JP2024046515A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve degree of freedom of arrangement position of an imaging apparatus.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus according to one embodiment comprises: a housing; an image pickup device stored in the housing and receiving subject light through an optical member; a connection terminal 250 connected to an external instrument; and a holding member 252 stored in the housing and holding the connection terminal 250. The holding member 252 includes a first holding surface 320 holding the connection terminal 250 toward a first connection direction, and a second holding surface 330 holding the connection terminal 250 toward a second connection direction. The holding member 252 holding the connection terminal 250 on either one of the first holding surface 320 and the second holding surface 330 is stored in the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device.

Surveillance cameras are installed in various locations, such as nursing homes, hospitals, factories, and stores, for crime prevention and disaster prevention purposes. Patent Document 1 discloses a surveillance camera that is an imaging device equipped with a power port to which a power cable is connected.

JP2022-092088A

However, the imaging device in Patent Document 1 is provided with only one power port. This creates a problem in that restrictions are imposed on the orientation of the imaging device when it is placed in order to connect the power cable to the power port, limiting the locations where the imaging device can be placed.

An imaging device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a housing; an imaging device housed in the housing and receiving subject light via an optical member; a connection terminal housed in the housing and connected to an external device; A holding member that holds the terminal. The holding member has a first holding surface that holds the connection terminal in a first connection direction, and a second holding surface that holds the connection terminal in a second connection direction. The holding member holding the connection terminal by either the first holding surface or the second holding surface is housed in the housing.

According to the present invention, the degree of freedom in the location of the imaging device is improved.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the appearance of an imaging device in an open state according to an embodiment. FIG. 1B is an external perspective view of the imaging device in a closed state. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device in an open state. FIG. 3A is an external perspective view of the rear case. FIG. 3B is an internal plan view of the rear case. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging device taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1B. FIG. 5A is an external perspective view of the connector. FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view of the connector. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the connector. FIG. 7A is an internal plan view of the rear case with the connector attached. FIG. 7B is an external perspective view of the rear case with the connector attached. FIG. 8A is an internal plan view of the rear case with the connector attached. FIG. 8B is an external perspective view of the rear case to which the connector is attached. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an imaging device according to a modified example.

The imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Although the use of the imaging device is not particularly limited, it is suitable for installation as a surveillance camera or a monitoring camera in hospitals, nursing care facilities, factories, stores, etc. Further, the imaging device can be switched between a shooting enabled state and a shooting disabled state. More specifically, the imaging device can be switched between a closed state in which light cannot enter the imaging optical system and an open state in which light can enter the imaging optical system. Furthermore, when the imaging device is switched to the non-capturing state (closed state), the person being photographed can recognize that the imaging device has been switched to the non-capturing state.

1A and 1B are external perspective views of the imaging device 10. FIG. 1A shows the imaging device 10 in an open state, and FIG. 1B shows the imaging device 10 in a closed state. Further, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device 10 in an open state shown in FIG. 1A.

<Overall configuration of imaging device 10>
The imaging device 10 is switched from an open state (FIG. 1A) to a closed state (FIG. 1B). Further, the imaging device 10 is switched from the closed state (FIG. 1B) to the open state (FIG. 1A). As shown in FIGS. 1A to 2, the imaging device 10 includes a camera module 11, a housing (exterior case) 12, blades 13, a blade drive mechanism 14, a lighting section 16, an illumination meter 17, and a connector. 25, a memory slot 26, an antenna 27, and a control section 31.

<Housing 12>
The housing 12 is composed of a front case 120 and a rear case 121. The front case 120 includes a rectangular or substantially rectangular ceiling plate 122 and side wall plates 123a, 123b, 123c, and 123d connected to each side of the ceiling plate 122. The ceiling plate 122 and the side wall plates 123a, 123b, 123c, and 123d are integrally molded from synthetic resin, with the side wall plate 123a connected to one long side of the ceiling plate 122 and the side wall plate 123b connected to the other long side of the ceiling plate 122. The side wall plate 123c is connected to one short side of the ceiling plate 122, and the side wall plate 123d is connected to the other short side of the ceiling plate 122.

In the following description, the direction of the front case 120 of the housing 12 may be referred to as the up direction, the direction of the rear case 121 as the down direction, the direction of the side wall plate 123a as the forward direction, the direction of the side wall plate 123b as the rear direction, the direction of the side wall plate 123c as the right direction, and the direction of the side wall plate 123d as the left direction. The left-right direction may be referred to as the first direction, and the front-rear direction as the second direction. The first direction is a direction that intersects with the optical axis L of the lens 111 of the camera module 11 described later, and the second direction is a direction that intersects with the first direction and the optical axis L.

The ceiling plate 122 of the front case 120 is provided with a circular first opening 125 that communicates with the inside and outside of the housing 12. In other words, the first opening 125 is a through hole provided in the ceiling plate 122. Light (subject light) emitted from the object to be imaged (subject) is taken into the housing 12 through the first opening 125 and enters the imaging optical system.

The ceiling plate 122 of the front case 120 has an illumination opening 126 at a position corresponding to the position where the illumination unit 16, which will be described later, is disposed. In other words, the illumination opening 126 is also a through-hole provided in the ceiling plate 122. The illumination light emitted from the illumination unit 16 passes through the illumination opening 126 and illuminates the imaging target (subject).

As shown in Figures 1A to 2, a total of four lighting openings 126 are provided: two on the right side of the ceiling board 122 (one on the front side, the other on the rear side) and two on the left side of the ceiling board 122 (one on the front side, the other on the rear side of the side wall board). However, the positions of the lighting openings 126 are not limited to the positions shown in the figures, but are determined appropriately depending on the arrangement positions of the lighting units 16. Furthermore, the number of lighting openings 126 is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more, and is determined depending on the number of lighting units 16 provided in the imaging device 10.

3A is a perspective view of the rear case 121 seen from below, and FIG. 3B is an internal plan view of the rear case 121. The rear case 121 is fixed to the front case 120 and closes the bottom (lower part) of the front case 120. Rear case 121 is fixed to front case 120 by, for example, screw connection. The rear case 121 includes a rectangular or substantially rectangular bottom surface 121a similar to the ceiling plate 122 of the front case 120, and side wall plates 121b, 121c, 121d, and 121e that touch each side from the bottom surface 121a. The bottom surface 121a and the side wall plates 121b, 121c, 121d, and 121e are integrally molded from synthetic resin. The side wall plate 121b is connected to the front side (long side) of the bottom surface 121a, and the side wall plate 121c is connected to the rear side (long side) of the bottom surface 121a. The side wall plate 121d is connected to the right side (short side) of the bottom surface 121a, and the side wall plate 121e is connected to the left side (short side) of the bottom surface 121a.

A first connection opening 200 through which a connection terminal 250 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) of a connector 25 (described later) is exposed to the outside is formed near the right end of the bottom surface 121a. A second connection opening 201 through which a connection terminal 250 of a connector 25 (described later) is exposed to the outside is formed in the side wall plate 121d.

A pair of first attachment holes 202a, 202b and a pair of second attachment holes for attaching the connector 25 are provided on the upper surface of the bottom surface 121a (i.e., the inside side of the housing 12) in a convex portion that protrudes upward. 203a and 203b are formed. The first attachment hole 202a is provided on the right front side of the bottom surface 121a, and the first attachment hole 202b is provided on the right rear side of the bottom surface 121a. When the connection terminals 250 of the connector 25 are exposed to the outside through the first connection opening 200, the connector 25 is screwed and attached to the first attachment holes 202a and 202b.

The second mounting hole 203a is provided on the right front side of the bottom surface 121a, to the left of the first mounting hole 202a. The second mounting hole 203b is provided on the right rear side of the bottom surface 121a, to the left of the first mounting hole 202b. When the connection terminal 250 of the connector 25 is exposed to the outside from the second connection opening 201, the connector 25 is attached by screwing into the second mounting holes 203a and 203b.

<Memory slot 26>
The imaging device 10 also includes a memory slot 26 to which a predetermined recording medium can be connected. More specifically, the imaging device 10 includes a slot into which an SD memory card can be inserted and removed. When the lid 260 provided on the rear case 121 is opened, an SD memory card can be inserted into and removed from the memory slot 26.

<Camera module 11>
4 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging device 10 in the closed state shown in FIG. 1B taken along line A-A. The camera module 11 includes an imaging element (image sensor) 110 such as a CMOS or a CCD, and a lens 111. The imaging element 110 is mounted on a substrate 112. The lens 111 is, for example, a convex lens, and has a predetermined curvature, with a central portion (near the position of the optical axis L) protruding toward an imaging target (subject). The lens 111 is disposed above the imaging element 110 and held by a lens holder 113. Below the lens holder 113, a substrate 112 on which the imaging element 110 is mounted is fixed, for example, by screw connection.

The subject light that has entered the first opening 125 is guided to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 110 by the lens 111 and condensed. That is, the lens 111 is an optical member (imaging optical system) that forms an image of the object to be imaged on the light-receiving surface of the image sensor 110, or is at least a part of the optical member. The image sensor 110 converts the brightness of the light of the image formed by the lens 111 into an amount of charge, and outputs a signal (image signal) corresponding to the converted amount of charge.

<Antenna 27>
Referring again to FIG. The imaging device 10 includes an antenna 27 and can be interconnected with other devices via wireless LAN (Wi-Fi). For example, the imaging device 10 can wirelessly transmit a signal (image signal) output from the imaging device 110 to another device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Further, the imaging device 10 can also be remotely controlled by another device such as a smartphone.

<Illumination unit 16>
The illumination unit 16 emits illumination light that illuminates an object to be imaged when an image is captured in a dark environment (i.e., when an image is captured in night vision mode). The illumination unit 16 has an illumination light source 161 and a cover unit 162. The illumination light source 161 is, for example, an LED, and is controlled by a control unit 31 described later to emit light having a wavelength in the infrared range (infrared light, infrared light). Note that the illumination light source 161 is not limited to one that emits infrared light as illumination light, and may emit visible light other than infrared light as illumination light. The illumination light source 161 is disposed on a base member 140 of the blade drive mechanism 14 described later.

The cover part 162 is molded, for example, from a translucent resin or the like, and is provided on the illumination light emission side (upper side) of the illumination light source 161. The cover portion 162 has a surface that covers at least the upper side of the illumination light source 161. A surface of the cover portion 162 is fitted into the illumination opening 126. In this case, the cover portion 162 is attached so that its surface does not protrude outward (above) the outer surface of the ceiling plate 122 of the housing 12 . Illumination light emitted from the illumination light source 161 is emitted to the outside of the imaging device 10 via the surface of the cover portion 162.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 2, the imaging device 10 includes four illumination units 16. A pair of lighting sections 16 among the four lighting sections 16 are provided on the right side of the ceiling plate 122, one lighting section 16 is provided on the front side and the other one lighting section 16 is provided on the rear side. The other pair of lighting sections 16 are provided on the left side of the ceiling plate 122, with one lighting section 16 provided on the front side and the other lighting section 16 provided on the rear side.

Note that the number of illumination units 16 included in the imaging device 10 is not limited to four. The imaging device 10 may include three or less illumination units 16, or may include five or more illumination units 16.

<Luminometer 17>
The illumination meter 17 is, for example, a photoresistor or a photodiode, and receives light from the environment around the imaging device 10 (external environment). The illumination meter 17 is arranged on a base member 140 of the blade drive mechanism 14, which will be described in detail later. The illumination meter 17 converts the brightness of the received light into an amount of charge, and outputs a signal (luminance signal) corresponding to the amount of charge. That is, the illumination meter 17 detects the brightness of the environment around the imaging device 10.

<Control Unit 31>
The control unit 31 is disposed at the rear side within the housing 12 and mounted on a board 310. The control unit 31 is configured with, for example, a CPU, a memory, etc., and is electrically connected to a board 112 on which the imaging element 110 is mounted. The control unit 31 is a processor that controls each part of the imaging device 10 by reading and executing a control program that is pre-recorded in a recording medium such as a flash memory. For example, the control unit 31 controls the power supply from the power supply unit 24 to the imaging element 110 and the actuator 15.

<Blade 13 and blade driving mechanism 14>
The blade driving mechanism 14 has a base member 140 and an actuator 15. The blade driving mechanism 14 moves the blades 13 in a direction (first direction) along the long side of the ceiling plate 122 to open and close the first opening 125, thereby controlling the incidence of subject light on the lens 111. More specifically, the blade driving mechanism 14 moves the blades 13 to a closed position that closes the first opening 125 and an open position that opens the first opening 125. Furthermore, the blades 13 in the open position function as a light shielding portion that blocks the first opening 125 and limits the incidence of subject light on the image sensor 110.

From another perspective, the blade drive mechanism 14 switches the first opening 125 of the imaging device 10 from an open state (Fig. 1A) to a closed state (Fig. 1B). The blade drive mechanism 14 also switches the first opening 125 of the imaging device 10 from a closed state (Fig. 1B) to an open state (Fig. 1A). As a result, the lens 111 is covered in the closed state (Fig. 1B) and exposed in the open state (Fig. 1A).

<Base Member 140>
The base member 140 is molded from, for example, synthetic resin, and is integrally molded with a main base portion 141 and a sub-base portion 142. The main base portion 141 is located on the ceiling plate 122 side (upper side) of the housing 12 with respect to the lens 111. The sub-base portion 142 rises downward from the main base portion 141, and has a screw hole formed in part thereof for screwing to the rear case 121. The sub-base portion 142 is fixed to the rear case 121 by screwing, whereby the base member 140 is fixed to the rear case 121.

A circular opening 143 is formed in the main base portion 141 and communicates with the upper and lower portions of the base member 140, centering on the position where the optical axis L of the lens 111 passes. In other words, the opening 143 is a through hole provided in the main base portion 141. Light (subject light) emitted from the object to be imaged (subject) and passed through the first opening 125 provided in the housing 12 enters the lens 111 via the opening 143 .

At least the blade 13 , the actuator 15 , the lighting section 16 , and the illuminance meter 17 are mounted on the main base section 141 . Two lighting units 16 are mounted on the right side and the left side of the main base unit 141. The illumination meter 17 is arranged on the right side with respect to the opening 143 on the main base part 141.

<Actuator 15>
The actuator 15 functions as a drive unit that moves the blade 13 along the first direction, as will be described in detail later. The actuator 15 has a motor 151, a rotating shaft 152, and a gear 153. The motor 151 has, for example, a coil, a yoke, a magnet, etc., and rotates by power (current) supplied from the power supply unit 24 under the control of the control unit 31. The rotation direction of the motor 151 is reversed depending on the direction of the current supplied to the coil. For example, when a current flows in a certain direction through the coil, the motor 151 rotates clockwise, and when a current flows in the opposite direction through the coil, the motor 151 rotates counterclockwise.

The rotating shaft 152 extends along the second direction and engages with the gear 153. The rotating shaft 152 is driven to rotate by the rotation of the motor 151. The gear 153 engaged with the rotating shaft 152 rotates in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft 152. As described above, the direction of rotation of the motor 151 is reversed in response to the direction of the current supplied. Therefore, the direction of rotation of the rotating shaft 152 and the gear 153 is also reversed in response to the direction of the current supplied to the motor 151. The gear 153 is engaged with a rack portion formed on the blade 13, which will be described later.

<Feather 13>
The blade 13 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin or a metal material. The blade 13 is supported on the main base portion 141 of the base member 140 so as to be movable (slidable) in a straight line. The blade 13 is a thin plate whose longitudinal direction is the first direction, and is arranged on the upper part of the base member 140 and overlaps with the base member 140. More specifically, the blades 13 overlap the main base portion 141 and partially cover the main base portion 141.

The blade 13 is formed with a second opening 133 that communicates with the top and bottom of the blade 13 . In other words, the second opening 133 is a through hole provided in the blade 13. The second opening 133 allows subject light that has passed through the first opening 125 formed in the ceiling plate 122 to pass through when the blade 13 is in the open position.

A rack portion having multiple teeth arranged in the left-right direction (first direction) is provided on the underside of the blade 13. The blade 13 engages with the gear 153 of the actuator 15 described above via this rack portion. When the gear 153 is driven by the rotation of the motor 151 controlled by the control unit 31 as described above, the rack portion converts the rotational force into a linear movement force along the first direction. As a result, a movement force in the first direction acts on the blade 13, and the blade 13 moves along the first direction. In other words, the blade 13 is movable (slidable) in the first direction between the base member 140 (main base portion 141) and the front case 120 (ceiling panel 122).

<Connector 25>
As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 10 includes a connector 25 that can be connected to an external device via a power cable, a communication cable, or the like.
Fig. 5A is an external perspective view of the connector 25 attached to the rear case 121, and Fig. 5B is an exploded perspective view of the connector 25 attached to the rear case 121. Fig. 6 is an external perspective view of the connector 25 attached to the rear case 121.

The connector 25 includes a connecting terminal 250, a substrate 251, and a holding member 252. The connection terminal 250 is a female terminal to which a USB cable can be connected, for example. The connection terminal 250 is mounted on a substrate 251 and electrically connected to the substrate 240 on which the power supply unit 24 is provided. The connection terminal 250 faces either a first connection opening 200 formed on the right bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121 or a second connection opening 201 formed on the side wall plate 121d of the rear case 121. When the connection terminal 250 faces the outside from the first connection opening 200, the connection terminal 250 is connected to an external device below the imaging device 10. In this case, the direction in which the connection terminal 250 faces (ie, downward) is referred to as a first connection direction. Further, when the connection terminal 250 faces the outside from the second connection opening 201, the connection terminal 250 is connected to an external device on the right side of the imaging device 10. In this case, the direction in which the connection terminal 250 faces (ie, the right side) is called a second connection direction. Therefore, FIGS. 5A and 5B show a state in which the connection terminal 250 goes in the first connection direction, and FIG. 6 shows a state in which the connection terminal 250 goes in the second connection direction.

<Holding Member 252>
The holding member 252 is attached to the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121 and accommodated in the housing 12 in a state in which the connection terminal 250 mounted on the substrate 251 is held facing the first connection direction or the second connection direction. The holding member 252 has a main body 300, first holding surfaces 320a, 320b (collectively referred to as the first holding surface 320), second holding surfaces 330a, 330b (collectively referred to as the second holding surface 330), a first blocking portion 340, a second blocking portion 350, and fixing portions 360, 361, and is integrally molded from, for example, a synthetic resin. The main body 300 is molded in a rectangular parallelepiped or approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The following provides a detailed description of each part of the holding member 252. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship of each part will be described using the positional relationship when the connection terminal 250 is held facing the first connection direction, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

<First holding surface 320>
The first holding surface 320 is a surface that holds the connection terminal 250 in the first connection direction. Specifically, the substrate 251 on which the connection terminal 250 is mounted is attached to the first holding surface 320. As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the first holding surface 320 is formed on the left surface of the main body 300. When the holding member 252 is attached to the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121, the first holding surface 320 is a surface that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction (left-right direction). The first holding surface 320a is a surface located in front of the main body 300, and the first holding surface 320b is a surface located in the rear of the main body 300. A screw hole 321 is formed in the first holding surface 320a, and a screw hole 322 is formed in the first holding surface 320b.

<Second holding surface 330>
The second holding surface 330 is a surface that holds the connection terminal 250 in the second connection direction, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the second holding surface 330 is a surface to which the substrate 251 on which the connection terminal 250 is mounted is attached, and is a surface that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first holding surface 320 . That is, the second holding surface 330 is a surface that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the optical axis L of the lens 111 when the connection terminal 250 is held by the first holding surface 320 in the first connection direction. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second holding surface 330a is the lower surface of the first holding surface 320a located in front of the main body 300. The second holding surface 330b is the lower surface of the first holding surface 320a located at the rear of the main body portion 300. From another perspective, it can be said that the second holding surface 330 is formed on the lower surface of the main body portion 300. A screw hole 331 is formed in the second holding surface 330a, and a screw hole 332 is formed in the second holding surface 330b.

<First blocking portion 340>
5A, the first blocking portion 340 protrudes rightward from the right surface of the main body 300. The cross-sectional shape of the first blocking portion 340 in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction (left-right direction) is the same or substantially the same as the shape of the second connection opening 201 formed in the side wall plate 121d of the rear case 121. Therefore, when the connector 25 in which the connection terminals 250 are held facing the first connection direction is attached to the bottom surface 121a, the first blocking portion 340 can block the second connection opening 201.

<Second closing part 350>
The second closing portion 350 projects upward from the upper surface of the main body portion 300. The cross-sectional shape of the second closing portion 350 in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis L of the lens 111 (vertical direction) is the same as the shape of the first connection opening 200 formed on the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121. or substantially the same. Therefore, when the connector 25 with the connection terminals 250 held in the second connection direction is attached to the bottom surface 121a, the second closing portion 350 can close the first connection opening 200.

<Fixation Parts 360, 361>
The fixing portion 360 is provided on the front surface of the main body 300, and a through hole is formed in a surface perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the up-down direction. The fixing portion 361 is provided on the rear surface of the main body 300, and a through hole is formed in a surface perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the up-down direction. The holding member 252 of the connector 25 is fixed to the first mounting holes 202a, 202b or the second mounting holes 203a, 203b formed in the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121 by screws inserted into the through holes of the fixing portions 360, 361.

Next, attachment of the connector 25 to the rear case 121 will be described in the case where the connection terminal 250 faces in the first connection direction and in the case where the connection terminal 250 faces in the second connection direction.

<First Connection Direction>
In addition to Figures 5A and 5B, Figures 7A and 7B will also be referred to for the description. Figure 7A is an internal plan view of rear case 121 to which connector 25 having connection terminals 250 facing the first connection direction is attached, and Figure 7B is an external perspective view of rear case 121 to which connector 25 having connection terminals 250 facing the first connection direction is attached, as viewed from below.

As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, with the first holding surface 320 of the holding member 252 facing left and the second holding surface 330 facing downward, the board 251 on which the connection terminal 250 is mounted is fixed to the first holding surface 320 from the left side by the screw 400. At this time, the board 251 is fixed so that the connection terminal 250 faces downward (i.e., the first connection direction).

The holding member 252 to which the substrate 251 is fixed as described above is attached to the first attachment holes 202a and 202b formed in the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121, as shown in FIG. 7A. Specifically, the second holding surface 330 of the holding member 252 and the connection terminal 250 face downward (the first connection direction), and the first closing part 340 protrudes to the right (i.e., as shown in FIG. 5A). state), and is housed in the right end of the rear case 121. Then, the fixing portion 360 of the holding member 252 and the first attachment hole 202a are fixed with a screw 410a, and the fixing portion 361 of the holding member 252 and the first attachment hole 202b are fixed with a screw 410b.

7B, the connection terminal 250 is inserted into the first connection opening 200 formed in the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121, and the connection terminal 250 faces the outside. Therefore, it can be said that the first mounting holes 202a, 202b formed in the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121 function as a first positioning portion that determines the position at which the holding member 252 that holds the connection terminal 250 is attached in the first connection direction. It can also be said that the bottom surface 121a is a first surface that has the first connection opening 200 where the connection terminal 250 held in the first connection direction faces the outside. In addition, the first blocking portion 340 that protrudes to the right with respect to the main body portion 300 of the holding member 252 is inserted into the second connection opening 201 formed in the side wall plate 121d of the rear case 121, and blocks the second connection opening 201. This prevents dust and other foreign matter from entering the housing 12 through the second connection opening 201 into which the connection terminal 250 is not inserted.

<Second connection direction>
The explanation will be made with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B in addition to FIG. 6. FIG. 8A is an internal plan view of the rear case 121 to which the connector 25 with the connection terminal 250 facing the second connection direction is attached, and FIG. 8B is an internal plan view of the rear case 121 to which the connector 25 with the connection terminal 250 facing the second connection direction is attached. 121 is an external perspective view when viewed from below.

When the connection terminal 250 is oriented in the second connection direction, the up-down direction of the holding member 252 is reversed in the case where the connection terminal 250 shown in FIG. 5A is oriented in the first connection direction. Specifically, the second holding surface 330 is oriented upward while the first blocking portion 340 is left protruding to the right relative to the main body 300. As a result, the second blocking portion 350, which protruded upward relative to the main body 300 when the connection terminal 250 is oriented in the first connection direction, protrudes downward as shown in FIG. 6. With the holding member 252 in this state, the board 251 is fixed to the second holding surface 330 from above by the screw 400. At this time, the connection terminal 250 mounted on the board 251 is fixed to the right (i.e., the second connection direction).

The holding member 252 to which the substrate 251 is fixed as described above is attached to the second mounting holes 203a, 203b formed in the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121 as shown in FIG. 8A. Specifically, the connection terminal 250 faces rightward and the second blocking portion 350 protrudes downward (i.e., the state shown in FIG. 6), and is housed in the right end of the rear case 121. Then, the fixing portion 361 of the holding member 252 and the second mounting hole 203a are fixed by the screw 410a, and the fixing portion 360 of the holding member 252 and the second mounting hole 203b are fixed by the screw 410b.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the connection terminal 250 is inserted into the second connection opening 201 formed in the side wall plate 121d of the rear case 121, and the connection terminal 250 faces the outside. Therefore, the second attachment holes 203a and 203b formed in the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121 function as a second positioning part that determines the position where the holding member 252 that holds the connection terminal 250 in the second connection direction is attached. You can say yes. Further, it can be said that the side wall plate 121d is a second surface having the second connection opening 201 through which the connection terminal 250 held in the second connection direction faces the outside. Further, the second closing portion 350 that protrudes downward with respect to the main body portion 300 of the holding member 252 is inserted into the first connection opening 200 formed in the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121, and block. This prevents dirt and the like from entering the inside of the housing 12 from the first connection opening 200 into which the connection terminal 250 is not inserted.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The holding member 252 has a first holding surface 320 that holds the connection terminal 250 facing the first connection direction, and a second holding surface 330 that holds the connection terminal 250 facing the second connection direction. The holding member 252 is housed in the housing 12 with the connection terminal 250 held by either the first holding surface 320 or the second holding surface 330. This allows a power cable or the like connected to an external device to be connected to the imaging device 10 from either the first connection direction or the second connection direction, which are different from each other. Therefore, compared to a structure in which a power cable or the like is connected from only a single direction, the degree of freedom of orientation when placing the imaging device 10 is improved, and the number of locations available for placing the imaging device 10 can be increased.

(2) The housing 12 has a bottom surface 121a (first surface) having a first connection opening 200 through which the connection terminal 250 held in the first connection direction faces the outside, and a bottom surface 121a (first surface) that has the connection terminal 250 held in the first connection direction. It has a side wall plate 121d (second surface) having a second connection opening 201 through which the terminal 250 faces the outside. The holding member 252 includes a first closing portion 340 that closes the second connection opening 201 when the connection terminal 250 is held in the first connection direction, and a first closing portion 340 that closes the second connection opening 201 when the connection terminal 250 is held in the second connection direction. and a second closing portion 350 that closes the first connection opening 200. As a result, a dustproof effect is obtained in which dust and the like are prevented from entering the housing 12 through the connection opening where the connection terminal 250 is not provided.

(3) The housing 12 has first mounting holes 202a and 202b which are first positioning parts to which the holding member 252 that holds the connection terminal 250 is attached in the first connection direction, and the connection terminal in the second connection direction. It has second mounting holes 203a and 203b, which are second positioning parts, to which a holding member 252 that holds 250 is mounted. The first attachment holes 202a, 202b and the second attachment holes 203a, 203b are provided at different positions on the bottom surface 121a inside the housing 12. Thereby, a power cable or the like connected to an external device can be connected to the imaging device 10 from either the first connection direction or the second connection direction, which are different from each other. Therefore, compared to a structure in which a power cable or the like is connected only from a single direction, the degree of freedom in posture when arranging the imaging device 10 is improved, and the location can be used as a location for arranging the imaging device 10. You can increase the number of locations.

Although various embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. Other embodiments considered within the technical spirit of the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment described above, the imaging device 10 has a configuration in which the blades 13 move in the first direction to control the incidence of subject light on the lens 111. However, the imaging device 10 is not limited to this example, and does not have to have the blades 13 and the actuator 15 of the blade drive mechanism 14. In other words, as shown in the external perspective view of FIG. 9, the imaging device 10 may have a configuration in which the lens 111 is always exposed to the outside from the ceiling plate 122 of the housing 12. In this case, the imaging device 10 can also have the connector 25 described in the embodiment.

In the embodiment described above, a case has been described in which the first connection opening 200 is formed in the bottom surface 121a of the rear case 121, and the second connection opening 201 is formed in the side wall plate 121d of the rear case 121. but not limited to. One of the first connection opening 200 and the second connection opening 201 may be formed in the ceiling plate 122 of the housing 12, or the first connection opening 200 and the second connection opening 201 may be formed in different parts of the rear case 121. It may also be formed on the side wall plate.

Further, the holding member 252 holds the connection terminal 250 in one of the first connection direction and the second connection direction, that is, the holding member 252 has the first holding surface 320 and the second holding surface 330. Not limited. The holding member 252 holds the connection terminal 250 in any one of three or more different connection directions, that is, the holding member 252 has three or more holding surfaces for holding the connection terminal 250. There may be. For example, when the connection terminal 250 is held in a third connection direction different from the first connection direction and the second connection direction, the holding member 252 is attached to the first holding surface 320 and the second holding surface 330. and a third holding surface. In this case, the housing 12 may also be provided with a third connection opening. This makes it possible to increase the number of directions in which a power cable or the like connected to an external device can be connected. Therefore, the degree of freedom in posture when arranging the imaging device 10 is improved, and it is possible to increase the number of locations that can be used as locations for arranging the imaging device 10.

10 imaging device, 11 camera module, 12 housing, 13 blade, 14 blade drive mechanism, 15 actuator, 16 lighting unit, 17 illuminometer, 25 connector, 31 control unit, 110 imaging element, 111 lens, 120 front case, 121 rear case, 121a bottom surface, 121b, 121c, 121d, 121e side wall plate, 200 first connection opening, 201 second connection opening, 202a, 202b first mounting hole, 203a, 203b second mounting hole, 240 substrate, 250 connection terminal, 251 substrate, 252 holding member, 300 main body, 320, 320a, 320b first holding surface, 321, 322 hole, 330, 330a, 330b second holding surface, 331, 332 Hole, 340 First blocking part, 350 Second blocking part, 360, 361 Fixing part

Claims (4)

Housing and
an imaging element that is accommodated in the housing and receives subject light via an optical member;
A connection terminal for connecting to an external device;
a holding member that is accommodated in the housing and holds the connection terminal,
the holding member has a first holding surface that holds the connection terminal in a first connection direction and a second holding surface that holds the connection terminal in a second connection direction,
the holding member holding the connection terminal on either the first holding surface or the second holding surface is accommodated in the housing. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The holding member has three or more holding surfaces that hold the connection terminals. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1,
the housing has a first surface having a first connection opening through which the connection terminal held in the first connection direction faces the outside, and a second surface having a second connection opening through which the connection terminal held in the second connection direction faces the outside,
An imaging device, wherein the holding member has a first blocking portion that blocks the second connection opening when the connection terminal is held toward the first connection direction, and a second blocking portion that blocks the first connection opening when the connection terminal is held toward the second connection direction. 4. The imaging device according to claim 3,
the housing has a first positioning portion to which the holding member for holding the connection terminal is attached in the first connection direction, and a second positioning portion to which the holding member for holding the connection terminal is attached in the second connection direction,
The imaging device, wherein the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are provided at different positions within the housing.

Images