JP4079015B2 - Auxiliary light projector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an auxiliary light projection device for automatic focus detection.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an auxiliary light projection device used for automatic focus detection in camera shooting, a slit-like striped pattern is projected onto a subject when the subject is dark or has no contrast. The pattern is then detected by the camera and automatic focus detection is performed. In recent years, the detection area for automatic focus detection has expanded. For this reason, in the auxiliary light projection device, a focus detection pattern that can automatically detect a focus in a wider range by further dividing and projecting a striped pattern used for automatic focus detection is used (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
[0003]
In such an auxiliary light projection device, a film pattern in which a focus detection pattern is formed is placed on the front surface of the LED as a light source, and a method for projecting the focus detection pattern onto a subject, or a pattern formed on the LED is used. A method is used in which a lens is divided into a plurality of parts and projected onto a subject and used as a focus detection pattern (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[0004]
Furthermore, recently, in order to secure the projection light amount, the vertical focus detection pattern and the horizontal focus detection pattern are projected by separate projection optical systems, and the projection optical system of each focus detection pattern is Individually fixing the optical member to the housing of the auxiliary light projector while adjusting the position and focus of the constituent optical member is performed.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-347690 (FIG. 3)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-313839 (paragraph “0014”, FIG. 6)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the optical members of the conventional vertical and horizontal projection optical systems are individually positioned and fixed to the housing of the auxiliary light projection device, the projection optical system becomes large, the number of assembling steps increases, and the cost increases. There was a problem of getting higher.
[0007]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an auxiliary light projection apparatus that uses an auxiliary light projection optical unit that is easy to adjust, is small, and is low in cost.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, in an auxiliary light projection device that is attached to or built in a camera having an automatic focus detection device and projects a focus detection pattern onto the subject when the subject brightness is low, A first optical member having a pattern , wherein the first light member projects a pattern onto the subject. A second optical member that includes a projection optical system and a second optical member having a pattern and projects a pattern onto the subject independently of the first projection optical system; The first projection optical system is assembled and fixed through one of the openings, and the second projection optical system is assembled through the other opening. Is then closed and one common member fixed, and the first optical member and the second respective optical members, each light of the respective projection optical system under a state of being fitted in the respective openings Provided is an auxiliary light projection device which is provided so as to be rotatable and adjustable in a plane perpendicular to an axis, and is fixed to the common member after the rotation is adjusted .
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a view showing a camera equipped with an auxiliary light projection apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded structural view of the auxiliary light projection optical unit of the auxiliary light projection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary light projection optical unit taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded structural view of the auxiliary light projection optical unit of the auxiliary light projection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary light projection optical unit taken along the line AA in FIG.
[0015]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a view showing a camera equipped with an auxiliary light projection apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, an auxiliary light projection apparatus 1 according to the present invention is attached to a single-lens reflex camera 3 having an automatic focus detection adjustment mechanism. Projection light emitted from the auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 disposed in the auxiliary light projection device 1 is divided into a plurality of parts via a split optical element 9 fixed to the housing 7 and projected onto a subject (not shown). . Reflected light from the subject enters the single-lens reflex camera 3 through the photographing lens 11 and is divided into a finder system and a focus detection system by the half mirror 13. The light beam to the viewfinder system 15 is focused on the focus plate 19 and the photographer can observe the image via the pentaprism 21 and the eyepiece lens 23. On the other hand, the light beam to the focus detection system is reflected by the sub mirror 25 after passing through the half mirror 13, enters the focus detection means 27, and is used for distance measurement for automatic focus adjustment. In the automatic focus adjustment, after a focus shift of the subject is detected by the focus detection means 27, a lens driving device (not shown) is controlled via a control means (not shown), and the focus adjustment is performed and focusing is performed. After the in-focus point is detected, the half mirror 13 is flipped up, the shutter 29 is operated, and a subject image is formed on the film or the CCD 31. Thus, the single-lens reflex camera 3 which mounts the auxiliary light projection apparatus 1 is comprised.
[0016]
The auxiliary light projection device 1 may be built in the single-lens reflex camera 3.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is an exploded structural view of the auxiliary light projection optical unit of the auxiliary light projection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an assembly time of the auxiliary light projection optical unit along the line AA in FIG. FIG.
[0018]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 includes the first and third lenses 49 a and 49 b in which the LED 47 having a striped pattern is bonded to the common member 41 and the second and second lenses. The four lenses 53a and 53b are integrally assembled and fixed.
[0019]
More specifically, the auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 has a square-shaped common member 41, and two openings 41 a and 41 b whose central axes are parallel to each other are provided on the common member 41 in the front-rear direction of the camera. It is. Cylindrical members 45a and 45b are fitted into these openings 41a and 41b. The cylindrical portion 45a is formed with a pair of notches 43a-1 and 43a-2 in the diametrical direction and in the horizontal direction, and the cylindrical portion 45b has a pair of notch portions 43b-1 in the diametrical direction and in the vertical direction. 43b-2 is formed.
[0020]
The cylindrical members 45a and 45b have LEDs 47, which are light sources that emit a striped pattern, bonded to one side, and the first lens 49a and the third lens 49b each having a position setting projection on the outer peripheral portion have the outer peripheral portion cylindrical. Each of the position setting projections is inserted into the notches 43a and 43b, and is adjusted to a predetermined position and fixed.
[0021]
Since the notches 43a and 43b are formed substantially orthogonal to each other, the striped pattern 51a projected from the first lens 49a is in the vertical direction (the direction in which the stripes are parallel to the Y axis in the drawing) The striped pattern 51b projected from the third lens 49b is in the horizontal direction (in the drawing, the direction in which the stripe is parallel to the X axis).
[0022]
A second lens 53a and a fourth lens 53b having position setting projections are fitted into the openings 41a and 41b, respectively, on the surface of the common member 41 on the camera front side, and adjusted to a predetermined position by the common member 41. It is fixed.
[0023]
In this way, the auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 in which the individual optical members for projecting the vertical stripe pattern and the individual optical members for projecting the horizontal stripe pattern are integrally assembled on the common member 41. Is formed.
[0024]
The auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 is fixed to the housing 7 of the auxiliary light projection device 1 shown in FIG. 1 to constitute an auxiliary light projection device.
[0025]
Hereinafter, assembly and adjustment of the auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 will be described in detail.
[0026]
The notches 43a-1 and 43a-2 of the cylindrical member 45a formed on the common member 41 are formed slightly wider than the width of the position setting projections 49a-1 and 49a-2 of the first lens 49a. ing. The outer periphery of the first lens 49a is fitted into the opening 41a, and the position setting projections 49a-1 and 49a-2 are inserted into the notches 43a-1 and 43a-2, respectively. Thereafter, the striped pattern 51a is projected from the LED onto a screen 54 provided at a predetermined distance from the common member 41. The focus of the striped pattern 51a projected on the screen 54 is adjusted by moving the first lens 49a fitted in the cylindrical member 45a back and forth in the axial direction (Z-axis direction in the figure). The first lens 49a is rotated in a plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the optical axis (θ direction in the figure) to adjust the striped pattern 51a in a predetermined rotation direction. After adjusting the focus and the rotation direction of the striped pattern 51a, the first lens 49a is fixed to the cylindrical member 45a with an adhesive.
[0027]
Further, the notches 43b-1 and 43b-2 of the cylindrical member 45b formed on the common member 41 are slightly wider than the widths of the position setting projections 49b-1 and 49b-2 of the third lens 49b. Is formed. The outer periphery of the third lens 49b is fitted into the opening 41b, and the position setting projections 49b-1 and 49b-2 are inserted into the notches 43b-1 and 43b-2, respectively. Thereafter, the stripe pattern 51b is projected from the LED onto a screen 54 provided at a predetermined distance from the common member 41. The focus of the striped pattern 51b projected on the screen 54 is adjusted by moving the third lens 49b fitted in the cylindrical member 45b back and forth in the axial direction (Z-axis direction in the figure). Further, the third lens 49b is rotated in a plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the optical axis (θ direction in the figure) to adjust the rotation direction of the striped pattern 51b to a predetermined angle. After adjusting the focus and the rotation direction of the striped pattern 51b, the third lens 49b is fixed to the cylindrical member 45b with an adhesive.
[0028]
Next, the second lens 53a is loosely fitted into the opening 41a on the surface of the common member 41 on the camera front side, the second lens 53a is moved in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and the striped pattern 51a is moved to a predetermined position. Adjust to. At this time, since the position setting projections 53a-1 and 53a-2 formed on the second lens 53a are in contact with the surface of the common member 41 on the front side of the camera, the second lens 53a can be easily moved. The alignment of the striped pattern 51a can be easily performed. Thereafter, the second lens 53a is fixed to the common member 41 with an adhesive.
[0029]
Further, the fourth lens 53b is loosely fitted into the opening 41b on the surface of the common member 41 on the front side of the camera, the fourth lens 53b is moved in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and the striped pattern 51b is placed at a predetermined position. adjust. At this time, since the position setting projections 53b-1 and 53b-2 formed on the second lens 53b are in contact with the surface of the common member 41 on the camera front side, the second lens 53b can be easily moved. The stripe pattern 51b can be easily aligned. Thereafter, the fourth lens 53b is fixed to the common member 41 with an adhesive.
[0030]
In this way, the auxiliary light projection optics in which the individual optical members for projecting the vertical stripe pattern 51a and the individual optical members for projecting the horizontal stripe pattern 51b are integrally assembled on the common member 41. Unit 5 is completed.
[0031]
In the above description, during assembly, the first to fourth lenses 49a, 49b, 53a, 53b are adjusted to predetermined positions, and then fixed to the common member 41 and the cylindrical portions 45a, 45b. However, the second lens 53a and the fourth lens 53b are fixed in advance by making the center positions of the openings 41a and 41b of the common member 41 substantially coincide with the center positions of the second lens 53a and the fourth lens 53b. After that, the first lens 49a and the third lens 49b may be adjusted and fixed in the X, Y, Z, and θ directions, respectively. In this way, since the second lens and the fourth lens are prepared for assembly in advance on the common member 41, the subsequent assembly of the auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 is facilitated, and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. This is because the inner diameters of the cylindrical members 45a and 45b for holding and fixing the first lens 49a and the third lens 49b are slightly larger than the outer diameters of the first lens 49a and the third lens 49b. And the widths of the notches 43a-1, 43a-2, 43b-1, 43b-2 are slightly wider than the position setting projections 49a-1, 49a-2, 49b-1, 49b-2. This can be realized.
[0032]
In the first embodiment, since the respective optical members are inserted or fitted into the common member 41 formed with the cylindrical members 45a and 45b having the notches 43a and 43b for angle adjustment, the assembly is adjusted. The size of the auxiliary light projection optical unit can be reduced, and at the same time, the assembly adjustment man-hour can be reduced.
[0033]
Moreover, since the assembly of the auxiliary light projection optical unit is completed simply by fixing the assembled and adjusted auxiliary light projection optical unit to the housing of the auxiliary light projection device, it is possible to eliminate the complicated assembly process as described above. it can.
[0034]
Further, the auxiliary light projection optical unit can be used in common for the auxiliary light projection apparatuses of various models.
[0035]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is an exploded structural view of the auxiliary light projection optical unit of the auxiliary light projection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an assembly time of the auxiliary light projection optical unit along the line AA in FIG. FIG.
[0036]
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shape of the common member. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 includes the first and third lenses 49 a and 49 b in which the LED 47 having the stripe pattern is bonded to the common member 141 and the second and second lenses. The four lenses 53a and 53b are integrally assembled and fixed.
[0038]
More specifically, the auxiliary light projection unit 5 has a square-shaped common member 141, and the common member 141 has two openings 41 a and 41 b whose central axes are parallel to each other in the camera front-rear direction. . The camera rear side surface of the common member 141 is a flat surface, and the groove setting portions 61a-1 and 61a- into which the position setting projections 53a-1 and 53a-2 of the second lens 53a are respectively inserted are provided on the camera front side surface. 2 and groove portions 61b-1 and 61b-2 into which the position setting projections 53b-1 and 53b-2 of the fourth lens 53b are respectively inserted.
[0039]
On the rear surface of the camera, an LED 47, which is a light source that emits a striped pattern, is bonded to one surface, and a first lens 49a and a third lens 49b having position setting protrusions on the outer peripheral portion are formed in the openings 41a and 41b. Each is fitted inside, adjusted to a predetermined position using each position setting projection, and fixed to the common member 141.
[0040]
The first lens 49a and the third lens 49b are projected from the first lens 49a because the LED stripes bonded to the respective lenses are fixed to the common member 141 so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other. The striped pattern 51a is in the vertical direction (the direction in which the stripe is parallel to the Y axis), and the striped pattern 51b projected from the third lens 49b is in the horizontal direction (the direction in which the stripe is parallel to the X axis). It becomes.
[0041]
Further, on the front surface of the camera, the openings 41a and 41b are respectively fitted, and the position setting projections 53a-1 and 53a-2 of the second lens 53a are provided in the grooves 61a-1 and 61a-2. After inserting the position setting projections 53b-1 and 53b-2 of the fourth lens 53b into the grooves 61b-1 and 61b-2, respectively, the second lens 53a and the fourth lens 53b are respectively adjusted to predetermined positions and fixed. ing.
[0042]
Thus, the auxiliary light projection optical unit in which the individual optical members for projecting the vertical stripe pattern 51a and the individual optical members for projecting the horizontal stripe pattern 51b are integrally assembled on the common member 141. 5 is completed.
[0043]
The auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 is fixed to the housing 7 of the auxiliary light projection device 1 shown in FIG. 1 to constitute an auxiliary light projection device.
[0044]
Hereinafter, assembly and adjustment of the auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 will be described in detail.
[0045]
The first lens 49a is fitted in the opening 41a on the camera rear side surface of the common member 141. At this time, the position setting projections 49a-1 and 49a-2 come into contact with the surface of the common member 141 on the rear side of the camera and act as a stopper. Thereafter, the stripe pattern 51 a is projected from the LED onto the screen 54 provided at a predetermined distance from the common member 141. The striped pattern 51a projected on the screen 54 is adjusted to a predetermined position with respect to the XY direction and the rotation direction by moving and rotating the first lens 49a fitted in the opening 41a in the XY axis direction and the θ direction. . After adjusting the XY direction and the rotation direction of the striped pattern 51a, the first lens 49a is fixed to the common member 141 with an adhesive.
[0046]
Further, the third lens 49b is fitted into the opening 41b on the surface of the common member 141 on the rear side of the camera. At this time, the position setting projections 49b-1 and 49b-2 come into contact with the surface of the common member 141 on the rear side of the camera and act as a stopper. Thereafter, the stripe pattern 51b is projected from the LED onto the screen 54 provided at a predetermined distance from the common member 141. The striped pattern 51b projected on the screen 54 is adjusted to a predetermined position with respect to the XY direction and the rotation direction by moving and rotating the third lens 49b fitted in the opening 41b in the XY axis direction and the θ direction. . After adjusting the XY direction and the rotation direction of the striped pattern 51b, the third lens 49b is fixed to the common member 141 with an adhesive.
[0047]
Next, the second lens 53 a and the fourth lens 53 b are assembled to the common member 141. The second lens 53a is loosely fitted into the opening 41a on the surface of the common member 141 on the camera front side, and the position setting projections 53a-1 and 53a-2 of the second lens 53a are inserted into the groove 61a-1 of the common member 141. , 61a-2, respectively. The second lens 53a is moved in the Z-axis direction to adjust the focus of the striped pattern 51a. At this time, since the position setting projections 53a-1 and 53a-2 formed in the second lens 53a are respectively inserted into the grooves 61a-1 and 61a-2 of the common member 141, the second lens 53a Movement in the Z-axis direction can be easily performed, and focusing of the striped pattern can be easily performed. Thereafter, the second lens 53a is fixed to the common member 141 with an adhesive.
[0048]
Further, the fourth lens 53b is loosely fitted into the opening 41b on the surface of the common member 141 on the camera front side, and the position setting projections 53b-1 and 53b-2 of the second lens 53b are grooved 61b of the common member 141. -1, 61b-2, respectively. The second lens 53b is moved in the Z-axis direction to adjust the focus of the striped pattern 51b. At this time, since the position setting projections 53b-1 and 53b-2 formed on the second lens 53b are respectively inserted into the grooves 61b-1 and 61b-2 of the common member 141, the second lens 53b Movement in the Z-axis direction can be easily performed, and focusing of the striped pattern can be easily performed. Thereafter, the second lens 53b is fixed to the common member 141 with an adhesive.
[0049]
Thus, the auxiliary light projection optics in which the individual optical members that project the vertical stripe pattern 51a and the individual optical members that project the horizontal stripe pattern 51b are integrally assembled on the common member 141. Unit 5 is completed.
[0050]
In the second embodiment, the positions of the striped patterns 51a and 51b in the XY axis direction and the rotation direction are adjusted by the first lens 49a and the third lens 49b on the camera rear surface of the common member 141, and then the first lens 49a and The third lens 49b is fixed, and the focus of the striped patterns 51a and 51b is adjusted by the second lens 53a and the fourth lens 53b on the surface of the common member 141 on the camera front side, and then the second lens 53a and the fourth lens 53b. By fixing, the auxiliary light projection optical unit 5 can be reduced in size and at the same time the assembly adjustment man-hour can be reduced.
[0051]
Further, since the assembly of the auxiliary light projection optical unit is completed simply by fixing the assembled and adjusted auxiliary light projection optical unit to the housing of the auxiliary light projection apparatus, the complicated assembly up to now can be eliminated.
[0052]
Further, the auxiliary light projection optical unit can be used in common for the auxiliary light projection apparatuses of various models.
[0053]
In all the embodiments, the first to fourth lenses may be molded lenses. Further, the first to fourth lenses may be fixed using a fixing method other than an adhesive, for example, a screw.
[0054]
The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and is not limited to the above-described configuration and shape, and can be appropriately modified and changed within the scope of the present invention.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an auxiliary light projection apparatus that uses an auxiliary light projection optical unit that is easy to adjust, small, and low in cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a camera equipped with an auxiliary light projection apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded configuration diagram of an auxiliary light projection optical unit of the auxiliary light projection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary light projection optical unit taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded configuration diagram of an auxiliary light projection optical unit of an auxiliary light projection apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary light projection optical unit taken along the line AA in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Auxiliary light projection apparatus 3 Single-lens reflex camera 5 Auxiliary light projection optical unit 7 Housing 9 Division | segmentation optical element 11 Shooting lens 13 Half mirror 15 Finder system 17 Focus detection system 19 Focus plate 21 Penta prism 23 Eyepiece 25 Submirror 27 Focus detection means 29 Shutter 31 Film (CCD)
41, 141 Common member 43 Notch 45 Cylindrical member 47 LED
49a First lens 49b Third lens 51 Striped pattern 53a Second lens 53b Fourth lens 61 Groove

Claims (10)

In an auxiliary light projection device that is mounted on or built in a camera having an automatic focus detection device and projects a focus detection pattern onto the subject when the subject brightness is low,
A housing;
An auxiliary light projection optical unit fixed to the housing,
The auxiliary light projection optical unit includes:
A first projection optical system including a first optical member having a pattern and projecting the pattern onto the subject;
A second projection optical system that includes a second optical member having a pattern and projects a pattern onto the subject independently of the first projection optical system;
The first projection optical system is assembled and fixed through one of the two openings, and the second projection optical system is assembled through the other opening. is the one common member fixed, it was perforated by,
Each of the first optical member and the second optical member is provided so as to be rotatable and adjustable within a plane perpendicular to each optical axis of the projection optical system of each of the first optical member and the second optical member in a state of being fitted in the openings. The auxiliary light projection device is fixed to the common member after the rotation adjustment .   The auxiliary light projector according to claim 1, wherein central axes of the two openings are parallel to each other. The first and second optical members each have a protrusion,
The common member, the conjunction is insertable each projection comprises a plurality of cutout portions which are wider than the protrusion width,
Wherein in a state of being inserted into the cutout of the protrusions corresponding auxiliary light projection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said optical member is rotatable within said plane. Each of the first and second optical members includes a plurality of protrusions,
The common member includes a plurality of notches corresponding to the plurality of protrusions,
4. The auxiliary light projection device according to claim 3 , wherein the optical member is rotatable in a state where the plurality of protrusions are respectively inserted into the plurality of corresponding notches. 5. The first, the second optical member, wherein in a state of being inserted in the notch of the respective projections corresponding auxiliary light according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it is positioning the optical axis direction Projection device. The first and second optical members are fitted to one end side of each opening,
Each of the projection optical systems further includes third and fourth optical members that are respectively fitted to the other ends of the openings.
Said third, fourth, respectively optical member, after being alignment in the XY direction in the plane under the fitted state, claims 1-5, characterized in that fixed to said common member The auxiliary light projection device according to any one of the above. The first and second optical members are respectively fixed to the common member after being rotationally adjusted in the plane while being fitted in the corresponding openings. The auxiliary light projection device according to any one of 1 to 4 . Wherein the first, respectively the second optical member, wherein are fitted into the one end side of each opening,
Each of the projection optical systems further includes third and fourth optical members that are respectively fitted to the other ends of the openings.
The third and fourth optical members are each fixed to the common member after being adjusted in the optical axis direction of the projection optical system in the fitted state. Item 8. The auxiliary light projection optical system according to Item 7 . The third and fourth optical members each have a protrusion,
It said common member comprises a plurality of cut-out portion can be inserted to the projections,
9. The auxiliary light projection optical system according to claim 8 , wherein the position of each of the third and fourth optical members is adjusted in the optical axis direction in a state where each of the protrusions is inserted into the corresponding notch. system. The first optical member includes a first light source having a striped pattern,
The second optical member includes a second light source having a striped pattern,
The first and second optical members are assembled and fixed to the common member so that the projection pattern of the stripe pattern of the first light source and the projection pattern of the stripe pattern of the second light source are substantially orthogonal to each other. auxiliary light projection optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, it is characterized in that it is.

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