JP2001215560A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera, having an easy-to-handle lens cover. SOLUTION: The front of a front side casing 200 is provided freely slidably with the lens cover 202, and the front surface of the lens cover 202 is provided with a lens cover projecting part 208 having an approximately horizontal V-shaped end face along the shape of the user's curved middle finger. The user is able to take pictures with a sense of stability, by placing the middle finger on the approximately horizontal V-shaped end face in photographing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging device,
In particular, the present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus provided with a lens cover for shielding the front of a taking lens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, there has been known an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera in which a lens cover is slidably provided in a lateral direction. In this case, the lens cover is engaged above and below the camera in order to make it difficult to see the engagement portion with the camera from the front of the camera. When opening and closing the lens cover, the user needs to press the lens cover in the sliding direction with a finger. Since the lens cover at the time of shooting is open, the finger of the user supporting the camera often touches the lens cover.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, there is a problem that the cost of parts is increased because the lens cover needs members that cover the entire surface in the vertical direction of the front of the camera. Was. In addition, since the conventional lens cover slides along the shape of the front of the camera, there is a possibility that the user may push too hard when opening and closing the lens cover with a finger, which may damage the housing. it was high. Furthermore, since the user naturally presses the lens cover with the right finger during photographing, a shape that is easy for the user to press and for supporting the camera has been desired.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device capable of solving the above-mentioned problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus having a lens cover provided on an outer surface of a housing, the lens cover being capable of shielding a front of a taking lens. An imaging device is provided on a front surface of the housing, wherein a lens cover engaging portion that engages with the lens cover is provided, and the lens cover engages with the lens cover engaging portion and is slidably supported. I do.

The lens cover engaging portion has a pair of slit-shaped rail grooves with which an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the lens cover are engaged, and inside the front side of the housing, the pair of rail groove portions. May be provided.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an imaging apparatus in which a lens cover capable of shielding the front of a photographic lens is provided on an outer surface of a housing, wherein the lens cover has a shielding position for shielding the front of the photographic lens. And an image pickup device that slides so as to increase a gap generated between the lens cover and the housing when the camera moves to an open position where the front of the photographing lens is opened.

When the lens cover moves from a blocking position for blocking the front of the taking lens to an open position for opening the front of the taking lens, the vicinity of the open end of the lens cover protrudes from the housing. You may slide as follows. The housing is provided with a lens cover engaging portion that engages with the lens cover, and the lens cover engaging portion has a first curved shape and a second curved shape curved in the slide direction. At the same time, the second curved shape may be formed at a position protruding outside the extension surface of the first curved shape. The lens cover engaging portion may further have a non-curved shape between the first curved shape and the second curved shape.

The housing is provided with a lens cover engaging portion that engages with the lens cover. The lens cover engaging portion and the lens cover each have a shape curved in the sliding direction, In the lens cover engaging portion, a curvature of a curved shape of a portion where the lens cover engages when the lens cover is moved to the open position may be larger than a curvature of a curved shape of the lens cover.
The housing is provided with a lens cover engaging portion that engages with the lens cover, and the lens cover engaging portion has two curved shapes that bend in the direction of the slide having different curvatures. Is also good.

According to a third aspect, there is provided an image pickup apparatus in which a lens cover capable of shielding the front of a photographing lens is provided on a housing, wherein the lens cover is slidably supported on a front surface of the housing. On the surface of the lens cover, a lens cover projection is provided that the user presses in the sliding direction when opening and closing the lens cover, and the lens cover projection when the lens cover is open is provided by the user. May be located near the middle finger when pressing the shutter button with the index finger while supporting the housing with the middle finger. The lens cover protrusion may have a substantially horizontal V-shaped end surface along the bent middle finger.

The above summary of the present invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention, and a sub-combination of these features can also be an invention.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims and are described in the embodiments. Not all combinations of features are essential to the solution of the invention.

[0013] The imaging device of the present embodiment is a digital camera. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of the digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 mainly includes an imaging unit 20, an imaging control unit 40, a processing unit 60, and a display unit 10.
0, and an operation unit 110.

The image pickup unit 20 includes a mechanism member and an electric member related to photographing and image formation. Imaging unit 20
First, a photographing lens 22 for capturing and processing images,
An aperture 24, a shutter 26, an optical LPF (low-pass filter) 28, a CCD 30, and an image signal processing unit 32 are included. The taking lens 22 includes a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like. With this configuration, the subject image is
Image on the light receiving surface of. Charges are accumulated in each sensor element (not shown) of the CCD 30 according to the amount of light of the formed subject image (hereinafter, the charges are referred to as “accumulated charges”). The accumulated charge is read out to a shift register (not shown) by a read gate pulse, and is sequentially read out as a voltage signal by a register transfer pulse.

Since the digital camera 10 generally has an electronic shutter function, a mechanical shutter such as the shutter 26 is not essential. In order to realize the electronic shutter function, the CCD 30 is provided with a shutter drain via a shutter gate. When the shutter gate is driven, accumulated charges are swept out to the shutter drain. By controlling the shutter gate, the time for accumulating the electric charges in each sensor element, that is, the shutter speed can be controlled.

A voltage signal output from the CCD 30, that is, an analog signal is color-separated into R, G, and B components by an image signal processing unit 32, and the white balance is adjusted first.
Subsequently, the imaging signal processing unit 32 performs gamma correction, sequentially A / D converts the R, G, and B signals at necessary timing, and obtains digital image data (hereinafter, simply referred to as “digital image data”) obtained as a result. ) Is output to the processing unit 60.

The image pickup unit 20 further includes a finder 3
4 and a strobe 36. The finder 34 may be equipped with an LCD (not shown). In this case, various information from the main CPU 62 and the like described later can be displayed in the finder 34. The strobe 36 functions by emitting light when energy stored in a capacitor (not shown) is supplied to the discharge tube 36a.

The imaging control unit 40 includes a zoom drive unit 4
2. It has a focus drive unit 44, an aperture drive unit 46, a shutter drive unit 48, an imaging system CPU 50 that controls them, a distance measurement sensor 52, and a photometry sensor 54. The drive units such as the zoom drive unit 42 each have a drive unit such as a stepping motor. When a release switch 114 described later is pressed, the distance measurement sensor 52 measures the distance to the subject, and the photometry sensor 54 measures the brightness of the subject. The measured distance data (hereinafter simply referred to as “distance measurement data”) and the subject luminance data (hereinafter simply referred to as “photometry data”) are sent to the imaging system CPU 50. Imaging system CPU 50
Controls the zoom drive unit 42 and the focus drive unit 44 to adjust the zoom magnification and focus of the photographing lens 22 based on the photographing information such as the zoom magnification designated by the user.

The image pickup system CPU 50 controls the R of one image frame.
The aperture value and the shutter speed are determined based on the integrated value of the digital signal of GB, that is, the AE information. According to the determined values, the aperture driving unit 46 and the shutter driving unit 48 adjust the aperture amount and open and close the shutter 26, respectively.

The image pickup system CPU 50 controls the emission of the strobe light 36 based on the photometric data, and at the same time adjusts the aperture of the aperture 24. When the user instructs the capture of an image, the CCD 30 starts to accumulate electric charges, and the accumulated electric charges are output to the imaging signal processing unit 32 after a lapse of a shutter time calculated from the photometric data.

The processing unit 60 includes the digital camera 10
Main CP that controls the whole, especially the processing unit 60 itself
U62, and a memory control unit 64 controlled by U62.
It has a YC processing unit 70, an optional device control unit 74, a compression / decompression processing unit 78, and a communication I / F unit 80. Main CPU
Reference numeral 62 exchanges necessary information with the imaging CPU 50 by serial communication or the like. The operation clock of the main CPU 62 is provided from a clock generator 88. The clock generator 88 also provides clocks having different frequencies to the imaging system CPU 50 and the display unit 100, respectively.

The main CPU 62 is provided with a character generator 84 and a timer 86. The timer 86 is backed up by a battery and always counts the date and time.
From this count value, information about the shooting date and time and other time information are given to the main CPU 62. The character generation unit 84 generates character information such as a shooting date and time and a title, and the character information is appropriately combined with the captured image.

The memory control unit 64 includes a nonvolatile memory 66
And the main memory 68. Non-volatile memory 66
Is constituted by an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM), a flash memory, and the like, and stores data to be retained even when the power of the digital camera 10 is off, such as setting information by a user and adjustment values at the time of shipment. ing.
The non-volatile memory 66 may include a main CPU 62 in some cases.
May be stored. On the other hand, the main memory 68 is generally constituted by a relatively inexpensive and large-capacity memory such as a DRAM.
The main memory 68 has a function as a frame memory for storing data output from the imaging unit 20, a function as a system memory for loading various programs, and a function as a work area. The nonvolatile memory 66 and the main memory 68 exchange data with each unit inside and outside the processing unit 60 via the main bus 82.

The YC processing section 70 performs YC conversion on the digital image data, and outputs a luminance signal Y and a color difference (chroma) signal B-
Generate Y, RY. The luminance signal and the color difference signal are temporarily stored in the main memory 68 by the memory control unit 64.
The compression / decompression processing unit 78 sequentially reads out the luminance signal and the color difference signal from the main memory 68 and compresses them. The data thus compressed (hereinafter simply referred to as “compressed data”) is written to a memory card, which is a type of the optional device 76, via the optional device control section 74.

The processing unit 60 further includes an encoder 72
With. The encoder 72 receives a luminance signal and a color difference signal, converts them into a video signal (NTSC or PAL signal), and outputs the video signal from a video output terminal 90. When a video signal is generated from data recorded in the optional device 76, the data is first supplied to the compression / decompression processing unit 78 via the optional device control unit 74. Subsequently, the data subjected to the necessary expansion processing by the compression / expansion processing unit 78 is converted into a video signal by the encoder 72.

The optional device control unit 74 generates necessary signals between the main bus 82 and the optional device 76, performs logical conversion, or converts voltage according to the signal specifications recognized by the optional device 76 and the bus specifications of the main bus 82. And so on. The digital camera 10 includes an optional device 7
6 other than the above-mentioned memory card, for example, PCMC
A standard IA-compliant I / O card may be supported. In that case, the optional device control unit 74
It may be constituted by an IA bus control LSI or the like.

The communication I / F unit 80 is a digital camera 10
Communication specifications supported by, for example, USB, RS-23
It performs control such as protocol conversion according to specifications such as 2C and Ethernet. The communication I / F unit 80 includes a driver IC as necessary, and communicates with an external device including a network via a connector 92. In addition to such standard specifications, for example, a unique I / F
May be adopted.

The display unit 100 includes an LCD monitor 10
2 and an LCD panel 104. These are the LCD driver monitor driver 106, panel driver 10
8 respectively. LCD monitor 102
Is provided on the back of the camera with a size of, for example, about 2 inches, and displays a current shooting / playback mode, a zoom ratio for shooting / playback, a battery level, a date and time, a screen for mode setting, a subject image, and the like. . The LCD panel 104 is, for example, a small black and white LCD provided on the upper surface of the camera, and has an image quality (FINE /
(Normal / Basic, etc.), strobe light emission / light emission prohibition, standard number of recordable images, number of pixels, battery capacity, and other information are simply displayed.

The operation unit 110 includes mechanisms and electrical members necessary for the user to set or instruct the operation of the digital camera 10 and its mode. The power switch 112 determines whether the power of the digital camera 10 is turned on or off. The release switch 114 has a two-stage pressing structure of half pressing and full pressing. As an example, AF and AE are locked by a half-press, captured images are captured by a full-press, and are recorded in the main memory 68, the optional device 76, etc. after necessary signal processing, data compression, and the like. The operation unit 110 may receive a setting using a rotary mode dial, a cross key, or the like in addition to these switches.
These are collectively referred to as a function setting unit 116 in FIG. Examples of operations or functions that can be specified by the operation unit 110 include “file format”, “special effects”,
There are “printing”, “decision / save”, “display switching”, and the like. The zoom switch 118 determines a zoom magnification.

The main operation of the above configuration is as follows. First, the power switch 112 of the digital camera 10
Is turned on, and power is supplied to each part of the camera. Main C
The PU 62 reads the state of the function setting unit 116 to determine whether the digital camera 10 is in the shooting mode or the playback mode.

When the camera is in the shooting mode, the main C
The PU 62 monitors the half-pressed state of the release switch 114. When the half-pressed state is detected, the main CPU 62
Obtains photometry data and distance measurement data from the photometry sensor 54 and the distance measurement sensor 52, respectively. The imaging control unit 40 operates based on the obtained data, and the focus, aperture, and the like of the photographing lens 22 are adjusted. When the adjustment is completed, L
Characters such as "standby" are displayed on the CD monitor 102 to inform the user of the fact, and then the release switch 11
4 is fully pressed. When the release switch 114 is fully pressed, the shutter 26 is closed after a predetermined shutter time, and the charge stored in the CCD 30 is swept out to the image signal processing unit 32. The digital image data generated as a result of the processing by the imaging signal processing unit 32 is
Output to The digital image data is temporarily stored in the main memory 68, thereafter processed by the YC processing unit 70 and the compression / decompression processing unit 78, and recorded in the optional device 76 via the optional device control unit 74. The recorded image is displayed on the LCD monitor 102 in a frozen state for a while.
And the user can know the captured image. Thus, a series of photographing operations is completed.

On the other hand, when the digital camera 10 is in the reproduction mode, the main CPU 62 reads out the last photographed image from the main memory 68 via the memory control unit 64,
This is displayed on the LCD monitor 102 of the display unit 100.

In this state, when the user instructs “forward” or “reverse” in the function setting section 116, images taken before and after the currently displayed image are read out and displayed on the LCD monitor 102. You.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the digital camera 10 showing an opening and closing operation of the lens cover 202. A lens cover 202 is slidably provided on a front side housing 200 which is a front side portion of the housing of the digital camera 10. (A) shows a state where the lens cover 202 is closed. (B) shows a state where the lens cover 202 is open.

As shown in (a), the lens cover 20
2 shields the front of the taking lens 22. The lens cover 202 is attached to the front of the front housing 200.
Since the lens cover 202 does not entirely cover the vertical direction on the front surface of the front housing 200, the lens cover 202
The flash 36 and viewfinder 34 are closed even when the
Is exposed. A lens cover engaging portion that engages with the lens cover 202 is provided on the front surface of the front housing 200.
The lens cover engaging portion includes an upper rail groove 204 and a lower rail groove 206 shown in FIG. The upper rail groove 204 and the lower rail groove 206 are a pair of slit-shaped rail grooves with which the upper end and the lower end of the lens cover 202 engage. The upper rail groove 204 and the lower rail groove 206 extend in the sliding direction of the lens cover 202. The inside viewed from the upper rail groove portion 204 and the lower rail groove portion 206 has a bag structure that is shielded by a front inner frame portion described later.

As described above, the lens cover 202 does not entirely cover the vertical direction on the front surface of the front housing 200. Therefore, compared to a conventional lens cover that completely covers the vertical direction on the front surface of the front housing 200,
The cost of parts can be reduced by reducing the amount of members.

The inside viewed from the upper rail groove portion 204 and the lower rail groove portion 206 formed in a slit shape has a bag structure shielded by a front inner frame portion. Therefore, the internal wiring and the like are not visible from the outside through the slit, and the appearance can be kept good.

A lens cover projection 208 is formed on the surface of the lens cover 202. The user can open and close the lens cover 202 by pressing the lens cover projection 208 in the sliding direction of the lens cover 202. When the user presses the shutter button 400, the release switch 114 is turned on.

In (b), the lens cover 202 opens the front of the taking lens 22. When the lens cover 202 opens the front of the photographing lens 22, the lens barrel is automatically extended forward to be in a photographable state.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the digital camera 10 showing the position of the user's finger during photographing. In many cases, the user supports the housing by pressing the front surface of the housing with the middle finger of the right hand during shooting. In particular, when it is desired to press the shutter button 400 with the index finger while holding the camera with one hand (right hand), the middle finger is naturally located at the site shown in the figure in many cases. Lens cover projection 208 with lens cover opened
Are formed near the middle finger when the user presses the shutter button with the index finger while supporting the camera with the middle finger. The lens cover projection 208 is
It has a substantially horizontal V-shaped end face along the bent middle finger. The user can place a finger on the substantially horizontal V-shaped end surface.

Thus, the user can press the shutter button 400 with the index finger while supporting the camera with the middle finger with a sense of stability, so that camera shake during shooting can be reduced. Further, the lens cover projection 208 provided for sliding the lens cover 202 does not hinder the user's operation during shooting.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the digital camera 10 showing the movement of the user's finger for opening and closing the lens cover 202. (A) shows the movement when the user closes the lens cover 202. The lens cover projection 208 has a substantially horizontal V
It has a character-shaped end face and one slope. The user closes the lens cover 202 by pressing the slope in the sliding direction with an arbitrary finger. (B) shows the movement when the user opens the lens cover 202. The user presses the substantially horizontal V-shaped end face with an arbitrary finger to open the lens cover 202.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the trajectory of the lens cover 202. (A) shows a state where the lens cover 202 is closed. (B) shows a state where the lens cover 202 is opened. R1, S, and R2 shown in the figure are surface shapes on the housing side with which the lens cover 202 is engaged. The first curved shape and the second curved shape in the claims correspond to R1 and R2, respectively. In this embodiment,
For example, the front inner frame 260 provided inside the front housing 200 is formed with a surface shape as shown in the figure, and the lens cover 202 is engaged.

R1 and R2 are respectively the lens cover 2
02 has a curved shape in the sliding direction. S has a non-curved shape. The curvature of R1 and the curvature of R2 may be different. R2 is formed at a position protruding outside the extension surface of R1. S is a transition region during the displacement from R1 to R2.

As shown in (a), the gap between the closed lens cover 202 and the housing surface level is small. Then, when the lens cover 202 is opened,
As shown in (b), the lens cover 202 slides so that the vicinity of the open side end protrudes from the surface level of the housing. Therefore, the lens cover 202 slides so as to increase the gap generated between the lens cover 202 and the housing surface level.

Thus, it is possible to prevent the surface of the housing from being damaged when the lens cover 202 is slid. In particular, since the user presses the lens cover 202 to open and close the lens cover 202, increasing the gap with the housing is effective in preventing damage.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a gap generated between the lens cover 202 and the front housing 200. (A)
This shows a state where the lens cover 202 is closed. (B) shows a state where the lens cover 202 is opened. Lens cover 2
Reference numeral 02 denotes a case where the lens cover 202 slides so that the vicinity of the open end of the lens cover 202 protrudes from the surface level of the housing when moving from a shielding position that blocks the front of the taking lens 22 to an open position that opens the front of the taking lens 22. . Therefore,
As shown in the figure, when the lens cover 202 is opened,
The gap generated between the case and the housing surface level becomes large.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the inside of the front housing 200. The lens cover 202 includes an upper rail groove 204
And the lower rail groove 206. At the substantially center of the rear surface of the lens cover 202, the lens cover 202 is engaged with the front housing 200 when the lens cover 202 is opened.
2 is provided with a guide protruding portion 220 for preventing disengagement.
The guide protrusion 220 is formed integrally with the lens cover 202. Conventionally, a metal member is welded to form a guide projection 2
Although a member corresponding to 20 is formed, in the present embodiment, since it is molded integrally with the lens cover 202, the number of parts can be reduced.

The front housing 200 has a lens opening 24
0, upper rail groove 204 and lower rail groove 20
6 is integrally opened. The lens cover 202
The position for blocking the lens opening 240 and the lens opening 24
It is possible to slide between the position to open the zero.

The upper end of the lens cover 202 is provided with an upper rail engaging projection 226, and the lower end thereof is provided with a lower rail engaging projection 224. The upper rail engaging projection 226 engages with the upper rail groove 204. The lower rail engagement projection 224 engages with the lower rail groove 206.

The guide projection 220 is provided on the lens cover 20.
2 is formed of a substantially elongated member extending in the sliding direction. The guide protrusion 220 has a portion that is continuous with the lens cover 202 and a portion that is separated from the lens cover 202. In the figure, the end of the guide projection 220 on the open position side of the lens cover 202 is separated from the lens cover 202. When the lens cover 202 is opened, the end of the guide protrusion 220 on the open position side and the lens cover 202 sandwich the front housing 200. The front housing 200 is provided with a slit-like guide groove 242. The guide protrusion 220 is loosely fitted in the guide groove 242.

The front housing 200 has a guide projection 22
The guide engaging projection 222 that engages with 0 is provided downward. A guide engaging recess 223 (not shown) is provided at an upper portion of the guide projecting portion 220 to regulate the forward and backward movement of the sliding lens cover 202 by being engaged with the guide engaging protrusion 222. Can be

As described above, the lens cover 202 includes the upper rail engaging projection 226 and the lower rail engaging projection 22.
4. Guide projection 220 and guide engagement recess 22
The engagement of the lens cover 3 with the front housing 200 prevents the lens cover 202 from coming off.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the shape of the guide projection 220. As shown in FIG. (A) and (b) show the shape of the guide projection 220 seen from different angles. In (a), the upper right direction in the figure is the upward direction when the lens cover 202 is attached to the camera. In (b), the lower right direction in the figure is the upward direction when the lens cover 202 is attached to the camera.

The guide projection 220 is formed of a substantially elongated member. The guide protrusion 220 is provided on the lens cover 20.
2 and a part distant from the lens cover 202. Upper surface of the guide protrusion 220 when the lens cover 202 is attached to the camera, ie, (b)
On the surface facing the lower right direction of the guide protrusion 220 at
Guide engaging concave portion 2 engaging with guide engaging convex portion 222
23 are provided.

On the surface on the back side of the guide protrusion 220 when the lens cover 202 is attached to the camera, that is, on the upper surface of the guide protrusion 220 in FIGS. An engagement groove 230 is provided. The arm engagement groove has an arm 26 to be described later.
One ends of the two engage. When opening and closing the lens cover 202,
One end of the arm 262 is held in the arm engaging groove 230.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a first stage of the method of molding the guide projection 220. In the present embodiment,
The guide projection 220 is molded using two molds.
As shown in (a), the guide protrusion 220 is molded using a first mold 250 and a second mold 252. The first die 250 includes a guide engaging recess 223 provided on the upper surface of the guide protrusion 220 (a surface facing the upper right direction of the guide protrusion 220 in the drawing) and a lower part of a portion separated from the lens cover 202. Used for punching. The second die 252 is used for die-cutting the shape of the arm engagement groove 230 and the like. The direction in which the second mold 252 is removed is the rear direction of the camera, that is, the upward direction in the drawing.
(B) is a diagram of the cross section of BB ′ shown in (a) viewed from the upper left in (a).

FIG. 10 is a view showing a second stage of the method of molding the guide projection 220. The first die 250 is released in the upward direction of the camera, and is further removed in the rear direction of the camera. The upper right direction in FIG.
02 is the upward direction when attached to the camera.
(B) is a view of the guide protrusion 220 viewed from the lower right of (a). The first die 250 is die-cut to the right in (b), and is further pulled upward.

(C) is a view of the guide protrusion 220 seen from the lower left in (a). (D) is a view of the cross section taken along the line B-B 'shown in (a) as viewed from the upper left in (a). In (d), the first die 250 is die-cut to the left, and is further pulled upward.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the operation of the lever 264. A shutter button 400 provided on the upper surface of the front housing 200 inside the upper surface of the front housing 200.
A cover open / close detection board 268 is provided below the cover. A lens cover 20 is provided on the cover open / close detection board 268.
2 is provided with a cover opening / closing detection switch 266 for detecting opening / closing of the cover 2. The cover open / close detection switch 266 is a switch that pushes up from below the camera.

A lever 264 that moves up and down in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the lens cover 202 is provided inside the front housing 200. The lever 264 pushes up the cover open / close detection switch 266 when the lens cover 202 is opened. (A) shows the state of the lever 264 when the lens cover 202 is closed about half. In the vicinity of the lever 264, an arm 262 that generates a vertical driving force by engaging with the lens cover 202 in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the lens cover 202 is provided. The lever 264 is located in a valley of a plurality of batteries housed inside the front housing 200.

One end of the arm 262 is engaged with the lever 264, and the other end is engaged with the guide projection 220. Arm 26
The lever 2 swings around the arm fulcrum 263 based on the principle of leverage, and moves one end of the lever 264 side up and down. Lever 2
The 64 receives the driving force in the vertical direction from the arm 262 and moves in the vertical direction.

(B) shows the state of the lever 264 when the lens cover 202 is fully opened. Lens cover 2
When 02 is fully opened, the arm 262 swings and moves the lever 264 upward. As a result, the lever 264 pushes up the cover open / close detection switch 266. The cover open / close detection board 268 detects that the lens cover 202 has been opened.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation of the arm 262. A lever side engaging portion 272 which is one end of the arm 262 on the lever 264 side engages with the lever 264. The guide-side engaging portion 270, which is one end of the arm 262 on the guide projecting portion 220 side, engages with the arm engaging groove 230 provided on the guide projecting portion 220. An arm driving section 232 for driving the arm 262 is provided at one end of the arm engaging groove 230.

As shown in (a), the lens cover 2
When the cover 02 is closed or during the opening and closing operation of the lens cover 202, the arm 262 does not move up and down while the guide side engaging portion 270 is engaged with a part of the arm engaging groove 230. As shown in (b), when the lens cover 202 approaches the fully opened state, the guide-side engaging portion 270 comes into contact with the arm driving portion 232. When the lens cover 202 is further opened, the guide-side engaging portion 270 moves downward, so that the arm 262 swings to generate an upward driving force.
As a result, the position of the lever side engaging portion 272 moves upward, and the lever 264 is pushed upward.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by using the arm 262 and the lever 264, the switch on the cover open / close detection board 268 provided on the upper side inside the front housing 200 is changed to the lens cover 202. Can be pressed according to the opening and closing of the Further, since the switch can be pressed without using an electric mechanism, power consumption can be reduced. Further, since there is no need for complicated wiring, there are advantages such as space saving and easy installation.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the shape of the front inner frame portion 260. The front-side inner frame 260 is connected to the front-side housing 200.
To prevent the housing from opening in the vertical direction. The front inner frame 260 has a lens opening 240 located in front of the taking lens 22, and battery holders 410, 412, 414 for holding batteries. A lever 264 is vertically movably mounted between the valleys of the plurality of batteries held by the battery holder units 410 and 412.

The first to ninth locking projections 280, 282, 284, 286, 28
8, 290, 292, 294, 296 are provided. The first to ninth locking recesses 28 are provided inside the front housing 200.
1,283,285,287,289,291,29
3, 295 and 297 are provided.

The first locking projection 280 is the first locking recess 2
81. The second locking projection 282 engages with the second locking recess 283. The third locking projection 284 engages with the third locking recess 285. The fourth locking projection 286 is the fourth
Engages with the locking recess 287. The fifth locking projection 288 engages with the fifth locking recess 289. Sixth locking projection 29
0 engages with the sixth locking recess 291. The seventh locking projection 292 engages with the seventh locking recess 293. The eighth locking projection 294 engages with the eighth locking recess 295. The ninth locking projection 296 engages with the ninth locking recess 297.

The front inner frame 260 slides from right to left of the camera and is attached to the front housing 200. Since there is no need for screwing, installation is easy.

Since the front housing 200 has openings such as the lens opening 240, the upper rail groove 204, and the lower rail groove 206, it is necessary to prevent vertical opening.
In the case of a digital camera in which a battery is housed, it is necessary to keep the electrodes from separating from the battery, and it is particularly necessary to prevent the battery from opening. Therefore, by attaching the front inner frame portion 260 to the inside of the front housing 200, distortion of the housing is reduced, and opening in the vertical direction is prevented. Further, since the front inner frame portion 260 also serves as a battery holder, the number of components is reduced.

The lever 264 is connected to the battery holders 410 and 4
As it is located in 12 valleys, it does not take up space and gets in the way.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the lens cover 202 and the front housing 200. When the lens cover 202 is attached to the front case 200, the upper rail engaging protrusion 226 and the lower rail engaging protrusion 224 engage with the front case 200. Also, the lens cover 20
2 is provided on the front side housing 20.
0 is engaged. The guide engagement protrusion 222 provided on the front housing 200 is engaged with the guide engagement recess 223 provided on the guide protrusion 220. Guide protrusion 220
The arm 262 is provided in the arm engagement groove 230 provided in the
The guide side engaging portion 270 is engaged. Front inner frame 26
Reference numeral 0 is attached so as to maintain the engagement state between the guide-side engaging portion 270 and the arm engaging groove 230 inside the front-side housing 200.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the shape of the battery housing section 390. The battery accommodating section 390 is a member attached inside the housing, and includes a battery holder 39 that holds a plurality of batteries.
1 and a capacitor holder 393 for holding a strobe capacitor. Battery holder 391
a to d and a capacitor holder 393 hold a plurality of batteries and strobe capacitors in parallel. The battery housing 390 is provided with a heat radiating hole 392 substantially at the center in the direction in which a plurality of batteries and strobe capacitors are arranged. In the present embodiment, four batteries and one strobe capacitor are held side by side for a total of five.
A heat radiation hole 392 is provided at the position of the main holder. However, in other embodiments, it may be provided at another battery position.

(A) is a perspective view of the battery housing section 390 viewed from the front side of the camera. (B) shows the battery housing section 390
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera as viewed from the rear side of the camera. (C) is a perspective view showing a state in which the battery accommodating section 390 is engaged with the inside of the front side housing 200.

A screw hole into which a screw of a camera tripod or a pan head is screwed is provided at a lower portion of the battery housing portion 390. The inside of the battery accommodating section 390 may be metal-worked to form a screw hole. The battery housing section 390 protrudes to the outside of the housing from between the front housing 200 and the rear housing 300.

[0077] A strap loop 396 is provided on the upper side of the battery accommodating section 390. Strap through 396,
It protrudes outside the housing from between the front housing 200 and the rear housing 300. The user can pass the strap through the strap pass 396 to facilitate carrying.

As shown in (c), the battery housing 39
The frame 398 is attached from above the zero. The frame 398 is made of a heat dissipable metal member. Frame 39
Numeral 8 is close to the power supply circuit after assembling the camera, and absorbs, for example, heat during discharge. The frame 398 is connected to the battery housing 39.
0 comes into contact with the heat radiation hole 392 from the back side.

As described above, since the heat dissipation holes 392 are provided in the battery accommodating portion 390, it is possible to easily release the heat generated from the battery. In addition, heat dissipation holes 392
Is provided near the battery located at the center of the plurality of batteries, so that heat can be radiated from the portion where heat is most likely to be stored. Further, the frame 398 is connected to the battery housing 390.
Near the battery from the back side through the heat dissipation hole 392,
Heat can be dissipated efficiently.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the appearance of the mode dial 310. The digital camera 10 of the present embodiment has a 3
Mode dial 3 that can set the mode for one shooting
10 is provided. The three modes that can be set with the mode dial 310 are a power-off mode, a reproduction mode, and a shooting mode. The mode dial 310 is provided substantially horizontally on the upper surface of the housing. The mode dial 310 rotates between three stop positions to set one of the three modes.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the turning operation of the mode dial 310. The figure shows the mode dial 310 as viewed from below. (A) shows a power supply OFF mode. (B) shows the reproduction mode. (C) shows a photographing mode. When the mode dial 310 is rotated clockwise in the figure, the mode is switched in the order of the power-off mode, the reproduction mode, and the shooting mode.

The mode dial 310 has a rotating body formed of a substantially circular member on the bottom surface. In this rotating body, a part of the outer periphery is cut out and the first dial protrusion 3
12 are formed. Further, a second dial protrusion 314 is hung near the outer periphery of the rotating body. The first dial protrusion 312 and the second dial protrusion 314 are formed at a predetermined interval.

The first dial protrusion 312 generates a pressing force from the left to the right of the camera in response to the rotation of the mode dial 310. The second dial protrusion 314 generates a pressing force from the front side of the camera toward the back side in accordance with the rotation of the mode dial 310.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a switching operation by the mode dial 310. A mode switch board 320 having two switches capable of detecting three modes based on a stop position of the mode dial 310 is provided substantially perpendicular to the mode dial 310 inside the front housing 200. The figure shows the mode dial 310 and the mode switch substrate 320 viewed from the lower surface side. (A) shows a power supply OFF mode. (B) shows the reproduction mode. (C) shows a photographing mode.

On the mode switch substrate 320,
A first mode switch 322 for switching the power on and off, and a second mode switch 324 for switching the playback mode and the photographing mode of the camera are provided. First
Mode switch 322 can be pressed vertically from the mode dial 310 side. First mode switch 3
22 has a cam mechanism in the switch part, and applies a substantially horizontal pressing force received by the cam mechanism from the mode dial 310;
Change to almost vertical pressing force. Second mode switch 3
The switch 24 can be pressed in a substantially horizontal direction, and performs a switching operation by receiving a substantially horizontal pressing force from the mode dial 310.

In (a), since the first dial projection 312 does not press the first mode switch 322, the power is turned off. Also, the second dial protrusion 314 does not press the second mode switch 324, and the reproduction mode is kept as default.

In FIG. 9B, the first dial protrusion 3
12 is a cam mechanism of the first mode switch 322,
Apply a substantially horizontal pressing force. Since the cam mechanism changes the pressing force in the substantially horizontal direction to the pressing force in the substantially vertical direction, the first mode switch 322 is turned on and the power is turned on. Since the second dial projection 314 does not yet press the second mode switch 324, the reproduction mode is set.

In (c), the first dial protrusion 3
Numeral 12 holds the pressure on the first mode switch 322. In this state, the second dial protrusion 314
Presses the second mode switch 324. Thereby, the mode is switched from the reproduction mode to the shooting mode.

As described above, in this embodiment, three modes can be set by two switches. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where three switches are prepared. Further, the mode switch substrate 320 can be provided in a direction perpendicular to the mode dial 310. Therefore, it can be attached, for example, along the rear side of the housing, and space can be saved.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the appearance of the cross key. The digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment includes a zoom mechanism. The cross key is, for example, a button pressed when the user instructs up, down, left and right as a direction selection on the operation screen. The up / down switch 33
0, a left switch 332, and a right switch 334. The cross key is provided on the outer surface of the rear housing 300.

The up / down switch 330 is a button that can be tilted up and down by the user to perform zoom-in and zoom-out operations by the zoom mechanism. For example, zoom-in is performed when the user tilts the up / down switch 330 in the upward direction. In addition, zoom-out is performed when the user tilts the up / down switch 330 downward.

The up / down switch 330 is maintained so that the tilting direction is substantially up / down. The user does not accidentally tilt in the oblique direction. Therefore, it is possible to perform a stable zoom operation without any pushing failure.

The left switch 332 and the right switch 334
Are provided on the left and right of the up / down switch 330, respectively.
Up / down switch 330, left switch 332, right switch 3
34 is an independent button. A cross key is formed by combining these buttons. Up / Down switch 3
30 has a substantially horizontal shape, and is more conspicuous than the left switch 332 and the right switch 334. In particular, since the upper switch and the lower switch are integrated, the user can intuitively know that the up / down switch 330 is a zoom key. Further, the up and down width of the left switch 332 and the right switch 334 may be smaller than the up and down width of the up and down switch 330. Thus, the up / down switch 330 can be made more conspicuous.

Further, since the up / down switch 330 has a substantially horizontally long shape, even if the left switch 332 and the right switch 334 are arranged on the left and right thereof, no space is required in the up / down direction. Therefore, the cross key can be easily arranged in a narrow space of the rear side housing 300, and the whole camera can be easily made compact.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the shape and operation of the battery cover 340. On the outer surface of the housing, a battery housing opening 420 through which a battery is inserted and removed from the outside is provided, and the battery housing opening 420 is covered by a battery cover 340. The battery cover 340 includes the front housing 200 and the rear housing 3.
00 can be held alone. In the present embodiment, the front-side housing 200 is used alone as the battery cover 3.
Do 40.

(A) is a diagram showing the opening direction of the battery cover 340. As shown in the figure, the battery cover 340 opens and closes substantially in the vertical direction of the camera. (B) shows the sliding direction of the battery cover 340. After the battery is accommodated in the battery accommodating opening 420 and the battery cover 340 is closed, the battery cover 340 is slid in the direction shown in the figure.
In the state (c), the battery cover 340 engages with the front housing 200 and is locked.

In the vicinity of the open / close end on the back surface of the battery cover 340, first to fourth battery cover engaging projections 341 343 345 347, which are engaged with the front housing 200, are provided. First to fourth battery cover locking recesses 342, 344, 346, and 348 are provided around the battery housing opening 420 on the bottom surface of the front housing 200. The first battery cover locking projection 341 is locked in the first battery cover locking recess 342. The second battery cover locking projection 343 is locked in the second battery cover locking recess 344. The third battery cover locking projection 345 is locked in the third battery cover locking recess 346. The fourth battery cover locking projection 347 is locked in the fourth battery cover locking recess 348.

The first to fourth battery cover locking projections 34
1, 343, 345, and 347 project from the right to the left of the camera, respectively. Therefore, the battery cover 34
By sliding the 0 from the right to the left of the camera, each engaging protrusion engages with each engaging recess. On the other hand, the battery cover 3
The opening direction of 40 is substantially the vertical direction of the camera. That is, the first to fourth battery cover locking projections 341, 34
The projecting directions of 3, 345, 347 are formed substantially perpendicular to the opening direction, so that the structure is difficult to open without permission. Moreover, since the first battery cover locking projection 341 is provided near the open / close end of the battery cover 340, a gap is hardly generated at the open / close end of the battery cover 340.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the shape and operation of the memory card cover 350. On the outer surface of the housing, a memory card housing opening 430 for inserting and removing a memory card,
A memory card cover 350 that opens and closes the memory card housing opening 430 is provided. In the present embodiment, the memory card housing opening 430 is provided on the right side of the housing, and the memory card cover 350 is formed from the right side to the back of the housing.

(A) shows a state in which the memory card cover 350 is closed. (B) shows the memory card cover 350
Indicates an open state. As shown in the figure, the memory card cover 350 is formed to have a substantially L-shaped cross section so as to cover from the back to the side of the housing. Memory card cover 35
0 has a hinge 440 on the back surface of the back side housing 300. The memory card cover 350 opens and closes substantially in the front-rear direction of the housing around the hinge 440.

In the vicinity of the open / close end on the back surface of the memory card cover 350, a first memory card cover locking projection 351 and a second memory card cover locking projection 353 which are locked to the rear housing 300. Is provided. Memory card housing opening 43 on the right side of back side case 300
0, the first memory card cover locking recess 35
Second and second memory card cover locking recesses 354 are provided. First memory card cover locking projection 35
1 is locked in the first memory card cover locking recess 352. The second memory card cover locking projection 353 is locked in the second memory card cover locking recess 354.

On the back surface of the memory card cover 350, a memory card cover opening / closing detection projection 355 is further provided near the second memory card cover locking projection 353. A memory card cover opening / closing detection concave portion 356 is further provided near the second memory card cover locking concave portion 354 on the right side surface of the rear housing 300. The memory card cover opening / closing detection convex portion 355 is engaged with the memory card cover opening / closing detection concave portion 356. The memory card cover opening / closing detection concave portion 356 detects whether the memory card cover 350 is open based on whether the memory card cover opening / closing detection convex portion 355 is locked. By providing the memory card cover opening / closing detection protrusion 355 at the end of the memory card cover 350, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally pushing the memory card in and out when inserting and removing the memory card.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the opening and closing directions of the memory card cover 350. (A) shows the opening and closing direction of the memory card cover 350. As shown in the figure, the memory card cover 350 opens and closes substantially in the front-back direction of the camera.
This is because the memory card cover 350 has a substantially L-shape that covers from the back to the side of the housing, and the position of the hinge 440 is located on the back side farther than the side surface of the housing.

(B) shows the direction in which the first memory card cover locking projection 351 projects. Memory card cover 3
The state immediately before closing 50 is shown. The first memory card cover locking projection 351 projects substantially perpendicularly to the side surface of the housing. That is, the projecting direction is substantially perpendicular to the opening and closing direction. Therefore, the first memory card cover locking projection 351 is strongly caught by the first memory card cover locking recess 352. This prevents the memory card cover 350 from being opened by mistake.

FIG. 23 shows the structure of the internal unit. The digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging circuit unit 360 that processes an image capturing operation, a power supply circuit unit 362 that supplies power to the imaging circuit unit 360, and a battery housing unit 390 that holds a battery. Then, the imaging circuit unit 360, the power supply circuit unit 362, and the battery accommodating portion 390 are overlapped and engaged with each other, whereby an integrated internal unit can be formed in advance.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the assembly of the internal unit and the housing. In assembling the digital camera 10, the internal units can be collectively housed in the housing.

As described above, the lens cover 202 in the present embodiment does not entirely cover the vertical direction on the front surface of the front housing 200. Therefore, the front housing 200
As compared with the conventional lens cover which entirely covers the vertical direction on the front surface of the lens, the number of members can be reduced and the cost of parts can be reduced.

Further, the inside viewed from the upper rail groove portion 204 and the lower rail groove portion 206 formed in a slit shape has a bag structure shielded by a front inner frame portion. Therefore, the internal wiring and the like are not visible from the outside through the slit, and the appearance can be kept good.

Further, the lens cover projection 208 in the present embodiment has a substantially horizontal V-shaped end face along the bent middle finger. The user can place a finger on the substantially horizontal V-shaped end surface. Since the user can press the shutter button 400 with the index finger while supporting the camera with the middle finger with a sense of stability, camera shake during shooting can be reduced. Further, the lens cover projection 208 provided for sliding the lens cover 202 does not hinder the user's operation during shooting.

When the lens cover 202 is opened, the lens cover 202 slides so that the vicinity of the open end thereof protrudes from the surface level of the housing. Therefore, the lens cover 202 slides so as to increase the gap generated between the lens cover 202 and the housing surface level. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the surface of the housing from being damaged when the lens cover 202 is slid. In particular, the user can
Since the lens cover 202 is pressed in order to open and close the lens, it is effective to increase the gap with the housing to prevent damage.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. It is understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to these embodiments.

As a first modification, the lens cover engaging portion and the lens cover 202 each have a shape curved in the sliding direction. In the lens cover engaging portion, the curvature of the curved shape of the portion where the lens cover 202 engages when the lens cover is moved to the open position may be larger than the curvature of the curved shape of the lens cover 202. Thereby, a gap generated between the lens cover 202 and the housing can be increased.

As a second modification, when the lens cover 20 is moved to the open position in the lens cover engaging portion,
The curvature of the curved shape of the portion where the lens cover 2 engages may be larger than the curvature of the curved shape of the portion where the lens cover 202 engages when the lens cover 202 is at the shielding position. Thereby, a gap generated between the lens cover 202 and the housing can be increased.

As a third modification, the imaging device of the present invention may be realized as a silver halide camera instead of a digital camera.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera having a lens cover which is easy to handle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera 10. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the digital camera 10 showing an opening and closing operation of a lens cover 202.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the digital camera 10 showing a position of a user's finger during photographing.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the digital camera 10 showing movement of a user's finger for opening and closing the lens cover 202.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a track of a lens cover 202;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a gap generated between a lens cover 202 and a front side housing 200.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the inside of a front housing 200;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a shape of a guide protrusion 220;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first step of a method of molding the guide protrusion 220;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a second step of the method of molding the guide protrusion 220;

FIG. 11 is a view showing the operation of a lever 264.

FIG. 12 is a view showing the operation of an arm 262.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the shape of a front inner frame portion 260;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a lens cover 202 and a front housing 200.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a shape of a battery housing section 390.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an appearance of a mode dial 310.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a rotation operation of the mode dial 310.

18 is a diagram showing a switching operation by a mode dial 310. FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a cross key.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the shape and operation of a battery cover 340.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the shape and operation of a memory card cover 350.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an opening and closing direction of a memory card cover 350.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a configuration of an internal unit.

FIG. 24 is a view showing the assembly of the internal unit and the housing.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 digital camera, 20 imaging unit, 22 photographing lens, 200 front side housing, 202 lens cover, 204 upper rail groove, 206 lower rail groove, 208 lens cover protrusion, 220 guide protrusion, 222 engagement protrusion for guide Section, 223 guide engaging concave section, 224 lower rail engaging convex section, 226 upper rail engaging convex section, 230 arm engaging groove section, 232 arm driving section, 240 lens opening section, 242 guide groove section, 260 front face Side inner frame, 262 Arm, 264
Lever, 266 Cover open / close detection switch, 268 Cover open / close detection board, 270 Guide side engaging portion, 272
Lever-side engaging portion, 280 first locking convex portion, 281 first locking concave portion, 282 second locking convex portion, 283 second
Locking recess, 300 back side housing, 310 mode dial, 312 first dial protrusion, 314 second dial protrusion, 320 mode switch board, 322
First mode switch, 324 second mode switch, 330 up / down switch, 332 left switch, 33
4 Right switch, 340 battery cover, 341 first battery cover locking projection, 342 first battery cover locking recess, 350 memory card cover, 351 first memory card cover locking projection, 352 First memory card cover locking concave portion, 353 Second memory card cover locking convex portion, 354 Second memory card cover locking concave portion, 355 Memory card cover opening / closing detection convex portion, 356 Memory card cover Open / close detection recess, 36
0 shooting circuit unit, 362 power supply circuit unit, 3
90 Battery holder, 391 Battery holder, 392 Heat release hole, 393 Capacitor holder, 398 frame, 4
00 Shutter button, 410 Battery holder, 41
2 Battery holder part, 414 Battery holder part, 420 Battery accommodation opening, 430 Memory card accommodation opening

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus having a lens cover on an outer surface of a housing capable of shielding a front of a photographing lens, wherein a lens cover engaging portion for engaging with the lens cover is provided on a front surface of the housing. The image pickup apparatus, wherein the lens cover is slidably supported by engaging with the lens cover engaging portion. 2. The lens cover engaging portion has a pair of slit-shaped rail grooves with which an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the lens cover are engaged. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein an inner frame portion that shields a slit of the rail groove portion is provided. 3. An imaging apparatus, wherein a lens cover capable of shielding the front of a photographic lens is provided on an outer surface of a housing, wherein the lens cover is located in front of the photographic lens from a shielding position that blocks the front of the photographic lens. An image pickup device that slides so as to increase a gap generated between the lens cover and the housing when moving to an open position where the lens is opened. 4. When the lens cover moves from a blocking position for blocking the front of the photographic lens to an open position for opening the front of the photographic lens, the vicinity of the open end of the lens cover is the housing. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the imaging device slides so as to protrude. 5. The housing has a lens cover engaging portion that engages with the lens cover. The lens cover engaging portion has a first curved shape curved in the sliding direction and a second curved shape. 5. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the second curved shape is formed at a position protruding outside of an extension surface of the first curved shape. 6. . 6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the lens cover engaging portion further has a non-curved shape between the first curved shape and the second curved shape. 7. The housing is provided with a lens cover engaging portion that engages with the lens cover, and the lens cover engaging portion and the lens cover each have a shape curved in the sliding direction. In the lens cover engaging portion, the curvature of the curved shape of the portion where the lens cover engages when the lens cover is moved to the open position is larger than the curvature of the curved shape of the lens cover. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein 8. The housing is provided with a lens cover engaging portion that engages with the lens cover, and the lens cover engaging portion has two curvatures curved in different directions of the slide having different curvatures. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the imaging device has a shape. 9. An imaging apparatus comprising a housing provided with a lens cover capable of blocking a front of a photographing lens, wherein the lens cover is slidably supported on a front surface of the housing, and is provided on a surface of the lens cover. Is provided with a lens cover projection that the user presses in the slide direction when opening and closing the lens cover. An imaging device, which is located near the middle finger when the shutter button is pressed with the index finger while supporting the imaging device. 10. The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein the lens cover projection has a substantially horizontal V-shaped end surface along the bent middle finger.