JP2006301444A - Waterproof case - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof case which can be moved to a first position and a second position within a limited space by making it possible to operate a slide switch from the external so as to slide it. <P>SOLUTION: The waterproof case (2) provided with a switch operation means (20) for operating the slide switch (7) of a digital camera (1) from the outside of a case body or a cover body is constituted of: a cam component (25) having a first cam part and a second cam part located in the case body or the cover body; a first shape member (24) forming a first abutting part (24c) abutting on the slide switch (7) and allowed to be slid by the first cam part; a second shape member (23) forming a second abutting part (23c) abutting on the slide switch (7) and allowed to be slid by the second cam part; and a compression coil spring (28) for energizing the first shape member (24) and the second shape member (23) so that both the members (24), (23) may be separated from each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof case used when a normal optical device is used for underwater photography, for example.

  Underwater photography cameras dedicated to underwater photography have been put into practical use as optical devices. Such a camera for underwater photography is for professionals and is expensive. In view of this, a waterproof case designed exclusively for use in underwater photography of an ordinary compact camera, digital camera, or digital video camera has been put into practical use for each model.

According to these waterproof cases, there is provided an operating means for loading the lens portion of the specified optical device so as to face the glass lens surface of the case and pressing the push switch and the slide switch of the optical device from the outside of the waterproof case. It has been. (Patent Document 1)
JP2003-15207A.

  For example, according to a digital camera which is an optical device, a plurality of push switches and slide switches are arranged on the back surface on which the liquid crystal display unit is provided. However, a recent trend has been to increase the area of the liquid crystal display unit. On the other hand, digital cameras themselves are becoming increasingly smaller.

  As a result, the installation area of the push switch and the slide switch disposed on the rear surface of the camera becomes the remaining part of the liquid crystal display unit, and the push switch and the slide switch are adjacent to each other depending on the model.

  When such a model is used in a waterproof case, it may not be possible to externally operate the slide switch for the stroke even if the push switch can be pressed from the outside. is there.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even when the slide switch is provided within a limited installation area, the slide operation for the stroke can be performed from the outside. The purpose is to provide a waterproof case.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, according to the present invention, the optical device (1) is detachably loaded in an internal loading position and has a waterproof body necessary for underwater photography ( 3) and a lid (4), and a switch operating means (20) for operating the slide switch (7) of the optical device from the case body or the outside of the lid, The slide switch has a first end (7a) that moves to a first position when pressed, and a second end (7b) that moves to a second position when pressed, and the switch operation The means is provided in a liquid-tight state so as to be operable from the outside of the case body or the lid body, and has an first operation section and a second operation section located inside the case body or the lid body. Part (21) and said first end A first abutting portion (24c) that abuts against the first shape member (24) that is slid by the first operating portion, and a second abutting portion (23c) that abuts against the second end portion And a biasing member (28) for biasing the first shape member and the second shape member so as to be separated from each other. It is characterized by comprising.

  The external operation section is a lever part (21) pivotally supported by the case body or the lid body so as to be operable from the outside, and is fixed to the lever part and is the first operation section. The first cam part (25d) and the second cam part (25c), which is the second operation part, are composed of a cam part (25) arranged opposite to the outer peripheral surface, and the first shape member is at one end thereof. A first action part (24b) that abuts the first abutting part and the first cam part is formed at the other end, and a first is provided between the first abutting part and the first action part. A seat surface portion (24d) is formed, and the first shape member is provided so as to be slidable and stopped by a guide portion (4a) inside the case body or the lid body, and the second shape member is 2 abutting portions and a second action portion (23b) abutting on the second cam portion , A second seat surface portion (23d) is formed, the second shape member is provided so as to be slidable and stopped on the first shape member, and the biasing member is disposed on the first seat surface portion and the second seat surface. It is characterized by being disposed between the seat surface portion.

  The urging member is a compression coil spring having a size and shape that is prevented from falling off by the lid member (26) after setting the first shape member and the second shape member at a predetermined position of the guide portion. It is characterized by being.

  In addition, the external operation unit includes a lever part that is pivotally supported by the case body or the lid body so as to be operable from the outside, and a first cam that is fixed to the lever part and is the first operation part. And a cam part in which a second cam portion as the second operation portion is formed as a fan-shaped member that also serves as a lid member. The first shape member includes the first abutting portion and the first cam. Forming a first action part that contacts the part and a first seat surface part, and is provided so as to be slidable and stopped at the guide part inside the case body or the lid body, and the second shape member is The second contact portion, the second action portion that contacts the second cam portion, and the second seat surface portion are formed so as to be slidable and stopped at the guide portion inside the case body or the lid body. Provided between the first seat surface portion and the second seat surface portion. The urging member, is characterized in that to prevent dropping by the lid member.

  In addition, the slide switch is provided together with the press switch (5), and the external operation unit is disposed in a limited space part provided with the press operation unit (6) of the press switch. Yes.

  The case body or the lid body is made of a transparent or light-transmitting polycarbonate resin.

  According to the waterproof case of the present invention, it is possible to individually operate the first shape member and the second shape member for sliding the slide switch from the outside, so that, for example, the slide switch can be operated in the limited space. The position and the second position can be moved.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Here, in the following embodiments, a digital camera of a type in which a photographing lens includes an optical zoom system having a magnification of 3 times or more as an optical device and a photographing lens unit is retracted will be mainly described. This digital camera is configured as a flat box type with a camera front having a shooting lens, a camera back with a liquid crystal display, and a camera top with a shutter. A designed waterproof case is prepared.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the digital camera configured as described above, and a waterproof case specially designed for a so-called fixed focus digital camera, a silver salt film camera, or a digital video camera is prepared.

  FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a main part after a small and thin digital camera 1 which is a detachable optical device is loaded in a use position inside a waterproof case 2, and FIG. 1B is a waterproof digital camera 1 of a normal size. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the main part after being loaded into the use position inside the case 2, and FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the main part after the large-sized digital camera 1 is loaded into the use position inside the waterproof case 2.

  First, in FIG. 1A, a small and thin digital camera 1 is housed in a transparent resin case body 3 and then loaded into a use position illustrated by an internal member (not shown). The photographic lens is opposed to the glass surface 3a. Thereafter, the lid body 4 pivotally supported by the pivot shaft support portion 31 near the lateral opening of the case body 3 is covered as shown in the figure, and the flange of the case body 3 is operated by the operation of the lock lever 32. The inside is maintained in a completely liquid-tight state by lightly compressing the continuous seal member 30 embedded in the part. As a result, it is configured to be able to exhibit waterproofness required for shooting under bad weather and underwater shooting.

  After being loaded in this way, the press switch 5 which is the shutter and various operation button keys of the digital camera 1 and which is normally operated directly with the fingertip is applied to the press operation unit 6 which is pressed from the outside of the case body 3. It will be in the opposite state. Thereby, the operation from the outside becomes possible. The liquid crystal display unit (not shown) can be seen from the outside because the case body 3 is made of transparent polycarbonate resin. In addition, a slide switch 7 is provided on the back surface of the digital camera 1 adjacent to the pressing switch 5, and the slide switch 7 is configured to operate the switch operation unit 20 from the outside.

  Subsequently, in FIG. 1B, the components already described in FIG. 1A are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, and the digital camera 1 is stored in the case body 3 made of transparent resin. After that, it is loaded at a use position by a member (not shown) inside so that the zoom lens for photographing faces the glass surface 3 a of the case body 3. Thereafter, the lid body 4 pivotally supported by the pivot shaft support portion 31 on the right side surface of the opening of the case body 3 is covered as shown in the figure, and the operation of the lock lever 32 causes the flange portion of the case body 3 to be covered. The interior is maintained in a completely liquid-tight state by lightly compressing the embedded continuous seal member 30.

  Thus, as a result of the cover body 4 being disposed opposite to the liquid crystal display section of the digital camera 1, a part of each of the press switches 5 faces the pressing operation section 6 pressed from the outside of the cover body 4. Therefore, an external operation is possible. A switch operation unit 20 for operating the slide switch 7 from the outside is provided on the lid 4 as shown in the figure.

  In the waterproof case 2 for loading the large-sized digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 (c), the lid 4 is configured to be completely separated from the case 3 and removable. The left and right lock levers 32, 32 pivotally supported at the left and right edge portions of the body 4 can be maintained in the liquid-tight state by engaging with the hook portions 3k, 3k of the case body 3. It is structured as follows. A switch operation unit 20 for operating the slide switch 7 from the outside is provided on the lid 4 as shown in the figure.

  As described above, the waterproof case 2 has a typical configuration as described above. Needless to say, however, the waterproof case 2 is designed as needed in consideration of the shape of the optical device, operability during attachment / detachment, and the like. .

  Next, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. In this figure, if the same reference numerals are given to the components or parts that have already been described and description thereof is omitted, first, the slide switch 7 is provided so as to slide in the vertical direction. This digital camera 1 is provided with a fixed focus photographing lens portion 1a on the front surface of the camera.

  In addition, a large liquid crystal display unit 1 b illustrated by a broken line is provided on the back surface of the digital camera 1. Further, a rubber bush 9 that is fixed by pressing the back surface of the digital camera 1 is fixed to the inside of the lid body 4, and the digital camera 1 held by the ribs of the case body 3 is held from the front-rear direction. Yes.

  Further, a push switch 5 as a shutter is provided on the upper surface of the camera. In addition, a finder window and strobe (not shown) are arranged on the left side of the photographic lens unit 1a. When shooting on the seabed or the like, an underexposed display is displayed in the finder when the amount of light is insufficient, and the shutter is pressed. The flash is automatically fired in synchronization with the light to illuminate the subject. When the flash does not need to emit light, it also has a function to cancel the light emission.

  On the other hand, the slide switch 7 has a first end portion 7a that moves to a first position when pressed with a fingertip, and a second end portion 7b that moves to a second position when pressed, The switch operating portion 20 is provided in a liquid-tight state so that it can be operated from the outside of the lid body 4 so as to move by pressing each of these end portions. Moreover, the 1st shape member 24 and the 2nd shape member 23 are provided in the inside like illustration, and these are independently driven by the switch operation part 20, and it is comprised so that the slide switch 7 can be slid. .

  That is, in the figure showing a part of the back surface of the digital camera 1 in FIG. 3, the slide switch 7 adjacent to the push switch 5 is in the shooting mode displayed by the picture of the camera and the view mode shown by the black triangle. Slide to switch. For this purpose, the first end portion 7a and the second end portion 7b of the slide switch 7 or the three convex portions are pushed to the first and second positions by pushing in the directions of the arrows D1 and D2, respectively. it can.

  The case body 3 and the lid body 4 of the waterproof case 2 that accommodates the digital camera 1 configured as described above are injection-molded using a transparent resin material such as polycarbonate or acrylic resin, thereby including the liquid crystal display portion 1b. All internal aspects are visible from the outside. Further, in the loaded state shown in the figure, all or the minimum necessary operations for photographing can be performed by pressing or sliding the pressing operation unit 6 and the switch operation unit 20 from the outside. .

  According to the waterproof case 2 configured as described above, underwater photography of about 30 m to 15 m at the maximum depth becomes possible. Furthermore, a strap attachment portion (not shown) is integrally formed at the corner portion of the case body 3, and by attaching various types of straps so that the strap can be fixed, it can be hung from the hand or carried around the neck when carrying it. Thus, portability can be improved.

  Next, FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing a part of FIG. 2 in more detail, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view shown for comparison.

  In this figure, when the digital camera 1 indicated by a two-dot chain line is loaded inside the waterproof case 2 as described above, each operation unit 5 faces the pressing operation unit 6 that presses the operation unit 5 from the outside. It becomes the position to do.

  On the other hand, when the slide switch 7 is disposed adjacent to the operation unit 5, in FIG. 4 (b), the first switch is used to move the slide switch 7 to the first position and the second position. When the shape member 50 in which the contact portions 50a and 50b that are in contact with the end portion 7a and the second end portion 7b are integrally formed as shown in the drawing is used, the contact portion 50a is a pressing operation portion of the lid body 4. It becomes impossible to move in the direction of arrow D2 due to mechanical interference with the wall surface on which 6 is provided.

  Therefore, in FIG. 4A, the first shape member 24 and the second shape member 23 are provided so as to be covered with the lid member 26, and each shape member is individually slid to slide the arrow D1, 2 without any trouble. 7 is configured to be slidable. For this purpose, the switch operating unit 20 includes an external lever part 21, a cam part 25 fixed to the lever part, and an O-ring seal member 22.

  Further, referring to FIG. 4 (a) and a three-dimensional exploded view of the switch operation unit 20 of FIG. 5, the cam component 25 includes a first cam unit 25d as a first operation unit and a second operation unit as a second operation unit. The cam portion 25c is disposed so as to face the outer peripheral surface and is integrally molded with resin. Further, the seat 4c and the through hole 4b of the O-ring seal member 22 are formed in the lid body 4. The cam part 25 is set in the direction of the arrow from the inside, the lever part 21 is set from the outside, and the screw At 29, they are fixed to each other and assembled in a liquid-tight state. The lever part 21 is integrally formed with an extending part 21a shown in the figure, and the user operates the extending part 21a up and down.

  The first shape member 24 has a first contact portion 24c at one end and a first action portion 24b at the other end that contacts the first cam portion 25d. A first seating surface portion 24d is integrally formed with the one action portion 24b as shown in the figure.

  Four slide parts 24f shown by broken lines are formed on the bottom surface of the first shape member 24, and are slidably assembled on the guide part 4a inside the lid 4 so as to stop at the wall surface 4h. ing.

  In addition, the second shape member 23 is integrally formed with a second contact portion 23c, a second action portion 23b that contacts the second cam portion 25c, and a second seat surface portion 23d as shown in the drawing. The slide portion 23f is provided so as to be slidable on the first shape member 24 and stopped at the wall surface 4k.

  Then, after the compression coil spring 28 made of stainless steel having excellent corrosion resistance is set in a light compression state between the first seat surface portion 24d and the second seat surface portion 23d, the lid member 26 is attached to the lid body 4 using the screws 27. It is completed by being fixed by screwing into the screw hole 4h.

  FIG. 6A is an external perspective view of the operation explanation showing a state in which the switch operation unit 20 is in the neutral position, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the slide switch 7 is slid in the arrow D2 direction by the switch operation unit 20. FIG. 3C is an external perspective view of the operation explanation showing how the slide switch 7 is slid in the direction of the arrow D1 by the switch operation unit 20.

  In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to the components or parts already described, and the description thereof is omitted. In the state of FIG. 6A, the first end portion 7a of the slide switch 7 indicated by a two-dot chain line and The second end portion 7 b is separated from the contact portions of the first shape member 24 and the second shape member 23.

  In FIG. 6B, when the switch operating portion 20 is operated on the outside and the cam component 25 is rotated in the double arrow direction against the compression force of the compression coil spring 28, the second cam portion 25c is The second shape member 23 comes into sliding contact with the second action portion 23b, and the second shape member 23 is moved in the arrow D2 direction to slide the slide switch 7. At this time, the first shape member 24 does not abut against the wall surface 4h of the guide portion 4a, and thus does not interfere with the pressing operation portion 6.

  In FIG. 6C, when the switch operation unit 20 is operated on the outside and the cam part 25 is rotated in the double arrow direction against the compression force of the compression coil spring 28, the first cam unit 25d is The first shape member 24 is in sliding contact with the first action portion 24b, and the first shape member 24 is moved in the direction of the arrow D1 to slide the slide switch 7. At this time, the second shape member 23 does not move against the wall surface 4k of the guide portion 4a.

  FIG. 7 is an external perspective view with the cam part 25 removed to show another embodiment of the switch operation unit. In this drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the components or parts that have already been described, and the description thereof is omitted. The cam part 25 has a radius r from the center of rotation as shown in the drawing in the first cam part 25d and the second cam part 25c. The fan-shaped member 25m is formed at both ends. Further, a shaft portion 25k for holding the cam component 25 so as to be stably rotated is integrally formed. Further, the lower surface 25f of the sector member 25m is formed flat.

  On the other hand, the first shape member 24 has a first acting portion 24b that abuts on the first cam portion 25d on the side surface as shown, a first abutting portion 24c that moves the slide switch, and a spring seating surface. The first seating surface portion 24d is formed as shown in the figure. And it is provided so as to be slidable and stopped by a guide portion formed inside the case body or the lid body.

  Further, the second shape member 23 has a second action portion 23b that abuts on the second cam portion 25c on the side surface, and a second abutment portion 23c that moves the slide switch and a second seat surface portion 23d are illustrated. Similarly, it is provided so as to be slidable and stopped.

  The compression coil spring 28 is disposed between the first seat surface portion 24d and the second seat surface portion 23d as shown in the figure. For this reason, from each seat surface, the convex part in which a part infiltrates the inner diameter part of a compression coil spring is formed, respectively. Thereafter, when the cam part 25 is set, the lower surface 25f can be slidably contacted with the sliding contact surface 4f of the guide portion on the respective shape members 24, 23 at the portions shown by cross-hatching in the drawing. Can be prevented from falling off.

  According to each configuration described above, the switch operation unit is a rotary type, but may be a slide type. Further, the switch operation unit may be completely separated and fixed to the lid later. Needless to say.

  Note that the case body 3 and the lid body 4 are made of a light-transmitting resin material such as ABS resin or a predetermined resin material colored with a desired pigment, instead of the transparent resin material typified by the acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin. Thus, resin injection molding can be performed integrally. The first and second shape members, lever parts, and cam parts are similarly injection molded.

  As another use of the waterproof case, digital cameras can be protected from dust and moisture, and can also be used to protect from unexpected external forces when carried.

(a) is a cross-sectional view of the main part after a small and thin digital camera 1 which is a detachable optical device is loaded in a use position inside the waterproof case 2, and (b) is a waterproof case 2 for a normal size digital camera 1. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the main part after the large-sized digital camera 1 is loaded into the use position inside the waterproof case 2. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a part of the back surface of the digital camera 1. (a) is a sectional view showing a part of FIG. 2 in more detail, and (b) is a sectional view shown for comparison. 3 is a three-dimensional exploded view of a switch operation unit 20. FIG. (a) is an external perspective view of an operation description showing a state in which the switch operation unit 20 is in a neutral position, and (b) is an operation description showing a state in which the slide switch 7 is slid in the arrow D2 direction by the switch operation unit 20. FIG. 4C is an external perspective view of the operation explanation showing a state in which the switch operating unit 20 slides the slide switch 7 in the direction of the arrow D1. It is the external appearance perspective view which removed and showed the cam component 25 in order to show another embodiment of a switch operation part.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital camera (optical device)
2 Waterproof case 3 Case body 4 Lid 5 Press button 6 Press operation part 7 Slide switch 20 Switch operation part 21 Lever part 23 First shape member 24 Second shape member 25 Cam part 26 Lid member 28 Compression coil spring

Claims (6)

The optical device is detachably loaded in the internal loading position, and the case body and lid body having waterproofness necessary for underwater photography, and the slide switch of the optical device are operated from outside the case body or the lid body A switch case and a waterproof case,
The slide switch has a first end that moves to a first position when pressed, and a second end that moves to a second position when pressed.
The switch operating means includes
An external operation unit that is provided in a liquid-tight state so as to be operable from the outside of the case body or the lid body, and has a first operation unit and a second operation unit located inside the case body or the lid body;
Forming a first contact portion that contacts the first end portion, and a first shape member that is slid by the first operation portion;
Forming a second contact portion that contacts the second end portion, and a second shape member that is slid by the second operation portion;
A waterproof case comprising: an urging member that urges the first shape member and the second shape member so as to be separated from each other. The external operation unit is
A lever part that is pivotally supported by the case body or the lid body so as to be operable from the outside;
A cam part fixed to the lever part and formed so that a first cam part serving as the first operation part and a second cam part serving as the second operation part are arranged opposite to an outer peripheral surface thereof; Configured,
The first shape member has the first contact portion at one end and the first action portion at the other end that contacts the first cam portion, and the first contact portion and the first action. A first seat surface portion is formed between the first shape member and the first shape member so as to be slidable and stopped by a guide portion inside the case body or the lid body,
The second shape member forms the second contact portion, a second action portion that contacts the second cam portion, and a second seat surface portion, and the second shape member is disposed on the first shape member. Is provided so that it can slide and stop,
The waterproof case according to claim 1, wherein the urging member is disposed between the first seat surface portion and the second seat surface portion.   The biasing member is a compression coil spring having a size and a shape that are prevented from falling off by a lid member after the first shape member and the second shape member are set at a predetermined position of the guide portion. The waterproof case according to claim 1 or 2. The external operation unit is
A lever part that is pivotally supported by the case body or the lid body so as to be operable from the outside;
It is composed of a cam part that is fixed to the lever part, and is formed as a fan-shaped member that also serves as a lid member for the first cam part as the first operation part and the second cam part as the second operation part, The first shape member forms the first abutting portion, a first action portion that abuts on the first cam portion, and a first seat surface portion, and guides inside the case body or the lid body. Slidable at the part and provided to stop,
The second shape member forms the second contact portion, a second action portion that contacts the second cam portion, and a second seat surface portion, and a guide portion inside the case body or the lid body. Slidable and provided to stop,
The waterproof case according to claim 1, wherein the urging member disposed between the first seat surface portion and the second seat surface portion is prevented from falling off by the lid member.   5. The slide switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the slide switch is provided together with a push switch, and the external operation unit is disposed in a limited space part provided with a push operation unit of the push switch. The waterproof case according to claim 1.   The waterproof case according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the case body or the lid body is made of a transparent or light-transmitting polycarbonate resin.

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