JP2007305353A - Waterproofing structure of electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproofing structure of an electronic device capable of certainly maintaining the waterproofing status of a connector connection part while allowing the easy detachment of the connector. <P>SOLUTION: The waterproofing structure of an electronic device comprises a connector connection part. The water proofing structure includes: a lid member provided on the main body of the electronic device, the lid member being openable and closable; and a housing in which the waterproofing status is formed to the outside of the electronic device and that is formed as a sealed region between the main body and the lid member while the lid member is in a closed state, wherein the connector connection part is placed within the housing, and a connector connected to the connector connection part can be housed within the housing. The waterproofing structure of the electronic device is provided with waterproofing guide unit that guides a cable extending from the connector to the outside of the electronic device from between the lid member and the main body while maintaining the waterproofing status of the housing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof structure for a connector portion of an electronic device.

  In recent years, there are a wide variety of portable electronic devices such as digital cameras, portable music players, and mobile phones, and their functions are also substantial. Many of these electronic devices have terminals for connecting external devices and accessories. For example, there are various terminals such as an earphone jack, a USB connector, and a charging terminal. Moreover, when these electronic devices are provided with a rechargeable battery or a recording medium, they have an attachment / detachment port for attaching / detaching the rechargeable battery or the recording medium.

  In general, electronic devices are vulnerable to moisture. The electronic devices as described above are taken out in various environments together with the user. Therefore, it can be assumed that it sometimes gets wet in the rain, drops into the water, or spills a drink. Therefore, providing a waterproof structure for a portable electronic device is an important issue from the viewpoint of the reliability of the electronic device. However, when a waterproof structure is adopted for such an electronic device, for example, how to waterproof the terminal and the attachment / detachment opening as described above becomes a problem. For such terminals and attachment / detachment openings, it is preferable to construct a waterproof structure without losing its functionality.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a waterproof structure of a lid portion that opens and closes a battery storage chamber for storing a battery in an electronic device (digital camera). Specifically, the electronic device is provided with a rotatable battery lid for opening and closing the battery storage chamber on the bottom surface thereof. The battery lid includes a waterproof packing receiver on which a hinge plate and a waterproof packing that are rotatably supported by a hinge pin are mounted, and a battery lid that is slidably supported on the hinge plate. In the closed state of the battery cover, the battery cover is slid to the hinge pin side and the locking claw is locked in the locking hole provided in the bottom surface portion. The battery lid is locked in the closed position by the locking. The battery housing chamber is sealed with a waterproof packing. According to the configuration, since a dedicated member for locking the battery lid is not required, it is possible to provide a battery lid having a waterproof structure with a simple configuration.

  For example, a portable music player or the like is used in a state in which headphones (or earphones) as accessories are connected to the player. That is, the headphone plug is used in a state of being connected to a terminal (headphone jack) provided in the player. Therefore, in such a portable music player or the like, it is necessary to waterproof the terminal while the plug is connected to the terminal. Various techniques have been disclosed for a waterproof structure in a state where a plug is connected to a terminal.

  The plug insertion device described in Patent Literature 2 is provided with a waterproof packing having elasticity in the direction of pressing the earphone around the plug hole. With this configuration, even if there is a backlash between the earphone plug and the earphone jack, there is no gap between the earphone and the waterproof packing, so it is possible to reliably prevent water from entering the inside. .

  Further, the waterproof structure of the connector described in Patent Document 3 is provided with an outer ring wall surrounding the plug hole on the outer surface of the communication device main body, and a skirt-shaped elastic waterproof cover that can be closely fitted to the outer ring wall on the microphone earphone side connector. It is characterized by providing. With this configuration, the required waterproofness of the connector portion that connects the microphone earphone such as a mobile phone and the main body is ensured.

JP 2003-142841 A JP 2004-119284 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-129301

  However, when constructing a waterproof structure in a state in which a plug (connector) is connected to a terminal (connector connecting portion) in an electronic device, for example, the plug insertion device of Patent Document 2 and the connector of Patent Document 3 described above are used. In the structure of the waterproof structure, the waterproofing is maintained when the plug is connected, but the plug may come off when the cable is pulled by some beat. In those configurations, the waterproof state cannot be maintained when the plug is removed.

  On the other hand, if the structure is such that the plug does not come off at all, the usability as an electronic device is deteriorated. That is, when headphones are not required, there may be cases where it is desired to use the electronic device with the headphones removed, and there are cases where it is desired to replace the headphones with a favorite one.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and is a waterproof structure for an electronic device that can reliably maintain the waterproof state of the connector connecting portion while allowing the connector to be easily attached and detached. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a waterproof structure for an electronic device having a connector connecting portion, and a lid member that can be opened and closed with respect to a main body of the electronic device, and the lid member is closed. A storage part formed as a sealed area while forming a waterproof state with respect to the outside of the electronic device between the main body and the lid member, and the connector connecting part is The connector connected to the connector connecting portion can be stored in the storage portion, and a cable extending from the connector can be connected to the cover member and the cover member while maintaining a waterproof state of the storage portion. A waterproof structure for an electronic device, further comprising a waterproof guide portion for guiding the space from the main body to the outside of the electronic device.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, in the electronic device, the plug and its connecting portion can be accommodated by the lid member in a state where the plug is connected to the plug connecting portion such as a headphone jack. The cable extending from the plug is guided to the outside of the electronic device from between the lid member and the electronic device main body. With this configuration, the waterproof state of the storage portion including the plug and its connecting portion can be maintained. Further, when the lid member is in an open state, the plug and the cable can be easily detached from the electronic device main body. Therefore, in the waterproof structure of the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to reliably maintain the waterproof state of the plug connecting portion while easily detaching the plug.

  Further, in the waterproof structure for an electronic device according to the present invention, the lid member has a sealing member that is pivotally supported by the main body at one end and seals the storage portion, and a state in which the storage portion is sealed by the sealing member. And an outer lid member having locking means for maintaining.

  In addition, the outer lid member covers the sealing member from the outside of the electronic device in a state where the sealing member seals the housing portion, and is slidably attached along the sealing member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The locking means is rotated together with the sealing member, and the locking means moves the outer lid member from the direction away from the rotation axis in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis in the state where the sealing member is closed. The outer lid member is configured to function so as to maintain the closed state of the sealing member by sliding to the right.

  The waterproof guide part is characterized by guiding the cable in the sliding direction of the outer lid member.

  Further, the main body has an engaging portion projecting around the storage portion, and the sealing member has an engaged portion that is disposed along the engaging portion and engages with the engaging portion. It is characterized by.

  Further, the sealing member is a plate-like member, and the engaged portion is provided at the peripheral portion of the sealing member and protrudes to the storage portion side by a predetermined amount from other portions.

  Further, one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is characterized in that the cross-sectional shape is a convex shape, and the other cross-sectional shape is a concave shape formed so as to engage with the convex shape.

  The waterproof guide portion is formed in the engaging portion and extends in a direction substantially parallel to the cross section of the engaging portion, and the engaged portion is formed at a position facing the first groove portion in the engaged portion. A second groove portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to the cross section of the portion, and the cable is sandwiched between the first groove portion and the second groove portion, so that the cable can be covered while maintaining the waterproof state of the storage portion. Guide between the member and the main body to the outside of the electronic device.

  In addition, the first groove portion and the second groove portion extend in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the sealing member. In addition, the waterproof guide portion maintains the waterproof state of the storage portion when the first groove portion is covered by the engaged portion and the second groove portion is covered by the engaging portion in the absence of the cable. It is characterized by doing.

  Further, at least one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is formed of an elastic member. In addition, when the engaged portion is formed of an elastic member, the lid member includes an engaged portion pressing protrusion that is a protrusion for pressing the engaged portion toward the engaging portion. To do. Moreover, all the sealing members may be formed of elastic members.

  The outer lid member has a notch for guiding the cable, and the notch and the waterproof guide are along a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the sealing member when the lid member is closed. It is arranged so that it may be arranged.

  The connector connected to the connector connecting portion is an L-shaped plug, and the sealing member is capable of abutting against the plug and pressing the plug in its insertion direction when the lid member is closed. And

  In addition, the storage portion further includes an urging unit that urges the connector connecting portion in a direction opposite to the insertion direction when the plug is pressed in the insertion direction.

  In addition, the storage unit can further store at least one of a battery, a recording medium, and a wired connector.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof structure for an electronic device that can reliably maintain a waterproof state of a connector connecting portion while the connector can be easily attached and detached with the above-described configuration.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a waterproof structure for an electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of the electronic device 1. In the embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device 1 is, for example, a waterproof digital camera. Note that this digital camera is provided with a headphone jack. That is, this digital camera can output the sound of a moving image and the recorded sound via headphones (earphones). The digital camera may have a function of an audio player, and may be configured to output sound by the function of the player via headphones. In the embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device 1 is described as a digital camera as described above. For example, a liquid crystal television, a mobile phone, a CD player, an MD player, a DVD player, an electronic device that is a portable electronic device. A notebook, electronic dictionary, personal computer, PDA, video camera, radio, or the like may be used. In other words, the present invention can be applied to an electronic device provided with a headphone jack that requires waterproofing.

  FIG. 1A is a front view of the electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 includes a main body 100 and a lid member 200. The main body 100 includes a front surface portion 100a, a back surface portion 100b (see FIG. 1B), a right side surface portion 100c, an upper surface portion 100d, a bottom surface portion 100e, and a left side surface portion 100f. The lid member 200 is provided on the bottom surface portion 100e of the main body 100, and is provided so as to cover the right half of the bottom surface portion 100e in the drawing. A front surface 100a of the main body 100 is provided with a lens unit 110 having a photographing lens, a flash unit 120 that emits light during photographing, and the like. Each of the lens unit 110 and the flash unit 120 has a structure that is waterproof to the inside of the main body 100.

  FIG. 1B is a rear view of the electronic device 1. A liquid crystal display unit 130 and an operation button unit 140 are provided on the back surface 100 b of the main body 100. The liquid crystal display unit 130 displays captured images / moving images, subject images at the time of shooting, and other various operation screens. The operation button unit 140 includes those related to shooting and those related to audio functions. The liquid crystal display unit 130 and the operation button unit 140 each have a structure that is waterproof to the inside of the main body 100.

  FIG. 1C is a right side view of the electronic device 1. A cable hole 150 for inserting a cable is formed near the boundary between the right side surface portion 100c of the main body 100 and the lid member 200. The cable hole 150 includes a notch portion on the main body side and a notch portion on the lid member side. As will be described later, a headphone jack is disposed at a portion of the main body 100 covered with the lid member 200. The plug connected to the headphone jack can also be stored by the lid member 200. A cable extending from the plug extends outside the electronic device 1 through the cable hole 150.

  FIG. 1D is a top view of the electronic device 1. A power button 160 and a shutter button 170 are provided on the upper surface portion 100 d of the main body 100. Each of the power button 160 and the shutter button 170 has a structure that is waterproof to the inside of the main body 100.

  FIG. 1E is a bottom view of the electronic device 1. The bottom surface portion 100 e of the main body 100 is provided with a tripod screw hole 180 and a storage portion 300 (not shown) covered with the lid member 200. The electronic device 1 can be fixed to a tripod by screwing a tripod screw into the tripod screw hole 180. The lid member 200 has a structure that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 100, and has a function of making the storage portion 300 waterproof when closed (details will be described later).

  FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the electronic apparatus 1 and shows a state in which the lid member 200 is removed for convenience of explanation. The bottom surface portion 100 e of the main body 100 includes a storage portion 300 that is covered with the lid member 200. The storage unit 300 includes a headphone jack 301, a USB connector 302, a memory card room 303, and a battery room 304.

  The headphone jack 301 is capable of inserting a headphone plug into the back side perpendicular to the paper surface. The USB connector 302 can insert a USB plug into the vertical back side of the drawing. The memory card chamber 303 is a space in which a memory card can be inserted and removed in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface as a recording medium. For example, the memory card chamber 303 is configured such that when the memory card is inserted all the way into the memory card, the memory card is fixed, and then when the memory card is pressed to push the memory card back, this time the memory card pops out of the memory card chamber 303. Have. The battery chamber 304 is a space in which a battery such as a rechargeable battery can be taken in and out in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. Although not shown, the battery chamber 304 has a mechanism for fixing and then releasing the rechargeable battery in a state where the rechargeable battery is fully inserted.

  On the bottom surface portion 100 e of the main body 100, a waterproof rib 105 is formed around the storage portion 300 so as to engage with a part of the lid member 200 and form a waterproof state in the storage portion 300. The waterproof rib 105 is made of, for example, resin or metal. A cable groove 106 for guiding a cable extending from the plug is formed in a part of the waterproof rib 105. The cable groove 106 is formed on the right end side in the drawing of the storage unit 300 and has a shape extending in the left-right direction of the electronic device 1. Further, the cable groove 106 is formed in the waterproof rib 105 so as to be disposed near the middle between the front surface portion 100a and the back surface portion 100b. The waterproof rib 105 may be formed of an elastic member.

  Further, on the bottom surface portion 100 e of the main body 100, a shaft portion 107 is disposed on the left side of the storage portion 300 in the drawing and outside the waterproof rib 105. The shaft portion 107 is disposed so that the axial direction thereof is perpendicular to the front surface portion 100a (or the back surface portion 100b) of the main body 100 (the front surface portion 100a and the back surface portion 100b are substantially parallel to each other). And). The lid member 200 is attached so as to be rotatable about the shaft portion 107.

  In addition, a cutout portion 151 is formed on the bottom surface portion 100e of the main body 100 at a position on the right side of the storage portion 300 in the drawing and outside the waterproof rib 105. This notch 151 forms part of the cable hole 150 shown in FIG.

  3 and 4 are diagrams showing the structure of the lid member 200. FIG. FIG. 3 is an external view of the back side (the storage unit 300 side) of the lid member 200, and FIG. 4 is an S1-S1 cross-sectional view of the lid member 200 shown in FIG. The lid member 200 has an outer lid part 220 and an inner lid part 240.

  The inner lid portion 240 includes a parent plate 241 and an elastic member 250. The parent plate 241 is a plate-like member, and has a hinge portion 242 at an end portion (lower side in the figure). The hinge portion 242 is formed so as to pass through the shaft portion 107 (FIG. 2) provided on the bottom surface portion 100 e of the main body 100. Therefore, the main plate 241 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the main body 100 around the shaft portion 107 at one end thereof. The elastic member 250 is fixed to the parent plate 241. The elastic member 250 is fixed to the parent plate 241 by means such as adhesion or press fitting. The elastic member 250 is integral with the parent plate 241 and can rotate around the shaft portion 107. In other words, the inner lid portion 240 can rotate around the shaft portion 107.

  The elastic member 250 has a flat plate portion 251 and a waterproof rib 252. The waterproof rib 252 protrudes along the peripheral edge of the flat plate-like portion 251 toward the front side of FIG. 3 (the right side in FIG. 4). The waterproof rib 252 has a recess 253 formed along the waterproof rib 252. The recess 253 is formed along the waterproof rib 252. The recess 253 has a shape that can be engaged with the waterproof rib 105 formed on the bottom surface 100 e of the main body 100.

  Further, the waterproof rib 252 has a cable groove 254 at a position corresponding to the cable groove 106 of the waterproof rib 105 in a state of being engaged with the waterproof rib 105. Since the waterproof rib 252 protrudes from the flat plate-like portion 251 and has the concave portion 253, the waterproof rib 252 has convex portions on both sides of the concave portion 253. The cable groove 254 is a groove formed in both convex portions.

  The outer lid portion 220 is a member that is disposed outside the inner lid portion 240 in the electronic device 1 and is a member that can be seen in the appearance of the electronic device 1 in FIG. 1. The outer lid portion 220 is a member molded from resin or the like. The outer lid portion 220 has a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction in FIG. 3, and has one end (upper side in FIG. 3) closed. Moreover, the outer lid part 220 has a lock part 221 that protrudes downward in FIGS. 3 and 4 from the position where the U-shape is closed. Further, the outer lid part 220 protrudes by a predetermined amount from the inside of both the U-shaped walls, and has a total of four master plate holders 222. Moreover, the outer cover part 220 has the bottom face part 223 which supports the above-mentioned both walls in the U-shape.

  The outer lid portion 220 holds the parent plate 241 of the inner lid portion 240 so as to be slidable by the parent plate presser 222 and the bottom plate portion 223. In other words, the outer lid part 220 is slidably attached to the parent plate 241. The outer lid part 220 can rotate around the shaft part 107 together with the inner lid part 240. The elastic member 250 fixed to the parent plate 241 does not contact the parent plate holder 222.

  The lock portion 221 of the outer lid portion 220 has a function of fixing (locking) the lid member 200 in a closed state. The lid member 200 can be locked with respect to the main body 100 by sliding the outer lid portion 220 in the vertical direction in FIGS. Although not shown, the outer lid portion 220 is configured to be slidable by a predetermined amount with respect to the inner lid portion 240. Therefore, the arrangement when the outer lid portion 220 is closest to the shaft portion 107 is referred to as “lock position”, and the arrangement when the outer lid portion 220 is farthest from the shaft portion 107 is referred to as “lock release position”. The arrangement of the outer lid portion 220 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a “lock release position”.

  Further, the outer lid part 220 has a notch part 221a that is notched so as to extend in the vertical direction in FIG. 3 at the position where the U-shape is closed. The notch 221 a is formed along the sliding direction of the outer lid 220 with respect to the cable groove 254. The notch 221a forms a part of the cable hole 150 shown in FIG.

  Further, the lid member 200 rotates with respect to the main body 100 around the shaft portion 107. Therefore, in FIG. 4, the rotation direction when the lid member 200 is rotated clockwise around the shaft portion 107 that is passed through the hinge portion 242 is the “closing direction” of the lid member 200 and the opposite direction. The turning direction when turning is referred to as “opening direction”.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining each state of the lid member 200. In FIG. 5, the steps from the open state to the closed (locked) state will be described step by step.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the lid member 200 is open. Here, including the state shown in FIG. 5A, the state in which the lid member 200 is open (that is, the state in which the storage unit 300 can be seen from the outside and the plug or the like can be attached or detached) is “open state”. Shall be referred to as For example, the lid member 200 may be biased so as to rotate in the opening direction at the hinge portion 242. In this open state, the user attaches / detaches a plug to / from the headphone jack 301 of the storage unit 300, attaches / detaches a USB cable to / from the USB connector 302, replaces a memory card in the memory card room 304, It is possible to perform operations such as changing batteries.

  FIG. 5B shows a state in which the cover member 200 is rotated in the closing direction from the open state shown in FIG. Moreover, the outer cover part 220 is arrange | positioned in the lock release position. In this state, the inner lid portion 240 covers the storage portion 300, and the waterproof rib 252 on the inner lid portion 240 side and the waterproof rib 105 on the main body 100 side are engaged. In this state, since the lid member 200 is not locked, it can be rotated in the opening direction by an external force. This state is referred to as an “unlocked state”.

  FIG. 5C shows a state in which the outer lid 220 is moved to the lock position from the unlocked state shown in FIG. In this state, the lid member 200 is not allowed to rotate in the opening direction (of course also in the closing direction). This state is referred to as a “lock state”. In this locked state, the waterproof rib 252 on the inner lid 240 side and the waterproof rib 105 on the main body 100 side are firmly engaged and brought into close contact with each other, so that the storage unit 300 is in a waterproof state. This is also the state shown in FIG. The waterproof structure near the cable groove 254 of the waterproof rib 252 and the cable groove 106 of the waterproof rib 105 will be described later.

  For example, when a plug is attached to the headphone jack 301 of the storage unit 300, in the state shown in FIG. 5B to FIG. 5C, the cable extending from the plug is extended to the outside of the electronic device 1 and the outer lid portion Slide 220 to lock. In this case, the cable is guided from the storage unit 300 to the outside through the cable grooves 254 and 106 and the notches 151 and 221a. Since the notch portion 221a is provided in the sliding direction of the outer lid portion 220 with respect to the cable grooves 254 and 106, the lid member 200 can be locked without imposing a burden on the cable even if the outer lid portion 220 is slid. It has a possible configuration.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, a waterproof structure by the waterproof rib 252 on the lid member 200 side and the waterproof rib 105 on the main body 100 side will be described in detail. In this description, a waterproof structure in a state where no plug is attached to the headphone jack 301, that is, a cable extending from the plug does not pass through the waterproof rib 252 and the waterproof rib 105 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the storage unit 300 and the waterproof ribs 105 around it, as viewed from the same direction as FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along S2-S2 of FIG. 6 and includes the vicinity of the waterproof rib 105 on the lid member 200 side in addition to the vicinity of the waterproof rib 105 on the main body 100 side. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a case where the lid member 200 is immediately before being opened from the open state. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a case where the lid member 200 is in a locked state. As shown in FIG. 7A, the width of the recess 253 of the waterproof rib 252 is set to be slightly smaller than the width of the waterproof rib 105. Therefore, in the locked state shown in FIG. 7B, the concave portion 253 of the waterproof rib 252 is in a slightly expanded state due to the engagement with the waterproof rib 105. In this state, the recess 253 is in close contact with the surface of the waterproof rib 105 due to the elastic stress of the waterproof rib 252. With such a configuration, the waterproof effect can be enhanced.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing the vicinity of the cable groove 254 of the waterproof rib 252 and the vicinity of the cable groove 106 of the waterproof rib 105, as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a case where the lid member 200 is immediately before the unlocked state from the opened state, as in FIG. 7A. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a case where the lid member 200 is in a locked state, as in FIG. 7B. The cable groove 254 and the cable groove 106 are semicircular when viewed from the direction of FIG. 8 and have a diameter that is the same as or slightly smaller than the diameter of the guiding cable.

  The features of the shape and size of the waterproof ribs 252 and 105 and the cable grooves 254 and 106 will be described. The depth of the deepest part of the cable groove 254 (or the radius when the cable groove 254 is a complete semicircular shape) is R, and the depth of the recess 253 of the waterproof rib 252 is D. In addition, the depth of the deepest portion of the cable groove 106 (or the radius when the cable groove 106 is a complete semicircular shape) is r, and the height of the waterproof rib 105 is d. The waterproof rib 252 and the waterproof rib 105 are formed so as to satisfy both R + r <d and R + r <D. In this way, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the locked state, the cable groove 254 and the cable groove 106 do not overlap each other (in other words, the cable groove 254 is covered by the waterproof rib 105). Since the cable groove 106 is covered with the waterproof rib 252), the waterproof state between the storage unit 300 and the outside of the electronic device 1 can be maintained.

  FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the locking mechanism of the lid member 200 in detail, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S2-S2 of FIG. FIG. 9A shows an unlocked state, and FIG. 9B shows a locked state.

  The main body 100 is formed with a lock engaging portion 120 for engaging with the lock portion 221 of the outer lid portion 220. The lock engaging portion 120 is formed in the vicinity of the waterproof rib 105 and on the lower side. The lock engaging part 120 has a width (vertical direction in the figure) slightly larger than the thickness of the lock part 221 (vertical direction in the figure).

  FIG. 9A shows an unlocked state. This state is a state in which the lid member 200 is pressed in the closing direction. In this pressed state, the lock portion 221 of the lid member 200 and the lock engagement portion 120 of the main body 100 are in a position facing each other. The parent plate 241 has a protrusion 241a. The protrusion 241 a is provided at a position along the waterproof rib 252 in the parent plate 241 (however, it is not provided at a portion corresponding to the cable groove 254). For example, the protrusion 241 a has a function of pressing the waterproof rib 252 against the waterproof rib 105 in the elastic member 250 when the outer lid 220 is pressed in the closing direction.

  When the outer lid portion 220 is slid to the lock position from the state shown in FIG. 9A, the lock portion 221 is engaged with the lock engagement portion 120. When the pressing in the closing direction with respect to the outer lid portion 220 is released, the upper surface of the lock portion 221 and the upper surface of the lock engagement portion 120 are in a pressure contact state. That is, the waterproof rib 252 is in a compressed state because it is sandwiched between the parent plate 241 and the waterproof rib 105, and therefore, in the locked state, the outer lid 220 is moved in the opening direction by the elastic force of the waterproof rib 252. Under stress. For this reason, in the locked state, the lock portion 221 and the lock engagement portion 120 are in a pressure contact state, and the outer lid portion 220 does not easily move in the left-right direction due to friction between the two. In order to slide the outer lid part 220 to the unlocking position, the outer lid part 220 is first pressed in the closing direction, the friction between the lock part 221 and the lock engaging part 120 is released, and then the outer lid part 220 is locked. Slide in the release direction. For example, a protrusion that slightly protrudes upward in the figure is formed at the tip of the lock part 221, and an engagement groove that engages with the protrusion is formed in the lock engagement part 120 to lock the lock part 221 and the lock part 221. The engagement of the engaging portion 120 may be made stronger.

  In the above description, the waterproof structure of the electronic device 1 in a state where no plug is attached to the headphone jack 301 has been described. The waterproof structure of the present invention has a structure that maintains the waterproof state even when the plug is attached.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 and shows a case where the plug 400 is attached to the headphone jack 301. Plug 400 is attached to headphone jack 301. The cable 410 extending from the plug 400 is guided to the outside of the electronic device 1 through the cable groove 106. The plug 400 is L-shaped, that is, a type in which the mounting direction to the headphone jack 301 and the direction in which the cable 410 extends are orthogonal to each other.

  11 is a view showing the vicinity of the cable groove 254 of the waterproof rib 252 and the vicinity of the cable groove 106 of the waterproof rib 105, and is a view seen from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 10 (corresponding to FIG. 8). ). FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a case where the lid member 200 is immediately before the unlocked state from the opened state, as in FIG. 8A. FIG.11 (b) is a figure which shows the case where the cover member 200 is a locked state similarly to FIG.8 (b).

  The cable 410 is generally formed by coating a conductive wire with an insulating material such as vinyl or resin. The diameters of the cable grooves 254 and 106 are set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the cable 410 (the diameter of the insulating material) and larger than the diameter of the conducting wire. As shown in FIG. 11B, in the locked state, the waterproof rib 105 and the waterproof rib 252 are in close contact with portions other than the cable grooves 254 and 106. In the cable grooves 254 and 106, the cable 410 is in a state where it enters the cable groove 106 on the waterproof rib 105 side (the insulating material of the cable 410 that engages with the cable groove 106 is somewhat compressed), and The cable 410 is covered from above in the figure with the waterproof rib 252 deformed. As described above, the protrusion 241 a (FIG. 9) is provided along the waterproof rib 252 on the parent plate 241, but only the portion corresponding to the cable groove 254 is not provided with the protrusion 241 a. This means that only the waterproof rib 252 at the position of the cable groove 254 can be elastically deformed by a predetermined amount toward the parent plate 241 side. In this way, the waterproof rib 252 around the cable groove 254 is not separated from the waterproof rib 105 when the cable 410 is sandwiched between the cable groove 254 and the cable groove 106. Therefore, a reliable waterproof state can be maintained even when the cable 410 is passed between the waterproof rib 252 and the waterproof rib 105.

  FIG. 12 is a view seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG. The waterproof rib 252 in the portion where the cable groove 254 is formed is elastically deformed by the pressure received from the cable 410 and spreads on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cable 410. With such a configuration, the waterproof rib 252 near the cable groove 254 increases the amount of elastic deformation when the pressure received from the cable 410 is large, for example, and decreases the amount of elastic deformation when the pressure received from the cable 410 is small. Can do. As a result, the waterproof rib 252 can adjust the pressure received from the cable 410, so that the waterproof rib 252 can be made uniform with the pressure received by other portions of the waterproof rib 252 (portions without the cable groove 254). . That is, it is possible to prevent the waterproof rib 252 from receiving high pressure only at the position of the cable groove 254. Further, a protrusion that presses the waterproof rib 252 in the direction of the arrow in the figure may be provided on the parent plate 241. By doing so, the waterproof effect is further enhanced.

  13 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the storage unit 300, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line S3-S3 of FIG. The storage unit 300 includes a connector chamber 500, and a headphone jack 301, a spring 520 with a stopper, and a spring 530 are disposed inside the connector chamber 500. A plug 400 is connected to the headphone jack.

  The headphone jack 301 is a substantially columnar member, and is supported by a spring 520 with a stopper inside the connector chamber 500. The spring 520 with a stopper is a leaf spring member. Two springs with stoppers 520 are disposed so as to stand upright from the bottom 501 of the connector chamber 500, for example, and extend along the column height direction of the headphone jack 301 on both outer sides in the diameter direction of the headphone jack 301. Has been placed. Alternatively, four springs with stoppers 520 are arranged so as to stand up from the bottom portion 501 of the connector chamber 500, and the headphones are disposed on both outer sides in the diameter direction of the headphone jack 301 and on both outer sides in the direction orthogonal to the diameter direction. The structure arrange | positioned so that the cylinder height direction of the jack 301 may be sufficient.

  Moreover, the spring 520 with a stopper has a convex portion 521 facing the headphone jack 301 in the vicinity of the middle abdomen. The bottom portion 501 side of the connector chamber 500 in the convex portion 521 is formed so as to be approximately parallel to the bottom portion 501, and the lid member 200 side approaches the bottom portion 501 side closer to the headphone jack 301. It is formed so as to be inclined with respect to.

  The headphone jack 301 has a stopper engaging portion 301 b that engages with the convex portion 521 of the spring 520 with a stopper around the vicinity of the center portion in the column height direction. The stopper engaging portion 301 b has a concave shape formed in a direction parallel to the bottom portion 501 of the connector chamber 500. Due to the action of the stopper engaging portion 301b of the headphone jack 301 and the convex-shaped portion 521 of the spring 520 with a stopper, the headphone jack 301 is moved in the upward direction in the figure (the direction from the bottom portion 501 to the lid member 200). It is regulated by the position. Further, when the headphone jack 301 moves downward in the figure, the headphone jack 301 is biased upward in the figure by the spring 520 with stopper (that is, when the headphone jack 301 moves downward, the protrusion of the spring 520 with stopper stops. When the shape portion 521 is pushed around the headphone jack 301, the spring 520 with a stopper is pressed to the side opposite to the headphone jack 301, so that the spring 520 with a stopper presses the headphone jack 301 by an elastic force. In this state, the convex portion 521 of the spring 520 with stopper engages with the stopper engaging portion 301b of the headphone jack 301, and as a result, the headphone jack 301 is pushed upward).

  In the state shown in FIG. 13, the plug 400 is attached to the headphone jack 301, and the lid member 200 is in the locked state. In this state, the elastic member 250 of the lid member 200 abuts against the plug 400 and presses the plug 400 slightly downward (in the insertion direction of the plug 400) in the figure. Since the headphone jack 301 moves together with the plug 400 in a state where the plug 400 is connected, when the plug 400 is pressed by the elastic member 250, the headphone jack 301 is also pressed downward in the figure. As described above, when the headphone jack 301 is pressed downward in the figure, the headphone jack 301 is urged upward in the figure by the action of the spring 520 with a stopper. As a result, the plug 400 is also urged upward in the figure. Is done. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 13, the plug 400 is firmly held by the elastic member 250 and the headphone jack 301. Further, since the plug 400 is fixed in the vertical direction in the figure and also in the horizontal direction in the figure (the direction in which the cable 410 extends), for example, even if the cable 410 is pulled from the outside of the electronic device 1, The cable 410 does not move. This means that the cable 410 does not shift even in the cable groove 254 and the cable groove 106, and as a result, the waterproof state at the cable groove position is firm.

  Further, the spring 530 is attached to the bottom portion 501 of the connector chamber 500 and the bottom portion 301 a of the headphone jack 301. The spring 530 has a function of assisting the action of the spring 520 with a stopper with respect to the headphone jack 301. Further, it functions as a conduction path from the main body to the plug 400.

  In addition, when the lid member 200 is in the open state, the plug 400 protrudes from the connector chamber 500, so that the user can easily grasp the plug 400.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the concave portion is formed in the waterproof rib 252 and the waterproof rib 105 is convex. However, for example, the waterproof rib 252 is convex and the concave portion is formed in the waterproof rib 105. Also good. Further, both the waterproof rib 252 and the waterproof rib 105 may be convex. Further, although the waterproof rib 252 has elasticity and the waterproof rib 105 does not have elasticity, the waterproof rib 105 may be formed to have elasticity. Further, both the waterproof rib 252 and the waterproof rib 105 may be formed to have elasticity. Further, the locking mechanism of the lid member 200 is not limited to the above-described one. In addition to the headphone jack 301, the USB connector 302, the memory card chamber 303, and the battery chamber 304, the storage unit 300 may include, for example, an AV terminal, an external power supply terminal, and the like.

  According to the present invention, in an electronic device, the plug and its connecting portion can be accommodated by the lid member in a state where the plug (connector) is connected to a plug connecting portion (connector connecting portion) such as a headphone jack. The cable extending from the plug is guided to the outside of the electronic device from between the lid member and the electronic device main body. With this configuration, the waterproof state of the storage portion including the plug and its connecting portion can be maintained. Further, when the lid member is in an open state, the plug and the cable can be easily detached from the electronic device main body. Therefore, in the waterproof structure of the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to reliably maintain the waterproof state of the plug connecting portion while easily detaching the plug.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof structure of the present invention is adopted for the digital camera. However, for example, since the digital camera has a use (for example, photographing) when the headphones are not attached, the plug of the headphones is frequently used. It is envisaged to attach and detach. There are many commercially available digital cameras that are completely waterproof. The present invention further provides a waterproof structure around the connector in addition to these waterproof mechanisms. As described above, the electronic device adopting the waterproof structure of the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and can be used in various electronic devices.

It is an external view of an electronic device. It is a bottom view of electronic equipment, and is a figure showing the state where a lid member was removed for convenience of explanation. It is a figure which shows the structure of a cover member. It is a figure which shows the structure of a cover member. It is a figure for demonstrating each state of a cover member. It is a figure which shows typically a storage part and the waterproof rib of the circumference | surroundings. It is S2-S2 sectional drawing of FIG. It is the figure which showed the cable groove vicinity of a waterproof rib. It is a figure for demonstrating in detail the locking mechanism of a cover member. It is a figure which shows the case where a plug is attached to a headphone jack. It is the figure which showed the cable groove vicinity of a waterproof rib. It is the figure seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG.11 (b). It is sectional drawing which shows an accommodating part vicinity, and is S3-S3 sectional drawing of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 100 Main body 105 Waterproof rib 106 Cable groove 200 Lid part 220 Outer cover part 240 Inner cover part 241 Master plate 250 Elastic member 252 Waterproof rib 254 Cable groove 300 Storage part 301 Headphone jack 400 Plug 410 Cable 500 Connector room 520 With stopper Spring

Claims (17)

A waterproof structure for an electronic device having a connector connecting portion,
A lid member that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body of the electronic device;
In a state where the lid member is closed, a storage portion is formed between the main body and the lid member as a region that is sealed while forming a waterproof state with respect to the outside of the electronic device.
The connector connecting portion is disposed in the storage portion;
The connector connected to the connector connection part can be stored in the storage part,
An electronic device, further comprising a waterproof guide portion that guides a cable extending from the connector to the outside of the electronic device from between the lid member and the main body while maintaining a waterproof state of the housing portion. Waterproof structure.   The lid member includes a sealing member that is pivotally supported by the main body at one end and seals the storage portion, and a lock unit that maintains the state where the storage portion is sealed by the sealing member. The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising an outer lid member. The outer lid member covers the sealing member from the outside of the electronic device in a state where the sealing member seals the housing portion, and slides in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis along the sealing member. Is attached to be possible and rotates together with the sealing member,
The locking means slides the outer lid member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis in a direction approaching the rotation axis in a state where the sealing member is closed. The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the lid member functions to maintain the closed state of the sealing member.   The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the waterproof guide part guides the cable in a sliding direction of the outer lid member.   The main body has an engaging portion projecting around the storage portion, and the sealing member is disposed along the engaging portion and is engaged with the engaging portion. The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the waterproof structure is provided.   The said sealing member is a plate-shaped member, The said to-be-engaged part is provided in the peripheral part of the said sealing member, and protrudes in the said accommodating part side predetermined amount rather than the other site | part. Waterproof structure for electronic equipment as described in 1.   The cross-sectional shape of either one of the engaging portion or the engaged portion is a convex shape, and the other cross-sectional shape is a concave shape formed so as to engage with the convex shape. 7. A waterproof structure for electronic equipment as set forth in 6. The waterproof guide portion is formed in the engaging portion and formed at a position facing the first groove portion in the engaged portion, and a first groove portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to a cross section of the engaging portion. A second groove extending in a direction substantially parallel to the cross section of the engaged portion,
By holding the cable between the first groove portion and the second groove portion, the cable is kept outside the electronic device from between the lid member and the main body while maintaining the waterproof state of the storage portion. The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that:   The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the first groove portion and the second groove portion extend in a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis of the sealing member.   In the state where the cable is not provided, the waterproof guide portion is formed by the first groove portion being covered by the engaged portion, and the second groove portion being covered by the engaging portion, whereby the storage portion The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the waterproof structure is maintained.   The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is formed of an elastic member.   When the engaged portion is formed of an elastic member, the lid member includes an engaged portion pressing protrusion that is a protrusion for pressing the engaged portion toward the engaging portion. The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the waterproof structure is used.   The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member is formed of an elastic member. The outer lid member has a notch for guiding the cable,
The cutout portion and the waterproof guide portion are arranged so as to be along a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis of the sealing member in a state where the lid member is closed. The waterproof structure of the electronic device according to any one of the   The connector connected to the connector connecting portion is an L-shaped plug, and the sealing member can contact the plug and press the plug in the insertion direction when the lid member is closed. The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the waterproof structure is used.   16. The storage portion further includes a biasing unit that biases the connector connecting portion in a direction opposite to the insertion direction when the plug is pressed in the insertion direction. Waterproof structure for electronic equipment as described in 1.   17. The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit can further store at least one of a battery, a recording medium, and a wired connection connector.

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