JP2009086130A - Battery drive electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide battery drive electronic equipment to which a dummy battery is replaced and attached, where a battery cover is closed in such a state that the dummy battery is housed, and which need not have structure only used to make a power cord pass such as a notch in a housing. <P>SOLUTION: A battery or a dummy battery is housed in a battery housing part 30 as a recessed part made open to the base of the housing 1 and provided in the housing. The battery cover 10 covering the battery housing part 30 and a terminal cover 20 covering a USB terminal 40 are arranged adjacently at the corner part of the housing 1, and are set to open in an opposite direction to each other. When the dummy battery 50 is attached, the power cord 51 is pulled out through the portion of the terminal cover 20, and the battery cover 10 is closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery-driven electronic device driven by a battery (hereinafter also including a rechargeable battery) such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, and more particularly, a dummy battery connected to a power outlet replaces a regular battery. The present invention relates to a battery-powered electronic device that may be worn.

  A portable electronic device such as a digital camera is often driven using a battery as a power source, and the battery-driven electronic device usually includes a battery storage unit that stores the battery and a lid for opening and closing the battery. When the remaining battery power is low, open the opening / closing lid and replace the battery with a new one, or in the case of a rechargeable battery, take out the rechargeable battery from the battery compartment and charge it. After that, attach it to the battery compartment again.

  By the way, in such a battery-driven electronic device, when this is displayed at a storefront of a store and allows a purchaser to try it at the storefront, if a regular battery is used, it is frequently replaced, Since it is necessary to frequently charge the battery, a dummy battery connected to a power outlet via a power cord is attached to the battery housing. This dummy battery has the same size and shape as a regular battery, and is housed in the battery housing portion so that the terminals on the electronic device side and the terminals of the dummy battery are in contact with each other in the same manner as a regular battery. Power is supplied to the electronic device. The dummy battery is connected to a power outlet (household power supply) via a power cord, and the household AC power supply is converted to DC and supplied to the dummy battery, so there is no need for battery replacement and charging, etc. The electronic device can be kept in use at the store.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a waterproof camera using this dummy battery. In this waterproof camera, the dummy battery is fixedly held in the storage room in a state where the electrode part of the dummy battery is in contact with the section provided in the battery storage room, and the power cord connected to the dummy battery is stored in the battery storage room. The opening / closing lid of the chamber is opened, and it is led out through the gap (paragraphs 0027, 0030, etc. of Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, a battery lid (opening / closing lid of the battery storage chamber) is provided on the side surface of the casing. However, there is a conventional technique in which the battery lid is provided on the bottom surface of the casing.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a binocular with a photographing function equipped with a digital camera, and describes that a dummy battery connected to an AC power adapter is filled in a battery housing chamber. In this binocular, a notch is provided on the side edge opposite to the rotation axis of the battery lid member that opens and closes the battery storage chamber, and the power cord of the dummy battery is drawn out through this notch (Patent Document 2). Paragraphs 0044 and 0045).

JP 2004-191917 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-241112

  However, the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 keeps the battery cover that covers the battery storage chamber open (half-open) when the dummy battery is mounted in the battery storage chamber. There is a problem that the operability in the mounted state is bad. That is, since the battery cover is left open, it is difficult for the operator to hold the waterproof camera. In particular, judging from the position of the battery cover 12 shown in FIG. It is difficult to grip firmly.

  In addition, when the battery cover that opens and closes the battery compartment is provided on the bottom surface instead of the side of the housing, the camera can be installed at the storefront when the battery cover is opened half-way to install the dummy battery. It is difficult to place it on the exhibition stand. Forcibly, even if the camera is placed on the exhibition stand, the stability is poor.

  Even if the battery cover is provided on either the side or bottom of the housing, the battery cover is open. Therefore, when the electronic device is returned to the display stand after trial use, the battery cover is easily caught on the display stand or the like. There is a risk of the lid breaking or dropping the equipment.

  Further, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, a notch for passing a power cord of a dummy battery is provided in the battery lid member covering the battery accommodating chamber. In order to provide a structure irrelevant to the function as binoculars or an electronic device, there is a problem that the appearance is impaired and dust or the like easily enters the battery storage chamber through the notch.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and is a battery-driven electronic device in which a dummy battery is exchanged and mounted. The battery lid can be closed in a state where the dummy battery is housed, and a housing It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery-powered electronic device that does not need to be provided with a structure only for passing a power cord such as a notch.

  A battery-driven electronic device according to the present invention includes a housing, a battery housing portion that is opened in one surface of the housing and serves as a recess provided in the housing, and a battery lid that covers the opening of the battery housing portion so as to be openable and closable. A connection terminal disposed in the vicinity of the region covered with the battery cover and connected to an external device; and a terminal cover that covers the front surface of the connection terminal so that the front surface of the connection terminal can be opened and closed. When the battery cover is closed and the terminal cover is open, the battery storage unit and the battery storage unit and the battery can be led to a position where the power cord of the dummy battery can be led out from the terminal cover part. A terminal lid is arranged.

  In the battery-driven electronic device according to the present invention, the battery housing portion is provided on a bottom surface of the housing, and the connection terminal is provided on a side surface of the housing, or the battery housing portion and the connection terminal are The battery housing part is provided on one surface of the corner part of the casing, and the connection terminal is provided on the other surface of the corner part of the casing. It is preferable.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said battery cover and the said terminal cover open in the mutually opposing direction by making a mutually far side into a rotating shaft.

  According to the present invention, since the connection terminal for connecting to the external device is disposed in the vicinity of the region covered with the battery cover that covers the opening of the battery storage unit, the battery is stored in the battery storage unit in the state where the dummy battery is stored in the battery storage unit. Even if the lid is closed, if the terminal lid covering the front surface of the connection terminal is opened, the power cord of the dummy battery can be led out through the opened terminal lid portion. For this reason, even if a dummy battery is mounted, it can be stably displayed at the store, and dust does not enter the battery housing part under normal use.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital camera. 1 to 4 are perspective views showing a digital camera which is a battery-driven electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the battery lid and terminal lid are closed, and FIG. 2 shows the battery lid and terminal lid. FIG. 3 shows an opened state, FIG. 3 shows a state where a dummy battery is stored in the battery storage unit, and FIG. 4 shows a state where the battery cover is closed after storing the dummy battery in the battery storage unit, that is, a state where it is displayed at a store. In the following description, “front” refers to the front direction when shooting with the camera, and “right” refers to the right direction when viewed from the photographer.

  The housing 1 of the digital camera is composed of six surfaces including three surfaces (not shown) such as a front surface 2, a bottom surface 3, and a right side surface 4. The front surface 2 has an imaging lens 5 and a flash. A flash light source 6 that emits light and a light source 7 for autofocus auxiliary light, photographing light, and self-timer display light are arranged. A zoom lever 8 for adjusting the magnification of the subject is provided on the upper surface of the housing 1, and a strap holder 9 is provided on the right side surface of the housing 1. A shutter button (not shown) is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 1.

  And the battery cover 10 is provided in the right half of the bottom face 3 of the housing | casing 1, and the terminal cover 20 is provided in the lower end part of the right side surface. As shown in FIG. 2, a rotation shaft 16 extending in the front-rear direction is provided at the approximate center of the bottom surface of the housing 1, and a long support plate 11 is rotatably supported on the rotation shaft 16. The support plate 11 is urged by a torsion spring 12 in a direction in which the support plate 11 opens, that is, in a direction away from the bottom surface of the housing 1. A pair of slide guides 13 extending in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction of the housing 1) are fixed to the inner surface of the battery lid 10 in parallel with each other at an appropriate length interval. The slide guide 13 is composed of a vertical part standing from the inner surface of the battery lid 10 and a horizontal part extending in a direction approaching each other from the upper end of the vertical part in the cross section. The battery cover 10 slides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the support plate 11 in a state where the support plate 11 is sandwiched between the standing portions of the slide guide 13 and locked by the lateral portions. Further, projecting claws 14 are provided on the front edge portion and the rear edge portion of the inner surface of the battery lid 10 (only the front edge portion is illustrated), and the battery lid 10 overlaps the casing. On the bottom surface of 1, a projecting claw 15 for locking the claw 14 is provided at the front edge portion and the rear edge portion (only the rear edge portion is illustrated).

  On the bottom surface of the housing 1, a battery storage portion 30 including a concave portion for storing a battery is provided in a part of the right half of the housing 1. The battery storage portion 30 is located near the opening of the battery storage portion 30. A lock claw 31 that can lock or release the battery stored in the battery is provided. Note that when the battery cover 10 is overlaid on the bottom surface of the housing 1 and the battery storage unit 30 is closed, there is a slight gap between the inner surface of the battery cover 10 and the bottom surface of the housing 1.

  At the lower end of the right side surface of the housing 1, a USB (Universal series bus) connection terminal 40 necessary for taking out image data to the outside is provided for the function as a digital camera. In addition, a rotating shaft (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction of the camera is provided in the vicinity of the upper portion of the USB connection terminal 40, and the terminal lid 20 is rotatably attached to the rotating shaft. When the terminal lid 20 is rotated about its rotation axis, the terminal lid 20 is separated from the connection terminal 40, and the front of the connection terminal 40 is opened. When the terminal lid 20 overlaps the connection terminal 40, the front of the connection terminal 40 is reached. An engagement claw 21 is provided at the tip of the terminal lid 20, and an engagement recess 22 is provided at a lower portion of the right side surface of the housing 1 below the USB terminal 40. Thus, when the terminal lid 20 closes the front of the USB terminal 40, the engaging claw 21 is engaged with the engaging recess 22, and the terminal lid 20 is fixed in a state of covering the USB terminal 40. The

  Next, the operation of the digital camera as the battery-driven electronic device configured as described above will be described. When a battery for normal photographing is mounted in the battery storage unit 30, the battery cover 10 is opened, a battery (not shown) is stored in the battery storage unit 30, and the battery is locked by the battery lock claw 31. The battery is stored and held in the battery storage unit 30. Thereafter, the battery lid 10 is overlaid on the bottom surface of the housing 1, and the battery lid 10 is further slid along the bottom surface of the housing 1 toward the rotating shaft 16, so that the protruding claws 14 of the battery lid 10 are moved to the housing. 1 is inserted between the bottom surface of 1 and the protruding claws 15. As a result, the battery lid 10 is fixed to the bottom surface of the housing 1, and both the battery lid 10 and the terminal lid 20 are closed as shown in FIG. The digital camera of the present embodiment is carried in this state and is photographed.

  On the other hand, when a dummy battery is mounted in the battery storage unit 30 at the store display, the dummy battery 50 is inserted into the battery storage unit 30 and the dummy battery 50 is inserted by the battery lock claw 31 as shown in FIG. It latches and this is accommodated in the battery accommodating part 30. FIG. At this time, the terminal lid 20 that opens and closes the front of the USB terminal 40 is opened, and the power cord 51 of the dummy battery 50 is pulled out through the terminal lid 20 portion. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the battery lid 10 is overlapped on the bottom surface of the housing 1 and is slid along the bottom surface of the housing in the same manner as described above, thereby engaging the protruding claws 14 and 15 together. 10 is fixed to the bottom surface of the housing 1. In this state, the digital camera of the present embodiment is used for store display. Since the power is supplied from the outside, it is not necessary to consider battery consumption and the like, and can always be used.

  At this time, the terminal lid 20 remains open. Therefore, as is apparent from a comparison between FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, when the dummy battery 50 is mounted for store display, the terminal lid 20 is opened and the portion of the terminal lid 20 is different from the normal use state. The power cord 51 is only derived from the above. Therefore, even when the dummy battery 50 is mounted, the operability when taking a picture with the camera in hand is not different from that when a regular battery is mounted. That is, when holding the camera, there is no obstacle to gripping the camera firmly.

  Further, since the battery cover 10 is closed, it is extremely easy to place the camera on the store display stand, and the stability is not hindered.

  In addition, although the terminal cover 20 is open, the battery cover 10 is closed. Therefore, when the camera is returned to the display stand after trial at the store, the camera is rarely caught on the display stand and the cover is broken. There is very little risk of dropping the camera.

  Further, only the outer surface of the housing 1 that is necessary for the function of the camera (battery cover 10 and terminal cover 20) exists, and the battery cover 10 has a dummy battery as disclosed in Patent Document 2. Since there is no cutout for the power cord to pass therethrough, the appearance is not spoiled, and dust or the like does not enter the battery storage chamber.

  In the above embodiment, the battery lid 10 and the terminal lid 20 are provided in the corner portion of the housing 1. Then, the battery lid 10 is opened by rotating around the center of the bottom surface of the housing 1 as the center of rotation, and the terminal lid 20 is opened by rotating around the upper end of the terminal lid 20 as shown in FIG. As shown, when the battery lid 10 and the terminal lid 20 are open, the space for passing the power cord 51 of the dummy battery 50 through the corner portion of the housing 1 can be made relatively wide. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the battery lid 10 and the terminal lid 20 do not necessarily have to be adjacent to each other as in the above-described embodiment, and the battery lid 10 and the terminal lid 20 are in opposite directions. There is no need to open it. For example, the battery lid 10 may be configured to open in a direction away from the bottom surface of the housing 1 as in the above embodiment, and the terminal lid 20 may be configured to open in the rear surface direction or front surface direction of the housing.

  The present invention is characterized in that, even when the battery lid is closed, the terminal lid is opened and the power cord of the dummy battery is pulled out from the terminal lid portion. The battery lid and the terminal lid are adjacent to each other. If you do.

  Therefore, both the battery lid and the terminal lid can be provided on the same surface of the housing, for example, one of the bottom surface and the side surface. If there is no problem in design, it is possible to provide a terminal lid on the rear surface or front surface of the housing.

  The present invention is effective in improving a housing structure including a lid of an electronic device such as a digital camera and a digital video camera.

It is a perspective view which shows the battery drive electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which closed the battery cover and the terminal cover. Similarly, it is a perspective view which shows the battery drive electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which opened the battery cover and the terminal cover. Similarly, it is a perspective view which shows the battery drive electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which accommodated the dummy battery in the battery accommodating part. Similarly, it is a perspective view which shows the battery drive electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which closed the battery cover, after storing a dummy battery in a battery storage part, ie, the state displayed at a shop front.

Explanation of symbols

1: Housing 10: Battery cover 13: Slide guide 14: Protrusion claw 20: Terminal cover 30: Battery storage unit 40: USB connection terminal 50: Dummy battery 51: Power cord

Claims (5)

A housing, a battery housing portion as a recess provided in the housing that opens on one surface of the housing, a battery lid that covers the opening of the battery housing portion so as to be openable and closable, and a vicinity of an area covered by the battery lid A connection terminal for connecting to an external device, and a terminal cover that covers the front surface of the connection terminal so that the front surface of the connection terminal can be opened and closed, and when the dummy battery is stored in the battery storage part, The battery housing portion and the terminal lid are disposed at a position where the power cord of the dummy battery can be led out from the terminal lid portion with the terminal lid opened and the terminal lid opened. Battery-powered electronic equipment. 2. The battery-driven electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the battery storage unit is provided on a bottom surface of the casing, and the connection terminal is provided on a side surface of the casing. The battery-driven electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the battery housing portion and the connection terminal are provided on the same surface of the housing. The said battery storage part is provided in one surface of the corner part of the said housing | casing, and the said connection terminal is provided in the other surface of the said corner part of the said housing | casing. Battery powered electronics. 5. The battery-driven electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the battery lid and the terminal lid are opened in opposite directions with the far sides as rotation axes.

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