Motor driving system for a still camera

Claim 2

A motor driving system for a still camera comprising an electric motor for winding-up a film, for controlling a shutter releasing member and for cocking the shutter, and an electric circuit for controlling the motion of the motor, characterized in that, said electric circuit comprises a first switch which is switched in accordance with a specified phase in one period of said winding-up of the film and of said cocking of the shutter, a second switch which switches in accordance with pressing or resetting state of a button, a semiconductor switching element which receives a triggering signal after the moment when the previously opened shutter closes, and an electromagnetic relay for controlling the motion of the motor , which relay is so connected as to be controlled by said first switch, said second switch and said semiconductor switching element.

Claim 3

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 1, wherein said second switch is constituted so as to be closed in accordance with the pressing of the button.

Claim 4

A motor driving system according to claim 1, wherein a shaft of the motor is linked to a film winding shaft through at least a planetary gear system, wherein shafts of the planetary gears are pivoted to a cam for driving said shutter releasing member and said first switch.

Claim 5

A motor driving system according to claim 2, wherein a shaft of the motor is linked to a film winding shaft through at least a planetary gear system, wherein shafts of the planetary gears are pivoted to a cam for driving said shutter releasing member and said first switch.

Claim 6

A motor driving system for a still camera having a camera actuating switch, a shutter, a release member for the shutter, a shutter cocking mechanism and means for transporting film upon which an image is to be recorded, comprising: an electric motor for winding said film; first means coupling said electric motor to said shutter cocking mechanism and said release member whereby said motor will control the operation thereof; and an electric circuit for controlling the operation of said motor, said electric circuit including: a source of electric power; a first switch controllably coupled between said source of power and said motor, for connecting said power source to said motor to drive said motor in a first position of said first switch and for short-circuiting said motor so as to provide braking therefor, in a second position of said first switch, said first switch having an electromagnetic relay coil and a movable contact arm electromagnetically coupled thereto, said arm being switchable between said first and second positions; a second switch, responsive to a specified degree of operation of said motor, coupled between said source of electric power and said relay; a third switch, responsive to the operation of said camera actuating switch for connecting said relay coil to said power source through said second switch ; and a semiconductor switching element coupled between said power source and said relay coil through at least one of said second and third switches, responsive to the closing of said shutter, for connecting said power source to said relay coil through at least one of said second and third switches, so as to drive said motor to wind said film upon the completion of an exposure.

Claim 7

A motor driving system for a still camera having a camera actuating switch, a shutter, a release member for the shutter, a shutter cocking mechanism and means for transporting film upon which an image is to be recorded, comprising: an electric motor for winding said film; first means coupling said electric motor to said shutter cocking mechanism and said release member whereby said motor will control the operation thereof; and an electric circuit for controlling the operation of said motor, said electric circuit including: a source of electric power; a first switch controllably coupled between said source of power and said motor, for connecting said power source to said motor to drive said motor in a first position of said first switch and for short-circuiting said motor so as to provide braking therefor, in a second position of said first switch, said first switch having an electromagnetic relay coil and a movable contact arm electromagnetically coupled thereto, said arm being switchable between said first and second positions; a second switch, responsive to a specified degree of operation of said motor, coupled between said source of electric power and said relay; a third switch, responsive to the operation of said camera actuating switch for connecting said relay coil to said power source through said second switch ; and a semiconductor switching element coupled between said power source and said relay coil through at least one of said second and third switches, responsive to the closing of said shutter, for connecting said power source to said relay coil through at least one of said second and third switches, so as to drive said motor to wind said film upon the completion of an exposure.

Claim 8

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 5, wherein said first means includes means responsive to the energization of said motor upon the operation of said cAmera actuating switch, for operating said shutter release member to release said shutter and for operating said second switch to deenergize said relay coil.

Claim 9

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 6, further including a fourth switch, responsive to the elapse of the exposure time from the opening of said shutter for triggering said semiconductor switching element, whereby said relay coil will be energized, thereby to close said first switch to said first position to drive said motor.

Claim 10

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 5 wherein said electric motor includes a rotational shaft upon which is mounted a first driving gear, and said camera further includes a film winding shaft upon which said film is wound, and a planetary gear system mechanically coupling said rotatable shaft to said film winding shaft, and further including a cam-switch arrangement coupled to said planetary gear system for operating said shutter release member and said second switch.

Claim 11

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 8, wherein said cam-switch arrangement includes a timing cam mechanically coupled to said planetary gear system through a plurality of gear shafts linked to the gears of said planetary gear system, and wherein said timing cam is a projection thereon engageable with a detent projection of a detent lever mechanically coupled to said second switch, said detent lever being rotatably mounted about a detent lever axis and further including a spring member for biasing said detent lever so that the detent projection thereon will engage the projection of said timing cam in a first position thereof during the winding of said film.

Claim 12

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 9, wherein said detent lever further includes a hook portion mechanically engageable with a stop member of an additional lever, said additional lever being rotatably mounted about an axis parallel to said detent lever axis, and wherein said additional lever further includes a tail pin engageable with said projection of timing cam to disengage said hook portion of said detent lever from said stop member of said additional lever upon a predetermined rotation of said timing cam.

Claim 13

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 10, wherein said shutter release member further includes a release lever rotatably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of said detent lever, engageable through a groove therein with a pin affixed to said detent lever, and a release shaft engageable with one end of said release lever to control the operation of said shutter upon the movement of said release lever.

Claim 14

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 11, further including an arcuate lever, rotatably mounted about an axis parallel to said detent lever axis, having a rod at one end thereof engageable with said projection of said timing cam upon an extended rotation of said cam, and wherein said release lever includes a pin extending transverse to the surface thereof for engaging the other end of said arcuate lever upon the engagement of said rod at said one end of said lever with said projection of said timing cam.

Claim 15

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 5, wherein said second and third switches are connected in series between said power source and said relay coil.

Claim 16

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 13, wherein said semiconductor switching element comprises a thyristor having the anode and cathode thereof respectively connected to said second switch and one end of said power source.

Claim 17

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 13, wherein said semiconductor switching element comprises a thyristor having the anode and cathode thereof respectively connected to said third and second switches.

Claim 18

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 14, wherein said first means includes means, responsive to the eNergization of said motor upon the operation of said camera actuating switch, for operating said shutter release member to release said shutter and for operating said second switch to deenergize said relay coil, and further including a fourth switch, responsive to the elapse of exposure time from the opening of said shutter, for triggering said thyristor, whereby said relay coil will be energized to close said first switch to said first position to drive said motor.

Claim 19

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 16, further including a fifth switch, connected between the control electrode of said thyristor and the connection point of said second and third switches for effecting consecutive operation of said camera.

Claim 20

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 15, further including a fifth switch, connected between said relay coil and the anode of said thyristor for effecting consecutive operation of said camera.

Claim 21

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 13, wherein said semiconductor switching element comprises a pair of transistors, the bases and collectors of which are respectively cross connected with each other while the emitters of each of said transistors are respectively connected to said second switch and to one end of said power source.

Claim 22

A motor driving system for a still camera according to claim 13, wherein said semiconductor switching element comprises a pair of transistors, the bases and collectors of which are respectively cross connected to each other, while the emitters of which are connected to said second and third switches, respectively.