JP2015011194A - Waterproof case for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof case for electronic equipment, having a dial input device which can be reliably operated in water even in a simple structure and includes a dial configured in a rotation- or tilting-operable manner and a pressing button at a center part.SOLUTION: In a waterproof case for electronic equipment having a dial input device, a second operation part for rotation-operating a dial is arranged around a first operation part for press-operating a pressing button and a third operation part for tilt-operating the dial is arranged around the second operation part to configure the waterproof case so that composite dial operation can be performed while separating the operation parts from each other. Thereby, a reliable operation can be performed even when a user wears underwater gloves. The rotation-operation is facilitated and the first or third operation part can be prevented from being erroneously pressed, by providing a projection for rotation in the second operation part and making it protrude more than the height of the first and third operation parts.

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof case that houses an electronic device in a sealed state, and more particularly to a waterproof case for an electronic device having a dial-type input device.

Conventionally, waterproof cases for electronic devices have been provided in order to use electronic devices such as digital cameras in water.
In order to operate these operation buttons from the outside while the digital camera is housed in a waterproof case, a configuration has been proposed in which an operation unit is provided on the outer surface of the waterproof case and the operation is performed indirectly while maintaining waterproofness.

  As a waterproof case for an electronic apparatus having such a configuration, for example, there is one as described in Patent Document 1. The operation unit of Patent Document 1 corresponds to a digital camera having a cross-shaped button (an input device in which a push button is arranged at the center of the cross key). According to the operation part of the waterproof case corresponding to this digital camera, it has a structure in which pushbuttons that are close to each other are passed through the case and a group of pushbuttons that allows the plurality of pushbuttons to be pressed from the outside to the inside of the case. In addition, the push button in the center of the push button group is configured to have a protruding height to the inside so that a plurality of push buttons can be prevented from being pushed simultaneously even when other push buttons are pushed simultaneously.

  Moreover, as an input device for electronic devices, there exists a thing as described in patent document 2, for example. The input device of Patent Document 2 is a rotary encoder that can be rotated and swinged (an input device having a dial shape and a push button arranged at the center thereof). According to such a dial-type input device, it is possible to perform a rotation operation in which a dial is rotated by a predetermined angle and to perform a tilting operation in which a predetermined portion of the dial is pressed and tilted in a predetermined direction. Has a configuration.

JP 2006-114431 A JP 2002-170461 A

  However, sharp rocks and the like are scattered in the water in which the waterproof case is used, and fingers may be cut with bare hands, so gloves are generally worn in scuba diving. In this case, the fingertip becomes thicker than the thickness of the glove, and the fingertip sensation becomes dull because it is operated through the glove, and the waterproof case can be operated easily and reliably even in water. Was demanded.

  Here, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the center push button of the cross key can be surely pushed. However, when pushing the push buttons around the push button, the push buttons are in close contact with each other, and the hand wearing gloves for underwater, It was difficult to operate.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the dial is strongly pressed to perform a tilting operation, and the weakly pressed to rotate. As a waterproof case corresponding to an electronic apparatus provided with such an input device, a case that is easy to operate even with a hand wearing underwater gloves has been demanded.

  The objective of this invention is providing the waterproof case for electronic devices provided with the dial type input device which can ensure operation in water although it is a simple structure.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.

The present invention includes a dial configured to be rotatable and a press button configured to be pressed at the center of the dial, and the dial selectively presses a portion in a predetermined direction with respect to the press button. The present invention relates to a dial input device configured to be able to tilt and operate by tilting a dial.
The electronic device is formed of a hard material, and is configured to be detachable in the open state, and in a sealed state, the case body for sealing and storing the electronic device in a predetermined position is provided in a watertight manner with respect to the case body. An operation member for operating the dial input device from the outside of the case body, the operation member including a first operation unit for pressing the pressing button, and a second operation unit for rotating the dial. And a third operation unit for tilting the dial, a second operation unit is arranged around the first operation unit, and a third operation unit is arranged around the second operation unit. It is characterized by that.

  In addition, the first operation unit is configured to be able to press the push button through the central portion of the second operation unit, and the second operation unit is configured to rotate and rotate the case body. An oscillating portion provided at an inner end of the case body of the moving portion and crimped to the dial in a sealed state to transmit the rotation of the rotating portion to the dial and configured to be swingable with respect to the rotating portion. And the third operating portion has a plurality of pressing keys that penetrate the case body and press and tilt the swinging portion, and selectively press one of the pressing keys via the swinging portion. The dial is configured to be tiltable so that it can be operated by tilting the dial in a predetermined direction.

  Further, the second operation portion is provided with a rotation protrusion for rotating with a finger, and the height of the rotation protrusion from the case body is set to the case body of the first operation portion and the third operation portion. It is characterized by being higher than the height from.

  Further, an end of the second operation portion is provided with a swing guide having three protrusions protruding in three directions at equal angles in the outer peripheral direction, and the protrusions of the swing guide are respectively stored on the inner surface of the swing portion. Three groove portions that are long in the axial direction are provided, and the rotation of the rotation portion of the second operation portion is transmitted to the swing portion by engaging the protrusion of the swing guide and the groove portion of the swing portion. The swinging portion swings in a predetermined direction with respect to the rotating portion by pressing the third operation portion.

  Further, the swing guide is constituted by a substantially ring-shaped main body and three projections, and the swing guide is configured to be fitted to the end of the second operation portion and to rotate integrally. Features.

  And the 3rd operation part is provided with a press key in four directions at intervals of at least about 90 degrees in the peripheral direction of the operation member.

  According to the present invention, since it has the above-described features, the following can be achieved.

  A dial configured to be rotatable and a press button configured to be pressed at the center of the dial are provided, and the dial tilts the dial by selectively pressing a portion in a predetermined direction with respect to the press button. The dial input device is configured to be tiltable to be operated, and is formed of a hard material. The electronic device is configured to be detachable in an open state, and the electronic device is sealed at a predetermined position in a sealed state. A case body to be stored; and an operation member that is provided in a watertight manner with respect to the case body and operates the dial input device from the outside of the case body. The operation member includes a first operation unit for pressing the push button; , Having a second operation part for rotating the dial and a third operation part for tilting the dial, and arranging the second operation part around the first operation part, Second operation Since we arranged third operating portion around, in water, it has become possible to reliably operate the dial input device for electronic equipment from outside the case body.

  In addition, the first operation unit is configured to be able to press the push button through the central portion of the second operation unit, and the second operation unit is configured to rotate and rotate the case body. An oscillating portion provided at an inner end of the case body of the moving portion and crimped to the dial in a sealed state to transmit the rotation of the rotating portion to the dial and configured to be swingable with respect to the rotating portion. And the third operating portion has a plurality of pressing keys that penetrate the case body and press and tilt the swinging portion, and selectively press one of the pressing keys via the swinging portion. Therefore, it is possible to perform a complicated operation with a simple configuration because the dial can be tilted in a predetermined direction.

  Further, the second operation portion is provided with a rotation protrusion for rotating with a finger, and the height of the rotation protrusion from the case body is set to the case body of the first operation portion and the third operation portion. Since the height of the second operation unit is higher than the height of the first operation unit, the second operation unit can be reliably rotated, and the first operation unit and the third operation unit are prevented from being pressed when an external force is applied. It became possible to do.

  Further, an end of the second operation portion is provided with a swing guide having three protrusions protruding in three directions at equal angles in the outer peripheral direction, and the protrusions of the swing guide are respectively stored on the inner surface of the swing portion. Three groove portions that are long in the axial direction are provided, and the rotation of the rotation portion of the second operation portion is transmitted to the swing portion by engaging the protrusion of the swing guide and the groove portion of the swing portion. Since the swinging part swings in a predetermined direction with respect to the rotating part by the pressing of the third operating part, a smooth tilting and rotating operation can be performed.

  Further, the swing guide is constituted by a substantially ring-shaped main body and three protrusions, and the swing guide is configured to be fitted to the end portion of the second operation portion and rotate integrally. It became possible to make the structure simple and easy to assemble.

  And since the 3rd operation part is provided with a press key in 4 directions at an interval of at least about 90 degree | times at the circumferential direction of the operation member, tilting operation of the up-down and left-right direction was attained.

1A and 1B show a waterproof case for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a perspective view seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view seen from the rear. FIG. 2A is a perspective view seen from the back direction, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view seen from the front direction, showing details of a portion near the back right side of the waterproof case for electronic equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention. . It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the waterproof case for electronic devices which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the exploded view seen from the front direction which shows the composition of the principal part of the waterproof case for electronic devices concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is the partial cross section exploded view which looked at from the front direction which shows a part of structure of the principal part of the waterproof case for electronic devices which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a waterproof case for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6A is a state before the electronic device is attached to the waterproof case, and FIG. 6B is an electronic device attached to the waterproof case. FIG. 5C shows a state where the electronic device is mounted on the waterproof case and the swinging operation is performed. 7A is a cross-sectional view of a part of a waterproof case for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the back side, FIG. 7A is a state before the electronic device is mounted on the waterproof case, and FIG. FIG. 7C shows a state where the electronic device is mounted on the waterproof case and the swinging operation is performed. An example of the electronic device accommodated in the waterproof case for electronic devices which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown, FIG. 8A is the perspective view seen from the front, FIG. 8B is the perspective view seen from back.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the electronic device housed in the waterproof case is a digital camera will be described.
In the following description, the front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction are shown as viewed from the photographer (user) side, the subject side is the front (front) direction, and the photographer side has a monitor screen. The direction of the surface will be referred to as the rear (back) direction.

First, a digital camera housed in a waterproof case will be described. FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of the digital camera 100 (electronic device) as seen from the front, and FIG. 8B shows a perspective view as seen from the rear.
In this embodiment, the electronic device to be accommodated in the waterproof case is a digital camera 100, and includes a hexahedral camera body 101 as shown in FIG. 8A.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, a retractable imaging lens barrel 102 and a flash light emitting unit 103 are provided on the front surface of the camera body 101. On the right side of the upper surface of the camera body 101, a release button 104 for starting shooting is provided. Here, the release button 104 is a push button.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, on the back side of the camera body 101, a display unit 105 on the left side, an image playback button 106 on the right side, a dial input unit 107 (dial input device), a menu selection button 108, and a deletion A button 109 is provided. The image reproduction button 106, the menu selection button 108, and the deletion button 109 are pressed. The display unit 105 includes a color liquid crystal display panel with a backlight, and the like. The captured image is displayed in the shooting mode, and the playback image is displayed in the playback mode.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the dial input unit 107 includes a setting button 110 (press button) and a dial 111 (dial) provided around the setting button 110, and is configured to protrude one step from the back of the camera body 101. The The dial 111 is provided so as to be rotatable, and is configured to be tiltable so that the dial 111 is pressed in the upper, lower, left, or right direction and tilted in the pressed direction. The setting button 110 is a push button.

  In the dial input unit 107, a setting item is selected by pressing either one of the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the dial 111, and the dial 111 is further rotated with the finger still selected to select a detailed item in the setting item. Then, the setting button 110 is pressed to set the selection item. For example, if the right part of the dial 111 is strongly pressed with a fingertip, the flash mode is set. Next, the finger 111 is slightly weakened and slightly rotated while pressing the dial 111 to select automatic light emission, forced light emission, light emission inhibition, or the like. Finally, if the setting button 110 is pressed, the flash mode can be set.

  When the image playback button 106 is operated, the playback mode is set, and the playback image can be displayed on the display unit 105. When the menu selection button 108 is operated, the menu selection mode is set, and the menu can be selected. When the delete button 109 is operated, an already recorded image can be deleted. For example, an image reproduced on the display unit 105 can be deleted.

Next, the waterproof case will be described.
Here, the waterproof case 1 (waterproof case) in the present embodiment has a highly rigid structure, and can be used even in water having a water depth of 50 m, for example. In addition to being used underwater, it is used to protect digital cameras outdoors such as in snow, rain, dust, etc., or in the poolside or waterside for sports such as skiing and watching games. is there.

1A is a perspective view of the waterproof case 1 as viewed from the front and shows an open state (open state), and FIG. 1B is a perspective view when viewed from the back and shows a watertight state (sealed state).
The waterproof case 1 of the present embodiment includes a hexahedron-shaped case main body 2 (case body), and the case main body 2 includes a front case 3 and a rear case 4 that are swingably connected to each other. Is provided with a buckle 5 detachably connected to the front case 3.

  In the present embodiment, the digital camera 100 is mounted inside the front case 3, the back case 4 and the front case 3 are combined, and the buckle 5 is engaged and sealed, thereby fixing the digital camera 100 at a predetermined position. It is configured to be stored in a watertight sealed state. The buckle 5 is provided with a lock release knob 6 for releasing the lock when the rear case 4 and the front case 3 are engaged.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a release operation key 7 is provided on the upper surface of the front case 3 in a watertight manner. By pressing the release operation key 7, the release button 104 of the digital camera 100 is pressed, and shooting is started. On the front surface of the front case 3, a storage cylinder portion 8 for storing the imaging lens barrel 102 and a flash light emission window 9 are provided. An optical glass 10 is fixed in a watertight manner at the tip of the storage cylinder portion 8.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a display unit window 11 for visually recognizing the display unit 108 from the outside is provided on the back side of the back case 4 closer to the left side.
The case body 2 of the waterproof case 1 is formed of a hard plastic resin such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin or polycarbonate resin. The display unit window 11 is formed of a rigid flat transparent resin such as an acrylic resin (polymethyl methacrylate resin) or a polycarbonate resin, and has a sufficient thickness for protecting the stored digital camera 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, an image reproduction key 12, a dial input operation unit 13 (operation member), a menu selection key 14, and a deletion key 15 are provided on the back side of the back case 4 in a watertight manner near the right side. By pressing the image reproduction key 12, the menu selection key 14, and the deletion key 15, the image reproduction button 106, the menu selection button 108, and the deletion button 109 of the digital camera 100 can be pressed.

  FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the details of the portion near the right side of the back surface of the back case 4 as viewed from the back direction, and FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the portion seen from the front direction. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the image reproduction key 12, the menu selection key 14, and the delete key 15 are respectively pressed operation units 12a, 14a, 15a, driven units 12b, 14b, 15b, arm units 12c, 14c, 15c, Button pressing portions 12d, 14d, and 15d are provided. When the pressing operation units 12a, 14a, and 15a are pressed with the fingertips, the driven units 12b, 14b, and 15b configured coaxially move in the front direction. Then, the arm portions 12c, 14c, and 15c also move, and the image playback button 106, the menu selection button 108, and the delete button 109 of the digital camera 100 are pressed by the button pressing portions 12d, 14d, and 15d.

  As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2A, the dial input operation unit 13 includes a setting operation key 16 (first operation unit), a dial rotation key 17 (second operation unit rotation unit), and a dial tilt key 18. (Third operation unit). A setting operation key 16 is disposed at the center of the dial input operation unit 13, and a dial rotation key 17 is disposed at the outer periphery thereof. The dial rotation key 17 includes a protrusion-shaped rotation protrusion 17a and a donut-shaped disk-shaped operation plate 17b. Dial tilt keys 18 are arranged at four portions on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the outer periphery of the dial rotation key 17.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the dial input operation unit 13 includes a setting button push 19, a dial holding unit 20, and a swing unit 21 (a swing unit of the second operation unit). When the setting operation key 16 is pressed, the setting button push 19 is moved in the front direction, and the setting button 110 is pressed. The dial holding unit 20 is integrally coupled to the swinging unit 21, and transmits the rotation or swinging motion of the swinging unit 21 to the dial 111, thereby rotating or tilting the dial 111.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the outer diameter of the swinging portion 21 is larger than the outer diameter of the dial holding portion 20 that holds the dial 111, and spreads to a size that does not overlap the display portion window 11. Therefore, the planar position of the image playback button 106, the menu selection button 108, and the delete button 109 of the digital camera 100 overlaps with the swing unit 21. Therefore, the planar positions of the setting operation key 12, the dial rotation key 14, and the dial tilt key 15 are arranged outside the swinging portion 21. The arm portions 12c, 14c, and 15c are provided, and the planar positions of the pressing operation portions 12a, 14a, and 15a and the button pressing portions 12d, 14d, and 15d are shifted, and the image reproduction button 106, the menu selection button 108, and the deletion are deleted. The button 109 can be pressed.

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the dial input operation unit 13, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dial input operation unit 13. The detailed configuration of the dial input operation unit 13 will be described below with reference to these drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the setting operation key 16 is configured integrally with an operation unit 16 a and a driven unit 16 b. The driven portion 16b penetrates the center portion of the dial rotation key 17 in a watertight manner by an O-ring 16c, and a setting button push 19 (first operation portion) made of a flexible material such as rubber or elastomer at the tip portion. ) Are joined together. The setting operation key 16 is urged in the rear direction by a compression coil spring 16e held at one end by a spring receiver 16d, and is held in a predetermined position of the dial rotation key 17 by a retaining ring 16f.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dial rotation key 17 includes an operation plate 17b having a rotation protrusion 17a (rotation protrusion), an operation plate holding portion 17c, and a driven portion 17d. The operation plate holding portion 17c has a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter smaller than that of the operation plate 17b, and holds the operation portion 16a of the setting operation key 16 in an inner cylindrical recess so as to be able to move forward. The driven portion 17d has a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter smaller than that of the operation plate holding portion 17c, and holds the driven portion 16b of the setting operation key 16 in the inner hole so as to be able to move forward. The driven portion 17d of the dial rotation key 17 penetrates the back case 4 in a watertight manner by an O-ring 17e and is held at a predetermined position by a retaining ring 17f so as to be rotatable.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dial tilting key 18 includes four pressing portions, and each pressing portion is configured by integrally connecting an operation portion 18a and a driven portion 18b. The follower 18b penetrates the back case 4 through the O-ring 18c in a watertight manner. The dial tilt key 18 is urged in the back direction by a compression coil spring 18e held at one end by a spring receiver 18d, and is held in a predetermined position on the back case 4 by a retaining ring 18f.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation portion 16 a of the setting operation key 16 protrudes from the operation plate 17 b of the dial rotation key 17 and the operation portion 18 a of the dial tilt key 18 around it. Further, the rotation protrusion 17a of the dial rotation key 17 protrudes from the operation plate 17, and the protrusion height of the rotation protrusion 17a is higher than the protrusion height of the operation portion 16a. That is, the height of the setting operation key 16 from the back case 4 of the operation unit 16a is higher than the height of the operation plate 17b of the dial rotation key 17 and the operation unit 18a of the dial tilt key 18 from the back case 4. Protrudes in the direction. Further, the height of the rotation projection 17a of the dial rotation key 17 from the back case 4 is higher than the height of the operation portion 16a of the setting operation key 16 from the back case 4, and protrudes higher in the back direction.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the end portion of the dial rotation key 17 in the front direction, the dial holding unit 20, the swinging unit 21, and the swinging guide 22 (swinging guide) as viewed from the front side. As shown in FIG. 5, the end portion of the dial rotation key 17 is formed in a cross-sectional oval shape having a shape obtained by scraping both sides of a circumferential outer circumferential surface with planes substantially parallel to each other along the axis. . The swing guide 22 is configured integrally with a ring-shaped swing guide cylindrical portion 22a (main body) and three projecting portions 22b (projections) that are arranged at equal angles with each other and project a predetermined length in the outer circumferential direction. Yes. The tip of the protrusion 22b is formed in a hemispherical shape. A hole with a cross-sectional oval shape is formed on the inner surface of the swing guide 22, and is fitted so as to rotate integrally with the end of the dial rotation key 17, and is fixed by a retaining ring 17g.

  As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the rocking | swiveling part 21 is provided with the rocking | swiveling cylindrical part 21a and the disk-shaped flange part 21b. On the inner surface of the oscillating cylindrical portion 21a, there are three guide groove portions 21c (groove portions) that are arranged at equal angles to each other in the axial direction. The front end of the guide groove 21c is open, but the end of the back is closed. The three guide groove portions 21c of the swing portion 21 and the three protrusion portions 22b of the swing guide 22 are engaged with each other so as to be movable in the axial direction. When the guide groove portion 21 c and the protruding portion 22 b are engaged, the rotation of the dial rotation key 17 is transmitted to the swing portion 21 via the swing guide 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the rocking | swiveling part 21 has 21 d of spring groove parts provided along the outer periphery vicinity of the surface of the back surface direction of the flange part 21b. When the other end of the swinging push spring 24 having one end held by the swinging spring receiver 23 comes into contact with the spring groove 21d, the swinging part 21 is biased in the front direction. The oscillating portion 21 is guided by the protruding portion 22b of the oscillating guide 22 and the spring groove portion 21d by the urging force of the oscillating portion pressing spring 23, and moves in the axial direction. The protrusion 22b comes into contact with the closed end portions of the three guide groove portions 21c in the back direction, so that the movement is stopped, and the swinging portion 21 is held at a predetermined position of the dial rotation key 17.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a flange-like engaging portion 21 e that engages with the dial holding portion 20 is provided at the end of the outer peripheral portion in the front direction of the cylindrical portion 21 a of the swinging portion 21. A plurality of engaging recesses 21f are provided at the outer peripheral end of the engaging portion 21e. On the other hand, the dial holding part 20 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or elastomer, and has a dial holding cylindrical part 20a having a groove part 20b at an end part in the back surface direction of the inner peripheral part. The groove part 20b is engaged with the engaging part 21e of the swing part 21 integrally. In addition, the bottom of the groove 20b has a plurality of engaging projections (not shown) that engage with the engaging recess 21f of the engaging portion 21e so that there is no deviation in rotation and they are securely coupled together. It is configured as follows. In addition, a dial contact surface 20c that contacts the dial 111 of the digital camera 100 is formed on the end surface in the front direction of the dial holding cylindrical portion 20a.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dial input operation unit 13 of the waterproof case 1 and the dial input unit 107 of the digital camera 100. 6A is a state before the digital camera 100 is attached to the waterproof case 1 (non-attached state), FIG. 6B is a state where the digital camera 100 is attached to the waterproof case 1 (attached state), and FIG. 6C is tilted in the attached state. Indicates the operating state (tilting operation state). 7 is a perspective view of the dial holding unit 20, the swinging unit 21, and the swinging guide 22 as a part of the dial input operation unit 13 from the back side, FIG. 7A is a non-mounted state, and FIG. 7B is a mounted state. FIG. 7C shows the tilting operation state. In order to clarify the positional relationship between the protruding portion 22b of the swing guide 22 and the guide groove portion 21c of the swing portion 21, the dial holding portion 20 and the swing portion 21 are shown in cross section.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A, in the non-mounted state, the swinging portion 21 is biased in the front direction (the lower side in the figure) by the swinging push spring 24, and the protruding portion 22b is the back of the guide groove portion 21c. At the position locked at the end of the direction (upper side in the figure), it is held by the protrusion 22b.

  As shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B, when the digital camera 100 is mounted, the dial contact surface 20c of the dial holding unit 20 and the dial 111 are in contact. The dial holding portion 20 and the swinging portion 21 are moved in the back direction against the urging force of the swinging push spring 24 by the dial 111, and the protruding portion 22b is held at a position approximately half the total length of the guide groove portion 21c. . Here, since the entire surface of the dial 111 is pressed evenly by the dial holding part 20, it does not tilt.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B, in the mounted state, the dial 111 and the dial holding portion 20 are pressed against each other by the urging force of the swinging push spring 24 and rotate integrally. That is, when the dial rotation key 17 is rotated, the swing guide 22 coupled to the tip portion is rotated integrally. Since the guide groove portion 21 c of the swinging portion 21 is engaged with the protruding portion 22 b of the swinging guide 22, the rotation of the protruding portion 22 b is transmitted to the swinging portion 21 and via the dial holding portion 20, the dial 111. Is rotated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the mounted state, the setting button push 19 held integrally at the end of the setting operation key 16 and the setting button 110 of the digital camera 100 face each other with a predetermined gap. doing. Further, the front end portion of the dial tilt key 18 and the flange portion 21b of the swing portion 21 are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap. Here, if the setting operation key 16 is pressed, the setting button press 19 moves in the front direction, and the setting button 110 is pressed.

  As shown in FIGS. 6C and 7C, the tilt operation state is a state where one of the dial tilt keys 18 is pressed. When one of the dial tilt keys 18 is pressed, the end of the dial tilt key 18 comes into contact with the flange portion 21b of the swinging portion 21, and the flange portion 21b starts to tilt. Since the tip of the protruding portion 22b of the swing guide 22 is hemispherical and engages with the guide groove portion 21c of the swing portion 21, only the guide groove portion 21c in the pressed direction is the front surface with respect to the protruded portion 22b. Move in the direction. In this way, the swinging portion 21 is tilted, and the dial 111 is tilted via the dial holding portion 20.

  Here, the dial holding part 20 and the swinging part 21 have a simple structure and are easy to assemble, and will be described below.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, in the dial input operation unit 13 of the present embodiment, the swinging portion 21 of the swinging guide 22 is rotated and tilted integrally with the dial rotation key 17. The three protruding portions 22b are engaged with the three groove portions 21c of the swinging portion 21. Here, in order to incline each other, it is necessary that the positions of the tips of the three projecting portions 22 b be on the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the dial rotation key 17. Moreover, in order to rotate together, it is necessary for the three protrusion parts 22b to rotate integrally with the dial rotation key 17. FIG. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the swing guide 22 is composed of the swing guide cylindrical portion 22a and the three protruding portions 22b.

  That is, since the swing guide cylindrical portion 22a and the three projecting portions 22b are integrally formed, the swing guide 22 is simply fitted into the end portion of the dial rotation key 17, so that the three projecting portions 22b The tips are correctly aligned on the same plane. Further, the inner surface of the swing guide 22 is formed with an oval hole in the cross section, and is fitted to the end portion of the dial rotation key 17 having the oval shaft in the cross section. Yes. In addition, the shape of the cross section of a fitting part here is not limited to an oval type | mold, For example, of course, D type and a star shape may be sufficient.

  Further, when assembling the swing guide 22, it can be assembled in a short time by an extremely simple process of fitting to the end of the dial rotation key 17 and stopping with a retaining ring. In addition, although it was set as the structure stopped with a retaining ring in the case of an assembly, of course, you may assemble with a screw, a speed nut, adhesion | attachment etc., for example.

Next, the effect of the dial input operation unit 13 in this embodiment will be described.
Before describing the operation of the dial input operation unit 13, the dial input unit 107 of the digital camera 100 to be operated by the dial input operation unit 13 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8B, in the dial input unit 107, first, one of the dials 111 is strongly pressed and tilted with the fingertip to select the mode, and then the fingertip force is released and the dial 111 is lightly pressed with the fingertip. The details are selected by turning, and finally the setting button 110 in the center is pressed to set.

  In the dial input operation unit 13 of the present embodiment, when the dial input unit 107 is operated from the outside of the waterproof case 1, a glove is formed by configuring the combined dial operation so that the operation unit can be operated separately. I was able to do it reliably even in the state. That is, the operation is performed by the setting operation key 16, the dial rotation key 17, and the dial tilt key 18. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in order.

  In the operation of the dial input operation unit 13, first, the dial 111 is tilted in a predetermined direction by selectively pressing one of the operation keys divided into a plurality of dial tilt keys 18 located on the outermost periphery. The function mode of the digital camera 100 is selected.

  Here, since the dial tilt key 18 is located on the outermost periphery, it is easy to press, and the dial tilt key 18 is divided and arranged for each function mode. The position of the dial portion is shifted and the position is shifted, so that another function mode is not selected. Further, since the setting operation key 16 at the center is separated by the dial rotation key 17 around the center, the erroneous operation of simultaneously pressing the dial tilting key 18 and the setting operation key 16 is unlikely to occur. Yes.

  Next, the dial 111 is rotated by operating the dial rotation key 17. Here, the dial rotation key 17 does not share the tilting operation, and the dial rotation key 17 independently rotates only the dial 111. It is not necessary to rotate the dial while pushing the dial part so as not to apply too much force while adjusting the fingertip force, and it can be operated smoothly and reliably in water.

  Finally, the setting operation key 16 at the center is pressed and the setting button 110 is pressed to complete the setting. Since the operation unit 16a of the setting operation key 16 protrudes from the operation plate 17b of the surrounding dial rotation key 17, the operation unit 16a is easily pressed.

  Further, a rotation protrusion 17 a protrudes from the operation plate 17 b of the dial input operation portion 13, and the protrusion height of the rotation protrusion 17 a is higher than the protrusion height of the operation portion 16 a of the setting operation key 16. Therefore, when the rotation operation is performed by pushing the tip of the rotation projection 17a with the fingertip, the tip of the operation portion 16a of the setting operation key 16 does not hit the fingertip, and does not interfere with the rotation operation. A rotating operation is possible. Further, when a force is applied from the outside, the most protruding projection 17a for rotation is pressed first, so that the operation portion 16a of the setting operation key 16 and the dial tilt key 18 are prevented from being pressed.

  Further, since the protruding height of the operation portion 16a of the setting operation key 16 protrudes higher than the protruding height of the rotation protrusion 17a, after the rotation operation is completed, the finger is slightly shifted from the rotation protrusion 17a. It is possible to immediately and reliably press the operation unit 16a. That is, in the present embodiment, a series of operations including a tilting operation, a rotating operation, and a pressing operation can be performed very smoothly.

In the present embodiment, the dial tilt key 18 is divided into four parts, upper, lower, left, and right. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be divided into eight parts consisting of upper, lower, left and right and an oblique part between them, and may correspond to the dial input unit 107 in eight directions. Of course, it may be divided into more parts, some of which may be one with a large angle and others may have many small angles.
The

  In this embodiment, the dial rotation key 17 has one rotation protrusion 17a on a disk-type operation plate 17b. By rotating while applying a fingertip to the upper part of the rotation projection 17a, a reliable rotation operation is possible even in water. Of course, the number of the rotation projections 17a may be increased to a plurality, or the surface of the operation plate 17b instead of the projections may have a jagged wave shape or a ratchet shape.

  In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated use of the waterproof case 1 which wears a glove underwater, it is effective also when not using a glove underwater and using the waterproof case 1 with a bare hand. . That is, if the gloves are not actually worn underwater, the finger skin swells and the fingertip feel becomes dull.

  In the description of this embodiment, the digital camera 100 housed in the waterproof case 1 is configured such that when the dial input unit 107 is tilted, both the dial 111 and the setting button 110 are tilted. Is just an example. For example, the dial 111 and the setting button 110 may be provided independently, and the setting button 110 may not be tilted even when the dial 111 is tilted.

  In the description of the present embodiment, it has been described that the operation of the dial input unit 107 of the digital camera 100 is performed in the order of the tilt operation, the rotation operation, and the setting operation. This is an example of one operation procedure. It's just that. For example, in selecting a menu displayed on the display unit 105, the tilting operation or the rotating operation can be performed. In this case, the dial input operation unit 13 of the present embodiment can separate the tilting operation and the turning operation, so that only one of the operations can be performed. That is, an operation as intended by the user can be performed without tilting to rotate or rotating to tilt.

  The waterproof case for an electronic device of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to the digital camera 100 as an electronic device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The present invention can be applied to a waterproof case for a reproduction machine, a tablet terminal, and other electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Waterproof case 2 Case body 3 Front case 4 Back case 5 Buckle 6 Lock release knob 7 Release operation part 8 Storage cylinder part 9 Flash light emission window 10 Optical glass 11 Display part window 12 Image reproduction key 13 Dial input operation part 14 Menu selection Key 15 Delete key 16 Setting operation key 17 Dial rotation key 18 Dial tilt key 19 Setting button push 20 Dial holding part 21 Swing part 22 Swing guide 23 Swing spring receiver 24 Swing spring 100 Digital camera 101 Camera body 102 Imaging lens barrel 103 Flash light emitting unit 104 Release button 105 Display unit 106 Image playback button 107 Dial input unit 108 Menu selection button 109 Delete button 110 Setting button 111 Dial

Claims (6)

A dial configured to be rotatable and a press button configured to be pressed at a central portion of the dial, and the dial selectively presses a portion in a predetermined direction with respect to the press button. In a waterproof case for an electronic device having a dial input device configured to be tiltable to operate by tilting the dial,
A case body that is formed of a hard material and is configured to be detachable in an open state, and in a sealed state, the case body that seals and stores the electronic device in a predetermined position;
An operation member that is provided watertight with respect to the case body and operates the dial input device from the outside of the case body,
The operation member includes a first operation unit for pressing the push button, a second operation unit for rotating the dial, and a third operation unit for tilting the dial. And
An electronic device case, wherein the second operation unit is arranged around the first operation unit, and the third operation unit is arranged around the second operation unit. The first operation part is configured to be able to press and operate the push button through a central part of the second operation part.
The second operation part is provided at a rotating part penetrating the case body in a rotatable manner, and an inner end of the rotating body of the case body, and is crimped to the dial in a sealed state. And a swing part configured to transmit to the dial and swingable with respect to the rotary part,
The third operation unit has a plurality of pressing keys that penetrate the case body and press and tilt the swinging unit, and selectively press one of the pressing keys to move the swinging unit. The electronic device case according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device case is configured so as to be tilted and operated by tilting the dial in the predetermined direction.   The second operation portion is provided with a rotation protrusion for rotating with a finger, and the height of the rotation protrusion from the case body is set to the first operation portion and the third operation portion. The case for electronic equipment according to claim 2, wherein the height is higher than the height from the case body. An end of the second operation part is provided with a swing guide having three protrusions protruding in three directions at equal angles in the outer peripheral direction,
The inner surface of the swinging portion is provided with three grooves that are long in the axial direction for accommodating the protrusions of the swinging guide,
By engaging the protrusion of the swing guide with the groove of the swing portion, the rotation of the rotating portion of the second operation portion is transmitted to the swing portion, and the third operation is performed. The electronic device case according to claim 1, wherein the swinging portion swings in a predetermined direction with respect to the rotating portion by pressing the portion. The swing guide is configured by a substantially ring-shaped main body and the three protrusions, and the swing guide is configured to be fitted to the end portion of the second operation portion and rotate integrally. The case for electronic devices according to claim 4. The electronic device case according to claim 1, wherein the third operation unit includes pressing keys in four directions at intervals of at least approximately 90 degrees in the circumferential direction of the operation member.

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