JP2007156267A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof imaging apparatus that excels in versatility, prevents bedewing on a cover glass in front of a photographic lens by a simple structure, and is capable of preventing bedewing on important components disposed in the main body of the apparatus such as a CCD and electric elements. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus having a waterproof function has a structure in which a drying-agent housing space 47 is disposed adjacent to a battery chamber 44 and the drying-agent housing space 47 is covered with a water-proof battery cover 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device (electronic camera) having a waterproof function.

In relation to an imaging device having a waterproof function, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a waterproof camera case and a film-integrated waterproof camera in which an opening provided in a part of an outer wall is sealed with a porous film or natural cork. The first purpose is to prevent water vapor that has penetrated from the membrane from condensing inside and making it impossible to shoot, and the second purpose is to prevent the waterproof camera case from becoming clouded by sunscreen latex etc. There has been proposed a configuration in which a potassium chloride hygroscopic material is disposed inside a case and a film-integrated waterproof camera, and at least an appearance member is formed of AS resin.
Patent Document 2 discloses the following technique for the purpose of providing a low-cost waterproof camera that has excellent versatility and can be anti-fogged with a simple structure. That is, this waterproof lens-equipped film unit includes a lens-equipped film unit and a waterproof case for storing the film unit. On the front surface of the prevention case, an exposure part for exposing the photographing lens and the viewfinder is provided. On both side surfaces of the waterproof case, thin portions that are thinner than the exposed portion are formed. For this reason, when it is brought into water etc. and the temperature around a waterproof case falls rapidly, the temperature of the inner wall of a thin part falls earlier than another part. As a result, moisture in the air inside the waterproof case concentrates on the thin-walled portion and condenses. For this reason, moisture decreases and it becomes difficult for the said exposed part to condense. In addition, moisture-proof means for removing moisture from the air in contact with the inner wall is provided so that condensation does not occur on the inner wall of the exposed portion.
JP-A-7-104367 JP 2000-194048 A

In the case of the technique described in Patent Document 1, a hygroscopic material is placed inside the waterproof camera case in order to prevent dew condensation inside the waterproof camera case and making it impossible to shoot. This hygroscopic material is replaced. For this purpose, the waterproof camera case itself has to be opened, and there is a drawback that it takes time to replace the waterproof camera case. In addition, there is a drawback that most of the dehumidified air in the waterproof camera case is released during replacement.
In the case of the technique described in Patent Document 2, a hygroscopic material that absorbs moisture is placed in the waterproof case, but the hygroscopic material cannot be replaced.
The window covering the front of the photographic lens is desirably made of glass that is not easily scratched and that is easy to obtain accuracy such as flatness. However, since there are CCDs and circuit elements that generate heat during operation inside the digital camera, the temperature inside the camera becomes high. When the temperature inside the camera rises and the temperature outside the camera becomes low, the glass window (cover glass) provided in front of the taking lens has high thermal conductivity. Affected, the temperature may drop, causing condensation on the inside and clouding. When condensation occurs on the inside, there is a problem that it cannot be easily wiped off and photography cannot be performed.
The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks, is excellent in versatility, can prevent condensation of the cover glass in front of the taking lens with a simple structure, and is also an important component inside the main body such as a CCD and an electric element. An object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof imaging device capable of preventing the dew condensation.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus having a battery chamber in the body, a desiccant accommodating space is provided adjacent to the battery chamber, and the desiccant accommodating space is waterproof. It is characterized by being waterproofed by a battery lid.
The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that a desiccant storage space is provided on the bottom of the body, and the desiccant storage space is made waterproof by a waterproof structure lid.
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that a desiccant accommodating space is provided adjacent to an external output terminal disposed in the body, and the desiccant accommodating space is made waterproof by a waterproof terminal cover.
Invention of Claim 4 in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 WHEREIN: The space which accommodated the said desiccant accommodation space, CCD, the space which accommodated the electric element which generate | occur | produces heat | fever at the time of an operation | movement, The inside of a cover glass The space is connected so that air can flow.

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 has a structure in which a desiccant accommodating space is provided adjacent to the battery chamber and the desiccant accommodating space is covered with a waterproof battery lid, so that it is as simple as a battery if the battery lid is opened. The desiccant can be replaced. Since the desiccant absorbs moisture inside the main body, it is possible to prevent condensation on the cover glass in front of the taking lens.
The image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect has a structure in which a desiccant storage space is provided on the bottom surface of the main body, and the desiccant storage space is covered with a waterproof cover, so that the desiccant can be easily replaced by opening the cover. Since the desiccant absorbs moisture inside the main body, it is possible to prevent condensation on the cover glass in front of the taking lens.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 has a structure in which a desiccant accommodating space is provided adjacent to the external output terminal and the desiccant accommodating space is covered with a waterproof terminal lid. Therefore, if the terminal lid is opened, the desiccant can be easily obtained. Can be exchanged. Since the desiccant absorbs moisture inside the main body, it is possible to prevent condensation on the cover glass in front of the taking lens.
In the imaging device according to claim 4, the space for accommodating the desiccant is a space in which a space in which the CCD is located, a space in which an electric element that generates heat during operation and a space inside the cover glass are allowed to flow. Therefore, it is possible not only to prevent dew condensation on the cover glass in front of the photographic lens, but also to prevent dew condensation on important parts inside the main body such as a CCD and an electric element.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the same.
The digital camera main body (camera body) 1 is a right hand grip portion 2 made of an elastic member on the left side when viewed from the front, and a card slot portion 42 into which a memory card 41 can be inserted and a battery 43 are provided behind the right hand grip portion 2. A battery lid 11 is provided to cover a battery chamber 44 (both shown in FIG. 4) that can be mounted.
A zoom photographic lens 3 is attached to the front of the digital camera body 1, and an optical finder 5 for the user to visually check the photographic range and the like above it, and auxiliary light for low illuminance photography, etc. A strobe 6 for firing is provided. A rotary mode dial 7 for selecting various modes of the camera is provided on the upper surface, and a power switch 8 for turning on / off the power of the camera is provided at the center.
In the vicinity of the rotary mode dial 7 on the top surface of the digital camera body 1, a shutter button 9 and an accessory shoe 10 for attaching an external strobe are provided.
Further, the left hand grip portion 12 made of an elastic member on the right side when viewed from the front is provided with a terminal lid 13 covering the external output terminal 51 (shown in FIG. 5) on the rear side, and a photographed image is provided on the rear surface. And an image display device (LCD monitor) 21 for displaying a photographing mode, a finder eyepiece 22, a finder LED window 23, a zoom button 24, and a plurality of mode switches 25 are provided. The digital camera body 1 has a waterproof function using a waterproof O-ring or the like.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a longitudinal section along the optical axis of the zoom photographing lens of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. An optical finder 5 is provided on the upper part, and an image display device 21 made of liquid crystal is provided on the rear surface.
The light from the subject that has passed through the zoom photographing lens 3 reaches the CCD 30, is imaged to be an electrical signal, is transmitted to the first circuit board 31 on which the CCD driving IC and the like are mounted, and is subjected to circuit processing. It becomes an image signal. The CCD 30 consumes a large amount of power and generates a large amount of heat. On the second circuit board 32, a DCDC circuit element 33 which is a power source of the digital camera is mounted, but the amount of heat generated is large. A cover glass 34 is provided on the front surface of the zoom photographing lens 3 for protection and a waterproof function.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the battery lid. As described above, the memory card 41 and the battery 43 are mounted, and an O-ring 46 is sandwiched between the battery cover 11 and the camera exterior cover 45 to form a waterproof structure. A space 47 into which a desiccant is placed is provided in front of the battery chamber 44, and a desiccant 48 can be placed there. The desiccant 48 can be easily replaced in the same manner as the battery 43 by opening the battery lid 11 that opens and closes around the shaft 11a. A hole 49 is formed in the space 47 for containing the desiccant 48, and the air inside the digital camera body 1 can flow.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal lid. The external output terminal 51 is covered with a terminal lid 13 that opens and closes around the shaft 13a, but, like the battery lid 11, has a waterproof structure with an O-ring 46. A space 52 into which the desiccant 48 is placed is provided in front of the external output terminal 51, and the desiccant 48 can be put therein. The desiccant 48 can be easily replaced by opening the terminal lid 13. A hole 53 is formed in the space 52 in which the desiccant 48 is placed, and the air inside the digital camera body 1 can flow.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lid portion into which the desiccant is placed on the bottom of the digital camera body. The lid 61 is similarly waterproofed by an O-ring 46. The inside of the lid 61 is a space 62 in which the desiccant 48 is put, and the desiccant 48 can be put there. Although there is an inner lid 63, it is only fitted into the inner fitting portion of the lid 61, and the desiccant 48 can be easily replaced. A hole 64 is formed in the inner lid 63 of the space 62 in which the desiccant 48 is put, and air inside the digital camera body 1 can flow.
The desiccant storage space 47, the space storing the CCD 30, the space storing electric elements that generate heat during operation, and the space inside the cover glass 34 are connected so that air can flow. . Therefore, it is possible not only to prevent dew condensation on the cover glass in front of the photographic lens, but also to prevent dew condensation on important parts inside the main body such as a CCD and an electric element.

1 is a front perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a rear perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic of the longitudinal cross section in alignment with the optical axis of the zoom imaging lens of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the battery cover part of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the terminal cover part of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the cover part which puts the desiccant of the digital camera bottom which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1 Digital camera body (main body), 11 Battery cover, 44 Battery compartment, 47 space (drying agent storage space), 48 Desiccant

Claims (4)

  An imaging apparatus comprising a battery chamber in a body, wherein a desiccant storage space is provided adjacent to the battery chamber, and the desiccant storage space is waterproofed by a battery lid having a waterproof structure.   An imaging apparatus, wherein a desiccant storage space is provided on the bottom of the body, and the desiccant storage space is waterproofed by a waterproof structure lid.   An image pickup apparatus, wherein a desiccant accommodating space is provided adjacent to an external output terminal disposed in a body, and the desiccant accommodating space is waterproofed by a terminal cover having a waterproof structure.   The desiccant accommodating space, the space accommodating the CCD, the space accommodating the electric element that generates heat during operation, and the space inside the cover glass are connected so that air can flow. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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