JP5713783B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having an openable / closable barrier cover.

  In a small imaging device with precision components inside like a camera, the outer surface of the imaging device is covered with a barrier cover that can be opened and closed to protect it from dust when it is not in use. There is something. In addition, such an openable / closable barrier cover often plays an important role in maintaining the aesthetics of the imaging device and improving the design quality.

  As a conventional method, there is a method in which a laterally slidable barrier cover is disposed so as to cover the front photographing lens, and the photographing lens is exposed to the front by sliding it as in Patent Document 1. In this configuration, a pair of rails are provided on the upper and lower side surfaces of the camera casing, and the barrier cover can be slid along the rails. Since the barrier cover is always held by the upper and lower rails with a long width in the sliding direction, a stable mounting state can be maintained without floating from the outer surface of the camera.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a mechanism in which a mechanism for slidably holding a barrier cover is provided near the center of the front surface of the camera, instead of the above-described upper and lower side rails. In this configuration, a rack rail is provided on the back surface of the barrier cover, and is engaged with a pinion gear provided on the front surface of the camera housing so that the barrier cover can be slid sideways. To prevent the barrier cover from swinging around the pinion gear shaft when the barrier cover is opened and the side away from the gear shaft from floating up from the front of the camera, the locking claw provided on the front of the camera when the barrier cover is opened It has been devised so that it does not float when it is locked.

JP 2003-121903 A JP-A-9-185102

  As described above, the method of Patent Document 1 is excellent in stability, but the barrier cover is in a state of floating on the camera surface even in the closed position, which is an obstacle. The sliding part is always exposed to the outside, and it is easy to damage the aesthetics. Furthermore, when external pressure is applied, the sliding part is damaged or the sliding of the barrier cover is liable to occur due to dust or foreign matter on the sliding part. . Furthermore, a detection member that detects that the barrier cover has been opened is visible when the barrier cover is opened, leading to a decrease in appearance quality. Further, although the sliding mechanism is concealed in the method of Patent Document 2 and is excellent in dust resistance, since the barrier cover is held only by the pinion gear shaft, the barrier cover swings around the gear shaft and plays back. Easy to stick. For this reason, when the barrier cover is fully opened, the barrier cover is easy to ride on the locking claw for preventing the barrier cover from rising. In addition, the mechanism is complicated and the number of parts is large, and it is not suitable for further downsizing of the imaging apparatus.

(Object of invention)
An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that can enhance the sense of unity of the barrier cover and the front cover in the closed state and has a good appearance .

In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a front cover that covers a front surface and is openable and closable, and overlaps with the front cover in an open state and a continuous surface with the front cover in a closed state. a barrier cover forming, with the two shafts for coupling the said front cover and said barrier cover has a lock means for locking said barrier cover the open state, the two shafts, parallel to each other A long shaft portion and a short shaft portion, and a folded portion connecting the long shaft portion and the short shaft portion are formed, and the front shaft can rotate the long shaft portion. A long-sized bearing portion that is slidably supported is formed, and the barrier cover is formed with a short-sized bearing portion that rotatably supports the short shaft portion. When the barrier cover is in a closed state, the long shaft portion rotates with respect to the long bearing portion by moving the barrier cover to a protruding state in which the barrier cover protrudes in a forward direction relative to the front cover. And when the short shaft portion rotates with respect to the short bearing portion and the barrier cover is in the protruding state, the barrier cover is slid with respect to the front cover, elongated shank and said slide to Rukoto to the length dimension bearing portion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to enhance the sense of unity between the barrier cover and the front cover in the closed state, and it is possible to provide an imaging device with good appearance .

It is an external view which shows the camera which is Example 1 of this invention. 1 is an exploded view of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of a barrier cover and a shaft. It is a back view which shows operation | movement of a barrier cover and a shaft. It is a perspective view which shows the motion of a barrier cover. It is sectional drawing which shows a motion of a barrier cover. It is a figure which shows the camera which is Example 2 of this invention. 6 is an exploded view of Example 2. FIG. It is an exploded view of the camera which is Example 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the detail of a shaft. 6 is an enlarged exploded view of Example 3. FIG. It is an enlarged front view which shows a switch and its periphery. It is a figure which shows the state change of the operation | movement of a switch. It is a time chart which shows the operation timing of a switch. It is a timing chart which shows the operation timing of a switch and a lens unit. It is a figure which shows the detail of a barrier cover.

  The mode for carrying out the present invention is as described in Examples 1 to 3 below.

  FIG. 1 shows an external view of a camera 1 that is Embodiment 1 of the imaging apparatus of the present invention. The camera 1 has a horizontally long and flat shape as shown in the three views of FIG. 1, and when viewed from the side, the front surface 1a has a curved shape as shown in FIG. 1C.

  FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the camera 1. A front cover 2 covers the front half of the camera 1 and is formed of a resin material. 2a and 2b are long bearing portions, 2c and 2d are long bearing portion entrances, and 2e is a lens opening. 2f and 2g are guide grooves communicating with the long bearings 2a and 2b. Next, reference numeral 3 denotes a front metal, which is formed by drawing a sheet metal such as stainless steel, and adheres to and covers the front surface of the front cover 2. Reference numeral 3 a denotes an inclined surface that is inclined toward the lens opening 2 e of the front cover 2.

  Next, 4 and 5 are shafts serving as attachment means for attaching the barrier cover to the front cover 2 so as to be movable forward and laterally, both of which have the same shape, and the upper and lower ends of the front cover 2 and the barrier cover. Located in. The shafts 4 and 5 are the same member, and a rod having a circular cross section is bent at the turn-up portions 4c and 5c so that the long shaft portions 4a and 5a and the short shaft portions 4b and 5b are parallel to each other. , It is formed so as to be substantially “J” -shaped. Fastening grooves 4d and 5d are provided at the ends of the long shaft portions 4a and 5a. The long shaft portions 4a and 5a of the shafts 4 and 5 are inserted into the long bearing portions 2a and 2b of the front cover 2 and supported so as to be slidable in the lateral direction, and tightening grooves except for the guide grooves 2f and 2g. Insert the tightening rings 6 and 7 into 4d and 5d. Then, the shafts 4 and 5 can rotate around the long shaft portions 4a and 5a with respect to the front cover 2, and the long bearings from the lengths from the turn-back portions 4c and 5c to the tightening rings 6 and 7 can be obtained. A distance obtained by subtracting the lengths of the portions 2a and 2b is attached so as to be slidable in the axial direction. FIG. 3 is a front view and a side view in which the shafts 4 and 5 are attached to the front cover 2, and the lens opening 2 e is shown in a half cutout for explanation. Here, in the state where the short shaft portions 4b and 5b are slid so as to come to the front side of the lens opening 2e by the action of the lock mechanism described later, FIG. 3 (A1) (A2) (B1) (B2) Can be rotated. When the short shaft portions 4b and 5b are rotated so as to float from the front cover 2, they are slidable as shown in FIGS. 3 (B1), (B2), (C1), and (C2). This will be described in detail later.

  Next, 8 is a barrier cover that covers the front surface of the lens opening 2e so that it can be opened and closed. The barrier cover 8 is formed of an elastic resin material. It is arcuate and has short bearings 8a and 8b. The springs 9 and 10 are inserted here, and the short shaft portions 4b and 5b of the shafts 4 and 5 are further inserted. Next, 11 is a stopper member. This restricts the shafts 4 and 5 from being pushed by the springs 9 and 10 so that the shafts 4 and 5 are not detached from the short bearing portions 8a and 8b. The barrier cover 8 is made of a resin material, and the whole is also arcuate. ing. Then, the attachment claw 8c of the barrier cover 8 is hooked on the attachment portion 11a and bonded and fixed.

  Here, the locking mechanism (locking means) of the shafts 4 and 5 with respect to the barrier cover 8 will be described. FIG. 4 is a rear view in which the shafts 4 and 5 are attached to the barrier cover 8. The springs 9 and 10 are not visible because they are in the short bearing portions 8a and 8b, but are illustrated for explanation. 4A1 and 4A2 illustrate a state corresponding to FIGS. 3A1 and 3A2 with the barrier cover 8 closed. FIG. 4A2 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the folded portion 5c, but the same behavior is observed in the folded portion 4c. At this time, the folded portions 4c and 5c of the shafts 4 and 5 pushed by the springs 9 and 10 abut against the first abutting portions 11b and 11c of the stopper member 11 and are locked.

  Next, when the barrier cover 8 is lifted to the state shown in FIGS. 4B1 and 4B2, the shafts 4 and 5 rotate as described above, so that the folded portions 4c and 5c are brought into contact with the stopper member 11. It comes off from the parts 11b and 11c. FIG. 4 (B2) is the same in the folded portion 4c in a state where the folded portion 5c is detached from the first abutting portion 11c. When disengaged, the shafts 4 and 5 are moved laterally by the urging force of the springs 9 and 10 as shown in FIGS. 4C1 and 4C until the turned-up portions 4c and 5c come into contact with the second abutting portions 11d and 11e of the stopper member 11. To do. In this state, since the first abutting portions 11b and 11c restrict the rotation of the folded portions 4c and 5c, the shafts 4 and 5 cannot rotate and return to the states of FIGS. 4A1 and 4A2. That is, when the barrier cover 8 is lifted from the state of FIGS. 4 (A1) and (A2) to the state of FIGS. 4 (B1) and (B2), the spring force of the springs 9 and 10 automatically causes the state of FIGS. ) Will not be able to return while floating.

  In the first embodiment, the height of the second abutting portions 11d and 11e from the back surface of the stopper member 11 is higher than that of the first abutting portions 11b and 11c. That is, the first butting portions 11b and 11c and the second butting portions 11d and 11e are stepped. As shown in FIG. 4 (A2), when the folded portions 4c and 5c are in contact with the first abutting portions 11b and 11c, the locking is more effective when they are in contact with the second abutting portions 11d and 11e. This is because the height for this is necessary only for the turnaround. However, the first butting portions 11b and 11c and the second butting portions 11d and 11e may have the same height as long as it is properly locked to the second butting portions 11d and 11e.

  Reference numeral 8d denotes a slope portion which is provided so as to be substantially parallel to the slope portion 3a provided on the front metal 3. A barrier metal 12 is formed by drawing a sheet metal such as stainless steel, and adheres to and covers the barrier cover 8 and the front surface of the stopper member 11.

Finally, 13 is a rear cover, which is coupled to the front cover 2 and covers the rear half of the camera 1. The lens unit and other structures constituting the camera 1 are housed therein, but are omitted here.
The camera 1 according to the first embodiment is formed as described above.

Next, an operation for opening and closing the barrier cover 8 of the camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A shows the closed state of the barrier cover 8. In this closed state, the barrier cover 8 is located at a first position that forms a continuous surface with the front cover 2. From here it pulled forward toward the barrier metal 12 and barrier cover 8 at the external force in the forward direction to protrude from the front cover 2 to the front. Then, the shafts 4 and 5 are rotated by the pulling force so that the short shaft portions 4b and 5b rotate around the long shaft portions 4a and 5a, and the barrier cover 8 is lifted from the lens opening 2e together with the barrier metal 12. It is located at the second position (B).

  FIG. 6 shows the state of the barrier cover 8 at this time. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the barrier cover 8 is closed. At this time, the distance between the short shaft portions 4b and 5b of the shafts 4 and 5 is L1. In FIG. 6B, the distance L2 between the short shaft portions 4b and 5b is larger than L1 in a state where the barrier cover 8 is lifted to the intermediate position, but the barrier cover 8 and the stopper member 11 are entirely as described above. Since it has an arc shape, the distance between the short bearing portions 8b and 8c can be extended by bending. Further, when the barrier cover 8 is completely lifted, the distance L3 between the short shaft portions 4b and 5b becomes equal to L1. Thanks to the springiness due to this deflection, a restoring force for returning to the state of L3 = L1, that is, a restoring force for shifting from the intermediate position to the first position or the second position is obtained and stabilized.

  Now, when the barrier cover 8 rises to the second position in FIG. 5B, the locking mechanism of the shafts 4 and 5 with respect to the barrier cover 8 works as described in FIG. C1) It is maintained in a floating state as in (C2) and cannot be closed even if the surface of the barrier metal 12 is pushed. At this time, the shafts 4 and 5 have the tension rings 6 and 7 in contact with the long bearings 2a and 2b as shown in FIG. 3B1, so that the barrier cover 8 is laterally moved by the biasing force of the springs 9 and 10. Slide to reach the third position in FIG.

  Then, if the barrier metal 12 is slid sideways, the long shaft portions 4a and 5a of the shafts 4 and 5 slide on the long bearing portions 2a and 2b, and the barrier cover 8 is moved from the front surface of the lens opening 2e. It can move to the front of the front metal 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 (B1) and (B2) to FIGS. 3 (C1) and (C2), the folded portions 4c and 5c of the shafts 4 and 5 can move until they hit the long bearing inlets 2c and 2d. A much larger amount of movement can be obtained compared to a mechanism like the example. During this time, the barrier cover 8 maintains the locked state shown in FIGS. 4C1 and 4C by the above-described locking mechanism. Therefore, even if the front surface of the barrier metal 12 is pushed during the sliding operation, the back surface of the barrier cover 8 remains the front metal. I won't hit 3 FIG. 5D shows the opened state of the barrier cover 8.

  As another method of opening, the barrier metal 12 may be slid sideways from the beginning without pulling the barrier metal 12 from the state of FIG. In this way, the inclined surface 8d provided on the back of the barrier cover 8 hits the inclined surface 3a of the front metal 3, so that the barrier cover 8 floats obliquely along the inclined surface 3a, and FIG. It goes directly to FIG. 5C without going through 5 (B). After that, the barrier metal 12 can be opened by sliding it further sideways. That is, the operability is very good because the barrier cover 8 can be moved from the front surface of the lens opening 2e to the front surface of the front metal 3 only by sliding the barrier metal 12 sideways.

  Next, when closing the barrier cover 8, contrary to the above, the barrier metal 12 is slid sideways to move the barrier cover 8 from the front surface of the front metal 3 to the front surface of the lens opening 2e. Then, since the lock mechanism is maintained until halfway, even if the surface of the barrier metal 12 is pushed, it does not sink. When the state shown in FIG. 5C is reached, the tightening rings 6 and 7 come into contact with the long side bearing portions 2a and 2b as shown in FIG. 3B, so that the shafts 4 and 5 cannot slide any more, and the barrier Only the cover 8 moves to the state shown in FIG. Then, the state of the shafts 4 and 5 with respect to the barrier cover 8 also changes from FIGS. 4 (C1) and (C2) to FIGS. 4 (B1) and (B2), and the folded portions 4c and 4c on the first abutting portions 11b and 11c. 5c stops riding and is unlocked. If the barrier metal 12 and the barrier cover 8 are pushed toward the lens opening 2e as they are, the state returns to the state of FIG. 5A and the barrier cover 8 can be closed.

  With the above configuration, in the first embodiment, when the barrier cover 8 is closed, the barrier cover 8 can be integrated with the front cover 2 to maintain the front surface of the housing, and the mechanical portion is not exposed and the appearance is kept clean. Can do. In order to conceal the internal mechanism, the width of the “overlap portion” where the barrier cover 8 always covers the front surface of the housing regardless of whether the barrier cover 8 is closed or opened is the folded portion 4c of the J-shaped shafts 4 and 5. Since it is sufficient to cover 5c, the amount of movement of the barrier cover 8 can be made larger than in the conventional example. And since the structure is simpler than the conventional example and does not take up space and there are few parts, more structures can be stored in a limited space. Further, since the lock is applied when the barrier cover 8 is lifted from the housing, the barrier cover 8 can be kept floating on the front surface of the front cover 2 even when the barrier cover 8 is pushed from the front while the barrier cover 8 is being slid sideways. .

  Next, a camera 21 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a mechanism is added to the first embodiment, and the operability and stability are improved. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the first embodiment, and new reference numerals are used for new parts in the second embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7, through holes 22 h and 23 a are provided in the front cover 22 and the rear cover 23, and a button 24 is attached together with a spring 25 so that it can be pushed from the rear surface of the rear cover 23. The button 24 and the spring 25 constitute an operation unit. When the button 24 is pressed, the pressing portion 24a functions to push the barrier cover 8 forward. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, notch portions 22i and 22j are provided in the long bearing portion inlets 22c and 22d, and dustproof members 26 and 27 are disposed therein. The dustproof members 26 and 27 are made of felt cloth material in a ring shape, and are always in contact with the long shaft portions 4 a and 5 a of the shafts 4 and 5. Further, gap portions 22k and 22l are provided in the middle of the long bearing portions 22a and 22b so that a predetermined amount of gap is generated so as not to contact the long shaft portions 4a and 5a. That is, the long bearing portions 22a and 22b support the long shaft portions 4a and 5a at two locations near the inlet and the outlet. 22f and 22g are guide grooves.

  Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

The camera 21 according to the second embodiment is formed as described above. Thus, to open the barrier cover 8 of the camera 21, as in Example 1, or pull the barrier cover 8 forward direction, or the barrier cover 8 may be slid laterally from the beginning. However, even without operating the barrier cover 8 directly, by pressing the button 24, it is possible to open extruding the barrier cover 8 to the front direction, it is possible to further improve operability.

  After that, as in the first embodiment, the barrier cover 8 can be moved to the front surface of the front metal 3 by sliding the barrier cover 8 sideways. At this time, since the dustproof members 26 and 27 are arranged at the inlets of the long bearing portions 22a and 22b, dust and foreign matters adhering to the long shaft portions 4a and 5a enter the long bearing portions 22a and 22b. Can be prevented and slidability is improved. Further, since the dustproof members 26 and 27 are formed of a felt cloth material, if the lubricant is infiltrated into the dustproof members 26 and 27, the lubricant is added to the long shaft portions of the shafts 4 and 5 each time the barrier cover 8 is slid. Since it is applied to 4a and 5a, the slidability can be further improved. Furthermore, since the gap portions 22k and 22l are provided in the middle of the long shaft portions 4a and 5a so as not to contact the long shaft portions 4a and 5a, the contact area with the long shaft portions 4a and 5a can be reduced, Foreign matter and sliding debris can be released and eliminated, and the slidability can be further improved.

  Next, a camera 31 that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. In addition to the first embodiment, this is an invention characterized by operations other than the operation of the barrier body, such as a switch operation accompanying opening and closing of the barrier cover 8 and a locking means for holding the barrier cover 8 in an open state. It is about. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the first embodiment, and new reference numerals are used for the new parts in the third embodiment.

  First, FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the camera 31 according to the third embodiment. First, the front cover 32 covering the front half of the camera 31 is formed of a resin material. Further, similarly to the front cover 2 of the first embodiment, two long bearing portions 32a and 32b for passing the shaft are formed. Further, a front metal 3 formed by drawing a sheet metal such as stainless steel is adhered and covered on the front surface of the front cover 32.

  Next, the two shafts 4 and 5 are shown in detail in FIG. The two shafts 4 and 5 are formed by bending a bar having a circular cross section at the folded portions 4c and 5c so that the long shaft portions 4a and 5a and the short shaft portions 4b and 5b are parallel to each other. "It is formed to be a letter shape. In the vicinity of the ends 4e and 5e of the long shaft portions 4a and 5a, tightening grooves 4d and 5d, and inclined surfaces 4f and 5f and small diameter portion surfaces 4g and 5g that are one step smaller than the diameters of the shafts 4 and 5 are formed. . However, the shapes of the two shafts 4 and 5 are not exactly the same shape, and the lengths of the long shaft portions 4a and 5a are long at one end and short at the other. This is different in order to control the operation timing of the switch described later as desired.

  Next, the barrier cover 8 that covers the front surface of the lens opening will be described. The barrier cover 8 is formed of an elastic resin material, and has two short bearing portions 8a and 8b. The springs 9 and 10 having the same shape and the short shaft portions 4b and 5b of the shafts 4 and 5 are inserted therein. Here, since the shafts 4 and 5 are pushed away from the barrier cover 8 by being pushed by the springs 9 and 10, in order to prevent this, the stopper member 11 is attached in the first embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16A, the stopper portions 8e and 8f are formed integrally with the barrier cover 8 to increase the stopper strength. However, since the stopper portions 8e and 8f are integrally formed on the barrier cover 8, the short bearing portions 8a and 8b provided on the barrier cover 8 release the mold in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Therefore, the bearing can be formed only in a semicircular arc shape, and the effect of the bearing is reduced. In order to prevent this, the remaining semicircular arcs are guided by the auxiliary bearing members 8g and 8h. The auxiliary bearing members 8g and 8h are fixed integrally with the barrier cover 8 by adhesion. Sliding members 34a and 34b are attached to the inner surface of the barrier cover 8 so that sliding scratches on the front metal 3 when the barrier cover 8 is opened and closed are difficult to enter. These sliding members 34a and 34b are made of a felt material, a polymer material, or the like in order to enhance the effect of preventing scratches. A barrier metal 12 formed by drawing a sheet metal such as stainless steel on the barrier cover 8 is adhered to and covered with the front surface of the barrier cover 8.

  Finally, reference numeral 33 denotes a rear cover that is coupled to the front cover 32 and covers the rear half of the camera 31. The lens unit and other structures constituting the camera 31 are housed therein, but are omitted here.

  Subsequently, FIG. 11 shows an enlarged exploded view of the camera 31 which is the third embodiment viewed from two angles. Two spring accommodating portions 32c and 32d are formed on the front cover 32, and springs 42 and 52 are accommodated together with sliders 41 and 51, which are intermediate members, respectively. Further, the cover members 43 and 53 cover the spring accommodating portions 32c and 32d by the engagement of the screws 44 and 54 and the claw portions so that the springs 42 and 52 and the sliders 41 and 51 do not fall off. At this time, the two sliders 41 and 51 are slidably attached while being urged toward the shafts 4 and 5 by the two springs 42 and 52. The front cover 32 is formed with two pairs of protrusions 32e, 32f and 32g, 32h, which will be described in detail later. It is formed to do. Next, in the same figure, the wiring board 61 is shown in a transparent state, and two switches 62 and 63 are mounted on the wiring board 61. The two switches 62 and 63 are interlocked with the linear movement of the shafts 4 and 5, and are turned on and off via the sliders 41 and 51. That is, the two switches 62 and 63 are turned on and off in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the barrier cover 8. The camera 31 according to the third embodiment is configured as described above.

  Hereinafter, the operation of each member and the state of the switches 62 and 63 in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the barrier cover 8 will be described. Since the operation of the barrier cover 8 itself is the same as that of the first embodiment, it is omitted here.

  First, when the movement of the barrier cover 8 is started in the opening direction from the state in which the barrier cover 8 is closed, the state shown in FIG. 12 is reached. At this time, the barrier cover 8 is opened by about 3/4 of the full opening amount, and the long shaft portions 4a and 5a of the shafts 4 and 5 are in close proximity to the sliders 41 and 51. In this state, the tips 4e and 5e of any of the shafts 4 and 5 have not reached the state in which the sliders 41 and 51 are pushed, and both the two switches remain off. This state is the same as the state shown in FIG. FIG. 14 shows the on and off states of the two switches 62 and 63 in relation to the opening amount of the barrier cover 8. In FIG. 13, the position of (A) corresponds to the state of FIG. 13 (A), and (B) to (D) also correspond to (B) to (D) of FIG. It can also be seen from the figure that both switches 62 and 63 are off at the position (A). In addition, while the barrier cover 8 is fully closed and opened to about 3/4, the shafts 4 and 5 only move straight in conjunction with each other. I have not been told.

  When the barrier cover 8 is further opened from this state and is at the position shown in FIG. 13B, the tip 4e of the shaft 4 has not yet reached the slider 41, and the switch 62 is still in an off state. On the other hand, since the tip 5e of the other shaft 5 is longer than the tip 4e of the shaft 4, it reaches the shaft contact surface 51a of the slider 51, and the slider 51 is moved to the right in FIG. It is moving in the direction. However, in this state, the rib 51b extending from the slider 51 is still in contact with the knob 63a of the switch 63, and the switch 63 is still off. 14 that the two switches 62 and 63 are still in the off state at the position (B).

  When the barrier cover 8 is continuously opened and is in the position shown in FIG. 13C, the tip 4e of the shaft 4 finally starts to contact the shaft contact surface 41a of the slider 41. However, in this state, the rib 41b extending from the slider 41 is still in contact with the knob 62a of the switch 62, and the switch 62 is still off. On the other hand, the tip 5e of the other shaft 5 pushes the shaft contact surface 51a of the slider 51 further to the right as shown in FIG. 13, and the rib extends from the slider 51 at a predetermined timing while the barrier cover 8 is open. The knob 63a of the switch 63 falls when pushed by 51b. As a result, the switch 63 is turned on.

When the barrier cover 8 is further opened from the position of FIG. 13C and is at the position shown in FIG. 13D, the tip 4e of the shaft 4 reaches the shaft contact surface 41a of the slider 41, and the spring 42 The slider 41 is moved in the right direction in FIG. At this time, the rib 41b extending from the slider 41 causes the knob 62a of the switch 62 to fall, and the switch 62 is in an on state. On the other hand, the tip 5e of the other shaft 5 further moves the slider 51 to the right from the state of FIG. At this time, the rib 51b extending from the slider 51 passes through the knob 63a of the switch 63, the knob 63a of the switch 63 returns to the neutral position, and the switch 63 is turned off again. Further, at this position, the surfaces of the two sliders 41 and 51 opposite to the surfaces of the shaft contact surfaces 41a and 51a that contact the shafts 4 and 5 are in contact with the front cover 32, and the barrier cover 8 is further opened. Cannot move. That is, the barrier cover 8 is fully open.

  Next, the behavior of the switches 62 and 63 when the barrier cover 8 is closed from the fully opened state will be described. The actual operation at that time is shown in the order of (D), (C ′), (B ′), and (A) in FIG. 13. Here, (C ′) and (B ′) indicate that the barrier cover 8 is in the same position as (C) and (B). As shown in FIG. 13, the operation of the switch 62 is completely opposite to that when the barrier cover 8 is opened. The switch 41 is turned on when the barrier cover 8 is fully opened, but in the state shown in FIG. The switch 62 is turned off. Thereafter, the barrier cover 8 is closed while maintaining the off state (B ′) and (A).

  Next, the switch 63 will be described. FIG. 14 also shows the state of the switch 63 when the barrier cover 8 is closed. As can be seen, the switch 63 is always off when the barrier cover 8 is closed. This is because the rib 51b extending from the slider 51 passes through the knob 63a of the switch 63 when the barrier cover 8 is fully opened. For this reason, when the barrier cover 8 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 13C 'and 13B', the rib 51b extending from the slider 51 tilts the knob 63a of the switch 63 from the opposite side. . Due to this difference, the switch 63 is not turned on when the barrier cover 8 is closed. Thereafter, from the state shown in FIG. 13A, that is, from the state where the rib 51b extending from the slider 51 passes through the knob 63a of the switch 63 and the knob 63a of the switch 63 returns to the neutral position, the barrier cover 8 is closed. The switch 63 remains off. It has been shown that the tip portions 4e and 5e of the shafts 4 and 5 are configured to operate the switches 62 and 63 via the sliders 41 and 51, respectively. This is because the switches 62 and 63 are reliably operated by the action of the parts 4e and 5e. This is because, in order to directly operate the knobs 62a and 63a of the switches 62 and 63 with the tips 4e and 5e of the shafts 4 and 5, the tips 4e and 5e of the shafts 4 and 5 are small and round, and the knobs of the switches 62 and 63 This is because 62a and 63a are also smaller, and there is a possibility that they may be swung. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the reliability of operation of the switches 62 and 63. Further, it can be seen from the foregoing that the means for changing the operation timings of the two switches 62 and 63 is achieved by changing the lengths of the tips 4e and 5e of the shafts 4 and 5. However, in order to make the ON timings of the switches 62 and 63 different, the shafts 4 and 5 have the same shape, and this can also be achieved by changing the positions of the sliders 41 and 51 and the switches 62 and 63. However, in this case, since it is necessary to match the longer shaft, the problem that both the two shafts become long and the camera 31 becomes large remains, and is not adopted in the third embodiment. If the size of the camera 31 has a margin, it is of course possible to share the two shafts.

These two switches 62 and 63 that are switched on and off in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the barrier cover 8 are mounted on the wiring board 61 and output signals to a camera system (not shown). . Although it has already been described that the operation timings at which the two switches 62 and 63 are turned on and off are shown in FIG. 14, it is important to generate these operation timings. The output signals of the switches 62 and 63 and their operation timing will be described below.

  As described above, when the barrier cover 8 is opened from the closed state, the switch 63 is turned on before the switch 62. The switch 63 is a main power switch. The camera system starts to start when is turned on. That is, even if the switch 62 is turned on earlier than the switch 63, the output signal from the switch 62 is not recognized because the system of the camera 31 is not activated. For this reason, the switch 63 is configured to be turned on before the switch 62. However, since the current continues to flow through the camera system while the switch 63 is on, the switch 63 needs to be off when the barrier cover 8 is fully opened. For this reason, the switch 63 is turned off at the position shown in FIG. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid the problem that current continues to flow through the camera system.

  Another switch 62 notifies the camera system that the barrier cover is fully open or almost fully open, and a retractable retractable barrel (not shown) can be extended from the retracted position in the retracted state to the extended position in the used state. Instruct. FIG. 15 shows the on / off state of the switch 62 and the operation timing of the lens unit extension and retraction. The position (α) in the figure is the opening amount at which the barrier cover 8 starts to no longer interfere with the extension of the lens unit. When the barrier cover 8 is opened from this position, the lens unit is extended even if the lens unit is extended. It shows that the unit and the barrier cover 8 do not interfere with each other. The switch 62 is turned on at a timing beyond the position (α) in FIG. 15, receives a signal input from the switch 62, and extends the lens unit. Thereby, it is possible to avoid collision between the barrier cover 8 and the lens unit due to the lens unit being drawn out before the barrier cover 8 is fully opened.

  On the other hand, when the barrier cover 8 is closed from the fully open state, the switch 62 is first turned off from the on state, and this lens input is received and the lens unit is stored in the retracted position. At this time, the position of the barrier cover 8 is not yet closed to the position (α) in FIG. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a collision between the barrier cover 8 and the lens unit due to the barrier cover 8 being closed before the lens unit is fully retracted. In response to the switch 62 being turned off, the camera system subsequently enters a shutdown operation, and the main power supply of the camera transitions to an off state.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13 (B ′), the switch 63 has the knob 63a of the switch 63 tilted in the opposite direction to that when the barrier cover is opened. It is configured not to be. Alternatively, another signal may be output, but since the power supply has already been shut down, it is no longer recognized by the camera system. That is, when the barrier cover 8 is closed, it can be configured only by a signal from the switch 62.

Next, the holding mechanism with the barrier cover 8 opened will be described below. The front cover 32 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a pair of protrusions 32e, 32f and a pair of projections 32g, already mentioned that are provided 32h. The a pair of protrusions 32e, 32f and a pair of projections 32g, when 32h is that fully open the barrier cover 8, i.e., 13 in the state of (D), one stage thin small diameter portion surface 4g than the diameter of one of the shafts 4 A pair of projecting portions 32e and 32f are fitted to each other. Further, another pair of protrusions 32g and 32h are fitted in the small diameter surface 5g that is one step smaller than the diameter of the other shaft 5. When trying to move the barrier cover 8 in the closing direction from this state, the protrusions 32e, 32f and 32g, 32h need to get over the outer shape of the shafts 4 and 5, so that a load is applied in the direction of closing the barrier cover 8. Yes. Although the click force is illustrated in FIG. 14, the click force increases in the direction of (C) where the barrier cover 8 is fully opened in FIG. This corresponds to the aforementioned load. With this load, it is possible to generate a holding force when the barrier cover 8 is opened. Further, in the third embodiment, the two timings are made to coincide with each other so that the two shafts 4 and 5 are equally loaded so that the opening / closing operation feeling of the barrier cover 8 is not impaired. Consideration.

  As described above, the switch operations necessary for switching the camera 31 from the non-use state to the use state or vice versa, that is, starting and stopping the main power source, and extending and retracting the lens unit are performed. The instruction signal can be output only by opening and closing the barrier cover 8. Further, since the switch operation and the holding mechanism of the barrier cover 8 are performed only through the tip of the shaft, the connecting portion between the main body portion of the camera 31 and the barrier portion composed of the barrier cover 8 is the two shafts 4. No need to provide a separate member only for the operation of the switch. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide protrusions or holes that are not necessary for the appearance, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the appearance quality. Furthermore, since the switches 62 and 63 are operated one by one at the tip of each of the two shafts, it is easy to configure the operation timing of the desired switch.

2 Front cover 2a and 2b Long bearing portion 4 and 5 Shaft 4a and 5a Long shaft portion 4b and 5b Short shaft portion 4c and 5c Folded portion 8 Barrier cover 8a and 8b Short bearing portion 9 and 10 Spring

Claims (8)

A front cover covering the front,
A barrier cover that is openable and closable, overlaps with the front cover in the open state, and forms a continuous surface with the front cover in the closed state ;
Two shafts connecting the barrier cover and the front cover;
Anda locking means for locking the barrier cover said open state,
The two shafts are respectively formed with a long shaft portion and a short shaft portion that are parallel to each other, and a folded portion that connects the long shaft portion and the short shaft portion,
The front cover is formed with a long bearing portion that supports the long shaft portion in a rotatable and slidable manner,
The barrier cover is formed with a short bearing portion that rotatably supports the short shaft portion,
When the barrier cover is in the closed state, the long shaft portion is moved to the long bearing by moving the barrier cover to a protruding state in which the barrier cover protrudes in the forward direction from the front cover. And the short shaft portion rotates with respect to the short bearing portion.
When the barrier cover is in the said protruding state, by sliding the barrier cover to the front cover, the long dimension shaft section and wherein the slide to Rukoto to the length dimension bearing portion An imaging device. The long bearing portion such that one of the two shafts is disposed on the upper end side of the front cover and the barrier cover, and the other of the two shafts is disposed on the lower end side of the front cover and the barrier cover. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the short bearing portion is formed . While moving the barrier cover from the closed state to the protruding state, the barrier cover is deflected,
By a restoring force for restoring the deflection, the barrier cover imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that you move to the closed state or the protruding state. The short bearing portion supports the short shaft portion so as to be rotatable and slidable,
When the barrier cover is in the said closed state, abuts on the folded portion, the to any one of from claim 1, characterized in that for regulating the movement in the sliding direction of the short dimension shaft section 3 The imaging device described. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein a biasing member that biases the short shaft portion in a sliding direction is inserted into the short bearing portion . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switch that operates in conjunction with movement of the long shaft portion . A first switch that operates in conjunction with movement of the long shaft portion of one of the two shafts;
A second switch that operates in conjunction with the movement of the other long shaft portion of the two shafts,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein an operation timing of the first switch and an operation timing of the second switch are different from each other . By making the length of the long shaft portion of one of the two shafts different from the length of the other long shaft portion of the two shafts, the operation timing of the first switch, operation timing of the second switch is imaging apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in Rukoto was different from each other.

Images