JP2005209357A - Electronic equipment, accessory and accessory shoe device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic equipment, an accessory and an accessory shoe device which attain downsizing and improvement in designing capability of the electronic equipment and the accessory, and are advantageous in responding to an increase in signal transmitted and received between the accessory and the electronic equipment including electronic equipment. <P>SOLUTION: A connector 10 at an electronic equipment side includes a terminal face 1006 at the electronic equipment side which extends in a direction intersecting with a first virtual axis 1002 and is provided so that contact pieces 1004 for power supply or for transmitting/receiving of the signal may be positioned on a circumference centered at the first virtual axis 1002, and an guide portion which mates a terminal face of a mating connector with the terminal face 1006 at the electronic equipment side, rotates the mating connector in a circumferential direction centered at the first virtual axis 1002, and guides the mating connector so that the contact pieces 1004 and contact pieces of the mating connector may be electrically conducted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, an accessory, and an accessory shoe device.

In many cases, an imaging device (hereinafter referred to as an electronic device) such as a digital camera or a video camera is equipped with an accessory such as a flashlight for emitting auxiliary light or a microphone for recording sound. A connector is provided.
Such an electronic device-side connector of the conventional electronic device includes a flat mounting surface, a holding unit connected to the mounting surface, and a power supply or signal transfer piece provided on the mounting surface. ing. Further, the accessory attached to the electronic device is provided with an accessory-side connector to be attached to the electronic device-side connector, the accessory-side connector being attached to the attachment surface of the electronic device-side connector, and the attachment portion And a contact piece for power supply or signal exchange provided. The attachment of the accessory-side connector to the electronic device-side connector is performed by sliding the attachment-side connector linearly along the attachment surface while the attachment-side of the accessory-side connector is in contact with the attachment surface of the electronic-device-side connector. This is done by holding the holding part of the side connector. And it is comprised so that each contact piece of an accessory may be electrically connected to each contact piece of an electronic device side connector in the state in which the attachment part was hold | maintained at the holding | maintenance part (for example, refer patent document 1 and patent document 2). ). The electronic device side connector and the accessory side connector are collectively referred to as an accessory shoe device.
JP-A-9-163200 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-166816

In such a conventional technique, since the accessory side connector is linearly slid with respect to the electronic device side connector, it is necessary to secure a space about twice the contour of the accessory side connector mounting portion around the electronic device side connector. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in reducing the size of the electronic device or improving the design of the electronic device.
In addition, for the convenience of sliding the accessory side connector linearly with respect to the electronic device side connector, the arrangement of each contact piece is limited, and there is a limit in miniaturizing the accessory side connector and the electronic device side connector. There was also a disadvantage in dealing with the miniaturization of accessories. In addition, there is a limit in increasing the number of contact pieces due to the fact that the accessory side connector is slid linearly with respect to the electronic device side connector, and various signals that increase in response to diversification of accessories are connected. But there was a disadvantage.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is advantageous in reducing the size and improving the design of electronic equipment and accessories, and is exchanged between the electronic equipment and accessories. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device, an accessory, and an accessory shoe device that are advantageous in responding to an increase in the number of signals generated.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device of the present invention is an electronic device including an electronic device side connector having a contact piece for power supply or signal exchange, and the electronic device side connector is connected to a virtual axis. And an electronic device side terminal surface provided so that the contact piece for power supply or signal transmission is located on a circumference centered on the virtual axis, and the electronic device side terminal surface The contact surface of the mating connector is aligned with the terminal surface of the electronic device and the terminal surface of the mating connector is rotated in the circumferential direction around the virtual axis. And a guide part for guiding the mating connector so as to be electrically connected.
The accessory of the present invention is an accessory that includes an accessory-side connector having a contact piece for power supply or signal transmission and is coupled to an electronic device-side connector of an electronic device, and the accessory-side connector is connected to a virtual axis. An accessory side terminal surface extending in a crossing direction and provided so that the contact piece for power supply or signal transmission is located on a circumference centered on the virtual axis, and in the vicinity of the accessory side terminal surface The accessory side connector is engaged with a guide portion of the electronic device side connector, the accessory side terminal surface is aligned with the terminal surface of the electronic device side connector, the accessory side connector is rotated in a circumferential direction around the virtual axis, and the contact is made. And an engagement portion guided by the guide portion so as to electrically connect the piece and the contact piece of the electronic device side connector.
Further, the accessory shoe device of the present invention includes an electronic device side connector having a contact for power supply or signal exchange provided in an electronic device, and a connection for power supply or signal exchange provided in an accessory attached to the electronic device. An accessory shoe device comprising an accessory-side connector having a piece, wherein the electronic device-side connector extends in a direction intersecting a first virtual axis, and the contact piece for power supply or signal transmission / reception An electronic device-side terminal surface provided so as to be positioned in a circumferential direction centered on the first virtual axis, and the accessory-side connector provided near the electronic device-side terminal surface. The contact piece and the accessory-side connector contact piece are electrically connected to each other by rotating in a circumferential direction around the first virtual axis in accordance with the side terminal surface. A guide portion for guiding the accessory side connector, the accessory side connector extending in a direction intersecting the second virtual axis, and the contact piece for power supply or signal transmission / reception is the second virtual axis The accessory side terminal surface provided to be located on the circumference centered on the accessory side, and the accessory side terminal surface of the electronic device side connector that is provided in the vicinity of the accessory side terminal surface and engages with the guide portion The accessory side connector is rotated in the circumferential direction around these virtual axes by aligning the terminal surfaces and the first and second virtual axes being coincident with each other to electrically connect the contact piece and the contact piece of the electronic device side connector. An engaging portion guided by the guide portion so as to be electrically connected, and the contact piece of the electronic device side connector and the contact piece of the accessory side connector are electrically connected Characterized in that it comprises a fixing means for detachably fixing the two connectors in.

  Therefore, according to the electronic device, the accessory, and the accessory shoe device of the present invention, the contact pieces of both the connectors are made conductive by rotating the accessory side connector in the circumferential direction around the virtual axis with respect to the electronic device side connector. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a wide space for mounting the accessory-side connector around the electronic device-side connector, so that the electronic device and the accessory can be downsized, or the design of the electronic device and the accessory can be improved. It is extremely advantageous for improvement, and a large number of pieces can be arranged in a limited space, which is advantageous for connecting various signals that increase in response to diversification of accessories.

  The electronic device-side connector is designed to reduce the size and improve the design of the electronic device and the accessory, and to respond to the increase in signals exchanged between the accessory and the electronic device including the electronic device. An electronic device-side terminal surface extending in a direction intersecting the axis and having a power supply or signal transmission / reception piece positioned in a circumferential direction centered on the first virtual axis is provided on the accessory-side connector. Provided with an accessory-side terminal surface that extends in a direction intersecting the two virtual axes and on which a contact piece for power supply or signal transmission is located on the circumference centering on the second virtual axis, The accessory-side connector is rotated in the circumferential direction around the center to electrically connect the accessory-side connector contact piece and the electronic device-side connector contact piece.

Next, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment as viewed from the front, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic device-side connector provided in the electronic device, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device-side connector, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an accessory-side connector provided in the accessory, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the electronic device-side connector and the accessory-side connector are coupled, and FIG. 7 is a contact piece of the electronic device-side connector. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship with the contact piece of an accessory side connector.

First, an electronic device will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, an electronic device 100 is a video camera, and has a rectangular plate-like case 102 constituting an exterior. In the present specification, left and right refer to a state in which the electronic apparatus 100 is viewed from the front, the subject side is referred to as the front in the optical axis direction of the optical system, and the imaging element side is referred to as the rear.
A lens barrel 106 incorporating a photographing optical system 104 is provided on the front upper portion of the case 102 so as to face forward.
Inside the case 102 is an imaging device that captures a subject image guided by the imaging optical system 104, a recording / reproducing unit that records / reproduces still image and moving image data of the subject image captured by the imaging device on a recording medium, and the like. Is housed.
An electronic viewfinder 108 for visually recognizing a subject image picked up by the image pickup device is provided on the upper rear surface of the case 102.
On the right side surface of the case 102, a display 110 for displaying a subject image captured by the image sensor is provided to be openable and closable.
An operation switch (not shown) such as a shooting start / stop switch and a setting switch (not shown) for performing various settings are provided on the upper rear portion and the left side surface of the case 102.
A concave portion 112 having a rectangular shape in a plan view is provided in the front upper portion of the case 102, and a lid 114 is detachably provided in the concave portion 112. The electronic device side connector 10 is disposed inside the recess 112. When the electronic device connector 10 is not in use, the electronic device side connector 10 is covered to the outside by attaching the lid 114 to the recess 112. When the electronic device connector 10 is used, the electronic device side connector 10 is exposed to the outside by removing the lid 114 from the recess 112.
An accessory 200 described later is attached to the electronic device 100 via the electronic device-side connector 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electronic device-side connector 10 extends in a direction intersecting the first virtual axis 1002 (extends in a direction orthogonal to the present embodiment) for power supply or signal An electronic device side terminal surface 1006 provided so that the contact piece 1004 for receiving and receiving is located on the circumference centered on the first virtual axis 1002, and a mating connector provided in the vicinity of the electronic device side terminal surface 1006 The other connector is rotated in the circumferential direction around the first virtual axis 1002 by aligning the terminal surface of the connector with the electronic device side terminal surface 1006, and the contact piece 1004 and the contact piece of the other connector are electrically connected. And a guide portion for guiding the mating connector.
In this embodiment, the plate member 12 is attached to the bottom surface of the recess 112, the terminal plate 14 is attached to the plate member 12, and the cover 16 is disposed on the terminal plate 14 via the shaft member 18.
The plate member 12 includes a rectangular plate-shaped bottom plate 1202, two side plates 1204 erected from a pair of side portions of the bottom plate 1202, and two upper plates 1206 bent in directions close to each other from the upper edge of each side plate 1204. (Corresponding to the plate member in the claims).
The bottom plate 1202 is provided with a rectangular opening 1208.
An inner peripheral surface 1210 extending in an arc shape around the first imaginary axis 1002 is provided at a location where the two upper plates 1206 face each other, and the extending direction of the inner peripheral surface 1210 on the lower surface of each upper plate 1206 One end of each is provided with a convex portion 1212 projecting downward.

The terminal plate 14 includes a lower plate 1402 fitted in the opening 1208 and an upper plate 1404 provided on the lower plate 1402 and positioned on the bottom plate 1202 in a state where the lower plate 1402 is fitted in the opening 1208. And a hole 1406 is formed so as to pass through the center of the upper plate 1404 and the lower plate 1402.
In this embodiment, the central axis of the hole 1406 is a first virtual axis 1002, the upper surface of the upper plate 1402 is an electronic device side terminal surface 1006, and a plurality of contact pieces 1004 are provided. In this embodiment, these contact pieces 1004 are provided on the electronic device side terminal surface 1006 on the circumferences of different radii centering on the first virtual axis 1002, respectively, and on the radius of the smallest dimension, the contact pieces 1004 are provided. One contact piece 1004 is provided so as to extend on the circumference, and a plurality of contact pieces 1004 are provided on the radii of other dimensions at intervals in the circumferential direction.
In this embodiment, a contact area A1 in which a contact 1004 is provided in a fan-shaped area centering on the first virtual axis 1002 on the electronic device-side terminal surface 1006, and the first virtual axis 1002 is the center. The non-contact piece regions A2 in which the contact pieces 1004 are not provided in the fan-shaped region are alternately provided around the first virtual axis 1002 with an interval of 90 degrees.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1408 denotes a lead pin connected to the contact piece 1004 and protruding below the lower plate 1402, and the lead pin 1408 is connected to a flexible substrate (not shown) by soldering or the like. In this embodiment, the contact piece 1004 and the lead pin 1408 are made of a material obtained by plating an alloy of nickel and gold on copper.

The shaft member 18 is inserted into the hole 1406 and is rotatably supported by the hole 1406, a columnar intermediate portion 1804 provided at the upper end of the shaft portion 1802 and positioned on the electronic device side terminal surface 1006, The intermediate portion 1804 and the upper portion 1806 protrude from the electronic device side terminal surface 1006. The upper portion 1806 includes a cylindrical portion 1808 having an outer diameter larger than that of the intermediate portion 1804 and a protruding portion 1810 that protrudes from a side portion of the cylindrical portion 1808.
The cover 16 is disposed so that the intermediate portion 1804 is fitted and fixed in the central hole 1602 so as to rotate integrally with the shaft member 18 on the upper plate 1404, and the cover 16 has two fan shapes covering the contact area A1. Part 1604. These fan-shaped portions 1604 have a first position that covers the contact area A1 and exposes the non-contact area A2 by rotation of the cover 16, and a second position that exposes the contact area A1 and covers the non-contact area A2. It is provided to be in position.
In this embodiment, the cover 16 is made of polycarbonate, and when the accessory 200 is not used, the fan-shaped portion 1604 of the cover 16 is located at the first position and protects the contact piece 1004.

Next, the accessory 200 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the accessory 200 is a small camera having a small outer shape as compared with the electronic device 100, and this small camera has a direction different from that of the electronic device 100 at the same time as photographing the electronic device 100, for example. The same subject as that of the electronic device 100 or a different subject is photographed at a photographing magnification different from that of the electronic device 100.
The accessory 200 includes a rectangular plate-shaped case 202 that constitutes an exterior. A lens barrel 206 in which a photographing optical system 204 is incorporated is provided on the front surface of the case 202 so as to face the front.
In the case 202, there are an image sensor that captures a subject image guided by the imaging optical system 204, a signal processor that processes an image signal generated by the image sensor and outputs the processed image signal to the accessory-side connector 20 described later. Contained.
On the lower surface of the case 202, a columnar connecting portion 208 that protrudes downward is provided integrally with the case 202. The accessory-side connector 20 is rotatably connected to the lower portion of the connecting portion 208 around the central axis of the connecting portion 208. In the figure, reference numeral 210 denotes a fixing screw for fixing the accessory side connector 20 to the connecting portion 208.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the accessory-side connector 20 extends in a direction intersecting the second virtual axis 2002 (in the present embodiment, extends in the orthogonal direction) or for power supply or signal transmission / reception. Of the electronic device side connector 10 provided in the vicinity of the accessory side terminal surface 2006 and the accessory side terminal surface 2006 provided so that the contact piece 2004 for use is located on the circumference centering on the second virtual axis 2002 A circumferential direction centering on these virtual axes 1002 and 2002 by engaging the guide portion and aligning the accessory-side terminal surface 2006 with the electronic-device-side terminal surface 1006 so that the first virtual axis 1002 and the second virtual axis 2002 coincide with each other. Then, the accessory side connector 20 is rotated to be guided by the guide portion so as to electrically connect the contact piece 2004 and the contact piece 1004 of the electronic device side connector 10. And an engaging portion.
In the present embodiment, the accessory-side connector 20 has a columnar shaft-shaped member 22 connected to the lower portion of the connecting portion 208, and the tightening ring 24 is attached to the male screw 2202 formed on the lower outer periphery of the shaft-shaped member 22. Are screwed together. A shaft portion 26 having a diameter smaller than that of the shaft-shaped member 22 is provided at the lower end of the shaft-shaped member 22, and a terminal plate 28 is provided on a front end surface (lower end surface) 2602 of the shaft portion 26.
A hole portion 2604 is formed at the center of the tip end surface 2602 of the shaft portion 26 so as to engage with the upper portion 1806 of the shaft member 18. In this embodiment, the center axis of the hole portion 2604 is the second virtual axis. 2002. An outer peripheral surface 2606 centering on the second virtual shaft 2002 is formed at a position of the shaft-shaped member 22 away from the distal end surface 2602 of the shaft portion 26, and the outer peripheral surface 2606 is the inner periphery of the electronic device side connector 10. It is provided so as to be in contact with the surface 1210 and guided in the circumferential direction of the second virtual axis 2002.
The terminal plate 28 has a fan shape and is arranged at two positions 180 degrees symmetrical about the second virtual axis 2002, and the two terminal plates are in a state where the upper portion 1806 of the shaft member 18 is engaged with the hole 2604. 28 is configured to face the electronic device side terminal surface 1006 through a space between the two covers 16.
In this embodiment, the lower surface of the terminal plate 28 is an accessory side terminal surface 2006, a plurality of contact pieces 2004 are provided, and the contact piece 2004 is centered on the second virtual axis 2002 on the accessory side terminal surface 2006. A plurality of connection pins 2802 are provided on the circumferences of different radii. In this embodiment, a single connection pin 2802 is provided on the circumference of the radius having the smallest dimension, and a plurality of connection pins 2802 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction on the radius of the other dimension. Is provided.
Each connection pin 2802 protrudes downward from the accessory-side terminal surface 2006, and each connection pin 2802 is constantly urged in the protruding direction.
In this embodiment, the connection pin 2802 is made of a material obtained by plating a copper alloy with nickel and gold.
As shown in FIG. 6, the outer edge portion 2804 of each terminal plate 28 is located on the outer side of the outer periphery of the shaft portion 26 and on the inner side of the outer periphery of the shaft-shaped member 22. The outer edge portions 2804 of these terminal plates 28 are located below the lower surfaces of the pair of upper plates 1206 in a state where the upper portion 1806 of the shaft member 18 is engaged with the hole portion 2604, and the accessory-side connector 20 is connected to the cover 16. In addition, by rotating around the first virtual axis 1002 and the second virtual axis 2002, the outer edge portion 2804 is positioned below the pair of upper plates 1206 and a position between the pair of upper plates 1206. It is provided to become.
Further, the edge portion 2806 located on one side in the circumferential direction of the terminal plate 28 engages with the convex portion 1212 (corresponding to a stopper in the claims) of the electronic device-side connector 10, whereby the first side of the accessory-side connector 20. The rotation in the circumferential direction around the virtual axis 1002 and the second virtual axis 2002 is stopped at a rotation angle that electrically connects the connection pin 2802 and the contact piece 1004 of the electronic device-side connector 10. ing.
As shown in FIG. 6, the tightening ring 24 is in a state where the upper portion 1806 of the shaft member 18 is engaged with the hole portion 2604 and the outer edge portion 2804 of each terminal plate 28 faces the lower side of the pair of upper plates 1206. The pair of upper plates 1206 is sandwiched and fixed between the tightening ring 24 and each terminal plate 28 by being rotated so as to move downward. That is, the accessory side connector 20 is fixed to the electronic device side connector 10 by the tightening ring 24, and the accessory 200 is attached to the electronic device 100.
In this embodiment, the tightening ring 24, each terminal plate 28, and a pair of upper plates 1206 electrically connect the contact piece 1004 of the electronic device side connector 10 and the connection pin 2802 of the accessory side connector 20. A fixing means for detachably fixing both connectors is configured.
In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 2606 of the shaft portion 26 of the accessory-side connector 20 is in contact with each inner peripheral surface 1210 of the electronic device-side connector 10, and the upper portion 1806 of the shaft member 18 is engaged with the hole portion 2604. As a result, the accessory-side connector 20, in which the first virtual axis 1002 and the second virtual axis 2002 are matched, has its accessory-side terminal surface 2006 aligned with the electronic device-side terminal surface 1006 of the electronic device-side connector 10. In this state, when the accessory-side connector 20 is rotated in the circumferential direction around the first virtual axis 1002 and the second virtual axis 2002, the contact piece 1004 and the connection pin 2802 are electrically connected. Thus, the accessory-side connector 20 is guided.
Accordingly, the guide portions of the electronic device-side connector 10 are configured by the inner peripheral surfaces 1210 of the electronic device-side connector 10, and the guide portions of the electronic device-side connector 10 are also configured by the shaft member 18.
Moreover, the said engaging part of the accessory side connector 20 is comprised by the outer peripheral surface 2606 of the axial part 26 of the accessory side connector 20, and the said engaging part of the accessory side connector 20 is comprised also by the hole 2604. FIG.
Further, the electronic device side connector 10 and the accessory side connector 20 constitute an accessory shoe device.

Next, the contact piece 1004 of the electronic device side connector 10 and the connection pin 2802 of the accessory side connector 20 will be described in detail.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the contact pieces 1004 of the electronic device-side connector 10 are provided on three circumferences having different radii around the first virtual axis 1002, for a total of 14 pieces. ing. The signals assigned to each piece 1004 are as follows.
GND: ground level, Unreg: power supply, ID1, ID2: ID identification signal, MicRR: microphone signal (rear side right channel), MicFR: microphone signal (front side right channel), MicRL: microphone signal (rear side left channel), MicFL: Microphone signal (front left channel), MicGND: Microphone signal (ground level for microphone), Strobe: Strobe signal, USB +, USB-: USB signal (including imaging signal), Lanc: Various control signals, NC: Not yet use. Since the function of the signal assigned to each contact piece 1004 is not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted.
Further, the connection pins 2802 of the accessory-side connector 20 are provided on three circumferences having different radii around the second virtual axis 2002, respectively, and a total of 14 connection pins 2802 are provided. Corresponding one-to-one with the contact piece 1004. The signal assigned to each connection pin 2802 is the same as the signal assigned to each corresponding piece 1004.
The ID identification signal is for identifying the type of the accessory 20 from the electronic device 10 side. For example, a resistor having a predetermined resistance value set corresponding to the type of the accessory is provided between the terminal ID1 (connection pin 2802) and the GND level and between the ID2 (connection pin 2802) and the GND level. It is connected. In a state where the electronic device side connector 10 and the accessory side connector 20 are coupled, a detection signal of a predetermined voltage is applied to the terminals ID1 and ID2 from the electronic device 100, and the current flowing through these terminals ID1 and ID2 is treated as the ID identification signal. The accessory 200 is identified from the electronic device 100 according to the resistance value detected based on the ID identification signal.

Next, the usage method of the electronic device side connector 10 and the accessory side connector 20 is demonstrated.
When attaching the accessory 200 to the electronic device 100, the lid 114 is removed to expose the electronic device side connector 10 to the outside of the case 102, and the accessory side connector 20 is moved linearly toward the electronic device side terminal surface 1006. The outer peripheral surface 2606 of the shaft portion 26 of the accessory-side connector 20 is applied to each inner peripheral surface 1210 of the electronic device-side connector 10, and the hole portion 2604 of the accessory-side connector 20 is attached to the shaft member 18 of the electronic device-side connector 10. Engage. Thereby, the first virtual axis 1002 and the second virtual axis 2002 are matched, the accessory side terminal surface 2006 of the accessory side connector 20 is aligned with the electronic device side terminal surface 1006 of the electronic device side connector 10, and each connection The tip of the pin 2802 is in contact with the electronic device side terminal surface 1006.
In this state, when the accessory-side connector 20 is rotated in the circumferential direction around the first virtual axis 1002 and the second virtual axis 2002, the tips of the connection pins 2802 are connected to the electronic device-side terminal surface 1006 and the electronic devices. The fan-shaped portion 1604 of the cover 16 moves while being in sliding contact with the contact piece 1004 of the device-side terminal surface 1006, and is rotated together with the terminal plate 28 of the accessory-side connector 20 to rotate from the first position toward the second position. To do. When the fan-shaped portion 1604 reaches the second position, the edge portion 2806 of the terminal plate 28 comes into contact with the convex portion 1212 and the position of the accessory-side connector 20 in the rotational direction is positioned. Accordingly, each connection pin 2802 is electrically connected to each corresponding contact piece 1004.
Next, the accessory side connector 20 is fixed to the electronic device side connector 10 by rotating the tightening ring 24, and the accessory 200 is attached to the electronic device 100.
As a result, it is possible to simultaneously perform shooting with the accessory 200 and shooting with the electronic device 100. The imaging signal generated by the accessory 200 is transmitted as the USB signal from the accessory-side connector 20 to the electronic device 100 via the electronic device-side connector 10, and the electronic device 100 is necessary for the transmitted imaging signal. Perform signal processing.

When removing the accessory 200 from the electronic device 100, the fastening of the accessory side connector 20 and the electronic device side connector 10 is released by rotating the tightening ring 24.
Next, when the accessory-side connector 20 is rotated in the direction opposite to the above in the circumferential direction around the first virtual axis 1002 and the second virtual axis 2002, the fan-shaped portion 1604 of the cover 16 becomes the terminal plate of the accessory connector 20. Rotate with 28 and move from the second position to the first position. Thereby, the electrical continuity between each connection pin 2802 and each contact piece 1004 is released, and the terminal plate 28 of the accessory-side connector 20 is positioned between the pair of upper plates 1206.
In this state, the accessory-side connector 20 is linearly moved along the first virtual axis 1002 and the second virtual axis 2002 in a direction away from the electronic device-side terminal surface 1006, whereby the hole portion of the accessory-side connector 20 is obtained. The engagement between 2604 and the shaft member 18 of the electronic device-side connector 10 of the electronic device-side connector 10 is released, and the accessory 200 is removed from the electronic device 100.

According to the present embodiment, the accessory-side connector 20 is rotated with respect to the electronic device-side connector 10 in the circumferential direction around the first virtual axis 1002 and the second virtual axis 2002, so that both connectors are connected. Since the pieces are conducted, it is not necessary to secure a wide space for mounting the accessory-side connector 20 around the electronic-device-side connector 10, so that the electronic device 100 and the accessory 200 can be downsized, or electronic This is extremely advantageous in improving the design of the device 100 and the accessory 200.
Moreover, since both the contact pieces are made conductive by rotating the accessory-side connector 20 in the circumferential direction with respect to the electronic device-side connector 10, both the contact pieces are made conductive by sliding linearly as in the prior art. Compared to the structure to be made, a large number of contact pieces can be arranged in a limited space, which is advantageous in connecting various signals that increase in response to diversification of accessories. For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a large number of signals such as microphone signals, strobe signals, imaging signals, ID identification signals, and power supplies for four channels are exchanged between the electronic device 100 and the accessory 200. As the accessory 200, a microphone, a strobe device, a lighting device, a small camera, or the like can be used.

In the present embodiment, the stopper that stops the rotation of the accessory-side connector 20 in the circumferential direction around the first virtual axis 1002 is configured by the convex portion 1212 provided in the electronic device-side connector 10, but the stopper May be provided on the accessory-side connector 20, and the shape and location of such a stopper are arbitrary.
Needless to say, the fixing means is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and can be realized by various conventionally known mechanisms such as providing the electronic device 100 or the accessory 200 with a clip or a hook.
Further, the cover 16 may be omitted. In this case, the accessory-side terminal surface 2006 is directly provided on the distal end surface 2602 of the shaft-shaped member 22, but when the cover 16 is provided as in the embodiment, This is advantageous in protecting the contact piece 1004 when the accessory 200 is not used.
Further, in this embodiment, the guide portion is constituted by each inner peripheral surface 1210 of the electronic device side connector 10 and the shaft member 18, and the engaging portion is formed by the outer peripheral surface 2606 and the hole portion 2604 of the shaft portion 26 of the accessory side connector 20. However, various conventionally known mechanisms can be employed as the guide portion and the engaging portion.

Next, Example 2 will be described.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the electronic device is a mobile phone with a camera and the accessory is a strobe device.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an electronic device and accessories in the second embodiment, and the same or identical parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic device 300 includes a main body 302 provided with operation keys (not shown), and a lid 303 that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 302. A main display unit (not shown) is provided, and a sub display unit 304 and a lens barrel 308 incorporating a photographing optical system 306 are provided on the outer surface of the cover plate 303. The lid 303 is provided with an image sensor that captures a subject image guided by the imaging optical system 306, a signal processing unit that processes image data captured by the image sensor, a recording medium that records image data, and the like. Yes.
And the electronic device side connector 10 which concerns on this invention is provided in the side surface of the cover body 303. FIG.
The accessory 400 emits auxiliary light used at the time of photographing, and includes a cylindrical case 402 and a light emitting unit 404 incorporated in the case 402, and the accessory according to the present invention is provided at the end of the case 402. The side connector 20 is provided, and the electronic device side connector 10 and the accessory side connector 20 are coupled and released as in the first embodiment, so that the accessory 400 can be attached to and detached from the electronic device 300. Yes.
That is, by connecting the electronic device-side connector 10 and the accessory-side connector 20, power is supplied from the electronic device 300 to the accessory 400 through these connectors, and shooting is performed while the auxiliary light is emitted by the light emitting unit 404 of the accessory 400. Can be performed.
Also in the second embodiment, the same operational effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. By downsizing the electronic device side connector 10 and the accessory side connector 20, both the small electronic device 300 such as a mobile phone and the accessory 400 can be obtained. Thus, the accessory can be used even in a small electronic device that has been difficult to connect and use.

In each of the embodiments, the case where the accessory shoe device is applied to a video camera and a mobile phone with a camera is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various electronic devices such as a personal digital camera with a camera are used. Of course, the present invention can be applied to a stunt (PDA) or various image pickup apparatuses such as a digital still camera and a film camera.
In such an electronic device, as a medium for recording captured image data, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a hard disk, an IC card, a micro optical disk, or the like can be used.

It is the perspective view which looked at the electronic device of Example 1 from the front. It is a perspective view of the electronic device side connector provided in the electronic device. It is a disassembled perspective view of the electronic device side connector. It is a perspective view of an accessory. It is a perspective view of the accessory side connector provided in the accessory. It is sectional drawing which shows the state with which the electronic device side connector and the accessory side connector were couple | bonded. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship of the contact piece of an electronic device side connector, and the contact piece of an accessory side connector. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a mobile phone and accessories in Embodiment 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Electronic device, 200 ... Accessory, 10 ... Electronic device side connector, 20 ... Accessory side connector, 1002 ... First virtual axis, 1004 ... Contact piece, 1006 ... Electronic device side terminal surface, 2002 ... 2nd virtual axis, 2004 ... Contact piece, 2006 ... Accessory side terminal surface.

Claims (24)

An electronic device provided with an electronic device side connector having a contact piece for power supply or signal exchange,
The electronic device side connector is
An electronic device-side terminal surface that extends in a direction intersecting the virtual axis and is provided so that the contact piece for power supply or signal transmission is located on a circumference around the virtual axis;
Aligning the terminal surface of the mating connector with the terminal surface of the electronic device and aligning the terminal surface of the mating connector with the terminal surface of the electronic device, rotating the mating connector in the circumferential direction about the virtual axis, and A guide portion for guiding the mating connector so as to electrically connect the contact piece of the connector;
An electronic device comprising:   The guide portion is configured by a shaft member that is positioned on the virtual axis, protrudes from the electronic device side terminal surface, and is rotatably supported around the virtual axis on the electronic device side terminal surface. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that:   A plate member having an inner peripheral surface extending around the virtual axis is provided at a location away from the electronic device side terminal surface along the virtual axis, and the guide portion is configured by the inner peripheral surface. The electronic device according to claim 1.   The guide portion has a stopper that stops the rotation of the counterpart connector in the circumferential direction around the virtual axis at a rotation angle that electrically connects the contact piece and the contact piece of the counterpart connector. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the contact pieces provided on the electronic device-side terminal surface are respectively arranged on circumferences having different radii around the virtual axis.   2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of contact pieces provided on the electronic device side terminal surface are arranged on the circumference centered on the virtual axis at intervals in the circumferential direction. 3. machine.   The guide unit is configured by a shaft member that is positioned on the virtual axis, protrudes from the electronic device side terminal surface, and is supported on the electronic device side terminal surface so as to be rotatable around the virtual axis. The side terminal surface includes a contact area in which a plurality of the contact pieces are provided in a sector area centered on the virtual axis, and a non-contact area in which the contact pieces are not provided in a fan-shaped area centered on the virtual axis. A closed position that rotates integrally with the shaft member to cover the contact piece area and open the non-contact piece area; and an open position that opens the contact piece area and covers the non-contact piece area. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a cover serving as a position is provided.   2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing means for detachably fixing both the connectors in a state where the contact piece of the electronic device side connector and the contact piece of the counterpart connector are electrically connected. machine.   The case which comprises a case which constitutes the exterior of the electronic device is provided with a crevice, a lid which opens and closes the crevice is provided, and the connector is stored in the crevice and covered with the lid when not in use. 1. The electronic device according to 1.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an imaging device, and the connector on the other side is a connector of an accessory attached to the imaging device. An accessory that includes an accessory-side connector having a contact piece for power supply or signal exchange, and is coupled to an electronic device-side connector of an electronic device,
The accessory side connector is
An accessory-side terminal surface that extends in a direction intersecting the virtual axis and is provided so that the contact piece for power supply or signal transmission is located on a circumference around the virtual axis;
Provided in the vicinity of the accessory-side terminal surface, engages with the guide portion of the electronic device-side connector, aligns the accessory-side terminal surface with the terminal surface of the electronic device-side connector, and extends in the circumferential direction about the virtual axis. An engagement portion guided by the guide portion so that the accessory-side connector is rotated and the contact piece and the contact piece of the electronic device-side connector are electrically connected,
An accessory characterized by comprising.   The accessory according to claim 11, wherein the engaging portion is configured by a hole portion that is located on the virtual axis and is formed in the accessory-side terminal surface.   The accessory-side terminal surface is provided on a tip surface of a shaft-shaped member having the virtual axis as an axis, and extends around the virtual axis at a position of the shaft-shaped member that is separated from the accessory-side terminal surface. The accessory according to claim 11, wherein an outer peripheral surface is provided, and the guide portion is configured by the outer peripheral surface.   The engaging portion includes a stopper that stops the rotation in the circumferential direction around the virtual axis at a rotation angle that electrically connects the contact piece and the contact piece of the electronic device-side connector. The accessory according to claim 11.   The accessory according to claim 11, wherein the contact pieces provided on the accessory-side terminal surface are respectively arranged on circumferences having different radii centered on the virtual axis.   The accessory according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of contact pieces provided on the accessory-side terminal surface are arranged on the circumference centered on the virtual axis at intervals in the circumferential direction.   The accessory according to claim 11, wherein the contact piece includes a pin that is arranged so as to be able to appear and retract on the accessory-side terminal surface and is urged in a direction that always protrudes from the accessory-side terminal surface.   The accessory according to claim 11, further comprising a fixing means for detachably fixing both the connectors in a state where the contact piece of the electronic device side connector and the contact piece of the counterpart connector are electrically connected. .   The accessory according to claim 11, wherein the accessory-side connector is coupled to the accessory so as to be rotatable around the virtual axis.   The accessory according to claim 11, wherein the electronic device is an imaging device. An electronic device-side connector having a contact for power supply or signal exchange provided in the electronic device, and an accessory-side connector having a contact for power supply or signal exchange provided in an accessory attached to the electronic device. An accessory shoe device,
The electronic device-side connector extends in a direction intersecting the first virtual axis so that the power supply or signal transmission / reception contact piece is positioned in a circumferential direction centering on the first virtual axis. An electronic device side terminal surface provided on the electronic device side terminal surface, and the accessory side connector is provided in the vicinity of the first virtual axis with the terminal surface aligned with the electronic device side terminal surface. A guide portion that guides the accessory-side connector so as to rotate in the circumferential direction and electrically connect the contact piece and the contact piece of the accessory-side connector;
The accessory-side connector extends in a direction intersecting the second virtual axis so that the power supply or signal transmission / reception contact piece is positioned on a circumference centering on the second virtual axis. The accessory-side terminal surface provided and the accessory-side terminal surface that is provided in the vicinity of the accessory-side terminal surface and engages with the guide portion so that the accessory-side terminal surface is aligned with the terminal surface of the electronic device-side connector. The accessory side connector is rotated in a circumferential direction centering on these virtual axes with the axes aligned, and is guided by the guide portion so as to electrically connect the contact piece and the contact piece of the electronic device side connector. An engaging portion,
Furthermore, a fixing means for detachably fixing both connectors in a state where the contact piece of the electronic device side connector and the contact piece of the accessory side connector are electrically connected,
An accessory shoe device characterized by that.   The guide portion is configured by a shaft member that is positioned on the first virtual axis and protrudes from the electronic device side terminal surface and is rotatably supported around the virtual axis on the electronic device side terminal surface. The electronic device-side terminal surface includes a contact area in which a plurality of the contact pieces are provided in a fan-shaped area centered on the first virtual axis, and a contact area in the fan-shaped area centered on the virtual axis. A non-contact piece region that is not provided, rotates integrally with the shaft member, covers the contact piece region and opens the non-contact piece region, and opens the contact piece region and the non-contact portion. A cover serving as an open position covering the contact piece region is provided, and the accessory side terminal surface is a front end surface of a terminal plate attached to a front end surface of a shaft-shaped member having the second virtual axis as an axis. The engaging portion is located on the second imaginary axis and the tip of the shaft-shaped member is formed. The terminal plate has a fan shape, engages with the cover on the electronic device side terminal surface, and includes the contact piece of the electronic device side terminal surface together with the cover. The accessory shoe device according to claim 21, wherein the accessory shoe device is formed so as to cover an entire area within a circumference.   A plate member having an inner peripheral surface extending around the first virtual axis at a location away from the electronic device side terminal surface along the first virtual axis is provided, and the accessory side terminal surface is It is formed by the front end surface of the terminal board attached to the front end surface of the shaft-shaped member having the second virtual axis as an axis, and a male screw is formed on the outer periphery of the shaft-shaped member. Are screwed together so that the first imaginary axis and the second imaginary axis coincide with each other and the electronic device side terminal surface and the accessory side terminal surface are aligned, and the shaft-like shape is radially inward of the inner peripheral surface. The accessory shoe according to claim 21, wherein the plate member is clamped and fixed by a terminal plate and a male screw when the member is positioned and the male screw is tightened, and the fixing means is constituted by the plate member, the male screw member and the terminal plate. apparatus.   The accessory shoe device according to claim 21, wherein the electronic device is an imaging device.

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