JP2016109706A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an extra length part of a flexible wiring member connecting an illumination light emitting unit and a control substrate to be housed in a prescribed location in an imaging device including a rotation two-axis mechanism of the illumination light emitting unit.SOLUTION: A pop-up mechanism of a strobo light emitting unit 15 has: an arm member 19 that receives urging force from a base spring 22 to rotate around a first shaft; and a strobo holder 17 that receives urging force of a holder spring 20 to rotate around a second shaft. The strobo light emitting unit 15 is connected to a strobo control substrate 25 using a flexible substrate 26, and the flexible substrate 26 has an extra length part required for rotating of the arm member 19 and rotating of the strobo holder 17. The flexible substrate 26 passes through a bottom side of a first shaft member, further passes through an area around a second shaft member along the arm member 19 and is arranged. An elastic member 35 to be arranged at a wall part 16d of a device main body part abuts against the flexible substrate 26, and thereby the elastic member 35 urges the flexible substrate 26 onto a side where the extra length part of the flexible substrate 26 is housed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus equipped with a built-in strobe capable of popping up.

  In some imaging devices such as digital cameras, the tip of the photographing lens protrudes from the imaging device main body to the subject side rather than the light emitting portion of the built-in flash. There is a pop-up mechanism of the light emitting unit as a mechanism for avoiding that the irradiation light from the light emitting unit toward the subject is blocked by the tip of the photographing lens. The pop-up mechanism moves the light emitting unit to a position protruding from the storage position stored in the imaging device main body unit so that the photographing lens does not enter the light irradiation range of the light emitting unit.

  As a pop-up mechanism, there are a vertical lifting mechanism, a rotating one-axis mechanism, and a rotating two-axis mechanism. The vertical lifting mechanism is a mechanism that moves the light emitting unit in the vertical direction with respect to the imaging device main body. The rotation 1-axis mechanism is a mechanism that attaches a light emitting unit to the tip of an arm member that rotates about an axis fixed to the imaging device main body, and moves the light emitting unit upward. The rotating biaxial mechanism is a mechanism in which a rotating shaft is further provided at the tip of an arm member of the rotating single axis mechanism, a light emitting unit is attached to a holder member that rotates about the axis, and the light emitting unit is moved upward.

  In a device including a rotating biaxial mechanism, in order to perform light emission control of the light emitting unit, the light emitting unit and a control board installed on the imaging device main body side are electrically connected by a flexible substrate or the like. Since the distance between the light emitting unit and the control board is changed by the pop-up mechanism, a surplus length responsible for the distance change is set for the flexible board or the like. However, in the state where the light emitting unit is in the storage position, the distance between the light emitting unit and the control board is shortened, so that an extra length part such as a flexible board may be bent at an unexpected location. In this case, the flexible substrate or the like may be caught. With respect to this problem, in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a space is provided in the opening / closing lid to allow movement of the bending elastic deformation portion of the flexible substrate having the extra length necessary for the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing lid.

JP-A-8-166623

However, in the above-described imaging device, in the rotating biaxial mechanism that performs the two rotational operations, if the extra length of the flexible substrate is stored in a position different from the intended position, the imaging device has a housing. There is a possibility that pinching of the flexible substrate occurs.
An object of the present invention is to store an extra length portion of a flexible wiring member connecting an illumination light emitting unit and a control board at an intended position in an imaging apparatus having a rotating biaxial mechanism of the illumination light emitting unit. .

  An apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus including a mechanism that moves a light emitting unit for illumination from a storage position stored in an apparatus main body to a light emission capable position protruding outside the apparatus main body. Receiving the urging force of the urging member, an arm member that rotates about the first shaft member fixed to the apparatus main body, the light emitting unit, and the second urging member A holder member that rotates around a second shaft member that is fixed to the end of the arm member in response to the force; a control board that is disposed in the apparatus main body unit and performs light emission control of the light emitting unit; A flexible wiring member that connects the light emitting unit and the control board, and an elastic member that is disposed in the apparatus main body unit. The flexible wiring member has an extra length portion that bears a change in length associated with the rotation of the arm member and the rotation of the holder member, and the elastic member comes into contact with the flexible wiring member. It urges | biases to the side which accommodates the said extra length part.

  According to the present invention, the extra length portion of the flexible wiring member that connects the light emitting unit for illumination and the control board can be accommodated in the expected position.

1 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the invention. It is the perspective view (A) and disassembled perspective view (B) of the strobe unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the strobe unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of accommodation holding | maintenance of the strobe unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the flash light emission part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the pop-up detection which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the routing of the trigger flexible board | substrate which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the routing of the trigger flexible board | substrate which concerns on a comparative example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an imaging apparatus provided with a pop-up mechanism of a strobe light emitting unit for illumination will be described as an example. The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and the present invention can be applied to a modified or modified embodiment described below without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera 1 that is an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1C are perspective views when the apparatus main body (camera main body) of the imaging apparatus is viewed from the front side (subject side). FIG. 1B is a perspective view when the apparatus main body is viewed from the back side. 1A and 1B show a state in which the strobe light emitting unit is in the storage position stored in the apparatus main body. FIG. 1C shows a state in which the strobe light emitting unit is in a light emission possible position protruding from the apparatus main body.

  The digital camera 1 has an interchangeable lens configuration, and has a bayonet-type lens mount 2 on the front surface of the housing. An interchangeable lens device (not shown) is mounted by a user fitting and rotating the lens device 2 and the indices printed on the lens mount 2 while aligning the indexes printed on the lens device 2 and the lens mount 2. Further, the user can remove the lens device by rotating the lens device in the direction opposite to that when the lens device is mounted while pressing the lens release button 3 adjacent to the lens mount 2.

  An imaging element 4 is mounted inside the housing of the digital camera 1 and photoelectrically converts an optical image formed by the lens device and outputs an imaging signal. The imaging device 4 is, for example, a CCD (charge coupled device) type or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) type image sensor. The imaging signal output from the imaging element 4 is converted into digital information by a processing circuit of a signal processing board (not shown) mounted on the digital camera 1. On the signal processing board, a recording medium slot including a card I / F (interface) and the like, an imaging processing unit, an image processing unit, a system control unit, a serial I / F unit, and the like are mounted.

  On the upper surface of the digital camera 1, a release button 5 for providing an imaging preparation instruction and an imaging operation instruction is provided. The release button 5 can be pressed in two stages. When the user presses release button 5 halfway, an imaging preparation operation (photometry operation, distance measurement operation, etc.) starts. When the user fully presses the release button 5, shooting and recording processing is performed. Image data of the photographed subject image is recorded on a recording medium inserted in the storage unit of the apparatus main body.

  An electronic dial 6 is disposed on the outer periphery of the release button 5. The user can change various shooting conditions by rotating the electronic dial 6 around the release button 5. A power button 7 is arranged next to the release button 5 and is used when a user performs an on operation and an off operation of the digital camera 1. A mode lever 8 is provided on the outer periphery of the power button 7. The user can perform various shooting mode switching operations by rotating the mode lever 8 around the power button 7. In the vicinity of the mode lever 8, indicators (not shown) corresponding to various shooting modes are printed. The user can set the shooting mode according to the index by setting the mode lever 8 to the position of the index.

  A liquid crystal display unit 9 is provided on the housing rear surface of the digital camera 1. The liquid crystal display unit 9 displays information such as a through image before shooting, a shot image, and various shooting conditions on the screen. The liquid crystal display unit 9 has a built-in touch sensor, which is used when the user selects a function such as changing imaging parameters or changing the display format of the liquid crystal display unit 9. Further, the liquid crystal display unit 9 can be rotated in a range of 180 ° around a rotation axis provided at the upper part of the housing of the digital camera 1. Thereby, the visibility of the liquid crystal display unit 9 from the housing upper surface side and the housing front side is improved. The operation button group 10 provided on the rear surface of the housing of the digital camera 1 is used when the user selects a function such as changing shooting conditions or changing the display format of the liquid crystal display unit 9. The battery lid 11 disposed on the bottom surface of the housing of the digital camera 1 is an openable / closable lid member that covers the battery storage chamber. When the user opens the battery lid 11, the storage chamber is opened, and the battery can be inserted and removed.

  A connector cover 12 is disposed on the side surface of the digital camera 1. The connector cover 12 protects terminals mounted on the printed circuit board for connection with various external devices. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that at least one of an analog video terminal for connection to an external video device, a power supply terminal for connection to an external DC power supply, and a digital terminal for connection to an information processing apparatus is provided. For example, the external video device is a television receiver, and the information processing apparatus is a PC (personal computer).

  A recording medium lid 13 is disposed below the connector cover 12. The recording medium lid 13 is an openable / closable lid member that covers the storage chamber for the recording medium. When the user opens the recording medium lid 13, the storage chamber is opened, and the recording medium can be inserted and removed. A pop-up lever 14 is disposed on the upper portion of the connector cover 12. When the user slides the pop-up lever 14 toward the front surface of the housing of the digital camera 1, the strobe light emitting unit 15 protrudes upward as shown in FIG. That is, the pop-up mechanism described later performs a pop-up operation of the strobe light emitting unit 15 to expose it to the outside. In this state, when the user depresses the strobe light emitting unit 15, the strobe light emitting unit 15 is accommodated in the housing of the digital camera 1.

  Next, the pop-up mechanism of the strobe light emitting unit 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a strobe unit including the strobe light emitting unit 15 and a pop-up mechanism. FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the strobe unit. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the strobe unit with the strobe light emitting unit 15 popped up. The rotating biaxial mechanism, which is a pop-up mechanism of the present embodiment, receives an urging force of the first urging member and an arm member that rotates around the first axis and an urging force of the second urging member. And a holder member of the strobe light emitting unit 15 that rotates about the second axis. The base unit 16 of the strobe unit is positioned inside the housing of the digital camera 1 and is fastened and fixed by screws. The base member 16 has a wall portion that forms a storage portion for storing the strobe light emitting portion 15 in the storage position.

  The strobe light emitting unit 15 is sandwiched between a strobe holder 17 and a strobe cover 18 that are integrally fixed by two screws, and three members move together. The strobe holder 17 is formed with a bearing portion 17a. One end portion 19a of the arm member 19 and the holder spring 20 are attached to the bearing portion 17a by inserting the holder shaft 21 therethrough. Each end of the holder spring 20 as the second urging member abuts on the strobe holder 17 and the arm member 19, and the urging force of the holder spring 20 acts in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Due to the urging force of the holder spring 20, the strobe holder 17 rotates with respect to the arm member 19 around the holder shaft 21 as the second shaft member until the stopper portion 17 b comes into contact with the arm member 19.

  A base bearing 16a is formed on the base member 16. The other end portion 19b of the arm member 19 and the base spring 22 are attached to the base bearing portion 16a by inserting the base shaft 23 therethrough. Each end portion of the base spring 22 as the first biasing member abuts against the base member 16 and the arm member 19, and the biasing force of the base spring 22 acts in the direction of arrow B in FIG. By the urging force of the base spring 22, the arm member 19 rotates with respect to the base member 16 about the base shaft 23 that is the first shaft member until it abuts against a stopper portion 16 b formed on the base member 16. To do.

  The strobe holder 17 performs a pop-up operation with respect to the base member 16 by combining the rotations of the two mechanisms constituting the pop-up mechanism. Note that the rotation angles of the two mechanisms are adjusted so that the strobe light emitting unit 15 faces the subject when popping up.

  Next, a method for storing and holding the strobe holder 17 in the housing of the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is a perspective view when the strobe unit of the digital camera 1 is viewed from the back side. 4 (B), 4 (C), and 4 (D) are cross-sectional views of the strobe unit, each showing a different state.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the pop-up lever 14 is incorporated into the base member 16 from the side surface direction of the digital camera 1, and is prevented from being detached by another member assembled thereafter. The pop-up lever 14 is urged toward the back of the digital camera 1 by a lever spring 24. As shown in FIG. 4A, the hook portion 14 a formed on the pop-up lever 14 is disposed so as to be exposed in the storage portion of the strobe holder 17 formed on the housing of the digital camera 1.

  When the strobe is stored, the user performs an operation of pushing down the strobe holder 17 in a direction against the urging forces of the holder spring 20 and the base spring 22. As shown in FIG. 4B, the slope portion of the hook portion 17c formed on the strobe holder 17 contacts the slope portion of the hook portion 14a. When the user further depresses the strobe holder 17, the hook portion 17 c moves the pop-up lever 14 toward the front of the digital camera 1 as shown in FIG. When the hook portion 17c gets over the tip of the hook portion 14a, the pop-up lever 14 returns to the original position by the urging force of the lever spring 24 as shown in FIG. When the hook portion 17c and the hook portion 14a are engaged with each other, the strobe holder 17 is held in the storage position.

  On the other hand, when the user operates the pop-up lever 14 toward the front surface of the digital camera 1, the hook portion 17c is detached from the hook portion 14a. The strobe holder 17 pops up again by the urging forces of the holder spring 20 and the base spring 22 in a state in which the hooks are unlocked.

  Next, the electrical connection between the strobe light emitting unit 15 and the strobe control board 25 installed in the housing of the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the strobe light emitting unit 15. FIG. 5B is a perspective view for explaining the connection relationship between the strobe light emitting unit 15 and the strobe control board 25, and other members are omitted for convenience of explanation. As shown in FIG. 5A, the strobe light emitting unit 15 includes a protector 151, a xenon tube 152, a reflector 153, a holder 154, a trigger coil 155, and two terminal plates 156 and 157.

  The xenon tube 152 and the reflector 153 are members that constitute the light source unit, and are incorporated into the holder 154 in a state of being in contact with each other. The terminals of the xenon tube 152 are fixed to the holder 154 by being soldered to terminal plates 156 and 157 that are press-fitted into the holder 154. At this time, the reflector 153 is in contact with the output terminal of the trigger coil 155 insert-molded in the holder 154. Finally, the strobe light emitting unit 15 is completed by incorporating the protector 151 into the holder 154.

  The four terminals of the strobe light emitting unit 15 are electrically connected to the strobe control board 25 via a flexible wiring member and a lead wire group. The four terminals are terminal plates 156 and 157, an input terminal of the trigger coil 155 exposed from the holder 154, and a GND terminal. As shown in FIG. 5B, solder is applied to one end of the trigger flexible board 26. Attached. A lead wire group 27 on the light emitting unit side is soldered to the other end of the trigger flexible substrate 26 and connected to the strobe control substrate 25. Further, the strobe control board 25 is connected to the main capacitor 29 by a lead wire group 28 on the capacitor side. When a trigger voltage is applied from the output terminal of the trigger coil 155 to the reflector 153 by the light emission start signal from the strobe control board 25, the charge charged in the main capacitor 29 flows out to the xenon tube 152, and the xenon tube 152 emits light. To do.

  A method for detecting the position of the strobe holder 17 will be described with reference to FIG. If the strobe light emitting unit 15 emits light in the housing of the digital camera 1, there is a possibility that the protector 151 or the like may be melted by heat generated during light emission. Therefore, it is necessary to detect the position of the strobe holder 17 and perform light emission control by the strobe control board 25 only when the entire strobe light emitting unit 15 is exposed from the housing of the digital camera 1. FIG. 6A is a perspective view when the strobe light emitting unit 15 is viewed from the front side, and the strobe cover 18 is omitted for convenience of explanation. FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the strobe unit viewed from a direction different from that in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (A), a magnet 30 is inserted into the strobe holder 17 from the side direction and fixed with an adhesive. As shown in FIG. 6B, a magnetic sensor 32 is fixed to the base member 16 and detects the magnetic flux density from the magnet 30. The magnetic sensor 32 is mounted on a sensor flexible substrate 31 connected to a signal processing substrate (not shown). When the strobe holder 17 is in the pop-up state, the distance between the magnet 30 and the magnetic sensor 32 is larger than that in the housed state, so the magnetic flux density detected by the magnetic sensor 32 is small. Output from the magnetic sensor 32 to the signal processing board is performed, and the detected value of the magnetic flux density is compared with a threshold value preset in the magnetic sensor 32. When the detected value falls below the threshold value, the ON signal changes to the OFF signal. That is, the surface magnetic flux density of the magnet 30 and the threshold value of the magnetic sensor 32 are adjusted so that the output of the magnetic sensor 32 changes when the strobe holder 17 approaches the light-emitting enabled position in the pop-up state. Thereby, it can be detected whether or not the strobe holder 17 is popped up.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a change in the routing of the trigger flexible substrate 26 accompanying the rotation of the pop-up mechanism will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing each state of the strobe unit when viewed from the axial direction of the holder shaft 21 and the base shaft 23. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing the strobe unit in the storage position of the strobe holder 17. The arm member 19 and the stroboscope holder 17 are positioned in the storage portion 36 of the apparatus main body formed by the base member 16 at the storage position of the strobe light emitting unit 15. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing the strobe unit at the pop-up position of the strobe holder 17.

  The trigger flexible substrate 26 has a fixed end 26 a fastened and fixed to the base member 16 with screws. The trigger flexible substrate 26 is routed through the lower side of the base shaft 23, passing between the arm member 19 and the arm cover 33, passing through the vicinity of the holder shaft 21, and then connected to the strobe light emitting unit 15. Is done. When the strobe holder 17 shown in FIG. 7A is housed, the arm member 19 is disposed below the base shaft 23 that is the rotation shaft. For this reason, the 1st length along the path | route of the trigger flexible board | substrate 26 from the fixed end 26a to the arm member 19 is short compared with the length at the time of the pop-up shown to FIG. 7 (B). On the other hand, the second length along the path of the trigger flexible substrate 26 from the arm member 19 to the strobe light emitting portion 15 is compared with the time of pop-up because there is a part that is half-wrapped around the holder shaft 21. Then long. Therefore, the first length and the second length necessary for the trigger flexible substrate 26 change between the storage position of the strobe holder 17 and the pop-up position.

  Furthermore, a case is assumed where the strobe holder 17 is rotated around the holder shaft 21 from the pop-up position as in the state shown in FIG. In this case, since there is a portion where the trigger flexible substrate 26 is wound around the holder shaft 21, the length of the trigger flexible substrate 26 is most necessary. For this reason, the trigger flexible board 26 has an extra length part that changes the length between the storage position of the strobe holder 17 and the pop-up position. The reason is to prevent the occurrence of cutting or the like due to insufficient length of the trigger flexible substrate 26 in the state shown in FIG. Further, since the extra length storage portion 34 is provided in the housing of the digital camera 1, the extra length portion of the trigger flexible substrate 26 can be accommodated.

  FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view showing the strobe unit in a state where the strobe holder 17 is being moved from the state of FIG. 7C to the storage position. The elastic member 35 is disposed on the wall portion 16 d that forms the storage portion 36 in the base member 16 so as to face the surplus length storage portion 34. That is, the elastic member 35 is fixed to the base member 16 with a double-sided tape, is always in contact with the trigger flexible substrate 26, and applies an urging force in the direction of arrow C in FIG. Therefore, the surplus length of the trigger flexible substrate 26 pulled toward the strobe light emitting unit 15 in the state of FIG. 7C is surplus by the urging force of the elastic member 35 until the state of FIG. It is pulled back to the storage unit 34 side. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing a case where there is no elastic member 35 as a comparative example. In this case, a part of the trigger flexible substrate 26 is formed as a shape portion that swells in the vicinity of the holder shaft 21. Therefore, when the strobe holder 17 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 8A to the storage position, a part of the trigger flexible board 26 may be sandwiched between the strobe cover 18 and the housing of the digital camera 1. There is. In this embodiment, the occurrence of such a situation can be avoided by arranging the elastic member 35 (see FIGS. 2B and 6). Further, the elastic member 35 is in contact with the lead wire group 27 on the light emitting portion side. By preventing the lead wire group 27 on the light emitting unit side from moving due to vibration applied to the digital camera 1, disconnection of the lead wire group 27 can be prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a rib 16 c for hiding the fixed end 26 a is formed on the wall portion 16 d of the base member 16. The ribs 16c are set so as not to protrude from the base shaft 23 toward the extra length storage portion 34 side. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the rib 16c protrudes from the base shaft 23 toward the extra length storage portion 34 as a comparative example. In this case, the contact area between the trigger flexible substrate 26 and the base spring 22 increases. Therefore, since the frictional force acting on the trigger flexible substrate 26 is increased, the movement of the surplus length portion of the trigger flexible substrate 26 to return to the surplus length storage portion 34 is hindered.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the elastic member 35 always applies an urging force to the trigger flexible substrate 26 connected to the light emitting unit, so that the excess length portion of the trigger flexible substrate 26 is replaced with the excess length storage portion 34. Can be stored.

14: Pop-up lever 15: Strobe light emitting part 16: Base member 17: Strobe holder 19: Arm member 20: Holder spring 22: Base spring 25: Strobe control board 26: Trigger flexible board 27: Lead wire group 34: Extra length storage part 35: Elastic member

Claims (5)

An imaging apparatus including a mechanism for moving a light emitting unit for illumination from a storage position stored in a device main body unit to a light emission capable position protruding outside the device main body unit,
An arm member that receives an urging force of the first urging member and rotates around a first shaft member fixed to the apparatus main body;
A holder member that holds the light-emitting part and receives a biasing force of a second biasing member and rotates around a second shaft member fixed to an end of the arm member;
A control board disposed in the apparatus main body for performing light emission control of the light emitting unit;
A flexible wiring member for connecting the light emitting unit and the control board;
An elastic member disposed in the apparatus main body,
The flexible wiring member has an extra length portion that bears a change in length associated with the rotation of the arm member and the rotation of the holder member, and the elastic member comes into contact with the flexible wiring member. An image pickup apparatus that biases the extra length portion toward a side where the extra length portion is stored. The apparatus main body includes a base member that forms a storage unit that stores the arm member and the holder member at a storage position of the light emitting unit, and a surplus storage unit that stores a surplus part of the flexible wiring member,
The flexible wiring member passes through the extra length storage portion at the storage position of the light emitting portion, passes between the first shaft member and the base member, and extends along the arm member. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is disposed in a path connected to the light emitting unit after passing around a shaft member.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member is disposed on a wall portion that forms the storage portion by the base member so as to face the extra length storage portion.   The wall portion of the base member has a rib formed at a position that does not protrude from the first shaft member toward the extra length storage portion when viewed from the axial direction of the first shaft member. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible wiring member is connected to the control board via a lead wire, and the elastic member abuts on the lead wire.