JP5114238B2 - Camera, operation switch and direction switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera equipped with a direction indication switch and a direction indication switch thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a camera is provided with a direction indicating switch that can designate a cross direction that intersects with each other as an operation button (hereinafter, one is an up-down direction and the other is a left-right direction). Are known. In such a camera, various desired functions can be selectively executed by operating the direction indicating switch and appropriately specifying up, down, left, and right.

  Such a direction indicating switch is provided with an operation portion in which the upper, lower, left and right operation indicator portions are provided on the surface side, and four piezoelectric switches are provided at positions suitable for the respective indicator portions. And a substrate on which the shaft member extends toward the center of the center, and the operation portion is supported by the shaft member from the back side at the center position in both operation directions and corresponds to each index portion (four corners) Is supported by each piezoelectric switch from the back side. Each of the piezoelectric switches has a biasing means for returning to a non-conductive state, and is configured to be in a conductive state by being pushed down against the biasing means (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

In the direction indicating switch, when the operation unit is not pressed, each piezoelectric switch is returned to a non-conducting state by the urging force of the urging unit, and the operation unit assumes the reference posture. When the indicator portion of the operating portion is pressed against the urging force, the operating portion tilts from the reference posture with the support point by the shaft member as a fulcrum, and corresponds to the indicator portion (located on the tilted side). The switch is pressed and the piezoelectric switch becomes conductive. For this reason, in this direction indication switch, by appropriately tilting the operation portion, each piezoelectric switch can be selectively pushed down to designate the up / down / left / right indication directions as appropriate.
JP-A-06-260056

  However, in the above-described direction indicating switch, since the four corners are supported by the four piezoelectric switches that can be pressed, the operation unit is vertically, horizontally, and horizontally with the center position (support point) supported by the shaft member as a fulcrum. Since it can tilt in the radial direction when viewed from the plane including the direction, there is a risk that a so-called erroneous operation is performed in which the operation unit is not tilted in an appropriate direction (a direction in which each indicator portion is provided). Then, with the direction indication switch, an indication direction contrary to the intention of the person who performed the operation is designated, or the indication direction is not designated even though the operation unit is tilted. In particular, with cameras, there are scenes where the user operates the direction indication switch while looking through the optical viewfinder. In such situations, the tilting operation is performed without looking at the direction indication switch, which may result in an erroneous operation. Will increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a camera provided with a direction indicating switch that can prevent a so-called erroneous operation in which an operation unit is tilted in a direction different from an appropriate direction. The purpose is to do.

In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a camera including an operation switch mounted on a case member to send an instruction to the control mechanism, and the operation switch can be tilted with respect to the camera. An operation unit, a switch unit for switching conduction of contacts provided on the switch base connected to the control mechanism by tilting from a reference posture of the operation unit to a predetermined support direction, and tilting for regulating tilting of the operation unit A restriction portion, and the operation portion makes the contact non-conductive when the reference posture is set, and makes the contact conductive when the control portion is tilted from the reference posture by a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction. And the tilt restricting portion includes a plate-like member provided on the operation portion so as to surround the operation portion on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the operation portion, and the operation portion in the reference posture. Said plate A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the member, and the operation portion of the plate-like member is different from the predetermined indication direction When tilted in the direction, the operation unit is prevented from tilting beyond the predetermined angle by contacting the contact surface portion, and when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, The operation portion is allowed to tilt beyond the predetermined angle without being in contact with the contact surface portion, and an operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover a tip of the operation portion. An operating head exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and a flange portion extending along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operating head. The plate-like member The contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member, and the opening of the case member is between the operation portion and the operation cap. A shielding member having a projecting base portion that can be fitted to the operating cap, and the projecting base portion is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap, and the flange of the operation cap parts are characterized that you have been with the possible insertion into the insertion hole of the protruding stand part and then while insertion hole permits engagement of the uneven diameter in order to.

The invention according to claim 2 is a camera including an operation switch mounted on a case member to send an instruction to the control mechanism, the operation switch being tiltable with respect to the camera, the operation unit A switch part for switching conduction of contacts provided on the switch base connected to the control mechanism by tilting in a predetermined support direction from a reference attitude of the control unit, and a tilt regulating part for regulating tilting of the operation part, When the operation unit is in the reference posture, the contact is in a non-conducting state, and when the operation unit is tilted from the reference posture in the predetermined pointing direction over a predetermined angle, the contact is in a conductive state, and the tilt regulating unit Is opposed to the plate-like member provided on the operation unit so as to surround the operation unit on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the operation unit, and the plate-like member when the operation unit is in the reference posture. While parallel A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so that the plate-like member is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. By contacting the contact surface portion, the operation portion is prevented from tilting beyond the predetermined angle, and when the operation portion is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the contact surface portion contacts. Without allowing the operation portion to tilt beyond the predetermined angle, and the operation portion is provided with an operation cap so as to cover the tip of the operation portion, and the operation cap has an opening provided in the case member. An operation head exposed to the outside from the portion, and a flange portion extending along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operation head, the operation cap includes: The opening and the operation A plate member that is formed of a member that can be elastically deformed so as to seal a gap with the cap, and that extends between the flange portion and the case member while surrounding the operation head. Is formed by the sealing member, and the contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member, and the case member includes a gap between the operation portion and the operation cap. A shielding member having a protrusion base portion that can be fitted into the opening is provided, and the protrusion base portion is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap, and the operation cap the flange portion of the is characterized that you have been with the possible insertion into the insertion hole of the protruding stand part and then while insertion hole permits engagement of the uneven diameter in order to.

The invention according to claim 3 is a camera in which a direction indication switch for designating an arbitrary indication direction is mounted on a case member, and the direction indication switch is provided with an intermittent contact. A switch base, an operation part that is tiltably held by the switch base for intermittent contact, and a tilt regulating part that regulates the tilt of the operation part, wherein the operation part includes the contact Can be tilted in a radial direction from a reference posture that is in a non-conducting state, and when tilted by more than a predetermined angle in a specified direction from the reference posture, the contact is turned on, and the tilt restricting portion A plate-like member provided on the operation unit so as to surround the operation unit on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the unit, and the plate-like member when the operation unit is in the reference posture and extending in parallel while facing the plate-like member. The case member as Or the contact surface portion provided on the switch base, and the plate member contacts the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. Thus, the operation unit is prevented from tilting beyond the predetermined angle, and when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is not brought into contact with the contact surface unit. The operation portion is allowed to tilt beyond the predetermined angle, and an operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover a tip of the operation portion, and the operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member. An operating head, and a flange portion extending along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operating head, and the plate-like member is formed by the flange portion. , The contact surface portion A shielding member having a protruding base portion that can be fitted to the opening of the case member is provided between the operation portion and the operation cap. The projection base part is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap, and the flange part of the operation cap is inserted into the insertion hole of the projection base part. the possibility to feature that you have been an uneven diameter in order to enable the engagement between the insertion hole while.

The invention according to claim 4 is a camera in which a direction indicating switch for designating an arbitrary indicating direction is mounted on a case member, and the direction indicating switch is provided with an intermittent contact. A switch base, an operation part that is tiltably held by the switch base for intermittent contact, and a tilt regulating part that regulates the tilt of the operation part, wherein the operation part includes the contact Can be tilted in a radial direction from a reference posture that is in a non-conducting state, and when tilted by more than a predetermined angle in a specified direction from the reference posture, the contact is turned on, and the tilt restricting portion A plate-like member provided on the operation unit so as to surround the operation unit on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the unit, and the plate-like member when the operation unit is in the reference posture and extending in parallel while facing the plate-like member. The case member as Or the contact surface portion provided on the switch base, and the plate member contacts the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. Thus, the operation unit is prevented from tilting beyond the predetermined angle, and when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is not brought into contact with the contact surface unit. was allowed to tilt beyond a predetermined angle, the operation portion is mounted is operating cap so as to cover the front end, the manipulation cap exposed to the outside from an opening provided in the case member An operation head, and a flange portion extending along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operation head, the operation cap including the opening and the To seal the gap with the operation cap A sealing member extending between the flange portion and the case member while surrounding the operation head is mounted, and the plate-like member is formed by the sealing member. The contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member, and a protrusion that can be fitted into the opening of the case member between the operation portion and the operation cap. A shielding member having a base portion is provided, the projection base portion is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap, and the flange portion of the operation cap is provided on the projection base. It is characterized in that the diameter is non-uniform so as to enable engagement with the insertion hole while allowing the portion to be inserted into the insertion hole .

Invention relates to a camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the plate-like member, the reference posture relative to a direction different from the predetermined indicating direction according to claim 5 A projecting portion projecting toward the contact surface portion is provided at a position in the opposite direction as viewed from the above, and when the operating portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction, the projecting portion is By contacting the contact surface portion, the operation portion is prevented from tilting beyond the predetermined angle, and when the operation portion is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the contact surface portion contacts. wherein the operation portion is a length which allows the tilting beyond said predetermined angle without.

The invention according to claim 6 is the camera according to claim 2 or claim 4 , wherein the flange portion has an opposite direction as viewed from the reference posture with respect to a direction different from the predetermined indication direction. in position, characterized in that said flange projecting portion which projects toward the contact face portions are al provided.

Invention relates to a camera according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the predetermined direction, four directions der Rukoto mutually orthogonal when viewed from the reference position according to claim 7 It is characterized by.

The invention according to claim 8 is an operation switch mounted on the case member to send an instruction to the control mechanism, and an operation portion tiltable with respect to the control mechanism, and a predetermined support from the reference posture of the operation portion A switch unit that switches conduction of a contact provided on the switch base by being tilted in a direction and a tilt regulating unit that regulates tilting of the operating unit, and the operating unit includes the reference posture The contact is in a non-conducting state, and when it is tilted from the reference posture in the predetermined pointing direction over a predetermined angle, the contact is in a conductive state, and the tilt restricting portion is connected to the axis of the operation portion. A plate-like member provided on the operation unit so as to surround the operation unit on a surface orthogonal to the plate, and the plate-like member extending in parallel with the operation unit facing the plate-like member when in the reference posture. In the case member or A contact surface portion provided on the switch base, and the plate-like member contacts the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. The operation unit is prevented from tilting beyond the predetermined angle, and when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is not in contact with the contact surface unit, and the predetermined operation is performed. An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover the tip of the operation portion, and the operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member. And a flange portion extending along the case member inside the case member while being continuous with the operation head portion, the plate-like member is formed by the flange portion, The contact surface portion is the case A shielding member having a protruding base portion that can be fitted to the opening of the case member is provided between the operation portion and the operation cap. The projection base part is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap, and the flange part of the operation cap allows the projection base part to be inserted into the insertion hole. It is characterized in that it has a non-uniform diameter so as to enable engagement with the insertion hole .

The invention according to claim 9 is an operation switch mounted on the case member to send an instruction to the control mechanism, and an operation portion tiltable with respect to the control mechanism, and a predetermined support from the reference posture of the operation portion A switch unit that switches conduction of a contact provided on the switch base by being tilted in a direction and a tilt regulating unit that regulates tilting of the operating unit, and the operating unit includes the reference posture The contact is in a non-conducting state, and when it is tilted from the reference posture in the predetermined pointing direction over a predetermined angle, the contact is in a conductive state, and the tilt restricting portion is connected to the axis of the operation portion. A plate-like member provided on the operation unit so as to surround the operation unit on a surface orthogonal to the plate, and the plate-like member extending in parallel with the operation unit facing the plate-like member when in the reference posture. In the case member or A contact surface portion provided on the switch base, and the plate-like member contacts the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. The operation unit is prevented from tilting beyond the predetermined angle, and when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is not in contact with the contact surface unit, and the predetermined operation is performed. An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover the tip of the operation portion, and the operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member. A head portion and a flange portion extending along the case member inside the case member while being continuous with the operation head portion. The operation cap includes the opening portion and the operation cap. Elastic to seal gaps A sealing member extending between the flange portion and the case member while surrounding the operation head, and the plate-like member is formed by the sealing member. The abutment surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening portion in the case member, and a protrusion base that can be fitted into the opening portion of the case member between the operation portion and the operation cap. A shielding member having a portion is provided, and the projection base portion is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap, and the flange portion of the operation cap is provided with the projection base portion. It is characterized by having a non-uniform diameter so as to enable the insertion into the insertion hole while allowing the engagement with the insertion hole.

The invention according to claim 10 is a direction indicating switch mounted on the case member for designating an arbitrary indicating direction, and a switch base provided with an intermittent contact, and the intermittent contact. And a tilt restricting portion for restricting the tilting of the operating portion, the operating portion in a radial direction from a reference posture that makes the contact point non-conductive. It is possible to tilt, and when tilted beyond a predetermined angle from the reference posture in a predetermined pointing direction, the contact is brought into a conductive state, and the tilt restricting portion is arranged on the surface perpendicular to the axis of the operating portion. The case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel with the plate member provided in the operation portion so as to surround the plate member and the plate member when the operation portion is in the reference posture Abutment surface And the plate-like member is in contact with the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction, so that the operation portion exceeds the predetermined angle. Preventing the tilting, and allowing the operation unit to tilt beyond the predetermined angle without contacting the contact surface when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover the tip of the operation portion, and the operation cap is exposed to the operation head exposed to the outside from the opening provided in the case member, and the operation head A flange portion extending along the case member inside the case member while being continuous, the plate member is formed by the flange portion, and the contact surface portion is formed in the opening in the case member. The surrounding area A shielding member having a protrusion base portion that can be fitted to the opening of the case member is provided between the operation portion and the operation cap. An insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the cap is provided, and the flange portion of the operation cap engages with the insertion hole while allowing the protrusion base portion to be inserted into the insertion hole. order to enable the are an uneven diameter and wherein Rukoto.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a direction indicating switch mounted on a case member for designating an arbitrary indicating direction, a switch base provided with an intermittent contact, and the intermittent connection of the contact. wherein comprises a tiltably retained operation portion switches base, and a tilt regulating portion for regulating the inclination movement of the operating portion, the operating portion, a radial direction from a reference orientation of the contact and non-conductive state The contact is brought into a conductive state when tilted beyond a predetermined angle in a specified direction from the reference posture, and the tilt restricting portion is operated on a surface perpendicular to the axis of the operating portion. A plate-like member provided in the operation portion so as to surround the portion, and the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the plate-like member when the operation portion is in the reference posture. Contact surface provided on the base And the plate-like member is in contact with the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction, so that the operation portion exceeds the predetermined angle. Preventing the tilting, and allowing the operation unit to tilt beyond the predetermined angle without contacting the contact surface when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover the tip of the operation portion, and the operation cap is exposed to the operation head exposed to the outside from the opening provided in the case member, and the operation head A flange portion extending along the case member inside the case member in a continuous manner, and the operation cap is elastically deformable to seal a gap between the opening and the operation cap. The operation head made of a member A sealing member extending between the flange portion and the case member is mounted while enclosing the plate member, the plate member is formed by the sealing member, and the contact surface portion is formed in the opening in the case member. A shielding member having a protrusion base portion that can be fitted to the opening of the case member is provided between the operation portion and the operation cap. The portion is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap, and the flange portion of the operation cap allows the insertion of the protrusion base portion into the insertion hole. in order to enable engagement of the insertion hole is a non-uniform diameter, characterized in Rukoto.

  In the camera according to the present invention, even if the operation unit of the direction indication switch is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined direction, the tilt is restricted by the tilt restriction unit in the direction, so the operation unit is appropriate. It is possible to prevent a so-called erroneous operation that is not tilted in the direction. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an instruction direction that is contrary to the intention of the person who performed the operation from being specified, or that the instruction direction is not specified even though the operation unit is tilted.

  The direction indication switch for specifying an arbitrary indication direction is mounted on the case member. The direction indication switch includes a switch base provided with an intermittent contact, and a contact. The control unit includes a control unit that is tiltably held on the switch base, and a tilt control unit that controls tilting of the control unit. When the tilting is enabled and the tilting unit is tilted beyond a predetermined angle in a predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture, the contact is brought into a conductive state, and the tilt restricting unit has exceeded a predetermined angle in the predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture of the operation unit. When the tilt of the operation unit is prevented from tilting beyond a predetermined angle from the reference posture of the operation unit in a direction different from the predetermined indication direction, the operation unit of the direction indication switch is in a direction different from the predetermined indication direction. Tilt to Even if, in the direction so tilted beyond a predetermined angle is prevented by the tilt regulating part it can be operating portion to prevent a so-called erroneous operation is not tilting in the appropriate direction. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an instruction direction that is contrary to the intention of the person who performed the operation from being specified, or that the instruction direction is not specified even though the operation unit is tilted.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the tilt restricting portion includes a plate-like member provided in the operation portion so as to surround the operation portion on a surface orthogonal to the axis of the operation portion, and a plate shape when the operation portion is in the reference posture. A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the member, and the plate-like member is tilted in a direction different from a predetermined indication direction. And abutting the contact surface portion to prevent the operation portion from tilting to a predetermined angle, and when the operation portion is tilted in a predetermined pointing direction, the operation portion does not contact the contact surface portion. If tilting up to a predetermined angle is allowed, the plate-like member and the abutting surface portion need only be set so as to abut against each other or not according to the tilting direction of the operation portion. be able to.

  In addition to the configuration described above, the plate-like member is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes toward the contact surface portion at a position in the opposite direction as viewed from the reference posture with respect to a direction different from the predetermined indication direction. When the operation part is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction, the protrusion part is in contact with the contact surface part to prevent the operation part from being inclined to a predetermined angle, and the operation part is When it is tilted in the direction, it is assumed that the length of the operation unit is tilted to a predetermined angle without coming into contact with the contact surface part. The shape member and the contact surface portion can be set to contact or not contact each other according to the tilting direction of the operation portion.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, an operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover the tip of the operation portion. The operation cap includes an operation head that is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and And a flange portion extending along the case member inside the case member, the plate-like member is formed by the flange portion, and the contact surface portion is a periphery that defines the opening in the case member Assuming that it is formed by a wall, it can be easily realized simply by attaching an operation cap to the operation part of a general switch device that can designate an arbitrary pointing direction by tilting the operation part. it can.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, an operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover the tip of the operation portion. The operation cap includes an operation head that is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and A flange portion extending along the case member inside the case member, and the operation cap is made of a member that can be elastically deformed so as to seal a gap between the opening portion and the operation cap. A sealing member that extends between the flange portion and the case member while surrounding the operation head is mounted, the plate-like member is formed by the sealing member, and the contact surface portion has an opening in the case member. Assuming that the sealing member is formed by the peripheral wall portion to be regulated, the sealing member is pressed against the peripheral wall portion of the case member via the flange portion of the operation cap that is tilted together with the operation portion, thereby restricting the tilt of the operation portion. To do However, since this sealing member can be elastically deformed, when the operation part is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined indicated direction, the operation part immediately Rather than stopping the tilting, the reaction force against the tilting operation can be gradually increased as the tilting angle from the reference posture increases. Therefore, when the user of the camera tilts the operation unit of the direction indication switch, the camera user recognizes whether or not the direction of the tilting operation is appropriate based on the difference in reaction force from the operation unit. be able to.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the flange portion is provided with a flange protruding portion that protrudes toward the abutting surface portion at a position in the opposite direction as viewed from the reference posture with respect to a direction different from the predetermined indication direction. As a result, the relative displacement between the operation cap and the sealing member can be prevented, and the flange protruding portion of the flange portion of the operation cap is pressed against the contact surface portion with the sealing member interposed therebetween. The tilting range of the operation unit can be regulated more appropriately.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, a shielding member having a protrusion base portion that can be fitted into the opening of the case member is provided between the operation portion and the operation cap, and the protrusion base portion is provided for operating the operation cap. An insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the head is provided, and the flange portion of the operation cap is non-uniform in diameter so that the protrusion can be inserted into the insertion hole while being able to engage with the insertion hole. If it is set as this, the visual recognition of the clearance gap between an operation part and an operation cap can be prevented.

  In addition to the configuration described above, if the predetermined directions are four directions orthogonal to each other when viewed from the reference posture, the user can easily perform an operation as intended.

  Embodiments of a camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the camera 10 of the first embodiment from the back side, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the camera 10 from the front side. In the following description, with the camera 10 as a reference, the photographing optical axis direction is the front-rear direction (the subject side is front) (see arrow FB), the height direction when the camera 10 is viewed from the front is the up-down direction (see arrow UD), The direction perpendicular to the plane including the direction and the vertical direction is the left-right direction (when the camera 10 is viewed from the front, the left hand is the right direction) (see arrow LR).

  The camera 10 is a digital camera in the first embodiment, and although not shown in the drawing, a camera mechanism for a function as a camera such as photographing a subject is accommodated in a case 11. Although not shown, the camera 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment converts a still image (still image) or a moving image of a subject by converting an image signal into an electrical signal with a CCD imaging device and digitally processing the electrical signal in the camera mechanism. Digital image data of (movie image) is obtained, and this digital image data is stored in a memory card.

  The case 11 is configured by connecting a front case 12 and a rear case 13 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the front case 12 is provided with a release button 14 on the upper wall surface, and a lens 15 and a front window 16a for the optical viewfinder 16 on the front wall surface. As shown in FIG. 1, the rear case 13 is provided with a liquid crystal display 17, a rear window 16 b for the optical viewfinder 16, and a direction indicating switch 18 that is an operation switch.

  In the camera 10, various functions can be selected by appropriately operating the direction instruction switch 18, and a subject can be photographed by pressing the release button 14. In the camera 10, the subject can be photographed while displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 17, and the subject can be photographed while looking through the optical viewfinder 16.

  In the camera 10 according to the present invention, the structure of the direction indicating switch 18 is different from that of a conventional camera. This will be described below.

  3 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of the periphery of the direction indicating switch 18, and FIG. 4 illustrates the direction indicating switch 18 in the upper position (mounted on the camera 10). FIG. 5 is a top view of the switch device 19 of the direction indicating switch 18 as viewed from above, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the switch device 19. It is explanatory drawing shown in a partial cross section obtained along the II line. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the operation cap 20. Further, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a partial cross section obtained along the line II-II in FIG. 4 for explaining the operation of the direction indicating switch 18, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 8 obtained along the -III line. In FIG. 4, a seal member 21 described later is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the direction indicating switch 18 includes a switch device 19, an operation cap 20, and a seal member 21. The direction indicating switch 18 is installed on the control board 22 accommodated in the case 11, and a part of the operation cap 20 is exposed from the switch opening 13a which is an opening formed in the rear case 13 (FIG. 1). reference).

  The switch device 19 is an electrical element for designating an arbitrary designated direction, and includes a switch base 23 and an operation unit 24 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The switch base 23 is generally configured by accommodating a switch substrate 26 provided with five base-side contacts 25 in a switch case 27. The switch case 27 is fixed to the control board 22 by installation leg portions 28 provided therein, and the switch board 26 and the control board 22 are electrically connected via the installation leg portions 28. As a result, the switch device 19 is mounted on the control board 22.

  The five base-side contacts 25 are arranged on the switch substrate 26 at the center base-side contact 25a located at the center, and four instruction bases arranged one by one at the top, bottom, left, and right at equal intervals. And a table-side contact 25b. For this reason, the five base side contacts 25 are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the vertical direction UR when mounted on the camera 10 on the switch substrate 26, and the base located at the center thereof. Three side contacts 25 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction LR at equal intervals, and the positions are set so as to draw a cross. An annular rubber 29 (shown in cross section in FIG. 6) is provided on the switch substrate 26 provided with the five base-side contacts 25 so as to surround the center base-side contact 25a. An operation unit 24 is installed on the rubber 29.

  The operation unit 24 includes a columnar operation bar 30 and an intermittent flat plate 31 that extends downward (forward when mounted on the camera 10). The intermittent flat plate portion 31 is provided with five operation unit side contacts 32 on the lower surface thereof (the surface positioned on the front side when mounted on the camera 10). The five operation unit side contacts 32 draw a cross so as to be opposed to the central operation unit side contact 32a positioned on the axis of the operation rod-shaped unit 30 and the instruction base side contact 25b. It has four instruction operation unit side contacts 32b whose positions are set. The operation portion 24 is supported by a rubber 29 so that the axis of the operation rod-shaped portion 30 is orthogonal to the switch substrate 26, and the position where the axis is present is defined as a reference line Bl. The operation unit 24 is elastically deformed so that the rubber 29 is partially crushed in a state where the axis of the operation bar 30 matches the reference line B1, and the rubber 29 is partially crushed in the radial direction. It can be tilted. In the first embodiment, the four instruction operation unit side contacts 32b have the same amount of protrusion, and the protrusion amount of the central operation unit side contact 32a is set larger than them. As a result, when the operation unit 24 is pushed down along the reference line Bl, each operation unit side contact 32b does not come into contact with each instruction base side contact 25b, and the central operation unit side contact 32a becomes the central base. It will contact | abut to the side contact 25a.

  In the switch device 19, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, the operation portion 24 is tilted from the reference posture Ba (the axis of the operation rod-shaped portion 30 is inclined with respect to the reference line Bl), and the orbiting position When the instruction operation unit side contact 32b in contact with the instruction base side contact 25b facing each other, the two contacts 32b and 25b are brought into conduction. In the switch device 19, although not shown, the operation unit 24 is pushed down along the reference line Bl (pressed forward when mounted on the camera 10 (see FIG. 1)), and the central operation unit side contact 32 a When abutting against the opposing central base side contact 25a, the contact points 32a and 25a become conductive. When any of the contacts is in a conductive state in this way, this is transmitted to the control board 22 as an electrical signal through the switch board 26 and the installation leg 28. As a result, the switch device 19 can specify an arbitrary instruction direction in accordance with the tilting operation performed on the operation unit 24, and also specify an instruction other than the specified direction by a pressing operation performed on the operation unit 24. be able to. As described above, in the switch device 19, when the operation rod-like portion 30 of the operation portion 24 is tilted in four directions (predetermined indication directions) up and down and left and right as viewed from the reference line Bl, the position is in each direction. When the instruction operation unit side contact 32b to be in contact with the instruction base side contact 25b opposed thereto, the contact points 32b and 25b are in a conductive state. In this contacted state, the operation unit 24 (operation This means that the bar 30) is tilted beyond a predetermined angle. The operation cap 20 is attached to the operation bar-shaped portion 30 of the operation portion 24 (see FIG. 3). For this reason, the switch base 23 serves as a switch unit that switches the conduction of the contacts by tilting the operation unit 24.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the operation cap 20 includes a substantially columnar operation head 33 and a flange portion 35 that is continuous below the neck portion 34 below (frontward when attached to the camera 10). . The operation head 33 is provided with four indicator portions 36 on the front surface (surface exposed from the case 11 and positioned on the rear side when attached to the camera 10), and the operation rod-shaped portions 30 are connected to each other on the back surface side. These axes can be made to coincide with each other (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

  The four indicator portions 36 are formed by partially projecting the peripheral edge of the circular surface of the operation head 33, and are equally spaced from each other when viewed in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, the four indicator portions 36 are provided corresponding to the four operation unit side contacts 32 in the rotating position and the four base side contacts 25 facing the operation unit side contacts 32. In a state in which 20 is appropriately mounted on the operation rod-like portion 30 of the operation unit 24 of the switch device 19, an appropriate tilting operation direction of the operation unit 24 of the switch device 19 is indicated on the operation cap 20. Below the operation head 33, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, an annular recess 34 is provided, and a flange 35 is provided continuously to the neck 34.

  The flange portion 35 has a truncated cone shape that extends downward from the neck portion 34 (forward when mounted on the camera 10), and four projecting portions 37 are provided on the inclined surface. Each protruding portion 37 has a cylindrical shape having an axis parallel to the axis of the operation head 33, and the protruding end 37a is chamfered as a whole. The four projecting portions 37 are located at the peripheral edge of the circular inclined surface when viewed from above (rear when mounted on the camera 10), and are viewed from each other in the circumferential direction, as shown in FIG. The intervals are equal. When the operation cap 20 is properly attached to the operation rod-shaped portion 30 of the operation portion 24 of the switch device 19, the four projecting portions 37 rotate in the direction around the reference line Bl in a plane orthogonal to the reference line Bl. As shown in FIG. 4, the position is set to be midway between the four instruction operation unit side contacts 32b and the four instruction base side contacts 25b opposed thereto. That is, when viewed in a plane orthogonal to the reference line Bl when mounted on the camera 10, the four instruction operation unit side contacts 32b (the same is also applied to the four instruction base side contacts 25b) are centered on the reference line Bl. The four protruding portions 37 are positioned on the straight line that is 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction UD and the horizontal direction LR while passing through the reference line Bl. Further, the four projecting portions 37 are set so that the height viewed from the surface of the flange portion 35 satisfies a predetermined condition. This predetermined condition will be described later. A seal member 21 is attached to the operation cap 20 (see FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the seal member 21 is an annular thin film, and is formed of an elastically deformable member, which is a rubber member in this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the seal member 21 has an inner rib portion 21 a that can come into contact with the neck portion 34 of the operation cap 20 over the entire circumference and an outer side position of the flange portion 35 of the operation cap 20 ( And an outer rib portion 21 b extending from the inner side of the case 11 toward the rear case 13. The seal member 21 is attached to the operation cap 20 by pushing and expanding the inner opening 21c defined by the inner rib portion 21a so that the operation head 33 of the operation cap 20 is inserted into the inner opening 21c. The operation cap 20 to which the seal member 21 is attached is attached to the operation bar 30 of the operation unit 24 of the switch device 19 fixed to the control board 22. When the control board 22 is properly accommodated in the case 11, the operation head 33 of the operation cap 20 is exposed outward from the switch opening 13 a of the rear case 13 as shown in FIGS. 1, 8, and 9. Is done. In this state, the seal member 21 is in contact with the inner rib portion 21 a surrounding the neck portion 34 of the operation cap 20, and the outer rib portion 21 b is the switch of the rear case 13 from the inner side (the inner side of the case 11). It abuts against the peripheral wall defining the opening 13a, and prevents dust and the like from entering the inside of the case 11 from the switch opening 13a. The seal member 21 also has a role of blocking the gap between the switch opening 13a and the operation cap 20 and preventing the inside of the case 11 from being seen from the outside.

  In the direction indicating switch 18, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the vicinity of the peripheral portion (including the indicator portion 36) of the operation head 33 of the operation cap 20 is pressed against the urging force of the rubber 29. Then (see the arrow A1 in FIGS. 4 and 8 and the arrow A2 in FIGS. 4 and 9), the direction of the pressing portion of the operation bar 24 of the operation unit 24 of the switch device 19 as viewed from the reference line Bl (see FIG. 4 (see the arrow A1 and arrow A2 in FIG. 4) from the reference posture Ba (see the operation unit 24 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 8 and 9). Then, since the operation cap 20 is rotated around the tilting axis of the operation rod-shaped portion 30 in the switch device 19, the flange portion 35 of the operation cap 20 has a pressing direction side as viewed from the reference line Bl. The point Pp (hereinafter referred to as the pressing direction portion Pp) is separated from the rear case 13, while the point Ps (hereinafter referred to as the point symmetry direction point Ps) that is point-symmetric with respect to the pressing direction point Pp around the reference line Bl. ) Approaches the rear case 13. Considering this, the flange portion 35 of the operation cap 20 does not interfere with the rear case 13 at a point-symmetrical point that is point-symmetric with respect to the pressing direction and the reference line Bl when the operation portion 24 is tilted. In this way, it has a divergent shape (a truncated cone shape).

  Here, when the pressing position is the index portion 36 of the operation head 33 of the operation cap 20 as indicated by the arrow A1 in FIGS. 4 and 8, the operation rod-shaped portion 30 of the operation unit 24 of the switch device 19. Is tilted over a predetermined angle from the reference posture Ba to a predetermined pointing direction A1, and the pointing operation unit side contact 32b positioned in the pointing direction A1 when viewed from the reference line Bl is connected to the pointing base side contact 25b. They come into contact with each other and become conductive with each other (see the operation unit 24 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8).

  In addition, as indicated by an arrow A2 in FIGS. 4 and 9, the pressing position is a portion that is not the indicator portion 36 in the operation head 33 of the operation cap 20 (in the illustrated example, two indicator portions 36 adjacent to each other). In the middle position), the operating bar-like portion 30 of the operating portion 24 of the switch device 19 is tilted from the reference posture Ba to a direction A2 different from the predetermined indicated direction. At this time, the flange portion 35 of the operation cap 20 is provided with a protruding portion 37 at a point symmetry direction location Ps that is point-symmetric with respect to the indication direction A2, and the protruding end portion 37a of the protruding portion 37 is a seal member 21. Two instruction operation unit side contacts 32b that are in contact with the inner wall surface 13b of the rear case 13 (peripheral wall portion that defines the switch opening 13a) and sandwiching the instruction direction A2 face each other. The operation rod-like portion 30 (operation portion 24) is prevented from tilting to a predetermined angle (relative to the reference line B1) that makes contact with the base-side contact 25b (operation indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9). Part 24). For this reason, in Example 1, the flange part 35 and the inner wall surface 13b function as a tilt restricting part (tilt restricting means), the flange part 35 of the operation cap 20 functions as a plate-like member, and the inner wall surface of the rear case 13 13b functions as a contact surface portion. In other words, the four projecting portions 37 have flanges when the operation rod-like portion 30 of the operation portion 24 of the switch device 19 is tilted in a predetermined pointing direction (see arrow A1 in FIGS. 4 and 8). In the portion 35, the point symmetrical direction with respect to the indicated direction does not interfere with the inner wall surface 13 b of the rear case 13 at a position shifted by 45 degrees in the circumferential direction and is different from the predetermined indicated direction (in FIGS. 4 and 9). When the operation rod-like portion 30 of the operation portion 24 of the switch device 19 is tilted to the direction of the arrow A2, the flange portion 35 interferes with the inner wall surface 13b of the rear case 13 at a point symmetrical direction with respect to the indicated direction. The length dimension to be set. Note that when the operation rod-like portion 30 of the operation portion 24 of the switch device 19 is tilted, the seal member 21, particularly the outer rib portion 21 b, is set to a thickness dimension (hardness) that does not hinder the tilting operation. Yes.

  For this reason, the direction indicating switch 18 is compared with a case where the tilting operation is performed in a direction different from the predetermined pointing direction (see FIG. 9) and a case where the tilting operation is performed in the predetermined pointing direction (see FIG. 8). Thus, with reference to the reference line B1 (reference posture Ba), tilting of the operation bar 30 (operation unit 24) is prevented at a small angle, and neither contact is in a conductive state and any direction is designated. Never do. For this reason, even if the person who operates the direction indicating switch 18, that is, the user of the camera 10 tries to tilt the operation in a direction different from the appropriate instruction direction, the operation unit 24 is operated as in the case of the appropriate instruction direction. Since it is prevented from tilting, it is possible that a pointing direction that is not intended is specified, or that the pointing direction is not specified even though it is tilted to the same angle as when tilting to a predetermined pointing direction. There is no sense of incongruity.

  Therefore, in the direction indicating switch 18 according to the first embodiment, even if the operation unit 24 is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined pointing direction, the tilting restricting unit prevents the tilting exceeding a predetermined angle in that direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a so-called erroneous operation in which the operation unit is not tilted in an appropriate direction. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an instruction direction that is contrary to the intention of the person who performed the operation from being specified, or that the instruction direction is not specified even though the operation unit is tilted.

  Further, in the direction indicating switch 18, the protruding portion 37 provided on the flange portion 35 of the operation cap 20 serving as a plate-like member is provided in the rear case 13 serving as a contact surface portion according to the tilting direction of the operation portion 24. While restricting the tilting range of the operation part 24 to be tilted by being brought into contact with the wall surface 13b, the projecting part 37 is not in contact with the inner wall surface 13b of the rear case 13, thereby allowing an appropriate tilting operation of the operation part 24. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation on the operation unit 24 with a simple configuration.

  Further, in the direction indicating switch 18, the operation cap 20 mounted on the operation rod-like portion 30 of the operation portion 24 of the switch device 19 is caused to function as a plate-like member, and the inner wall surface 13 b of the rear case 13 is used as a contact surface portion. Since it constitutes a tilt restricting portion by functioning, the switch device 19 that is a general-purpose product is used to form the direction indicating switch 18 in which an erroneous operation to the operating portion 24 is appropriately prevented. This direction indicating switch 18 can be mounted on the camera 10.

  The direction indicating switch 18 recognizes whether or not the tilting operation performed is directed to the appropriate pointing direction from the reference line Bl from the state of tilting of the operation unit 24, that is, the operation cap 20, in other words, the sense of tilting operation. The camera 10 equipped with the direction indicating switch 18 can appropriately select a desired function among various functions by performing an appropriate tilting operation sensuously. This is particularly effective when the user operates the direction indicating switch 18 while looking into the optical viewfinder 16 because it is not necessary to take his eyes off the optical viewfinder 16 for operating the direction indicating switch 18. In addition, the function of the optical viewfinder 16 can be used effectively.

  In the direction indicating switch 18, the flange portion 35 of the operation cap 20 is viewed in the circumferential direction, and a protruding portion 37 provided at an intermediate position in a predetermined indicating direction (up, down, left and right in the above-described embodiment) is provided in the rear case 13. Since it is configured to abut against the wall surface 13 b, in a scene where a portion that is not the indicator portion 36 is pressed, the tilting operation performed is the indicator portion 36 as viewed in the rotating direction of the operation head 33 of the operation cap 20. Except for the intermediate position, the contact portion between the protruding portion 37 and the rear case 13 serves as a fulcrum, and the tilt direction of the operation cap 20, that is, the operation portion 24 is changed to the pressing position (tilt as viewed from the reference line Bl). Direction) can be led in a direction to push down the nearest indicator portion 36 (predetermined indication direction viewed from the reference line Bl). In particular, in the above-described embodiment, the projecting end portion 37a of each projecting portion 37 is chamfered to have a curved surface, so that it can be effectively guided in a predetermined pointing direction (up, down, left and right). For this reason, in the camera 10 equipped with the direction indicating switch 18, it is possible to appropriately select a desired function among various functions by performing an appropriate tilting operation without looking at the direction indicating switch 18.

  Therefore, in the camera 10 according to the first embodiment, a so-called erroneous operation in which the operation unit 24 of the direction indicating switch 18 is not tilted in an appropriate direction can be prevented.

  Next, a first modification of the first embodiment will be described. A characteristic part of the first modification is that, instead of providing the protruding portion 37 on the flange portion 35 of the operation cap 20, a protruding portion 37 'is provided on the seal member 21' as shown in FIGS. It is in.

  The direction indicating switch 18 ′ of the first modification is configured by attaching a seal member 21 ′ provided with a protruding portion 37 ′ to an operation cap 20 ′ not provided with a protruding portion. The projecting portion 37 ′ is a member that can be elastically deformed similarly to the seal member 21 ′ and is formed integrally with the seal member 21 ′. Except for this, the protruding portion 37 ′ has the same configuration as the protruding portion 37 provided on the flange portion 35 of the operation cap 20 of the direction indicating switch 18.

  In the direction indicating switch 18 ′, as indicated by an arrow A 3 in FIG. 11, the portion of the operation head 33 of the operation cap 20 that is not the index portion 36 (in the illustrated example, the two index portions 36 adjacent to each other). In the middle position), when pressed, the operating rod-like portion 30 of the operating portion 24 of the switch device 19 is tilted from the reference posture Ba to a direction A3 different from the predetermined indicated direction, and is provided on the operating cap 20 '. In the seal member 21 ′, the projecting end portion 37 a ′ of the projecting portion 37 ′ provided at the point symmetry direction location Ps that is point symmetric with respect to the indication direction A 3 comes into contact with the rear case 13 and sandwiches the indication direction A 3. The operation bar 30 (operation unit 24) is tilted to an angle (relative to the reference line B1) at which the two instruction operation unit side contacts 32b positioned are in contact with the instruction base side contact 25b facing each other. (Refer to the operation unit 24 indicated by a two-dot chain line). For this reason, in the direction indicating switch 18 ′, as in the case of the direction indicating switch 18, when the tilting operation is performed in a direction different from the predetermined pointing direction, the tilting operation is performed in the predetermined pointing direction. Thus, with reference to the reference line B1, tilting of the operation bar 30 (operation unit 24) is prevented at a small angle and neither direction is designated.

  In particular, in the direction indicating switch 18 ′ of the first modified example, when the tilting operation is performed in a direction different from the predetermined indicating direction as viewed from the reference line B1 (reference posture Ba), the protruding portion that contacts the rear case 13. Since 37 ′ is an elastically deformable member, even if the projecting portion 37 ′ contacts the rear case 13, it does not immediately stop the tilting of the operating rod-shaped portion 30 of the operating portion 24 of the switch device 19, but the reference As the tilt angle from the line Bl increases, the reaction force against the tilt operation can be gradually increased. For this reason, when the user of the camera 10 'tilts the direction indicating switch 18', the user can recognize whether or not the direction of the tilting operation being performed is appropriate due to the difference in reaction force. it can. From this, the feeling of tilting operation of the direction indicating switch 18 ', that is, the feeling of operating the camera 10' can be improved.

  Next, a second modification of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the characteristic part of the second modified example is that the projecting portion 37 can be received from the back surface side in the seal member 21 ″ attached to the operation cap 20 provided with the projecting portion 37 on the flange portion 35. This is because the curved portion 21d is provided.

  The direction indicating switch 18 ″ of the second modified example is such that the seal member 21 ″ has the operation cap 20 so that the protruding portion 37 of the flange portion 35 of the operation cap 20 fits into the curved portion 21d of the seal member 21 ″. It is attached and configured.

  The direction indicating switch 18 ″, that is, the camera 10 ″ can obtain the same effects as those of the direction indicating switch 18 and the direction indicating switch 18 ′.

  In particular, the direction indicating switch 18 ″ can prevent relative displacement between the operation cap 20 and the seal member 21 ″, and the flange portion of the operation cap 20 with the seal member 21 ″ interposed therebetween. The protruding portion 37 of 35 can be pressed against the inner wall surface 13b of the rear case 13 to more appropriately regulate the tilting range of the operation unit 24 (see the operation unit 24 indicated by a two-dot chain line).

  Next, the camera 102 according to the second embodiment will be described. The camera 102 of the second embodiment is an example in which the mounted direction instruction switch 182 is different from the direction instruction switch 18 of the camera 10 of the first embodiment. Since the basic configuration of the camera 102 is the same as that of the camera 10 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are assigned to the same functional parts, and detailed description thereof is omitted. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 10 schematically illustrating the configuration of the direction indicating switch 182 and FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 4 schematically illustrating the direction indicating switch 182. 15 is a top view, FIG. 15 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 8 obtained along the line IV-IV shown in FIG. 14, and FIG. 16 is obtained along the line V-V shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. In FIG. 13, the outer rib portion 21 b extending to the rear case 13 at the periphery of the flange portion 352 is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the direction indicating switch 182 mounted on the camera 102 is different from the direction indicating switch 18 of the first embodiment in that the operation cap 202 and the seal member 212 are different.

  The operation cap 202 has a flange portion 352 different from the operation cap 20 of the first embodiment. The flange portion 352 has a truncated quadrangular prism shape in which a portion corresponding to the bottom surface (the side attached to the switch device 19) is a square.

  Further, the seal member 212 has a truncated quadrangular prism shape that fits the flange portion 352, and ridge line protrusions 212b are provided at four ridge line portions formed by the four inclined side surfaces 212a. The four ridge line ridges 212b have a predetermined width dimension and a predetermined height dimension with respect to each inclined side surface 212a, and extend along both adjacent inclined side surfaces 212a. In the seal member 212, the ridge line portion, that is, the inclined side surface 212a is positioned at an intermediate position between four predetermined upper, lower, left, and right designated directions (directions viewed from the reference line Bl toward the index portion 36 when viewed with the operation cap 202). Is set to For this reason, in the sealing member 212, the width dimension differs between a cross section along the predetermined indication direction (see FIG. 15) and a cross section along the intermediate direction between the two adjacent predetermined indication directions (see FIG. 16). It becomes.

  In this direction indicating switch 182, the pressing position of the operation cap 202 on the operation head 33 is the indicator portion 36 of the operation head 33 of the operation cap 202 as shown by an arrow A4 in FIGS. 14 and 15. In this case, the operation rod-like portion 30 of the operation portion 24 of the switch device 19 is tilted from the reference posture Ba in a predetermined pointing direction A4 (see the operation portion 24 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 15), and viewed from the reference line Bl. Thus, the instruction operation unit side contact 32b located in the instruction direction A4 comes into contact with the instruction base side contact 25b and is brought into conduction.

  Further, in the direction indicating switch 182, the pressing position of the operation cap 20 on the operation head 33 is indicated by the index portion 36 of the operation head 33 of the operation cap 20 as indicated by an arrow A5 in FIGS. If the position is not a portion (in the illustrated example, an intermediate position between two index portions 36 adjacent to each other), the operation bar-like portion 30 of the operation portion 24 of the switch device 19 has a predetermined indicated direction from the reference posture Ba. Since the ridge line ridge 212b is provided at the point symmetry direction location Ps that is tilted in a different direction A5 and is point-symmetric with the indication direction A5 in the seal member 212, the ridge line ridge 212b is formed in the rear case 13. The angle (reference line) at which the two pointing operation unit side contacts 32b positioned so as to sandwich the pointing direction A5 and the pointing base side contact 25b facing each other Operating rod portion 30 up against l) (operation unit 24) that is tilted is prevented (see operation unit 24 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 15).

  For this reason, in the direction indicating switch 182, as in the direction indicating switch 18, when the tilting operation is performed in a direction different from the predetermined pointing direction, compared with the case where the tilting operation is performed in the predetermined pointing direction. With reference to the reference line B1, tilting of the operation bar 30 (operation unit 24) is prevented at a small angle and neither direction is designated. As a result, even if the person who operates the direction indicating switch 182, that is, the user of the camera 102 performs a tilting operation in a direction different from the appropriate pointing direction, an unintended pointing direction is designated or a predetermined In spite of tilting to the same direction as the case of tilting to the designated direction, the designated direction is not designated, and there is no sense of incongruity.

  As described above, the camera 102 can recognize whether or not the tilting operation performed on the direction indicating switch 182 is from the reference line Bl toward the appropriate pointing direction from the sense of tilting operation. A desired function can be appropriately selected from various functions by performing an appropriate tilting operation. This is particularly effective when the user operates the direction indicating switch 182 while looking through the optical viewfinder 16 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  Further, in the direction indicating switch 182, when the tilting operation is performed in a direction different from a predetermined indicating direction as viewed from the reference line Bl, the ridge line protruding portion 212b that contacts the rear case 13 is an elastically deformable member. Therefore, even if the ridge line protrusion 212b contacts the rear case 13, it does not immediately stop the tilting of the operating bar 30 of the operating unit 24 of the switch device 19, but tilts from the reference line Bl. As the angle increases, the reaction force against the tilting operation can be gradually increased. Therefore, the user of the camera 102 can recognize whether or not the direction of the tilting operation being performed is appropriate based on the reaction force difference when tilting the direction indicating switch 182. Therefore, the feeling of tilting operation of the direction indicating switch 182, that is, the feeling of operating the camera 102 can be improved.

  Therefore, in the camera 102 according to the second embodiment, a so-called erroneous operation in which the operation unit 24 of the direction indication switch 182 is not tilted in an appropriate direction can be prevented.

  Next, the camera 103 according to the third embodiment will be described. The camera 103 according to the third embodiment is an example in which the mounted direction instruction switch 183 is partially different from the direction instruction switch 182 of the camera 102 according to the second embodiment. Since the basic configuration of the camera 103 is the same as that of the camera 102 of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the second embodiment are given to the same functional parts, and detailed description thereof is omitted. 17 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 13 schematically showing the configuration of the direction indication switch 183, and FIG. 18 is the same as FIG. 4 schematically showing the direction indication switch 183. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 8 obtained along the VI-VI line shown in FIG. 18, and FIG. 20 is obtained along the VII-VII line shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the direction indication switch 183 mounted on the camera 103 has a configuration in which a seal member 213 is different from the direction indication switch 182 of the second embodiment.

  The seal member 213 has a truncated quadrangular prism shape that fits the flange portion 352 of the operation cap 202, and four ridge line portions 213b are formed by the four inclined side surfaces 213a. In other words, the seal member 213 has the same configuration as that of the seal member 212 of the direction indicating switch 182 of Example 2 except that the ridge line protrusions 212b are not provided at the four ridge line locations. This seal member 213 is set so that the inclined side surface 213a is positioned at the intermediate position of the four predetermined indication directions set up, down, left and right, like the seal member 212 of the direction indication switch 182 of the second embodiment. The seal member 213 has different width dimensions for a cross section (see FIG. 19) along a predetermined indication direction and a cross section (see FIG. 20) along an intermediate direction between two adjacent predetermined indication directions.

  In this direction indicating switch 183, the pressing position of the operation cap 202 on the operation head 33 is the index portion 36 of the operation head 33 of the operation cap 202 as shown by an arrow A6 in FIGS. In this case, the operation rod-like portion 30 of the operation unit 24 of the switch device 19 is tilted from the reference posture Ba to the instruction direction A6 (see the operation unit 24 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 19), and the instruction is viewed from the reference line Bl. The instruction operation unit side contact 32b located in the direction A6 comes into contact with the instruction base side contact 25b to be in a conductive state.

  Further, in the direction indicating switch 183, the pressing position of the operation cap 202 on the operation head 33 is indicated by the index portion 36 of the operation head 33 of the operation cap 20 as shown by an arrow A7 in FIGS. If the position is not a portion (in the illustrated example, an intermediate position between two index portions 36 adjacent to each other), the operation bar-like portion 30 of the operation portion 24 of the switch device 19 has a predetermined indicated direction from the reference posture Ba. Since the ridge line portion 213b is positioned at a point symmetry direction location Ps that is tilted in a different direction A7 and is point-symmetric with respect to the indication direction A7 in the seal member 213, the ridge line portion 213b contacts the rear case 13, An angle (on the reference line B1) that the two instruction operation unit side contacts 32b positioned so as to sandwich the instruction direction A7 abut on the instruction base side contact 25b facing each other. To) operating bar-shaped section 30 to (operation unit 24) is prevented from tilting (see operation unit 24 in FIG. 20 indicated by the two-dot chain line).

  Therefore, in the direction indicating switch 183, when the tilting operation is performed in a direction different from the predetermined pointing direction, the direction indicating switch 183 is smaller with respect to the reference line B1 as compared with the case where the tilting operation is performed in the predetermined pointing direction. The tilting of the operation bar 30 (operation unit 24) is prevented by the angle and neither direction is designated. As a result, even if a person who operates the direction indication switch 183, that is, a user of the camera 103, tilts in a direction different from the appropriate instruction direction, an unintended instruction direction is designated or a predetermined In spite of tilting to the same direction as the case of tilting to the designated direction, the designated direction is not designated, and there is no sense of incongruity.

  In this way, the camera 103 can recognize from the sense of tilting operation whether the tilting operation performed on the direction indicating switch 183 is from the reference line Bl toward the appropriate pointing direction. A desired function can be appropriately selected from various functions by performing an appropriate tilting operation. This is particularly effective when the user operates the direction indicating switch 183 while looking through the optical viewfinder 16.

  Further, in the direction indication switch 183, the ridge line portion 213b that contacts the rear case 13 is formed from an elastically deformable member when tilted in a direction different from a predetermined indication direction as viewed from the reference line Bl. Therefore, even if the ridge line portion 213b comes into contact with the rear case 13, it does not immediately stop the tilting of the operating rod-shaped portion 30 of the operating portion 24 of the switch device 19, but tilts from the reference line Bl. As the angle increases, the reaction force against the tilting operation can be gradually increased. Therefore, the user of the camera 103 can recognize whether or not the direction of the tilting operation being performed is appropriate based on the difference in the reaction force when tilting the direction indicating switch 183. Thus, the feeling of tilting operation of the direction indicating switch 183, that is, the feeling of operating the camera 103 can be improved.

  Therefore, in the camera 103 according to the third embodiment, a so-called erroneous operation in which the operation unit 24 of the direction indication switch 183 is not tilted in an appropriate direction can be prevented.

  Next, the camera 104 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. First, the background leading to the configuration of the camera 104 of the fourth embodiment will be described.

  In cameras equipped with operation switches that are tilted for operations such as selection and execution of each function, each component is mounted on a substrate to form an internal mechanism from the viewpoint of facilitating assembly work. The internal mechanism is housed and assembled so as to be attached to the case. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, after the direction indicating switch 18 is mounted on the control board 22, the direction indicating switch 18 is inserted into the switch opening 13 a of the rear case 13 from the inner side. For this reason, the switch opening 13a needs to have a diameter that allows the operation cap 20 (particularly, the operation head 33) attached to the direction indicating switch 18 to be inserted. For this reason, since a gap is generated between the operation cap 20 and the switch opening 13a, the texture of the camera 10 that can be given from the appearance may be deteriorated. Here, after the control board 22 on which the switch device 19 is mounted is accommodated in the case 11, the operation cap 20 is attached to the operation rod-like portion 30 of the operation portion 24 of the switch device 19 from the outside of the rear case 13. Although it is conceivable, the assembly work becomes complicated, and if the operation cap 20 is not fixed to the operation bar 30, the operation cap 20 may fall off the camera 10. Therefore, other methods are desirable. Here, it is conceivable to attach a retaining member such as an E-ring to the operation cap 20 in order to prevent the operation cap 20 from falling off, but the number of parts increases and a troublesome mounting operation is required. End up.

  Further, in general, in an operation switch tilted for operations such as selection and execution of each function, a position touched by a user (the operation head of the operation cap 20 in the case of the direction indicating switch 18 in each of the above-described embodiments). When the portion 33) is appropriately sized, the tilting operation can be facilitated. However, in the tilted operation switch (direction indicating switch 18), the larger the operation head 33 is, the more the movement amount of the edge of the operation head 33 with respect to the inclination of the operation bar 30 of the switch device 19 is. Since it becomes large, it is necessary to increase the gap between the operation head 33 (operation cap 20) and the switch opening 13a. Therefore, it is difficult to make the operation head 33 large from the viewpoint of appearance quality. .

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the camera 104 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment has a gap between an operation cap attached to an operation portion of an operation switch that is tilted and an opening that exposes the operation cap from the case member. It is set as the structure which can prevent visual recognition.

  Next, the configuration of the camera 104 will be described. The camera 104 is an example in which the mounted direction indicating switch 184 and its periphery are different from the direction indicating switch 18 and its periphery of the camera 10 of the first embodiment. Since the basic configuration of the camera 104 is the same as that of the camera 10 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given to the same functional parts, and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 21 is a perspective view schematically showing the camera 104 of the fourth embodiment from the back side, and FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the camera 104 for explaining the configuration around the direction indication switch 184. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view similar to FIG. 3. FIG. 23 is an explanatory view taken along the line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. In FIG. 23, the internal structure of the switch device 19 is omitted for easy understanding. 24A and 24B are perspective views schematically showing the shielding member 62. FIG. 24A shows a state before the operation cap 204 is attached, and FIG. 24B shows a state where the operation cap 204 is attached. . FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view showing the operation cap 204 from the operation head 334 side, FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view showing the operation cap 204 from the flange portion 354 side, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the operation cap 204 from the bottom surface side of the flange portion 354 (the front side when mounted on the camera 104). FIGS. 28A and 28B are explanatory views for explaining a state in which the operation cap 204 is inserted into the shielding member 62. FIG. 28A shows a state before insertion, and FIG. 28B shows a flange portion 354 of the operation cap 204. The state which started inserting in the insertion hole 64 of the shielding member 62 is shown, (c) has shown the mode that the flange part 354 has been inserted in the insertion hole 64, (d) has shown the state after insertion. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the size of each part of the operation cap 204 and the inner diameter of the insertion hole 64 of the shielding member 62.

  In the camera 104, as shown in FIG. 21, a playback switch 61 is provided above the direction indication switch 184. The reproduction switch 61 is an operation unit that is pressed to reproduce (display) a still image (still image) or a moving image (movie image) of a subject that has already been acquired on the liquid crystal display 17.

  In the camera 104, the rear case 134 of the case 114 is different from the camera 10 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, the rear case 134 is provided with a switch opening 134a for the direction indicating switch 184, a display opening 134c for the liquid crystal display 17, and a slit opening 134d for the reproduction switch 61. ing. In the rear case 134, the peripheral wall portion defining the switch opening 134a is flat. In the camera 104, the protruding base 63 of the shielding member 62 is fitted into the switch opening 134 a of the rear case 134.

  The shielding member 62 is formed of a flexible material, and has a plate shape as a whole as shown in FIG. In Example 4, the shielding member 62 is formed from a resin material by molding. The projection base 63 is configured by providing an insertion hole 64 penetrating the shielding member 62 in a columnar portion, and has a cylindrical shape as a whole. The protrusion 63 has an outer diameter that can be fitted into the switch opening 134a of the rear case 134, and an inner diameter that satisfies a predetermined condition with respect to the flange 354 of the operation cap 204 as will be described later. It is considered as a dimension. Four index portions 364 are provided on the annular upper surface 63a of the projection base 63 (on the rear side when assembled as the camera 104). Each indicator portion 364 is positioned outward from an outer edge of an operation head 334 of an operation cap 204, which will be described later, in a state assembled as the camera 104 (see FIG. 24B). It is positioned vertically and horizontally about the axis of the head 334. These four indicator portions 364 indicate the direction of an appropriate tilting operation of the operation unit 24 of the switch device 19, similarly to the four indicator portions 36 of the camera 10 of the first embodiment.

  In the camera 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the shielding member 62 is provided with a pressing portion 65 for the regeneration switch 61. The pressing portion 65 is configured such that the shielding member 62 partially protrudes upward (rearward when assembled as the camera 104), and has a size that can be loosely fitted into the slit opening 134d of the rear case 134. . Although not shown, the pressing portion 65 is pushed down by a predetermined amount from the top to the bottom (from the rear to the front when assembled as the camera 104) when the shielding member 62 is mounted on the control board 224. The instruction shielding side contact 65a (see FIG. 23) provided on the shielding member 62 and the instruction board side contact 224a (see FIG. 23) provided on the control board 224 are made conductive. Yes. Thus, when both the contacts are in a conductive state, this is transmitted to the control board 224 as an electrical signal through the shielding member 62 (pressing portion 65). Thus, the reproduction switch 61 can execute a reproduction operation by a pressing operation performed on the pressing unit 65.

  The operation cap 204 is inserted into the insertion hole 64 of the projection base portion 63 of the shielding member 62. The operation cap 204 is attached to the operation bar 30 of the operation unit 24 (see FIG. 6 and the like) of the switch device 19 mounted on the control board 224. As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the operation cap 204 includes a disc-shaped operation head 334 as a whole and a flange portion that is continuous below the head (front when mounted on the camera 104) via a neck 344. 354. The operation head 334 has an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 64 of the projection base 63 of the shielding member 62. The operation head 334 is provided with a plurality of convex portions 66 at the edge of the front surface (the surface exposed from the case 114 and positioned on the rear side when mounted on the camera 104). The convex portions 66 are provided at equal intervals, and function as a slip stopper when the operation head 334 is tilted or pressed.

  The operation cap 204 is provided with a fitting hole 67 that extends from the rear surface of the flange portion 354 (the front surface when attached to the camera 104) to the flange portion 354 and the neck portion 344. The fitting hole 67 has four supporting protrusions 68 (see FIG. 27) protruding inward, and can accept the operation rod-shaped portion 30 so that the axes thereof coincide with each other. In the operation cap 204, as shown in FIG. 23, the receiving depth dimension ld of the operation rod-shaped portion 30 in the fitting hole 67 is the flange portion in a state where the operation cap 204 and the shielding member 62 are mounted on the control board 224. The distance 354 between the 354 and the peripheral wall portion defining the insertion hole 64 of the projection base portion 63 of the shielding member 62 is larger. The interval le is a state in which the operation cap 204, that is, the switch device 19 is not tilted.

  The flange portion 354 of the operation cap 204 has a shape in which both side portions of a disc-like member (see reference numeral D indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 27) are cut out by planes parallel to each other. As described above, the flange portion 354 satisfies a predetermined condition with respect to the inner diameter of the insertion hole 64 of the shielding member 62. Specifically, in the flange portion 354, the outer diameter dimension of the original disk-shaped member D is larger than the inner diameter dimension of the insertion hole 64, and the diameter dimension Dw that is reduced by the notch is the same. The inner diameter of the insertion hole 64 is smaller. As a result, the operation cap 204 can insert the flange portion 354 into the insertion hole 64 of the shielding member 62, and the insertion hole 64 and the mutual axis line with the flange portion 354 inserted into the insertion hole 64. In a state in which the two are matched, the flange portion 354 can be prevented from engaging with the peripheral wall portion defining the insertion hole 64 and coming out of the insertion hole 64. Further, in the operation cap 204 of the fourth embodiment, flange protrusion portions 354a and 354b are formed at both ends of the flange portion 354 viewed in the direction along the surface of the notch-shaped portion.

  In the camera 104, when assembling, first, the operation cap 204 is inserted into the shielding member 62. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 28A, the flange portion 354 of the operation cap 204 has a diameter dimension on the long side (in the direction of bridging both flange protrusion portions 354 a and 354 b) provided on the protrusion base portion 63 of the shielding member 62. The insertion hole 64 is made larger. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 28B, the operation cap 204 is tilted with respect to the shielding member 62 and inserted into the insertion hole 64 from the one end portion (flange projection portion 354a) side in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 354 ( (See arrow A8). Thereafter, the neck portion 344 is brought close to the peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole 64, whereby the other end portion (flange projection portion 354b) in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 354, that is, the entire flange portion 354 is inserted into the insertion hole 64 (see arrow A9). (See FIG. 28C). Thereafter, when the operation cap 204 and the insertion hole 64 are in a positional relationship in which their axes coincide with each other, the operation with respect to the shielding member 62 (the protrusion base 63 or the insertion hole 64) is performed by the engagement between the flange portion 354 and the insertion hole 64. The cap 204 is prevented from coming off (see FIG. 28D). Therefore, the operation cap 204 satisfies the following condition with the insertion hole 64 of the shielding member 62. This predetermined condition will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the operation cap 204, when the flange portion 354 is viewed in the longitudinal direction, from the other end portion (flange projection portion 354b) to a position located on the one end (flange projection portion 354a) side at the boundary between the flange portion 354 and the neck portion 344. The length dimension of the insertion hole 64 is defined as la, and the inner diameter dimension of the insertion hole 64 is defined as lb. Further, the length dimension (maximum value) in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 354 is denoted by lc. Then, if the minimum diameter Dw <lb in the flange portion 354 and la <lb, the flange portion 354 can be inserted into the insertion hole 64. In addition, if lb <lc, the flange portion 354 engages with the insertion hole 64 in a state where the axes are aligned.

  The seal member 21 is attached to the operation cap 204 inserted into the shielding member 62 (see FIGS. 22 and 23). The seal member 21 is attached to the operation cap 204 by expanding the inner opening 21c defined by the inner rib portion 21a and inserting the flange portion 354 of the operation cap 204 into the inner opening 21c. As shown in FIG. 23, the seal member 21 is in close contact so that the inner opening 21c surrounds the neck 344 of the operation cap 204, and the outer rib 21b is shielded from the inner side (inward side of the case 11). Since the gap between the insertion hole 64 and the operation cap 204 is shielded, dust and the like enter the case 11 from the insertion hole 64 to the inside of the case 11. To prevent.

  The operation cap 204 to which the seal member 21 is attached is attached to the operation bar 30 of the operation unit 24 of the switch device 19 fixed to the control board 224, and the shielding member 62 to which the operation cap 204 is attached is the control board. 224 and the switch device 19. As a result, the operation cap 204 has a positional relationship in which the axis line thereof coincides with the axis line of the insertion hole 64 of the projection base part 63. When the control board 224 on which the switch device 19, the shielding member 62, the seal member 21, and the operation cap 204 are mounted is properly accommodated in the case 114 (rear case 134), the projection base 63 is fitted into the switch opening 134a. The operation head 334 of the operation cap 204 is positioned on the projection base 63 (backward when assembled as the camera 104). Further, the pressing portion 65 provided on the shielding member 62 is exposed outward from the slit opening 134d of the rear case 134. Thereby, the reproduction switch 61 is configured.

  In the camera 104 assembled in this way, the following effects (1) to (7) can be obtained.

  (1) In the direction indicating switch 184, as shown in FIG. 23, the insertion hole is located above the insertion hole 64 of the projection base portion 63 through which the operation cap 204 is inserted (in the state where it is assembled as the camera 104). Since the operation head 334 of the operation cap 204 having a diameter larger than 64 is positioned, it is possible to prevent the gap between the operation cap 204 and the insertion hole 64 from being visually recognized. For this reason, the texture given from the appearance of the camera 104 can be improved.

  (2) In the direction indicating switch 184, the operation cap 204 attached to the shielding member 62 is appropriately attached to the operation bar 30 of the operation unit 24 of the switch device 19, and the shielding member 62 is appropriate to the control board 224. As a result, the operation cap 204 and the insertion hole 64 of the projection base 63 of the shielding member 62 are in a positional relationship in which the axes coincide with each other. In this state, the flange portion 354 of the operation cap 204 is engaged with the insertion hole 64 (peripheral wall portion defining the same) of the shielding member 62 extending to the back side of the rear case 13 (inward side of the case 11). Therefore, even when an unexpected situation occurs and the operation cap 204 is not fixed to the operation rod-shaped portion 30, the operation rod-shaped operation hole 204 is fitted into the fitting hole 67 of the operation cap 204. The operation cap 204 is inserted into the shielding member 62 by the cooperation of the positioning operation by the insertion of the portion 30 and the engagement operation with the insertion hole 64 (the peripheral wall portion defining the flange) 354 of the operation cap 204. It can be prevented from falling out of the hole 64, that is, the camera 104. This is because the receiving depth dimension ld (see FIG. 23) of the operation rod-shaped portion 30 in the fitting hole 67 is the flange portion 354 and the shielding member 62 in a state where the operation cap 204 and the shielding member 62 are mounted on the control board 224. This is because it is larger than the distance le (see FIG. 23) from the peripheral wall portion that defines the insertion hole 64 of the protrusion base portion 63.

  (3) In the direction indicating switch 184, the neck portion 344 of the operation cap 204 having an outer diameter smaller than the diameter is positioned in the insertion hole 64 of the projection base 63. It is possible to prevent the operation cap 204 (including the operation head 334) from interfering with the insertion hole 64 due to the tilt for the operation. Therefore, even when the operation head 334 is enlarged, it is not necessary to increase the gap between the operation cap 204 and the insertion hole 64 from the viewpoint of preventing interference during tilting. In addition, as described above In addition, since it is possible to prevent the gap between the operation cap 204 and the insertion hole 64 from being visually recognized, the operation head 334 of the operation cap 204 is large enough to facilitate the tilting operation. It can be a dimension.

  (4) After assembling the switch device 19, the shielding member 62, the seal member 21, and the operation cap 204 on the control board 224, the protrusion base 63 of the shielding member 62 is fitted to the switch opening 134 a of the rear case 13 and assembled. Therefore, the assembly work can be facilitated.

  (5) Since the flange portion 354 of the operation cap 204 has a shape in which both side portions of the disk-shaped member D having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 64 of the shielding member 62 are notched, Insertion into the insertion hole 64 is possible, and it is possible to prevent the insertion hole 64 from coming out. For this reason, manufacture of the operation cap 204, installation work of the operation cap 204 to the shielding member 62, and assembly work of the camera 104 can be facilitated.

  (6) The projection base 63 of the shielding member 62 is fitted into and protrudes from the switch opening 134 a of the rear case 13, and four index portions 364 are provided on the upper surface 63 a of the projection base 63. Therefore, it is possible to make the presence of the switch opening 134a having an inner diameter dimension capable of being inserted from the inside of the case 11 of the operation head 334 large enough to facilitate the tilting operation inconspicuous. This is due to the following. As shown in FIG. 21, on the outer wall surface 134e of the rear case 134 (the surface positioned on the rear side when assembled as the camera 104), when viewed from the rear side of the camera 104, the operation location on the direction indicating switch 184 is Thus, the upper surface 63a of the projection base 63 provided with the four index portions 364 is positioned so as to surround the operation head 334 of the operation cap 204. For this reason, the protruding base 63 protruding from the switch opening 134a has an appearance like a pedestal on which the operation cap 204 serving as a substantial operation position in the direction indicating switch 184 is placed, and has four indices. While emphasizing the portion 364, the user can be impressed with the design of the operation head 334. For this reason, since the impression of the switch opening 134a filled with the protrusion base 63 is relatively weakened, the presence of the switch opening 134a becomes inconspicuous.

  (7) Since the regeneration switch 61 is configured by exposing the pressing portion 65 provided on the shielding member 62 outward from the slit opening 134d of the rear case 134, the number of parts can be reduced.

  In the fourth embodiment, the flange portion 354 has a shape in which both side portions of the disk-shaped member D having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 64 of the shielding member 62 are cut out. However, the diameter is set to a non-uniform diameter so as to enable the engagement with the insertion hole 64 while allowing the insertion into the insertion hole 64. What is necessary is just and it is not limited to above-mentioned Example 4.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, the direction indicating switch 184 corresponding to the tilt restricting portion in the first to third embodiments is not provided, but the basic configuration is the same as that of the direction indicating switch 18. Therefore, it can be set easily. For example, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, by using the operation cap 204 ′ provided with the four protruding portions 37 on the flange portion 354 ′, it is possible to obtain the effect in the camera 104 of the fourth embodiment. The effect in the camera 10 of Example 1 can be acquired. Here, the four protruding portions 37 may have the same configuration as the four protruding portions 37 provided on the flange portion 35 of the operation cap 20 of the first embodiment. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, an operation cap 204 ″ may be used. In this operation cap 204 ″, the flange portion 354 ″ is formed by pulling out a plate-like member having four inclined surfaces 354c like a flange portion 352 of the operation cap 202 of the second embodiment into a disk shape, and on both sides. The part is cut out in a parallel plane. By using the operation cap 204 ″, it is possible to obtain the effect of the camera 102 of the second embodiment (or the camera 103 of the third embodiment) while obtaining the effect of the camera 104 of the fourth embodiment. In addition to the operation cap 204 ′ and the operation cap 204 ″, a seal member 21 ′ provided with a protruding portion 37 ′ may be used as in the first modification of the first embodiment, as in the second embodiment. Alternatively, a seal member 212 having a truncated quadrangular prism shape and provided with a ridge line protrusion 212b may be used. As in the third embodiment, the seal member 213 having a truncated quadrangular prism shape and having a ridge line protrusion 212b is provided. It may be used.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, the single pressing portion 65 constituting the regeneration switch 61 is provided on the shielding member 62, but the shielding member can be fitted to the switch opening 134a of the rear case 134. Any of the above-described embodiments may be used as long as it is provided with the protrusion 63 having the insertion hole 64 that allows the flange 354 of the operation cap 204 to be inserted while being able to engage with the flange 354. It is not limited to four. However, if a portion constituting the switch is formed like the pressing portion 65, the number of parts can be reduced, so that not only a single pressing portion 65 but a plurality of pressing portions as in the fourth embodiment. It is desirable to provide a configuration.

  In addition, although the specific example of the camera according to the present invention and the direction indication switch mounted thereon is shown in each of the above-described embodiments, the direction indication switch is configured such that the operation unit tilts in the radial direction from the reference posture. And is configured to designate the predetermined pointing direction by being tilted beyond a predetermined angle in a predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture. Provided with a tilt restricting unit (tilt restricting means) that allows the operation unit to tilt beyond a predetermined angle from the reference posture in a direction different from the predetermined pointing direction while allowing the tilt to exceed a predetermined angle from the posture. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the seal member is attached to the operation cap that is mounted on the operation portion of the switch mechanism with the direction indicating switch. In the rear case, an example of a configuration that interferes with the inner wall surface of the peripheral wall portion has been shown, but it may be set as in (1) to (3) in consideration of the following, It is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  First, the plate-like member 50 provided in the operation portion of the switch mechanism (in each embodiment, the flange portions 35, 352, 353 of the operation caps 20, 202 attached to the operation portion 24) is actually tilted of the operation portion. Although it rotates about the tilting axis in accordance with the operation, in the following, as shown in FIG. 34, since the way of thinking is common, it is on the bottom surface of the plate-like member 50 for easy understanding. It is assumed that the plate-like member 50 rotates with a line passing through the line Bl as an axis.

  (1) Assuming that the plate-like member 50 tilts in the radial direction at an equal angle with respect to the reference line Bl, a contact surface portion 51 (in each embodiment, the inner wall surface of the rear case 13) that is orthogonal to the reference line Bl. 13b) (see (b)) at the circumferential position C having a constant radius centered on the reference line Bl (see (a)). That is, as in the above-described embodiments, assuming that a predetermined pointing direction is set vertically and horizontally with respect to the reference line Bl, when the tilting operation is performed in the pointing direction P1, the point symmetry direction location S1 is When it is in contact with the contact surface portion 51 and tilted in the pointing direction P2, the point symmetry direction location S2 comes into contact with the contact surface portion 51. From this, at the circumferential position C, at each point symmetry direction location S2, the mutual interval is set so that the plate-like member 50 and the abutting surface portion 51 abut before the operating portion 24 reaches a predetermined tilt angle. In each point-symmetrical location S1, the distance between the plate member 50 and the abutting surface portion 51 may be set so that at least the operating portion 24 reaches a predetermined tilting angle. The direction indicating switch 18 according to the first embodiment corresponds to this example.

  (2) If the distance between the plate-like member 50 and the contact surface portion 51 (in each embodiment, the inner wall surface 13b of the rear case 13) perpendicular to the reference line Bl is constant, the distance from the reference line Bl is assumed. The plate member 50 can be prevented from tilting with a small inclination angle with respect to the reference line Bl when compared with each other at a position close to the reference line Bl. (See (b)). Therefore, in a direction that is point-symmetric with respect to the reference line B1 in the pointing direction P2 (a direction different from the predetermined pointing direction), the operation unit 24 comes into contact with the plate member 50 before the predetermined tilt angle is reached. The distance from the reference line Bl of the contact portion is set so that the surface portion 51 comes into contact, and at least the operation is performed in the direction portion that is point-symmetric with respect to the reference line Bl in the pointing direction P1 (predetermined pointing direction). The distance from the reference line Bl of the contact portion may be set so that the plate member 50 and the contact surface portion 51 do not contact until the portion 24 reaches a predetermined tilt angle. In other words, assuming that the plate-like member 50 and the contact surface portion 51 are in contact with each other at a surface defined by a straight line (square) connecting the points S2 in the point symmetry direction, if the tilting operation is performed in the pointing direction P1, the plate Since the straight portions connecting the point symmetry direction portions S2 at the opposite positions across the reference line Bl in the plate-like member 50 are in contact with the contact surface portion 51, the contact portions from the reference line Bl (tilting axis) in the plate-like member 50 are contacted. However, when the tilting operation is performed in the pointing direction P2, the plate-like member 50 and the abutting surface portion 51 come into contact with each other in the point symmetry direction location S2 at the opposite position across the reference line Bl. The distance from the reference line B1 (tilting axis) to the contact point in the plate-like member 50 is d2 (> d1), and the tilting angle in the pointing direction P2 becomes small. The direction indicating switch 183 according to the third embodiment corresponds to this example.

  (3) Combine (1) and (2) above as appropriate. The direction indicating switch 182 of the second embodiment corresponds to this example.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the direction indicating switch has four directions, up, down, left, and right. However, the operation unit can be tilted in the radial direction from the reference posture, and a predetermined direction from the reference posture can be set. Any number can be set as the predetermined instruction direction as long as the predetermined instruction direction is specified by being tilted over the predetermined angle in the instruction direction. It is not limited to each example.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the direction indication switch pushes down the center position of the operation unit along the reference line, so that the contacts (25a, 32a) different from those when the tilting operation is performed become conductive. Although the configuration has been described, this configuration is not necessary and is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  In each embodiment described above, in the switch device 19, each base side contact 25 provided on the switch base 23 and the operation part side contact 32 provided on the operation part 24 abut each other. However, if the operation unit is tilted in a predetermined indicated direction with respect to the reference line and becomes in a conductive state to designate the indicated direction, for example, a switch base is used. The pedestal may be provided with a piezoelectric switch as shown in the conventional example, and the operation unit may be tilted so that the operation unit presses the piezoelectric switch to be in a conductive state. It is not limited.

  Although the operation cap 202 (see FIG. 13) is used in the direction indicating switch 182 of the second embodiment and the direction indicating switch 183 of the third embodiment, the inner wall 13b of the rear case 13 in the seal member 21 is used. For example, the operation cap of the first modified example of Embodiment 1 may be used as long as it has a flange portion that can be pressed from the switch device 19 side (front side) toward the inner wall surface 13b. 20 '(see FIG. 10) or the operation cap 204 shown in FIG. 35 may be used, and the present invention is not limited to the second and third embodiments. The operation cap 204 is configured such that the flange portion 354 of the operation cap 202 has a curved surface formed by chamfering ridge line portions formed by four inclined surfaces.

  The present invention has been described in detail based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to this specific configuration, and design changes that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a perspective view which shows the camera of Example 1 typically from the back side. It is a perspective view which shows typically the camera of Example 1 from the front side. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the disassembled state in order to explain the configuration around the direction indicating switch. It is the top view which looked at the switch for direction indication from the upper direction (backward in the state mounted to the camera). It is the top view which looked at the switch apparatus of the switch for direction indication from upper direction. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view partially shown in section taken along the line II of FIG. 5 for explaining the operation of the switch device. It is a typical perspective view which shows an operation cap. It is explanatory drawing shown in the partial cross section obtained along the II-II line | wire of FIG. 4 in order to demonstrate operation | movement of the direction switch. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 8 obtained along the III-III line | wire of FIG. It is a typical perspective view disassembled and shown in order to explain the configuration around the direction indicating switch of the first modification. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 9 for demonstrating operation | movement of the direction switch of a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 9 for demonstrating operation | movement of the direction instruction | indication switch of a 2nd modification. FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 10 schematically showing an exploded configuration of the direction indicating switch of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view similar to FIG. 4 schematically showing the direction indicating switch of the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 8 obtained along the IV-IV line | wire shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 9 obtained along the VV line shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 13, schematically showing an exploded configuration of the direction indicating switch of the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view similar to FIG. 4 schematically showing the direction indicating switch of the third embodiment. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 8 obtained along the VI-VI line shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 9 obtained along the VII-VII line shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the camera of Example 4 typically from the back side. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view similar to FIG. 3, showing the camera exploded in order to explain the configuration around the direction indicating switch in the camera of Example 4. It is explanatory drawing obtained along the VIII-VIII line shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a shielding member in the camera of Embodiment 4, wherein (a) shows a state before the operation cap is attached, and (b) shows a state where the operation cap is attached. It is a typical perspective view which shows an operation cap from the operation head side. It is a typical perspective view which shows an operation cap from the flange part side. It is a typical top view which shows an operation cap from the bottom face side (front side in the state with which the camera was mounted | worn) of the flange part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a mode that an operation cap is inserted in a shielding member, (a) shows a mode before insertion, (b) inserts the flange part of an operation cap in the penetration hole of a shielding member. (C) shows a state after the flange portion has been inserted into the insertion hole, and (d) shows a state after insertion. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the magnitude | size dimension of each part of an operation cap, and the internal-diameter dimension of the penetration hole of a shielding member, (a) has started inserting the flange part of an operation cap into the penetration hole of a shielding member. A state is shown, (b) has shown the state which finished inserting the flange part in the insertion hole. In the camera of Example 4, it is a typical perspective view which shows the other structure of an operation cap. It is explanatory drawing obtained along the IX-IX line shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing still another configuration of the operation cap in the camera of Embodiment 4. It is explanatory drawing obtained along the XX line shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relative relationship between a plate-shaped member and a contact surface part. It is a typical perspective view which shows the operation cap different from each Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Camera 11 Case (as a case member) 13 Back case 13b Inner wall surface (as a tilt control part) 18 Direction indication switch 20, 202 Operation cap 21, 212, 213 Seal member (as a sealing member) 23 Switch base Table 24 Operation part 25 Base side contact 35 (as a contact point) Flange part 37 (as a tilting restriction part) Projection part 212b (as a projection part) Edge line ridge part 213b (As a projection part) ) Ridge section Ba standard posture

Claims (11)

A camera including an operation switch mounted on a case member to send an instruction to a control mechanism;
The operation switch switches between conduction of an operation unit that can be tilted with respect to the camera, and a contact provided on the switch base by being tilted in a predetermined support direction from a reference posture of the operation unit. A switch unit, and a tilt regulating unit that regulates tilting of the operation unit ,
When the operation unit is in the reference posture, the contact is in a non-conducting state, and when the operation unit is tilted beyond the predetermined angle in the predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture, the contact is in a conducting state.
The tilt restricting portion includes a plate-like member provided on the operation portion so as to surround the operation portion on a surface orthogonal to the axis of the operation portion, and the plate shape when the operation portion is in the reference posture. A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the member,
The plate-like member prevents the operation portion from tilting beyond the predetermined angle by contacting the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. In addition, when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is allowed to tilt beyond the predetermined angle without contacting the contact surface portion,
An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover its tip,
The operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and extends along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operation head. A flange portion,
The plate-like member is formed by the flange portion,
The contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member,
Between the operation portion and the operation cap, a shielding member having a protruding base portion that can be fitted into the opening of the case member is provided,
The projection base is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap,
The flange portion of the operating cap, characterized that you have been with the possible insertion into the insertion hole of the protruding stand part and then while insertion hole permits engagement of the uneven diameter in order to camera. A camera including an operation switch mounted on a case member to send an instruction to a control mechanism;
The operation switch switches between conduction of an operation unit that can be tilted with respect to the camera, and a contact provided on the switch base by being tilted in a predetermined support direction from a reference posture of the operation unit. A switch unit, and a tilt regulating unit that regulates tilting of the operation unit,
When the operation unit is in the reference posture, the contact is in a non-conducting state, and when the operation unit is tilted beyond the predetermined angle in the predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture, the contact is in a conducting state.
The tilt restricting portion includes a plate-like member provided on the operation portion so as to surround the operation portion on a surface orthogonal to the axis of the operation portion, and the plate shape when the operation portion is in the reference posture. A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the member,
The plate-like member prevents the operation portion from tilting beyond the predetermined angle by contacting the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. In addition, when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is allowed to tilt beyond the predetermined angle without contacting the contact surface portion,
An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover its tip,
The operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and extends along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operation head. A flange portion,
The operation cap is formed of a member that can be elastically deformed so as to seal a gap between the opening and the operation cap, and extends between the flange portion and the case member while surrounding the operation head. A sealing member is attached,
The plate-like member is formed by the sealing member,
The contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member,
Between the operation portion and the operation cap, a shielding member having a protruding base portion that can be fitted into the opening of the case member is provided,
The projection base is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap,
The flange portion of the operating cap, to features that you have been with the possible insertion into the insertion hole of the protruding stand part and then while insertion hole permits engagement of the uneven diameter in order to Luke camera. A camera in which a direction indicating switch for specifying an arbitrary indicating direction is mounted on a case member,
The direction indicating switch regulates a tilting of the operation base, a switch base provided with an intermittent contact, an operation part that is tiltably held on the switch base for the contact interruption. A tilt regulating part,
The operation unit can be tilted in a radial direction from a reference posture in which the contact is in a non-conductive state, and when the control unit is tilted beyond a predetermined angle in a predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture, the contact is in a conductive state.
The tilt restricting portion includes a plate-like member provided on the operation portion so as to surround the operation portion on a surface orthogonal to the axis of the operation portion, and the plate shape when the operation portion is in the reference posture. A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the member,
The plate-like member prevents the operation portion from tilting beyond the predetermined angle by contacting the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. In addition, when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is allowed to tilt beyond the predetermined angle without contacting the contact surface portion,
An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover its tip,
The operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and extends along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operation head. A flange portion,
The plate-like member is formed by the flange portion,
The contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member,
Between the operation portion and the operation cap, a shielding member having a protruding base portion that can be fitted into the opening of the case member is provided,
The projection base is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap,
The flange portion of the operating cap, characterized that you have been with the possible insertion into the insertion hole of the protruding stand part and then while insertion hole permits engagement of the uneven diameter in order to camera. A camera in which a direction indicating switch for specifying an arbitrary indicating direction is mounted on a case member,
The direction indicating switch regulates a tilting of the operation base, a switch base provided with an intermittent contact, an operation part that is tiltably held on the switch base for the contact interruption. A tilt regulating part,
The operation unit can be tilted in a radial direction from a reference posture in which the contact is in a non-conductive state, and when the control unit is tilted beyond a predetermined angle in a predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture, the contact is in a conductive state.
The tilt restricting portion includes a plate-like member provided on the operation portion so as to surround the operation portion on a surface orthogonal to the axis of the operation portion, and the plate shape when the operation portion is in the reference posture. A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the member,
The plate-like member prevents the operation portion from tilting beyond the predetermined angle by contacting the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. as well as, and allowed that the operation unit when it is tilted in the predetermined designated direction, the operating portion without said abutment surface abuts is tilted beyond a predetermined angle,
An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover its tip,
The operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and extends along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operation head. A flange portion,
The operation cap is formed of a member that can be elastically deformed so as to seal a gap between the opening and the operation cap, and extends between the flange portion and the case member while surrounding the operation head. A sealing member is attached,
The plate-like member is formed by the sealing member,
The contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member,
Between the operation portion and the operation cap, a shielding member having a protruding base portion that can be fitted into the opening of the case member is provided,
The projection base is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap,
The flange portion of the operation cap has a non-uniform diameter so as to allow the protrusion base portion to be inserted into the insertion hole and to be able to engage with the insertion hole . Luke camera. The plate-like member is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes toward the contact surface portion at a position in the opposite direction as viewed from the reference posture with respect to a direction different from the predetermined indication direction.
The protruding portion prevents the operation portion from tilting beyond the predetermined angle by contacting the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. together, said operating unit when it is tilted in the predetermined indicating direction, wherein the contact face portions has a length dimension that the operating portion without abutment allows the tilting beyond said predetermined angle the camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in. Said flange portion, in the opposite direction of the position as viewed from the reference posture relative to a direction different from the predetermined indicating direction, said flange protruding portion that protrudes toward the contact face portions are al provided The camera according to claim 2 or 4 , characterized by the above. The predetermined direction is the camera according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the four directions der Rukoto mutually orthogonal when viewed from the reference posture. An operation switch attached to the case member to send an instruction to the control mechanism,
An operation unit that can be tilted with respect to the control mechanism; and a switch unit that switches conduction of a contact provided on the switch base connected to the control mechanism by tilting from a reference posture of the operation unit to a predetermined support direction; A tilt restricting portion that restricts tilting of the operation portion;
When the operation unit is in the reference posture, the contact is in a non-conducting state, and when the operation unit is tilted beyond the predetermined angle in the predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture, the contact is in a conducting state.
The tilt restricting portion includes a plate-like member provided on the operation portion so as to surround the operation portion on a surface orthogonal to the axis of the operation portion, and the plate shape when the operation portion is in the reference posture. A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the member,
The plate-like member prevents the operation portion from tilting beyond the predetermined angle by contacting the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. In addition, when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is allowed to tilt beyond the predetermined angle without contacting the contact surface portion,
An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover its tip,
The operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and extends along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operation head. A flange portion,
The plate-like member is formed by the flange portion,
The contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member,
Between the operation portion and the operation cap, a shielding member having a protruding base portion that can be fitted into the opening of the case member is provided,
The projection base is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap,
The flange portion of the operation cap has a non-uniform diameter so as to allow the protrusion base portion to be engaged with the insertion hole while allowing the protrusion base portion to be inserted into the insertion hole. Operation switch to perform. An operation switch attached to the case member to send an instruction to the control mechanism,
An operation unit that can be tilted with respect to the control mechanism; and a switch unit that switches conduction of a contact provided on the switch base connected to the control mechanism by tilting from a reference posture of the operation unit to a predetermined support direction; A tilt restricting portion that restricts tilting of the operation portion;
When the operation unit is in the reference posture, the contact is in a non-conducting state, and when the operation unit is tilted beyond the predetermined angle in the predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture, the contact is in a conducting state.
The tilt restricting portion includes a plate-like member provided on the operation portion so as to surround the operation portion on a surface orthogonal to the axis of the operation portion, and the plate shape when the operation portion is in the reference posture. A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the member,
The plate-like member prevents the operation portion from tilting beyond the predetermined angle by contacting the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. In addition, when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is allowed to tilt beyond the predetermined angle without contacting the contact surface portion,
An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover its tip,
The operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and extends along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operation head. A flange portion,
The operation cap is formed of a member that can be elastically deformed so as to seal a gap between the opening and the operation cap, and extends between the flange portion and the case member while surrounding the operation head. A sealing member is attached,
The plate-like member is formed by the sealing member,
The contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member,
Between the operation portion and the operation cap, a shielding member having a protruding base portion that can be fitted into the opening of the case member is provided,
The projection base is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap,
The flange portion of the operation cap has a non-uniform diameter so as to allow the protrusion base portion to be inserted into the insertion hole and to be able to engage with the insertion hole. Operation switch . A direction indicating switch attached to the case member for designating an arbitrary indicating direction,
A switch base provided with a contact that can be interrupted; an operation part that is tiltably held by the switch base for the connection of the contact; and a tilt restriction part that restricts the tilt of the operation part,
The operation unit can be tilted in a radial direction from a reference posture in which the contact is in a non-conducting state, and when the control unit is tilted beyond a predetermined angle in a predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture, the contact is in a conductive state.
The tilt restricting portion includes a plate-like member provided on the operation portion so as to surround the operation portion on a surface orthogonal to the axis of the operation portion, and the plate shape when the operation portion is in the reference posture. A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the member,
The plate-like member prevents the operation portion from tilting beyond the predetermined angle by contacting the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. In addition, when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is allowed to tilt beyond the predetermined angle without contacting the contact surface portion,
An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover its tip,
The operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and extends along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operation head. A flange portion,
The plate-like member is formed by the flange portion,
The contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member,
Between the operation portion and the operation cap, a shielding member having a protruding base portion that can be fitted into the opening of the case member is provided,
The projection base is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap,
The flange portion of the operating cap, characterized that you have been with the possible insertion into the insertion hole of the protruding stand part and then while insertion hole permits engagement of the uneven diameter in order to Direction switch . A direction indicating switch attached to the case member for designating an arbitrary indicating direction ,
Comprising a switch base intermittent possible contacts is provided, and tiltably retained operating section to the switch base for intermittence of the contact, and a tilt regulating portion for regulating the inclination movement of the operating unit ,
The operation unit can be tilted in a radial direction from a reference posture in which the contact is in a non-conducting state, and when the control unit is tilted beyond a predetermined angle in a predetermined pointing direction from the reference posture, the contact is in a conductive state.
The tilt restricting portion includes a plate-like member provided on the operation portion so as to surround the operation portion on a surface orthogonal to the axis of the operation portion, and the plate shape when the operation portion is in the reference posture. A contact surface portion provided on the case member or the switch base so as to extend in parallel while facing the member,
The plate-like member prevents the operation portion from tilting beyond the predetermined angle by contacting the contact surface portion when the operation portion is tilted in a direction different from the predetermined instruction direction. In addition, when the operation unit is tilted in the predetermined instruction direction, the operation unit is allowed to tilt beyond the predetermined angle without contacting the contact surface portion,
An operation cap is attached to the operation portion so as to cover its tip,
The operation cap is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the case member, and extends along the case member inside the case member while continuing to the operation head. A flange portion,
The operation cap is formed of a member that can be elastically deformed so as to seal a gap between the opening and the operation cap, and extends between the flange portion and the case member while surrounding the operation head. A sealing member is attached,
The plate-like member is formed by the sealing member,
The contact surface portion is formed by a peripheral wall portion that defines the opening in the case member,
Between the operation portion and the operation cap, a shielding member having a protruding base portion that can be fitted into the opening of the case member is provided,
The projection base is provided with an insertion hole having a smaller diameter than the operation head of the operation cap,
The flange portion of the operating cap, characterized that you have been with the possible insertion into the insertion hole of the protruding stand part and then while insertion hole permits engagement of the uneven diameter in order to Direction switch .

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