JP2004328592A - External battery device of camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an external battery device which can reduce the waste of space in a camera for connecting it without damaging a sense of comfortable holding and the operability of the camera connected and which can be firmly connected to the camera. <P>SOLUTION: The external battery device is detachably mounted on a battery insertion surface 4a or 4e of the camera 1, 2, and 3 having a body 4 which has a flat box-like shape and allows a battery 100 to be inserted into a battery storing chamber 10 from the side face 4a or the bottom face 4e. The external battery device has surfaces 23 and 25 to be connected to the camera 1, 2, and 3 which have nearly the same shapes as those of the battery insertion surfaces 4a and 4e of the camera respectively, and comprises a connector 22 having nearly the same shape as that of the battery 100 to be inserted into the battery storing chamber 10 and linking tools 28, 28a, and 28b for linking the external battery device with the camera. The connector 22 is equipped with terminals 22a and 22b for a power supply which are connected with terminals 10a and 10b for a battery of the battery storing chamber 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an external battery device connected to a camera, particularly a small digital still camera or digital video camera, and used as a power source for the camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, small cameras have been preferred, and various techniques for making the cameras small have been proposed. For example, the overall size of the camera can be reduced by reducing the size of the battery that is a component of the camera.
[0003]
However, when the size of the battery is reduced, the capacity of the battery is reduced, and it is difficult to operate the battery for a long time. Therefore, a spare battery has been prepared or a detachable battery device has been added to the outside of the camera.
[0004]
JP-A-10-26798 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-2000-350072 (Patent Document 2) disclose such an external battery device. A camera is disclosed in which an external battery device is mounted on a grip portion so as to also serve as a grip.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 10-26798 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-350072 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the external battery device is mounted on a small camera in this manner, the portability and storability of the camera are reduced, and the shape of the grip of the camera is changed, so that operability may be reduced.
[0007]
Also, a power supply terminal for the external battery device needs to be provided outside the camera, and a storage space for the power supply terminal is required. In addition, when the external battery device is mounted on a thin body, a certain amount of a connecting tool is required in order to maintain the fixing strength between the two, and the space may make it necessary to make the camera large.
[0008]
Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to reduce the useless space of the camera for connecting the external battery without lowering the hold feeling and operability of the connected camera, It is another object of the present invention to provide an external battery device that can be securely connected to a camera.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides an external battery device for a camera having the following configuration in order to solve the above technical problem.
[0010]
The external battery device is a flat box-shaped shape having the smallest dimension in the subject direction, and the battery of the camera having a body configured to allow a battery housed inside from the side or bottom surface thereof to be inserted into a battery housing chamber. It is detachably attached to the insertion surface of. A connector having a connection surface on a side connected to the camera having substantially the same shape as an insertion surface of the battery, and a connector having substantially the same shape as the battery configured to be insertable into a battery storage chamber of the camera; And a connector for connecting the power supply terminal to the battery terminal of the battery storage chamber.
[0011]
In the above configuration, the external battery device has a box-shaped body that is flat in a dimension in a subject direction, that is, a thickness direction, and is connected to a camera in which a battery is inserted and mounted from a side surface or a bottom surface. The external battery device is used in connection with a surface into which the battery is inserted into the battery storage room.
[0012]
The external battery device includes a connector that is inserted into a battery storage room of the camera. When the external battery device is connected to the camera, the connector is inserted into the battery storage room and fixed by a connector. The connector is provided with a power supply terminal. The power terminal contacts the battery terminal when the battery is stored in the battery storage chamber.
[0013]
Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a special terminal on the camera for the external battery device. Further, since the external battery device is connected to the camera by inserting a connector into the battery storage room, the connection strength can be ensured. Further, since the external battery device and the insertion surface of the camera are formed in substantially the same shape, the dimensions of the camera only extend in the width direction or the height direction, and the influence on the holdability of the camera is small. Help me.
[0014]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a functional block for generating a processing signal for causing the camera to execute a predetermined process, and an information terminal for transmitting a processing signal from the functional block to the camera are further provided. Provided is an external battery device provided with the same.
[0015]
According to the above configuration, a switch for operating the camera and an electric circuit therefor can be arranged as a functional block in the external battery device, and the function of the camera for connecting the external battery device can be arranged in the external battery device. Therefore, the size of the camera itself can be reduced.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the information terminal is provided on the connector, and is configured to communicate with a signal terminal different from the battery terminal provided in a battery storage chamber of the camera. An external battery device according to a second aspect is provided.
[0017]
According to the above configuration, since the information terminal does not need to be provided on the outer surface of the body, the information terminal can be compactly configured at the same place as the power supply terminal, and can be excellent in design.
[0018]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, at the time of attachment to the camera, a cradle connector that can be inserted into a cradle connection portion provided on the battery insertion surface, which is a bottom surface of the camera, is attached to the connection surface. An external battery device provided with a cradle connector insertion portion having the same shape as the cradle connection portion on a surface facing the connection surface.
[0019]
According to the above configuration, it is possible to connect to the cradle regardless of whether or not the external battery device is connected.
[0020]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an external battery connected to a camera, wherein a cover for closing an insertion opening of the battery storage chamber is configured to overlap a battery insertion surface when the battery storage chamber is opened. An external battery device is provided, wherein the cover receiving recess is formed at a position of the connection surface facing the cover overlapped with the battery insertion surface.
[0021]
According to the above configuration, since the cover is accommodated in the cover storage recess, the cover can be connected without interfering with the connection with the external battery device.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an external battery device according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
First, an external battery device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera for connecting an external battery device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0024]
The digital camera 1 has a bent imaging optical system 5 mounted on a box-shaped body 4 that is flat in the thickness direction. The bending photographing optical system 5 includes, in the lens barrel 50, a lens group and the like that bends an object light incident port 5 a provided on the upper right of the front surface 4 b of the camera body 4 downward and forms an image on the image sensor 56. ing.
[0025]
The lens group and the like are provided movably along the objective lens 51a provided immediately after the entrance 5a, the prism 52 for bending the subject light, and the bent subject light, and the position thereof is changed. Zoom lenses 53a and 53b configured to adjust the focal length of the photographing optical system, a focus lens 55 for adjusting the image of the subject to be focused on the imaging surface of the image sensor 56, a low-pass filter 57 for preventing moiré, and the like. Is provided. A shutter unit 54 is provided between the two zoom lenses 53a and 53b.
[0026]
A release button 6 is provided on the upper surface 4d of the digital camera. By operating the release button 6, the shutter unit 54 operates and the photoelectric conversion processing of the CCD 56 is started.
[0027]
The left side surface 4a of the digital camera 1 has a screw hole 8 for fixing an external battery device, a signal terminal insertion port 9 for receiving a control signal from an external battery, and a battery housing for a battery completely housed in the camera body 4. An insertion port for the chamber 10 is provided. Battery terminals 10a and 10b for supplying power from a battery are provided at the innermost side of the battery storage room 10. Further, a memory card insertion slot 11 is provided on the back side of the battery storage chamber 10 (see FIG. 2).
[0028]
The digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the external battery device 20a can be detachably fixed to the left side of the camera. The external battery device 20a incorporates a secondary battery (not shown) in a housing 21 having the same thickness and height as the camera body 4. The external battery device 20a includes, on its left side, a fixing screw 28, a signal terminal 29 for transmitting a control signal to the digital camera 1, and a connector 22 for supplying power of a secondary battery built in the digital camera. I have.
[0029]
In addition, a release button 26 for starting a shooting operation when connected to a camera is provided on the upper surface 25 of the housing 21 of the external battery device 20a.
[0030]
The connector 22 is generally configured to have the same dimensions as a battery housed in the battery housing room 10, and power supply terminals 22a and 22b for power supply are provided at positions corresponding to the battery. When the external battery device 20a is connected to the digital camera, the connector 22 is inserted into the battery storage room 10 as shown by an arrow 70, and the power supply terminals 22a and 22b provided at the distal end are connected to the inside of the battery storage room 10. Power is supplied to the digital camera in communication with the battery terminals 10a and 10b.
[0031]
When the signal terminal 29 is connected to the digital camera 1, the signal terminal 29 is inserted into the signal terminal slot 9 of the digital camera 1 as shown by an arrow 71, and communicates with a terminal (not shown) in the signal terminal slot 9. I do. The terminal in the signal terminal insertion port 9 is connected to the CPU of the digital camera 1, and enables the operation of the digital camera 1 by a control signal output from the external battery device 20a.
[0032]
As shown by an arrow 72, the fixing screw 28 contacts the external battery device 20a to the digital camera 1 and operates an operation unit (not shown) for rotating the fixing screw 28 to It is screwed into the screw hole 8 for fixing the external battery device. Thus, the external battery device 20a can be firmly fixed to the digital camera 1. Since the external battery device 20 is configured such that the connector 22 is inserted into the battery storage chamber 10 as described above, it is possible to obtain a sufficient connection strength even if the fixing screw 28 is provided at only one place. it can.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the external battery device 20a and the digital camera 1 are connected. Since the external battery device 20a has the same thickness and height as the body of the digital camera, as shown in FIG. 3, when connected, the overall size of the camera extends only in the width direction. Further, since the release button is provided on the external battery device 20a, the operability of the release operation is hardly impaired. When the digital camera 1 detects that the external battery device 20a is connected, it is preferable that the release operation of the camera does not function even if the release button 6 provided on the upper surface 4d of the digital camera is operated. .
[0034]
Next, an external battery device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera to which an external battery device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is connected.
[0035]
The digital camera 2 has a box-shaped body 4 that is flat in the thickness direction, and an extension-type photographing optical system 5b. The photographing optical system 5b includes a retractable lens barrel, and is configured to extend from the retracted position to the subject side during a photographing operation.
[0036]
A release button 6 is provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 2. By operating the release button 6, a control signal is transmitted from a CPU (not shown) to operate the shutter unit and start the CCD photoelectric conversion process.
[0037]
The left side surface 4a of the digital camera 2 is provided with an insertion opening for the battery storage room 10 of the battery 100 completely stored in the camera body 4. When the battery terminals 10a and 10b for supplying power from the battery 100 and the external battery device 20b (see FIG. 5) are connected to the innermost side of the There are provided signal terminals 9a to 9d for receiving control signals, which are connected to the provided signal terminals 29a to 29d.
[0038]
The battery terminals 10 a and 10 b are for contacting the electrode terminals 100 a and 100 b provided on the battery 100 to supply power to the digital camera 2. The battery 100 has no terminals at positions corresponding to the signal terminals 9a to 9d of the battery storage room 10 of the camera, and the signal terminals 9a to 9d are not provided except when the external battery device 20b is connected. It is configured not to contact the terminal.
[0039]
The battery storage room 10 of the digital camera 2 is configured so that the battery 100 can be inserted and removed from the left side surface 4a of the body 4 as shown by an arrow 73. Connector portions 8a and 8b for fixing the external battery device 20b and the digital camera 2 in a connected state are provided at upper and lower positions of the battery storage chamber 10, respectively.
[0040]
When the battery 100 is stored in a digital camera and used, a cover 4x for closing the opening of the battery storage chamber 10 is provided. When the battery 100 is taken out, the cover 4x slides upward along the left side surface 4a of the body 4 as indicated by an arrow 74, and overlaps with the left side surface 4a of the body 4 when the battery compartment is opened. It is configured.
[0041]
The digital camera 2 of the present embodiment is configured such that the external battery device 20b can be detachably fixed to the left side surface 4a of the camera. As shown in FIG. 5, the external battery device 20b incorporates a secondary battery (not shown) in a housing 21 having the same thickness and height as the camera body 4. The external battery device 20a has a connector 22 on the left side thereof for supplying power of a secondary battery built in the digital camera.
[0042]
In addition, a release button 26 used when connected to the camera is provided on the upper surface 25 of the housing 21. Further, in the housing, when connected to the camera, a recess provided so as to be able to store the cover 4x that has been slid is provided on the connection surface 23 with the camera, as shown in FIG. The cover 4x is configured so as not to interfere with the connection of the external battery device 20b.
[0043]
At the tip of the connector 22 of the external battery device 20b, power supply terminals 22a and 22b corresponding to the battery terminals 10a and 10b in the battery storage chamber 10, and signal terminals 29a to 29d corresponding to the camera-side signal terminals 9a to 9d are provided. 29d. The signal terminals 29a to 29d are terminals for transmitting an information signal transmitted when the release button 26 or the like of the external battery device 20b is operated to the digital camera 2.
[0044]
Further, the connector 22 is provided with protrusions 28a, 28b at positions corresponding to the connector portions 8a, 8b of the battery storage chamber 10. When the camera 2 and the external battery device 20a are connected, the connector portion is provided. By engaging with 8a, 8b, the external battery device is configured not to come off the digital camera 2. The protrusions 28a and 28b are configured to be housed in the connector 22 as shown by an arrow 76 by operating an operation unit (not shown) provided in the external battery device. The battery device 20b can be separated from the digital camera 1.
[0045]
Since the external battery device 20b has the same thickness and height as the body 4 of the digital camera 2, when connected, as shown in FIG. Stretch only in the direction. Further, since the release button is provided on the external battery device 20a, the operability thereof is hardly impaired. When the digital camera 2 detects that the external battery device 20b is connected, it is preferable that the release operation of the camera does not function even if the release button 6 provided on the upper surface 4d of the digital camera is operated. .
[0046]
Next, an external battery device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an external battery device and a digital camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0047]
The digital camera 2 includes a box-shaped body 4 that is flat in the thickness direction. An LCD 12 and a power switch 13 are provided on a back surface 4c, and a release button 6 is provided on an upper surface.
[0048]
On the bottom side 4e of the digital camera 3, a screw hole (not shown) for fixing an external battery device, a cradle connector insertion portion 14 for receiving a control signal from an external battery (see FIG. 7), and completely housed in the camera body 4 An insertion opening of the battery storage chamber 10 for the battery to be used is provided. Battery terminals 10a and 10b for supplying power from a battery are provided at the innermost side of the battery storage room 10.
[0049]
The cradle connector insertion portion 14 is provided at a position where the connection portion 43 provided in the insertion hole 42 of the cradle is fitted when the digital camera is placed on the cradle 40 (see FIG. 7).
[0050]
The digital camera 3 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the external battery device 20c can be detachably fixed to the bottom surface side of the camera. The external battery device 20c incorporates a secondary battery (not shown) in a housing 21 having the same thickness and width as the camera body 4. The external battery device 20c has, on its upper surface 25, a fixing screw 28, a signal terminal 29 for transmitting a control signal to the digital camera 3, and a connector 22 for supplying power of a secondary battery built in the digital camera. Have.
[0051]
Further, a cross switch 30 and a mode setting key 31 for use in operating the camera when connected to the camera are provided on the rear surface of the housing 21.
[0052]
The connector 22 is generally configured to have the same dimensions as a battery housed in the battery housing room 10, and power supply terminals 22a and 22b for power supply are provided at positions corresponding to the battery. When the external battery device 20a is connected to the digital camera, the connector 22 is inserted into the battery storage chamber 10 as shown by an arrow 77, and the power supply terminals 22a and 22b provided at the distal end are connected to the inside of the battery storage chamber 10. Power is supplied to the digital camera in communication with the battery terminals 10a and 10b.
[0053]
The signal terminal 29 is inserted into the cradle connector insertion portion 14 of the digital camera 3 when connected to the digital camera 3, and communicates with a terminal (not shown) in the signal terminal insertion port 14. A terminal in the cradle connector insertion section 14 is connected to the CPU of the digital camera 1, and a control signal output from the external battery device 20 c is input to the digital camera by operating the cross switch 30 and the mode setting key 31. .
[0054]
The fixing screw 28 is rotated by bringing the external battery device 20 c into contact with the digital camera 3 and operating an operation unit (not shown), and screwed into the external battery device fixing screw hole of the digital camera 3. Thus, the external battery device 20c can be firmly fixed to the digital camera 3. Since the external battery device 20c is configured such that the connector 22 is firmly inserted into the battery storage chamber 10 as described above, sufficient connection strength is obtained even when the fixing screw 28 is provided at only one location. be able to.
[0055]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the digital camera and the cradle 40. The cradle 40 has an insertion hole 40 for inserting a digital camera, and the cradle 40 and the digital camera are connected by inserting a lower portion of the digital camera into the insertion hole.
[0056]
Further, as described above, since the thickness and the width of the body 4 of the digital camera and the external battery device 20c are common, the external battery device 20c can also be inserted into the cradle 40. That is, the digital camera 3 according to the present embodiment can be connected to the cradle regardless of whether or not the external battery device 20c is connected.
[0057]
When the digital camera 3 is placed on the cradle, the cradle connector insertion portion 14 provided on the bottom surface of the digital camera 3 or the signal terminal insertion port 32 provided on the bottom surface of the external battery device 20 c The connection part 43 is fitted.
[0058]
The cradle 40 is provided with a power supply and a cable for connection to an external device. When the digital camera 3 is placed on the cradle, a battery (an internal battery and an external battery device) is passed through the connection portion 43 of the cradle 40. The battery mounted on the digital camera is charged, and the image information stored in the digital camera can be transferred to an external device connected to the cable.
[0059]
As described above, the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention receives power from an external battery device using the power supply terminal for the built-in battery provided in the battery storage chamber. It is not necessary to provide a terminal for an external battery device in the device. Further, since the camera is connected to the external battery device by inserting a connector into the battery storage chamber, the connection strength can be increased.
[0060]
In addition, since the battery mounted in the body is a relatively large member, a space for providing an information terminal different from a terminal for supplying power to the connector of the battery storage room and the external battery device is provided. Have. As described above, by providing a plurality of types of terminals in the battery storage chamber and the connector of the external battery device, it is not necessary to provide a terminal for receiving information from the external battery device on the outer surface of the body, and to give the appearance of the camera. The influence can be reduced.
[0061]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in various other modes.
[0062]
For example, in each of the above embodiments, the external battery device is configured to be connected to the left side surface or the bottom surface of the digital camera, but may be configured to be connected to the right side surface of the camera.
[0063]
Further, for example, the method for retracting the cover of the battery storage chamber shown in the second embodiment is not limited to the slide type shown in the above embodiment, and may be turned 180 degrees using, for example, a hinge. , The outer wall (left side surface) of the body may be overlapped.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera for connecting an external battery device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a front sectional view, and (b) is a left side sectional view.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an external battery device and a digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the external battery device 20a and the digital camera 1 are connected.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera to which an external battery device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is connected.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a connection state between an external battery device and a digital camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows a connection position, (b) is a figure which shows a connection state.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an external battery device and a digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating connection between a digital camera and a cradle.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2, 3 Digital camera 4 Body 4a Left side (battery insertion surface)
4e Bottom (battery insertion surface)
5 Bending optical system 6 Release button 8 Screw hole 9 Signal terminal insertion port 10 Battery storage room 14 Cradle connector insertion sections 20a to 20c External battery device 21 Housing 22 Connectors 22a and 22b Power supply terminals 23 and 25 Connection surface 26 Release button 28 Fixing screw (connector)
28a, 28b Projection (connector)
29 signal terminal 40 cradle

Claims (5)

A flat box-shaped shape with the smallest dimension in the direction of the subject, and detachable from the battery insertion surface of a camera having a body configured to allow a battery housed inside from the side or bottom surface to be inserted into a battery storage chamber. An external battery device that can be mounted,
A connection surface on the side connected to the camera has substantially the same shape as the insertion surface of the battery, and a connector having substantially the same shape as the battery and configured to be insertable into a battery storage chamber of the camera; An external battery device, wherein the connector has a power supply terminal which communicates with the battery terminal of the battery storage chamber. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a function block for generating a processing signal for causing the camera to execute a predetermined process; and an information terminal for transmitting a processing signal from the function block to the camera. 3. The external battery device according to claim 1. 3. The information terminal according to claim 2, wherein the information terminal is provided on the connector, and is configured to communicate with a signal terminal different from the battery terminal provided in a battery storage chamber of the camera. 4. An external battery device as described. At the time of attachment to the camera, the connection surface includes a cradle connector that can be inserted into a cradle connection portion provided on the battery insertion surface, which is a bottom surface of the camera, and an opposing surface facing the connection surface. The external battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a cradle connector insertion portion having the same shape as the cradle connection portion. An external battery device, wherein a cover for closing an insertion opening of the battery storage chamber is connected to a camera configured to overlap an insertion surface of the battery when the battery storage chamber is opened,
The external battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a recess for storing a cover is formed at a position of the connection surface facing the cover overlapped with the insertion surface of the battery. .

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