JP2006185786A - Portable electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide portable electronic equipment having high durability without causing disconnection or contact failure of a wire between two casings rotating with respect to each other. <P>SOLUTION: A rotary holding mechanism 4 is adapted to rotatively connect an imaging-side casing 21 of an imaging part 2 to a body-side casing 31 of a body part 3. An imaging-side cylinder 120 and a body-side cylinder 220 can be rotated with respect to each other around the axis of the cylinders. Both the end faces of the body-side cylinder 220 are respectively sandwiched between an imaging-side fixed plate 110 and an imaging-side end plate 130 respectively fixed to the imaging-side cylinder 120 through two sheet members 161. Since respective pin-shaped terminals 240 respectively contact nearly vertically to peripheral surfaces of respective ring-like terminals 140 mounted to the imaging-side cylinder 120, contacts 242 of the respective pin-shaped terminals 240 slide on the peripheral surfaces of the respective ring-like terminals 140 even if the imaging-side cylinder 120 and the body-side cylinder 220 are rotated with respect to each other around the axis of the cylinders, whereby the electrical contact state between each pin-shaped terminals 240 and each ring-like terminal 140 is not changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device having parts that are rotatably held with respect to each other.

  As a portable electronic device that transmits and receives electrical signals between two parts that are rotatably held with respect to each other, a liquid crystal display device that displays an image picked up by the image pickup device is rotated with respect to the main body including the image pickup lens and the image pickup device. An imaging device configured to be supported is known (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-190364 A

  In this imaging apparatus, a flexible wiring is used for transmission and reception of electrical signals between the main body and a liquid crystal display device that is rotatably supported with respect to the main body. When the is repeatedly rotated, there is a risk of disconnection or poor contact in the wiring that is repeatedly bent.

(1) A portable electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image pickup side casing provided with an image pickup lens and an image pickup element, and a main body side case provided with a display device for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup element. A rotation holding means for holding the imaging side housing and the main body side housing so as to be rotatable without limiting the rotation angle with each other, and for transmitting and receiving an electrical signal between the imaging side housing and the main body side housing; The rotation holding means is characterized in that the sliding surface of the rotation holding mechanism is used as an electrical signal contact terminal.
(2) A portable electronic device according to a second aspect of the invention includes a main body side housing provided with an imaging lens and an imaging device, and a display side housing provided with a display device for displaying an image captured by the imaging device. A rotation holding means for holding the main body side housing and the display side housing in a rotatable manner without restricting the rotation angle with each other, and for transmitting and receiving an electrical signal between the main body side housing and the display side housing; The rotation holding means is characterized in that the sliding surface of the rotation holding mechanism is used as an electrical signal contact terminal.
(3) The invention of claim 3 is the portable electronic device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the contact terminal has a ring-shaped terminal having a ring shape and a pin shape in electrical contact with the ring-shaped terminal. It comprises at least one pair of terminals comprised by the pin-shaped terminal to exhibit.
(4) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable electronic device according to the first aspect, the rotation holding means is fixed to one of the imaging side casing and the main body side casing and has at least a ring shape. A first holding member having one ring-shaped terminal; and at least a pin shape fixed to one of the imaging-side housing and the main-body-side housing and in electrical contact with at least one ring-shaped terminal A second holding member having one pin-like terminal, and the rotation holding member restricts the imaging-side housing and the main body-side housing to a rotation angle with each other by the first holding member and the second holding member. It is characterized by holding without being provided with rotation.
(5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the portable electronic device according to the second aspect, at least the rotation holding means is fixed to one of the main body side casing and the display side casing and exhibits a ring shape. A first holding member having one ring-shaped terminal; and at least a pin shape fixed to either the main body-side housing or the display-side housing and in electrical contact with at least one ring-shaped terminal And a second holding member having one pin-like terminal, and the rotation holding member restricts the main body side housing and the display side housing to a rotation angle with each other by the first holding member and the second holding member. It is characterized by holding without being provided with rotation.
(6) According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the portable electronic device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the first holding member includes a plurality of ring-shaped terminals arranged along the rotation axis of the rotation holding means. The rotation holding means is held at a predetermined interval in the direction of the rotation axis so that they are not in electrical contact with each other.
(7) According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the portable electronic device according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, the pin-like terminal extends in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotation holding means. It contacts the ring-shaped terminal.
(8) The invention according to claim 8 is the portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the pin-shaped terminal extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotation holding means and contacts the ring-shaped terminal, The position where the pin-shaped terminals arranged adjacent to each other come into contact with the ring-shaped terminal is characterized in that the phase is shifted with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding means.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device that holds an imaging side casing and a main body side casing in a rotatable manner without restricting the rotation angle of each other, and the sliding surface of the rotation holding mechanism is an electrical signal contact. The terminal is provided with a rotation holding means for transmitting and receiving an electrical signal between the imaging side casing and the main body side casing. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device which holds the main body side housing and the display side housing so that the main body side housing and the display side housing can be rotated without any limitation on the rotation angle. As the contact terminal, a rotation holding means for transmitting and receiving an electric signal between the main body side casing and the display side casing is provided. Thus, an electrical signal can be exchanged between the two casings that rotate with each other without using a flexible flexible substrate or a normal coated wiring between the two casings that rotate with each other. Therefore, there is no occurrence of wire breakage or poor contact between the two housings that rotate with each other, and the durability of the rotation holding means can be enhanced.

  A first embodiment of a portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a digital camera as an example of a portable electronic device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera. The digital camera 1 is a digital still camera in which an imaging unit 2 and a main body unit 3 are rotatably connected by a rotation holding mechanism 4 described later. 1A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the digital camera 1 is not used, that is, a state in which the imaging unit 2 is housed, and FIG. 1B is a state in which a front subject is photographed, that is, the front It is a figure which shows the state which rotated the imaging part 2 so that a to-be-photographed object might be imaged.

  The imaging unit 2 includes a photographic lens 11 and an imaging element (not shown) (for example, a CCD) inside a casing (imaging side casing) 21. In the main body 3, a shutter button 15 is provided on the upper part of a housing (main body side housing) 31, and a liquid crystal monitor 16, a menu button 17, and a zoom button 18 are provided on the back surface of the main body side housing 31. It has been. Further, the main body 3 is provided with a control circuit (not shown) that performs control related to imaging of the digital camera 1. The liquid crystal monitor 16 functions as an electronic viewfinder that displays an image of a subject during shooting. That is, a through image of the subject is displayed. The captured image (freeze image) is also displayed. Further, it is also used when images captured in the past stored in a memory (not shown) in the digital camera 1 are reproduced on the digital camera 1. That is, a reproduced image is displayed. Furthermore, it is also used when various menu screens are displayed and various modes are set. When setting the mode or the like, the various buttons described above are used.

--- Structure of rotation holding mechanism 4 ---
As described above, the rotation holding mechanism 4 rotatably connects the imaging unit 2 and the main body 3, that is, the imaging side casing 21 and the main body side casing 31. The rotation holding mechanism 4 can exchange electric signals between the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3. Hereinafter, details of the rotation holding mechanism 4 will be described. 3A to 3C are views showing the appearance of the rotation holding mechanism 4, FIGS. 4A and 4B are sectional views of the rotation holding mechanism 4, and FIG. FIG. FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the rotation holding mechanism 4. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the imaging unit 2 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees from a non-use state with respect to the main body unit 3. FIG. FIG. 6B is a non-use state in which the angle formed by the image pickup unit 2 and the main body unit 3 is approximately 0 degrees, or when the image pickup unit 2 is rotated by approximately 180 degrees from the non-use state. It is a figure which shows the state of. The rotation holding mechanism 4 includes an imaging side fixing plate 110, an imaging side cylinder 120, an imaging side end plate 130, a main body side fixing plate 210, and a main body side cylinder 220.

  The imaging-side fixing plate 110 is provided with an extending portion 112 extending in one direction in the radial direction around the opening 111 and in the opposite direction with respect to the ring-shaped member having the opening 111 in the center. It is a plate-shaped member. The end portions 112a of the extending portions 112 are bent at substantially right angles in the same direction. The imaging side fixing plate 110 is fixed to the imaging side casing 21. The imaging-side cylinder 120 is a cylindrical member having a radial direction centered on the axis of the cylinder on the outer periphery of one end of the cylinder and a flange portion 121 protruding in the opposite direction, and is made of an insulating material such as resin. Consists of the body.

  The cylindrical portion of the imaging side cylinder 120 has a stepped shape with different outer diameters. That is, the cylindrical portion of the imaging-side cylinder 120 includes a cylindrical portion 122 on the end portion side where the flange portion 121 is provided, and a cylindrical portion 123 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the cylindrical portion 122. The flange portion 121 is provided with a through-hole. A cylindrical portion of the imaging-side cylinder 120 is inserted into the opening 111 of the imaging-side fixing plate 110, and a screw 115 inserted through the through-hole of the flange portion 121 is fixed on the imaging side. The imaging side fixing plate 110 and the imaging side cylinder 120 are coupled by being screwed to the plate 110. Therefore, the imaging-side cylinder 120 is fixed to the imaging-side casing 21 via the imaging-side fixing plate 110. Note that the end 112a of the imaging-side fixing plate 110 faces in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the imaging-side cylinder 120 with respect to the opening 111.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123, there are four convex portions 124 projecting about 120 degrees around the axis of the cylindrical portion 123 at a predetermined interval along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 123, a total of 12 locations. Is provided. A ring-shaped terminal 140 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123. The cylindrical portion 123 has a hole 126 penetrating the cylindrical portion 123 at a position adjacent to the convex portion 124 at the same position as the position where the ring-shaped terminal 140 is attached. It is provided at intervals.

  The ring-shaped terminals 140 are held on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 123 so as not to be in electrical contact with each other. In the present embodiment, four ring-shaped terminals 140 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123. As will be described later, a locking pin 150 that passes through the hole 126 of the cylindrical portion 123 is fitted into a hole 141 provided in each ring-shaped terminal 140. Thereby, one end of each locking pin 150 is in a state of being electrically and mechanically connected to each ring-shaped terminal 140. One end of each of the four wires 151 is connected to the other end of each locking pin 150. The other end of each wiring 151 is connected to each component provided in the imaging unit 2 such as an imaging device.

  An imaging side end plate 130 having an opening in the center is attached to the opening end side of the cylindrical portion 123, that is, the end portion opposite to the end side where the flange portion 121 of the imaging side cylinder 120 is provided by screws 135. It is done. As will be described later, when the imaging side end plate 130 is attached to the opening end of the cylindrical portion 123, the imaging side end plate 130 comes into contact with one end portion of the main body side cylinder 220 via the sheet member 161 and images the main body side cylinder 220. The movement of the side cylinder 120 in the thrust direction is restricted.

  The main body side fixing plate 210 has a shape similar to that of the imaging side fixing plate 110 and has a ring-shaped member having an opening 211 at the center, and a radial direction centered on the opening 211 and a direction opposite thereto. It is a plate-like member provided with an extending portion 212 that extends. The end portions 212a of the extending portions 212 are bent at substantially right angles in the same direction. The main body side fixing plate 210 is fixed to the main body side casing 31.

  The main body side cylinder 220 has two divided cylinders 221 and 222 that are divided into two by a plane parallel to the axis of the cylinder. Each of the divided cylinders 221 and 222 is made of an insulator such as resin. Circumferential ridges 223 and 224 are provided on inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of each of the divided cylinders 221 and 222. The top of the ridge 223, that is, the portion corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the ridge 223 formed in a circumferential shape is slidably in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 122 of the imaging side cylinder 120. Further, the top portion of the ridge 224, that is, the portion corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the ridge 224 formed in a circumferential shape slidably contacts the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123 of the imaging-side cylinder 120. Accordingly, the inner diameter of the protrusion 223 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 122 of the imaging side cylinder 120, and the inner diameter of the protrusion 224 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 123 of the imaging side cylinder 120. The inner diameter of the protrusion 223 is larger than the inner diameter of the protrusion 224.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the divided cylinder 221, a protrusion (housing) 225 is provided in parallel with the axis of the cylinder. The housing portion 225 is provided with a pin-shaped terminal holding portion 226 having a stepped hole shape penetrating from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface of the divided cylinder 221. Since the pin-shaped terminal holding portion 226 includes four pin-shaped terminals 240 and four springs 250 that urge the pin-shaped terminals 240 toward the outer peripheral surface of each ring-shaped terminal 140, the pin-shaped terminal holding portion 226 is described later. It is processed so that the diameter on the inner peripheral surface side of the divided cylinder 221 is increased so that the contact of the pin-shaped terminal 240 can be accommodated.

  The pin-shaped terminal 240 is accommodated in the pin-shaped terminal holding portion 226 together with the spring 250. The pin-shaped terminal 240 is biased so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of each ring-shaped terminal 140 substantially perpendicularly by the biasing force of the spring 250. That is, the pin-shaped terminal 240 is disposed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 4.

  The pin-shaped terminal 240 is a shaft-shaped contact member, and a contact 242 having a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion 241 is provided at one end of the shaft portion 241. As described above, the pin-shaped terminal 240 is disposed on the pin-shaped terminal holding portion 226 of the housing portion 225 from the inside of the divided cylinder 221 together with the spring 250, and the ring-shaped terminal 140 is connected to the contact 242 by the biasing force of the spring 250. It is in contact with the outer peripheral surface substantially perpendicularly. The other end 241 a of the shaft portion 241 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the housing portion 225. One end of the wiring 251 is connected to the other end 241 a of the pin-shaped terminal 240. The other end of the wiring 251 is connected to a control circuit (not shown) that is provided in the main body 3 and performs control related to imaging of the digital camera 1.

  A flange portion 227 is provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the divided cylinders 221 and 222. The flange portion 227 is provided with a through-hole, and the main body side cylinder 220 is inserted into the opening 211 of the main body side fixing plate 210 from the ridge 223 side, and the screw 215 inserted through the through hole of the flange portion 227 is the main body. The main body side fixing plate 210 and the main body side cylinder 220 are coupled by being screwed to the side fixing plate 210. Therefore, the main body side cylinder 220 is fixed to the main body side casing 31 via the main body side fixing plate 210. The end portion 212a of the main body side fixing plate 210 is in a state opposite to the insertion direction of the main body side cylinder 220 with respect to the opening 211, and is opposite to the end portion 112a of the imaging side fixing plate 110. .

  The divided cylinders 221 and 222 of the main body side cylinder 220 are attached to the imaging side cylinder 120 so as to cover the cylindrical portions 122 and 123 of the imaging side cylinder 120 from the outside. In other words, the cylindrical portions 122 and 123 of the imaging side cylinder 120 are inserted into the main body side cylinder 220. As described above, the top of the protrusion 223 is slidably in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 122 of the imaging-side cylinder 120, and the top of the protrusion 224 slides with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123 of the imaging-side cylinder 120. Abuts as possible. Therefore, the imaging side cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder 220 can rotate around the axis of the cylinder. In addition, the imaging side cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder 220 mutually restrict the movement of the counterpart side in the radial direction.

  As described above, each pin-shaped terminal 240 provided in the housing portion 225 of the main body side cylinder 220 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of each ring-shaped terminal 140 provided in the imaging side cylinder 120 substantially perpendicularly. When the imaging side cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder 220 are rotated around the axis of the cylinder, the contact 242 of each pin-shaped terminal 240 slides on the outer peripheral surface of each ring-shaped terminal 140. That is, each ring-shaped terminal 140 and each pin-shaped terminal 240 constitute four terminal pairs, and the sliding surfaces of each ring-shaped terminal 140 and each pin-shaped terminal 240 are electrical signal contacts. . Even if the imaging side cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder 220 are rotated around the axis of the cylinder, there is no change in the electrical contact state between each pin-shaped terminal 240 and each ring-shaped terminal 140. Therefore, regardless of the rotational positions of the imaging side cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder 220, the wiring 151 on the imaging unit 2 side connected to the ring-shaped terminals 140 via the pins 150 and the pin-shaped terminals 240 are connected. Each connected wiring 251 on the main body 3 side is kept in an electrically connected state.

  The divided cylinders 221 and 222 of the main body side cylinder 220 have an imaging side fixing plate 110 and an imaging side end plate 130 whose both end surfaces are respectively fixed to the imaging side cylinder 120 via two sheet members 161. It is pinched by. Therefore, the imaging side cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder 220 mutually restrict movement in the thrust direction of the other party. The imaging side fixing plate 110 and the imaging side end plate 130 sandwich the divided cylinders 221 and 222 via the sheet member 161, so that the imaging side cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder 220 are centered on the axis of the cylinder. A frictional force is appropriately generated with respect to the rotation of the imaging side cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder 220 while allowing the rotation. Thereby, when rotating the image pick-up part 2 and the main-body part 3 rotatably connected by the rotation holding mechanism 4, an appropriate operational feeling can be obtained and the main-body part 3 held by the photographer or the like can be obtained. The image pickup unit 2 can be prevented from rotating freely due to gravity.

--- Fixing the ring-shaped terminal 140 to the imaging side cylinder 120 ---
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the ring-shaped terminal 140. As described above, the ring-shaped terminal 140 is provided with the through-hole (hole) 141 extending from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface. On the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped terminal 140, a notch 142 is provided approximately every 120 degrees from the center of the ring-shaped terminal 140. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped terminal 140 is substantially equal to the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123 of the imaging side cylinder 120. The shape of the cutout portion 142 is substantially equal to the shape of the convex portion 124 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123 of the imaging side cylinder 120.

  The ring-shaped terminal 140 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 123 of the imaging side cylinder 120 as follows. As shown in FIG. 8A, the ring-shaped terminal 140 is placed in a state where the position of the notch 142 of the ring-shaped terminal 140 is aligned with the position of the convex portion 124 provided in the cylindrical portion 123 of the imaging-side cylinder 120. It is moved in the axial direction of the imaging side cylinder 120 and attached to the cylindrical portion 123. At this time, the convex part 124 of the cylindrical part 123 passes through the notch part 142 of the ring-shaped terminal 140. Accordingly, the ring-shaped terminal 140 moves until the side surface of the ring-shaped terminal 140 contacts the side surface of the convex portion 124 until it contacts the position where the step between the cylindrical portion 122 and the cylindrical portion 123 occurs, that is, the end surface 122a of the cylindrical portion 122. Is possible.

  After the ring-shaped terminal 140 is moved to a position where it abuts on the end surface 122a of the cylindrical portion 122, as shown in FIG. 8B, the ring-shaped terminal 140 is rotated around the axis of the cylindrical portion 123. The position of the hole 141 of the ring-shaped terminal 140 is matched with the position of the hole 126 of the cylindrical portion 123. In this state, as shown in FIG. 8C, the pin 150 is inserted into the holes 126 and 141 from the inside of the cylindrical portion 123. When the pin 150 is inserted into the holes 126 and 141, the pin 150 is fixed to the holes 126 and 141 with a frictional force. In the ring-shaped terminal 140, the rotational movement of the cylindrical portion 123 with respect to the shaft is restricted by the locking pin 150 penetrating the hole 126, and the axial movement of the cylindrical portion 123 is restricted by the end surface 122a and the convex portion 124.

  Similarly to the above description, the remaining three ring-shaped terminals 140 can be fixed between the adjacent convex portions 124 (FIG. 8D). Accordingly, the four ring-shaped terminals 140 are held at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 123 so as not to be in electrical contact with each other on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123. The interval between the ring-shaped terminals 140 is equal to the axial width of the cylindrical portion 123 with respect to the convex portion 124.

  The rotation holding mechanism 4 configured as described above has a structure in which the rotation angle between the imaging side cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder 220 is not electrically and mechanically restricted, and thus the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3 are mutually connected. It is possible to rotate without limiting the rotation angle. Regardless of the rotation positions of the imaging unit 2 and the main body 3, the wirings 151 on the imaging unit 2 side and the wirings 251 on the main body 3 side are kept electrically connected. . Note that the number of wires for transmitting and receiving electrical signals between the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3 is four as is apparent from the above description.

The digital camera 1 described above has the following operational effects.
(1) The imaging unit 2 and the main body 3 are rotatably held by the rotation holding mechanism 4, the ring terminals 140 provided on the imaging side cylinder 120 of the rotation holding mechanism 4, and the housing of the main body side cylinder 220. The sliding surface with each pin-shaped terminal 240 provided in the part 225 was used as a contact point for electrical signals. Thereby, an electrical signal can be exchanged between the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3 without using a flexible flexible substrate or a normal coated wiring between the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3. Therefore, no disconnection of wiring or poor contact occurs between the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3, and the durability of the rotation holding mechanism 4 can be improved. In addition, since the imaging unit 2 and the main body 3 can be rotatably held without any limitation on the rotation angle, the degree of freedom of the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the imaging unit 2 with respect to the main body 3 is increased, and the operability is improved. improves.

(2) Each ring-shaped terminal 140 provided on the imaging-side cylinder 120 and each pin-shaped terminal 240 provided on the housing portion 225 of the main body-side cylinder 220 constitute a terminal pair. Thereby, since an electrical signal can be exchanged between the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3 with a simple structure, the rotation holding mechanism 4 can be realized at low cost.

(3) The imaging side cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder are constituted by the imaging side cylinder 120 provided with the ring-shaped terminal 140 and the main body side cylinder 220 provided with the pin-shaped terminal 240 electrically contacting the ring-shaped terminal 140. 220 are configured to be rotatable with respect to each other. The imaging side cylinder 120 is fixed to the imaging unit 2 via the imaging side fixing plate 110, and the main body side cylinder 220 is fixed to the main body unit 3 via the main body side fixing plate 210. Accordingly, the imaging unit cylinder 120 and the main body side cylinder 220 that are rotatable around the axis of the cylinder hold the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3 so as to be rotatable without any limitation on the rotation angle. At the same time, electrical signals can be exchanged between the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3. That is, the durability of the digital camera 1 can be achieved because the image pickup unit 2 and the main body unit 3 can be mechanically and electrically connected to each other without any limitation on the rotation angle by the rotation holding mechanism 4 composed of simple parts. The manufacturing cost can be suppressed at a low cost.

(4) The convex portions 124 provided on the cylindrical portion 123 of the imaging-side cylinder 120 are configured so that the adjacent ring-shaped terminals 140 are arranged at predetermined intervals so as not to make electrical contact. Thereby, since it is not necessary to interpose another insulator etc. between the adjacent ring-shaped terminals 140, a number of parts can be reduced and manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Moreover, since the accuracy of the arrangement position of the ring-shaped terminal 140 is improved, poor contact between the ring-shaped terminal 140 and the pin-shaped terminal 240 can be prevented, and the reliability of the rotation holding mechanism 4 can be improved.

(5) The pin-shaped terminal 240 extending in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 4 is configured to contact the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped terminal 140 perpendicularly. As a result, since the counterpart terminal is not provided on the side surface of the ring-shaped terminal 140, the plurality of ring-shaped terminals 140 can be disposed close to each other, so that the length of the rotation holding mechanism 4 in the rotation axis direction is shortened. The rotation holding mechanism 4 can be downsized.

--- Second Embodiment ---
With reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C, a second embodiment of the portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different points will be mainly described. In the digital camera of the present embodiment, the number of wirings for transmitting and receiving electrical signals between the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3 is ten.

  9A is a side view of the rotation holding mechanism 5, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the rotation holding mechanism 5, and FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 9B. It is an arrow view. In the rotation holding mechanism 5, pin-like terminals 240 are disposed on the divided cylinders 221 and 222 of the main body side cylinder 220. Unlike the rotation holding mechanism 4 according to the first embodiment, the pin-like terminal 240 is disposed at a phase shifted with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 5.

  In order to bring the pin-shaped terminal 240 contact 242 into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped terminal 140 by the biasing force of the spring 250, the split cylinders 221 and 222 have a pin-shaped terminal holding portion for holding the pin-shaped terminal 240 and the spring 250. 226 needs to be provided. In order to provide a plurality of pin-shaped terminal holding portions 226 in the divided cylinders 221, 222, it is necessary to separate them by a predetermined interval so that adjacent pin-shaped terminal holding portions 226 do not interfere with each other. However, when the pin-shaped terminal holding portion 226 is disposed in parallel with the axis of the cylinder as in the rotation holding mechanism 4 of the first embodiment, the divided cylinder 221 is increased by the amount of the pin-shaped terminal holding portion 226 increased. , 222 becomes longer in the axial direction.

  Therefore, if the pin-shaped terminal holding portion 226 is disposed with the phase shifted with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 5 as in the rotation holding mechanism 5 of the present embodiment, the axial length of the divided cylinders 221 and 222 is increased. The increase in height can be minimized. That is, in the rotation holding mechanism 5 of the present embodiment, the position where the pin-shaped terminal 240 arranged adjacent to the ring-shaped terminal 140 is out of phase with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 5.

  In the rotation holding mechanism 5 according to the present embodiment, the phase is sequentially set at a predetermined angle with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 5 so that the pin-shaped terminal holding portions 226 are spirally arranged with respect to the divided cylinders 221 and 222. The pin-shaped terminal holding part 226 is disposed in a state where it is shifted only by that amount. In addition, since the pin-shaped terminal holding portions 226 adjacent to each other need only be separated by a predetermined interval by shifting the phase with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 5, as described above, the arrangement of the pin-shaped terminal holding portions 226 is provided. It is not essential to shift the position by the same angle sequentially in the same direction with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 5. For example, the phase of the arrangement position of the pin-shaped terminal holding part 226 may be alternately shifted in different directions with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 5. Since the other ring-shaped terminal 140 with which the pin-shaped terminal 240 contacts has a ring-shaped outer shape, if the adjacent pin-shaped terminal holding portions 226 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, The pin-shaped terminal holding portion 226 can be provided at any angular position of the divided cylinders 221 and 222 with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 5.

The digital camera 1 according to the second embodiment described above has the following effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.
(1) The position where the pin-shaped terminals 240 arranged adjacent to each other contact the ring-shaped terminal 140 is configured such that the phase is shifted with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 5. Thereby, since the increase in the axial length of the rotation holding mechanism 5 can be minimized, the rotation holding mechanism 5 can be downsized. Therefore, the digital camera 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

---- Modified example ---
(1) In the above description, the pin-like terminal 240 extending in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 4 is configured to contact the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped terminal 140 perpendicularly. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a plate-like terminal 340 is used instead of the pin-like terminal 240, and the plate-like terminal 340 is configured to contact the outer peripheral surface of the ring-like terminal 140 by the elastic force of the plate-like terminal 340. You can also However, in such a configuration, the length L of the plate-like terminal 340 becomes long, so that the configuration described above is desirable from the viewpoint of miniaturization.

(2) In the above description, the pin-like terminal 240 extending in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 4 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped terminal 140 perpendicularly. It is not limited to this. For example, the pin-shaped terminal 240 that extends in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotation holding mechanism 4 may be configured to contact the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped terminal 140 perpendicularly. In this case, it is necessary to fix the ring-shaped terminal 140 to the imaging-side cylinder 120 by holding the ring-shaped terminal 140 from the outer peripheral surface or side surface of the ring-shaped terminal 140.

(3) In the above description, the imaging-side cylinder 120 having the ring-shaped terminal 140 is fixed to the imaging unit 2 via the imaging-side fixing plate 110, and the body-side cylinder 220 having the pin-like terminal 240 is the body-side fixing plate 210. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the imaging side cylinder 120 having the ring-shaped terminal 140 is fixed to the main body 3 and the main body side cylinder 220 having the pin-shaped terminal 240 is fixed to the imaging unit 2 so as to be opposite to the above description. You may comprise.

(4) In the above description, the rotation holding mechanisms 4 and 5 are provided with the image pickup side casing 21 provided with the taking lens 11 and the image pickup device, and the control circuit for controlling the image pickup of the liquid crystal monitor 16 and the digital camera 1. Although the provided main body side casing 31 is rotatably connected, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, like a known digital video camera, a display-side housing provided with a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor, and a body-side housing provided with a photographing lens 1, an image sensor, a control circuit for controlling imaging, and the like. The rotation holding mechanisms 4 and 5 may be used in a portable electronic device having the above. In addition to a digital camera and a digital video camera, one part where an image sensor and / or a liquid crystal display device is provided is used as the other part, such as a camera-equipped mobile phone, a camera-equipped personal digital assistant, and a notebook personal computer. You may apply this invention to the portable electronic device attached so that rotation with respect to a site | part is possible.

(5) In the following description, the number of wires for transmitting and receiving electrical signals between the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3 is four or ten, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of wirings for transmitting and receiving electrical signals between the imaging unit 2 and the main body unit 3 may be any number as long as it is one or more.
(6) The above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined.

  In the above embodiments and modifications, for example, the rotation holding means corresponds to the rotation holding mechanisms 4 and 5. The first holding member is realized by the imaging side cylinder 120 and the imaging side fixing plate 110. The second holding member is realized by the main body side cylinder 220 and the main body side fixing plate 210. The above description is merely an example, and when interpreting the invention, there is no limitation or restriction on the correspondence between the items described in the above embodiment and the items described in the claims.

1 is a perspective view of a digital camera 1 that is an example of a portable electronic device according to the present invention, (a) is a diagram showing a non-use state of the digital camera 1, and (b) is a state of photographing a subject in front. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the rotation holding mechanism 4, (a) is the figure seen from the back side of the digital camera 1, (b) is the figure seen from the imaging part 2 side, (c) is a figure. It is the figure seen from the main-body part 3 side. It is sectional drawing of the rotation holding mechanism 4, (a) is sectional drawing seen from the back side of the digital camera 1, (b) is an AA arrow directional view of (a). FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the rotation holding mechanism 4. It is a perspective view of the rotation holding mechanism 4, (a) is a figure which shows the state by which the imaging part 2 was rotated about 90 degree | times from the non-use state with respect to the main-body part 3, (b) is an imaging part. 2 is a diagram illustrating a non-use state in which the angle formed between the main body unit 3 and the main body unit 3 is approximately 0 degrees, or a state when the imaging unit 2 is rotated approximately 180 degrees from the non-use state. 3 is a perspective view of a ring-shaped terminal 140. FIG. It is a figure explaining a mode that the ring-shaped terminal 140 is fixed with respect to the imaging side cylinder 120, (a) is a figure which shows the state which moves the ring-shaped terminal 140 to the axial direction of the cylindrical part 123, (b ) Is a diagram showing a state in which the ring-shaped terminal 140 is rotated around the axis of the cylindrical portion 123, and (c) is a diagram showing a state in which the pin 150 is inserted into the holes 126, 141. d) is a diagram showing a state in which four ring-shaped terminals 140 are mounted. It is a figure which shows the rotation holding mechanism 5 of the digital camera of 2nd Embodiment, (a) is the figure seen from the back side of the digital camera, (b) was seen from the back side of the digital camera. It is sectional drawing, (c) is a BB arrow line view of (b). It is a figure which shows a modification. It is a figure which shows a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Imaging part 3 Main body part 4, 5 Rotation holding mechanism 11 Imaging lens 16 Display monitor 21 Imaging side housing 31 Main body side housing 110 Imaging side fixing plate 120 Imaging side cylinder 122, 123 Cylindrical part 124 Convex part 130 Imaging Side end plate 140 Ring-shaped terminal 150 Locking pin 151, 251 Wiring 210 Main body side fixing plate 220 Main body side cylinder 221, 222 Split cylinder 240 Pin-shaped terminal 250 Spring

Claims (8)

An imaging side housing provided with an imaging lens and an imaging device;
A main body side housing provided with a display device for displaying an image captured by the image sensor;
Rotation that holds the imaging-side casing and the main body-side casing in a rotatable manner without restricting the rotation angle with each other, and transmits and receives electrical signals between the imaging-side casing and the main body-side casing Holding means,
The portable electronic device, wherein the rotation holding means uses a sliding surface of a rotation holding mechanism as a contact terminal for the electric signal. A main body side housing provided with an imaging lens and an imaging device;
A display-side housing provided with a display device for displaying an image captured by the image sensor;
Rotation that holds the main body-side housing and the display-side housing in a rotatable manner without restricting the rotation angle with each other, and transmits and receives electrical signals between the main body-side housing and the display-side housing. Holding means,
The portable electronic device, wherein the rotation holding means uses a sliding surface of a rotation holding mechanism as a contact terminal for the electric signal. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The contact terminal is constituted by at least a pair of terminals constituted by a ring-shaped terminal having a ring shape and a pin-shaped terminal having a pin shape in electrical contact with the ring-shaped terminal. Electronics. The portable electronic device according to claim 1,
The rotation holding means is fixed to one of the imaging side casing and the main body side casing, and includes a first holding member having at least one ring-shaped terminal having a ring shape, and the imaging side casing. And a second holding member having at least one pin-shaped terminal fixed to the other of the body and the main body-side housing and having a pin shape in electrical contact with the at least one ring-shaped terminal. ,
The rotation holding member holds the imaging side housing and the main body side housing rotatably by the first holding member and the second holding member without restricting the rotation angle with each other. Features portable electronic devices. The portable electronic device according to claim 2,
The rotation holding means is fixed to one of the main body side housing and the display side case, and has a first holding member having at least one ring-shaped terminal having a ring shape, and the main body side housing. And a second holding member having at least one pin-shaped terminal fixed to the other of the body and the display-side casing and having a pin shape in electrical contact with the at least one ring-shaped terminal. ,
The rotation holding member holds the main body-side housing and the display-side housing rotatably by the first holding member and the second holding member without limiting the rotation angle with each other. Features portable electronic devices. The portable electronic device according to claim 4 or 5,
The first holding member has a plurality of ring-shaped terminals arranged along the rotation axis of the rotation holding means in a predetermined direction in the rotation axis direction of the rotation holding means so that they are not in electrical contact with each other. A portable electronic device characterized by being held at intervals. In the portable electronic device as described in any one of Claims 3-6,
The portable electronic device, wherein the pin-shaped terminal extends in a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis of the rotation holding means and contacts the ring-shaped terminal. The portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein
The pin-shaped terminal extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotation holding means and contacts the ring-shaped terminal,
The position where the pin-shaped terminal disposed adjacent to the ring-shaped terminal is out of phase with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation holding means.

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