JP2016174261A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device including an operation mechanism which allows for detection of two-stage pressing operation from the entire circumferential direction.SOLUTION: An imaging device is constituted of: a substantially cylindrical operation member; a holding member moving integrally with the operation member; biasing means of substantially cylindrical shape, having elasticity and conductivity, and fixed to the holding member; and a substrate having first, second and third circuit patterns, and arranged coaxially with the operation member in cylindrical shape. First, second and third biasing portions are provided on substantially entire circumference of the outer part of the bias members. The first biasing portion always abuts against the first circuit pattern, the second biasing portion is abutted against the second circuit pattern by first stroke movement of the operation member in the radial direction, the first and second circuit patterns are conducted, the third biasing portion is abutted against the third circuit pattern by second stroke movement of the operation member in the radial direction, and by conducting the first and third circuit patterns, the two-stage pressing operation is detected by an operation mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus including an operation mechanism capable of detecting a two-stage operation of a circular operation member.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there is an imaging apparatus that includes an operation member on the front surface of a housing for a user to give a shooting instruction. Since the operation member has a cylindrical shape centered on the imaging optical axis and protrudes from the front surface of the housing, the user can hang his / her finger from the entire circumferential direction. However, since the internal switch that detects that the operation member has been operated can only detect one direction, the operation direction of the operation member is limited.

  With respect to this problem, a flexible biasing member having a pair of electrodes on the inner surface of the four side wall portions of the main body case, and having a holding portion, four projecting portions, an opening, and a slit inside the main body case And a conductor is provided on the four sides of the holding portion of the urging member, and the slide member is fitted into the opening of the urging member so that the key top connected to the slide member is in the cross direction, and these Patent Document 1 introduces a slide operation type switch that is configured to be operable in the combined direction and detects that a corresponding electrode and a conductor contact each other to reach a conductive state. Has been.

JP 2002-140960 A

  However, the above-described switch can only perform one-step pressing operation, and cannot set a shooting preparation operation (photometry operation, distance measurement operation, etc.) by half-pressing an operation member provided in a conventional imaging apparatus.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus including an operation mechanism that can detect a two-stage pressing operation from the entire circumferential direction.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operation member that is attached to a housing and has a substantially circular shape, a holding member that is fixed to the operation member and moves integrally, and is held by the holding member and is substantially circular. A biasing member having a shape and having elasticity and conductivity, and a substrate having a first circuit pattern, a second circuit pattern, and a third circuit pattern and arranged in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the operation member. The first urging portion, the second urging portion, and the third urging portion are formed on substantially the entire circumference of the outer shape portion of the urging member, and the first urging portion is always connected to the first circuit pattern. The second urging unit abuts on the second circuit pattern when the operation member is operated up to the first stroke, and the third urging unit is in contact with the third urging unit. Is in contact with the third circuit pattern when the operating member is operated up to the second stroke. Characterized in that it comprises the operation mechanism configured urchin.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, provision of an imaging device provided with the operation mechanism which enables the detection of the two-step pressing operation from the perimeter direction is realizable.

Digital camera exterior perspective view Operation mechanism exploded view Operation mechanism Partial assembly drawing Biasing member illustration Operation mechanism Partial assembly drawing Operation mechanism

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a main body of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a front perspective view of the main body, and FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the main body. On the front surface of the housing of the digital camera 1, there is provided a collapsible optical system photographing lens barrel 2 that forms a subject image on an image sensor.

  The photographic lens barrel 2 is mounted with an image pickup device (not shown) such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor that photoelectrically converts an optical image to generate image data. Image data generated by an image sensor (not shown) 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, an imaging unit, an image processing unit, a system control unit, a serial I / F, and the like are mounted. On the outer periphery of the photographic lens barrel 2, a release ring 3 is provided for instructing imaging preparation and imaging operation. The release ring 3 has a cylindrical shape centered on the optical axis of the photographic lens barrel 2 and can be pressed in two steps in the entire circumferential direction as indicated by arrows in FIG. When the release ring 3 is pressed halfway, a shooting preparation operation (photometry operation, distance measurement operation, etc.) is started. When the release ring 3 is fully pressed, the subject is photographed, and the image data of the subject image is recorded on a recording medium inserted in the storage chamber.

  Behind the optical axis of the release ring 3 is a zoom ring 4 that rotates at a predetermined angle around the optical axis of the photographic lens barrel 2 and changes the photographic angle of view. When it is rotated clockwise as viewed from the front of the housing of the digital camera 1, the taking lens barrel 2 zooms to the wide side (the direction in which the angle of view widens), and conversely when it is turned counterclockwise, the taking lens The lens barrel 2 performs a zoom operation toward the tele side (the direction in which the angle of view becomes narrower).

  On the side surface of the housing of the digital camera 1, a power button 5 for performing a power on / off operation of the digital camera 1 is disposed. On the opposite side, a signal input / output jack (not shown) is provided and covered with a jack protection cover component 6. Opening the cover part 6 makes it possible to connect and disconnect cables from the input / output jack. Further, a mode lever 7 for switching between various shooting modes is provided. The mode lever 7 is supported so as to translate relative to the housing of the digital camera 1. An index (not shown) corresponding to various shooting modes is printed on the upper portion of the mode lever 7, and by setting the mode lever 7 to the position of the index, the shooting mode corresponding to the index can be set. it can.

  A liquid crystal display unit 8 for displaying a through image before photographing, a photographed image, and various photographing conditions is provided on the rear surface of the housing of the digital camera 1. The liquid crystal display unit 8 has a built-in touch sensor, which is used when selecting a function such as changing shooting conditions and changing the display format of the liquid crystal display unit 8.

  Further, the liquid crystal display unit 8 can be rotated in a range of 90 ° around a rotation axis provided on the upper part of the housing of the digital camera 1 to improve the visibility of the liquid crystal display unit 8 from the upper surface side of the housing. Various methods for holding the housing are provided.

  A battery lid 9 and a recording medium lid 10 are provided on the bottom surface of the housing of the digital camera 1, and a storage chamber for storing the battery and the recording medium can be opened and closed. By opening the battery lid 9 and the recording medium lid 10, the storage chamber is opened, and the battery and the recording medium can be inserted and removed.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the operation mechanism of the release ring 3. The operation mechanism of the release ring 3 includes a release ring 3, a front cover 11, an inner front 13, a flexible substrate 14, a biasing member 15, and an inner ring 16. For the sake of explanation, the zoom ring 4 is omitted.

  3 is a partial assembly view of the operation mechanism of the release ring 3, FIG. 3 (a) is a perspective view from the front side of the housing, and FIG. 3 (b) is a perspective view from the inside of the housing. The front cover 11 is a front-side exterior component of the digital camera 1 and has a circular hole centered on the optical axis of the photographic lens barrel 2 in order to pass a part of the photographic lens barrel 2 and internal components. Is formed.

  The inner front 13 is a molded part formed of a known resin, and is fixed to the inner surface of the front cover 11 by a double-sided tape 12 and integrated. The inner front 13 is formed with a first sliding rib 13a, a second sliding rib 13b, a first dowel 13c, a float prevention rib 13d, a second dowel 13e, and a rotation stopper cylinder 13f, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 3A, the first sliding rib 13 a has a cylindrical shape centered on the optical axis of the photographing lens barrel 2, and its tip projects from a circular hole in the front cover 11. Yes.

  The flexible substrate 14 has three circuit patterns of a first circuit pattern, a second circuit pattern, and a third circuit pattern along the longitudinal direction, and is connected to a signal processing substrate (not shown). When the first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern, and the first circuit pattern and the third circuit pattern are conducted, detection can be performed by the signal processing board.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the flexible substrate 14 is fixed to the inner wall of the second sliding rib 13b having a cylindrical shape with the optical axis of the taking lens barrel 2 formed on the inner front 13 as the center. . In the fixing method, first, a hole formed at one end of the flexible substrate 14 is press-fitted into the first dowel 13c. Next, it passes through the inside of the second sliding rib 13b from the notch provided in the second sliding rib 13b and is sandwiched between the plurality of floating prevention ribs 13d and the second sliding rib 13b. Finally, the notch is returned to the outside of the second sliding rib 13b, and a hole provided in the middle of the flexible substrate 14 is press-fitted into the second dowel 13e to complete the fixing.

  FIG. 4A is a partially enlarged view of the urging member 15. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the assembled state of the biasing member 15 and the inner ring 16. The biasing member 15 has a cylindrical shape and is formed of conductive rubber having elasticity and conductivity. A first urging portion 15a, a second urging portion 15b, and a third urging portion 15c are formed on the substantially entire circumference of the outer peripheral portion at intervals. The first urging portion 15a has the largest convex amount and is formed with substantially the same diameter as the cylindrical portion of the flexible substrate 14 fixed to the second sliding rib 13b. The third urging portion 15c has the smallest convex amount, the second urging portion 15b is set to an intermediate convex amount, and each convex amount is uniform all around.

  The difference in the convex amount between the first urging portion 15a and the second urging portion 15b becomes a stroke of the half-pressing operation of the release ring 3, and the convex amount between the second urging portion 15b and the third urging portion 15c. The difference is the stroke from the half-press operation of the release ring 3 to the full-press operation. The urging member 15 is incorporated into the cylindrical portion of the inner ring 16 while being bent, and is fixed by hooking a claw 15d into a hole 16a formed in the inner ring 16 as shown in FIG. .

  The inner ring 16 and the release ring 3 are assembled so as to sandwich the front cover 11 and the inner front 13, and are fixed by hooking the claw 3a of the release ring 3 and the hook 16a of the inner ring 16 as shown in FIG. . In FIG. 5, the front cover 11 and the like are omitted for explanation. At this time, the release ring 3 is brought into contact with the first sliding rib 13a, and the inner ring 16 is brought into contact with the second sliding rib 13b, thereby restricting the movement of the release ring 3 in the thrust direction.

  Next, a detection method of the two-step pressing operation of the release ring 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A shows an assembled state of the operation mechanism. 6 (b), 6 (c), and 6 (d) are cross sections AA of FIG. 6 (a). When the release ring 3 is not operated and when a half-press operation is detected from the lower side of the figure, respectively. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the flexible substrate 14 and the urging member 15 when a full push operation is detected from the lower side of the figure.

  In the assembled state, the first biasing portion 15 a is disposed at a position facing the first circuit pattern of the flexible substrate 14 in the circumferential direction of the biasing member 15. Similarly, the second urging portion 15b is disposed at a position facing the second circuit pattern in the circumferential direction, and the third urging portion 15c is disposed at a position facing the third circuit pattern in the circumferential direction.

  When the release ring 3 is not operated, as shown in FIG. 6B, only the first urging portion 15a abuts on the first circuit pattern of the flexible substrate 14, and the second urging portion 15b and the third urging portion are contacted. The part 15 c does not contact the flexible substrate 14. Therefore, since the first circuit pattern is not electrically connected to other circuit patterns, the operation detection of the release ring 3 is not performed. Further, the first urging portion 15a abuts on the flexible substrate 14 at substantially the entire circumference, and urges the release ring 3 to the neutral position.

  When the release ring 3 is half-pressed from the lower side in the drawing, as shown in FIG. 6B, the urging member 15 is in a state where the half-push operation amount of the release ring 3 is moved, and the first urging portion 15a. In addition, the second urging portion 15b abuts on the second circuit pattern of the flexible substrate 14. At this time, since the urging member 15 has conductivity, the first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern are conducted, and the half-press operation can be detected.

  When the release ring 3 is fully pressed from the lower side of the drawing, as shown in FIG. 6C, the urging member 15 is in a state of moving the full pressing operation amount of the release ring 3, and the first urging portion 15a. In addition to the second urging portion 15 b, the third urging portion 15 c comes into contact with the third circuit pattern of the flexible substrate 14. At this time, the first circuit pattern and the third circuit pattern are brought into conduction, and the full pressing operation can be detected. At this time, since the second urging portion 15b is pushed from the half-pressed operation state, the urging force is increased and the operating force of the release ring 3 is increased. Can be distinguished by differences.

  In the description of the above operation, an operation from the lower side of the release ring 3 is taken as an example. The release ring 3 is urged so that the optical axis of the photographic lens barrel 2 is centered when not operated, so that the clearance between the second urging portion 15b and the third urging portion 15c and the flexible substrate 14 is increased. Each becomes uniform in the entire circumferential direction. For this reason, an operation member that can be operated from the entire periphery can be operated in the same direction as the cross section AA in FIG. It has become possible.

  Next, the rotation stop of the release ring 3 will be described. The rotation stop of the release ring 3 includes a rotation stop cylinder 13 f formed on the inner front 13 and a rotation stop dowel 16 c formed on the inner ring 16. At the time of assembly, the rotation stopper dowel 16c is inserted into the rotation stopper cylinder 13f, and the rotation stopper dowel 16c comes into contact with the inner surface of the rotation stopper cylinder 13, thereby preventing rotation. However, since it is necessary for the release ring 3 to be able to move in the second stroke in the entire circumferential direction, the clearance between the inner diameter of the rotation stopper cylinder 13 and the rotation stopper dowel 16c at the time of non-operation is greater than the stroke up to the full pressing operation. Must be set.

  With the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide an imaging device including an operation member on the front surface of the housing that enables detection of a two-step pressing operation from the entire circumferential direction.

1: digital camera, 2: taking lens barrel, 3: release ring, 3a: nail,
4: zoom ring, 5: power button, 6: cover parts, 7: mode lever,
8: Liquid crystal display unit, 9: Battery cover, 10: Recording medium cover, 11: Front cover,
12: Double-sided tape, 13: Inner front, 13a: First sliding rib,
13b: second sliding rib, 13c: first dowel, 13d: floating prevention rib, 13e: second dowel,
13f: rotation stopper cylinder, 14: flexible substrate, 15: biasing member,
15a: 1st biasing part, 15b: 2nd biasing part, 15c: 3rd biasing part, 15d: Nail | claw,
16: Inner ring, 16a: Hole, 16b: Hook, 16c: Anti-rotation dowel

Claims (2)

A circular operation member (3) attached to the housing, a holding member (16) that moves integrally with the operation member (3), a circular member that is held by the holding member (16), is elastic, A conductive urging member (15), and a substrate (14) having a first circuit pattern, a second circuit pattern, and a third circuit pattern and arranged in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the operation member (3); The first urging portion (15a), the second urging portion (15b), and the third urging portion (15c) are uniformly high on the entire circumference of the outer shape portion of the urging member (15). The first urging portion (15a) is always in contact with the first circuit pattern, and the second urging portion (15b) is operated by operating the operating member (3) up to the first stroke. The third urging portion (15c) is in contact with the second circuit pattern, and the operating member (3) is in the second position. When operated to stroke, imaging apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a configured operating mechanism to contact the third circuit pattern. The holding member (15) is inserted into the casing or the cylindrical portion (13f) formed on the part (13) fixed to the casing with a clearance equal to or larger than the second stroke of the operating member (3). The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a dowel (16 c).