JP2004191412A - Cable housing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide cable housing structure suitable in the case of adopting a rotating mechanism whose rotary shaft is not rotated with respect to a base part. <P>SOLUTION: The cable housing unit has a fixed part 112 having an erect inner peripheral wall 332, a rotating part 111 having an erect outer peripheral wall 505 and attached to be opposed to the fixed part 112 so that it can perform rotating operation with respect to the fixed part 112, and a flexible cable 124 whose one end is fixed on the fixed part 112 side and whose other end is fixed on the rotating part 111 side. The excess part of the flexible cable at least having length required for the rotating operation is housed in space whose width is regulated by the walls 332 and 505 and whose height is regulated by the opposed surfaces of the middle plate 331 of the fixed part and a rotating plate 301, arranged along the walls 332 and 505 before and behind a U-shaped folded part, and housed so that the U-shaped folded part is moved in the space with the rotating operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cable housing unit suitable for a camera device with a camera platform and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The camera device with a pan head is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. The camera devices with a camera platform disclosed in these documents are used as surveillance cameras by mounting the camera platform on a wall surface, for example.
[0003]
This type of device has a rotation mechanism for rotating the camera, but the center shaft is fixed to a rotation unit connected to the camera, and the center shaft generally rotates according to the rotation operation. It is a target.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-4319
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-40553
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the configuration in which the rotating shaft portion rotates as described above, the cable may be passed through the hollow portion provided in the rotating shaft portion. Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which cables are simply passed through a hollow portion of a rotating shaft. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a cable housing unit housed in a hollow portion in a spring shape so as to eliminate twisting of a cable passing through the hollow portion. However, if the rotation shaft is not rotated, these configurations cannot be adopted.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a cable housing structure that is suitable when a rotation mechanism that does not rotate a rotation shaft to a large extent is employed.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A cable housing unit according to the present invention for solving the above problems has the following configuration. That is,
A first member having an upright inner peripheral wall;
A second member having an upright outer peripheral wall and rotatably mounted on the first member in opposition to the first member;
A cable having one end fixed on the first member side and the other end fixed on the second member side;
At least a surplus portion of the cable having a length necessary for the rotation operation has a width defined by the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall, and a height defined by opposing surfaces of the first and second members. Housed in a space, and the excess portion is disposed along the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall respectively before and after the U-shaped folded portion,
The U-shaped folded portion is accommodated so as to move in the space with the rotation operation.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0008]
1 to 5 are views for explaining the appearance of the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, an outline of the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to these drawings.
[0009]
The camera device 100 with a camera platform according to the present embodiment includes a base unit 101, a head unit 102, and a camera unit 103. FIG. 1 shows a state in which each of the units 101 to 103 is flattened, and FIG. 1 shows a state in which the head unit 102 is raised, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the camera unit 103 is rotated from the state in FIG.
[0010]
The base unit 101 has a rotating part 111 and a fixed part 112, and the rotating part 111 can be rotated with respect to the fixed part 112 by a driving mechanism built in the unit (see FIGS. 4 and 5). reference). However, in the state of FIG. 1, the rotation of the rotating unit 111 is prohibited because the head unit 102 and the camera unit 103 physically interfere with each other, and only when the head unit 102 is raised as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The part 111 becomes rotatable. Such control is realized by providing a sensor (described later) that detects whether the head unit 102 is awake. Reference numeral 113 denotes a cap, which is fixed to a rotation center axis extending from the fixing portion 112. Therefore, even if the rotating part 111 rotates, the cap 113 does not rotate. Reference numeral 114 denotes a power switch, and reference numeral 115 denotes a mark for indicating a scale 116 provided on the rotating unit 111.
[0011]
The head unit 102 is connected to the base unit 101 via a hinge unit (104 in FIG. 6) not shown in FIG. 1, and is in a state shown in FIG. 1 (a state in which the base unit 101 and the head unit 102 are arranged in a flat shape). 2 (a state in which the head unit 102 is raised from the base unit 101). The head unit can be mounted with a camera unit 103, an SD memory card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like, and can store images captured by the camera unit 103.
[0012]
The camera unit 103 includes a lens barrel 131 and a camera body 132, and the camera body 132 is attached to the head unit 102 (see FIG. 6). The lens barrel 131 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the camera body 132, and can be manually rotated as shown in FIGS.
[0013]
FIG. 2 shows a state where the head unit 102 is raised with respect to the base unit 101. In this state, there is no physical interference with the rotation operation of the rotation unit 111, and the rotation operation of the rotation unit 111 becomes possible. In terms of control, a state in which the head unit 102 is raised as shown in FIG. 2 is detected, and the rotation operation is permitted. The angle of the head unit 102 with respect to the base unit 101 is about 90 degrees. When the camera device 100 with the camera platform is placed in a state as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, it is necessary that the camera device 100 does not fall down, and for that purpose, the center of gravity of the device needs to be close to the center position of the base unit 101. . Therefore, the angle of the head unit 102 with respect to the base unit 101 is desirably 90 degrees or less.
[0014]
FIG. 3 shows a state where the camera unit 103 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. In such a state, the camera operation can be performed by placing the camera device with the camera platform on a table or the like. Note that the direction of the camera unit 103 does not need to be parallel to the fixed part, and a desired tilt angle can be obtained. Further, the camera unit 103 can be rotated in a direction opposite to the illustrated direction. As described above, the rotating unit 111 has a configuration to rotate with respect to the fixed unit 112, and the head unit 102 is fixed to the rotating unit 111, so that the head unit 102 moves according to the rotating operation of the rotating unit 111 (FIG. 4, FIG. 5). That is, the rotation of the camera in the pan direction is realized by the rotation mechanism incorporated in the base unit 101.
[0015]
4 shows a state in which the rotating unit 111 is rotated in the direction of arrow A from the state of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows a state in which the rotating unit 111 is rotated in the direction of arrow B from the state of FIG. 4 and 5, the cap 113 is fixed with respect to the rotation of the rotating unit 111. As a result, the position of the mark 115 with respect to the fixed portion 112 does not change, and the scale 116 moves with respect to the mark 115 as the rotating portion 111 rotates. Therefore, it can be easily grasped from the mark 115 and the scale 116 how much the rotating part 111 is rotating. Further, since the power switch 114 does not move even when the rotating unit 111 is rotated, the operability is improved.
[0016]
Although only the power switch 114 is disposed on the cap unit 113, for example, a rotation key is disposed, and a driving mechanism in the base unit 101 is operated according to the operation of the rotation key, so that the rotation unit 111 is rotated. You may make it. Since the cap unit 113 does not rotate, the rotating operation of the rotating unit 111 hardly affects the operability of the operation switch provided on the cap 113. Therefore, it is also possible to arrange a rotation key for instructing the rotation operation as described above. Alternatively, an indicator such as an LCD may be provided on the cap 13 because the cap 113 is immobile.
[0017]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating mechanical and electrical connection of each unit. As described above, the head unit 102 is connected to the base unit 101 via the hinge unit 104. Electrical connection between the base unit 101 and the head unit 102 is made via a flexible cable 124. The flexi cable 124 is guided into the base unit 101 through a cable passage hole 141 provided in the hinge unit 104.
[0018]
The head unit 102 is provided with a connector section 121 for connecting to the connector 133 of the camera unit 103, an SD memory slot 122 in which an SD memory card can be mounted, and a CF card slot 123 in which a CF card can be mounted. An image signal obtained by shooting by the camera unit 103 is passed to the head unit 102 via the connector 133 and the connector unit 121, and after being subjected to necessary processing, is stored in a CF card or an SD memory. Alternatively, by mounting a PHS module in the CF card slot 123, the captured image can be sent to another PHS, a mobile phone, or the like. Furthermore, remote control is possible by sending a command from another PHS or a mobile phone to instruct the rotation operation of the rotation unit 111 (pan operation of the camera) and the start and end of shooting. Further, since the camera unit 103 is detachable, it can be replaced with a different type of camera unit (for example, wide-angle and telephoto) depending on the use situation.
[0019]
In FIG. 7, (A) shows a view of the camera device with a pan head in the state shown in FIG. 3 from the front, and (B) shows a view from the side. As shown in FIG. 7A, the head unit 102 is provided with a microphone 201 and an Ir light receiving unit 202 for infrared communication. The microphone 201 converts ambient sound into an electric signal. For example, when the camera device 100 with the camera platform is used as a surveillance camera, the microphone 201 performs control to start shooting in response to sound picked up from the microphone 201. Is possible. Further, it can be used as a microphone for voice communication via the PHS module, and can also be used as a telephone when used together with a speaker 406 (FIG. 14) described later. The Ir light receiving unit 202 receives a shooting start instruction from a remote control device (not shown), a rotation instruction of the rotation unit 111, and the like by infrared communication.
[0020]
The camera eject button 203 and the tally lamp 204 are provided on the camera body 132 of the camera unit 103. By operating the camera eject button 203, the camera unit 103 can be removed from the head unit 102. The tally lamp 204 is turned on or blinks at the time of photographing with the camera, and makes the photographed person or the people around him / her recognize that the photographing state is being taken.
[0021]
Reference numeral 205 denotes a speaker opening, which is provided to face a speaker (not shown) built in the base unit 101.
[0022]
8A is a view of the camera device 100 with the pan head shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from the back, and FIG. 8B is a view when viewed from the side (a side opposite to FIG. 7B). Side) is shown. In FIG. 8A, reference numeral 211 denotes a liquid crystal display, which performs display for notifying the remaining battery level and various operation states. Reference numeral 212 denotes an Ir receiving unit, which is the same as the Ir receiving unit 202. A shutter button 213 is used for photographing using the camera unit 103. That is, the user can directly press the shutter button 213 to perform photographing using the camera unit 103.
[0023]
Reference numeral 214 denotes a battery lid, which can be opened and closed for battery replacement. A sensor connector 215 connects an external sensor. As the external sensor, for example, a sound sensor (when a sound is heard, the sensor reacts and is used to release the shutter of the camera device), a door sensor (used to release the shutter when the intercom is pressed), a human sensor (when a person Used to release the shutter when approaching). A serial communication connector 216 enables serial communication with an external device. A USB connector 217 enables USB communication with an external device. A DC plug 218 receives a DC supply from a DC adapter. Note that the battery may be charged via the DC plug 218. A line out terminal 219 outputs an audio signal to the outside.
[0024]
As described above, since the connector connected via the cable is provided in the fixed portion 112, the cable does not hinder the rotation operation of the rotating portion 111.
[0025]
FIG. 9 is a view of the camera device 100 with the camera platform in the state shown in FIG. A main power switch 221 turns on / off power supply to the apparatus from a built-in battery. Reference numeral 222 denotes a tripod screw hole. As described above, the rotation center axis is fixed to the fixed part 112 and is immovable with respect to the rotation of the rotation part 111. Therefore, it is possible to provide the screw hole 222 at the central axis. 223 and 224 are rubber feet for preventing vibration due to rotation and preventing slippage.
[0026]
10 to 12 are views showing the internal structure of the camera device with a camera platform according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 8B, FIG. 11 shows a state in which the upper cover (111 ′ in FIG. 10) and the cap 113 of the rotating unit 111 are removed, and FIG. 11 shows a state where the rotating plate 301 shown in FIG. 11 is removed. 11 and 12 also show the position of XX.
[0027]
In FIG. 10, a rotating plate 301 is coupled to a gear 311, and a rotational driving force of a pulse motor (not shown) is transmitted to the gear 311. Therefore, the rotating plate 301 rotates about the central shaft member 302 together with the gear 311. The upper cover 111 ′ and the hinge unit 104 are coupled to the rotating plate 301, and rotate and move with the rotating operation of the rotating plate 302. The cap 113 is fixed to the rotating shaft member 302 with the screw 303, does not rotate as described above, and is immovable with respect to the rotating operation of the rotating plate 301 and the upper cover 111 '.
[0028]
In FIG. 12, reference numeral 319 denotes a pulse motor, and a gear 318 is mounted on a rotation shaft thereof. The rotation of the gear 318 is transmitted to the gear 317. A gear 316 is mounted on the rotation shaft of the gear 317, and a timing belt 315 connects the gear 316 and the gear 314. As a result, the torque transmitted to the gear 317 is transmitted to the gear 314 via the timing belt 315. Further, a gear 313 is mounted on the rotation shaft of the gear 314, and the gear 313 is engaged with the gear 311. Therefore, the rotational force transmitted to the gear 314 is transmitted to the gear 311 via the gear 313, and rotates the rotating plate 301.
[0029]
Referring back to FIG. 10, reference numeral 304 denotes a torque limiter, which is provided in a rotational force transmission path between the gear 313 and the gear 312. If the rotation of the gear 311 is hindered during the driving of the pulse motor 319, the gear 313 can be made to idle with respect to the gear 312 by the torque limiter 304, thereby preventing the pulse motor 319 from being overloaded. In addition, the torque limiter 304 allows the rotating unit 111 to be manually rotated. That is, when the user rotates the upper cover 111 ′ by hand, the torque is transmitted from the gear 311 to the gear 312, but the torque limiter 304 operates to make the gear 312 idle with respect to the gear 313.
[0030]
Numerals 305 and 306 constitute stoppers that physically limit the rotation of the rotating unit 111 (FIGS. 10 and 12). The rotation operation is restricted by the protrusion 305 protruding from the gear 311 hitting the protrusion 306 fixed to the fixed portion 112. Reference numeral 307 denotes a bearing, which ensures that the gear 311 rotates smoothly with respect to the rotary shaft member 302.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 11, openings 321 and 322 are provided in the rotating plate 301, and the sensor 323 (FIG. 12) functions as a rotation limit detection sensor of the rotating unit 111 by detecting these openings. In this example, the sensor 323 is a reflection sensor, and the openings 321 and 322 have a triangular shape. Since this triangle is provided in the direction as shown, the amount of light detected by the sensor 323 gradually increases toward the rotation end. Therefore, by detecting the light amount and controlling the driving of the motor, it is possible to perform an appropriate deceleration operation toward the rotation end. It is preferable to control the rotation of the pulse motor by the sensor 323 to stop immediately before the stopper mechanism by the protruding portions 305 and 306 functions. Reference numeral 330 denotes a guide roller provided on the rotating plate 301, and has a function of aligning the plurality of flexible kales 124. This will be described later.
[0032]
In FIGS. 10 and 12, reference numeral 331 denotes an intermediate plate of the fixed portion, which has an inner peripheral wall 332 functioning as a cable guide. Reference numeral 333 denotes a cable passage hole provided in the fixed portion middle plate 331, through which the flexible cable 124 passes. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 308 denotes a battery, which supplies required power to each unit of the camera device 100 with the camera platform.
[0033]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the upright detection sensor 350. As shown in FIG. 2, it is turned on when the head unit 102 is raised (FIG. 13A), and turned off when the head unit 102 is laid down as shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 13B). . In the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment, the distance from the rotation axis center position of the hinge unit 104 connecting the head unit 102 and the base unit 101 to the fixed part middle plate 331 is determined from the rotation axis center position to the rotation part 111 ′. Shorter than the distance to. Due to this distance difference, the protrusion of the upright detection sensor 350 is pushed by the fixed portion middle plate 331 in a state where the head unit 102 is raised (FIG. 13A). (FIG. 13B).
[0034]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment described above. A CPU 401 that controls the overall operation of the camera device 100 with a camera platform is disposed in the head unit 102. The above-described SD memory slot 122, CF card slot 123, Ir receiving units 202 and 212, shutter button 213, microphone 201, LCD 211, and connector unit 121 are connected to the CPU 401. The camera unit 103 is connected via the connector section 121, and the CPU 401 controls the CCD driver 402 to acquire an image signal from the CCD 403.
[0035]
Signal lines for exchanging various signals between the components in the base unit 101 and the CPU 401 are provided via a plurality of flat cables 124. The flat cable 124 enters the base unit 101 via the hinge unit 104 (cable passage hole 141). Further, the hinge unit 104 has an upright detection sensor 303. The upright detection sensor 350 detects the state in which the head unit 102 is raised as described with reference to FIG. 13, and provides a detection signal to the CPU 301. The CPU 301 inhibits / permits the rotation operation of the rotation unit 111 based on the detection signal.
[0036]
In the base unit 101, the motor driver 404 converts a driving instruction from the CPU 401 into a pulse output for driving the pulse motor 319. The above-described limit sensor 323, serial communication 216, USB 217, and power switch 114 are all connected to the CPU 401 and processed. For example, when the limit sensor 323 detects the openings 321 and 322, it has reached the limit position with respect to the current rotational movement direction, so the pulse motor 319 is immediately stopped, and only the rotational movement in the direction opposite to the rotational movement direction is performed. Will be accepted. The communication control of the serial communication 216 and the USB 217 is controlled by the CPU 401. Further, the buzzer 405 and the speaker 406 are driven and controlled by the CPU 401.
[0037]
A battery 308 is arranged in the base unit 101, and power is supplied to each unit by turning on a main power switch 221. In addition, reference numeral 106 denotes a remote controller, which can operate the camera 100 with the camera platform by infrared communication. From the remote controller 106, for example, a rotation instruction of the rotation unit 111, a shooting instruction, and the like can be issued.
[0038]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of the operation of the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment. When the main power switch 221 is turned on, the device starts up in a standby state (step S11). In the standby state, power supply and the like are limited so that power consumption is minimized. In this state, when the power switch 114 provided on the cap 113 is turned on, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S13, where a normal operation state (a state of waiting for an operation instruction input) is set.
[0039]
In order to realize the two states of the standby state and the normal operation state as described above, for example, the CPU 401 is divided into a main CPU substrate and a sub CPU substrate, and in the standby state, power is supplied only to the sub CPU substrate. Alternatively, power may be supplied to the sub CPU board and the main CPU board in the normal operation state. In the case of the present example, in the standby state, only the rotation of the rotating unit 111 is prohibited, and operations such as photographing are possible.
[0040]
In the normal operation state, the processing of steps S14 to S19 is repeated. First, when an operation input is received in a state where the upright detection sensor 350 is turned on (a state in which the head unit 102 is raised), the process proceeds to Step S16 via Steps S14 and S15. In step S16, the operation processing of the camera with the camera platform is executed according to the operation input. On the other hand, when an operation input is received in a state where the standing-up detection sensor 350 is OFF (a state where the head unit 102 is lying down), the process proceeds to step S18 via steps S14 and S17. In step S18, operation processing other than the rotation operation of the rotation unit 111 is performed. For example, a shooting operation or the like by operating the shutter button 213 is performed.
[0041]
If there is no operation input, the process proceeds to step S19 via step S15 or step S17. In step S19, it is determined whether the power switch 114 has been turned off. If the power switch 114 has not been turned off by the power switch 114, the process returns to step S13 to repeat the above processing. If it is determined that the power switch 114 has been turned off, the process returns to step S11, and the camera device 100 with the camera platform is set to the standby state.
[0042]
The camera device 100 with the camera platform according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration can be used as a surveillance camera by placing and using it as shown in FIGS. If a PHS communication module is installed in the CF card slot 123 of the head unit 102, images taken by the camera unit 103 can be transmitted to a mobile phone or the like. It is also possible to remotely control the camera by instructing rotation, photographing, and the like from a mobile phone.
[0043]
Further, since the camera apparatus 100 with the head is flat as shown in FIG. 1, it can be easily carried in a bag or the like. In any of the states shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the photographing operation can be performed by the shutter button 213, and the photographed image can be used as a digital camera for storing the photographed image in an SD memory.
[0044]
Further, if the PHS module is mounted as described above, it can be used as a telephone using the microphone 201 and the speaker 406. Furthermore, the music data can be stored in the SD memory in the MP3 format or the like, manually set, and used as a music player for reproduction by the speaker 406.
[0045]
As described above, the pan head device that can constitute the camera device with the pan head according to the present embodiment includes the head unit (102) to which the camera unit (103) can be mounted, the fixing unit (112), and the rotating mechanism. A base unit (101) having a rotating unit (111) rotated by the rotating mechanism with respect to the fixed unit; and a connecting member (104) rotatably connecting the head unit and the rotating unit of the base unit. A state in which the head unit and the base unit are arranged substantially flat by the rotation of the head unit and the base unit by the connecting member (FIG. 1), and a state in which the head unit is raised with respect to the base unit. (FIGS. 2 and 3) can be presented. Since the camera platform device can be made flat, it can be carried in a bag or the like, and is excellent in portability.
[0046]
In addition, the above-mentioned head device further includes a camera unit (103) rotatably mounted on the head unit, and the base unit, the head unit, and the camera unit are arranged in a substantially flat state (FIG. 1). Is possible. According to this configuration, the camera device with the camera platform can be made flat, so that the camera device can be carried in a bag or the like, resulting in excellent portability. Also, the camera unit 103 can be rotated in a state where the base unit 101 and the head unit 102 are arranged in a substantially flat shape as shown in FIG. 1, and shooting is performed by operating the shutter button 213 shown in FIG. It can be handled like a so-called digital camera.
[0047]
Further, in the base unit, a part of the fixed part (112) forms a rotation center shaft part (302) of the rotating part (111). In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the rotation center portion does not rotate even when the rotation portion rotates, for example, the tripod attachment portion (222) can be formed on the rotation center shaft portion. Since the tripod can be attached to the rotation center shaft portion, the balance of the center of gravity does not significantly collapse even when the rotation unit 111 is operated.
[0048]
Further, a disk-shaped cap member (113) fixed to the rotation center shaft and exposed on the upper surface of the base unit is provided, and an operation switch is arranged on the cap member. Even if the rotation part 111 rotates, the rotation center axis part does not rotate, so that the operability when the operation switch is arranged on such a cap member is good. Although the power switch 114 is provided in FIG. 1, for example, a switch for rotating the rotating unit may be provided.
[0049]
The rotating part (111) forms the upper surface of the base unit (101), and the disk-shaped cap member (113) is fixed to the rotation center shaft part (302) so as to cover a part of the rotating part. The cap is exposed on the upper surface of the base unit, and a scale for indicating the amount of rotation is provided on one of the cap member and the rotating portion, and a mark indicating the scale is provided on the other. FIG. 1 shows an example in which a mark (115) is provided on a cap member and a scale (116) is provided on a rotating portion. This is convenient because the amount of rotation of the rotating part can be easily grasped.
[0050]
The head unit (102) is provided with a shutter button (213). The position where the shutter button 213 is arranged is on the surface of the head unit that comes to the bottom surface side of the base unit in a state where the head unit is tilted.
[0051]
An upright detection sensor (350) for detecting whether the head unit is in an upright state with respect to the base unit is provided. When the sensor detects that the head unit is upright, The rotating operation of the rotating unit of the base unit is permitted. For example, the rotating unit 111 cannot be rotated in the state shown in FIG. However, even in such a state, it is desirable that the power supply is turned on, various settings and the like can be performed, and photographing can be performed. In the present embodiment, since the upright detection sensor is provided as described above to control the permission of rotation of the rotating unit 111, even if an instruction to rotate the rotating unit 111 is given by mistake in the state of FIG. do not do.
[0052]
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the upright detection sensor 350 is not limited to a mechanical sensor as shown in FIG. 13 and various modifications are possible.
[0053]
Even so, if the upright detection sensor erroneously detects, the rotating mechanism is driven to rotate the rotating unit 111 in the state of FIG. Therefore, in the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment, a motor (319) mounted on the fixed portion (112) to generate a rotational force, and a transmission mechanism (311 to 311) for transmitting the rotational force of the motor to the rotary portion. 318), a torque limiter (304) is provided on the transmission path of the rotational force in the transmission mechanism. Thus, even if the motor is driven in a state in which the motor cannot physically rotate due to a malfunction of the upright detection sensor, it is possible to prevent gear loss or overload of the motor. The torque limiter also operates when the rotating unit 111 is manually rotated.
[0054]
As described above, the camera device 100 with the camera platform according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the rotating unit 111 is rotated without rotating the center of rotation. Hereinafter, a housing structure of a flexible cable suitable for the camera device 100 with a camera platform according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0055]
FIGS. 16 to 18 are views for explaining a cable housing method of the camera device 100 with the camera platform according to the present embodiment. 16 corresponds to the state of FIG. 3, FIG. 17 corresponds to the state of FIG. 4, and FIG. 18 corresponds to the state of FIG. The inner peripheral wall 332 stands upright from the fixed portion middle plate 331 and forms a space 502 for accommodating a cable between the inner peripheral wall 332 and the outer peripheral wall 505 provided on the upper cover 111 ′ of the rotating portion 111. The inner peripheral wall 332 and the wall surface of the envelope 111 ′ function as a cable guide. In this embodiment, the upper and lower sides of the space 502 are defined by the rotating plate 301 and the fixed portion middle plate 331.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 16, the flexible cable 124 from the head unit 102 enters the space 502 through the cable passage hole 141, passes through the guide 503, and is arranged along the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall 505 of the upper cover 111 ′. You. Then, it is folded back in a U-shape, is arranged along the wall surface of the inner wall 332, passes between the guide 504 and the inner wall 332, and reaches the cable passage hole 333. The guide 504 is provided to ensure that the flexible cable follows the inner peripheral wall 332. The flexible cable 124 is substantially fixed at the positions of the cable passage holes 141 and 333.
[0057]
The U-shaped portion of the flexible cable 124 moves in accordance with the rotation of the rotating portion 111 in the direction of arrow A (the rotation speed of the U-shaped portion is の of the rotating speed of the rotating portion 111). The portion along the inner peripheral wall 332 of the cable 124 decreases, and the portion along the outer peripheral wall 505 increases. FIG. 17 shows a state in which the rotating unit 111 has been rotated to the end position in the direction of arrow A. In this state, the portion of the flexible cable 124 along the inner peripheral wall 332 is the smallest, and conversely, the portion along the outer peripheral wall 505 is the largest.
[0058]
On the other hand, when the rotating portion 111 rotates in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 16, the U-shaped portion of the flexible cable 124 moves with this rotation, the portion of the flexible cable 124 along the outer peripheral wall 505 decreases, and the inner peripheral wall decreases. The portion along 332 increases. When the rotation in the direction B proceeds to some extent, the guide roller 330 comes into contact with the flexible cable 124. When the rotating unit 111 is rotated to the end position in the direction of arrow B, as shown in FIG. 18, the guide roller 330 applies an appropriate tension to the flexible cable. With the appropriate tension, the stacked state of the plurality of flexible cables 124 is aligned.
[0059]
Further, a change portion 501 is provided on the inner peripheral wall 332, and before and after this, the width defined by the inner peripheral wall 332 and the outer peripheral wall 505 in the space 502 for accommodating the cable is changed. The second width on the opposite side (referred to as the terminating side) is narrower than the first width on the cable passage hole 333 side of the changing portion 501. In the present embodiment, the curvature of the inner peripheral wall 332 is changed at the portion of the changing portion 501, and the portions other than the changing portion 501 are formed with the same curvature.
[0060]
In the camera device 100 with the camera platform according to the present embodiment having such a cable housing structure, in order to effectively use the function of aligning the cables by the guide rollers 330, the camera is rotated to the limit in the direction A at the time of power-on, An operation of rotating in the direction to the limit is performed. By this operation, the bundle of flexible cables can be aligned each time the power is turned on.
[0061]
It is to be noted that such a rotation operation can be used together with a rotation operation necessary for positioning the pulse motor (positioning the rotation portion 111 during rotation). However, since the base unit 101 and the head unit 102 interfere with each other in the state as shown in FIG. 1, when both the conditions of the state detection as shown in FIG. The rotation operation in the direction and the B direction is performed, and the midpoint of the rotation is obtained.
[0062]
According to the above-described cable housing structure, the fixed portion (112) having the upright inner peripheral wall (332) and the upright outer peripheral wall (505) are provided, and are opposed to the fixed portion and rotated with respect to the fixed portion. It comprises a rotating part (111) operably mounted and a flexible cable (124) having one end fixed on the fixed part 112 side and the other end fixed on the rotating part 111 side. Then, at least a surplus portion of the cable having a length necessary for the rotation operation has a width defined by the inner peripheral wall 332 and the outer peripheral wall 505, and the fixed portion middle plate (331) of the fixed portion 112 and the rotating plate (301) ) Is accommodated in a space whose height is defined by the opposing surfaces, and this surplus portion is disposed along the inner peripheral wall 332 and the outer peripheral wall 505 before and after the U-shaped folded portion, respectively. The space is accommodated so that the U-shaped folded portion moves.
[0063]
According to the above configuration, the surplus portion of the signal cable required for the rotation operation can be stored in a small space. In addition, even if the rotating operation is repeatedly performed, the U-shaped folded portion moves, so that the cable is not bent at one point, and the risk of disconnection of the cable is reduced. Further, when the U-shaped folded portion moves, the side end surface of the cable may come into contact with the middle plate or the rotating plate of the fixed portion. However, since the side end surface of the cable easily secures wear strength, there is no problem. There is no.
[0064]
In the above configuration, it is preferable that the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall stand upright with respect to the fixed portion middle plate and the rotating plate, respectively. According to the above configuration, the guide (503) for guiding the surplus portion of the cable along the outer peripheral wall and the guide (504) for guiding the surplus portion of the cable along the inner peripheral wall are provided. This ensures that the cable runs along the outer and inner walls.
[0065]
Further, the cable housing structure of the above embodiment has a configuration more suitable for housing a cable bundle in which a plurality of flat cables are bundled in the thickness direction. One of the problems with bundling cables is that they become loose. For example, while the camera device 100 with the camera platform is being conveyed, the flexible cable 124 is separated in the above space, and when the rotating operation is repeated in that state, the edge of the flexible cable is damaged and disconnected, or the cable is pulled in a kinked state. There is a possibility that the flexible cable itself is broken due to the application of force. Also, when the edges of the flexible cables move while abutting on the middle plate or the rotating plate of the fixed portion (when shooting while panning the camera), sliding noise is generated if each flexible cable is loose. The sound may be picked up by the microphone 201. Further, in such a state, the flexible cable vibrates while sliding, resulting in a torque fluctuation and an uneven rotation operation. On the other hand, if a plurality of flexible cables are bundled with a tape or the like so as not to disperse, the difference in the moving speed of the cables existing between the inside and the outside cannot be absorbed by the U-shaped folded portion, and bending occurs, and the same as above. It will cause evil.
[0066]
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, for example, the space changes at a predetermined position in the movement range of the U-shaped folded portion, so that the first region having the first width and the first region have the first width. A second region having a second width smaller than the width, and the first and second regions are arranged in a direction in which the cable is wound around the inner peripheral wall. Such first and second regions are formed, for example, by changing the curvature of the inner peripheral wall at a predetermined position (501) in the movement range.
[0067]
In the above space, when the U-shaped folded portion is moved in the direction in which the cable is wound around the inner peripheral wall (that is, when the U-shaped folded portion is rotated to push out the U-shaped folded portion by the outer peripheral wall), the width of the space is reduced. If they are all the same, it will be difficult to push out the cable, and in the worst case the cable will not go any further. Further, if the width is gradually reduced by changing the curvature for a while, the rotational torque at the end portion increases, and in the worst case, it stops before the end. In addition, the bundled cables are separated, and failures such as disconnection are likely to occur. In contrast, the present inventor has found that providing the two regions having different widths as in the above embodiment solves the above-described problem.
[0068]
Preferably, it is effective that the predetermined portion is a central portion of a moving range of the U-shaped folded portion. Alternatively, it is effective that the predetermined location is in a state where the U-shaped folded portion exists in a state where the predetermined position is at the center position of the rotation operation (for example, the state in FIG. 16).
[0069]
In addition, a columnar member (330) fixed to the rotating plate and protruding into the space is provided. It is provided in.
[0070]
As in the above configuration, the bundled cables can be aligned by the guide rollers abutting on the cables at the end portions. For example, while the camera device 100 with the camera platform is being conveyed, the flexible cable 124 is separated in the above space, and when the rotating operation is repeated in that state, the edge of the flexible cable is damaged and disconnected, or the cable is pulled in a kinked state. There is a possibility that the flexible cable itself may be broken due to the application of force, but this is prevented by arranging the cables as described above. Therefore, when the power is turned on, it is preferable to rotate the cable once between the rotation ends to align the cables.
[0071]
Further, over rotation is reliably prevented by the limit sensor and the stopper mechanism. For this reason, even if the user turns the rotating unit 111 by hand, the rotating unit 111 is not rotated beyond the end position, and the guide roller 330 does not pull the flexible cable too much.
[0072]
It should be noted that devices other than the camera unit may be mounted on the camera platform device having the base unit 101 and the head unit 102 described above. Examples of the wearable device include a light and a stereo microphone. For example, when a light is mounted, the light may be turned on and off according to the response of the sensor and used as a security device. Alternatively, a stereo microphone may be mounted so that the microphone is always directed in the direction in which sound is being emitted.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a cable housing structure suitable for a case where a rotation mechanism that does not rotate a rotation shaft portion with respect to a base portion of an apparatus is employed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the appearance of a camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in which each unit is flat.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which the head unit 102 is raised from the state of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an appearance of the camera device with a camera platform according to the embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state where the camera unit 103 is rotated from the state of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the appearance of the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state where the rotating unit 111 is rotated in the direction of arrow A from the state of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a state where the rotating unit 111 is rotated in the direction of arrow B from the state of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating mechanical and electrical connection of each unit.
7A is a diagram of the camera device with a pan head shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 7B is a diagram as viewed from the side.
8A is a view of the camera device with a pan head 100 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the back, and FIG. 8B is a view as viewed from the side.
9 is a view of the camera device with a pan head 100 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the bottom.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX shown in FIG.
11 is a view showing a state in which an upper cover (111 ′ in FIG. 10) and a cap 113 of the rotating unit 111 are removed.
FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the rotating plate 301 shown in FIG. 11 is removed.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an upright detection sensor 350.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of an operation of the camera device with a camera platform according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a cable housing method of the camera device with a pan head 100 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a method for accommodating a cable of the camera device with a camera platform 100 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a cable housing method of the camera device with a camera platform 100 according to the present embodiment.

Claims (1)

A first member having an upright inner peripheral wall;
A second member having an upright outer peripheral wall and rotatably mounted on the first member in opposition to the first member;
A cable having one end fixed on the first member side and the other end fixed on the second member side;
At least a surplus portion of the cable having a length necessary for the rotation operation has a width defined by the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall, and a height defined by opposing surfaces of the first and second members. Housed in a space, and the excess portion is disposed along the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall respectively before and after the U-shaped folded portion,
The cable housing unit, wherein the U-shaped folded portion is housed so as to move in the space with the rotation operation.

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