Abstract: A focal plane shutter is provided with a switching mechanism having an electromagnet and a stopping member. The stopping member is provided with an engaging portion able to lock an engagement portion provided in a first driving member for a leading edge, and an operating portion wherein a direction of a force, in relation to the electromagnet, switches, in accordance with switching between an application and removal of an electric current in a single direction to the electromagnet, so as to move the engaging portion to a position wherein it is able to release locking of the engagement portion when the electric current is applied, and to move the engaging portion to a position wherein it is able to lock the engagement portion when the electric current is removed.

Abstract: To provide a blade drive device capable of suppressing the increase in number of components while suppressing the bounding of blades, and an optical apparatus including the blade drive device. A blade drive device 10 includes a partition plate 21 having an opening 22, blades 31a to 34a, 31b to 34b which are expanded in a state where the opening 22 is closed and which overlap one another in a state where the opening 22 is opened, and a first regulating portion 23A and a second regulating portion 24A integrally formed with the partition plate 21, on which the blades 31a, 31b abut when being expanded. An optical apparatus includes the blade drive device 10.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; an arm including: a rear end portion rotatably supported by the board; and a front end portion swingable in response to rotation of the rear and portion; blades coupled to the arm for opening and closing the opening; and a sensor arranged at a position opposite to the arm across the opening, and detecting a state of the blades.

Abstract: A micro shutter device and a method of manufacturing the micro shutter device are provided. A transparent substrate is provided. A barrier is formed on the substrate to partition a unit pixel. A pattern layer is formed with a transparent material to have a transparent first pattern portion on the substrate in the unit pixel. A movable plate is arranged to face the pattern layer, has an opaque second pattern layer corresponding to a shape of the first pattern portion, and is configured to transmit light therethrough except the second pattern portion. An actuator is for moving the movable plate. Therefore, light leakage due to diffraction can be prevented, resulting in increasing contrast ratio and improving light efficiency.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a focal plane shutter that has a simple mechanical structure, is easily manufactured and controlled, and provides a live view function. The focal plane shutter includes: a front curtain assembly including two or more front curtain links and two or more front curtain blades, wherein bosses are formed at one of the front curtain links and the front curtain blades, holes are formed in the remaining one of the front contain links and the front curtain blades, and the bosses are inserted into the holes; and a rear curtain assembly including two or more rear curtain links and two or more rear curtain blades, wherein bosses are formed at one of the rear curtain links and the rear curtain blades, holes are formed in the remaining one of the rear curtain links and the rear curtain blades, and the bosses are inserted into the holes.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter 105 includes a leading blade driving member 4 rotatably fitted onto a first shaft 1d and driven by a biasing force of a leading blade driving spring 8, a trailing blade driving member 5 rotatably fitted onto a second shaft 1e and driven by a biasing force of a trailing blade driving spring 9, a leading blade adjusting member 6 rotatably fitted onto the first shaft 1d and adjusting the biasing force of the leading blade driving spring 8, a trailing blade adjusting member 7 rotatably fitted onto the second shaft 1e and adjusting the biasing force of the trailing blade driving spring 9, and an upper base plate 3 including a first surface 3a and a second surface 3b that are thrust position limiters. An area of the first surface 3a is larger than that of the second surface 3b.

Abstract: A light quantity control device includes: a bottom board having an opening; a first blade, a supporting blade, and a second blade linearly moved in opposing directions and controlling the opening to a fully open state, a fully closed state, and a small aperture state; a driving lever connected to the set of blades and driving the set of blades by rotation of the driving lever; and a stopper restricting a rotational range of the driving lever. The set of blades controls the opening to the small aperture state when the driving lever is positioned at one end of the rotational range defined by the stopper.

Abstract: An imaging device and a portable information terminal device of the present invention include: a blade driving unit (20) made up of a base plate (21) having an opening portion (21a) serving as an optical path, an infrared light cut filter blade (23) movably supported by the base plate between a receded position displaced from the opening portion and a position facing the opening portion, and a first electromagnetic driving source (26) that drives the infrared light cut filter blade (23); a lens optical system (32, 33, 34) arranged on the optical path passing through the opening portion; an imaging element (42) that images an object through the lens optical system; and a control unit (51) that drives and controls the blade driving unit (20) and the imaging element (42). The control unit drives and controls the first electromagnetic driving source (26) so as to move the infrared light cut filter blade (23) to the receded position when using an infrared light.

Abstract: A shutter base plate is made of synthetic resin and is configured with one overhang section on the blade-chamber-side surface at one end of an arcuate slot and the other overhang section on the blade-chamber-outside surface. A shock absorbing member made from elastic material is configured with concave portions on the blade-chamber-side surface and three concave portions on the blade-chamber-outside surface. The shock absorbing member is mounted to the shutter base plate in such a way that these concave portions come in contact with the overhang sections, and as is well known, when an exposure operation is completed, the driving pin of a driving member abuts on the shock absorbing member.

Abstract: An image-capturing device includes a lens barrel having therein an optical image-capturing system; a light control blade which opens and closes an optical path of the optical image-capturing system so as to control the amount of light entering the system; and a base body having a transmission hole through which the optical path extends and supporting the light control blade in a movable manner. The light control blade includes a multilayer laminate including a base material composed of a film and serving as a substrate, and at least a metallic layer disposed on the base material; and a light-blocking layer disposed on a first section of the multilayer laminate. A second section of the multilayer laminate not having the light-blocking layer disposed thereon defines a light adjustment filter for adjusting the amount of incident light. The first section having the light-blocking layer defines a light-blocking portion for blocking incident light.

Abstract: A digital camera is provided with an imaging element including a plurality of pixels, a shutter unit capable of intercepting light transmitted from an object to the imaging element, and an optical low pass filter adapted to allow light with predetermined lower spatial frequencies to pass therethrough. The optical low pass filter is embedded in the shutter unit.

Abstract: A first drive member which rotates with a rotor includes a first cam portion and a second cam portion, and a second drive member which connects a drive pin with a shutter blade includes a first cam portion and a second cam portion. A circular hole of the link member is fitted to a shaft member which is fixed to the first drive member and an elongated hole thereof is fitted to the shaft member fixed to the second drive member. The first drive member rotates the second drive member first via the link member and subsequently rotates the same directly so that when an abutting portion of the second drive member comes into abutment with an edge of the elongated hole, a generated repulsive force acts toward an axis of rotation of the first drive member irrespective of the direction of rotation of a rotor 7.

Abstract: Provided is a light amount control device eliminating a deviation in image forming position over the entire area of the variable range of an aperture due to an ND filter and assuring smooth stopping operation. The light amount control device of the present invention includes: a first shading member and a second shading member which are adapted to move within a plane perpendicular to an optical axis to vary an area of a light passage opening; a lever member which is connected with the first shading member and the second shading member and which is rotatable; an actuator for driving the lever member; and an ND filter mounted to the first shading member. The ND filter is configured to cover an entirety of the light passage opening in an open state, and the second shading member has a guard portion which, with the light passage opening being in a closed state, is arranged between the lever member and the ND filter, preventing the ND filter from coming into contact with the lever member.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter has a light shielding shutter blade. A blade dowel is attached to the shutter blade. A blade arm is slidably engaged with the blade dowel to open or close the shutter blade. A surface hardness of the blade dowel is higher than a surface hardness of the blade arm. The surface hardness of the blade arm is Hv300 to 900, and the surface hardness of the blade dowel is Hv450 to 1000. The blade arm and the blade dowel are subjected to chemical polishing treatment. The blade dowel is plated with nickel, chromium, palladium or rhodium. A material of the blade dowel is a free-cutting stainless steel or a carbon tool steel, and a material of the blade arm is a carbon tool steel or a titanium material.

Abstract: A light shielding blade material is provided for an optical apparatus and has at least three prepreg sheets each being comprised of an epoxy resin of a thermosetting type as a matrix resin and containing a fiber drawn in an alignment direction within the matrix resin. These prepreg sheets are superposed upon each other so that the alignment directions of the fibers of the prepreg sheets disposed adjacent to each other cross at right angles to each other. The material has also two or more films each being comprised of an epoxy resin of a non-cured state as a base resin and containing 15 to 40 weight % of carbon black in the epoxy resin. These films are disposed to form a laminate of the prepreg sheets and the films so that the prepreg sheets contact one surface or both surfaces of each film.

Abstract: Disclosed are shutter apparatus provided with a shutter base plate having a shutter aperture, a first arm member which rotates around a center of rotation at a first axis, relative to the shutter base plate, a second arm member which rotates around a center of rotation at a second axis, relative to the shutter base plate, and a plurality of shutter blades, wherein each of the plurality of shutter blades is coupled to the first and second arm members, wherein the first and second arm members rotate around their respective axes whereby the plurality of shutter blades run over the shutter aperture, wherein each shutter blade has a blade main body portion extending in a direction perpendicular to a running direction thereof, and wherein a first shutter blade with a smallest running travel comprises a light shielding portion projecting in the running direction on the coupling portion side to the first and second arm members and arranged to effect light shielding of the shutter aperture, and also disclosed are shut

Abstract: The present invention discloses a shutter apparatus including a base plate, a plurality of blades which run between a superposed state and a spread state for opening and closing a shutter aperture and two arms, each of the arms pivotably supported on the base plate. It is characterized in that each of the two arms are pivotably connected to the plurality of blades, and the two arms cause the plurality of blades to run between the superposed state and the spread state, and a protruding section is formed in a central area of at least one of the plurality of the blades, and the protruding section protrudes in the blade running direction so as to overlap with the base plate in the spread state.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for cameras is constructed so that the second blade group is placed in a blade chamber on the shutter base plate side and the first blade group is placed in a blade chamber on the auxiliary base plate side. The auxiliary base plate is placed on the image sensor side in a camera and secures projecting members, each having a spherical convex portion whose surface is palladium-plated. In the first blade group, five blades are pivotally supported by two arms, and immediately before, at least, a joint shank for pivotally supporting a slit-forming blade is moved inside the aperture for exposure of the auxiliary base plate during operation and reaches a position corresponding to the edge of the aperture, the arm strikes on the projecting member and is shifted to the object side so that the head of the joint shank does not abut against the edge of the aperture. Consequently, it is avoidable that the head of the joint shank abuts against the edge of the aperture to produce wear dust.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for a camera is provided with two blade chambers into which a space between two base plates is partitioned by an intermediate plate having an aperture for exposure. A shutter blade group placed in each of the blade chambers is constructed with a plurality of arms whose ends are pivotally mounted to one of the two base plates on the side of the aperture and at least one blade pivotally supported by the arms through individual joint shanks so that working paths of the joint shanks does not run inside the apertures. A wall is provided on at least one of the two base plates so as to project toward the blade chamber side, along the edge of the aperture, and has an inclined face directed toward the aperture of an opposite base plate.

Abstract: A light shielding blade material is provided for an optical apparatus and has at least three prepreg sheets each being comprised of an epoxy resin of a thermosetting type as a matrix resin and containing a fiber drawn in an alignment direction within the matrix resin. These prepreg sheets are superposed upon each other so that the alignment directions of the fibers of the prepreg sheets disposed adjacent to each other cross at right angles to each other. The material has also two or more films each being comprised of an epoxy resin of a non-cured state as a base resin and containing 15 to 40 weight % of carbon black in the epoxy resin. These films are disposed to form a laminate of the prepreg sheets and the films so that the prepreg sheets contact one surface or both surfaces of each film.

Abstract: A reflection preventing treatment is performed with respect to an edge face of a light shielding blade. The blade is composed of a film material made of a polyester, and is formed into a predetermined shape as a base piece. A flat face portion of the blade is capable of shielding an incident light, and an edge face portion is present in perpendicularly crossing to the flat face portion. An inner edge face of an aperture opening is included in this edge face portion. In order to form the blade, at first the base piece is punched from the film material in a predetermined shape. Subsequently, a chemical etching is applied to the edge face portion of the punched base piece so as to roughen the edge face portion. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an unnecessary reflection of the incident light at the edge face portion. It is possible to evenly and efficiently roughen the inner edge face of the aperture opening by collecting a multiplicity of punched base pieces and dipping them in an etching solution.

Abstract: A shutter device with a shutter base plate having an aperture part and a protruding part. First and second shutter blade members are arranged to travel a predetermined movement distance and a distance shorter than the predetermined distance, respectively, over the aperture part. The second shutter blade member has a slot engaging the protruding part of the base plate. First and second arm members are pivotally supported by the shutter base plate and the second arm member supports the first and second shutter blade members in a swingable manner.

Abstract: A reflection preventing treatment is performed with respect to an edge face of a light shielding blade. The blade is composed of a film material made of a polyester, and is formed into a predetermined shape as a base piece. A flat face portion of the blade is capable of shielding an incident light, and an edge face portion is present in perpendicularly crossing to the flat face portion. An inner edge face of an aperture opening is included in this edge face portion. In order to form the blade, at first the base piece is punched from the film material in a predetermined shape. Subsequently, a chemical etching is applied to the edge face portion of the punched base piece so as to roughen the edge face portion. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an unnecessary reflection of the incident light at the edge face portion. It is possible to evenly and efficiently roughen the inner edge face of the aperture opening by collecting a multiplicity of punched base pieces and dipping them in an etching solution.

Abstract: A light-shielding blade material is provided that contributes to increased focal plane shutter speeds. A focal plane shutter has a front blade group and a rear blade group, each being composed of a plurality of light-shielding blades. At least one of these light-shielding blades is made of a Be-Al alloy material containing 40% by weight or more of Be, and has a thickness of 40 to 150 microns. This light-shielding blade is light in weight and high in stiffness, thereby significantly contributing the increased focal plane shutter speeds.

Abstract: A light-shielding blade material is provided that contributes to increased focal plane shutter speeds. A focal plane shutter has a front blade group and a rear blade group, each being composed of a plurality of light-shielding blades. At least one of these light-shielding blades is made of a Be-Al alloy material containing 40% by weight or more of Be, and has a thickness of 40 to 150 microns. This light-shielding blade is light in weight and high in stiffness, thereby significantly contributing the increased focal plane shutter speeds.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter comprises a base plate having a shutter opening, at least one shutter sector group having sectors, and arms pivotally connected to and supporting the sectors for displacing the sectors relative to the shutter opening. At least a first one of the sectors comprises an intermediate sector interposed between a second one of the sectors and one of the arms connected to and supporting the second sector. The intermediate sector has an edge portion disposed proximate a connection of the second sector and the arm connected to and supporting the second sector. At least the edge portion of the intermediate sector is thinner than other portions thereof to facilitate smooth displacement of the sectors relative to the shutter opening without any obstruction.

Abstract: An extremely durable, super-high speed shutter with speeds of 1/8000 second or faster advantageously increases the blade acceptance rate, reduces the cost, prevents abnormalities such as light leaking between the curtains and the like, contributes to the implementation of a super-high speed shutter with speeds exceeding 1/8000 of a second, corresponding to TTL multi-pattern light adjustment, and the like. The shutter includes a front curtain and a rear curtain each including a plurality of dividing blades; and at least one of the dividing blades among the front curtain and the rear curtain that is positioned on the photo lens side is formed from a black material having at least one uncoated surface.

Abstract: A camera according to the present invention is so arranged that a half mirror is disposed in an optical path between a taking lens and a photographic film strip to be exposed so as to reflect a part of subject image incident thereinto. The thus reflected subject image is received by CCD, which converts it into electric image data. The image data is converted into binary codes, and the codes are written by a magnetic head in a magnetic layer provided on the back face of the photographic film strip. On the other hand, the image data received by the CCD is displayed for a photographer in a finder through a liquid crystal display at all times.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter provides an extremely durable and reliable super-high speed shutter with speeds of greater than 1/8000 second which minimizes increases in the charge energy, has an increased rate of acceptance of the FRP and is economical to produce. The blades will not collide with or be damaged by the intermediate plate and the light shielding plate, even when the shutter is released while accelerating the camera in a direction virtually perpendicular to the direction of movement of the blades. The focal plane shutter includes a front and a rear blind that each include multiple dividing blades. The rigidity of the slit-forming blades having the largest amount of movement among the dividing blades differs between the front blind and the rear blind.