ELECTRIC DRIVING DEVICE FOR A CAMERA
United States Patent 3656420
According to an embodiment of the electrical drive disclosed, a first drive motor winds the film in the camera and a second drive motor operates the shutter. A control mechanism includes member movable between one position in which the mechanism actuates the first drive motor and a second position in which the mechanism actuates the second drive motor. A manually operable switch in the mechanism starts the second motor and enables it for actuation. The control mechanism responds to the completion of operation of the second motor for moving the member to the first position. A resilient detector detects increases in exertion of the first motor beyond a given value and causes the mechanism to move the control member from the first position to the second position. The mechanism disables the switch from starting the second motor when the member is in the first position.
US Patent References:
Camera apparatus
Lee et al. - March 1966 - 3241434
Electrically operated automatic camera
Grass - July 1956 - 2754721
Camera operating structure
Hofmann et al. - July 1964 - 3142238
Automatic camera
Clark - June 1954 - 2679790
Camera
Jones - February 1941 - 2232240
Camera apparatus
Lee et al. - March 1966 - 3241434
Electrically operated automatic camera
Grass - July 1956 - 2754721
Camera operating structure
Hofmann et al. - July 1964 - 3142238
Automatic camera
Clark - June 1954 - 2679790
Camera
Jones - February 1941 - 2232240
Inventors:
Aizawa, Hiroshi (Kawasaki, JA)
Ogiso, Mitsutoshi (Kawasaki, JA)
Ogiso, Mitsutoshi (Kawasaki, JA)
Application Number:
05/030880
Publication Date:
04/18/1972
Filing Date:
04/22/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo, JA)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
396/472
International Classes:
G03B17/42; G03B19/04; G03B19/02; G03B19/04; G03B17/44
Field of Search:
95/31EL,53E 352/121,175
Primary Examiner:
Matthews, Samuel S.
Assistant Examiner:
Adams, Russell E.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. An electrical driving device for a camera, comprising first drive means adapted to wind the film of the camera, second drive means adapted to operate the shutter of the camera, control means having a member movable between a first position and a second position and connected to said first drive means and said second drive means for actuating said first drive means in the first position and said second drive means in said second position, manually operable switch means connected to said second drive means for selectively enabling and disabling the actuation of said second drive means, said first control means being responsive to operation of said second drive means for moving said movable member to said first position, detecting means in said first drive means for detecting increases in exertion of said first drive means beyond a given value and connected to said control means for constraining said control means to move said control member from the first position to the second position.
2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for preventing said manually operable switch means from enabling the actuation of said second drive means when said control member is in the first position.
3. A device as in claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes resilient means responsive to exertion of said first drive means beyond a given value.
4. A device as in claim 3, wherein said control means includes means for preventing said manually operable switch means from enabling the actuation of said second drive means when said control member is in the first position.
5. A device as in claim 4, wherein said drive means each includes switch means responsive to said control means for actuating said drive means.
6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes a torsion joint responsive to operation of said first drive means and an electromagnet responsive to the operation of said torsion joint for constraining said control means to move said control member from the first position to the second position.
7. A device as in claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes a pulley system and a band, resilient means for drawing said band taut, and mechanical means responsive to the tautness of said band and connected to said control means for constraining said control means to move said control member from the first position to the second position.
8. a device as in claim 1, wherein said first drive means includes a constant intervalometer responsive to a signal actuating said first drive means for delaying the operation of said first drive means.
9. A device as in claim 1, wherein sad drive means includes delay means for responding to a signal actuating said second drive means for delaying operation of said second drive means.
10. A device as in claim 1, wherein said manually operable switch means form part of a remote control unit.
11. A device as in claim 10, wherein said remote control unit includes indicator means responsive to the operation of said first drive means.
12. A device as in claim 1, wherein said device forms part of a detachable unit.
13. An electric driving device for a camera comprising, first drive means adapted to wind the film of the camera, second drive means adapted to control the shutter of the camera, control means having a member movable between a first position and a second position and connected to each of said drive means for actuating said first drive means in the first position and said second drive means in the second position, manually operable switch means connected to said second drive means for selectively enabling the actuation of said second drive means and alternatively connectable to said first drive means for enabling actuation of said first drive means when said second drive means is disabled, said control means being responsive to operation of said second drive means for moving said movable member to the first position, detecting means in said first drive means for detecting increases in exertion of said first drive means beyond a given value and connected to said control means for constraining said control means to move said control member from the first position to the second position, and change-over means forming a part of said manually operable switch means for causing said first drive means to be selectively continuously enabled so as to permit automatic successive exposures of successive frames in the camera.
14. A device as in claim 1, wherein said manually operable switch means are connected to said first drive means alternatively for selectively enabling the actuation of said first drive means when the actuation of said second drive means is disabled.
1. An electrical driving device for a camera, comprising first drive means adapted to wind the film of the camera, second drive means adapted to operate the shutter of the camera, control means having a member movable between a first position and a second position and connected to said first drive means and said second drive means for actuating said first drive means in the first position and said second drive means in said second position, manually operable switch means connected to said second drive means for selectively enabling and disabling the actuation of said second drive means, said first control means being responsive to operation of said second drive means for moving said movable member to said first position, detecting means in said first drive means for detecting increases in exertion of said first drive means beyond a given value and connected to said control means for constraining said control means to move said control member from the first position to the second position.
2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for preventing said manually operable switch means from enabling the actuation of said second drive means when said control member is in the first position.
3. A device as in claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes resilient means responsive to exertion of said first drive means beyond a given value.
4. A device as in claim 3, wherein said control means includes means for preventing said manually operable switch means from enabling the actuation of said second drive means when said control member is in the first position.
5. A device as in claim 4, wherein said drive means each includes switch means responsive to said control means for actuating said drive means.
6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes a torsion joint responsive to operation of said first drive means and an electromagnet responsive to the operation of said torsion joint for constraining said control means to move said control member from the first position to the second position.
7. A device as in claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes a pulley system and a band, resilient means for drawing said band taut, and mechanical means responsive to the tautness of said band and connected to said control means for constraining said control means to move said control member from the first position to the second position.
8. a device as in claim 1, wherein said first drive means includes a constant intervalometer responsive to a signal actuating said first drive means for delaying the operation of said first drive means.
9. A device as in claim 1, wherein sad drive means includes delay means for responding to a signal actuating said second drive means for delaying operation of said second drive means.
10. A device as in claim 1, wherein said manually operable switch means form part of a remote control unit.
11. A device as in claim 10, wherein said remote control unit includes indicator means responsive to the operation of said first drive means.
12. A device as in claim 1, wherein said device forms part of a detachable unit.
13. An electric driving device for a camera comprising, first drive means adapted to wind the film of the camera, second drive means adapted to control the shutter of the camera, control means having a member movable between a first position and a second position and connected to each of said drive means for actuating said first drive means in the first position and said second drive means in the second position, manually operable switch means connected to said second drive means for selectively enabling the actuation of said second drive means and alternatively connectable to said first drive means for enabling actuation of said first drive means when said second drive means is disabled, said control means being responsive to operation of said second drive means for moving said movable member to the first position, detecting means in said first drive means for detecting increases in exertion of said first drive means beyond a given value and connected to said control means for constraining said control means to move said control member from the first position to the second position, and change-over means forming a part of said manually operable switch means for causing said first drive means to be selectively continuously enabled so as to permit automatic successive exposures of successive frames in the camera.
14. A device as in claim 1, wherein said manually operable switch means are connected to said first drive means alternatively for selectively enabling the actuation of said first drive means when the actuation of said second drive means is disabled.
Description:
The present invention relates to an electric drive for a camera of the focal plane shutter type. One of the main features of the present inventions, lies in that four kinds of photographing a single frame and successive photographing by manual operation as well as by remote control operation can be effected easily and exactly by a single construction with two motors and one controlling member.
In a conventional electrical driving device for a camera, the following constructions are commonly employed: (A) a construction in which a joint member for interlocking with another joint provided in the camera rotates through an angle necessary for film winding and shutter charging and then automatically stops, and (B) a construction in which the joint member for interclocking with the camera can rotate beyond the above angle, and when it reaches a limit point of film winding the excessive angle is absorbed by a friction joint.
However, in (A), it is absolutely necessary that the rotation angles and the stopping positions of the both joints completely coincide. And if there is any error among them, disadvantages such as an insufficient film winding or excessive film winding are caused. And in (B) maintaining both joints in a radially compressed state even after the stop of the film winding mechanism, causes defects such as that the action of the shutter release mechanism is not smooth or a proper movement of the shutter mechanism is interferred with.
One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome the above disadvantages and deficiencies.
The present invention will be described referring to the embodiments shown in the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show details of a torsion joint employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a circuit useful for a further another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is circuit for a still further another embodiment the present invention, suitable for a remote control operation.
In FIG. 1, M 1 is a D.C. motor for film winding. The out-put torque of the motor is transmitted to a pulley 6 through reduction gears 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The gear 3 is fixed to the gear 4 and the gear 5 is fixed to the pulley 6. The rotation of the pulley 6 is delivered to a pulley 8 by a belt 7, and is further reduced by a gear 9 fixed to the pulley 8, and delivered to a winding joint 10. An engaging pin 10' mounted on the joint 10 engages a winding joint provided in a camera.
The belt 7 rotates a guide roller 12 rotatably supported on a shaft 11 fixed to a housing of the device, an idle roller 13 rotatably supported on a free and of a lever 14 also rotatably supported on a shaft 15 fixed to the housing, and a tension responsive pulley 17 rotatably supported on one free end 19a of V-shaped lever 19 also rotatably supported on a shaft 18 fixed to the housing. The lever 14 and the lever 19 are respectively biased by a spring 16 and a spring 20 which bias the pulleys 13 and 17 against the belt 7.
A D.C. shutter release motor M 2 transmits its output torque to a wheel 23 through a worm gear 22. A pin 25 is fixedly provided on the front side of the wheel 23 near the periphery, and a pin 26 is fixedly provided on the rear side of the wheel 23. A shutter release pin 27 is actuated by one end 28a of a release lever 28 rotatably supported on the shaft 29 fixed to the housing. The other end 28b of the lever 28 is in the path of the pin 25 and actuated by the motor M 2 . A resetting spring 30 biases the lever 28 toward a stopper pin 31. An intermediate lever 32 charges a control member 36, which is rotatably supported by a shaft 33 fixed to the housing. One end 32a of the lever 32 is positioned in the path of the pin 25. A tension spring 34 draws the intermediate lever 32 against a stopper pin 35.
A lever 38 for prohibiting an excessive rotation of the wheel 23, is rotatably supported on the shaft 37 fixed to the housing. One end 38a of the lever 38 is positioned in the path of the pin 26. A tension spring 39 biases the lever 38 clockwise. The control member 36 is slidably guided on the housing by a pin-slot engagement composed of a pin 39 and a slot 36b.
A pin 40 and a pin 41 are planted on the control member 36 for engagement with the end 32b of the lever 32 and the end 38b of the lever 38 respectively.
A pin 42 is a pin for switching planted on the control member 36 for selectively controlling switches S 1 and S 2 through the movement of the control member 36. On one side of the control member 36 there is provided a stepped portion 36a for engagement with a hooked portion 19b of the lever 19. A tension spring controls member 36. A change-over switch which is associated with the movement of a change-over means includes fixed terminals S 3 a and S 3 b and a movable contact member S 3 c. 46 is a change-over switch for a single frame or successive photographing, E is a battery power source. One end Ea of the source E is selectively connected to one terminal M 1 a of the film winding motor M 1 through the switch S 3 and connected to one terminal M 2 a of the motor M 2 for shutter release, while the other end Eb of the source is connected to each of respective terminals S 1 a and S 2 a of the switches S 1 and S 2 .
The other terminal S 2 b of the switch S 2 is connected to the other terminal M 2 b of the motor M 2 and the other terminal S 1 b of the switch S 1 is connected to the other terminal M 1 b of the motor M 1 . The change-over switch S 4 is provided in parallel with the switch S 3 between one terminal Ea of the source and one terminal M 1 a of the motor M 1 .
Functional descriptions of one embodiment according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be set forth hereinunder.
FIG. 1 shows a phase of the device in the process of film winding for photographing a single frame. In this case the motor M 1 is rotating because the circuit comprising the battery E, the change-over switch S 3 the motor M 1 and the switch S 1 is closed. Under this condition, the film winding of the camera proceeds until the film winding is finished and the joint 10 reaches and stops at a restricting point provided in the camera. Then the tension along the side 7a of the belt 7 increases and the pulley 17 on the lever 19 is pulled downward as shown in the drawing against the spring 20. At this stage the loosening on the side 7b of the belt 7 is compensated for by the spring 16 through the pulley 13 to prevent the belt 7 from getting out of the pulleys 6 and 8. The tension of the spring 16 must be much smaller that of the spring 20.
Thus the hook 19b of the V-shaped lever 19 is disengaged from the stepped portion 36a of the control member 36 so that the control member is released and permitted to move slidably, in a leftwise direction as shown in the drawing, by the tension of the charged spring 34. Thus the pin 42 departs from the switch S 1 to switch it off and then causes the switch S 2 to switch-on. In this way the film winding is finished and the motor M 1 stops. During the above process, the pin 41 moves leftwise from a position for restricting the movement of the pin 26 to a position for permitting the movement of the pin 26 as the lever 38 follows the movement of the pin 41 so that the wheel is permitted to rotate. When the motor M 1 stops, the tension in the belt 7 is relieved to release the winding joint from a radially compressed state and ready the shutter release. Also the lever 19 is returned to a state ready for engagement with the control member 36 by the spring 20.
After these movements, the device maintains the above state and is ready for the next shutter release. When the change-over means is operated, the movable contact means S 3 c contacts the terminal S 3 a to close the switch S 3 , and thus the circuit comprising the battery E the switch S 3 the motor M 2 and the switch S 2 is closed to start the release motor M 2 . In this way the wheel 23 is rotated in a clockwise direction, and the pin 25 pushes the end 28b of the lever 28 to actuate the release pin 27, and then the pin 25 pushes the end 32a of the lever 32 to rotate the lever 32, with the other end 32b pushing the pin 40 to bring the control member 36 to the state as shown in FIG. 1 after the opening of the switch S 2 and the closing of the switch S 1 . When the switch S 2 is opened power supply to the motor M 2 is interrupted, but the motor M 2 continues to rotate the wheel 23 with its inertia, and the wheel advances to the position shown in FIG. 1 when the pin 26 is restricted and stopped by the end 38a of the lever 38 which is brought to the above position by the control means 36.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a frictional coupling between the motor M 2 and the worm gear 22 is employed.
So far as the changed-over means is in operation to contact the movable contact means S 3 c with the terminal S 3 a of the switch S 3 , the device is set to stop.
When the change-over means is released, the movable contact means S 3 c departs from the terminal S 3 a and contacts the terminal S 3 b to change over the switch S 3 . Thus the circuit for the motor M 1 is closed, and film winding is started through the state of the device shown in FIG. 1. The series of operations up to the next shutter release ready state from the shutter release constitutes one cycle for photographing a single frame.
For exposing successive frames automatically, a switch S 4 provided in parallel with the switch S 3 in the circuit for the motor M 1 is closed. The winding motor M 1 starts winding immediately after the completion of the movement of the device by the release motor M 2 even if the movable contact means S 3 c does not contacts the terminal S 3 b of the switch S 3 . Thus, so far as the change-over means is maintained in operation to contact the movable contact means S 3 c with the terminal S 3 a, the film winding and the shutter release is repeated. On the other hand when the change-over means is released the device stops ready for the next shutter release.
In case the inertia of the motor M 2 is not enough to move the control member 36, the device may be modified so that the movable contact means S 3 c contacts the terminal S 3 a until disengagement of the lever 19 with the control member 36.
FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in which the completion of the film winding is detected electrically, and the control member is released to disengage from and engaging lever attracted by an electromagnet, and a switch carried on a torsion joint is employed as an electric detector.
Parts and members having similar functions as those shown in FIG. 1 are shown by corresponding numerals with addition of 100.
In FIG. 2, the rotation of the winding motor M 1 is transmitted to a gear 105 through reduction gears 102, 103 and 104, and further transmitted to a winding joint 110 through a leaf spring 150 provided between a shaft 105a on the gear 105 and a shaft 110a on the joint 110 to effect shutter charge and film winding.
The shaft 105a and the shaft 110a are fixed to insulating cylinders 151 and 152 respectively, between which cylinders is provided a switch, as shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4.
In FIGS. 3 and 4, terminals connect respectively with each terminal of the electromagnet 159 and continuously contact conductive rings 153 and 154 fixed on the insulating cylinders 151 and 152 respectively. Two contact members carried respectively on the insulating cylinders 151 and 152 and connected to the conductive rings 153 and 154, constitute a switching means S 6 . The contacts members 155 and 156 of the switching means oppose each other with a slight space between them in a untorsioned state of the leaf spring in the torsion joint.
In a way similar to FIG. 1, the motor M 1 rotates and the film winding is finished. The joint 110 stops, but the motor M 1 continues to rotate further so that the gear 105 twistedly rotates the leaf spring 150. The contact member 155 provided on the shaft 105 contacts the contact member 156 on the side of the joint 110 to close the circuit for actuation of the electromagnet 159. Thus, the electromagnet 159 is excited to attract a projection 119a of the engaging lever 119 so that the lever 119 rotates in a counterclock wise direction around the shaft 118. A hook 119b is disengaged from the control member 136, and the control member 136 is moved to the left by a spring 145. A pin 142 opens the switch S 1 to stop power supply to the motor M 1 and then closes the switch S 2 while a pin 141 moves to the left. The lever 138 follows the pin 141 to permit the rotation of a disc 123 and the control member 136 is stopped in a state where the switch S 1 is off and the switch S 2 is on.
As the excessive rotation of the gear 105 charges the leaf spring 150, the gear 105 is rotated back to discharge the energy stored in the spring 150 so that a radial compression between the joint 110 and the joint in the camera is relieved.
Then when a change-over button 160 is pushed, a switch S 5 is closed and a switch S 3 is opened together with the switch S 5 . Thus a circuit for the release motor M 2 is closed and effects similar to those in the embodiment shown FIG. 1 follow.
FIG. 5 shows a circuit for another embodiment which further comprises a unit for remote control operation, a delay circuit for delaying the start of a release motor M 2 and a timer circuit for changing intervals of a successive photographing.
The delay circuit for delaying the start of the release motor M 2 is particularly advantageous for preventing deterioration of image quality due to incomplete stoppage of film at the shutter release immediately after the stoppage of the winding motor during automatic successive exposures, and for preventing and lowering of the durability of the shutter and irregularity in shutter speed due to severe friction in the shutter release mechanism caused by unrelieved radial compression between the joints.
The timer circuit for changing intervals of a successive photographing to delay the start of the rotation of the winding motor M 1 is advantageous when combined with the device as shown in FIG. 5 for photographing at desired constant intervals such as a frame per minute and a frame per 5 minutes to shoot intermittently a gradually moving object.
In FIG. 5, D is the delay circuit for the release motor M 2 and T is the timer circuit. In this case the switch S 1 is closed when the switch S 2 is closed and vice versa for assuring the delayed operation, contrary to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 5 shows the state of the circuit at the completion of winding of the film in which when the switch S 3 is changed over from the terminal (b) to the terminal (a), a potential at a connecting point of the capacitor C 1 and the resistor R 1 of the delay circuit is lowered as the switch S 2 is held in an off state, and a transistor Tr 1 is turned on after a given lapse of time. Accordingly, a transistor Tr 2 is turned on to start rotation of the release motor M 2 . Thus the switch S 2 turns on after the shutter release, and the charge across the capacitor C 1 is discharged through the shortened switch S 2 . In this way the potential between a base and an emitter of the transistor Tr 1 approaches a zero potential so that the transistor Tr 1 becomes non-conductive and thus the transistor Tr 2 is biased to cut-off and power to the motor M 2 is interrupted.
As the switch S 1 as well as the switch S 2 are closed by a control member similar to ones 36 and 136 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the winding motor M 1 is ready to start.
When the switch S 3 is changed over from the terminal (a) to the terminal (b), the circuit for the motor M 1 is connected to the battery E 2 and after a preset period of time T a silicon controlled rectifier ScR is turned on to start the motor M 1 .
After the completion of film winding, the engaging lever is disengaged with the control member, then the switches S 1 and S 2 are simultaneously opened to stop power from reaching the motors M 1 and M 2 , thus the next shutter release is ready.
In the timer circuit Tr 1 , the charges across the capacitor C 2 starts to discharge, for a given period of time after the switch S 1 is closed. Discharge takes place uni-junction transistor UJT and a resistor R 5 when the potential across the capacitor C 2 of a time-constant circuit C 2 R 6 rises to a potential higher than that of an anode of the uni-junction transistor UJT. The anode potential id determined by a bleeder circuit composed of the resistors R 2 , R 3 and R 4 .
The time-constant circuit C 2 R 6 is connected to the anode of the uni-junction transistor UJT and the bleeder circuit R 2 R 3 and R 4 furnishes a gate potential for the uni-junction transistor UJT. In this way, a potential due to a discharged current through the resistor R 5 is supplied to a gate of the silicon controlled rectifier SCR and thus the rectifier SCR is turned on to rotate the motor M 1 . When the resistance of the resistor R 6 is variable, the time constant of the circuit C 2 R 6 becomes also variable to vary the period from the opening of the switch S 1 to the starting of the rotation of the motor M 1 , and thus the timer circuit T functions as an constant intervalometer for a successive photographing.
A, B and C are terminals for remote control, each of which is connected respectively to terminals A', B' and C' of a remote control unit O with an extension card. In this case the battery E 2 is removed and the battery E 1 in the remote control unit is used as the power source. The switches S 3 and S 4 are maintained in a position shown in a full line as shown in FIG. 5. A change-over switch S 8 in the unit O stands in for the switch S 3 of the device and the switch S 7 stands in for the switch S 4 of the device when the remote control unit O is used.
L is an indicator lamp contained in the remote control unit O, and the lamp illuminates when the current flows through the motor M 1 and indicates the movement of the motor M 1 to the operator of the remote control unit.
Lc is a coil of very small resistance connected in series in the circuit for the motor M 1 and Ls is a lead switch actuated by the coil Lc. When the switches S 3 and S 8 are maintained on the side of the terminals (b) and (a') and the switch S 1 as well as the switch S 2 are closed, the current passes through the motor M 1 to rotate it, and the current also passes through the coil Lc to attract the lead switch Ls to close an indicator lamp circuit provided in parallel with the motor circuit to energize the lamp L.
In FIG. 5, the lamp L is provided only in the circuit for the motor M 1 . According to another embodiment of the invention an indicator lamp circuit is provided for the motor M 2 . In this case, when a successive exposure photography is performed with a remote control, the alternate illumination of the two lamps assure the device is acting in a normal manner. To provide lamps for indication of the movement of the both motors M 1 and M 2 , it is necessary to connect each of the circuits for the both motors separately to the remote control unit, thus complicating the wiring. But it becomes possible to indicate the movements of the both motors with a simplified wiring as shown in FIG. 5 by constructing two indicator circuits so that two indicators show respectively the movements of the both motors. For this purpose, the difference of the currents for rotation of the both motors is utilized to detect and indicate which one of the motors rotates as shown in FIG. 6. Suppose the current for the motor M 1 is (i 1) and that for the motor M 2 is (i 2). A circuit X for motors M 1 and M 2 is connected in series with a resistor Ra to the battery E, and a connecting point of the circuit X and the resistor Ra is connected to two switching circuits respectively comprising a Schmitt circuit respectively through diodes D 1 and D 2 . One of the two Schmitt circuits comprises transistors Tra and Trb, and the other Schmitt circuit comprises transistors Trd and Tre. Potentials for making the transistors Trb and Tre conductive are respectively varied by the variable resistors R e and Rj. Suppose i 1 <i 2, then both transistors Trc and Trf are not inverted to conductive states so that both indicator lamps L 1 and L 2 do not illuminate. In the circuits both resistor Rb and Rg furnishing base potentials for the both transistors Trc and Trf should be selected to be small so that the base potentials do not cause both transistors Trc and Trf to on-states in the above case. When current i 1 flows through a release motor and a resistor Ra, a potential i 1 Ra drives through the diode D 1 the Schmitt circuit for the lamp L 1 to bring the transistor Trc to an on-state for illuminating the lamp L 1 . In this case the resistance value of the resistor Rj should be preselected so that the Schmitt circuit for the lamp L 2 will not be triggered to switch on the transistor Trf for the lamp L 2 . When the larger current i 2 flows through a winding motor and a resistor Ra, a potential i 2 Ra drives, through the diode D 2 , the Schmitt circuit for the lamp L 2 to bring the transistors Trd and Trf to on-states for illuminating the lamp L 2 . A diode D 3 is provided in a feed back circuit for prohibiting the illumination of the lamp L 1 . The transistor Trb is inverted to an on-state and the Transistor Trc is inverted to switch off the circuit for the lamp L 1 . In this way, both the lamps L 1 , L 2 do not illuminate when no current flows in the motor circuits X. Only the lamp L 1 illuminates for the current i 1 and only the lamp L 2 illuminates for the current i 2 to assure recognition of the state of camera operation. A similar circuit for warning of the end of the film may be provided as provided as a modification.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the device forms part of a separate and attachable unit.
In a conventional electrical driving device for a camera, the following constructions are commonly employed: (A) a construction in which a joint member for interlocking with another joint provided in the camera rotates through an angle necessary for film winding and shutter charging and then automatically stops, and (B) a construction in which the joint member for interclocking with the camera can rotate beyond the above angle, and when it reaches a limit point of film winding the excessive angle is absorbed by a friction joint.
However, in (A), it is absolutely necessary that the rotation angles and the stopping positions of the both joints completely coincide. And if there is any error among them, disadvantages such as an insufficient film winding or excessive film winding are caused. And in (B) maintaining both joints in a radially compressed state even after the stop of the film winding mechanism, causes defects such as that the action of the shutter release mechanism is not smooth or a proper movement of the shutter mechanism is interferred with.
One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome the above disadvantages and deficiencies.
The present invention will be described referring to the embodiments shown in the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show details of a torsion joint employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a circuit useful for a further another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is circuit for a still further another embodiment the present invention, suitable for a remote control operation.
In FIG. 1, M 1 is a D.C. motor for film winding. The out-put torque of the motor is transmitted to a pulley 6 through reduction gears 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The gear 3 is fixed to the gear 4 and the gear 5 is fixed to the pulley 6. The rotation of the pulley 6 is delivered to a pulley 8 by a belt 7, and is further reduced by a gear 9 fixed to the pulley 8, and delivered to a winding joint 10. An engaging pin 10' mounted on the joint 10 engages a winding joint provided in a camera.
The belt 7 rotates a guide roller 12 rotatably supported on a shaft 11 fixed to a housing of the device, an idle roller 13 rotatably supported on a free and of a lever 14 also rotatably supported on a shaft 15 fixed to the housing, and a tension responsive pulley 17 rotatably supported on one free end 19a of V-shaped lever 19 also rotatably supported on a shaft 18 fixed to the housing. The lever 14 and the lever 19 are respectively biased by a spring 16 and a spring 20 which bias the pulleys 13 and 17 against the belt 7.
A D.C. shutter release motor M 2 transmits its output torque to a wheel 23 through a worm gear 22. A pin 25 is fixedly provided on the front side of the wheel 23 near the periphery, and a pin 26 is fixedly provided on the rear side of the wheel 23. A shutter release pin 27 is actuated by one end 28a of a release lever 28 rotatably supported on the shaft 29 fixed to the housing. The other end 28b of the lever 28 is in the path of the pin 25 and actuated by the motor M 2 . A resetting spring 30 biases the lever 28 toward a stopper pin 31. An intermediate lever 32 charges a control member 36, which is rotatably supported by a shaft 33 fixed to the housing. One end 32a of the lever 32 is positioned in the path of the pin 25. A tension spring 34 draws the intermediate lever 32 against a stopper pin 35.
A lever 38 for prohibiting an excessive rotation of the wheel 23, is rotatably supported on the shaft 37 fixed to the housing. One end 38a of the lever 38 is positioned in the path of the pin 26. A tension spring 39 biases the lever 38 clockwise. The control member 36 is slidably guided on the housing by a pin-slot engagement composed of a pin 39 and a slot 36b.
A pin 40 and a pin 41 are planted on the control member 36 for engagement with the end 32b of the lever 32 and the end 38b of the lever 38 respectively.
A pin 42 is a pin for switching planted on the control member 36 for selectively controlling switches S 1 and S 2 through the movement of the control member 36. On one side of the control member 36 there is provided a stepped portion 36a for engagement with a hooked portion 19b of the lever 19. A tension spring controls member 36. A change-over switch which is associated with the movement of a change-over means includes fixed terminals S 3 a and S 3 b and a movable contact member S 3 c. 46 is a change-over switch for a single frame or successive photographing, E is a battery power source. One end Ea of the source E is selectively connected to one terminal M 1 a of the film winding motor M 1 through the switch S 3 and connected to one terminal M 2 a of the motor M 2 for shutter release, while the other end Eb of the source is connected to each of respective terminals S 1 a and S 2 a of the switches S 1 and S 2 .
The other terminal S 2 b of the switch S 2 is connected to the other terminal M 2 b of the motor M 2 and the other terminal S 1 b of the switch S 1 is connected to the other terminal M 1 b of the motor M 1 . The change-over switch S 4 is provided in parallel with the switch S 3 between one terminal Ea of the source and one terminal M 1 a of the motor M 1 .
Functional descriptions of one embodiment according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be set forth hereinunder.
FIG. 1 shows a phase of the device in the process of film winding for photographing a single frame. In this case the motor M 1 is rotating because the circuit comprising the battery E, the change-over switch S 3 the motor M 1 and the switch S 1 is closed. Under this condition, the film winding of the camera proceeds until the film winding is finished and the joint 10 reaches and stops at a restricting point provided in the camera. Then the tension along the side 7a of the belt 7 increases and the pulley 17 on the lever 19 is pulled downward as shown in the drawing against the spring 20. At this stage the loosening on the side 7b of the belt 7 is compensated for by the spring 16 through the pulley 13 to prevent the belt 7 from getting out of the pulleys 6 and 8. The tension of the spring 16 must be much smaller that of the spring 20.
Thus the hook 19b of the V-shaped lever 19 is disengaged from the stepped portion 36a of the control member 36 so that the control member is released and permitted to move slidably, in a leftwise direction as shown in the drawing, by the tension of the charged spring 34. Thus the pin 42 departs from the switch S 1 to switch it off and then causes the switch S 2 to switch-on. In this way the film winding is finished and the motor M 1 stops. During the above process, the pin 41 moves leftwise from a position for restricting the movement of the pin 26 to a position for permitting the movement of the pin 26 as the lever 38 follows the movement of the pin 41 so that the wheel is permitted to rotate. When the motor M 1 stops, the tension in the belt 7 is relieved to release the winding joint from a radially compressed state and ready the shutter release. Also the lever 19 is returned to a state ready for engagement with the control member 36 by the spring 20.
After these movements, the device maintains the above state and is ready for the next shutter release. When the change-over means is operated, the movable contact means S 3 c contacts the terminal S 3 a to close the switch S 3 , and thus the circuit comprising the battery E the switch S 3 the motor M 2 and the switch S 2 is closed to start the release motor M 2 . In this way the wheel 23 is rotated in a clockwise direction, and the pin 25 pushes the end 28b of the lever 28 to actuate the release pin 27, and then the pin 25 pushes the end 32a of the lever 32 to rotate the lever 32, with the other end 32b pushing the pin 40 to bring the control member 36 to the state as shown in FIG. 1 after the opening of the switch S 2 and the closing of the switch S 1 . When the switch S 2 is opened power supply to the motor M 2 is interrupted, but the motor M 2 continues to rotate the wheel 23 with its inertia, and the wheel advances to the position shown in FIG. 1 when the pin 26 is restricted and stopped by the end 38a of the lever 38 which is brought to the above position by the control means 36.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a frictional coupling between the motor M 2 and the worm gear 22 is employed.
So far as the changed-over means is in operation to contact the movable contact means S 3 c with the terminal S 3 a of the switch S 3 , the device is set to stop.
When the change-over means is released, the movable contact means S 3 c departs from the terminal S 3 a and contacts the terminal S 3 b to change over the switch S 3 . Thus the circuit for the motor M 1 is closed, and film winding is started through the state of the device shown in FIG. 1. The series of operations up to the next shutter release ready state from the shutter release constitutes one cycle for photographing a single frame.
For exposing successive frames automatically, a switch S 4 provided in parallel with the switch S 3 in the circuit for the motor M 1 is closed. The winding motor M 1 starts winding immediately after the completion of the movement of the device by the release motor M 2 even if the movable contact means S 3 c does not contacts the terminal S 3 b of the switch S 3 . Thus, so far as the change-over means is maintained in operation to contact the movable contact means S 3 c with the terminal S 3 a, the film winding and the shutter release is repeated. On the other hand when the change-over means is released the device stops ready for the next shutter release.
In case the inertia of the motor M 2 is not enough to move the control member 36, the device may be modified so that the movable contact means S 3 c contacts the terminal S 3 a until disengagement of the lever 19 with the control member 36.
FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in which the completion of the film winding is detected electrically, and the control member is released to disengage from and engaging lever attracted by an electromagnet, and a switch carried on a torsion joint is employed as an electric detector.
Parts and members having similar functions as those shown in FIG. 1 are shown by corresponding numerals with addition of 100.
In FIG. 2, the rotation of the winding motor M 1 is transmitted to a gear 105 through reduction gears 102, 103 and 104, and further transmitted to a winding joint 110 through a leaf spring 150 provided between a shaft 105a on the gear 105 and a shaft 110a on the joint 110 to effect shutter charge and film winding.
The shaft 105a and the shaft 110a are fixed to insulating cylinders 151 and 152 respectively, between which cylinders is provided a switch, as shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4.
In FIGS. 3 and 4, terminals connect respectively with each terminal of the electromagnet 159 and continuously contact conductive rings 153 and 154 fixed on the insulating cylinders 151 and 152 respectively. Two contact members carried respectively on the insulating cylinders 151 and 152 and connected to the conductive rings 153 and 154, constitute a switching means S 6 . The contacts members 155 and 156 of the switching means oppose each other with a slight space between them in a untorsioned state of the leaf spring in the torsion joint.
In a way similar to FIG. 1, the motor M 1 rotates and the film winding is finished. The joint 110 stops, but the motor M 1 continues to rotate further so that the gear 105 twistedly rotates the leaf spring 150. The contact member 155 provided on the shaft 105 contacts the contact member 156 on the side of the joint 110 to close the circuit for actuation of the electromagnet 159. Thus, the electromagnet 159 is excited to attract a projection 119a of the engaging lever 119 so that the lever 119 rotates in a counterclock wise direction around the shaft 118. A hook 119b is disengaged from the control member 136, and the control member 136 is moved to the left by a spring 145. A pin 142 opens the switch S 1 to stop power supply to the motor M 1 and then closes the switch S 2 while a pin 141 moves to the left. The lever 138 follows the pin 141 to permit the rotation of a disc 123 and the control member 136 is stopped in a state where the switch S 1 is off and the switch S 2 is on.
As the excessive rotation of the gear 105 charges the leaf spring 150, the gear 105 is rotated back to discharge the energy stored in the spring 150 so that a radial compression between the joint 110 and the joint in the camera is relieved.
Then when a change-over button 160 is pushed, a switch S 5 is closed and a switch S 3 is opened together with the switch S 5 . Thus a circuit for the release motor M 2 is closed and effects similar to those in the embodiment shown FIG. 1 follow.
FIG. 5 shows a circuit for another embodiment which further comprises a unit for remote control operation, a delay circuit for delaying the start of a release motor M 2 and a timer circuit for changing intervals of a successive photographing.
The delay circuit for delaying the start of the release motor M 2 is particularly advantageous for preventing deterioration of image quality due to incomplete stoppage of film at the shutter release immediately after the stoppage of the winding motor during automatic successive exposures, and for preventing and lowering of the durability of the shutter and irregularity in shutter speed due to severe friction in the shutter release mechanism caused by unrelieved radial compression between the joints.
The timer circuit for changing intervals of a successive photographing to delay the start of the rotation of the winding motor M 1 is advantageous when combined with the device as shown in FIG. 5 for photographing at desired constant intervals such as a frame per minute and a frame per 5 minutes to shoot intermittently a gradually moving object.
In FIG. 5, D is the delay circuit for the release motor M 2 and T is the timer circuit. In this case the switch S 1 is closed when the switch S 2 is closed and vice versa for assuring the delayed operation, contrary to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 5 shows the state of the circuit at the completion of winding of the film in which when the switch S 3 is changed over from the terminal (b) to the terminal (a), a potential at a connecting point of the capacitor C 1 and the resistor R 1 of the delay circuit is lowered as the switch S 2 is held in an off state, and a transistor Tr 1 is turned on after a given lapse of time. Accordingly, a transistor Tr 2 is turned on to start rotation of the release motor M 2 . Thus the switch S 2 turns on after the shutter release, and the charge across the capacitor C 1 is discharged through the shortened switch S 2 . In this way the potential between a base and an emitter of the transistor Tr 1 approaches a zero potential so that the transistor Tr 1 becomes non-conductive and thus the transistor Tr 2 is biased to cut-off and power to the motor M 2 is interrupted.
As the switch S 1 as well as the switch S 2 are closed by a control member similar to ones 36 and 136 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the winding motor M 1 is ready to start.
When the switch S 3 is changed over from the terminal (a) to the terminal (b), the circuit for the motor M 1 is connected to the battery E 2 and after a preset period of time T a silicon controlled rectifier ScR is turned on to start the motor M 1 .
After the completion of film winding, the engaging lever is disengaged with the control member, then the switches S 1 and S 2 are simultaneously opened to stop power from reaching the motors M 1 and M 2 , thus the next shutter release is ready.
In the timer circuit Tr 1 , the charges across the capacitor C 2 starts to discharge, for a given period of time after the switch S 1 is closed. Discharge takes place uni-junction transistor UJT and a resistor R 5 when the potential across the capacitor C 2 of a time-constant circuit C 2 R 6 rises to a potential higher than that of an anode of the uni-junction transistor UJT. The anode potential id determined by a bleeder circuit composed of the resistors R 2 , R 3 and R 4 .
The time-constant circuit C 2 R 6 is connected to the anode of the uni-junction transistor UJT and the bleeder circuit R 2 R 3 and R 4 furnishes a gate potential for the uni-junction transistor UJT. In this way, a potential due to a discharged current through the resistor R 5 is supplied to a gate of the silicon controlled rectifier SCR and thus the rectifier SCR is turned on to rotate the motor M 1 . When the resistance of the resistor R 6 is variable, the time constant of the circuit C 2 R 6 becomes also variable to vary the period from the opening of the switch S 1 to the starting of the rotation of the motor M 1 , and thus the timer circuit T functions as an constant intervalometer for a successive photographing.
A, B and C are terminals for remote control, each of which is connected respectively to terminals A', B' and C' of a remote control unit O with an extension card. In this case the battery E 2 is removed and the battery E 1 in the remote control unit is used as the power source. The switches S 3 and S 4 are maintained in a position shown in a full line as shown in FIG. 5. A change-over switch S 8 in the unit O stands in for the switch S 3 of the device and the switch S 7 stands in for the switch S 4 of the device when the remote control unit O is used.
L is an indicator lamp contained in the remote control unit O, and the lamp illuminates when the current flows through the motor M 1 and indicates the movement of the motor M 1 to the operator of the remote control unit.
Lc is a coil of very small resistance connected in series in the circuit for the motor M 1 and Ls is a lead switch actuated by the coil Lc. When the switches S 3 and S 8 are maintained on the side of the terminals (b) and (a') and the switch S 1 as well as the switch S 2 are closed, the current passes through the motor M 1 to rotate it, and the current also passes through the coil Lc to attract the lead switch Ls to close an indicator lamp circuit provided in parallel with the motor circuit to energize the lamp L.
In FIG. 5, the lamp L is provided only in the circuit for the motor M 1 . According to another embodiment of the invention an indicator lamp circuit is provided for the motor M 2 . In this case, when a successive exposure photography is performed with a remote control, the alternate illumination of the two lamps assure the device is acting in a normal manner. To provide lamps for indication of the movement of the both motors M 1 and M 2 , it is necessary to connect each of the circuits for the both motors separately to the remote control unit, thus complicating the wiring. But it becomes possible to indicate the movements of the both motors with a simplified wiring as shown in FIG. 5 by constructing two indicator circuits so that two indicators show respectively the movements of the both motors. For this purpose, the difference of the currents for rotation of the both motors is utilized to detect and indicate which one of the motors rotates as shown in FIG. 6. Suppose the current for the motor M 1 is (i 1) and that for the motor M 2 is (i 2). A circuit X for motors M 1 and M 2 is connected in series with a resistor Ra to the battery E, and a connecting point of the circuit X and the resistor Ra is connected to two switching circuits respectively comprising a Schmitt circuit respectively through diodes D 1 and D 2 . One of the two Schmitt circuits comprises transistors Tra and Trb, and the other Schmitt circuit comprises transistors Trd and Tre. Potentials for making the transistors Trb and Tre conductive are respectively varied by the variable resistors R e and Rj. Suppose i 1 <i 2, then both transistors Trc and Trf are not inverted to conductive states so that both indicator lamps L 1 and L 2 do not illuminate. In the circuits both resistor Rb and Rg furnishing base potentials for the both transistors Trc and Trf should be selected to be small so that the base potentials do not cause both transistors Trc and Trf to on-states in the above case. When current i 1 flows through a release motor and a resistor Ra, a potential i 1 Ra drives through the diode D 1 the Schmitt circuit for the lamp L 1 to bring the transistor Trc to an on-state for illuminating the lamp L 1 . In this case the resistance value of the resistor Rj should be preselected so that the Schmitt circuit for the lamp L 2 will not be triggered to switch on the transistor Trf for the lamp L 2 . When the larger current i 2 flows through a winding motor and a resistor Ra, a potential i 2 Ra drives, through the diode D 2 , the Schmitt circuit for the lamp L 2 to bring the transistors Trd and Trf to on-states for illuminating the lamp L 2 . A diode D 3 is provided in a feed back circuit for prohibiting the illumination of the lamp L 1 . The transistor Trb is inverted to an on-state and the Transistor Trc is inverted to switch off the circuit for the lamp L 1 . In this way, both the lamps L 1 , L 2 do not illuminate when no current flows in the motor circuits X. Only the lamp L 1 illuminates for the current i 1 and only the lamp L 2 illuminates for the current i 2 to assure recognition of the state of camera operation. A similar circuit for warning of the end of the film may be provided as provided as a modification.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the device forms part of a separate and attachable unit.