JP2008083551A - Universal head device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a universal head device designed so that even when a tilting operation or panning operation is performed, a fixing device is prevented from being unlocked, resulting in detachment of an imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When a tilt base 70 is rotated in direction A, a slide lock lever 85 comes into contact with a tilt stopper part A66. The tilt base 70 is further rotated, and a locking mechanism section 50 is rotated in direction P relative to the slide lock lever 85. Since the slide fixing groove part 55a of a lock slide plate 55 and the hole 85a of the slide lock lever 85 engage with each other, the lock slide plate 55 is hindered from moving in directions E and F and fixed in position. A locking claw part 52 remains hooked on the locking claw hole 31 of an attachment 30, thereby preventing detachment of a digital camera 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pan / tilt head device that drives an imaging device mounted on a mounting member at least in a tilt direction.

  In recent years, digital cameras have become very popular as imaging devices, and have permeated homes. In addition, manufacturers are changing models at an early cycle, such as performance enhancement, function enhancement, and miniaturization year by year. As a result, there are many cases where a plurality of digital cameras exist in each household and are stored without being used.

  With the importance of security, the demand for surveillance cameras has increased, and surveillance cameras have penetrated into offices, stores, parking lots, and even homes. For home use, a simple surveillance camera that can be easily installed and used to watch pets, infants in the separate rooms, elderly people, etc. has been proposed.

  From such a background, there is a demand for using a digital camera stored without being used as a simple surveillance camera by mounting the digital camera on a pan head that is rotatable in the pan / tilt direction. For example, there has been proposed one that electrically connects a digital camera and a camera platform via an adapter (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the following is proposed as such a pan / tilt head. In a pan / tilt head with a digital camera attached (see FIGS. 1 and 2), an attachment (30) is attached to the digital camera (20), and the digital camera (to the tilt pedestal (70) is attached via the attachment (30). 20) is attached.

  The pan / tilt head (10) tilts and rotates the tilt base (70), to which the digital camera (20) is attached, in the A direction and the B direction around the n axis by an internal drive unit (not shown). It is configured. In addition, the digital camera (20) and the tilt base (70) are configured to be pan-rotated in the C direction and the D direction around the m axis by an internal drive unit (not shown).

  A release button (51) for removing the digital camera (20) and the attachment (30) is attached to the tilt base (70). Further, the pan / tilt head (10) has a memory card insertion slot (13), and a photographed image can be written into or read from an external memory attached to the memory card insertion slot (13). .

  When the digital camera (20) is mounted on the attachment (30) (see FIG. 3), the digital camera (20) has a tripod screw (21) provided on the lower surface thereof and a tripod screw (32) of the attachment (30). ) Are fixed to the attachment (30). At this time, the interface connector on the digital camera (20) side is connected to the interface connector (33) on the attachment (30) side. Furthermore, the pan / tilt head (10) is electrically connected through the tilt base interface connector (34). In addition, on the lower surface of the attachment (30), there are four locking claw holes (31) for connecting to the tilt base (70).

  The tilt base (70) has a tilt rotation axis (42), and is rotatable in the A direction and the B direction around the n axis (see FIG. 5). In addition, locking claw portions (52) are provided at four locations on the bottom of the tilt base (70) so as to engage with the locking claw holes (31) of the attachment (30). Moreover, the connector (41) electrically connected with the interface connector (34) of an attachment (30) is provided.

  The lock mechanism (50) is mounted inside the tilt base (70) and has a lock slide plate (55). The lock slide plate (55) has the locking claw portion (52) and the release lever (51) described above, and is slidable in the E and F directions. Further, the lock slide plate (55) is always urged in the direction of arrow F by the lock spring (54).

  When the attachment (30) is mounted on the tilt base (70), the lock claw portion (52) of the lock mechanism portion (50) first has a lock claw inclined portion (52a) and a lock claw hole in the attachment (30). The peripheral part of (31) contacts and the lock slide plate (55) moves in the E direction. Further, when the attachment (30) is pushed in, the lock claw portion (52) enters the lock claw hole (31), and the lock slide plate (55) moves in the F direction by the spring force of the lock spring (54). The attachment (30) is fixed to the tilt base (70) by engaging the lock claw hooking portion (52b) and the lock claw hole (31).

  FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the structure of the tilt drive section and tilt gear meshing section of the conventional pan / tilt head 210. In this figure, the state where the pan cover is removed is shown. When the attachment 230 is attached to the digital camera 220 and the tilt pedestal 240 of the pan / tilt head 210 is locked by the lock mechanism, the tilt pedestal 240 is tilted and rotated in the A and B directions around the n-axis (see FIG. A)).

  The pan cover to which the tilt base 240 is attached is configured to rotate in the C and D directions around the m axis by an internal driving unit. The tilt motor 261 is attached to the tilt base 260. The tilt motor gear 262 attached to the tilt motor 261 and the tilt gear 263 engaged with the tilt shaft are in mesh with each other (see FIG. 5B), and the driving force of the tilt motor 261 is transmitted to the tilt gear 263. Tilt rotation is performed. Further, a sensor 264 for detecting the home position of the tilt rotation and a control board 265 for controlling the tilt motor 261 are provided.

  In the other tilt pedestal and lock mechanism (see FIG. 19), the tilt pedestal (190) has a tilt rotation axis (42), and is rotatable in the A and B directions around the n axis. is there. In addition, locking claw portions (52) are provided at four locations on the bottom of the tilt base (190) so as to engage with the locking claw holes (31) of the attachment (30). A connector (41) that is electrically connected to the interface connector (34) of the attachment (30) is provided at the bottom of the tilt base (190).

  The lock mechanism portion (150) is configured to be movable in the E and F directions with the lock slide plate (55) guided by two slide pins with respect to the lock base plate (53). The lock slide plate (55) is always urged in the F direction by the lock spring (54). Further, by moving the release lever (51) attached to the lock slide plate (55) in the E direction, the four locking claws (4) engaged with the lock claw holes (31) of the attachment (30) ( 52) is released.

  The latch plate (156) is rotatable in the G and H directions around the latch pin (157), and is configured to be latched when the release lever (51) is moved in the E direction. .

  When the lock mechanism (150) releases the attachment (30), when the release lever (51) is slid in the E direction, the lock slide plate 55 is moved in the E direction (see FIG. 20A). The latch plate (156) is rotated in the G direction by the urging force of the lock spring (54), and the latch portion (156a) of the latch plate (156) is engaged with the lock base plate guide portion (153a). . At this time, even if the lock slide plate (55) is moved in the F direction, the latch portion (156a) is guarded by the guide portion (153a), so that the latch plate (156) does not rotate in the H direction. , Can not be moved.

When the lock mechanism (150) locks the attachment (30), the latch plate (156) is pressed in the J direction and rotated in the H direction (see FIG. 20B). At this time, the latch portion (156a) of the latch plate (156) moves in the J direction with respect to the lock base plate guide portion (153a), and the engaged state is released. In this state, the lock slide plate (55) is movable in the F direction and is moved in the F direction by the urging force of the lock spring (54).
JP 2003-60937 A

  However, the conventional pan head apparatus has the following problems. That is, in order to fix the attachment to the tilt pedestal, the lock claw is hooked on the lock claw hole and biased by the lock spring, so tilt rotation (A, B direction) or pan rotation (C, D direction) is performed. If this is done, there is a risk that the locking claw will come off.

  In particular, in recent years, due to the need for high-speed tracking of an object, the rotational speed has been increased, and the risk that the locking claw portion will be increasingly removed has increased. If the locking claw part is released, the attached digital camera may come off and break.

  Also, if you miss while monitoring, you will not be able to monitor. Furthermore, people other than those who use digital cameras could easily remove it from the pan / tilt head and take it away.

  Further, the conventional pan head apparatus has the following problems. In other words, even if the attachment and the tilt base are fixed by the lock mechanism so that no backlash occurs in the tilt direction, backlash has occurred due to backlash of the meshing portion between the tilt gear and the tilt motor gear. Due to this backlash, when the digital camera is mounted, the tilt pedestal becomes loose and the mounting performance is inferior.

  In addition, if the tilt angle when the digital camera is mounted is at a position other than the upright position of the digital camera and it is not completely locked by this locking mechanism, the digital camera will fall off the tilt base due to its own weight. There was a risk of damage.

  Furthermore, when the digital camera is tilted and rotated in the A direction or B direction while shooting with the digital camera, if the digital camera slightly deviates from the upright position, the digital camera's own weight will advance the gear drive by the amount of gear play. It was rotating. As a result, there is a problem that the captured image is disturbed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pan head device that can prevent the image pickup apparatus from being released due to the release of the fixture even when the tilt operation or the pan operation is performed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a pan / tilt head device that prevents a person other than the user from easily removing the imaging device and can improve security.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a pan / tilt head device capable of preventing the mounting member itself from being loose. Another object of the present invention is to provide a pan / tilt head device that can prevent the image pickup apparatus from falling off the mounting member even if the lock mechanism is not completely locked. In addition, the present invention provides a pan / tilt head device that can avoid a problem of rotating before the gear is driven by the weight of the imaging device due to the backlash of the imaging device, and can prevent the captured image from being disturbed. To do other purposes.

  In order to achieve the above object, a pan head apparatus according to the present invention includes a mounting member to which an imaging device is mounted and a driving unit that drives the mounting member at least in a tilt direction. A fixture that is movably provided in the tilt axis direction, and that is fixed in the mounting member by moving in the tilt axis direction, and at least part of the fixture is provided in the mounting member, and the drive And an engaging device that prohibits movement of the fixing device in response to the mounting member being driven to a specific position by the means.

  The pan head apparatus of the present invention is a pan head apparatus having a mounting member on which an imaging device is mounted and a driving unit that drives the mounting member in at least the tilt direction, and is provided on the mounting member so as to be movable in the tilt axis direction. And by allowing movement of the fixing device according to the tilt rotation position of the mounting member and the fixing device that fixes the imaging device mounted on the mounting member by moving in the tilt axis direction, A limiter that limits tilt rotation of the mounting member, and the limiter is provided on a stopper member provided on the fixture, and on a base member that supports the mounting member so as to be tiltably rotatable. And a guide member that engages with a member to allow movement of the fixture and limit tilt rotation.

  The pan head apparatus of the present invention is a pan head apparatus having a mounting member on which an imaging device is mounted and a driving unit that drives the mounting member in at least the tilt direction, and is provided on the mounting member so as to be movable in the tilt axis direction. A fixing device that fixes the imaging device mounted on the mounting member by moving in the tilt axis direction, and the driving means is a tilt motor and a tilt motor gear that is pivotally supported by the tilt motor. And a tilt gear that meshes with the tilt motor gear and is supported by the tilt rotation shaft. The tilt gear is rotatably supported by the tilt rotation shaft and a fixed tilt gear fixed to the tilt rotation shaft. A movable tilt gear, and a spring member that urges the fixed tilt gear and the movable tilt gear so as to narrow a space between teeth. , Characterized by clamping the one tooth in one tooth and one tooth of the movable tilt gear of the fixed tilt gear of the tilt motor gear.

  According to the pan / tilt head device of the first aspect of the present invention, since the movement of the fixing member is prohibited by the engaging tool in response to the mounting member being driven to a specific position by the driving means, the tilting operation or Even when the panning operation is performed, it is possible to avoid that the fixing device is released and the imaging apparatus is detached. Therefore, there is no fear that the imaging device is broken or the user is injured, and a highly reliable panhead device can be provided. This is particularly effective when tracking at high speed.

  According to the pan head apparatus of the second aspect, the engaging tool can be realized with a relatively simple structure. According to the pan head apparatus according to claim 3, if the tilting operation is not performed, the fixing tool cannot be released even if the release lever is operated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a person other than the user from easily removing the imaging apparatus, Security can be improved. According to the pan / tilt head device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, if the panning operation is not performed, the fixture cannot be released even if the release lever is operated. Can be improved. According to the pan / tilt head device according to the fifth aspect, the security can be further improved by further performing password authentication.

  According to the pan / tilt head device according to claim 6 of the present invention, the restricting tool allows the movement of the fixing tool and restricts the tilt rotation of the mounting member according to the tilt rotation position of the mounting member. It is possible to prevent backlash from occurring in the member itself.

  According to the pan / tilt head device according to claim 7, since the imaging device is engaged only in the upright position, there is no fear that the imaging device falls off the mounting member even if the fixing by the fixing tool is incomplete. The damage can be avoided.

  In addition, according to the pan / tilt head device according to claims 8 and 9 of the present invention, it is possible to avoid the problem of rotating before the gear is driven by the weight of the imaging device due to the backlash of the gear. Can be prevented from being disturbed. Furthermore, when the user wears the imaging device, the operability can be improved so that play does not occur even when an excessive load is applied.

  Embodiments of the pan / tilt head device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The pan head apparatus of this embodiment is applied to a pan / tilt pan head to which a digital camera is mounted.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a pan / tilt head with the digital camera mounted in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the pan / tilt head with the pan cover removed. The pan / tilt head 1 has a tilt pedestal 70, and the digital camera 20 is attached to the tilt pedestal 70 via an attached attachment 30.

  In the pan / tilt head 1, the tilt rotation axis (n-axis) 42 of the tilt base 70 to which the digital camera 20 is attached is connected to the tilt motor gear 61 of the tilt motor 65 via the tilt gear 63 and the tilt reduction gear 62. The tilt can be freely rotated in the directions of arrows A and B in the figure.

  Further, the tilt base 60 to which the tilt base 70 is attached can be pan-rotated in the directions of arrows C and D about the m-axis by the pan motor 17. Further, a tilt HP sensor 64 for detecting the origin (home position) of tilt rotation and a pan HP sensor 15 for detecting the origin (home position) of pan rotation are provided.

  The tilt pedestal 70 is provided with a release button 51 for removing the digital camera 20 and the attachment 30. In addition, the pan / tilt head 1 has a memory card insertion slot 13, and a photographed image can be written to or read from an external memory inserted into the memory card insertion slot 13.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the lower part of the digital camera 20 and the structure of the attachment 30 attached to the digital camera 20. The digital camera 20 is fixed to the attachment 30 by engaging a tripod screw portion 21 provided on the lower surface thereof with a tripod screw 32 of the attachment 30. At this time, an interface connector (not shown) on the digital camera 20 side is connected to the interface connector 33 on the attachment 30 side. Further, the pan / tilt head 10 is electrically connected via the tilt base interface connector 34. In addition, on the lower surface of the attachment 30, lock claw holes 31 for connecting to the tilt base 70 are provided at four locations.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the lock mechanism portion of the tilt base 70. As described above, the tilt pedestal 70 has the tilt rotation shaft 42 and is supported so as to be rotatable in the directions of arrows A and B with respect to the tilt base 60.

  Further, at the bottom of the tilt pedestal 70, the four locking claw portions 52 provided so as to engage with the locking claw holes 31 formed on the lower surface of the attachment 30, and the interface connector 34 of the attachment 30 are electrically connected. A connector 41 to be connected is provided. In addition, a slide lock lever 85 that is rotatable in the directions of arrows A and B is attached to the tilt rotation shaft 42.

  Further, the tilt base 60 is provided with a tilt stopper portion A66 and a tilt stopper portion B67 in order to limit the tilt rotation region. When the slide lock lever 85 rotates in the A direction, it abuts on the tilt stopper portion A66, and when the slide lock lever 85 rotates in the B direction, it abuts on the tilt stopper portion B67.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the lock mechanism provided inside the tilt base 70. 2A shows the structure of the tilt pedestal 70, and FIG. 2B shows the structure of the lock mechanism unit 50. FIG.

  The lock mechanism unit 50 is mounted inside the tilt pedestal 70 and has a lock slide plate 55. The lock slide plate 55 has the locking claw portion 52 and the release lever 51 described above, and is slidable in the directions of arrows E and F in the figure. Further, the slide plate 55 is always urged in the direction of arrow F by the lock spring 54.

  When the attachment 30 is mounted on the tilt base 70, in the locking claw portion 52 of the locking mechanism portion 50, first, the locking claw inclined portion 52a and the peripheral portion of the locking claw hole 31 of the attachment 30 are in contact with each other, and the direction of arrow E Then, the lock slide plate 55 moves. Further, when the attachment 30 is pushed in, the locking claw portion 52 enters the locking claw hole 31, and the lock slide plate 55 moves in the direction of arrow F by the spring force of the lock spring 54. The attachment 30 is fixed to the tilt base 70 by engaging the lock claw hooking portion 52b and the lock claw hole 31.

  Next, the operation of the lock mechanism is shown. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tilt base 70 is tilted and rotated in the forward direction (A direction) and the lock slide plate 55 is fixed so as not to slide.

  When the tilt base 70 rotates in the A direction, the slide lock lever 85 comes into contact with the tilt stopper portion A66. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the operation of the lock mechanism 50. FIG. 4A shows the case viewed from the release button 51 side, FIG. 4B shows the case viewed from the end side of the tilt rotation shaft 42, and FIG. 4C shows the case of FIG. Shown from the opposite side.

  When the tilt pedestal 70 rotates in the A direction, the slide lock lever 85 comes into contact with the tilt stopper A66 and the slide lock lever 85 does not rotate any more, but the tilt pedestal 70 further moves to the stopper position (not shown). Rotate in the direction. Therefore, the lock mechanism unit 50 mounted on the tilt base 70 rotates in the direction of arrow P with respect to the slide lock lever 85. As a result, the slide fixing groove 55a of the lock slide plate 55 engages with the hole 85a of the slide lock lever 85, so that the lock slide plate 55 cannot move in either the E direction or the F direction.

  Since the lock slide plate 55 is fixed in the E and F directions in this way, the locking claw portion 52 remains caught in the locking claw hole 31 of the attachment 30. Therefore, even if the pan / tilt head 1 is panned or tilted at high speed, there is no fear that the digital camera 20 will come off.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tilt pedestal 70 is tilted and rotated backward (B direction) and the lock slide plate 55 is slidable. When the tilt base 70 rotates in the B direction, the slide lock lever 85 comes into contact with the tilt stopper portion B67. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the operation of the lock mechanism 50. When the tilt pedestal 70 rotates in the B direction, the slide lock lever 85 comes into contact with the tilt stopper B67 and the slide lock lever 85 does not rotate any more, but the tilt pedestal 70 further moves to the stopper position (not shown) B. Rotate in the direction. Accordingly, the lock mechanism 50 mounted on the tilt base 70 rotates in the arrow Q direction with respect to the slide lock lever 85 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).

  As a result, the slide fixing groove 55 a of the lock slide plate 55 is detached from the hole 85 a of the slide lock lever 85. Therefore, the lock slide plate 55 is slidable in both the E direction and the F direction (see FIGS. 3C and 3D). Since the lock slide plate 55 is slidable, when the release lever 51 is moved in the E direction, the lock claw 52 is detached from the lock claw hole 31 of the attachment 30. The digital camera 20 can be detached from the pan / tilt head 1.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of the control unit 100 built in the pan / tilt head 1. The control unit 100 is mounted on a control board, and has a configuration in which a known CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, input unit 104, memory card controller 108, motor drive unit 105, and I / O unit 106 are connected to a system bus 107. Have. A pan motor 17 and a tilt motor 65 are connected to the motor drive unit 105. A pan HP sensor 15 and a tilt HP sensor 64 are connected to the I / O unit 106. The memory card controller 108 writes or reads a captured image to or from an external memory inserted into the memory card insertion slot 13. The input unit 104 is provided on the housing of the pan / tilt head 1 and accepts a key input from the user. In addition to the control program described later, a password is registered in the ROM 102.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an unlocking process procedure by inputting a password. This processing program is stored in the ROM 102 in the control unit 100 and is executed by the CPU 101.

  The user inputs a password obtained by operating the input unit 104 (step S1). It is determined whether or not the input password matches the password registered in advance in the ROM 102 (step S2).

  If they match, a tilt operation for unlocking is performed (step S3). That is, the tilt base 70 is rotated in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 9). Then, the slide lock lever 85 is brought into contact with the tilt stopper portion B67 to restrict the slide fixing groove 55a of the lock slide plate 55 from engaging with the hole 85a of the slide lock lever 85, and the slide lock lever 85 is released. (Step S4). On the other hand, if the input password and the registered password do not match in step S2, nothing is done and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a lock processing procedure when the digital camera 20 is set. This processing program is stored in the ROM 102 in the control unit 100 and is executed by the CPU 101.

  First, it is determined whether or not the lock lever 85 is in the unlock position (step S11). If not in the unlocked position, the tilt base 70 is tilted and rotated in the direction of arrow B, and the slide lock lever 85 is brought into contact with the tilt stopper B67 and moved to the unlocked position (step S12). Further, the tilt pedestal 70 is tilted and rotated in the direction of arrow A and moved to the upright position (step S13). On the other hand, if it is in the unlocked position in step S11, the process proceeds to step S13 as it is.

  Then, it waits until the digital camera 20 is set (step S14). The set of the digital camera 20 is determined when the user instructs the input unit 104 that the setting is completed.

  When the digital camera 20 is set, the tilt pedestal 70 is tilted and rotated in the direction of arrow A, and the slide lock lever 85 is brought into contact with the tilt stopper B66 to perform locking (step S15). Then, this process is complete | finished.

  As described above, according to the pan / tilt head of the first embodiment, when the digital camera 20 is mounted on the pan / tilt head 1, the slide lock lever 85 is rotated by the tilt operation and the locking claw portion 52 is not slid. To fix. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the locking claw 52 from being removed even when a tilting operation or a panning operation is performed. Further, since the locking claw portion 52 is removed, there is no fear that the digital camera is broken or the user is injured, and a highly reliable pan / tilt head can be provided. This is particularly effective when the digital camera is rotated at high speed for tracking.

  In addition, if the tilting operation or the panning operation is not performed, the locking claw portion 52 cannot be released even if the release lever 51 is operated. This prevents the person other than the user from removing the digital camera and improves the security. Can do.

[Second Embodiment]
The pan / tilt head of the second embodiment has the same structure as the first embodiment, except that the structure of the lock mechanism of the tilt base is different. Accordingly, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the structure of the tilt base 90 according to the second embodiment. The digital camera 20 is attached to the tilt base 90 via the attached attachment 30. The tilt pedestal 90 is attached to the tilt base 110 so as to be capable of tilt rotation about the tilt rotation shaft 42. The tilt base 110 rotates in the directions of arrows C and D about the pan axis (m-axis) 16. The tilt base 110 is provided with a pan stopper portion 110a.

  FIG. 14 is a view showing the structure of the tilt base 90 in a state where the tilt base 110 rotates in the D direction and the slide lock lever 102 contacts the pan stopper portion 110a. 2A shows the tilt pedestal 90, and FIG. 2B shows the end of the tilt rotation shaft 42. FIG.

  When the slide lock lever 102 is pushed by the pan stopper portion 110a, the slide lock lever 102 rotates in the arrow R direction. In this state, since the slide fixing groove 55a of the lock slide plate 55 and the hole 102a of the slide lock lever 102 are engaged so as not to move in the tilt axis direction, the lock slide plate 55 does not slide in the directions of arrows E and F. It is possible (see FIG. 7).

  Since the lock slide plate 55 is fixed in this way, the locking claw portion 52 remains caught in the locking claw hole 31 of the attachment 30. Therefore, even if the pan / tilt head 1 is panned or tilted at a high speed, there is no fear that the digital camera 20 is detached from the tilt base 90.

  FIG. 15 is a view showing the structure of the tilt pedestal 90 in a state where the tilt pedestal 90 rotates in the C direction and the slide lock lever 102 contacts the opposite surface of the pan stopper 110a. 2A shows the tilt pedestal 90, and FIG. 2B shows the end of the tilt rotation shaft 42. FIG.

  The slide lock lever 102 is pushed by the pan stopper 110a and rotates in the arrow S direction. At this time, the slide fixing groove 55a of the lock slide plate 55 and the hole 102a of the slide lock lever 102 are disengaged so as to be movable in the tilt axis direction. Accordingly, the lock slide plate 55 is slidable in the directions of arrows E and F.

  Since the lock slide plate 55 can be slid in this manner, when the release lever 51 is moved in the direction of arrow E, the lock claw portion 52 is detached from the lock claw hole 31 of the attachment 30. As a result, the digital camera 20 can be detached from the pan / tilt head 1.

  Further, the configuration of the control unit 100 built in the pan / tilt head 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure for unlocking with a password. This processing program is stored in the ROM 102 in the control unit 100 and is executed by the CPU 101.

  The user inputs a password obtained by operating the input unit 104 (step S21). It is determined whether or not the input password matches a previously registered password (step S22).

  If they match, a pan operation for unlocking is performed (step S23). That is, the tilt base 110 is rotated in the direction of arrow C (see FIG. 15). Then, the slide lock lever 102 is brought into contact with the opposite surface of the pan stopper portion 110a to restrict the slide lock lever 102 from being engaged, and the slide lock lever 102 is released (step S24).

  On the other hand, if the input password and the registered password do not match in step S22, nothing is done and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a lock processing procedure when the digital camera 20 is set. This processing program is stored in the ROM 102 in the control unit 100 and is executed by the CPU 101.

  First, it is determined whether or not the lock lever 102 is in the unlock position (step S31). If not in the unlocked position, the tilt base 110 is pan-rotated in the direction of arrow C, and the slide lock lever 102 is brought into contact with the opposite surface (see FIG. 15) of the pan stopper 110a and moved to the unlocked position (step S32). ). On the other hand, if it is in the unlock position in step S31, the process proceeds to step S33 as it is.

  Then, it waits until the digital camera 20 is set (step S33). The set of the digital camera 20 is determined when the user instructs the input unit 104 that the setting is completed.

  When the digital camera 20 is set, the tilt base 110 is pan-rotated in the direction of arrow D, the slide lock lever 102 is brought into contact with the pan stopper portion 110a (see FIG. 14), and locking is performed (step S34). Then, this process is complete | finished.

  As described above, according to the pan / tilt head of the second embodiment, when the passwords input by the user do not match, it is impossible to remove the digital camera 20 even if the release button 51 is operated. Therefore, a pan / tilt head with excellent security can be realized.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the structure of the pan / tilt head in the third embodiment. The same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The figure shows a state in which the pan cover 12 is removed.

  The pan / tilt head 1 has a tilt pedestal 190, and the digital camera 20 is attached to the tilt pedestal 190 via the attached attachment 30.

  In the pan / tilt head 1, a tilt rotation axis (n-axis) 42 of a tilt pedestal 190 to which the digital camera 20 is attached is connected to a tilt gear 63 and a tilt motor gear 61, and can be rotated in the directions of arrows A and B in the figure. is there. The tilt motor gear 61 is pivotally supported on the drive shaft of the tilt motor 65.

  The tilt base 81 to which the tilt base 190 is attached can be pan-rotated in the directions of arrows C and D about the m-axis by the pan motor 17. Also, a tilt HP sensor 64 for detecting the origin (home position) of tilt rotation and a pan HP sensor 15 for detecting the origin (home position) of pan rotation are mounted.

  The tilt base 190 is provided with a release button 51 for removing the digital camera 20 and the attachment 30.

  In addition, the pan / tilt head 1 has a memory card insertion slot 13, and a photographed image can be written to or read from an external memory inserted into the memory card insertion slot 13.

  FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the structure of the tilt pedestal 190 and the lock mechanism 150 inside. 2A shows the configuration of the tilt base 190, and FIG. 2B shows the configuration of the lock mechanism 150. FIG. On the bottom of the tilt pedestal 190, locking claw portions 52 that engage with the locking claw holes 31 of the attachment 30 are provided at four locations. A connector 41 that is electrically connected to the interface connector 34 of the attachment 30 is provided at the bottom of the tilt base 190.

  The lock mechanism 150 is configured such that the lock slide plate 55 is guided by two slide pins with respect to the lock base plate 53 and is movable in the directions of arrows E and F in the figure. The lock slide plate 55 is always urged in the direction of arrow F by the lock spring 54. Further, by moving the release lever 51 attached to the lock slide plate 55 in the E direction, the four locking claw portions 52 engaged with the lock claw hole 31 of the attachment 30 are released. The latch plate 156 is rotatable in the directions indicated by arrows G and H around the latch pin 157, and is configured to be latched as will be described later when the release lever 51 is moved in the F direction. Yes.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the lock mechanism unit 150. FIG. 4A shows a case where the lock mechanism 150 releases the attachment 30. FIG. When the release lever 51 is slid in the E direction, the lock slide plate 55 moves in the E direction. The latch plate 156 is rotated in the direction of arrow G by the urging force of the lock spring 54, and the latch portion 156a of the latch plate 156 is engaged with the lock base plate guide portion 153a. At this time, even if the lock slide plate 55 is moved in the F direction, the latch portion 156a is guarded by the lock base plate guide portion 153a, so that the latch plate 156 does not rotate in the H direction and the lock slide plate 55 is moved. Cannot be moved.

  FIG. 5B shows a case where the lock mechanism unit 150 locks the attachment 30. When the attachment 30 is mounted, the latch plate 156 is pressed in the direction of arrow J in the figure and rotates in the H direction. At this time, the latch portion 156a of the latch plate 156 moves in the J direction with respect to the lock base plate guide portion 153a, and the engaged state is released. In this state, the lock slide plate 55 is movable in the F direction and is moved in the F direction by the urging force of the lock spring 54.

  FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the structure of the lock mechanism 150 of the tilt base 190. In the lock mechanism 150, the lock slide plate 55 is guided by two slide pins with respect to the lock base plate 53, and is movable in the directions of arrows E and F.

  The lock slide plate 55 is always urged in the direction of arrow F by the lock spring 54. By moving the release lever 51 attached to the lock slide plate 55 in the direction of arrow E, the four locking claw portions 52 engaged with the locking claw holes 31 of the attachment 30 are released.

  Further, the latch plate 156 rotates about the latch pin 157 in the directions of arrows G and H, and when the release lever 51 is moved in the E direction, the latch is engaged.

  Further, the lock mechanism portion 150 has a fixed fitting portion 72a formed integrally with the lock slide plate 55. When the lock slide plate 55 moves in the E direction, the fixed fitting portion 72a The fixed guide part 71a formed integrally with 71 is fitted. The tilt base 71 is integrally formed with a fixed guard portion 71b.

  Therefore, at the position tilted and rotated in the A direction or B direction other than the upright position, even if the lock slide plate 55 is moved in the E direction, the fixed fitting portion 72a and the fixed guard portion 71b interfere with each other. Cannot be moved to.

  In this way, since the digital camera 20 can be mounted on the tilt base 190 only at the upright position of the digital camera 20 as the tilt angle position, even if the digital camera 20 is mounted and incompletely locked, the digital camera 20 can be moved from the tilt base 190 No worries about 20 dropping out.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a fixing operation and a releasing operation of the tilt base 190. FIG. 4A shows the releasing operation of the tilt pedestal 190, and FIG. 4B shows the fixing operation of the tilt pedestal 190. FIG. First, when releasing the tilt base 190, when the release lever 51 is slid in the E direction in order to remove the attachment 30, the lock slide plate 55 moves in the E direction. Similarly, the fixed fitting portion 72a formed integrally with the lock slide plate 55 also moves in the E direction and engages with the fixed guide portion 71a.

  At this time, the latch plate 156 is rotated in the G direction by the urging force of the lock spring 54 and enters the latch state. In this state, the tilt base 190 cannot rotate in the A and B directions. The tilt pedestal 190 is completely fixed at the upright position.

  On the other hand, when the tilt pedestal is fixed (locked), when the attachment 30 is mounted from the J direction, the latch plate 156 is pressed and rotated in the arrow H direction. When the latch plate 156 rotates in the H direction, the latch state is released, and the lock slide plate 55 moves in the F direction by the urging force of the lock spring 54.

  When the lock slide plate 55 moves in the F direction, the integrally formed fixed fitting portion 72a also moves in the F direction, and the engagement with the fixed guide portion 71a is released. In this state, the tilt pedestal 190 is rotatable in the A and B directions.

  As described above, according to the pan / tilt head of the third embodiment, a part of the lock slide plate 55 is engaged with a part of the tilt base 71 in a state in which the tilt base 190 is released. The digital camera 20 is completely fixed at the upright position. This prevents backlash from occurring on the tilt base itself. Therefore, even if backlash occurs between the tilt gear 63 and the tilt motor gear 61, the tilt base 190 does not rattle, and good operability is ensured.

  Further, since the digital camera is engaged only in the upright position, there is no fear that the digital camera will fall off the tilt base even when the lock is insufficient, and the digital camera can be prevented from being damaged.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing structures of a lock mechanism portion and a tilt drive portion of the tilt base in the fourth embodiment. The same components as those in the first and third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  A fixed tilt gear 90 is coaxially fixed to a tilt rotation shaft 42 formed integrally with the tilt base 190. A movable tilt gear 91 is rotatably attached to the tilt rotation shaft 42.

  Both the fixed tilt gear 90 and the movable tilt gear 91 are engaged with the tilt motor gear 61. The tilt motor gear 61 is pivotally supported by a tilt motor 65 fixed to the tilt base 81.

  The driving force of the tilt motor 65 is transmitted from the tilt motor gear 61 to the fixed tilt gear 90 and the movable tilt gear 91 to rotate the tilt base 190 in the directions of arrows A and B.

  Further, a lock mechanism unit 180 is mounted on the tilt base 190. FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the lock mechanism unit 180 and the tilt drive unit. A gear pad pressing portion 82 a is integrally formed on the lock slide plate 82 of the lock mechanism portion 180. The gear pad pressing portion 82 a can press the gear pad 93 that is arranged coaxially with the fixed tilt gear 90. The tilt HP sensor 64 detects a part of the movable tilt gear 91 and determines the home position for tilt rotation.

  As described above, the movable tilt gear 91 and the fixed tilt gear 90 mesh with the tilt motor gear 61, and the tilt gear spring 92 is disposed between the movable tilt gear 91 and the fixed tilt gear 90. By the urging force of the tilt gear spring 92, one tooth of the tilt motor gear 61 is pressed into contact with one tooth of the movable tilt gear 91 and one tooth of the fixed tilt gear 90. Thus, when the driving force is transmitted from the tilt motor gear 61 to the movable tilt gear 91 and the fixed tilt gear 90, a state without backlash between the gears is realized.

  The gear pad 93 is disposed so as to face the movable tilt gear 91, and the gear pad pressing portion 82 a formed integrally with the lock slide plate 82 of the lock mechanism portion 180 presses the gear pad 93, whereby the gear pad 93 and the movable tilt gear are arranged. 91 is pressed.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an operation of pressing the movable tilt gear 91. FIG. 4A shows the release of the tilt gear by the lock mechanism, and FIG. 4B shows the fixing (locking) of the tilt gear.

  First, when releasing the movable tilt gear 91, when the release lever 51 is slid in the E direction in order to remove the attachment 30, the lock slide plate 82 moves in the E direction. Similarly, the gear pad pressing portion 82a formed integrally with the lock slide plate 82 also moves in the E direction and presses the gear pad 93 in the E direction. Further, the latch plate 156 is rotated in the direction of arrow G by the urging force of the lock spring 54 and is in a latched state as in the third embodiment. Furthermore, the gear pad 93 is in a state in which the movable tilt gear 91 is in pressure contact, and the lock slide plate 82 and the movable tilt gear 91 are in a fixed state.

  On the other hand, when the movable tilt gear 91 is locked (fixed), when the attachment 30 is mounted from the J direction, the latch plate 156 is pressed and rotated in the arrow H direction. When the latch plate 156 is rotated in the H direction, the latch state is released and the lock slide plate 82 is moved in the F direction by the urging force of the lock spring 54 as in the third embodiment. When the lock slide plate 82 moves in the F direction, the integrally formed gear pad pressing portion 82a also moves in the F direction, and the contact between the gear pad 93 and the gear pad pressing portion 82a is released. Therefore, the movable tilt gear 91 is in a state of receiving only the urging force of the tilt gear spring 92.

  As described above, according to the pan / tilt head of the fourth embodiment, when the digital camera is attached, the gear of the movable tilt gear 91 and the gear of the fixed tilt gear 90 shift the gear of the tilt motor gear 61 by the biasing force of the tilt gear spring 92. Sandwich. Therefore, backlash does not occur and excessive torque increase does not occur. Furthermore, this gear play avoids a problem that the digital camera rotates under its own weight before the gear is driven. Moreover, the captured image is not disturbed.

  On the other hand, when the digital camera is removed, since the lock slide plate 82 and the movable tilt gear 91 are fixed, even if a load is excessively applied to the tilt rotation side when the digital camera is mounted, no looseness is generated and good. Operability is ensured.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and any configuration can be used as long as the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configuration of the present embodiment can be achieved. Is also applicable.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the pan-tilt pan head in the state with which the digital camera in 1st Embodiment was mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the pan / tilt head with the pan cover removed. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of a lower part of the digital camera 20 and an attachment 30 attached to the digital camera 20. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure of a lock mechanism portion of the tilt base 70. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a structure of a lock mechanism provided in the tilt pedestal 70. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a tilt base 70 is tilted and rotated in a forward direction (A direction) and a lock slide plate 55 is fixed so as not to slide. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the operation of the lock mechanism unit 50. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tilt pedestal 70 is tilted and rotated in the rear direction (B direction) and the lock slide plate 55 can slide. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the operation of the lock mechanism unit 50. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control unit 100 built in a pan / tilt head 1. It is a flowchart which shows the lock release processing procedure by the input of a password. 6 is a flowchart showing a lock processing procedure when setting the digital camera 20; It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the tilt base 90 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the tilt base 90 of the state in which the tilt base 110 pan-rotated to the D direction, and the slide lock lever 102 contact | abutted to the pan stopper part 110a. It is a figure which shows the structure of the tilt pedestal 90 in the state in which the tilt pedestal 90 is pan-rotated in the C direction and the slide lock lever 102 is in contact with the opposite surface of the pan stopper 110a. It is a flowchart which shows the lock release processing procedure by a password. 6 is a flowchart showing a lock processing procedure when setting the digital camera 20; It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the pan / tilt head in the third embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the tilt base 190 and the lock mechanism part 150 in the inside. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation of the lock mechanism unit 150. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure of a lock mechanism portion 150 of a tilt base 190. FIG. It is a figure which shows the fixing operation | movement of the tilt base 190, and cancellation | release operation | movement. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the lock mechanism part of the tilt base in 4th Embodiment, and a tilt drive part. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the lock mechanism part 180 and a tilt drive part. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement which press-contacts the movable tilt gear 91. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the tilt drive part of the conventional pan-tilt pan head 210, and the meshing part of a tilt gear.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pan / tilt head 20 Digital camera 30 Attachment 50 Lock mechanism part 55 Lock slide board 55a Slide fixing groove part 70 Tilt base 85 Slide lock lever 85a Hole part

Claims (9)

In a pan / tilt head device having a mounting member on which an imaging device is mounted, and a driving unit that drives the mounting member at least in a tilt direction.
A fixture that is provided on the mounting member so as to be movable in a tilt axis direction, and that fixes the imaging device mounted on the mounting member by moving in the tilt axis direction;
And an engaging tool that prohibits movement of the fixing device when the mounting member is driven to a specific position by the driving means. Pan head device. The engaging tool has a hole formed therein, and a lock lever that is rotatably provided on the tilt shaft of the mounting member, and a lock lever that is provided on the fixing tool, and is inserted through the hole of the lock lever in the tilt axis direction. And a locking piece
The locking piece prohibits movement of the fixture by engaging with the peripheral edge of the hole, and the locking piece does not engage with the peripheral edge of the hole to allow movement of the fixing tool. The pan / tilt head device according to claim 1. The engaging tool includes a first tilt stopper member that contacts the lock lever when the mounting member rotates and a second tilt stopper that contacts the lock lever when the mounting member rotates counterclockwise. And having a member
The locking lever is brought into contact with the first tilt stopper member to engage the locking piece with the peripheral edge of the hole, and the lock lever is brought into contact with the second tilt stopper member to engage the engagement. 3. The pan / tilt head device according to claim 2, wherein the stop piece is not engaged with the peripheral edge of the hole. The drive means is capable of driving the mounting member in the pan direction;
The engagement tool has a pan stopper member that abuts on the front surface with the lock lever by rotating the mounting member, and abutment on the back surface by rotating the pan in the opposite direction,
The locking piece is engaged with the peripheral edge of the hole by abutting on the front surface, and the locking piece is not engaged with the peripheral edge of the hole by abutting on the back surface. The pan head apparatus according to claim 2. An input means for entering a password;
5. The pan / tilt head device according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive restricting unit that restricts the drive by the drive unit when the input password does not match a pre-registered password. 6. In a pan / tilt head device having a mounting member on which an imaging device is mounted, and a driving unit that drives the mounting member at least in a tilt direction.
A fixture that is provided on the mounting member so as to be movable in a tilt axis direction, and that fixes the imaging device mounted on the mounting member by moving in the tilt axis direction;
A limiter that allows movement of the fixture according to a tilt rotation position of the mounting member and limits tilt rotation of the mounting member;
The limiter is provided on a stopper member provided on the fixture and a base member that supports the mounting member so as to be capable of tilting rotation. The limiter is engaged with the stopper member to permit the movement of the fixture and the tilt. A pan head device comprising a guide member for limiting rotation.   When the mounting member is in a tilt rotation position that is an erect position of the imaging device, the limiter allows movement of the fixture and limits tilt rotation of the mounting member. The pan head apparatus according to claim 6. In a pan / tilt head device having a mounting member on which an imaging device is mounted, and a driving unit that drives the mounting member at least in a tilt direction.
The mounting member is provided movably in the tilt axis direction, and has a fixture for fixing the imaging device mounted on the mounting member by moving in the tilt axis direction.
The drive means includes a tilt motor, a tilt motor gear pivotally supported by the tilt motor, and a tilt gear meshed with the tilt motor gear and supported by the tilt rotation shaft,
The tilt gear includes a fixed tilt gear fixed to the tilt rotation shaft, a movable tilt gear rotatably supported on the tilt rotation shaft, and a spring that biases the gap between the fixed tilt gear and the movable tilt gear. And having a member
A pan head device characterized in that one tooth of the tilt motor gear is clamped by one tooth of the fixed tilt gear and one tooth of the movable tilt gear by the biasing force of the spring member. A friction member disposed on the tilt rotation axis;
9. The pan / tilt head device according to claim 8, wherein when the fixing tool is moved, the movable tilt gear is pressed against the friction member pressed by the fixing tool and fixed to the tilt rotation shaft.

Images