operated in the second rotation direction, In a state where the driving force from the biasing spring is not applied to the driving lever, the driving force in the first rotation direction is applied from the driving body, and In a state in which the driving force from the driving body is not applied to the driving lever, the driving force in the second rotation direction is applied from the biasing spring.

14. The imaging device according to claim 13, wherein The blade opening and closing device includes a driving block including a driving body and a mechanism block including a mechanism for opening and closing the blades. In the moving direction of opening and closing the blades, the size of the driving block is smaller than that of the mechanism block, The drive block is located on the outer periphery of the mechanism block, and The terminal portion is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the mechanism block on an opposite side of the drive block in a moving direction of opening and closing the blades.

Images