JP5932325B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, in particular, it relates to a structure for changing the operation load when Yu over THE operates the operation member.

  2. Description of the Related Art As an image pickup apparatus that stores an image obtained by photoelectric conversion by an image pickup device as a data file (digital data), one having a zoom function is widely used. The zoom function is generally taken by moving the zoom operation member in one direction from the neutral position (non-operation position) to move the focal length of the photographic optical system in the wide (wide angle) direction and in the opposite direction. This is realized by moving the focal length of the optical system in the tele (telephoto) direction.

  In recent years, there have been provided imaging apparatuses equipped with not only a still image but also a moving image shooting function and a high magnification zoom function. Furthermore, an imaging apparatus capable of changing the zoom speed from a low speed to a high speed in order to quickly adjust to a desired angle of view at the time of shooting is provided.

  In an imaging apparatus capable of changing the zoom speed, the zoom speed is generally controlled stepwise from a low speed to a high speed in accordance with the amount of movement of the zoom operation member. Here, when there is no mechanism for sensually transmitting the switching position between the low speed zoom and the high speed zoom to the user, an unintended zoom speed may be obtained. In this case, the desired angle of view is adjusted. It becomes difficult.

  In view of this, there has been proposed an imaging apparatus that includes means for changing the zoom operation load at the zoom speed switching position so that the user can recognize the switching of the zoom speed when the operating force changes (see Patent Document 1). . According to such an imaging apparatus, the user can easily change to the intended angle of view.

JP 2006-304002 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, it is necessary to secure a space for adding a load change means for zoom operation in the imaging apparatus, which increases the size of the imaging apparatus. In addition, since the dimensional tolerance of the component is added due to the increase in the number of components, the accuracy with which the zoom speed switching position coincides with the operation load change position tends to be low.

An object of the present invention is to change an operation load according to an operation amount of an operation member with a simple configuration without increasing the size of an electronic device .

The electronic apparatus according to the present invention biases the operation member that can rotate by a predetermined angle by a user operation, a rotation member that rotates integrally with the operation member, and the operation member to a neutral position. A biasing member; and a base member that rotatably supports the operation member and the rotation member, wherein the operation member is within a first predetermined angle range from the neutral position. The operation load of the rotation operation is not brought into contact with the rotation member when the rotation operation is performed, and is contacted with the rotation member when the rotation operation is performed beyond the first predetermined angle. The base member is formed with a spring-shaped portion having a both-end support structure, and when the operation member is further rotated from a state in which the spring-shaped portion is in contact with the rotating member, the base member is Limiting the pivoting operation by contacting the pivoting member The stopper portion is formed, the spring-shaped portion and the stopper portion is characterized that you have been formed on the base member so as to sandwich the rotating member.

According to the present invention, the operation load can be changed according to the operation amount of the operation member with a simple configuration without increasing the size of the electronic device .

1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows schematic structure of the release button / zoom lever mechanism with which the digital camera of FIG. 1 is provided. FIG. 2 is a plan view, a perspective view, and a top view of the zoom lever mechanism provided in the digital camera of FIG. 1 as seen from the top side. It is a top view which shows the aspect of switching of the high-speed zoom operation | movement of a lens barrel with a zoom lever with which the digital camera of FIG. FIG. 3 is a top view showing a conductive pattern provided on an operation board constituting the release button / zoom lever mechanism of FIG. 2. It is the top view and perspective view which show the aspect of a contact with a brush and an operation board | substrate in the zoom lever mechanism of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, as an example of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, a so-called compact type digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as “digital camera”) in which a lens barrel and a main body are integrally formed is taken up. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and can be applied to other imaging devices such as a digital video camera.

<Appearance structure of digital camera>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a front perspective view, and (b) is a rear perspective view. On the front surface of the housing of the digital camera 1, a retractable lens barrel 2 including an optical system photographing lens that forms a subject image on an image sensor and a strobe light emitting unit 3 are disposed. A front cover 13 is provided on the front surface of the housing of the digital camera 1. FIG. 1A shows a state in which the lens barrel 2 is retracted (a state in which the lens barrel 2 is housed in the housing) during non-shooting.

  In the housing of the digital camera 1, an image pickup device (not shown) such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor that photoelectrically converts an optical image formed by the lens barrel 2 to generate image data. Has been implemented. The electrical signal output from the image sensor is converted into image data that is digital information by a processing circuit of a signal processing board (not shown) in the housing of the digital camera 1. The signal processing board is mounted with a storage medium slot including a card I / F, an image processing circuit, a system control circuit, a serial I / F, and the like.

  A release button 4 for instructing imaging preparation and imaging operation is arranged on the upper surface of the digital camera 1, and the release button 4 can be pressed in two stages. When the release button 4 is pressed halfway, a shooting preparation operation (AE operation, AF operation, etc.) is started, and when the release button 4 is fully pressed, the subject is photographed and the subject image is recorded on a storage medium inserted in the housing. The image data is saved.

  A zoom lever 5 for changing the shooting angle of view is disposed on the outer periphery of the release button 4, and the zoom lever 5 can be rotated at a predetermined angle with the release button 4 as a center. When the release button 4 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the upper surface of the digital camera 1, the lens barrel 2 performs a zoom operation toward the tele side (the direction in which the angle of view becomes narrower). Conversely, when the release button 4 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the top surface of the digital camera 1, the lens barrel 2 performs a zoom operation on the wide side (direction in which the angle of view widens).

  On the top surface of the digital camera 1, a power button 6 for turning on / off the digital camera 1 and a mode lever 7 for switching various shooting modes such as still image shooting and moving image shooting are arranged. Yes. The mode lever 7 is arranged to be slidable with respect to the housing of the digital camera 1. In the vicinity of the mode lever 7, indices (not shown) corresponding to various photographing modes are printed, and by setting the mode lever 7 to the indices, the photographing mode can be set according to the indices. It has become.

  A signal input / output jack (not shown) is provided on the side surface of the digital camera 1, and the input / output jack is covered with a protective cover member 8. By opening the cover member 8, various cables can be inserted into and removed from the input / output jack.

  On the back of the digital camera 1, a liquid crystal display unit 9 for displaying a through image before shooting, a shot image, and various shooting conditions, and a group of operation buttons for changing the shooting conditions and the display format of the liquid crystal display unit 9, etc. 10 is arranged. A rear cover 14 is provided on the back surface of the housing of the digital camera 1.

  On the bottom surface of the digital camera 1, there are a battery cover 12 for opening and closing a storage chamber for storing a battery serving as a power source, and a storage medium cover 11 for opening and closing a storage chamber for storing a recording medium for recording a photographed subject image. Has been placed. The battery can be inserted / removed by opening the battery cover 12, and the recording medium can be inserted / removed by opening the storage medium cover 11.

<Schematic structure of release button / zoom lever mechanism>
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a schematic structure of a release button / zoom lever mechanism (an operation input mechanism for the release button 4 and the zoom lever 5). The release button 4 and the zoom lever 5 have a structure that can be removed upward after the front cover 13 and the rear cover 14 are removed. The release button / zoom lever mechanism is arranged above the operation board 21 arranged on the operation board receiving member 22. In addition to the release button 4 and the zoom lever 5, the release button / zoom lever mechanism includes a release urging member 15, a base member 16, a brush holder (rotating member) 17, a brush (brush member) 20, and a zoom urging member 18. And a fixing screw 19.

  The release button 4 receives an upward urging force from the release urging member 15 and is attached to the zoom lever 5 by a claw formed on the release button 4 while being movable up and down. Then, it is fixed to the base member 16 together with the zoom lever 5.

  When the user presses the release button 4, a pusher formed on the release button 4 presses a release switch 21 a that is disposed immediately below the release button 21 and mounted on the operation board 21, thereby performing an operation input. When the user releases the release button 4, the release button 4 receives a biasing force by the release biasing member 15 and returns to the original standby position.

  The zoom lever 5 and the brush holder 17 are integrated by heat welding, and are supported by the base member 16 so as to be rotatable around an axis passing through the center of the zoom lever 5. At this time, the zoom lever 5 and the brush holder 17 are designed to be biased by a zoom biasing member 18 fixed to the base member 16 by a fixing screw 19 and to maintain a neutral position. The brush 20 detects the rotation angle of the zoom lever 5 (the rotation angle at the time of rotation), which will be described in detail later.

<Details of zoom lever mechanism>
3A and 3B are views showing the structure of the zoom lever mechanism. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the zoom lever mechanism as viewed from the inside (inside the housing of the digital camera 1), and FIG. (C) is a top view of the zoom lever mechanism. As described above, the zoom lever 5 is biased by the zoom biasing member 18 when not operated, and maintains the neutral position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3C.

  When the zoom lever 5 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the top surface of the digital camera 1, the side surface 17a of the brush holder 17 comes into contact with the zoom stopper 16a, which is a stopper portion formed on the base member 16, and the zoom lever 5 is predetermined. It is designed not to rotate beyond this angle. Similarly, when the zoom lever 5 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the top surface of the digital camera 1, the side surface 17a of the brush holder 17 comes into contact with the zoom stopper 16a which is a stopper portion, and the zoom lever 5 is more than a predetermined angle. It is designed not to rotate.

  The base member 16 is formed with a spring-shaped portion 16c. When the zoom lever 5 is rotated counterclockwise from the viewpoint of FIG. 3A, the brush holder 17 is rotated at the first rotation angle before the side surface 17a of the brush holder 17 and the zoom stopper 16a come into contact with each other. The side surface 17c and the spring-shaped portion 16c are set in contact with each other. Similarly, when the zoom lever 5 is rotated clockwise, the side surface 17d of the brush holder 17 and the spring-shaped portion 16c contact each other before the side surface 17b of the brush holder 17 contacts the zoom stopper 16b. Is set to

  That is, when the zoom lever 5 is rotated from the neutral position, the rotation angle of the zoom lever 5 is within the range of the first predetermined angle (the angle until the spring shape portion 16c comes into contact). 17 does not contact the spring-shaped portion 16c. When the zoom lever 5 is rotated beyond the first predetermined angle, the zoom lever 5 is rotated to the second predetermined angle (the angle at which the zoom stoppers 16a and 16b are in contact) while being in contact with the spring-shaped portion. Can be made.

  As described above, the side surfaces 17c and 17d of the brush holder 17 are in contact with the spring-shaped portion 16c, so that the zoom lever 5 can be rotated from the first predetermined angle to the second predetermined angle. The operation load can be increased. That is, the user can realize that when the zoom lever 5 is rotated, the operating force changes from a light state to a heavy state.

  At this time, the rotation angle of the zoom lever 5 until the side surface 17a of the brush holder 17 contacts the zoom stopper 16a from the rotation angle of the zoom lever 5 when the side surface 17c of the brush holder 17 contacts the spring-shaped portion 16c. Set the difference up to. Similarly, the difference from the rotation angle of the zoom lever 5 when the side surface 17d of the brush holder 17 contacts the spring-shaped portion 16c to the rotation angle of the zoom lever 5 until the side surface 17b contacts the zoom stopper 16b is obtained. Set appropriately. Thereby, the setting which does not exceed the allowable stress due to the bending of the spring-shaped portion 16c becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3C, the spring-shaped portion 16 c is conventionally formed in an inlay portion that serves as a blindfold between the front cover 13 and the base member 16, and is covered with the front cover 13. It has a structure. Thereby, since the thickness of the part which a user directly touches in the base member 16 can be kept as before, strength reduction does not occur.

  In the present embodiment, the spring-shaped portion 16c has a both-end support structure. Therefore, when the zoom lever 5 is rotated and the zoom lever 5 returns to the neutral position by the urging by the zoom urging member 18 from the state where the side surface 17c or the side surface 17d of the brush holder 17 is in contact with the spring-shaped portion 16c. In addition, the vibration of the spring-shaped portion 16c is immediately settled. Therefore, since the vibration sound of the spring-shaped portion 16c does not become noise, even if the zoom operation is performed during movie shooting, the vibration sound of the spring-shaped portion 16c is recorded as noise during movie shooting. Can be prevented.

<Rotation operation detection mechanism of zoom lever 5>
The rotation operation detection mechanism of the zoom lever 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing how the lens barrel 2 is switched between the high speed zoom operation and the low speed zoom operation by the zoom lever 5 and how the load fluctuates. More specifically, FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (c), 4 (e), and 4 (g) are similar to FIG. 3 (a), and the zoom lever 5 is rotated as viewed from inside the housing of the digital camera 1. FIG. It is a top view of a detection mechanism. 4B, 4D, 4F, and 4H are plan views showing the positional relationship between the brush 20 and the operation board 21 as viewed from the upper surface side of the digital camera 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view showing a conductive pattern provided on the operation substrate 21. FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a manner of contact between the brush 20 and the operation board 21 in the zoom lever mechanism. FIG. 6A is a plan view, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view.

  The rotation operation of the zoom lever 5 is detected by the brush 20 made of a metal piece and the conductive patterns 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, and 21f provided on the operation board 21 shown in FIG.

  As described above, the zoom lever 5 and the brush holder 17 are integrated by thermal welding, and the brush 20 is fixed to the brush holder 17 by thermal welding. Therefore, the brush 20 rotates integrally with the zoom lever 5. Here, in the brush 20, two forked contact pieces are formed at the tip having spring property, and as shown in FIG. 6, one section is always in electrical contact with the conductive pattern 21b. The other piece is in electrical contact with any one of the conductive patterns 21b to 21f. By detecting the contact mode of the brush 20 and the conductive patterns 21b to 21f, that is, by detecting which of the conductive patterns 21b to 21f each contact piece at the tip of the brush 20 is in contact with, the zoom The rotation angle of the lever 5 is detected. When the zoom lever 5 is in the neutral position, both contact pieces are in contact with the conductive pattern 21b.

  If the brush 20 made of a metal piece collides with the base member 16 that is a molded part when the zoom lever 5 is rotated, the brush 20 may be deformed. When the brush 20 is deformed, the contact between the contact piece at the tip of the brush 20 and the conductive patterns 21b to 21f is shifted, and the detection accuracy of the rotation operation is lowered. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the brush 20 is housed in the outer shape (in the projection plane) of the brush holder 17 so that the brush 20 does not contact the spring-shaped portion 16c.

  4A and 4B show the state of the rotation operation detection mechanism of the zoom lever 5 when the zoom lever 5 is operated and the lens barrel 2 is zoomed at low speed on the telephoto side. In the tele side low-speed zoom operation state, the zoom lever 5 rotates until the side surface 17c of the brush holder 17 contacts the spring-shaped portion 16c, and the two contact pieces at the tip of the brush 20 are electrically conductive patterns 21b and 21d, respectively. It comes into contact. In other words, the two contact pieces at the tip of the brush 20 are in contact with the conductive patterns 21b and 21d, respectively, so that the rotation angle at which the tele-side low-speed zoom operation is performed is detected. At this time, in the tele-side low-speed zoom operation, the operation force of the zoom lever 5 is only a force that resists the urging force of the zoom urging member 18, so that the operation load is not increased.

  FIGS. 4C and 4D show the state of the rotation operation detection mechanism of the zoom lever 5 when the zoom lever 5 is operated and the lens barrel 2 is zoomed at high speed on the telephoto side. In the tele-side high-speed zoom operation state, the zoom lever 5 is bent by the side surface 17c of the brush holder 17 pressing the spring-shaped portion 16c, and therefore, the load on the rotation operation is increased. That is, the operation force of the zoom lever 5 is heavier than that during the low speed zoom operation. At this time, it is detected that the two contact pieces at the tip of the brush 20 are in contact with the conductive patterns 21b and 21c, respectively, so that the rotation angle at which the tele-side high-speed zoom operation is performed is detected. Further, since the side surface 17a of the brush holder 17 abuts against the zoom stopper 16a, the brush holder 17 (that is, the zoom lever 5) does not rotate beyond the state shown in FIGS. 4 (c) and 4 (d). ing.

  4E and 4F show the state of the rotation operation detection mechanism of the zoom lever 5 when the zoom lever 5 is operated to zoom the lens barrel 2 at the low speed on the wide side. In the state of the wide side low speed zoom operation, the zoom lever 5 rotates until the side surface 17d of the brush holder 17 comes into contact with the spring-shaped portion 16c, and the two contact pieces at the tip of the brush 20 are electrically conductive patterns 21b and 21e, respectively. It comes into contact. In other words, when the two contact pieces at the tip of the brush 20 are in contact with the conductive patterns 21b and 21e, respectively, it is detected that the rotation angle at which the wide-side low-speed zoom operation has been performed. At this time, in the wide side low-speed zoom operation, the operation force of the zoom lever 5 is only a force that resists the urging force of the zoom urging member 18, so that the operation load is not increased.

  4G and 4H show the state of the rotation operation detection mechanism of the zoom lever 5 when the zoom lever 5 is operated to zoom the lens barrel 2 on the wide side at high speed. In the state of the wide-side high-speed zoom operation, the zoom lever 5 has an increased load on the rotation operation because the side surface 17d of the brush holder 17 pushes and bends the spring-shaped portion 16c. That is, the operation force of the zoom lever 5 is heavier than that during the low speed zoom operation. At this time, the two contact pieces at the tip of the brush 20 are in contact with the conductive patterns 21b and 21f, respectively, so that the rotation angle at which the wide-side high-speed zoom operation is performed is detected. Further, when the side surface 17b of the brush holder 17 abuts against the zoom stopper 16b, the brush holder 17 (that is, the zoom lever 5) does not rotate beyond the state of FIGS. 4C and 4D. ing.

  As described above, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the structure for changing the load of the operation member (zoom lever 5) can be realized with a small number of parts and a small space. By reducing the number of parts in this way, it is possible to improve the position accuracy of load fluctuations. Thereby, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the user can feel a change in the operation load at the switching position between the low speed zoom and the high speed zoom, so that it is easy to obtain a desired angle of view.

<Other embodiments>
Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Lens barrel 4 Release button 5 Zoom lever 16 Base member 16c Spring-shaped part 17 Brush holder 18 Zoom biasing member 20 Brush 21b-21f Conductive pattern

Claims (5)

An operation member that can be rotated by a predetermined angle by a user operation;
A rotating member that rotates integrally with the operation member;
A biasing member that biases the operation member to a neutral position;
A base member that rotatably supports the operation member and the rotation member,
Rotation wherein the base member, when said operating member is rotationally operated in the range of the neutral position or al plants constant angle beyond the pivot member and without contact, before Kisho fixed angle A spring-shaped portion of a both-end support structure that increases the operation load of the rotation operation by contacting the rotation member when operated is formed ,
The base member has a stopper for restricting the rotation operation by contacting the rotation member when the operation member is further rotated from the state in which the spring-shaped portion is in contact with the rotation member. Part is formed,
The spring-shaped portion and the stopper portion, the electronic apparatus characterized that you have been formed on the base member so as to sandwich the rotating member. A front cover disposed on the front side of the casing of the electronic device ;
The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the spring-shaped portion is formed in an inlay portion between the base member and the front cover. A brush member fixed to the rotating member;
An operation board on which a conductive pattern with which the brush member comes into contact is formed,
The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contacting mode between the conductive pattern and the brush member, to detect the rotation angle of the operation member. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the brush member is accommodated in an outer shape of the rotating member. Comprising imaging means,
The operating member is an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a zoom lever for changing a photographing field angle of the imaging means.

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