JP2008051982A - Release structure of imaging apparatus and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain effective water-proof structure of a water-proof imaging apparatus such as a camera equipped with a depressing button, without causing disadvantages such as an increase in the number of parts, complication of structure, a decrease in efficiency of assembly work and an increase in the size of the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A recessed part 17 is formed in a cover 11 which protects the inside, and a release member 19 which releases a shutter when depressed and a key button 12 formed of an elastic member are arranged in the recessed part 17. A press fixing member 13 presses the periphery part of the key button 12 to bring the elastic member into press-contact with the recessed part 17 and press and fix it, whereby the inside is hermetically sealed. The press fixing member 13 has a hole 14, and the cover 11 has a projection 15 corresponding to the hole 14 of the press fixing member 13, and the hole 14 of the press fixing member 13 and the projection 15 of the cover 11 are engaged with each other, whereby one end side of the press fixing member 13 is caught and fixed to the cover 11, and the other end side is fixed by a screw. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a release structure of an imaging apparatus such as a camera having a waterproof structure and a release button for enabling photography of images and videos underwater, and an imaging apparatus having such a release structure. It is about.

Conventionally, in order to be able to take pictures and videos underwater, waterproof cases with waterproof specifications formed so as to accommodate cameras such as still cameras and video camcorders have been used. Such a waterproof case inevitably has a considerably larger outer shape than a camera housed inside.
On the other hand, there is also a camera body that has a waterproof structure that enables underwater imaging with a more compact outer shape. Thus, when applying a waterproof structure to the camera body, the structure of the movable part, especially the button part that is operated to be pressed, such as the release button, is important, and this part has a compact structure while ensuring high waterproofness. Moreover, it is necessary to realize good assembly workability. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-203114), Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-224557), and Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-224557) are known as structures relating to a push button portion in a conventional camera having a waterproof structure. (2004-151405 gazette).

For example, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, which are related arts regarding a button to be pressed in a camera having a waterproof structure on the camera body, the key button body is formed of an elastic member such as silicon rubber. A method has been proposed in which a mounting surface and a waterproof rib are formed, and the key button mounting surface portion and the corresponding portion of the outer casing are sandwiched and fixed using the flange portion and the claw portion of the key button holding member. In this method, it is not necessary to use the waterproof case as described above, but the entire circumference of the key button is not pressed and fixed, and the parts such as the distance between the flange portion and the claw portion of the key button holding member Since the waterproofness is obtained depending on the accuracy, it cannot be said that sufficient waterproofness is ensured.
Further, in the waterproof push button switch shown in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-224557) and the like, a base member, an operation member, a waterproof packing, a pressed member, and a structure excellent in operational feeling and resistant to waterproof performance, There has been proposed a system in which the waterproof packing is compressed and held by compressing and holding the holding member by rotatingly inserting and engaging the holding member with the base member. However, with this method, the number of parts increases and the assemblability at the time of manufacture is poor, leading to a significant increase in manufacturing cost.

  Moreover, in the release structure shown in Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151405), the release part is formed so as to cover the release member attached to the front case so as to be reciprocally slidable in a waterproof state. A release cover made of rubber. On the other hand, the first shaft and the second shaft are separated from the release button by a predetermined distance, and the second shaft is operated by pressing the button. Thus, the operated part is operated. However, this method is not improved in the mounting structure of the release cover, and the structure of the release button portion is complicated by the provision of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, and the operated member Since it is the second shaft portion that is eccentric from the center of the release portion, the first shaft portion receives a component force and receives an eccentric reaction force, which increases the operation of the release member. There's a problem.

JP-A-2005-203114 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-224557 JP 2004-151405 A

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and in a waterproof imaging device such as a camera provided with a push button, the number of components is increased, the structure is complicated, the assembly workability is deteriorated, and the size of the device is increased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a release structure for an image pickup apparatus that can realize an effective waterproof structure without causing problems such as the above.
The object of claim 1 of the present invention is to simplify the assembly and fixing structure of the movable waterproof structure part particularly related to the push button, to reduce the number of parts, to improve the assembly workability, and to enlarge the outer shape of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a release structure for an imaging apparatus that can be prevented.
The object of claim 2 of the present invention is to effectively reduce the number of parts, improve the assembly workability effectively by the appropriate simplification of the assembly and fixing structure of the movable waterproof structure part related to the push button, and An object of the present invention is to provide a release structure for an imaging apparatus that can prevent an increase in the size of the outer shape of the apparatus.
The object of claim 3 of the present invention is to stabilize the waterproof property and prevent the apparatus from becoming large, particularly by using the engagement directionality of the assembly and fixing structure of the movable waterproof structure part related to the push button. It is an object of the present invention to provide a release structure for an imaging apparatus that can be realized.

An object of claim 4 of the present invention is to provide an image pickup that can stabilize the waterproof state and improve the waterproofness and the assembly workability, particularly in the assembly and fixing configuration of the movable waterproof structure part related to the push button. It is in providing the release structure of an apparatus.
The object of claim 5 of the present invention is to reduce the occurrence of defective parts at the time of mold release in part molding of a part of the movable waterproof structure part related to the push button, and to improve productivity. An object of the present invention is to provide a release structure for an imaging apparatus.
The object of claim 6 of the present invention is to reduce the occurrence of component defects at the time of mold release in the molding of other parts of the movable waterproof structure part related to the push button, and to improve productivity. The present invention is to provide a release structure for an imaging apparatus.
An object of claim 7 of the present invention is to provide a release structure of an image pickup apparatus that can improve the adhesion performance of the movable waterproof structure portion related to the push button and improve the waterproof property.
The object of the present invention is to reduce the number of parts of the movable waterproof structure related to the push button, improve the assembling workability, and prevent the apparatus from becoming large. To provide an apparatus.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the release structure of the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention described in claim 1
A concave portion is formed in the cover that protects the inside, and a release member that releases the shutter by a pressing operation and a key button formed from an elastic member are arranged in the concave portion, and the key button is pressed by a pressing fixing member. In the imaging device that seals the inside by pressing and fixing the elastic member to the concave portion,
The pressing and fixing member has at least one of one or more holes and protrusions,
The cover has at least one of one or more protrusions and holes corresponding to at least one of the holes and protrusions of the pressing and fixing member,
By engaging at least one of the one or more holes and protrusions of the pressing and fixing member and at least one of the one or more protrusions and holes of the cover, the pressing and fixing member is hooked on the cover. It is characterized by being fixed.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the release structure of the imaging device according to the present invention described in claim 2 is provided.
A cover having a concave portion formed therein and having one or more protrusions around the concave portion;
A key button that is formed of a release member that releases the shutter by a pressing operation and an elastic member that covers an outer surface and a peripheral portion of the release member, and is disposed in the concave portion of the cover;
One or more holes are formed corresponding to the one or more protrusions of the cover, and the holes are hooked and fixed by engaging the protrusions of the cover. A pressing and fixing member that presses and fixes the elastic member to the concave portion of the cover to seal and fix the inside;
It is characterized by comprising.
The release structure of the imaging device according to the present invention described in claim 3 is the release structure of the imaging device of claim 1 or claim 2,
At least one of the protrusion and the hole of the cover is formed on a plane different from the plane forming the concave portion.

The release structure of the imaging device according to the present invention described in claim 4 is the release structure of the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A rib is provided in the concave portion.
The release structure of the imaging device according to the present invention described in claim 5 is the release structure of the imaging device of claim 4,
A rib taper is formed on the rib wall of the rib.
The release structure of the imaging device according to the present invention described in claim 6 is the release structure of the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The inner wall of the concave portion is provided with a punch taper.
The release structure of the imaging device according to the present invention described in claim 7 is the release structure of the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Grease is applied to the contact surface between the key button and the concave portion.
An imaging apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes the release structure according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

According to the present invention, in a waterproof imaging device such as a camera provided with a push button, the effect can be obtained without incurring problems such as an increase in the number of parts, a complicated structure, a deterioration in assembly workability, and an increase in the size of the device. It is possible to provide a release structure for an imaging apparatus that can realize a typical waterproof structure.
That is, according to the release structure of the imaging device of the first aspect of the present invention, a concave portion is formed in the cover that protects the inside, and the concave portion is formed of a release member that releases the shutter by a pressing operation and an elastic member. In the imaging apparatus in which the key button is pressed by a pressing fixing member, the elastic member is pressed against the concave portion, and the inside is sealed by pressing and fixing, the pressing fixing member Has at least one of one or more holes and protrusions, and the cover has at least one of one or more protrusions and holes corresponding to at least one of the holes and protrusions of the pressing fixing member, and the pressing At least one of the one or more holes and protrusions of the fixing member and at least one of the one or more protrusions and holes of the cover are engaged with each other. As a result, the pressing and fixing member is hooked and fixed to the cover, in particular, the assembly and fixing structure of the movable waterproof structure related to the push button is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, and the assembly workability is improved. It is possible to prevent the size of the apparatus from becoming large.

According to the release structure of the imaging device of the second aspect of the present invention, the inside is protected, a concave portion is formed, and a cover having one or more protrusions around the concave portion, and the shutter is pressed by a pressing operation. A release button to be released and an elastic member that covers an outer surface and a peripheral portion of the release member, and a key button disposed in the concave portion of the cover, and one corresponding to the one or more protrusions of the cover Forming at least two holes, and being hooked and fixed by engaging the holes with the protrusions of the cover, pressing the key button and pressing the elastic member against the concave portion of the cover; By including a pressing fixing member that seals and fixes the inside, especially by appropriately simplifying the assembly and fixing structure of the movable waterproof structure related to the pressing button Effectively, to reduce the number of parts, assembling workability, improved operability, and it is possible to prevent the size of the device profile.
That is, according to the release structure of the imaging device of claim 1 and claim 2, a screw or the like for fixing by fixing the press fixing member to the cover by hooking the hole and the projection of the press fixing member and the cover to each other. And the number of work steps can be reduced. Further, when there is no allowance in the layout, it is possible to avoid the increase in size more effectively by fixing by hook engagement than by a fixing method such as screwing.

According to the release structure of the imaging device of claim 3 of the present invention, in the release structure of the imaging device of claim 1 or 2, the plane is different from the plane forming the concave portion. By forming at least one of the projection and the hole of the cover, the waterproofness is stabilized and the large size of the outer shape of the device is obtained by using the engagement directionality of the assembly and fixing structure of the movable waterproof structure part related to the push button. Can be prevented.
In other words, if the projection or hole of the cover is located on the same plane as the plane forming the concave portion, backlash occurs due to the parts accuracy of the pressing and fixing member and the cover, and the hole and protrusion of the pressing and fixing member and the cover There is a possibility that the key button cannot be pressed and fixed, and the engagement may be disengaged. However, with the release structure of the imaging device according to claim 3, the protrusion or the hole of the cover is formed on a plane different from the plane forming the concave portion, so that the pressing fixing member is dropped from the concave portion of the cover. The hook part of the pressing and fixing member is formed in a direction different from the direction in which the key is pressed, and there is no risk of dropping off, so that the key button can be pressed and fixed appropriately. Can be prevented.

According to the release structure of the imaging device of claim 4 of the present invention, in the release structure of the imaging device of any one of claims 1 to 3, in particular, by providing a rib in the concave portion, in particular, a push button In the assembly and fixing configuration of the movable waterproof structure portion related to the above, it is possible to stabilize the waterproof state and improve the waterproofness and the assembly workability.
When the key button is pressed and fixed by the pressing and fixing member, the key button formed of the elastic member may escape in an unintended direction by pressing. On the other hand, if the release structure of the imaging device according to claim 4 is used, the rib can maintain a stable pressing state of the key button and can improve waterproofness.
According to the release structure of the image pickup apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the release structure of the image pickup apparatus of the fourth aspect, by forming a taper in the rib wall of the rib, in particular, the movable waterproofing related to the push button. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of component failure at the time of mold release in part molding of a part of the structure portion, and to improve productivity.
Since the cover is generally made of plastic, it is molded using an injection molding machine and a mold. Since the rib is formed in the mold release direction due to the structure of the mold, in accordance with the release structure of the image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, by providing a punch taper, a mold failure is caused, that is, a so-called mold failure. Etc. can be prevented.

According to the release structure of the image pickup apparatus of claim 6 of the present invention, in the release structure of the image pickup apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, in particular, by providing a punching taper on the inner wall of the concave portion, Further, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of component failure at the time of mold release in the molding of the other part of the movable waterproof structure related to the push button, and to improve the productivity.
Since the cover is generally made of plastic as described above, the cover is molded using an injection molding machine and a mold. According to the release structure of the image pickup apparatus of the sixth aspect, by providing a punch taper on the inner wall of the concave portion, it is possible to prevent so-called component failure caused by failure of mold release. Moreover, it can also be expected that the waterproof property is improved when the pressed key button is sandwiched between the press-preventing member and the recessed tapered portion of the concave portion.
According to the release structure of the imaging device of claim 7 of the present invention, in the release structure of the imaging device of any one of claims 1 to 6, grease is applied to a contact surface between the key button and the concave portion. In particular, it is possible to improve the sealing performance of the movable waterproof structure related to the push button and improve the waterproof property.

According to the release structure of the imaging device according to claim 7, the contact surface between the key button formed of an elastic member and the concave portion is adhered by the grease applied to the contact surface between the key button and the concave portion. The water resistance can be improved.
According to the imaging device of claim 8 of the present invention, by providing the release structure of any one of claims 1 to 7, in particular, the number of parts of the movable waterproof structure part related to the push button is reduced. It is possible to reduce, improve the assembly workability, and prevent an increase in the size of the apparatus.

Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus having the release structure of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings according to the embodiments of the present invention.
1 to 4 show a configuration of a waterproof digital camera according to a first embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire structure of the waterproof digital camera as seen from the front upper side, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the detailed structure of the release button part with the protective protector removed as seen from the front upper side. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view schematically showing the detailed configuration of the release button part with the protective protector removed, and FIG. 4 shows the details of the release button part with the protective protector removed. It is sectional drawing seen from the side which shows a simple structure.
A waterproof digital camera 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 includes a grip part 2, a release button part 3, a photographing lens 4, an optical viewfinder 5, a strobe light emitting part 6, a mode dial 7, a power switch 8, an accessory shoe 9, and a lid part. 10, a cover 11, a key button 12, a pressing fixing member 13, a hole 14, a protrusion 15, a screw 16, a concave portion 17, a flat surface 18, a release member 19, a hole portion 20, and a rib 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, the waterproof digital camera 1 is provided with a grip 2 for a photographer to hold on the left side when viewed from the front, and a release button 3 is formed above the grip 2. Has been. A photographic lens 4 is provided almost at the center of the front side of the digital camera 1, and an optical finder 5 for a user to visually confirm a photographic range and the like, photographing at low illuminance, etc. above the photographic lens 4. In this case, a strobe light emitting unit 6 for irradiating auxiliary light toward the subject is provided. On the upper surface of the digital camera 1, a mode dial 7 composed of a rotary switch for selecting various operation modes of the camera and a push button switch for turning on / off a power source disposed at the center of the mode dial 7 are constructed. A power switch 8 as a main switch and an accessory shoe 9 for attaching an external strobe device or the like are provided. A battery cover 10 for opening and closing a card slot for detachably attaching a memory card and a battery chamber for detachably attaching a battery are provided on the left side as viewed from the front of the digital camera 1. Is provided.
The part including the grip part 2 and the release button part 3 and the like above it in FIG. 1 is covered with a protective protector, and details of the vicinity of the release button part with the protective protector removed are shown in FIG. It is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.

  As shown mainly in FIG. 2, in the release button portion 3 of the waterproof digital camera 1, a key button 12 formed of an elastic member such as silicon rubber is attached to a press fixing member 13, for example, a plastic cover. 11 is fixed. In the fixing method, a protrusion 15 protruding from the cover 11 is hooked and engaged with a hole 14 formed at the front edge of the pressing fixing member 13 which is one of the features of the present invention, and the opposite side thereof is engaged. The pressing and fixing member 13 is screwed to the cover 11 using two screws 16 at the rear edge. In the present invention, the number and installation location of the screws 16 are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and may be other numbers and positions. It is also a feature of the present invention that the hook portion is formed on a plane different from the plane 18 having the concave portion 17 provided on the cover 11 (Claim 3). Thus, by setting it as a different plane, the front convex amount of the grip part 2 can be minimized, without changing a release button position. Further, since the hooking portion of the pressing and fixing member 13 is formed in a direction different from the direction in which the pressing and fixing member 13 is dropped from the concave portion 17 of the cover 11, there is no fear that the pressing and fixing member 13 is dropped. Can be appropriately pressed and fixed.

3 shows a state in which the release button portion 3 is viewed from the front, and FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section by a section parallel to the front-rear direction of FIG.
A release member 19 that functions as an actuator for releasing the shutter is held inside the lower surface side by the key button 12, and a hole provided in a concave portion 17 provided in the cover 11 during the release operation. A switch (not shown) inside the cover 11 can be turned on by the shaft column of the release member 19 penetrating through 20. When the key button 12 is pressed and fixed by the pressing and fixing member 13, the key button 12 formed of an elastic member may escape in an unintended direction (for example, the central axis direction of the release member 19 shown in FIG. 4). In order to prevent this, a rib 21 as shown in the figure is also one feature of the present invention (claim 4).
The cover 11 is generally formed by injection molding using a plastic material from the viewpoint of cost and productivity. Although the inner wall surface of the concave portion 17 and the wall portion of the rib 21 are not clearly shown, they are formed in the direction of releasing due to the structure of the mold. (Claims 5 and 6). However, the draft taper angle is not limited in the present invention, and can be appropriately selected according to the shape and material. One feature of the present invention is that grease is applied to the contact surface between the key button 12 and the concave portion 17 (Claim 7). The grease may be made of any material as long as it improves the adhesion of the contact surface between the key button 12 and the concave portion 17 formed of an elastic member.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a waterproof digital camera according to a second embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention, and schematically shows a cross-sectional configuration viewed from the front side near the release button portion of the waterproof digital camera. It is sectional drawing shown.
In FIG. 5, a key button 32 formed of an elastic member is fixed to the cover 31 by a pressing and fixing member 33. In the configuration in this case, the protrusions 35a and 35b provided on the left and right sides of the cover 31 are hooked and fixed at substantially symmetrical left and right positions by the holes 34a and 34b respectively provided in the pressing fixing member 33. Yes.

Even in such a state, it is possible to ensure waterproofness, but for safety, a screw (not shown) may be used for screwing. Moreover, the number of hook engaging locations is not limited to the illustrated configuration, and can be set according to the situation as appropriate.
In the first and second embodiments described above, the pressing and fixing members 13 and 33 are provided with the holes 14 and 34a and 34b, and the covers 11 and 31 are provided with the protrusions 15 and 35a and 35b. It is good also as a structure which provides a protrusion in a press fixing member, and provides a hole in a cover, and what is necessary is just to set the number of these engaging parts suitably, and a structure which provides a protrusion and a hole in a pressure fixing member, and provides a hole and a protrusion in a cover It is good. In addition, although a digital camera is exemplified as an image pickup apparatus to which the release structure according to the present invention is applied, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and may be applied to a silver salt camera using a so-called silver salt film or the like. The present invention can be applied to both a still camera that captures images and a video camera that captures moving images, and can be applied to a wide variety of imaging devices.

It is the perspective view seen from the front upper part which shows the whole structure of the waterproof digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention. It is the perspective view seen from the front upper part which shows the detailed structure of the release button part of the state which removed the protection protector of the digital camera of FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the front which shows the detailed structure of the release button part of the state which removed the protection protector of the digital camera of FIG. It is sectional drawing seen from the side which shows the detailed structure of the release button part of the state which removed the protection protector of the digital camera of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure seen from the front side of the release button part vicinity of the waterproof digital camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Waterproof digital camera 2 Grip part 3 Release button part 4 Shooting lens 5 Optical viewfinder 6 Strobe light emission part 7 Mode dial 8 Power switch 9 Accessory shoe 10 Lid part (battery cover)
11, 31 Cover 12, 32 Key button 13, 33 Press fixing member 14, 34 a, 34 b Hole 15, 35 a, 35 b Protrusion 16 Screw 17 Recessed portion 18 Plane 19 Release member 20 Hole portion 21 Rib

Claims (8)

A concave portion is formed in the cover that protects the inside, and a release member that releases the shutter by a pressing operation and a key button formed from an elastic member are arranged in the concave portion, and the key button is pressed by a pressing fixing member. In the imaging device that seals the inside by pressing and fixing the elastic member to the concave portion,
The pressing and fixing member has at least one of one or more holes and protrusions,
The cover has at least one of one or more protrusions and holes corresponding to at least one of the holes and protrusions of the pressing and fixing member,
By engaging at least one of the one or more holes and protrusions of the pressing and fixing member and at least one of the one or more protrusions and holes of the cover, the pressing and fixing member is hooked on the cover. A release structure of an imaging apparatus, which is fixed. A cover having a concave portion formed therein and having one or more protrusions around the concave portion;
A key button that is formed of a release member that releases the shutter by a pressing operation and an elastic member that covers an outer surface and a peripheral portion of the release member, and is disposed in the concave portion of the cover;
One or more holes are formed corresponding to the one or more protrusions of the cover, and the holes are hooked and fixed by engaging the protrusions of the cover. A pressing and fixing member that presses and fixes the elastic member to the concave portion of the cover to seal and fix the inside;
A release structure of an imaging apparatus comprising:   The release of the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the protrusion and the hole of the cover is formed on a plane different from the plane forming the concave portion. Construction.   The release structure of the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a rib is provided in the concave portion.   The release structure of the image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a taper is formed in the rib wall of the rib.   The release structure of the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a taper is provided on an inner wall of the concave portion.   The release structure of the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein grease is applied to a contact surface between the key button and the concave portion.   An imaging apparatus comprising the release structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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