JP2003037760A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video camera that has enhanced operability for operation switches or the like and has superior heat dissipation and outer appearance or the like. SOLUTION: The video camera is provided a viewfinder 6 for confirming a photographed image and an image display device 3, that is configured to be opened/closed with respect to a video camera body 1. When the image display device 3 is closed with respect to the video camera body 1, the closing position of the video camera main body 1 is turned in interlocking with the opening/closing with respect to the image display device 3. The closing position of the video camera body 1 is provided with a turning plate 5, where operation switches or the like 100 required for photographing and reproduction are arranged. Since the face, on which the operation switches 100 or the like are arranged, is tilted with respect to the video camera body 1, the visibility of the operation switches 100 or the like is enhanced to enable a user to operate the video camera smoothly and properly.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera equipped with an image display device, and more particularly to a VTR integrated video camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to the miniaturization of the video camera body in this type of video camera, the location of the operation switches for operating shooting or reproducing images has been limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the image display unit 42
An openable / closable image display device 43 may be provided on the fixed exterior surface 41 of the video camera body 40. The image display device 43 is the video camera body 4
When it is stored in 0, it faces the exterior surface 41.

Further, it is necessary to dispose an electric wire 46 (FIG. 12) for electrically connecting the image display device 43 and the video camera main body 40 in the vicinity of the connecting portion 45 connecting the both. In some cases, the electric wire 46 may be seen in the outer appearance. In such a case, the electric wire 46 is made inconspicuous color such as black, or is covered with a new blinding member 47 as shown in FIG. .

Further, air convection does not easily occur inside the high density mounted video camera. In order to effectively contact the heat generated by each component due to electricity consumption with the outside air and lower the temperature due to heat dissipation, a heat transfer member such as copper or aluminum is brought into contact with the outer cover or the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a speaker 49 used for audio reproduction may be arranged inside the video camera body 40. In this case, in order to transmit the sound generated by the speaker 49 to the outside, a hole 48 through which air escapes is provided on the exterior surface of the video camera body 40.

[0006]

In the prior art as described above, each operation is performed while looking at the image display section 42 or 44 on the video camera main body 40 in FIG. Operate the key. in this case,
Since each image display unit 42 or 44 is arranged vertically to the exterior surface 41 (operation key panel), it is necessary to shift the line of sight laterally in order to confirm the position of the operation key.

When the image display device 43 of FIG. 12 is rotated with respect to the video camera main body 40, the electric wire 46 for electrically connecting the image display device 43 and the video camera main body 40 is exposed, and the appearance quality is deteriorated. Sometimes. As described above, the blind member 47 as shown in FIG. 11 must be added only to hide the electric wire 46.

Further, the miniaturized video camera body 40
It is substantially difficult to route the heat transfer member for heat dissipation inside the. In addition, since the holes 48 are formed in the exterior surface 41 to transmit the sound of the speaker 49 to the outside, there is a problem that the appearance quality is poor as it is.

In view of the above situation, it is an object of the present invention to improve the operability of operation switches and to provide a video camera excellent in heat dissipation and appearance quality.

[0010]

A video camera according to the present invention is a video camera including a viewfinder for confirming a photographed image and an image display device configured to be openable and closable with respect to the video camera main body. When the image display device is closed to the video camera main body, the closed portion on the video camera main body side is rotated in association with opening and closing of the image display device.

Further, the video camera of the present invention is characterized in that a rotary plate is provided at a closed portion on the side of the video camera main body, and operation switches necessary for photographing and reproducing are arranged.

Further, in the video camera of the present invention, the rotating plate has a cover portion which is wide in the rotating direction, and the cover portion is made of a heat conductive material or a breathable material. Characterize.

Further, in the video camera of the present invention, the cover member is at least breathable, and the speaker is arranged inside the closed portion on the video camera main body side.

Further, in the video camera of the present invention, when the image display device is opened, at least the electrical connector portion between the image display device and the video camera body can be covered. Characterize.

The video camera of the present invention is a video camera equipped with a viewfinder for confirming a photographed image and an image display device configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main body of the video camera. When it is closed to the video camera body, a part of the closed portion on the video camera body side is rotated in conjunction with opening and closing of the image display device.

Further, in the video camera of the present invention, the operation switches necessary for photographing and reproducing are arranged in a part of the closed portion on the main body side of the video camera.

According to the present invention, the visibility of the switches when operating various operation switches while checking the image display section on the main body of the video camera is improved, and the operability of the video camera is improved. In addition, by constructing the side surface of the inclined rotating surface with a member having good air permeability and heat conductivity, it is possible to reduce the temperature rise inside the video camera and to efficiently and beautifully sound the speaker inside. It becomes possible to convey it to the outside. Further, since the electric wire or the like that electrically connects the video camera body and the image display unit can be hidden without using a separate member, the number of parts can be reduced and the quality of the video camera can be improved.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a video camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are drawings for best explaining the present invention, in which 1 is a video camera main body,
Reference numeral 2 is a video lens for imaging, and 3 is an image display device provided on the side surface of the video camera body 1. The image display device 3 is connected and supported to the video camera main body 1 by a connecting portion 7, and is rotatably and rotatably supported in a horizontal direction and a direction about the connecting portion 7 in the horizontal direction. An image display unit 4 is installed on the image display device 3, and a liquid crystal display device (hereinafter referred to as an LCD panel) is mainly used.

Reference numeral 5 designates the image display device 3 as the video camera body 1
The rotary plate is configured to face one surface of the image display device 3 when the image display device 3 is stored in the storage device, and is disposed at a closed portion on the video camera body 1 side that rotates in association with opening and closing of the image display device 3. It On the rotary plate 5, operation switches 100 for controlling each process at the time of shooting or reproducing are arranged and rotatably attached to the video camera main body 1 via a shaft 8, The display device 3 rotates in the direction of arrow a in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the display device 3.

Reference numeral 6 is a second image display device (hereinafter referred to as EVF) installed on the video camera body 1. The user of the video camera can perform shooting or playback while checking the shot image or playback image on the EVF 6 or the LCD panel 4 when playing back and checking the shot or shot video. The user operates the operation switches 100 on the rotating plate 5 while checking each image. At this time, as is apparent from FIG. 2, the positions of the operation switches 100 can be discriminated even while looking at the LCD panel 4 or the EVF 6 from the front, so that the operation is easy and the operation can be performed accurately.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are partial cross-sectional views for explaining the structure of the present invention, in which 9 is a member for fixing the rotating plate 5 so as not to be closed by an external force,
Reference numeral 10 is an image display device 3 provided in the video camera body 1.
Axis 11 for controlling the rotation of the image display device 3, reference numeral 11 for interlocking with the rotation of the image display device 3 and for moving the fixing member 9,
2 is a spring (tension spring) for holding the fixed member 9 at a predetermined position when the fixing member 9 is not receiving a force from the restriction member 11, and 13 is a member for restricting the opening angle of the rotating plate 5.
Reference numeral 14 designates a rotating plate 5 around the shaft 8 as the video camera body 1
It is a spring (torsion spring) that urges it to rotate in a direction away from.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the image display device 3 is housed in the video camera body 1. At this time, the rotating plate 5 is housed on the surface of the video camera body 1 facing the image display device 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram when the image display device 3 is rotated from the position of FIG. 3 in the direction away from the video camera body 1 by an arbitrary angle. At this time, the fixing member 9 is pushed by the regulating member 11 and moves while receiving a force from the spring 12. Also, in conjunction with the rotation of the image display device 3,
The rotating plate 5 rotates. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the image display device 3 is fully opened by 90 °, and the rotating plate 5 is opened to a position regulated by the regulation member 13. At this time, the rotating member 5 is prevented from being closed by an external force by the fixing member 9 moved by the regulating member 11.

By rotating the rotating plate 5 as described above, the electric wire 46 (electrically connecting the image display device 43 and the video camera main body 40 electrically as already shown in FIG. 12 or 13 is used. The connector part) can be covered up.

As described above, the various operation switches are operated while confirming the photographed image during photographing or the reproduced image of the photographed video. At that time, since the surface on which the operation switches 100 are arranged is inclined with respect to the video camera body 1, the visibility of the operation switches 100 is improved and the operability of the video camera is improved. Also, operation switches 1
When the surface on which 00 is arranged rotates, the image display device 3
It is possible to cover up the electric wires and the like that connect the image display device 3 and the video camera body 1 that are visible when the camera is opened without using a separate member. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and improve the appearance quality of the video camera.

(Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which 20 is a video camera body and 21 is a video camera body 20.
And an image display device provided on the side surface of the image display unit 2.
4 are provided. Reference numeral 22 is a rotating plate configured to face one surface of the image display device 21 when the image display device 21 is housed in the video camera body 20,
The image display device 21 is arranged at a closed portion on the side of the video camera body 20 that rotates in association with opening and closing. The rotating plate 2
Although not shown in FIG. 2, the operation switches 100 described in the above-described embodiment or the equivalent thereof may be provided in the second unit 2.

Reference numeral 23 is a wall member (or cover) made of a material such as punching metal that allows air to easily pass therethrough (breathable material) or a material having good heat conductivity (heat conductive material), and 24 is a video camera. A speaker provided inside the main body 20 for reproducing sound. The wall member 23 extends in the direction of rotation of the rotating plate 22 and is interlocked with the rotating plate 22. Then, when the rotating plate 22 is opened, the wall member 23
Is exposed from the inside of the video camera body 20 to the position where it comes into contact with the outside air.

With the above structure, a space is formed inside the rotating and inclined rotating plate 22, and convection of air with the outside air easily occurs. As a result, an increase in the internal temperature of the video camera is reduced, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the heat transfer member and the like for heat dissipation. Furthermore, since the vibration of sound can be transmitted to the outside with the above-described configuration, the sound of the internal speaker can be transmitted to the outside efficiently and without impairing the aesthetic appearance.

(Third Embodiment) Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Will be described. 7 to 10 are perspective views of a video camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention,
In the figure, 50 is a video camera main body, 51 is an image display device provided on the side surface of the video camera main body 50, and an image display section 53 is provided. Further, 52 is an operation switch 200 for controlling each process when shooting or reproducing.
Is arranged, and the operation switch panel 52 rotates in the direction of arrow b in conjunction with the opening / closing operation (arrow B) of the image display device 51.

Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where the image display device 51 is housed in the video camera main body 50, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where the image display device 51 is open. At this time, the operation switch panel 52 is closed when the image display device 51 is housed in the video camera body 50 as shown in FIG. 7, and is opened as shown in FIG. 8 when the image display device 51 is opened. It becomes a state.

9 and 10 are partial cross-sectional views for explaining the structure of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the image display device 51 is housed in the video camera main body 50, and FIG. 10 shows the image display device 51. It is a figure of the open state. In the figure, 54
Is a shaft for controlling the rotation of the image display device 51 attached to the video camera body 50, and 55 is the operation switch panel 5.
A shaft serving as the center of rotation of 2 and 56 are springs (torsion springs) for urging the operation switch panel 52 so as to rotate in the direction away from the video camera body 50 about the shaft 55.
Is.

With the above configuration, when the image display device 51 is housed in the video camera body 50, the operation switch panel 52 is housed inside the video camera body 50. When the image display device 51 is rotated in the direction of arrow B from this state, the operation switch panel 52 causes the bias spring 5 to move.
6 rotates in the direction of arrow b around the shaft 55. Then, the operation switches 200 appear on the external surface of the video camera body 50.

As described above, various operation switches are operated while confirming the photographed image during photographing or the reproduced image of the photographed video. At this time, the external surface of the video camera body 50 appears so that the surface on which the operation switches 200 are arranged faces the photographer. This improves the visibility of the operation switches 200 and improves the operability of the video camera.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the surface on which the operation switches are arranged in the video camera of this type is inclined with respect to the main body of the video camera, the operation switches are arranged. The visibility of is improved, and it can be operated smoothly and accurately. Further, since the electric connector can be covered without using a separate member, there are advantages that the number of parts can be reduced and the appearance quality can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a video camera that best represents the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external rear view of the video camera that best represents the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a mechanical portion according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mechanical portion according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a mechanical portion according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a video camera showing a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a video camera showing a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a video camera showing a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a conventional video camera.

FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of a conventional video camera.

FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of a conventional video camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,20,50 Video camera body 2 Imaging lens 3,21,51 image display device 4,24,53 Image display section 5,22 Rotating plate 6 Image display section 7 connection 8,55 open / close shaft 9 fixing member 10,54 Rotation control axis 11 Control member 12 spring 13 Angle restriction member 14,56 Opening / closing spring 23 wall members 25 speakers 100 operation switches

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A video camera comprising a viewfinder for confirming a photographed image and an image display device configured to be openable and closable with respect to the video camera body, wherein the image display device is closed to the video camera body. The video camera is characterized in that a closing portion on the main body side of the video camera is rotated in association with opening and closing of the image display device. 2. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein the video camera body has a rotary plate at a closed portion thereof, and is provided with operation switches necessary for shooting and reproduction. 3. The rotating plate has a cover portion that expands in the rotating direction, and the cover portion is made of a heat conductive material or a breathable material. The video camera described in 2. 4. The video camera according to claim 3, wherein the cover member has at least air permeability, and a speaker is arranged inside a closed portion on the video camera body side. 5. The structure according to claim 1, wherein when the image display device is opened, at least an electrical connector portion between the image display device and the video camera body can be covered. 4. The video camera according to any one of 4 above. 6. A video camera comprising a viewfinder for confirming a photographed image and an image display device configured to be openable and closable with respect to the video camera body, wherein the image display device is closed to the video camera body. A video camera, wherein a part of the closed portion on the video camera body side is rotated in association with opening and closing of the image display device. 7. The video camera according to claim 6, wherein operation switches necessary for shooting and reproducing are provided in a part of the closed portion on the main body side of the video camera.