JPH0434514Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) This invention relates to an underwater photographing device used for photographing underwater conditions in marine construction work, recreational activities such as diving, and the like.

(Prior Art) So-called underwater cameras are well known, which take pictures of the underwater situation, that is, the seabed, the fish living there, and various other situations by diving or the like. This conventional underwater camera is one in which the camera body is housed in a waterproof container that can withstand water pressure, and is configured to be remotely controlled from the outside to take pictures, or it is initially used as a camera exclusively for underwater use. Some have a waterproof and pressure-resistant construction.

(Problem that the invention aims to solve) However, in the former case, where the camera body is housed in a container with a water- and pressure-resistant structure, the remote control operation mechanism during shooting is extremely complicated, and operation requires skill. There are some drawbacks.

The latter type of underwater camera does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages, but it is extremely expensive and is suitable for use by people who are underwater.

However, in recent years, as diving has become popular as a recreational activity, cameras, including video cameras, have also become more popular. As a result, there has recently been a demand for a handy type underwater camera that can be used for underwater photography by easily converting general cameras, including video cameras that can only be used on land, to take pictures underwater. There is.

The present invention was devised for the purpose of meeting such user needs.

(Means for Solving the Problems) Therefore, in order to meet the above-mentioned demands, the present invention has been developed to improve the airtightness and flexibility of ordinary cameras, including ordinary video cameras, by filling them with a highly electrically insulating transparent liquid. The camera is housed in a transparent container, which is submerged in water along with the transparent container, and can be photographed by operating the shutter from outside the transparent container.

In other words, an ordinary camera is immersed in a highly electrically insulating transparent liquid without directly touching the water or seawater at the location where the camera is to be photographed, and even if the transparent liquid were to get into the camera, , focused on the fact that the submerged liquid has extremely high electrical insulating properties, and that it evaporates when returned to the air and does not affect the function of the camera. This is what I got the photographic equipment for.

(Function) Since the underwater photographing device according to the present invention has the configuration as described above, the entire device can be submerged in water or the sea, and the photographer can operate the shutter from the outside to take desired photographs.

(Example) Further, the device of the present invention will be specifically explained based on an example as follows.

First of all, Fig. 1 is an overall diagram showing the outline of the device of the present invention, in which 1 is a general video camera, 2 is a highly electrically insulating film surrounding the video camera 1 and filling the inside of the camera. It is a clear liquid.

In this example, the transparent liquid used was a fluorine-based inert liquid commercially available under the trade name Fluorinert.

3 is a transparent container that houses the video camera 1 and the transparent liquid 2.

As shown in the figure, the transparent container 3 has a very simple structure, consisting of a flexible bag made of vinyl, polyethylene, or the like, and the opening of which is closed with a fastener (4). Note that it may be constructed from a thin plate of acrylic or the like.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the underwater photography device having the above-mentioned structure is submerged in water and a diver M is taking pictures underwater.

The transparent container 3 that houses the video camera 1 and the highly electrically insulating transparent liquid 2 is made of something like a flexible plastic bag, as described above. The shutter button can be operated freely.

Note that if the shape of the transparent container 3 made of something like a plastic bag is made into a bag with an approximate shape in accordance with the external shape of the video camera 1 to be stored in advance, the operability will be further improved, and the shape of the container will be improved. The shape can also be made compact.

Figure 3 shows an example of a photograph taken in a situation where the water or seawater at the photographing location is slightly cloudy. Because of this, if you press it against the surface of the subject, it will blend in very easily.
Photography is possible.

(Effects of the Invention) Since the underwater photographing device according to the present invention has the configuration as described above, it can exhibit the following unique effects compared to conventional dedicated underwater cameras and the like.

(1) Since cameras including commonly used video cameras are repurposed, the usability of cameras can be significantly increased. In other words, there is no need to purchase an expensive dedicated underwater camera.

(2) The imaging device consists of simple materials such as a highly electrically insulating transparent liquid and a container such as a transparent plastic bag, so it can be installed at a very low cost. You can make it.

(3) The electrically insulating transparent liquid is a commercially available fluorine-based inert liquid that is easily available and can be reused.

(4) Since the camera is housed in a flexible container, it is easy to operate from the outside.

(5) Electrical parts such as ICs that make up the control mechanism such as the shutter diaphragm, which is the main part of a camera such as a video camera, are also protected by highly electrically insulating liquid, making them safe and effective against water pressure. However, it has sufficient pressure resistance for the depth at which divers can take photographs.

(6) Since both the inside and outside of the camera are subject to pressure, it is possible to bring the camera to a depth close to the mechanical breaking strength of its components. This is possible even for several thousand meters.

As described above, the underwater photography device according to the present invention is
Since it is extremely handy both in terms of structure and operation, it meets and satisfies the needs of divers as explained at the beginning.

It goes without saying that the device of the present invention is not only for divers who simply enjoy leisure, but is also fully useful as an underwater photography device for marine construction and the like.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the underwater photographing device according to the present invention, in which a video camera is configured, Fig. 2 is a side view showing its shooting condition, and Fig. 3 is a turbid water or seawater at the shooting location. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the procedure for photographing under certain conditions. 1...Video camera, 2...Transparent liquid, 3...Transparent container, M...Photographer (diver).

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) An underwater photographic device in which a general camera, including a video camera, is housed in an airtight and flexible transparent container filled with a highly electrically insulating transparent liquid. (2) The underwater photographing device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent liquid is a fluorine-based inert liquid.