JP2017227763A - Lock mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lock mechanism capable of suppressing damage or deformation of a material when put into a locked state, while securing a degree of freedom of the disposement of the member.SOLUTION: A lock mechanism 20 having an engagement part 9b engaging with an engaged part such as an accessory and the like and preventing the accessory and the like from coming off comprises: a lock release part 8 installed by being exposed to the outside and releasing an engagement state with an engaged part and an engaging part upon receipt of a pressing operation; a lock plate member 15 comprising a plate member and is provided at a distance from the engagement part and the lock release part and having a length to such an extent that an elastic bending can be generated between the engagement part and the lock release part, and when releasing the engagement state, the plate member is displaced by a lock release operation in a normal state so as to release the lock, and when the engagement state is abnormal, the plate member is bent much more than when the lock release operation is performed by the lock release operation in a normal lock state; and an energizing member 14 for pressing and energizing the lock plate member so as to make the engagement part and the engaged part engaged with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a lock mechanism that prevents an attachment or removal lens from being attached to or detached from an electronic apparatus such as an imaging apparatus.

  Conventionally, various electronic devices corresponding to various applications have been put into practical use and widely spread. For example, a waterproof device configured to have a so-called waterproof function for enabling use in water, the sea, or the like is generally put into practical use.

  As an example of this type of electronic apparatus, for example, there is an imaging device for acquiring a still image or a moving image. For example, the imaging apparatus converts an optical image formed by an imaging optical system into an image signal sequentially using an imaging element or the like to acquire an image signal, and an image based on the acquired image signal is displayed using a display apparatus. It is configured so that it can be sequentially displayed continuously. In addition, when the imaging instruction signal is generated, the imaging apparatus acquires a still image or a moving image image signal at the time of generation of the instruction signal or a predetermined period before and after the generation of the instruction signal, and the image signal is converted into an image in a predetermined form. After converting to data, it has a function of recording on a storage medium. Further, when the reproduction instruction signal is generated, the imaging apparatus converts the image data recorded on the storage medium into an image signal in a predetermined format, and reproduces and displays an image based on the image signal using the display device. Configured to get.

  In such an imaging apparatus, there is a so-called interchangeable lens imaging apparatus in which a lens unit including an imaging optical system is configured to be detachable from a body body. In addition, even with a lens-integrated imaging device that is configured integrally with a lens unit and a body body, accessories such as a conversion lens and a lighting device are attached to and removed from the front surface portion of the lens unit or a predetermined portion of the body body. Some are configured to be free.

  In the conventional imaging apparatus having such a configuration, an attachment / detachment mechanism is provided for realizing attachment / detachment between the body body and the lens unit, or for attachment / detachment between the body body or the lens unit and various accessories. . Some of the attachment / detachment mechanisms are provided with a lock mechanism for locking the attachment state between the units and preventing the attachment state from being unintentionally detached during use of the device. . Various types of lock mechanisms of this type have been proposed in the past, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-83377 (Patent Document 1).

  The attachment / detachment mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-83377 and the like includes a lock member that locks the lens unit and the lens unit locked by the lock member in order to lock the mounting state of the lens unit and the camera body. The unlocking operation button that is released by pressing the state, the connecting member that connects the locking member and the unlocking operation button, and the unlocking operation button that is biased in one direction And an urging spring for maintaining the lock state of the lock member.

  In this case, the lock member is fixed integrally with one end of the connecting member (for example, caulking and fixing). Further, the other end of the connecting member is configured to be able to move in the same direction as the unlocking operation button in response to a pressing operation of the unlocking operation button. The unlocking operation button is always urged in one direction by the urging spring.

  With this configuration, the unlocking operation button is always urged in one direction by the urging spring in a normal state where no operation force is applied, and the lock member is kept locked. Further, when the unlocking operation button is pressed against the urging force of the urging spring, the connecting member moves in the pressing operation direction, and the locking member also moves by the same movement amount in the same direction via the connecting member. . As a result, the locking of the lens unit by the lock member is released, so that the locked state of the lens unit mounted state can be released.

JP 2008-83377 A

  However, when the lock mechanism having the conventional configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-83377 is applied to, for example, an imaging apparatus having a waterproof function, there are the following problems. That is, when the imaging apparatus is used underwater or in the sea, there is always a possibility that minute foreign matters such as sand particles may enter a non-watertight area outside the part having a waterproof function.

  For example, between the locking member and the unlocking operation button, the movement of the connecting member that connects the locking member and the unlocking operation button by pressing the unlocking operation button is permitted. It has a gap.

  Here, when the lock member and the unlocking operation button are arranged to be separated from each other, the connecting member needs to be elongated in a direction orthogonal to the pressing operation direction, and the unlocking operation button A space is required to secure the amount of movement of the lock member and the connecting member that move in the same direction in conjunction with the amount of movement in the pressing operation direction and the pressing operation of the unlocking operation button. For this reason, in the case of the configuration in which the lock member and the unlocking operation button are arranged apart from each other, the lock mechanism itself is enlarged, and at the same time, a minute particle such as sand particles is placed in the movement space of each component. There is a problem that the possibility that foreign matter enters will increase.

  In the conventional lock mechanism, for example, a situation where a minute foreign matter such as sand particles enters the movement space of each component member to prevent the lock member from moving, or the lock member strongly presses the lens unit. There is a possibility that the lock member is in a locked state, such as being put in a situation where the lock member is difficult to move. Moreover, even if it is not a waterproof specification apparatus, it may be in the fixed state of the state which the locking member and the to-be-engaged part engaged with this engage | engaged for some reason. For example, there is a case where the lock member is an elongated pin-shaped member, the engaged portion is a hole that precisely fits into the pin, and the outer peripheral surface of the pin is strongly pressed by the inner peripheral surface of the hole.

  In such a situation (locking member fixed state), if the pressing operation of the unlocking operation button is forcibly performed, the unlocking operation button may be damaged or the connecting member may be deformed. There is a possibility that this will occur. In this case, it is conceivable to use a high-strength material in order to prevent the member from being damaged or deformed. However, such a simple measure always has a problem that the apparatus becomes large.

  Therefore, in order to apply the lock mechanism of the conventional configuration to a waterproof device, it is desirable to arrange the lock member and the unlocking operation button as close to each other as possible. There is a point.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching / detaching an accessory or an interchangeable lens to / from an electronic device (for example, an imaging device having a waterproof function). A lock mechanism that prevents the attachment of the lock member and can be operated smoothly even if the lock member and the unlocking operation member are arranged at a distance from each other. A structure that can prevent damage and deformation of the unlocking operation member even if the unlocking operation member is operated when the locking member is in a fixed state while securing the degree of freedom of arrangement. It is to provide a locking mechanism.

  In order to achieve the above object, a lock mechanism according to an aspect of the present invention is a lock having an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion of an accessory or an interchangeable lens to prevent the accessory or the interchangeable lens from coming off. The mechanism includes a plate-like member and a lock releasing portion that is exposed to the outside and receives a pressing operation by an operator to release the engaged state between the engaged portion and the engaging portion. The engaging portion and the unlocking portion are provided at a distance from each other, and the engaging portion and the unlocking portion are long enough to cause elastic bending. When the engagement state is released, in the normal lock state, the plate-like member is displaced and unlocked by a lock release operation, and when the engagement state becomes abnormal, the lock release is performed. The plate-like member is A lock plate member that can bend more than the unlocking operation in the locked state and maintain the engagement state, and the lock plate member so that the engagement portion and the engaged portion can be engaged with each other. And a biasing member that presses and biases.

  According to the present invention, in an attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching / detaching an accessory or an interchangeable lens to / from an electronic device (for example, an imaging device having a waterproof function), the lock mechanism prevents the attachment state from being detached, and includes a lock member and a lock. Even if the unlocking operation member is arranged at a distant position, it can always be operated smoothly, and the lock member is fixed while securing the freedom of arrangement of the lock member and the unlocking operation member. In this case, it is possible to provide a lock mechanism having a structure capable of suppressing damage and deformation of the unlocking operation member even when the unlocking operation member is operated.

1 is an external perspective view mainly showing a front surface of a waterproof device (imaging device) to which a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a main part showing a state in which a part of the exterior member (top cover, right side cover, and lens periphery decorative ring) of the waterproof device (imaging device) in FIG. 1 is removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an essential part of the waterproof device (imaging device) in the state shown in FIG. 2 with another part (front cover) removed from the exterior member. The principal part expansion disassembled perspective view which expands and shows the state which took out and disassembled the locking mechanism of one Embodiment of this invention The conceptual diagram which simplifies and shows the lock mechanism of one Embodiment of this invention conceptually (The arrow line view at the time of seeing from the direction shown by arrow mark [5] of FIG. 4) Sectional drawing which follows the plane shown by arrow sign [6] of FIG. The principal part expanded sectional view which expands and shows the area | region shown by arrow symbol [7] of FIG. 1 corresponds to a cross section along the plane indicated by the arrow [8] in FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the plane shown by arrow sign [9] of FIG.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. Each drawing used in the following description is schematically shown. In order to show each component in a size that can be recognized on the drawing, the dimensional relationship and scale of each member are different for each component. May be shown. Accordingly, the present invention is limited only to the illustrated embodiments with respect to the quantity of components, the shape of the components, the size ratio of the components, the relative positional relationship of the components, and the like described in the drawings. It is not something.

  The lock mechanism according to the present invention is a mechanism unit for preventing an attachment or detachment mechanism for attaching / detaching an accessory or an interchangeable lens to / from an electronic device (for example, an imaging device (digital camera) having a waterproof function). It is.

  A lock mechanism exemplified by an embodiment described below has a waterproof function for enabling use in, for example, underwater or underwater, and is configured to have a dustproof function, an impact resistance function, and a weather resistance function. This is an example of an application to an imaging device as a waterproof device such as a digital camera (also simply referred to as a camera).

  Specifically, the imaging apparatus specifically converts, for example, an optical image formed by the imaging optical system into an image signal using an imaging element or the like, and displays an image based on the image signal acquired thereby. Are displayed sequentially in succession. Further, when an imaging instruction signal is generated, the imaging apparatus acquires an image signal of a still image or a moving image at a time point when the instruction signal is generated or a predetermined period before and after that. Then, the imaging apparatus converts the acquired image signal into image data of a predetermined form and records it in a storage medium. Further, when the reproduction instruction signal is generated, the imaging apparatus converts the image data recorded on the storage medium into an image signal in a predetermined format, and reproduces and displays an image based on the image signal using the display device. obtain. In the description of the present embodiment, in addition to this, the imaging device is configured to have a dustproof, shockproof, and weatherproof function in addition to a waterproof function for enabling use in water or underwater. It is.

  In this embodiment, each surface of the imaging device is defined as follows. A surface facing the subject when the imaging apparatus is used is referred to as a front surface. Further, a surface that the user faces when using the imaging apparatus is referred to as a back surface. A surface on which, for example, a shutter release button is provided among a plurality of operation members provided in the imaging apparatus is referred to as an upper surface. Further, a surface facing the upper surface of the imaging device is referred to as a bottom surface. In addition, surfaces disposed on both sides in the normal use state of the imaging apparatus are referred to as a left side surface and a right side surface. In this case, the left / right determination is made by distinguishing the left side or the right side when viewed from the subject side toward the front surface of the imaging apparatus as the left or right respectively.

  First, a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus 1 (digital camera) as a waterproof device to which the lock mechanism 20 (see FIG. 4) of the present embodiment is applied will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view mainly showing a front surface of a waterproof device (imaging device) to which a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a main part showing a state in which a part of the exterior member (top cover, right side cover, and lens periphery decorative ring) of the waterproof device (imaging device) of FIG. FIG. 3 is a main part external perspective view showing a state in which another part (front cover) of the exterior member is further removed from the waterproof device (imaging device) in the state of FIG. 2.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing a main part of the lock mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing a simplified locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an arrow view when the locking mechanism of the present embodiment is viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow [5] in FIG.

  6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrow [6] in FIG. Here, FIG. 6 mainly shows a cross section (part) of the lock mechanism including the lock release button 8 (operation member). FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing the region indicated by the arrow [7] in FIG. 6 in an enlarged manner.

  FIG. 8 corresponds to a cross section taken along the plane indicated by the arrow sign [8] in FIG. That is, FIG. 8 shows a cross section in a state in which the conversion lens 21 is attached as an example of an accessory or the like instead of the lens periphery decorative ring 12.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrow [9] in FIG. Here, FIG. 9 mainly shows a cross section of the lock mechanism including the lock release button 8 (operation member).

  3, 6 to 9, and the like, internal components that are not directly related to the present invention, for example, various structural units housed and arranged in the body housing, specifically, for example, an imaging optical system In addition to an image pickup unit including an image pickup device, a display unit including a display panel, an electric configuration unit including a control main board, etc., various operation members provided outside the main body housing are illustrated. Is omitted.

  The imaging apparatus 1 to which the lock mechanism 20 of the present embodiment is applied is housed in a main body housing 10 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIGS. 2 and 3) serving as a basic housing and inside the main body housing 10. Various configuration units (for example, an imaging unit including an imaging optical system and an imaging element, a display unit including a display panel, an electrical configuration unit including a control main board, etc .; all not shown), A plurality of exterior members (2, 3L, 3R; not shown in FIG. 3; see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) and a plurality of operation members (4 to 8; see FIG. In FIG. 3, the components other than the reference numeral 8 are not illustrated.

  The main body housing 10 is a basic component having a shape formed with a space inside, for example, a substantially rectangular box shape. As described above, various constituent units (not shown) are accommodated in the main body housing 10.

  The outer surface of the main body casing 10 is covered with a plurality of exterior members (2, 3L, 3R). For example, the front cover 2 is formed so as to mainly cover the front surface, a part of the upper surface, the bottom surface, and a part of the left and right side surfaces of each surface of the outer surface of the main body housing 10. The top cover 3 (L, R) is formed so as to cover a predetermined portion (left and right shoulders) on the upper surface of the main body casing 10. In addition to the front cover 2 and the top cover 3 (L, R) described above, the exterior member includes, for example, a back cover that covers a part of the back surface of the main body housing 10. Since this back cover is a portion that cannot be seen in FIG. 1, its illustration and description are omitted.

  A substantially circular imaging opening 2a is formed in a substantially central portion of the front cover 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Correspondingly, a substantially circular imaging opening 10a is formed in a substantially central portion of the front surface of the main body housing 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In the imaging apparatus 1, the imaging openings 2a and 10a are illustrated as substantially circular shapes, but the shape is not limited to this and may be other shapes.

  When the front cover 2 is assembled to the main body casing 10 (when the front cover 2 is in the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the imaging openings 2a and 10a are configured to substantially coincide with each other. These imaging openings 2 a and 10 a are openings for introducing a light beam from the subject into the imaging apparatus 1. That is, the housing (main body housing 10) has an opening (imaging opening 10a) for allowing a light beam to pass therethrough. 1 to 3 indicates a substantially central axis of the imaging openings 2a and 10a, and simultaneously indicates an optical axis of a light beam from a subject incident on the imaging optical system of the imaging apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of bayonets that are part of an attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching / detaching an accessory or an interchangeable lens (hereinafter simply referred to as an accessory) are provided on the outer peripheral edge of the imaging opening 10a. A claw 10c and a lock mechanism 20 for preventing the attachment state of the accessory or the like by the attachment / detachment mechanism are provided. A detailed description of the lock mechanism 20 will be given later.

  The plurality of bayonet claws 10c are engaging portions that are one of the constituent parts of an attachment / detachment mechanism that realizes bayonet coupling with an engaged portion (not shown) provided on the side of an accessory or the like. The imaging apparatus 1 includes the attachment / detachment mechanism, so that one of a plurality of types of accessories or the like is selectively selected with respect to a predetermined part on the front surface (a part around the imaging openings 2a and 10a). It is configured so that it can be attached and the attached accessory or the like can be easily removed.

  In the state shown in FIG. 1 (see also FIG. 6), the lens peripheral decorative ring 12 that is a part of the exterior member is mounted using the plurality of bayonet claws 10c.

  The lens periphery decoration ring 12 is a decorative exterior member formed in a substantially annular shape so as to cover the outer periphery of the imaging openings 2a and 10a. For this purpose, the lens periphery decorative ring 12 is an engaged portion that is engaged with the plurality of bayonet claws 10c and has the same shape as that provided on an accessory or the like (not shown). ).

  In the state shown in FIG. 8 to be described later, the conversion lens 21 is shown as being attached via the adapter 22 as an example of the attachment example of the accessory attached to the front surface of the imaging device 1. In this case, the adapter 22 is bayonet-coupled to the main body housing 10 using the plurality of bayonet claws 10c. Then, the male screw portion 21a of the conversion lens 21 is screwed to the female screw portion 22a provided on the front surface side of the adapter 22 so as to be in a mounted state.

  On the other hand, a substantially rectangular flash light emission window 2b is formed in the upper right part of the front surface of the front cover 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Correspondingly, a substantially rectangular flash window opening 10b is formed in the upper right part of the front surface of the main body housing 10 (see FIG. 3). The flash light emission window 2b and the flash light emission window opening 10b are provided with a light emission portion (not shown) of a flash light emission device.

  The plurality of operation members (4 to 8) are arranged so that a part thereof is exposed from the outer surface of the exterior member (2, 3L) (see FIG. 1).

  For example, on the front surface of the front cover 2, a lock release button 8 is disposed in the vicinity of the imaging opening 2a. The lock release button 8 is an operation member operated when attaching / detaching an accessory or the like attached to the periphery of the imaging opening 2a. The lock release button 8 is, for example, a pressing operation type operation member.

  The lock release button 8 is a component member that is provided on the outer surface of the main body housing 10 and constitutes a part of the lock mechanism 20 for preventing the attachment state of the accessory or the like by the attachment / detachment mechanism. The unlock button 8 is configured to mechanically interlock with the lock mechanism 20. The lock mechanism 20 is a constituent unit that is the gist of the present invention, and the detailed configuration thereof will be described later.

  A plurality of operation members (4 to 7) are disposed on the top cover 3L. Here, the top cover 3 </ b> L is an exterior member that covers a part of the outer surface of the imaging apparatus 1 (upper left shoulder). The top cover 3L is configured to expose a part of each operation member to the outside so that each of the plurality of operation members (4 to 7) can be operated from the outside. In other words, the top cover 3L is formed so as to cover other parts while exposing a part of the plurality of operation members (4 to 7).

  The rotation operation lever 4 among the plurality of operation members (4 to 7) is, for example, a rotation operation type operation member (zoom lever) for performing a zooming operation. A pressing operation type operation member indicated by reference numeral 5 among the plurality of operation members is a release operation member for performing a shutter release operation, for example (hereinafter referred to as a shutter release button 5). A pressing operation type operation member indicated by reference numeral 6 among the plurality of operation members is, for example, a power operation member for performing an on / off operation of the power supply of the imaging apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as a power button 6). Furthermore, the rotary operation type operation member indicated by reference numeral 7 among the plurality of operation members is, for example, a setting switching member for performing various setting operations (hereinafter referred to as setting dial 7).

  An operation input from the plurality of operation members (4 to 7) is received from each of a plurality of corresponding electric components (switches) mounted on an electric substrate (not shown) disposed inside the main body housing 10. Each predetermined control is executed by acting on a member (not shown).

  On the other hand, a transparent window member 11 is disposed in the imaging opening 10a of the main body housing 10 so as to cover the imaging opening 10a. The transparent window member 11 is, for example, a flat transparent member such as a plate glass or a plate made of acrylic or polycarbonate so that a light beam from a subject arranged at a position facing the front surface of the imaging device 1 can pass therethrough. It is formed of a transparent member. Then, the outer peripheral edge of the transparent window member 11 is watertightly fixed to the peripheral edge of the imaging opening 10a of the main body housing 10 using a bonding member such as an adhesive.

  In the present embodiment, the transparent window member 11 is an example of a substantially circular shape that matches the imaging openings 2a and 10a. However, the shape of the transparent window member 11 is not limited to this example. The transparent window member 11 may be formed in any way as long as it can cover the imaging openings 2a and 10a.

  Next, the configuration of the lock mechanism 20 of the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. As described above, the lock mechanism 20 of the present embodiment is a constituent unit for preventing the attachment state of an accessory or the like from being removed by the attachment / detachment mechanism of the imaging apparatus 1. The lock mechanism 20 is a space between the outer surface of the main body housing 10 and the front cover 2 and is disposed at a predetermined position near the outer peripheral edge of the imaging openings 2a and 10a.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the lock mechanism 20 mainly includes a lock release button 8 (pressing operation member), an engagement member 9, a lock plate member 15, and a biasing member 14. Has been.

  The lock release button 8 is partly exposed to the outside and is subjected to a pressing operation by an operator, so that an engaged portion (not shown) such as an accessory and an engaging portion (described later) of the engaging member 9 are provided. ; An operation member that functions as a lock release unit for releasing the engagement state with reference numeral 9b). The engaged portion such as an accessory has a bottomed hole having a depth in the direction in which the engaging member 9 moves, and the direction in which the engaging member 9 moves so that the engaging member 9 can be engaged. A shape formed by a through hole or a notch is provided on the accessory side.

  The lock release button 8 is formed in a hollow, generally cylindrical shape as a whole, and has an opening 8b on one surface and a closed operation surface 8a for an operator to operate on the other surface. A flange portion 8c is formed at the outer peripheral edge portion of the opening 8b.

  With such a shape, the lock release button 8 is disposed in a state where a part including the operation surface 8a is exposed to the outside from the hole 2c (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the front cover 2. In this case, the flange portion 8c is formed to have a larger diameter than the diameter of the hole 2c. Therefore, the button 8 is formed so as not to fall out from the hole 2c of the front cover 2. At the same time, the lock release button 8 is disposed between the front cover 2 and the main body housing 10 so as to be able to be pressed in a direction parallel to the optical axis O (direction of arrow P in FIG. 5).

  The engagement member 9 is a lock plate member in a direction parallel to the optical axis O (arrow X1, X2 direction in FIG. 5; plate thickness direction) at a position along the outer peripheral edge of the imaging opening 10a of the main body housing 10. 15 is arranged so as to be movable in unison with the accessory mounting surface. That is, the engagement member 9 is a lock member that prevents the accessory from coming off by engaging with an engaged portion (not shown) such as an accessory so that the attached state of the accessory is locked.

  The engaging member 9 includes an engaging portion 9b that engages with an engaged portion (not shown) such as an accessory to prevent the accessory from being detached, and a distal end of one arm portion 15b, which will be described later, of the lock plate member 15. 15d has an engagement hole 9a in which the engagement is arranged. In a normal case, the engaging member 9 protrudes from the accessory mounting surface in a direction parallel to the optical axis O by a biasing force of a biasing member 14 to be described later via the lock plate member 15 (FIG. 5). (In the direction of arrow X1). Further, when the unlocking operation (pressing operation) of the unlocking button 8 is performed and the lock plate member 15 swings and is displaced as will be described later, the lock plate member 15 causes the engaging member 9 to move more than the accessory mounting surface. It is configured to be able to move in the direction of sinking downward, that is, in the unlocking direction (direction of arrow X2 in FIG. 5) (details will be described later).

  The lock plate member 15 is formed of a plate-like member having elasticity to the extent that it can bend when it receives a predetermined amount of pressing force. As the lock plate member 15, for example, an elongated plate-like member made of a metal material is formed by pressing or the like.

  The lock plate member 15 connects between the engagement portion 9b of the engagement member 9 and the lock release button 8 (lock release portion) and is pressed to release the lock release button 8. In response to the amount of operation force, the engaging member 9 has a function of moving in the unlocking direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the lock plate member 15 is disposed at a predetermined portion on the front surface of the main body housing 10. In this embodiment, the example arrange | positioned in the lower right part of the front surface of the main body housing | casing 10 is shown (refer FIG. 3). In this case, the lock plate member 15 is placed so that the long side of the elongated plate-like member extends in the left-right direction of the main body housing 10 in parallel to the front surface of the main body housing 10. Yes.

  The lock plate member 15 includes a through hole 15a formed in a middle portion of an elongated plate-like member, a one arm portion 15b extending in one direction around the through hole 15a, and the through hole similarly. It is formed by the other arm portion 15c extending in the other direction around the hole 15a.

  A biasing member 14 is disposed between the through hole 15 a of the lock plate member 15 and the front surface of the main body housing 10. In this case, the urging member 14 made of a conical coil spring has a part of the lock plate member 15 and a direction parallel to the optical axis O and in the direction of the arrow F opposite to the arrow P in FIG. Button 8 is energized. Thereby, the urging member 14 causes the lock plate member 15 (and the lock release button 8) to engage with the engagement portion 9b of the engagement member 9 and the engaged portion (not shown) such as an accessory. It plays the role of energizing (details will be described later).

  The lock plate member 15 is fixed to the front surface of the main body housing 10 by a retaining plate member 16 and screws 17. The retaining plate member 16 is formed to have a screw through hole 16a at the center and a plurality of pressing portions 16b protruding in the radial direction from the outer edge of the screw through hole 16a. In the present embodiment, for example, the plurality of leather portions 16b are formed at positions separated by an angle of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the screw through hole 16a.

  The retaining plate member 16 is arranged such that the plurality of pressing portions 16 b suppress a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral edge of the through hole 15 a of the lock plate member 15. In this state, the retaining plate member 16 is screwed and fixed to the fixing portion 10 d (see FIG. 7) on the front surface of the main body housing 10 using screws 17. The lock plate member 15 is prevented from being detached from the front surface of the main body housing 10 in such a form.

  Further, the lock release button 8 is disposed at a portion where the through hole 15 a of the lock plate member 15 and the retaining plate member 16 are provided. At this time, the lock release button 8 is disposed so as to cover the retaining plate member 16 on the lock plate member 15. As described above, the lock release button 8 is disposed so that a part (the operation surface 8a) is exposed to the outside from the hole 2c of the front cover 2 and does not fall off from the front cover 2.

  In this case, the lock release button 8 has a notch 8d formed in a part of the flange portion 8c at the outer peripheral edge of the opening 8b. That is, a slit-like cut shape is formed on the opening 8b side. When the lock release button 8 is disposed at a predetermined position on the lock plate member 15, that is, so as to cover the retaining plate member 16, the notch 8 d is disposed so as to coincide with the pressing portion 16 b of the retaining plate member 16. As a result, the rotation of the lock release button 8 is restricted, and the lock release button can be moved in parallel with the optical axis in this state, and the surface portion 16b can move relatively in the notch 8d. Yes.

  One arm portion 15b of the lock plate member 15 extends from the through hole 15a in one direction toward the imaging opening 10a in the radial direction. The tip 15d of the one arm portion 15b is engaged with the engagement hole 9a of the engagement member 9 as described above. Here, the tip 15d is arranged with a slight margin in the engagement hole 9a (that is, to have backlash), in other words, in a loosely fitted state. With this configuration, the engagement portion 9b of the engagement member 9 moves integrally with the lock plate member 15 in the plate thickness direction in the engagement hole 9a, and slightly moves in the direction along the plate surface of the lock plate member 15. It is provided to allow movement.

  With this configuration, the one arm portion 15b of the lock plate member 15 connects the engagement portion 9b of the engagement member 9 provided at a distance from the lock release button 8 (lock release portion). Yes. In this case, between the engagement portion 9b of the engagement member 9 and the lock release button 8, that is, the one arm portion 15b of the lock plate member 15 can cause elastic deformation of the lock plate member 15. It consists of a certain length and material.

  The other arm portion 15c of the lock plate member 15 extends from the through hole 15a toward the other direction near the right side in the radial direction. In other words, the other arm portion 15c of the lock plate member 15 is formed to extend further from the length from the position where the engagement member 9 is provided to the position where the lock release button 8 (lock release portion) is provided. It is a part to be done.

  At the tip of the other arm portion 15c, two projecting portions projecting in both directions from the lock plate member 15 to the outside are formed in a direction orthogonal to the long side direction of the lock plate member 15. . Each of the two protruding portions is formed with a bent portion 15 e that is bent substantially perpendicular to the plane of the lock plate member 15 and toward the front surface of the main body housing 10. Furthermore, each tip 15ee of the two bent portions 15e is formed to have a substantially semicircular shape (see FIGS. 5 and 9). The plurality of (two) bent portions 15e of the other arm portion 15c of the lock plate member 15 thus formed are respectively fitted and fixed in fitting holes 10e formed on the front surface of the main body housing 10. Has been. With this configuration, the lock plate member 15 is configured to swing in the arrow S direction shown in FIG. 5 with the bent portion 15e as a rotation center. That is, the other arm portion 15c is a swinging support shaft portion serving as a fulcrum for supporting the lock plate member 15 so as to be able to swing.

  Further, the other arm portion 15c of the lock plate member 15 has two second bent portions 15f having substantially the same shape as the bent portion 15e at a predetermined portion between the bent portion 15e at the tip and the through hole 15a. Is formed. These two second bent portions 15f are respectively fitted in fitting holes 10f formed on the front surface of the main body housing 10 in the same form as the bent portions 15e. With this configuration, the two second bent portions 15f restrict the lock plate member 15 from rotating in the arrow R direction shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the bent portion 15e as the rotation center. That is, the movement of the lock plate member 15 in the direction along the plate surface is prevented (prohibited).

  And in the front surface of the said main body housing | casing 10, in the site | part in which the said lock plate member 15 is arrange | positioned, as shown in FIG. 9, it is elongated from the position in which the said fitting hole 10e is formed toward the left side surface. The concave groove 10g (see FIGS. 3 and 9) is formed. The lock plate member 15 is disposed on the front surface of the main body housing 10 so as to be accommodated in the concave groove 10g. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the concave groove 10g has a deep groove depth from the portion of the fitting hole 10e toward the left side surface (that is, toward the side with the imaging opening 10a). A gentle inclined surface 10gg (see the thick line display portion in FIG. 9) is formed. The inclined surface 10gg is formed to allow the lock plate member 15 to swing and bend in the direction of arrow S shown in FIG. 5 with the bent portion 15e as the rotation center.

  That is, the lock plate member 15 is pressed in the direction of arrow P in FIG. 5 by receiving the pressing operation force of the lock release button 8, and is urged in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 5 by receiving the urging force of the urging member 14. Has been. When receiving these force amounts, the lock plate member 15 swings in the direction of arrow S shown in FIG. 5 with the bent portion 15e as the center of rotation, and is displaced, thereby disengaging the engaging member 9 from the arrow X1 in FIG. , X2 direction.

  In consideration of such an action, the arrangement state of the distal end 15d of the lock plate member 15 with respect to the engagement hole 9a of the engagement member 9 has a slight margin as described above, that is, maintains the loose fitting state. Are arranged. The lock mechanism 20 of the present embodiment is configured as described above.

  Further, since the other configurations of the imaging apparatus 1 are not directly related to the present invention, the detailed configuration thereof is omitted and the illustration thereof is also omitted to avoid complication of the drawing. In addition, about the abbreviate | omitted structure, the thing similar to what is applied in the imaging device which is the conventional optical apparatus shall be applied.

  The operation of the lock mechanism 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below. In the lock mechanism 20, for example, when releasing the engaged state between an engaged portion (not shown) such as an accessory and the engaging portion 9 b of the engaging member 9, the operator releases the lock by pressing the lock release button 8. Perform the operation.

  At this time, if the engagement state by the lock mechanism 20 is normal, the unlock button 8 is pressed in the direction of arrow P in FIG. 5 by the unlock operation. Along with this, the lock plate member 15 is also pressed in the same direction (the direction of arrow P in FIG. 5). Therefore, the lock plate member 15 swings while being slightly bent while resisting friction with the engaged portion of the accessory, and moves the engagement member 9 in the direction of the arrow X2 in FIG. Further, if the engagement between the engaged portion of the accessory and the lock plate member 15 is not caught at all and the engagement is smoothly released, the lock plate member 15 swings and displaces without being bent at all. . Thereby, the engaged state, that is, the locked state is released. In this state, the operator rotates the attached accessory or the like around the optical axis O while maintaining the pressing operation of the lock release button 8. At this time, if the accessory or the like is rotated around the optical axis O to some extent, the engagement state by the lock mechanism 20 is blocked at a predetermined time, so that the pressing operation of the lock release button 8 may be released. When the operator releases the pressing operation of the lock release button 8, the lock release button 8 and the lock plate member 15 are moved in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 5 by the urging force of the urging member 14 and returned to the original position. To do. On the other hand, the operator can continuously rotate the accessory or the like around the optical axis O to release the bayonet coupling between the accessory or the like and the bayonet claw 10 c of the main body housing 10. Thereby, the said accessory etc. can be removed from the front surface of the imaging device 1. FIG.

  On the other hand, the engagement state by the lock mechanism 20 is abnormal, for example, a minute foreign matter such as sand particles enters the lock mechanism 20 or the engagement between the lock member and the engaged portion engaged with the lock member 20 is abnormal. When the unlocking operation is executed when the engaging member 9 or the lock plate member 15 cannot move due to the above, etc., the lock plate member 15 is more than the lock release operation in the normal lock state. Will be greatly bent and the above-mentioned engaged state will be maintained. At this time, since the operator cannot release the engaged state even if the unlocking operation is performed, it is understood that the engaged state is in an abnormal state. In such a case, for example, if a measure such as putting the imaging device 1 in water and washing it away is taken, an operation for removing fine foreign matters such as sand particles to the lock mechanism 20 is performed. Then, the unlocking operation may be performed again. Thereafter, if the abnormal state of the engagement state is eliminated, the lock plate member 15 is displaced by the pressing operation of the lock release button 8 as described in the case of the normal state described above, and the engagement member 9 is moved. Is moved in the direction of arrow X2 in FIG. Thereby, the engagement state is released. The subsequent operation is the same.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the engagement state between the engaged portion (not shown) such as the accessory by the lock mechanism 20 and the engagement portion 9b of the engagement member 9 is normal. For example, the lock release button 8 can be easily released from the engagement state (lock state) by displacing the lock plate member 15 by the lock release operation. On the other hand, even if the unlocking operation is executed when the engaged state becomes an abnormal state, the constituent members in the locking mechanism 20 are not damaged or deformed.

  Further, the engagement member 9 is formed by a plate-like member having an elasticity that can cause bending when it receives a predetermined amount of pressing force between the engagement portion 9b and the lock release button 8 (lock release portion). The lock plate member 15 is connected by one arm portion 15b. At the same time, the end of the other arm 15c of the lock plate member 15 is supported and the middle part of the lock plate member 15 is pressed by the operation member (lock release button 8). Yes.

  With such a configuration, the pressing operation by the unlock button 8 can be performed easily and easily while the engaging portion 9b of the engaging member 9 and the unlock button 8 (unlock portion) are separated from each other. It can be transmitted to the engaging member 9, and the engaging state with the accessory or the like by the engaging portion 9b of the engaging member 9 can be easily released.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications can of course be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if several constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the above-described embodiment, if the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved and the effect of the invention can be obtained, this constituent requirement is deleted. The configured structure can be extracted as an invention. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The invention is not limited by the specific embodiments thereof, except as limited by the appended claims.

  The present invention is not limited to an imaging device specialized for an imaging function, and other types of electronic devices including an attaching / detaching mechanism for attaching / detaching an accessory and the like and a locking mechanism thereof, such as a digital camera, a movie camera, and a mobile phone For various electronic devices such as smartphones, electronic notebooks, electronic dictionaries, personal digital assistants, personal computers, tablet terminal devices, game devices, television receivers, watches, navigation devices using GPS (Global Positioning System) Can be widely applied.

  Further, the same applies to an electronic device having a function of acquiring an image using an imaging device and displaying the acquired image using a display device, for example, an observation device such as a telescope, binoculars, monoculars, and a microscope. Can be applied.

  In addition to industrial or medical observation devices such as endoscopes and microscopes, surveillance cameras and vehicle-mounted cameras can be similarly applied.

  In addition to these, the present invention can be similarly applied to, for example, a projection type image display apparatus that enlarges and projects an image using a transmission type liquid crystal display apparatus or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device 2 ... Front cover 2a, 10a ... Imaging opening 2b ... Flash emission window 2c ... Hole 3L, 3R ... Top cover 4 ... Rotating operation lever 5 ... Shutter release button 6 ... ... power button 7 ... setting dial 8 ... lock release button 8a ... operation surface 8b ... opening 8c ... flange 8d ... notch 9 ... engagement member 9a ... engagement hole 9b ... engagement part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main body housing | casing 10a ... Image pick-up opening 10b ... Flash light emission window opening 10c ... Bayonet claw 10d ... Fixed part 10e, 10f ... Fitting hole 10g ... Concave groove 10gg ... Inclined surface 11 ... Transparent window member 12 ... Lens peripheral decorative ring 14 ... Biasing member 15 ... Lock plate member 15a ... Through hole 15b ... One arm part 15c ... Other arm part 15d ... Tip 15e ... Bending part 15ee …… Tip 15f …… Bend 16… Stop plate members 16a ...... bis through hole 16b ...... pusher portion 17 ...... bis 20 ...... locking mechanism 21 ...... conversion lens 21a ...... externally threaded portion 22 ...... adapter 22a ...... female screw portion omission

Claims (3)

In a locking mechanism having an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion of an accessory or an interchangeable lens to prevent the accessory or the interchangeable lens from coming off,
An unlocking portion that is exposed to the outside and receives a pressing operation by an operator to release the engaged state between the engaged portion and the engaging portion;
It consists of a plate-shaped member,
The engaging part and the unlocking part are provided at a distance,
Between the engagement portion and the unlocking portion has a length that can cause elastic bending,
When releasing the engagement state, in a normal lock state, the plate-like member is displaced and unlocked by a lock release operation,
When the engagement state becomes abnormal, the lock plate member is capable of maintaining the engagement state by bending the plate-like member more than the unlocking operation in the normal lock state by the unlock operation. When,
A biasing member that presses and biases the lock plate member so that the engaging portion and the engaged portion can be engaged;
A locking mechanism characterized by comprising:   The plate-like member is further extended from the length from the position where the engaging portion is provided to the position where the unlocking portion is provided, and supports the plate-like member so that the plate-like member can be swung. The lock mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a swing support shaft portion.   The engagement portion is provided so as to move integrally with the lock plate member in a plate thickness direction and to move in a direction along a plate surface of the lock plate member. Or the locking mechanism of Claim 2.

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