Blade opening/closing apparatus and image pickup apparatus to secure favorable photographing states by use of a biasing spring and magnetic driving portion for setting a rotation position associated with locked/unlocked states

To secure a favorable photographing state without causing an increase of power consumption. A blade opening/closing apparatus includes a magnetic driving portion including a coil to which a driving current is supplied and a magnet that is rotated along with energization to the coil; a driving body that includes a to-be-locked portion and is operated by the magnetic driving portion; an opening/closing blade that opens/closes an aperture by an operation of the driving body; and a lock portion that sets a locked state of the opening/closing blade by engaging with the to-be-locked portion, the setting of the locked state and a release of the locked state being carried out in accordance with a rotation position of the magnet. Accordingly, since the lock portion engages with the to-be-locked portion to thus set the locked state and unlock the locked state in accordance with the rotation position of the magnet and locking with respect to the opening/closing blade is not performed by a magnetic force of the magnet, a favorable photographing state can be secured without causing an increase of power consumption.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2016/081444 filed on Oct. 24, 2016, which claims priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2015-244072 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Dec. 15, 2015. Each of the above-referenced applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a technical field regarding a blade opening/closing apparatus that includes a magnetic driving portion for opening and closing an opening/closing blade and locks the opening/closing blade by a lock portion, and an image pickup apparatus including the blade opening/closing apparatus.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

BACKGROUND ART

In various image pickup apparatuses such as a video camera and a still camera, an optical system including a lens group, an optical device, and the like therein and an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts light taken in by the optical system are provided. In such an image pickup apparatus, there is a type in which light enters an image pickup device via a focal plane shutter that functions as a blade opening/closing apparatus at a time a subject is photographed.

As the blade opening/closing apparatus, there is a type that includes a base body having an aperture formed therein, an opening/closing blade that is moved (runs) with respect to the base body, and a magnetic driving portion that causes the opening/closing blade to operate, and in the magnetic driving portion, a magnet is rotated so that the opening/closing blade is moved so as to open/close the aperture (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).

In such a blade opening/closing apparatus, the opening/closing blade is operated in a predetermined state by the magnetic driving portion in each mode. The magnetic driving portion includes a magnet, a coil, and a yoke, and the opening/closing blade is moved along with the magnet that is rotated by supply of a driving current to the coil. When no opening/closing blade (running) operation of the opening/closing blade is performed, the opening/closing blade is at an opening position where it opens the aperture or a closing position where it closes the aperture, and the opening position is set at a position where the opening/closing blade is evacuated from the aperture of the base body.

When a subject is photographed, light that has transmitted through the aperture enters an image pickup surface of an image pickup device sequentially from one side to the other side to perform exposure, and the light that has entered is sequentially photoelectrically converted by the image pickup device, to thus generate an image signal. The generated image signal is transferred to a memory, and an image of the subject is generated.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Incidentally, in the blade opening/closing apparatus as described above, if a moving force is applied to the opening/closing blade due to an impact, a vibration, or the like, for example, the opening/closing blade is unintentionally moved, and it becomes difficult to secure a favorable photographing state.

In this regard, there are blade opening/closing apparatuses in which, when an opening/closing operation of the opening/closing blade is not performed, the opening/closing blade is locked at the opening position or the closing position to restrict unnecessary movements. In this case, some blade opening/closing apparatuses are configured such that, for example, a magnet is drawn to a yoke in a fixed state by a magnetic force so as to lock the opening/closing blade.

However, when the opening/closing blade is locked and thus the magnet is in a state where it is drawn to the yoke, there is a need to move the opening/closing blade while overcoming the drawing force between the yoke and the magnet at a time the opening/closing blade starts to move. Therefore, there is a possibility that a sufficient movement speed of the opening/closing blade cannot be secured depending on an energization amount with respect to the coil. In addition, a so-called appearance time that is required from the evacuated position to the aperture at the time the opening/closing blade starts to move from the opening position to the closing position also becomes long.

In this regard, in order to increase the movement speed of the opening/closing blade and shorten the appearance time, it is necessary to increase the energization amount with respect to the coil, but an increase of the energization amount leads to an increase of power consumption.

Meanwhile, there is a blade opening/closing apparatus that locks an opening/closing blade at an opening position and a closing position by a mechanical lock mechanism, but if the lock mechanism independent from a magnetic driving portion is provided, the structure becomes complicated that much and also becomes a factor that hinders miniaturization.

In this regard, a blade opening/closing apparatus and image pickup apparatus according to the present technology aim at overcoming the problems described above and securing a favorable photographing state without increasing power consumption.

Solution to Problem

Firstly, a blade opening/closing apparatus according to the present technology includes: a magnetic driving portion including a coil to which a driving current is supplied and a magnet that is rotated along with energization to the coil; a driving body that includes a to-be-locked portion and is operated by the magnetic driving portion; an opening/closing blade that opens/closes an aperture by an operation of the driving body; and a lock portion that sets a locked state of the opening/closing blade by engaging with the to-be-locked portion, the setting of the locked state and a release of the locked state being carried out in accordance with a rotation position of the magnet.

Accordingly, the lock portion engages with the to-be-locked portion to thus set the locked state and unlock the locked state in accordance with the rotation position of the magnet.

Secondly, in the blade opening/closing apparatus described above, it is desirable that the lock portion is moved between a lock position at which the locked state is set and an unlock position at which the locked state is released, in accordance with a change of a magnetic force accompanying the rotation of the magnet.

Accordingly, since the lock portion and the to-be-locked portion are operated by the magnetic driving portion, different driving portions for operating the lock portion and the to-be-locked portion are not required.

Thirdly, in the blade opening/closing apparatus described above, it is desirable that the magnetic driving portion includes a fixed yoke and a movable yoke, and the lock portion is moved between the lock position and the unlock position by an operation of the movable yoke.

Accordingly, since the movable yoke and the driving body including the to-be-locked portion are operated by energization to the coil, different driving portions for operating the movable yoke and the driving body are not required.

Fourthly, it is desirable that the blade opening/closing apparatus described above further includes a rotatable lock lever as the lock portion and a rotatable operation lever that causes the lock lever to rotate from the lock position to the unlock position, and a rotary shaft of the lock lever and a rotary shaft of the operation lever are coaxial.

Accordingly, the operation lever and the lock lever are rotated while using the same axis as a fulcrum.

Fifthly, in the blade opening/closing apparatus described above, it is desirable that a rotary shaft of the magnet and a rotary shaft of the driving body are coaxial.

Accordingly, the magnet and the driving lever are rotated while using the same rotary shaft as a fulcrum.

Sixthly, in the blade opening/closing apparatus described above, it is desirable that the driving body is fixed to the magnet.

Accordingly, the magnet and the driving body rotate integrally while using the same rotary shaft as a fulcrum.

Seventhly, in the blade opening/closing apparatus described above, it is desirable that the opening/closing blade is moved between an opening position at which the aperture is opened and a closing position at which the aperture is closed, and the locked state is set at each of the opening position and the closing position.

Accordingly, the opening/closing blade is locked at two positions, that is, the opening position and the closing position, by a single mechanism including the lock portion and the to-be-locked portion.

Eighthly, in the blade opening/closing apparatus described above, it is desirable that the to-be-locked portion includes a first engagement portion that engages with the lock portion at the opening position and a second engagement portion that engages with the lock portion at the closing position.

Accordingly, two engagement portions for locking at the two positions are formed in the to-be-locked portion.

Ninthly, in the blade opening/closing apparatus described above, it is desirable that the driving body includes a driving lever coupled to the opening/closing blade, and the driving lever includes the to-be-locked portion.

Accordingly, the driving lever includes two functions, that is, a function of causing the opening/closing blade to operate and a function of being locked.

Tenthly, in the blade opening/closing apparatus described above, it is desirable that the driving lever includes an engagement piece portion that functions as the to-be-locked portion, and both ends of the engagement piece portion are respectively formed as the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

Accordingly, the lock portions respectively engage with the both ends of the engagement piece portion to be locked at the two positions.

Eleventhly, it is desirable that the blade opening/closing apparatus described above further includes a power assist spring that applies a bias force to the driving body in an operation direction of the driving body.

Accordingly, a torque in a predetermined rotation direction is applied to the driving body and the magnet by the power assist spring.

Twelfthly, it is desirable that the blade opening/closing apparatus described above further includes an actuator that causes the lock portion to operate.

Accordingly, the lock lever is operated by the actuator, and the driving body including the to-be-locked portion is operated by the magnetic driving unit.

Thirteenthly, it is desirable that the blade opening/closing apparatus described above further includes a magnetic circuit portion that generates a driving force to be applied to the lock portion by energization to the coil.

Accordingly, the lock lever is operated by the magnetic circuit portion, the driving body including the to-be-locked portion is operated by the magnetic driving portion, and the driving force generated in the magnetic circuit portion and the driving force generated in the magnetic driving portion are generated by energization to the same coil.

Fourteenthly, in the blade opening/closing apparatus described above, it is desirable that two opening/closing blades are provided and operated in a direction in which the opening/closing blades are set apart from each other, and two magnetic driving portions, driving bodies, and lock portions are provided while being arranged symmetrically in correspondence with the two opening/closing blades.

Accordingly, an operation of one of the opening/closing blades is controlled by one of the magnetic driving portions, one of the driving bodies, and one of the lock levers, and an operation of the other one of the opening/closing blades is controlled by the other one of the magnetic driving portions, the other one of the driving bodies, and the other one of the lock levers.

An image pickup apparatus according to the present technology includes: a blade opening/closing apparatus that controls light taken in inside via an optical system; and an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts the light taken in via the optical system, the blade opening/closing apparatus including a magnetic driving portion including a coil to which a driving current is supplied and a magnet that is rotated along with energization to the coil, a driving body that includes a to-be-locked portion and is operated by the magnetic driving portion, an opening/closing blade that opens/closes an aperture by an operation of the driving body, and a lock portion that sets a locked state of the opening/closing blade by engaging with the to-be-locked portion, the setting of the locked state and a release of the locked state being carried out in accordance with a rotation position of the magnet.

Accordingly, in the blade opening/closing apparatus, the lock portion engages with the to-be-locked portion to set the locked state and unlock the locked state in accordance with the rotation position of the magnet.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present technology, since the lock portion engages with the to-be-locked portion to thus set the locked state and unlock the locked state in accordance with the rotation position of the magnet and locking with respect to the opening/closing blade is not performed by a magnetic force of the magnet, a favorable photographing state can be secured without causing an increase of power consumption.

It should be noted that the effects described in the specification are mere examples and should not be limited, and other effects may also be obtained.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, modes for embodying the present technology will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

In embodiments to be described below, an image pickup apparatus according to the present technology is applied to a still camera, and a blade opening/closing apparatus according to the present technology is applied to a focal plane shutter provided in this still camera.

It should be noted that an application range of the present technology is not limited to the still camera and the focal plane shutter provided in the still camera, and the present technology is widely applicable to various image pickup apparatuses incorporated in video cameras and other apparatuses and various blade opening/closing apparatuses provided in these image pickup apparatuses, such as an iris.

In descriptions below, front and back, upper and lower, and right- and left-hand directions will be indicated by directions viewed from a photographer during photographing using a still camera. Therefore, a subject side becomes the front side, and a photographer side becomes the rear side.

It should be noted that the front and back, upper and lower, and right- and left-hand directions indicated below are used for convenience of explanation, and the directions are not limited to these directions regarding implementation of the present technology.

Further, a lens group to be described below may include, in addition to a lens group including one or a plurality of lenses, a lens group including these one or a plurality of lenses and other optical devices such as an iris.

<Schematic Configuration of Image Pickup Apparatus>

First, a schematic configuration of the image pickup apparatus will be described (seeFIGS. 1 to 3).

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, in an image pickup apparatus1, for example, required portions are provided inside and outside a horizontally-long flat casing2. As shown inFIG. 1, the image pickup apparatus1may be an apparatus to/from which an interchangeable lens200can be attached/detached.

A flash3is provided on a front surface of the casing2. A shutter button4, a zoom switch5, and a power button6are provided on an upper surface of the casing2(seeFIGS. 1 and 2). A display7, various operation portions8,8, . . . , and a finder9are provided on a rear surface of the casing2.

As shown inFIG. 3, inside the casing2, an optical system10including a lens group, an optical device, and the like, a blade opening/closing apparatus (focal plane shutter)11that controls an amount of light taken in by the optical system10, and an image pickup device12that photoelectrically converts the light taken in via the blade opening/closing apparatus11are arranged sequentially from the front side.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the blade opening/closing apparatus11will be described (seeFIGS. 4 to 8).

The blade opening/closing apparatus11includes a base body13, a presser plate14, an accommodation case15, a first magnetic driving portion16, a second magnetic driving portion17, a presser cover18, a first opening/closing blade19, a second opening/closing blade20, a first link21, and a second link22, and is arranged on the front side of the image pickup device12.

The base body13is formed in a rectangular shape, for example, and includes a rectangular aperture13apenetrating in a front-back direction (seeFIGS. 4 and 5). The aperture13ais formed to be slightly larger than an effective incident area of light on an image pickup surface of the image pickup device12. The effective incident area of light on the image pickup surface is an area where light that has been taken in by the optical system10and is requisite for generating an image enters.

Parts of the base body13on left- and right-hand sides of the aperture13aare respectively provided as holding portions23,23that become holding areas where the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20are held at an opening position, and a part of the base body13below the aperture13ais provided as an attachment portion24to which the accommodation case15is to be attached.

At a lower end portion of the attachment portion24, shaft insertion holes24a,24aare formed while being set apart from each other on the left- and right-hand sides. Shaft movement holes24b,24bare formed in the attachment portion24while being set apart from each other on the left- and right-hand sides, and the shaft movement holes24b,24bare respectively formed in an arc shape with the shaft insertion holes24a,24abeing fulcrums.

The presser plate14is formed to have substantially the same size and shape as the base body13and includes a transmission hole14a. The presser plate14is attached to the base body13from the rear side while sandwiching the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20. The image pickup device12is arranged on the rear side of the presser plate14. In a state where the presser plate14is attached to the base body13, the transmission hole14ais positioned right behind the aperture13a.

Pin attachment holes14b,14bare formed at a lower end portion of the presser plate14while being set apart from each other on the left- and right-hand sides. Relief holes14c,14care formed on the presser plate14while being set apart from each other on the left- and right-hand sides, and the relief holes14c,14care respectively formed in an arc shape with the pin attachment holes14b,14bbeing fulcrums.

The accommodation case15is formed of a nonmagnetic material such as a resin material and includes a rear surface portion25, an upper surface portion26, a lower surface portion27, and a partition portion28.

A rear end portion of the upper surface portion26is continuous with an upper end portion of the rear surface portion25, and a lower end portion or rear-end-side portion of the lower surface portion27is continuous with a lower end portion of the rear surface portion25. The partition portion28faces the lateral direction, a portion thereof close to the rear end is continuous with a center portion of the rear surface portion25in the lateral direction, and upper and lower end portions thereof are respectively connected to the upper surface portion26and the lower surface portion27.

The accommodation case15is equally partitioned on the left- and right-hand sides by the partition portion28and is formed to be symmetric on the left- and right-hand sides while using the partition portion28as a reference. Left- and right-hand portions of the accommodation case15partitioned by the partition portion28are provided as a first arrangement portion15aand a second arrangement portion15b, respectively.

It should be noted that in the blade opening/closing apparatus11, the accommodation case15is formed to be symmetric on the left- and right-hand sides, and two magnetic driving portions to be described later, that are to be arranged in the first arrangement portion15aand the second arrangement portion15b, are also formed to be symmetric on the left- and right-hand sides. Therefore, a configuration on the first arrangement portion15aside will mainly be described below, and a configuration on the second arrangement portion15bside will be described as necessary.

A part of the rear surface portion25is positioned more on the front side than a rear surface of the lower surface portion27and a rear surface of the partition portion28. Since a part of the rear surface portion25is positioned more on the front side than the rear surface of the lower surface portion27and the rear surface of the partition portion28in this way, an arrangement concave portion15cthat is opened rearwardly and upwardly is formed in the accommodation case15.

An insertion hole25apenetrating in the front-back direction is formed in the rear surface portion25, and the insertion hole25ais in communication with the first arrangement portion15a. In the rear surface portion25, a first attachment hole25band a second attachment hole25care formed at positions near the insertion hole25awhile being set apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.

A first spring support surface27aand a second spring support surface27bthat face opposing directions are formed on a lower side of the arrangement concave portion15cin the lower surface portion27while being set apart from each other in the lateral direction.

A part of a surface of the partition portion28that forms the arrangement concave portion15cis a spring reception surface28a. At a front end portion of the partition portion28, a shaft insertion hole28bthat penetrates longitudinally is formed.

The accommodation case15is attached to the attachment portion24of the base body13from the front side. In a state where the accommodation case15is attached to the attachment portion24, the insertion holes25a,25aof the accommodation case15are respectively positioned in front of the shaft insertion holes24a,24aof the base body13.

The first magnetic driving portion16includes a magnet29, a coil30, a fixed yoke31, and a movable yoke32and is arranged in the first arrangement portion15aof the accommodation case15(seeFIGS. 5 to 7).

The magnet29is formed in a cylindrical shape in which an axial direction is set in the front-back direction and is, for example, two-pole magnetized. The magnet29is fixed to a driving body33.

The driving body33is formed by coupling a base member34and a driving lever35.

The base member34is constituted of a lever holding portion36and an insertion shaft portion37, and the insertion shaft portion37protrudes forwardly from a center portion of the lever holding portion36.

An outer shape of the lever holding portion36is formed in a circular shape having substantially the same diameter as the magnet29. On an outer circumferential surface of the lever holding portion36, a first operation protrusion portion36aand a second operation protrusion portion36bare provided while being set apart from each other in a circumferential direction. A spring arrangement concave portion36cthat is opened rearwardly and sideways is formed in the lever holding portion36. In the lever holding portion36, wall surfaces that form the spring arrangement concave portion36cand are set apart from each other in the circumferential direction are formed as a first spring restriction wall36dand a second spring restriction wall36e, respectively.

In the base member34, a shaft insertion hole34athat penetrates a center portion is formed.

The driving lever35is formed by integrally forming a coupling plate portion38formed in an annular shape, an arm plate portion39that protrudes from the coupling plate portion38in a radial direction, and an engagement piece portion40that protrudes from the coupling plate portion38in a radial direction different from that of the arm plate portion39.

The coupling plate portion38is coupled to a rear end portion of the lever holding portion36in the base member34. A coupling shaft41is attached to a tip end portion of the arm plate portion39, and the coupling shaft41protrudes rearwardly from the arm plate portion39. The engagement piece portion40is formed to have a substantially arc surface, and side edges on both sides in the circumferential direction are formed as a first engagement portion40aand a second engagement portion40b, respectively. An outer circumferential edge between the first engagement portion40aand the second engagement portion40bis formed as a sliding portion40c. The engagement piece portion40functions as a to-be-locked portion.

The driving lever35is held by the coupling plate portion38being attached to the lever holding portion36of the base member34, and the arm plate portion39and the engagement piece portion40protrude outwardly from an outer circumference of the lever holding portion36.

In the driving body33, the insertion shaft portion37of the base member34is inserted into a center portion of the magnet29from the rear to be fixed to the magnet29. In a state where the driving body33is fixed to the magnet29, the magnet29is inserted into the insertion hole25aof the rear surface portion25and arranged in the accommodation case15. In the driving body33, the lever holding portion36is arranged in the arrangement concave portion15c, and the arm plate portion39of the driving lever35protrudes outwardly from the accommodation case15.

A rotary shaft42is inserted into a center hole38aof the coupling plate portion38, the shaft insertion hole34aof the base member34, and a center hole29aof the magnet29, and thus the magnet29and the driving body33become integrally rotatable using the rotary shaft42as a fulcrum. A front end portion of the rotary shaft42is fixed to the accommodation case15, and a rear end portion thereof is inserted into the shaft insertion hole24aof the base body13, one end portion of the first link21or the second link22, and a pin attachment hole14bof the presser plate14.

A power assist spring43is supported by the rotary shaft42. The power assist spring43is, for example, a torsion coil spring, and is constituted of a coil portion43a, a first arm portion43b, and a second arm portion43c. The power assist spring43is arranged in the spring arrangement concave portion36cformed in the lever holding portion36of the base member34on the front side of the coupling plate portion38in a state where the coil portion43ais supported by the rotary shaft42. In the power assist spring43, the first arm portion43band the second arm portion43cprotrude from the lever holding portion36, and the power assist spring43is capable of engaging with the first spring support surface27aand the second spring support surface27bformed on the lower surface portion27of the accommodation case15.

The coupling shaft41attached to the arm plate portion39of the driving lever35is inserted into the shaft movement hole24bof the base body13, a part close to one end of the first link21or the second link22, and the relief hole14cof the presser plate14.

The fixed yoke31is constituted of a U-shaped flat plate yoke portion44that opens rearwardly and a coupling yoke portion45coupled to the flat plate yoke portion44.

The flat plate yoke portion44is constituted of a base surface portion44aextending in the lateral direction and opposing surface portions44band44cthat respectively protrude rearwardly from left- and right-hand side edges of the base surface portion44a. The opposing surface portion44cis smaller in size than the opposing surface portion44band is formed in a shape that includes a notch46on an upper end side thereof.

The coupling yoke portion45is constituted of a block-shaped magnet arrangement portion47and a shaft-like portion48that protrudes laterally from the magnet arrangement portion47, and an arrangement hole47athat penetrates in the front-back direction is formed in the magnet arrangement portion47. The shaft-like portion48is inserted into the coil30, and the coil30is held by the shaft-like portion48. In the coupling yoke portion45, a tip end portion of the shaft portion48and one end surface of the magnet arrangement portion47are respectively attached to the opposing surface portions44band44c, to thus be coupled to the flat plate yoke portion44.

The fixed yoke31is attached to the accommodation case15while holding the coil30. In a state where the fixed yoke31is attached to the accommodation case15, the coupling yoke portion45and the coil30are positioned between the rear surface portion25and the base surface portion44aof the flat plate yoke portion44.

The second magnetic driving portion17is arranged in the second arrangement portion15bof the accommodation case15. Since the second magnetic driving portion17has the same configuration as the first magnetic driving portion16and is symmetric on left- and right-hand sides, descriptions on the second magnetic driving portion17will be omitted.

In this way, the first magnetic driving portion16or the second magnetic driving portion17, the driving bodies33,33, and lock levers56,56functioning as a lock portion are respectively provided two each while being symmetric in correspondence with the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20.

Therefore, an operation of the first opening/closing blade19is controlled by the first magnetic driving portion16, the one of the driving bodies33, and one of the lock levers56, and an operation of the second opening/closing blade20is controlled by the second magnetic driving portion17, the other one of the driving bodies33, and the other one of the lock levers56. Accordingly, the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20can respectively be operated appropriately with a simple configuration.

The movable yoke32is rotatable with respect to the accommodation case15while being held by a bracket49.

The bracket49is rotatable with respect to the accommodation case15with a support shaft50inserted into the shaft insertion hole28bof the accommodation case15being a fulcrum. The bracket49includes a yoke holding portion49aand supported shaft portions49b,49bthat protrude from the yoke holding portion49a, and the supported shaft portions49b,49bare supported by the support shaft50. On the support shaft50, for example, a return spring51as a torsion coil spring is supported between the supported shaft portions49b,49b.

The bracket49and the movable yoke32held by the bracket49are biased by the return spring51in a direction in which they approach the magnet29.

The movable yoke32is held by being attached to the yoke holding portion49aof the bracket49. The movable yoke32is positioned at the notch46formed in the fixed yoke31attached to the accommodation case15. Therefore, the movable yoke32is influenced by a magnetic flux generated in a magnetic circuit constituted of the magnet29, the coil30, and the fixed yoke31. The movable yoke32is biased in the direction in which it approaches the magnet29by the return spring51while being positioned at the notch46.

A spring support shaft52is attached to the first attachment hole25bformed in the rear surface portion25of the accommodation case15. A bias spring53is supported by the spring support shaft52. The bias spring53is, for example, a torsion coil spring, and is constituted of a coil portion53a, a first arm portion53b, and a second arm portion53c. In a state where the coil portion53aof the bias spring53is supported by the spring support shaft52, the first arm portion53bis capable of engaging with the outer circumferential surface of the lever holding portion36in the driving body33, and the second arm portion53cis capable of engaging with an operation lever to be described later.

A lever support shaft54is attached to the second attachment hole25cformed in the rear surface portion25of the accommodation case15. Each of an operation lever55and the lock lever56is rotatably supported by the lever support shaft54.

The operation lever55is positioned in front of the lock lever56and includes a main body portion55aextending substantially in the longitudinal direction, a pressing protrusion portion55bthat protrudes sideways from one end portion of the main body portion55a, and a presser protrusion portion55cthat protrudes rearwardly from a position close to the other end of the main body portion55a. The other end portion of the main body portion55aof the operation lever55is supported by the lever support shaft54.

In the operation lever55, the pressing protrusion portion55bopposes the movable yoke32, and the second arm portion53cof the bias spring53is capable of being brought into contact with a tip end portion of the main body portion55a.

The lock lever56functions as a lock portion that locks the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20at the opening position or the closing position. The lock lever56includes an extension portion56aextending substantially in the longitudinal direction, a lock protrusion portion56bthat protrudes rearwardly from one end portion of the extension portion56a, an orthogonal portion56cthat is continuous with the other end portion of the extension portion56aand is bent in a direction substantially orthogonal to the extension portion56a, and a spring reception protrusion portion56dthat protrudes rearwardly from a tip end portion of the orthogonal portion56c. The other end portion of the extension portion56aof the lock lever56is supported by the lever support shaft54.

The extension portion56aof the lock lever56is in a state where it is capable of engaging with the presser protrusion portion55cof the operation lever55from the driving body33side.

A lock spring57is supported by the lever support shaft54. The lock spring57is, for example, a torsion coil spring, and is constituted of a coil portion57a, a first arm portion57b, and a second arm portion57c. In the lock spring57, in a state where the coil portion57ais supported by the lever support shaft54, the first arm portion57bengages with the spring reception protrusion portion56dof the lock lever56, and the second arm portion57cengages with the spring reception surface28aformed in the partition portion28of the accommodation case15.

Therefore, the lock lever56is biased by the lock spring57in a direction in which the extension portion56aapproaches the driving body33.

In a state where the first magnetic driving portion16and the second magnetic driving portion17are arranged while being accommodated in the accommodation case15as described above, the opposing surface portions44band44cof the fixed yoke31of the first magnetic driving portion16and the opposing surface portions44band44cof the fixed yoke31of the second magnetic driving portion17are arranged while facing the same direction.

Therefore, since the opposing surface portions44band44cof the first magnetic driving portion16and the opposing surface portions44band44cof the second magnetic driving portion17are aligned in a thickness direction, the blade opening/closing apparatus11can be miniaturized.

Further, in the blade opening/closing apparatus11, the accommodation case15that is to be attached to the base body13is provided, and the first magnetic driving portion16and the second magnetic driving portion17are accommodated in the accommodation case15.

Therefore, members for respectively accommodating the first magnetic driving portion16and the second magnetic driving portion17become unnecessary, and the number of components can be reduced. In addition, since both the first magnetic driving portion16and the second magnetic driving portion17are accommodated in the accommodation case15, the first magnetic driving portion16and the second magnetic driving portion17can be arranged close to each other, to thus further miniaturize the blade opening/closing apparatus11.

In a state where the first magnetic driving portion16and the second magnetic driving portion17are accommodated in the accommodation case15as described above, the presser cover18is attached to the accommodation case15. The presser cover18is formed in a laterally-long shape that is opened rearwardly, and the accommodation case15, the first magnetic driving portion16, and the second magnetic driving portion17are covered by the presser cover18.

A notched portion18ais formed at a rear end portion of the upper surface portion of the presser cover18. In a state where the presser cover18is attached to the accommodation case15, a tip end portion of each of the arm plate portions39,39of the driving levers35,35is capable of protruding in an outward direction of the presser cover18from the notched portion18a(seeFIG. 4).

The first link21and the second link22are respectively coupled to the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20, and the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20are respectively coupled to the coupling shafts41and rotary shafts42,42of the driving bodies33,33via the first link21and the second link22(seeFIGS. 5 and 9). The first link21and the second link22are both parallel links.

The first link21is constituted of first arms58,59that are set apart from each other on the left- and right-hand sides, and a coupling hole58aextending in a predetermined direction is formed at a position near a lower end of the first arm58. The first link21is coupled to the driving body33by the coupling shaft41of the driving body33of the first magnetic driving portion16being slidably inserted into the coupling hole58aof the first arm58. A lower end portion of each of the first arms58,59is rotatably coupled to the lower end portion of the base body13. It should be noted that in the first arm58, the rotary shaft42to be inserted into one of the shaft insertion holes24aof the base body13is inserted into the lower end portion, and the first arm58is rotated using the rotary shaft42as a fulcrum.

The second link22is constituted of second arms60,61that are set apart from each other on the left- and right-hand sides, and a coupling hole60aextending in a predetermined direction is formed at a position near a lower end of the second arm60. The second link22is coupled to the driving body33by the coupling shaft41of the driving body33of the second magnetic driving portion17being slidably inserted into the coupling hole60aof the second arm60. A lower end portion of each of the second arms60,61is rotatably coupled to the lower end portion of the base body13. It should be noted that in the second arm60, the rotary shaft42to be inserted into the other one of the shaft insertion holes24aof the base body13is inserted into the lower end portion, and the second arm60is rotated using the rotary shaft42as a fulcrum.

The first opening/closing blade19is constituted of a plurality of sheet-like first sectors62,62,62. At least parts of the first sectors62,62,62overlap in the thickness direction in the first opening/closing blade19, and the first opening/closing blade19is moved between the opening position at which the aperture13aof the base body13is opened and the closing position at which the aperture13ais closed.

Both end portions on the left- and right-hand sides of each of the first sectors62,62,62at the lower end portion thereof are rotatably coupled to the respective portions of the first arms58,59. Accordingly, when the driving body33is rotated, the first arms58,59are moved while maintaining a parallel state due to the rotation of the driving body33, and the first sectors62,62,62are moved substantially in the lateral direction along with the movement of the first arms58,59. At this time, movement amounts of the first sectors62,62,62in substantially the lateral direction differ, and thus overlapping areas vary.

The second opening/closing blade20is constituted of a plurality of sheet-like second sectors63,63,63. At least parts of the second sectors63,63,63overlap in the thickness direction in the second opening/closing blade20, and the second opening/closing blade20is moved between the opening position at which the aperture13aof the base body13is opened and the closing position at which the aperture13ais closed.

Both end portions on the left- and right-hand sides of each of the second sectors63,63,63at the lower end portion thereof are rotatably coupled to the respective portions of the second arms60,61. Therefore, when the driving body33is rotated, the second arms60,61are moved while maintaining a parallel state due to the rotation of the driving body33, and the second sectors63,63,63are moved substantially in the lateral direction along with the movement of the second arms60,61. At this time, movement amounts of the second sectors63,63,63in substantially the lateral direction differ, and thus overlapping areas vary.

When the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20are moved as described above, the overlapping areas of the first sectors62,62,62and the second sectors63,63,63vary in accordance with the positions to which the sectors are moved, and the areas become the smallest at the opening position at which the aperture13ais opened.

Therefore, since arrangement spaces of the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20become small at the opening position and the areas of the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20become the largest at the closing position, it becomes possible to miniaturize the blade opening/closing apparatus11in the movement direction of the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20and form a sufficiently-large aperture13a.

A first sheet (not shown) is provided between the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20, and the first sheet prevents the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20from coming into contact with each other and smoothens operations of the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20.

Further, a second sheet (not shown) is provided between the second opening/closing blade20and the presser plate14, and the second sheet smoothens operations of the second opening/closing blade20.

Hereinafter, a lock operation and the like in the blade opening/closing apparatus11will be described. It should be noted that since the lock operations regarding the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20are similar to each other, only the lock operation regarding the first opening/closing blade19will be described in detail below, and detailed descriptions of the lock operation regarding the second opening/closing blade20will be omitted.

First, an initial state of the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20will be described (seeFIG. 9).

In a state before the power button6of the image pickup apparatus1is operated, the coils30,30are not energized, the first opening/closing blade19is held at the opening position, and the second opening/closing blade20is held at the closing position, for example. Therefore, the aperture13aof the base body13is closed by the second opening/closing blade20.

At this time, the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the opening position as follows (seeFIG. 10).

The movable yoke32is drawn by a magnetic force of the magnet29and held in a vertical state.

The first arm portion53bof the bias spring53is pressed against the first operation protrusion portion36aof the lever holding portion36of the driving body33, and the second arm portion53cis pressed against a tip end portion of the main body portion55aof the operation lever55. At this time, the pressing protrusion portion55bof the operation lever55is pressed against the movable yoke32.

The first arm portion57bof the lock spring57engages with the spring reception protrusion portion56dof the lock lever56, and the second arm portion57cengages with the spring reception surface28aformed in the partition portion28of the accommodation case15. Therefore, the lock lever56is biased by the lock spring57in a direction in which the extension portion56aapproaches the driving body33.

The lock lever56is at a lock position by being biased by a bias force of the lock spring57in a direction in which the extension portion56aapproaches the lever holding portion36, and the lock protrusion portion56bengages with the first engagement portion40aof the engagement piece portion40in the driving lever35.

Since the lock protrusion portion56bengages with the first engagement portion40ain this way, rotations of the driving body33and the magnet29are restricted, and the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the opening position.

At this time, the first arm portion43bof the power assist spring43engages with the first spring support surface27aformed in the lower surface portion27of the accommodation case15, and the second arm portion43cengages with the second spring restriction wall36eof the lever holding portion36. Therefore, a bias force is applied to the driving body33by the power assist spring43in a direction in which the first engagement portion40ais pressed against the lock protrusion portion56b. At this time, the second arm portion43cis not engaged with the second spring support surface27bformed in the lower surface portion27of the accommodation case15.

When the coil30is energized in a state where the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the opening position as described above, a rotational force is imparted to the magnet29by a magnetic flux generated in the first magnetic driving portion16. At this time, since the bias force in the rotation direction is applied to the driving body33by the power assist spring43, the applied bias force operates as auxiliary power with respect to the rotation of the driving body33.

When the magnet29and the driving body33are rotated a certain angle, the first arm portion43bof the power assist spring43comes into contact with the first spring restriction wall36dof the lever holding portion36, the second arm portion43ccomes into contact with the second spring restriction wall36e, and the first arm portion43band the second arm portion43care in a state where they are not engaged with any of the first spring support surface27aand the second spring support surface27b. Therefore, the driving body33is put to a state where no bias force is applied thereto from the power assist spring43.

When the coil30is energized, the magnetic force of the magnet29with respect to the movable yoke32is lowered. When the magnetic force of the magnet29with respect to the movable yoke32is lowered, the bias force of the bias spring53becomes relatively larger than the magnetic force of the magnet29with respect to the movable yoke32, and the main body portion55aof the operation lever55is pressed by the second arm portion53cso that the operation lever55is rotated in a direction in which it moves away from the lever holding portion36(seeFIG. 11).

When the operation lever55is rotated in the direction in which it moves away from the lever holding portion36, the movable yoke32is pressed by the pressing protrusion portion55bof the operation lever55, and the movable yoke32is rotated in a direction in which it tilts against the bias force of the return spring51. At the same time, the extension portion56aof the lock lever56is pressed by the presser protrusion portion55cof the operation lever55, and the lock lever56is rotated from the lock position to the unlock position, so that the lock protrusion portion56bmoves away from the first engagement portion40aof the engagement piece portion40to release the engagement.

At this time, in the lock spring57, along with the rotation of the lock lever56, the first arm portion57bis pressed by the spring reception protrusion portion56dof the lock lever56so as to be displaced in a direction in which it approaches the second arm portion57c, and thus the bias force increases.

As described above, since the engagement between the lock protrusion portion56band the first engagement portion40ais released, the lock on the first opening/closing blade19is released, and the magnet29to which the rotational force is applied is rotated integrally with the driving body33(seeFIG. 12).

As the magnet29is rotated, a direction of the magnetic flux changes in accordance with the rotation of the magnet29, and the magnetic force of the magnet29with respect to the movable yoke32increases. As the magnetic force of the magnet29with respect to the movable yoke32increases, the magnetic force of the magnet29with respect to the movable yoke32becomes relatively larger than the bias force of the bias spring53, and the movable yoke32is drawn by the magnetic force of the magnet29to be rotated toward the vertical state.

As the movable yoke32is rotated, the pressing protrusion portion55bis pressed by the movable yoke32so that the operation lever55is rotated in a direction in which it approaches the lever holding portion36. In the bias spring53, the second arm portion53cis pressed by the main body portion55aof the operation lever55. At this time, the engagement between the first arm portion53band the first operation protrusion portion36aof the lever holding portion36is released by the rotation of the driving body33, and thus the bias spring53is put to a state where no bias force is generated since the first arm portion53bis not brought into contact at any of the parts.

By the operation lever55being rotated in the direction in which it approaches the lever holding portion36, the presser protrusion portion55cis set apart from the extension portion56aof the lock lever56. At this time, the lock protrusion portion56bof the lock lever56is rotated in the direction in which it approaches the lever holding portion36by the lock spring57, and the lock protrusion portion56bis in a state where it is in contact with the sliding portion40cof the engagement piece portion40. Therefore, along with the rotation of the driving lever35, the lock protrusion portion56bof the lock lever56slides on the sliding portion40c.

At the start and immediately after the start of the rotation of the magnet29, the bias force of the power assist spring43operates as auxiliary power with respect to the driving body33as described above. Therefore, at the start and immediately after the start of the rotation of the magnet29, the bias force of the power assist spring43operates to increase a rotation torque of the magnet29, and thus an operation speed of the first opening/closing blade19can be raised.

When the magnet29is further rotated integrally with the driving body33, the first arm portion53bof the bias spring53engages with the second operation protrusion portion36bof the lever holding portion36by the rotation of the driving body33(seeFIG. 13). Therefore, the bias spring53is displaced in the direction in which the first arm portion53bapproaches the second arm portion53c, and the bias force is increased.

In the lock lever56, the sliding of the lock protrusion portion56bon the sliding portion40cis released by the rotation of the driving body33, and the lock protrusion portion56bis rotated in the direction in which it approaches the lever holding portion36by the bias force of the lock spring57, so that the lock lever56moves from the unlock position to the lock position again. When the lock lever56is rotated, the lock protrusion portion56bengages with the second engagement portion40bof the engagement piece portion40. When the lock protrusion portion56bis engaged with the second engagement portion40b, the energization to the coil30is stopped and the rotation of the magnet29and the driving body33is stopped.

By the lock protrusion portion56bof the lock lever56engaging with the second engagement portion40bin this way, a rotation of the magnet29in a direction opposite to that described above is restricted. At this time, the first opening/closing blade19is already moved to the closing position, and the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the closing position.

When the magnet29is rotated the certain angle described above and is further rotated, the first arm portion43bof the power assist spring43is further pressed by the first spring restriction wall36dto be displaced in a direction in which it further approaches the second arm portion43c, and the second arm portion43cengages with the second spring support surface27b. Therefore, a bias force in a direction opposite to the rotation direction is applied to the driving body33from the power assist spring43to the driving body33, and the bias force of the power assist spring43operates as auxiliary power in a deceleration direction with respect to the driving body33and the magnet29. Since the bias force of the power assist spring43operates as auxiliary power in a deceleration direction with respect to the driving body33and the magnet29in this way, the first opening/closing blade19is decelerated during a period from right before the first opening/closing blade19is moved to the closing position to when the first opening/closing blade19is moved to the closing position.

It should be noted that although the lock operation regarding the first opening/closing blade19has been described above, the locked state is set at the opening position or the closing position by an operation similar to that described above also regarding the second opening/closing blade20.

Meanwhile, when the magnet29is rotated in the opposite direction and the first opening/closing blade19is moved toward the opening position in a state where the first opening/closing blade19is at the closing position, the movable yoke32, the operation lever55, and the lock lever56are operated in a manner similar to that described above, and the engagement of the lock protrusion portion56bwith the second engagement portion40bis released. Next, the lock protrusion portion56bslides on the sliding portion40c, and then the lock protrusion portion56bengages with the first engagement portion40a. At this time, at the start and immediately after the start of the rotation of the magnet29in the opposite direction, the bias force of the power assist spring43is applied to the driving body33in the same direction as the rotation direction of the driving body33as described above. Therefore, also at the start and immediately after the start of the rotation of the magnet29in the opposite direction, the bias force of the power assist spring43operates to increase the rotation torque of the magnet29, and thus the operation speed of the first opening/closing blade19can be raised.

As described above, at the start and immediately after the start of the rotation of the magnet29, a rotational force in the same direction as the rotation of the magnet29is applied to the driving body33by the power assist spring43, and a large torque with respect to the magnet29is applied.

In this way, in the blade opening/closing apparatus11, since the power assist spring43that applies the bias force in an operation direction of the driving body33to the driving body33is provided, a torque in a predetermined rotation direction is applied to the driving body33and the magnet29by the power assist spring43, and operation speed of the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20can be raised.

Further, since the power assist spring43that applies the bias force in the operation direction to the driving body33is provided, by controlling a current amount to be supplied to the coil30in accordance with a force amount (spring force) of the power assist spring43, a mechanism for controlling the force amount of the power assist spring43does not need to be additionally provided, and the operation speed of the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20can be set to a desired speed while simplifying the structure.

As described above, in the blade opening/closing apparatus11, the fixed yoke31and the movable yoke32are provided in the first magnetic driving portion16and the second magnetic driving portion17, and the lock lever56functioning as the lock portion is moved between the lock position and the unlock position by the operation of the movable yoke32.

Therefore, since the movable yoke32and the driving body33including the engagement piece portion40that functions as the lock portion are operated by the energization of the coil30, different driving portions for operating the movable yoke32and the driving body33are unnecessary, and the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20can be locked while simplifying the structure.

Further, the rotatable lock lever56is provided as the lock portion, the rotatable operation lever55that causes the lock lever56to rotate from the lock position to the unlock position is provided, and the rotary shaft of the lock lever56and that of the operation lever55are coaxial.

Therefore, since the operation lever55and the lock lever56are rotated using the same shaft as a fulcrum, the structure can be simplified, and operation control can be facilitated.

Hereinafter, a specific operational example of the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20will be described.

In a state where the power button6of the image pickup apparatus1is not operated, the first opening/closing blade19is at the opening position and the second opening/closing blade20is at the closing position as described above (seeFIG. 9).

When the power button6of the image pickup apparatus1is operated, for example, a live view mode in which a photographer is capable of visually checking a subject by the display7and the finder9is set. At this time, a driving current is supplied to the coil30of the second magnetic driving portion17, a driving force is generated in the second magnetic driving portion17, and the second opening/closing blade20is moved from the closing position to the opening position (seeFIG. 14).

By the second opening/closing blade20being moved to the opening position, the aperture13ais opened to be put to a state where light taken in from the optical system10is capable of entering the image pickup device12, and thus the photographer can visually check a subject by the display7and the finder9.

Next, when the shutter button4is operated to photograph the subject, a driving current is supplied to the coil30of the first magnetic driving portion16, a driving force is generated in the first magnetic driving portion16, and the first opening/closing blade19is moved from the opening position to the closing position to close the aperture13a(seeFIG. 15).

When the first opening/closing blade19is moved to the closing position, a driving current in an opposite direction is supplied to the coil30of the first magnetic driving portion16, and the first opening/closing blade19moves from the closing position toward the opening position. When the first opening/closing blade19is moved toward the opening position, a driving current in an opposite direction is supplied to the coil30of the second magnetic driving portion17immediately after the start of the movement of the first opening/closing blade19toward the opening position, and the second opening/closing blade20is moved so as to follow the first opening/closing blade19from the opening position toward the closing position. When the second opening/closing blade20is moved so as to follow the first opening/closing blade19, a slit64having a predetermined width is formed between the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20(seeFIG. 16), and the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20are moved toward the opening position or the closing position in a state where the slit64having a certain width is formed.

The operation of moving the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20in the state where the slit64is formed is an operation called slit running, and by the slit running, light enters the image pickup device12sequentially from one end portion to the other end portion via the transmission hole14aof the presser plate14, the slit64, and the aperture13aof the base body13, to thus perform exposure.

When the slit running is ended, the first opening/closing blade19is moved to the opening position and the second opening/closing blade20is moved to the closing position so that the aperture13ais closed again (seeFIG. 9).

Subsequently, a driving current is supplied to the coil30of the first magnetic driving portion16so as to move the first opening/closing blade19to the closing position, and the aperture13ais closed by the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20(seeFIG. 17). In a state where the aperture13ais closed by the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20, light that has entered the image pickup device12during slit running is sequentially photoelectrically converted to generate image signals, and the generated image signals are transferred to the memory to generate an image of the subject.

It should be noted that the operation of sequentially photoelectrically converting light that has entered the image pickup device12during slit running and transferring the image signals to the memory may be carried out in a state where the first opening/closing blade19is moved to the opening position and the second opening/closing blade20is moved to the closing position to thus close the aperture13aat the time slit running is ended (seeFIG. 9).

MODIFIED EXAMPLE

Hereinafter, first and second modified examples of the blade opening/closing apparatus will be described. It should be noted that a blade opening/closing apparatus11A according to the first modified example described below differs from the blade opening/closing apparatus11described above in that an actuator and an operation member are provided in place of the movable yoke and the bracket. A blade opening/closing apparatus11B according to the second modified example differs from the blade opening/closing apparatus11described above in that the movable yoke as a part of the magnetic driving portion is not provided and a magnetic circuit portion is provided. Therefore, regarding each of the modified examples below, only parts that differ from those of the blade opening/closing apparatus11will be described in detail, and other parts that are similar to those of the blade opening/closing apparatus11will be denoted by the same symbols, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

First Modified Example

First, the blade opening/closing apparatus11A according to the first modified example will be described (seeFIGS. 18 to 22).

As shown inFIG. 18, the blade opening/closing apparatus11A includes the base body13, the presser plate14, the accommodation case15, a first magnetic driving portion16A, a second magnetic driving portion17A, the presser cover18, the first opening/closing blade19, the second opening/closing blade20, the first link21, and the second link22, and is arranged on the front side of the image pickup device12.

The first magnetic driving portion16A includes the magnet29, the coil30, and a fixed yoke31A, and the movable yoke32provided in the blade opening/closing apparatus11is not provided. Therefore, the notch46is not formed in the opposing surface portion44cof the fixed yoke31A, and the opposing surface portion44band the opposing surface portion44care formed to have the same size.

In the blade opening/closing apparatus11A, an operation member65and an actuator66are provided in place of the movable yoke32and the bracket49that have been used in the blade opening/closing apparatus11.

The operation member65is rotatable with respect to the accommodation case15with the support shaft50being a fulcrum. The operation member65includes a flat plate surface portion65ahaving a substantially flat plate shape, supported shaft portions65b,65bthat protrude from one end portion of the flat plate surface portion65a, a pressing portion65cthat protrudes from the other end portion of the flat plate surface portion65a, and a coupling shaft portion65dthat protrudes from an intermediate portion of the flat plate surface portion65a, and the supported shaft portions65b,65bare supported by the support shaft50. On the support shaft50, the return spring51which is a torsion coil spring, for example, is supported between the supported shaft portions65b,65b.

The return spring51biases the operation member65in a direction in which it approaches the magnet29.

The actuator66is coupled to the coupling shaft portion65dof the operation member65. The actuator66is, for example, an electromagnet, and includes a magnetic body66a, electromagnetic coils66b,66b, and a movable portion66c. In the actuator66, the movable portion66cprotrudes or retracts to reciprocate with respect to the magnetic body66ain accordance with presence or absence of energization to the electromagnetic coils66b,66b.

The spring support shaft52, the bias spring53, and the operation lever55that are provided in the blade opening/closing apparatus11are not provided in the blade opening/closing apparatus11A.

A lock lever56A is rotatably supported by the lever support shaft54. The lock lever56A functions as the lock portion that locks the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20at the opening position or the closing position.

The lock lever56A includes an extension portion56eextending substantially in the longitudinal direction, a to-be-operated portion56fthat protrudes rearwardly from one end portion of the extension portion56e, and a lock protrusion portion56gthat protrudes rearwardly from the other end portion of the extension portion56e. Substantially a center portion of the extension portion56eof the lock lever56A is supported by the lever support shaft54.

In a state where the coil portion57aof the lock spring57is supported by the lever support shaft54, the first arm portion57bengages with the to-be-operated portion56fof the lock lever56A, and the second arm portion57cengages with the spring reception surface28aformed in the partition portion28of the accommodation case15.

Therefore, the lock lever56A is biased by the lock spring57in a direction in which the to-be-operated portion56fapproaches the flat plate surface portion65aof the operation member65, and the lock protrusion portion56gis biased in a direction in which it approaches the driving body33.

<Operation of Blade Opening/Closing Apparatus According to First Modified Example>

Hereinafter, the lock operation and the like in the blade opening/closing apparatus11A will be described (seeFIGS. 19 to 22). It should be noted that since the lock operations regarding the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20are similar to each other, only the lock operation regarding the first opening/closing blade19will be described in detail below, and detailed descriptions on the lock operation regarding the second opening/closing blade20will be omitted.

In the initial state, the first opening/closing blade19is held at the opening position, for example, and the second opening/closing blade20is held at the closing position, for example.

At this time, the electromagnetic coils66b,66bof the actuator66are not energized, and the movable portion66cis at a retracted position with respect to the magnetic body66a(seeFIG. 19). Therefore, the operation member65is held in a state where the flat plate surface portion65ais tilted from the vertical state. Since the lock lever56A is biased by the bias force of the lock spring57in a direction in which the to-be-operated portion56fapproaches the operation member65and is held at the lock position, the to-be-operated portion56fis pressed against the pressing portion65c, and the lock protrusion portion56gengages with the first engagement portion40aof the engagement piece portion40in the driving lever35.

By the lock protrusion portion56gengaging with the first engagement portion40ain this way, the rotation of the driving body33and the magnet29is restricted, and the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the opening position.

When the coil30is energized in a state where the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the opening position as described above, a rotational force is imparted to the magnet29by a magnetic flux generated in the first magnetic driving portion16A.

At this time, the electromagnetic coils66b,66bof the actuator66are energized. When the electromagnetic coils66b,66bare energized, the movable portion66cprotrudes with respect to the magnetic body66a, the to-be-operated portion56fof the lock lever56A is pressed by the pressing portion65cof the operation member65biased by the return spring51, and the lock lever56A is rotated from the lock position to the unlock position against the bias force of the lock spring57. By the rotation of the lock lever56A, the lock protrusion portion56gis set apart from the first engagement portion40aof the engagement piece portion40, and thus the engagement is released.

At this time, along with the rotation of the lock lever56A, the first arm portion57aof the lock spring57is pressed by the to-be-operated portion56fof the lock lever56A, and thus the bias force is increased. The operation member65is brought to a vertical state along with the movement of the movable portion66c.

As described above, since the engagement of the lock protrusion portion56gwith the first engagement portion40ais released, the lock on the first opening/closing blade19is released, and the magnet29to which the rotational force is applied is rotated integrally with the driving body33.

At this time, the lock lever56A is in a state where the lock protrusion portion56gis in contact with the sliding portion40cof the engagement piece portion40or a state where the lock protrusion portion56gis slightly set apart from the sliding portion40c, and the lock protrusion portion56gis relatively moved along the sliding portion40calong with the rotation of the driving body33(seeFIG. 20).

When the magnet29is further rotated integrally with the driving body33, the second engagement portion40bof the engagement piece portion40in the driving body33reaches a position corresponding to the lock protrusion portion56gof the lock lever56A (seeFIG. 21). At this time, the energization to the electromagnetic coils66b,66bof the actuator66is stopped, and the movable portion66cis retracted with respect to the magnetic body66a. In addition, the energization to the coil30is also stopped, and the rotation of the magnet29and the driving body33is stopped.

When the movable portion66cis retracted with respect to the magnetic body66a, the lock lever56A is rotated in a direction in which the lock protrusion portion56gapproaches the lever holding portion36by the bias force of the lock spring57, to move from the unlock position to the lock position again (seeFIG. 22). When the lock lever56A is rotated, the lock protrusion portion56gengages with the second engagement portion40bof the engagement piece portion40.

By the lock protrusion portion56gof the lock lever56A engaging with the second engagement portion40bin this way, the rotation of the magnet29in a direction opposite to that described above is restricted, and at this time, the first opening/closing blade19is already moved to the closing position, and the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the closing position.

It should be noted that the stop of the energization to the electromagnetic coils66b,66bof the actuator66may be performed while the lock protrusion portion56gis relatively moved along the sliding portion40calong with the rotation of the driving body33. In this case, the lock lever56A biased by the lock spring57is relatively moved along the sliding portion40cin a state where the lock protrusion portion56gis sliding on the sliding portion40cof the engagement piece portion40. When the second engagement portion40breaches the position corresponding to the lock protrusion portion56g, the lock lever56A is rotated by the bias force of the lock spring57so that the lock protrusion portion56gengages with the second engagement portion40bto performing locking.

Further, although the lock operation regarding the first opening/closing blade19has been described above, the locked state is set at the opening position or the closing position by an operation similar to that described above also regarding the second opening/closing blade20.

Meanwhile, when the magnet29is rotated in the opposite direction and the first opening/closing blade19is moved toward the opening position in a state where the first opening/closing blade19is at the closing position, the operation member65and the lock lever56A are operated in a manner similar to that described above in accordance with presence or absence of energization to the electromagnetic coils66b,66bof the actuator66, and the engagement of the lock protrusion portion56gwith the second engagement portion40bis released. Next, the lock protrusion portion56gbecomes slidable on the sliding portion40c, and then the lock protrusion portion56gengages with the first engagement portion40a.

As described above, in the blade opening/closing apparatus11A, the actuator66that causes the lock lever56A that functions as the lock portion to operate is provided.

Therefore, since the lock lever56A is operated by the actuator66and the driving body33including the engagement piece portion40that functions as the to-be-locked portion is operated by the first magnetic driving portion16A or the second magnetic driving portion17A, operation control of the lock portion and the to-be-locked portion is performed separately, and operational reliability can be improved.

Second Modified Example

Next, the blade opening/closing apparatus11B according to the second modified example will be described (seeFIGS. 23 to 29).

The blade opening/closing apparatus11B includes the base body13, the presser plate14, the accommodation case15, a first magnetic driving portion16B, a second magnetic driving portion17B, the presser cover18, the first opening/closing blade19, the second opening/closing blade20, the first link21, and the second link22, and is arranged on the front side of the image pickup device12(seeFIG. 23).

The first magnetic driving portion16B includes the magnet29, the coil30, and a fixed yoke31B, and the movable yoke32provided in the blade opening/closing apparatus11B is not provided.

The fixed yoke31B includes a base portion67, protrusion portions68,68that protrude from both end portions of the base portion67in the same direction, and a coil holding portion69that couples the protrusion portions68,68, and is arranged in a state where the magnet29is inserted into the base portion67. A surface of the base portion67on the other side of a side where the protrusion portions68,68are positioned is formed as an opposing surface67a.

The coil holding portion69holds the coil30.

A magnetic circuit portion70is attached to the accommodation case15, and the magnetic circuit portion70opposes the opposing surface67aof the fixed yoke31B. The magnetic circuit portion70includes a yoke body71and an auxiliary magnet72.

The yoke body71includes a yoke base71a, yoke protrusion portions71b,71bthat protrude from both end portions of the yoke base71ain the same direction, and a yoke movable portion71cpositioned on the other side of the yoke base71awith the yoke protrusions71b,71binterposed therebetween. The yoke movable portion71ccan be displaced with respect to the yoke protrusion portions71b,71b.

The auxiliary magnet72is arranged while being embedded in the yoke base71aof the yoke body71.

It should be noted that at least one of the yoke protrusion portions71b,71bof the yoke body71may hold a driving coil. By energizing the driving coil and generating a force, it becomes possible to use the generated force as auxiliary power in the magnetic circuit portion70.

The magnet29is fixed to a driving body33B.

The driving body33B is formed by coupling the base member34and a driving lever35B. It should be noted that although, regarding the blade opening/closing apparatus11B according to the second modified example, a case where the respective positions of the first engagement portion40aand second engagement portion40bof the engagement piece portion40are made opposite to those of the blade opening/closing apparatus11and the blade opening/closing apparatus11A in a circumferential direction will be described as an example, the respective positions of the first engagement portion40aand second engagement portion40bof the engagement piece portion40may be set to have the same positional relationship as the blade opening/closing apparatus11and the blade opening/closing apparatus11A also regarding the blade opening/closing apparatus11B.

The driving lever35B includes an annular coupling plate portion38, an arm plate portion39that protrudes in a radial direction from the coupling plate portion38, the engagement piece portion40that protrudes in the radial direction from the coupling plate portion38, and a rotation protrusion portion73that protrudes in the radial direction from the coupling plate portion38. The arm plate portion39, the engagement piece portion40, and the rotation protrusion portion73respectively protrude in the radial direction from the coupling plate portion38at substantially equiangular positions in a circumferential direction.

In the blade opening/closing apparatus11B, an operation lever74is provided in place of the bracket49and the operation lever55used in the blade opening/closing apparatus11. In addition, the blade opening/closing apparatus11B is not provided with the spring support shaft52and the bias spring53that are provided in the blade opening/closing apparatus11.

The operation lever74is rotatably supported by the accommodation case15with the support shaft50being a fulcrum. The operation lever74includes a substantially U-shaped coupling surface portion74a, supported shaft portions74b,74bthat respectively protrude from both end portions of the coupling surface portion74ain the front-back direction, a presser protrusion portion74cthat protrudes from the rear-side supported shaft portion74b, an arm protrusion portion74dthat protrudes from the rear-side supported shaft portion74b, and a spring hook protrusion portion74ethat protrudes from the front-side supported shaft portion74b. In the operation lever74, the supported shaft portions74b,74bare supported by the support shaft50.

A coupling shaft75is coupled to the coupling surface portion74aof the operation lever74, and the yoke movable portion71cof the yoke body71is coupled to the coupling surface portion74aby the coupling shaft75. The yoke movable portion71cis coupled to the coupling shaft75in a state where it can move in an axial direction.

An operation spring76is supported by the coupling shaft75. The operation spring76is, for example, a compression coil spring, and the yoke movable portion71cis biased in a direction in which it moves away from the coupling surface portion74aby the operation spring76.

The return spring51is supported by the support shaft50, and one end portion of the return spring51is supported by the spring hook protrusion portion74eof the operation lever74. The operation lever74is biased by the return spring51in a direction in which the arm protrusion portion74dapproaches the driving body33B.

A lock lever56B is rotatably supported by the support shaft50on a rear side of the operation lever74. The lock lever56B functions as the lock portion that locks the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20at the opening position or the closing position.

The lock lever56B includes an extension portion56hextending substantially in the longitudinal direction, a lock protrusion portion56ithat protrudes rearwardly from one end portion of the extension portion56h, and a spring engagement portion56jthat protrudes rearwardly from an intermediate portion of the extension portion56h. The other end portion of the extension portion56hof the lock lever56B is supported by the support shaft50.

The lock spring57is supported by the support shaft50. In the lock spring57, the first arm portion57bengages with the spring engagement portion56jof the lock lever56B. Therefore, the lock lever56B is biased by the lock spring57in a direction in which the lock protrusion portion56iapproaches the driving body33B.

<Operation of Blade Opening/Closing Apparatus According to Second Modified Example>

Hereinafter, a lock operation and the like in the blade opening/closing apparatus11B will be described. It should be noted that since the lock operations regarding the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20are similar to each other, only the lock operation regarding the first opening/closing blade19will be described in detail below, and detailed descriptions of the lock operation regarding the second opening/closing blade20will be omitted.

In the initial state, the first opening/closing blade19is held at the opening position, for example, and the second opening/closing blade20is held at the closing position, for example.

At this time, the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the opening position as follows (seeFIGS. 24 and 25).

The yoke body71is held in a state where the yoke movable portion71cis drawn to the yoke protrusion portions71b,71bby a magnetic force of the auxiliary magnet72and is in contact with the yoke protrusion portions71b,71b.

In the operation lever74, the coupling surface portion74ais drawn to the yoke protrusion portions71b,71bside by the magnetic force of the auxiliary magnet72against the bias force of the return spring51, and the arm protrusion portion74dis held at a position most distant from the lever holding portion36.

The lock lever56B is at the lock position by being biased by the bias force of the lock spring57in a direction in which the lock protrusion portion56iapproaches the lever holding portion36, and the lock protrusion portion56iis engaged with the first engagement portion40aof the engagement piece portion40in the driving lever35B.

By the lock protrusion portion56iengaging with the first engagement portion40ain this way, the rotation of the driving body33B and the magnet29is restricted, and the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the opening position.

When the coil30is energized in a state where the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the opening position as described above, a rotational force is imparted to the magnet29by a magnetic flux generated in the first magnetic driving portion16B.

At this time, the magnetic flux generated in the first magnetic driving portion16B due to the energization influences the magnetic circuit portion70, and the magnetic flux generated in one of the yoke protrusion portions71b,71bof the yoke body71is saturated and does not change, but the magnetic flux generated in the other one of the yoke protrusion portions71b,71bof the yoke body71is weakened. Therefore, the magnetic force with respect to the yoke movable portion71cof the yoke body71and the coupling surface portion74aof the operation lever74is weakened, and the operation lever74is rotated in a direction in which the arm protrusion portion74dapproaches the lever holding portion36and the presser protrusion portion74cmoves away from the lever holding portion36by the bias force of the return spring51(seeFIGS. 26 and 27). At this time, the yoke movable portion71cis set apart from the yoke protrusion portions71b,71b, or a contact state with the yoke protrusion portions71b,71bweakens.

When the operation lever74is rotated, the extension portion56hof the lock lever56B is pressed by the presser protrusion portion74cso that the lock lever56A is rotated from the lock position to the unlock position, and the lock protrusion portion56iis set apart from the first engagement portion40aof the engagement piece portion40so as to release the engagement.

At this time, the bias force of the lock spring57is increased along with the rotation of the lock lever56B.

Since the engagement between the lock protrusion portion56iand the first engagement portion40ais released as described above, the lock on the first opening/closing blade19is released, and the magnet29to which the rotational force is imparted is rotated integrally with the driving body33B (seeFIG. 28).

As the magnet29is rotated integrally with the driving body33B, the arm protrusion portion74dof the operation lever74is pressed by the rotation protrusion portion73of the driving lever35B, and the operation lever74is rotated in a direction in which the presser protrusion portion74capproaches the lever holding portion36against the bias force of the return spring51.

At this time, the lock lever56B is rotated in the direction in which the lock protrusion portion56iapproaches the lever holding portion36by the lock spring57and is in a state where the lock protrusion portion56iis in contact with the sliding portion40cof the engagement piece portion40. Therefore, the lock protrusion portion56iof the lock lever56B slides on the sliding portion40calong with the rotation of the driving lever35B.

When the magnet29is further rotated integrally with the driving body33, the sliding of the lock protrusion portion56iof the lock lever56B on the sliding portion40cis released by the rotation of the driving body33B, and the lock protrusion portion56iis rotated in the direction in which it approaches the lever holding portion36by the bias force of the lock spring57, so that the lock lever56B moves from the unlock position to the lock position again (seeFIG. 29). When the lock lever56B is rotated, the lock protrusion portion56iengages with the second engagement portion40bof the engagement piece portion40. When the lock protrusion portion56iis engaged with the second engagement portion40b, the energization to the coil30is stopped and the rotation of the magnet29and the driving body33is stopped.

By the lock protrusion portion56iof the lock lever56B engaging with the second engagement portion40bin this way, a rotation of the magnet29in a direction opposite to that described above is restricted. At this time, the first opening/closing blade19is already moved to the closing position, and the first opening/closing blade19is locked at the closing position.

It should be noted that although the lock operation regarding the first opening/closing blade19has been described above, the locked state is set at the opening position or the closing position by an operation similar to that described above also regarding the second opening/closing blade20.

Meanwhile, when the magnet29is rotated in the opposite direction and the first opening/closing blade19is moved toward the opening position in a state where the first opening/closing blade19is at the closing position, the magnetic circuit portion70, the lock lever56B, and the operation lever74are operated in a manner similar to that described above, and the engagement of the lock protrusion portion56gwith the second engagement portion40bis released. Next, the lock protrusion portion56gslides on the sliding portion40c, and then the lock protrusion portion56gengages with the first engagement portion40a.

As described above, in the blade opening/closing apparatus11B, the magnetic circuit portion70that generates a driving force to be imparted to the lock lever56B functioning as the lock portion by the energization to the coil30is provided.

Therefore, since the lock lever56B is operated by the magnetic circuit portion70, the driving body33B including the engagement piece portion40functioning as the to-be-locked portion is operated by the first magnetic driving portion16B or the second magnetic driving portion17B, and the driving force generated in the magnetic circuit portion70and the driving force generated in the first magnetic driving portion16B or the second magnetic driving portion17B are generated by energization to the same coil30, operational control of the lock lever56B and the driving body33B is performed separately while reducing the number of components, and thus operational reliability can be improved while securing simplification of the structure.

<One Embodiment of Image Pickup Apparatus>

FIG. 30is a block diagram showing a still camera (digital still camera) according to an embodiment of an image pickup apparatus of the present technology.

An image pickup apparatus (digital still camera)100(image pickup apparatus1) includes a camera block80including an image pickup function, a camera signal processing unit81that carries out signal processing such as an analog-digital conversion on captured image signals, and an image processing unit82that carries out recording/reproducing processing of the image signals. In addition, the image pickup apparatus100includes a display unit83(display7) that displays a captured image and the like, an R/W (reader/writer)84that writes and reads out image signals to/from a memory90, a CPU (Central Processing Unit)85that performs overall control of the image pickup apparatus100, an input unit86including various switches and the like, to which necessary operations are performed by a user (shutter button4, zoom switch5, power button6, and operation portions8,8, . . . ), and a lens drive control unit87that controls drive lenses arranged in the camera block80.

The camera block80is constituted of an optical system (optical system10) including a lens group88, an image pickup device89(image pickup device12) such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), and the like.

The camera signal processing unit81carries out various types of signal processing such as a conversion into digital signals, noise removal, image quality correction, and conversion into luminance/color difference signals, on output signals from the image pickup device89.

The image processing unit82carries out compression coding/decompression decoding processing on image signals based on a predetermined image data format, processing of converting a specification of data of a resolution and the like, and the like.

The display unit83includes a function of displaying various types of data such as an operation state of the user with respect to the input unit86and a captured image.

The R/W84writes image data encoded by the image processing unit82in the memory90and reads out image data recorded in the memory90.

The CPU85functions as a control processing unit that controls respective circuit blocks provided in the image pickup apparatus100, and controls the respective circuit blocks on the basis of an instruction input signal or the like from the input unit86.

The input unit86outputs an instruction input signal corresponding to the user operation to the CPU85.

The lens drive control unit87controls a motor (not shown) that drives each lens of the lens group88on the basis of a control signal from the CPU85, and the like.

The memory90is, for example, a semiconductor memory that is detachable from a slot connected to the R/W84.

Hereinafter, an operation of the image pickup apparatus100will be described.

In a photograph standby state, image signals captured by the camera block80are output to the display unit83via the camera signal processing unit81and displayed as a camera-through image under control of the CPU85. Further, when an instruction input signal for zooming is input from the input unit86, the CPU85outputs a control signal to the lens drive control unit87, and a predetermined lens of the lens group88is moved under control of the lens drive control unit87.

When a shutter (blade opening/closing apparatus11) of the camera block80is operated by the instruction input signal from the input unit86, captured image signals are output from the camera signal processing unit81to the image processing unit82to be subjected to compression coding processing, and the signals are converted into digital data of a predetermined data format. The converted data is output to the R/W84and written in the memory90.

Focusing is carried out by the lens drive control unit87moving a predetermined lens of the lens group88on the basis of a control signal from the CPU85.

In a case where image data recorded in the memory90is to be reproduced, predetermined image data is read out from the memory90by the R/W84in accordance with an operation to the input unit86, and after the image processing unit82carries out decompression decoding processing, reproduction image signals are output to the display unit83so that a reproduction image is displayed.

CONCLUSION

As described above, in the blade opening/closing apparatuses11,11A,11B, the driving bodies33,33B each including the engagement piece portion40functioning as the to-be-locked portion and the lock levers56,56A,56B each functioning as the lock portion that sets a locked state of the first opening/closing blade19or the second opening/closing blade20by engaging with the engagement piece portion40are provided, and the setting of the locked state and a release of the locked state are performed in accordance with the rotation position of the magnet29.

Therefore, since the setting of the locked state and a release of the locked state are performed by the lock portion engaging with the to-be-locked portion in accordance with the rotation position of the magnet29, the locking on the first opening/closing blade19or the second opening/closing blade20is not performed by the magnetic force of the magnet29, and thus a favorable photographing state can be secured without causing an increase of power consumption.

Further, the lock levers56,56A,56B each functioning as the lock portion are moved between the lock position for setting the locked state and the unlock position for unlocking the locked state in accordance with a change in the magnetic force caused by the rotation of the magnet29.

Therefore, since the lock portion and the to-be-locked portion are operated by the first opening/closing blade19or the second opening/closing blade20, different driving portions for operating the lock portion and the to-be-locked portion are not required, and the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20can be locked while simplifying the structure.

Further, since the rotary shaft of the magnet29and the rotary shaft of the driving bodies33,33B are coaxial, the magnet29and the driving bodies33,33B are rotated using the same rotary shaft as a fulcrum, and thus miniaturization due to a reduction in space can be realized while simplifying the structure.

Furthermore, since the driving bodies33,33B are fixed to the magnet29, the magnet29and the driving bodies33,33B are rotated integrally using the same rotary shaft as a fulcrum, with the result that facilitation of control, simplification of the structure, and miniaturization due to a reduction in space can be realized.

Moreover, the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20are moved between the opening position at which the aperture13aof the base body13is opened and the closing position at which the aperture13ais closed, and the locked states are respectively set at the opening position and the closing position.

Therefore, the first opening/closing blade19and the second opening/closing blade20are locked at two positions, that is, the opening position and the closing position, by a single mechanism including the lock portion and the to-be-locked portion, and thus the simplification of the structure and miniaturization can be realized.

Further, since the first engagement portion40awith which the lock portion is to be engaged at the opening position and the second engagement portion40bwith which the lock portion is to be engaged at the closing position are formed in the engagement piece portion40functioning as the to-be-locked portion, two engagement portions for locking at the two positions are formed in the to-be-locked portion, and thus the number of components can be reduced, and miniaturization can be realized.

Furthermore, the driving bodies33,33B are provided with the driving levers35,35B that are coupled to the first opening/closing blade19or the second opening/closing blade20, and the engagement piece portion40that functions as the to-be-locked portion is provided in the driving levers35,35B.

Therefore, since the first engagement portion40aand the second engagement portion40bare formed in the driving levers35,35B coupled to the first opening/closing blade19or the second opening/closing blade20, the driving lever35,35B include two functions, that is, the function of operating the first opening/closing blade19or the second opening/closing blade20and the function of being locked, and thus the number of components can be reduced.

In addition, the engagement piece portion40functioning as the to-be-locked portion is provided in the driving levers35,35B, and both ends of the engagement piece portion40are respectively formed as the first engagement portion40aand the second engagement portion40b. Therefore, the lock portion engages with each of the both ends of the engagement piece portion40to be locked at the two positions, with the result that the structure for locking at the two positions can be simplified with a simple structure.

In the blade opening/closing apparatuses11,11A,11B described above, when the lock protrusion portions56b,56g,56iof the lock levers56,56A,56B slide on the sliding portion40cof the engagement piece portion40at the time the driving bodies33,33B rotate, there is a possibility that a noise due to sliding (shutter sound) will be generated and this generated noise will become an abnormal noise. In this regard, in order to reduce or prevent this noise due to sliding from being generated or change a tone color, for example, a timing of rotating the lock levers56,56A,56B with respect to the driving bodies33,33B may be changed, or materials of the lock levers56,56A,56B and the engagement piece portion40may be changed.

The present technology can also take the following configurations.

a magnetic driving portion including a coil to which a driving current is supplied and a magnet that is rotated along with energization to the coil;

a driving body that includes a to-be-locked portion and is operated by the magnetic driving portion;

an opening/closing blade that opens/closes an aperture by an operation of the driving body; and

a lock portion that sets a locked state of the opening/closing blade by engaging with the to-be-locked portion, the setting of the locked state and a release of the locked state being carried out in accordance with a rotation position of the magnet.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to (1), in which

the lock portion is moved between a lock position at which the locked state is set and an unlock position at which the locked state is released, in accordance with a change of a magnetic force accompanying the rotation of the magnet.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to (2), in which

the magnetic driving portion includes a fixed yoke and a movable yoke, and

the lock portion is moved between the lock position and the unlock position by an operation of the movable yoke.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to (2) or (3), further including

a rotatable lock lever as the lock portion, and

a rotatable operation lever that causes the lock lever to rotate from the lock position to the unlock position,

in which

a rotary shaft of the lock lever and a rotary shaft of the operation lever are coaxial.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), in which

a rotary shaft of the magnet and a rotary shaft of the driving body are coaxial.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to (5), in which

the driving body is fixed to the magnet.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to (1), in which

the opening/closing blade is moved between an opening position at which the aperture is opened and a closing position at which the aperture is closed, and

the locked state is set at each of the opening position and the closing position.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to (7), in which

the to-be-locked portion includes a first engagement portion that engages with the lock portion at the opening position and a second engagement portion that engages with the lock portion at the closing position.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to (8), in which

the driving body includes a driving lever coupled to the opening/closing blade, and

the driving lever includes the to-be-locked portion.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to (9), in which

the driving lever includes an engagement piece portion that functions as the to-be-locked portion, and

both ends of the engagement piece portion are respectively formed as the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (10), further including

a power assist spring that applies a bias force to the driving body in an operation direction of the driving body.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to (1) or (2), further including

an actuator that causes the lock portion to operate.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to (1) or (2), further including

a magnetic circuit portion that generates a driving force to be applied to the lock portion by energization to the coil.

The blade opening/closing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (13), in which

two opening/closing blades are provided and operated in a direction in which the opening/closing blades are set apart from each other, and

two magnetic driving portions, driving bodies, and lock portions are provided while being arranged symmetrically in correspondence with the two opening/closing blades.

An image pickup apparatus, including:

a blade opening/closing apparatus that controls light taken in inside via an optical system; and

an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts the light taken in via the optical system,

the blade opening/closing apparatus includinga magnetic driving portion including a coil to which a driving current is supplied and a magnet that is rotated along with energization to the coil,a driving body that includes a to-be-locked portion and is operated by the magnetic driving portion,an opening/closing blade that opens/closes an aperture by an operation of the driving body, anda lock portion that sets a locked state of the opening/closing blade by engaging with the to-be-locked portion,the setting of the locked state and a release of the locked state being carried out in accordance with a rotation position of the magnet.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST