JP2014235389A - Waterproof device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof device that performs a determination of warrantable waterproof performance after a plurality of impacts is applied in a short time.SOLUTION: A waterproof device comprises: a first member that constitutes a housing; a second member that constitutes the housing, and is connected to the first member; a watertight member that is arranged between the first member and the second member, and is for maintaining a watertight state; an impact detection part 33 that detects a value about magnitude of the impact; a specification part 32 that specifies a direction where the impact is applied and an impact portion; a deformation detection part 33 that detects a degree of deformation of the watertight member in the impact portion on the basis of the specified direction and impact portion; and a waterproof determination part 32 that, after the value about the magnitude of the impact by a first impact is detected by the impact detection part, when a value about magnitude of an impact by a second impact is detected by the impact detection part until the housing is put into a stable state, determines a degree of warrantable waterproof performance on the basis of a first output of the deformation part by the first impact and a second output of the deformation detection part by the second impact.

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof device.

  A camera that can be used even in water is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-258372 A

However, with this camera, the waterproof performance after the camera is impacted is not guaranteed, especially when the camera is impacted multiple times in a short time, such as when the camera falls and bounces. It was difficult to guarantee. Furthermore, it is required to manufacture a camera that can guarantee the waterproof performance after receiving an impact at low cost.
An object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof device that determines waterproof performance that can be guaranteed after being subjected to multiple impacts in a short time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof device that can guarantee waterproof performance after receiving an impact and can be manufactured at low cost.

The waterproof device of the present invention includes a first member constituting a housing, a second member constituting the housing and connected to the first member, and between the first member and the second member. A watertight member arranged to maintain a watertight state, an impact detection unit for detecting a value related to the magnitude of the impact when the casing receives an impact, and the case based on the value related to the magnitude of the impact A identifying unit that identifies a direction and an impact site where the impact is received, and a deformation detection unit that detects a degree of deformation of the watertight member at the impact site based on the direction and the impact site identified by the identifying unit; After the value related to the magnitude of the impact caused by the first impact is detected by the impact detection unit, the magnitude of the impact caused by the second impact is detected by the impact detection unit until the housing is in a stable state. If a value for A waterproof determination unit that determines a degree of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed based on a first output of the deformation detection unit caused by the first impact and a second output of the deformation detection unit caused by the second impact. It is characterized by that.
Further, the waterproof device of the present invention includes a first member constituting a housing, a second member constituting the housing and connected to the first member, and the first member and the second member. A watertight member arranged between the two, a watertight member for maintaining a watertight state, an impact detection unit including a plurality of sensors for detecting a value related to the magnitude of the impact when the housing receives an impact, and each of the plurality of sensors A specifying unit for specifying a direction and an impact site on which the casing has received an impact based on a time difference when a value related to the magnitude of the impact is detected by, and the direction and the impact site specified by the specifying unit A deformation detection unit that detects the degree of deformation of the watertight member at the impact site, and a waterproof determination unit that determines the degree of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed based on the output of the deformation detection unit due to the impact. That features To.

According to the waterproof device of the present invention, it is possible to determine the waterproof performance that can be guaranteed after receiving a plurality of impacts in a short time.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a waterproof device that can guarantee waterproof performance after receiving an impact and can be manufactured at low cost.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the housing | casing of the camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the determination process of the grade of the waterproof performance which can be guaranteed of the camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a graph which shows the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor of the camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the housing | casing of the camera which concerns on other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a waterproof device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a camera as an example. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a housing of a camera according to an embodiment. The housing constituting the main body of the camera 2 includes a front cover 6 and a rear cover 8, and concave portions are formed on the back side of the front cover 6 and the front side of the rear cover 8, respectively. On the upper surface of the rear cover 8, a power switch 58 for turning on / off the power of the camera 2 and a release button 60 for instructing start of shooting of moving images and still images are provided. A groove 16 for fitting the screw receiving portion 10, the LCD display window 12, and the O-ring 14 serving as a seal material is provided substantially along the edge of the recess. Further, a similar screw receiving portion (not shown) is provided inside the concave portion of the front cover 6 at a position facing the screw receiving portion 10 of the rear cover 8. Further, triaxial acceleration sensors 34 and 36 for measuring the movement of the entire casing are provided at arbitrary positions inside the camera 2. Here, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the acceleration sensor 34 is provided inside the upper surface of the front cover 6 and the acceleration sensor 36 is provided inside the front surface of the front cover 6. The front cover 6 is provided with a pressing rib (not shown) for insertion into the groove 16 of the rear cover 8 when the casing is assembled.

  Here, since the O-ring 14 is elastically deformed by the pressing force and is brought into close contact with the inner wall of the groove 16 and the tip of the pressing rib (not shown) with a surface pressure corresponding to the reaction force, the inside of the housing can be held in a watertight state. it can. The O-ring 14 has a circular cross section and is preferably made of a material having a large elastic deformation such as nitrile rubber or fluororubber.

  An LCD protective panel 24 is attached to the LCD display window 12 of the rear cover 8, and an O-ring 26 that is a sealing material is disposed between the LCD protective panel 24 and the rear cover 8. As a material constituting the O-ring 26, the same material as that of the O-ring 14 can be used.

  Further, a displacement measuring sensor (not shown) is provided for measuring the displacement of the distance between the front cover 6 and the rear cover 8 when the camera 2 receives an impact. Moreover, you may measure the bending deformation of the front cover 6 and the rear cover 8 with a displacement measurement sensor. Further, in the vicinity of the LCD display window 12 of the rear cover 8, there is provided a force measuring sensor (not shown) for measuring the force received when the camera 2 receives an impact. A stress measurement sensor for measuring stress may be provided instead of or in addition to the force measurement sensor. Further, these displacements of the measurement object are merely examples, and each gap variation that affects the sealing performance that can occur when the camera 2 receives an impact, deformation of each structure surrounding the seal material (O-ring), and relative position. Any displacement may be used as a measurement target as long as it varies.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the camera according to the embodiment. The camera 2 includes a CPU 32. The CPU 32 includes an impact sensor 33 that measures the magnitude of impact received by the camera 2, a water detection sensor 37 that detects whether the camera 2 is underwater, and a water pressure that acts on the camera 2. A pressure sensor 38 that measures the object light, an image sensor 40 that captures the subject light, a menu for performing a captured image and various settings, a display control unit 44 that controls an LCD display unit 42 that displays waterproof performance, and an operation unit 46 , A history storage unit 48 that stores data indicating the waterproof performance determined by the CPU 32 and data indicating an underwater usage history, a memory card 50 that records image data of a captured image captured by the image sensor 40, and the CPU 32 A ROM 52 for storing programs to be executed, a RAM 54 for temporarily storing programs to be operated, and a battery 56 are connected.

  Here, the impact sensor 33 includes acceleration sensors 34 and 36 that measure the direction and magnitude of acceleration acting on the camera 2, and the above-described displacement measurement sensor, force measurement sensor, and stress measurement sensor (not shown). Has been. The operation unit 46 also includes a power switch 58, a release button 60, a menu button for displaying a menu or the like on the LCD display unit 42, selection of menu items and the like, cross keys operated at various settings, menu items, and the like. The screen includes an OK button for selecting and confirming various settings, a playback button for displaying a captured image based on the captured image data recorded on the memory card 50 on the LCD display unit 42, and the like.

  Next, the waterproof performance determination process of the camera according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the camera 2 has received an impact based on the accelerations output by the acceleration sensors 34 and 36 (step S1). Here, whether or not the camera 2 has received an impact is determined by determining whether or not the acceleration output by the acceleration sensors 34 and 36 exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

  For example, the acceleration output from the acceleration sensors 34 and 36 is decomposed into three-axis components, and the CPU 32 determines the three-axis components of the output from the acceleration sensor 34 and the three-axis directions of the output from the acceleration sensor 36. When any of the components exceeds the threshold, it is determined that the camera 2 has received an impact.

4 shows the Z direction component of the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 34 when the camera 2 receives the first impact indicated by the arrow 62 in FIG. 1 and when the camera 2 receives the second impact indicated by the arrow 64. 3 is a graph showing an X-direction component of acceleration output from an acceleration sensor 36. As indicated by the arrow 62 in FIG. 1, the X-direction component of the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 36 when subjected to the first impact exceeds the threshold value α ₂ . Therefore, the CPU 32 determines that the camera 2 has received an impact. Note that the CPU 32 may determine that the camera 2 has received an impact based on the fact that the Z-direction component of the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 34 exceeds the threshold value α ₁ .

  Here, as for the output from the acceleration sensor 34, a threshold is set for each component in the three-axis direction, and for the output from the acceleration sensor 36, a threshold is set for each component in the three-axis direction. In addition, this threshold value may be the same or different for each component in the three axial directions. Further, the threshold for the output from the acceleration sensor 34 and the threshold for the output from the acceleration sensor 36 may be the same or different.

  If it is determined that the camera 2 has received an impact (step S1: Yes), the CPU 32 identifies the impact mode (step S2) and detects the magnitude of the impact (step S3). Here, the impact mode includes a direction in which the camera 2 receives an impact and a portion (for example, 26 portions (8 corners, 12 ridges, and 6 faces)) that has received the impact.

  In step S <b> 2, the impact mode can be specified by the time difference between the rises of the accelerations output from the acceleration sensor 34 and the acceleration sensor 36. As shown in FIG. 4, the X-direction component of the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 36 when the camera 2 receives the first impact indicated by the arrow 62 (see FIG. 1) is the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 34. It rises earlier than the Z direction component by time Δt. Accordingly, the CPU 32 receives an impact from the direction indicated by the arrow 62 in FIG. 1, that is, the + X direction, and determines that the impacted portion is the upper surface of the camera 2, that is, the surface on which the acceleration sensor 34 is installed. For example, when the part indicated by “Δ” shown in FIG. 1 is an impacted part, the above-described time difference Δt is smaller than when the upper surface of the camera 2 is an impacted part.

  In step S3, the CPU 32 detects the magnitude of impact received on the upper surface of the camera 2 based on the magnitude of acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 34 and the acceleration sensor 36 shown in FIG. Here, the CPU 32 can detect the amount of deformation at the impact site of the camera 2 from the magnitude of the impact. The amount of deformation at the impact site can be calculated using the magnitude of impact, for example, by a program stored in the ROM 52.

Next, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the camera 2 has received a second impact based on the accelerations output by the acceleration sensors 34 and 36 (step S4). Here, the CPU 32 can determine whether or not the camera 2 has received an impact by the same method as in step S1. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the second impact indicated by the arrow 64 (see FIG. 1) is received, the Z-direction component of the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 34 exceeds the threshold value α ₁ . Therefore, the CPU 32 determines that the camera 2 has received an impact.

  Note that the graph of FIG. 4 shows a case where the same threshold value as the threshold value in step S1 is used, but the threshold value used in step S4 may be the same as the threshold value in step S1 or smaller than the threshold value in step S1. It may be different from the threshold value in step S1, such as using a value.

  If it is determined that the camera 2 has received an impact (step S4: Yes), the CPU 32 identifies the impact mode (step S5) and detects the magnitude of the impact (step S6). Here, in step S5, the CPU 32 can specify the impact mode of the camera based on the time difference between the rises of the accelerations output from the acceleration sensor 34 and the acceleration sensor 36, as in step S2. In step S6, the CPU 32 can detect the magnitude of impact by the same method as in step S3.

  When the camera receives a second impact as indicated by an arrow 64 in FIG. 1, the rise of the Z direction component of the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 34 is the X direction component of the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 36. It has occurred earlier than the rise of. Accordingly, the CPU 32 receives an impact from the direction indicated by the arrow 64 in FIG. 1, that is, the + Z direction, and determines that the impacted portion is the front surface of the camera 2, that is, the surface on which the acceleration sensor 36 is installed.

  Further, the CPU 32 detects the magnitude of the impact received on the front surface of the camera 2 based on the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 34 and the acceleration sensor 36 shown in the graph of FIG.

  Next, the CPU 32 further determines whether or not the camera 2 has received an impact based on the acceleration output from the acceleration sensors 34 and 36 (step S7). Here, the CPU 32 can determine whether or not the camera 2 has received an impact by the same method as in step S1. The threshold value used may be the same as the threshold value in step S1 and / or S4, or may be different from the threshold value in step S1 and / or S4, such as using a value smaller than the threshold value in step S1 and / or S4. Also good.

  If it is determined in step S7 that the camera does not receive an impact, the CPU 32 determines that the camera 2 is in a stable state, and the CPU 32 determines the degree of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed (step S8). Here, the stable state is a state in which the amount of change in acceleration output from the acceleration sensors 34 and 36 continues for a predetermined time or longer. As the stable state, the front, top, bottom, side, and back of the camera 2 are in contact with the floor or the like and are stationary, the camera 2 is held in the user's hand, etc. The state which does not receive can be illustrated.

  In addition, the degree of waterproof performance is determined based on the determination criteria of waterproof performance previously provided for each impact site by analysis or testing. As a criterion for determining the waterproof performance, for example, the magnitude of impact at which the waterproof performance is guaranteed is set for each part (for example, 26 parts (8 corners, 12 ridges, and 6 faces)) that receives an impact. For example, the impact size at which 10m waterproofing is guaranteed for each impacted part, the impact size at which 5m waterproofing is guaranteed, and the waterproof performance is not guaranteed (the waterproof performance that can be guaranteed is 0m). Is set. These determination criteria are included in a program for determining the waterproof performance stored in the ROM 52.

  It should be noted that when the determination standard of the waterproof performance by the second and subsequent impacts is performed, the determination may be made by setting the magnitude of the impact that guarantees the waterproof performance to be low. For example, by multiplying the weight coefficient γ of 0 or more and less than 1 with the magnitude of impact for which the waterproof performance is guaranteed, the magnitude of the impact for which the waterproof performance is guaranteed can be set low.

  For example, the weighting factor γ takes into consideration the influence of the positional relationship of the impact site when subjected to multiple impacts, the magnitude of the impact received one time ago, the elapsed time from the last shock received, and the like. Is set. The elapsed time can be used as a value indicating the degree of recovery of deformation from the previous impact.

  In this specification, “first impact”, “multiple impacts”, and “second and subsequent impacts” indicate the number of impacts received by the camera 2 since the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 was started. This does not include the number of impacts received by the camera 2 before the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is performed. Similarly, the “previous impact” indicates an impact received by the camera 2 after the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is started, and an impact received by the camera 2 before the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is performed. Not included. Further, the threshold value may be set low due to an impact received before the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is performed.

  The CPU 32 determines the magnitude of the impact received by the camera 2 based on the above-described waterproof performance criteria, and stores the degree of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed in the history storage unit 48 (step S9). Further, the CPU 32 may control the display control unit 44 to display the guaranteeable waterproof performance on the LCD display unit 42.

  If it is determined in step S7 that the camera has received an impact, the CPU 32 performs the processes shown in steps S5 and S6 again. That is, this process is performed when the camera 2 receives a third or fourth impact.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the camera is not subjected to an impact, the CPU 32 determines that the camera 2 is in a stable state, and the CPU 32 determines the degree of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed (step S10). The determination process in step S10 can be performed in the same manner as the determination process in step S8. However, since the determination process is performed when the camera 2 receives only the first shock, the magnitude of the shock that guarantees waterproof performance. Can be omitted.

  When the waterproof performance determination process that can be guaranteed in step S10 is performed, the CPU 32 stores the level of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed in the history storage section 48 (step S9).

  If it is determined in step S1 that the camera 2 does not receive an impact, the process shown in step S1 is performed again.

  When the guaranteeable waterproof performance determination process shown in FIG. 3 is finished, the CPU 32 determines the degree of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed stored in the history storage unit 48 (water depth at which waterproof performance can be guaranteed: Also read “possible water depth”. When the CPU 32 determines that the camera 2 is underwater based on the output of the water detection sensor 37, the CPU 32 compares the current water depth of the camera 2 detected based on the output of the pressure sensor 38 with the usable water depth. Then, it is determined whether or not the current water depth exceeds the usable water depth. When the current water depth exceeds the usable water depth, the CPU 32 controls the display control unit 44 to display a warning that the current water depth exceeds the guaranteed range on the LCD display unit 42, or a battery The control etc. which stop the electric power feeding from 56, and prohibit use of the camera 2 are performed.

  According to the camera of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to determine the waterproof performance that can be guaranteed after receiving a plurality of impacts in a short time.

  Moreover, according to the camera which concerns on the above-mentioned embodiment, the camera which can guarantee the waterproof performance after receiving an impact can be manufactured cheaply. That is, the impact mode can be specified and the degree of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed can be determined by a small number of sensors such as two acceleration sensors. When an acceleration sensor is used, the acceleration sensor provided for determination of the vertical position shooting or the horizontal position shooting of the camera 2 can be used for specifying the impact mode and determining the waterproof performance that can be guaranteed. . Accordingly, it is possible to determine the impact mode and determine the level of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed without providing a dedicated member for specifying the impact mode and determining the level of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the acceleration sensor is used to specify the impact mode and the waterproof performance that can be guaranteed is described as an example, but instead of or in addition to the acceleration sensor, the displacement measurement sensor, the force receiving force A measurement sensor, a stress measurement sensor, or the like may be used, or a sensor group including two or more of these sensors may be used.
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration using the triaxial acceleration sensor is described. However, a configuration using a single axis acceleration sensor may be used.

  Further, a force receiving sensor 28 or a stress measuring sensor 30 (not shown) is provided at a portion (for example, 26 portions (8 corners, 12 ridges, and 6 faces)) that receives an impact in the housing of the camera 2. In this case, a plurality of sensors may be provided in one part (one corner, one surface, etc.).

  In addition, the number and position of the acceleration sensors in FIG. 1 described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the acceleration sensor 36 may be provided inside the back surface of the rear cover 8. In this case, when a first impact is received as indicated by an arrow 66, the distance between the position where the acceleration sensor 36 is provided and the impact site is larger than the distance between the position where the acceleration sensor 34 is provided and the impact site. The distance is shorter. Therefore, the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 34 rises before the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 36. Therefore, the CPU 32 receives an impact from the direction indicated by the arrow 66 in FIG. 5 and determines that the impacted portion is the front surface of the camera 2.

  Further, when the second impact is received as indicated by an arrow 68, the impact site is substantially equidistant from the acceleration sensor 34 and the acceleration sensor 36, and therefore the acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 34 and the acceleration sensor 36 is shown. The rise of is almost simultaneous. Here, since the magnitudes of the accelerations output from the acceleration sensor 34 and the acceleration sensor 36 are larger in the X-direction component and the Y-direction component than in the Z-direction component, the CPU 32 performs an impact from the direction indicated by the arrow 68 in FIG. It is determined that it has been received.

  In the above-described embodiment, from the viewpoint of accurately evaluating the waterproof performance, considering the non-uniformity of the structural strength of the casing around the sealing material, the displacement, the external force, the stress, A sensor for measuring strain deformation, strain stress, and the like may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 32 determines that the camera 2 is activated when any of the three-axis direction component of the output from the acceleration sensor 34 and the three-axis direction component of the output from the acceleration sensor 36 exceeds a threshold value. Although it is determined to have received an impact, it may be configured to determine that the camera 2 has received an impact when a predetermined combination of these components exceeds a threshold value.

2 ... Camera, 6 ... Front cover, 8 ... Rear cover, 14 ... O-ring, 32 ... CPU, 33 ... Impact sensor, 34, 36 ... Acceleration sensor

Claims (9)

A first member constituting a housing;
A second member constituting the housing and connected to the first member;
A watertight member arranged between the first member and the second member for maintaining a watertight state;
An impact detection unit that detects a value related to the magnitude of the impact when the case receives an impact;
A specifying unit for specifying a direction and an impact site where the casing receives an impact based on a value related to the magnitude of the impact;
A deformation detection unit that detects a degree of deformation of the watertight member at the impact site based on the direction and the impact site specified by the specifying unit;
After the value related to the magnitude of the impact caused by the first impact is detected by the impact detection unit, the magnitude of the impact caused by the second impact by the impact detection unit before the housing is in a stable state. Degree of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed based on the first output of the deformation detection unit due to the first impact and the second output of the deformation detection unit due to the second impact A waterproof device comprising: a waterproof determination unit that determines   The waterproof device according to claim 1, further comprising an impact determination unit that determines that the housing has received an impact when a value related to the magnitude of the impact exceeds a threshold value.   3. The waterproof device according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof determination unit determines the second impact using a waterproof determination criterion in consideration of an influence of the first impact.   The waterproof device according to claim 3, wherein the influence of the first impact includes a time interval between the first impact and the second impact. The impact detection unit includes a first sensor and a second sensor,
The specifying unit is configured to cause the case to impact the housing based on a position where the first sensor and the second sensor are installed and a time difference when the impact is detected by the first sensor and the second sensor, respectively. The waterproof device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a received direction and an impact site are specified.   The waterproof device according to claim 1, wherein the impact detection unit and the deformation detection unit are acceleration sensors. A first member constituting a housing;
A second member constituting the housing and connected to the first member;
A watertight member arranged between the first member and the second member for maintaining a watertight state;
An impact detection unit comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting a value related to the magnitude of the impact when the case receives an impact;
A specifying unit for specifying a direction and an impact site where the casing receives an impact based on a time difference when a value related to the magnitude of the impact is detected by each of the plurality of sensors;
A deformation detection unit that detects a degree of deformation of the watertight member at the impact site based on the direction and the impact site specified by the specifying unit;
A waterproof device, comprising: a waterproof determination unit that determines a degree of waterproof performance that can be guaranteed based on an output of the deformation detection unit due to the impact.   The waterproof device according to claim 7, further comprising an impact determination unit that determines that the housing has received an impact when a value related to the magnitude of the impact exceeds a threshold value.   The waterproof device according to claim 7, wherein the impact detection unit includes two acceleration sensors.

Images