JP7191612B2 - Electronic equipment with vibration device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device that generates vibration according to user's operation.

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic devices such as digital cameras, video cameras, and interchangeable lenses often have a configuration that generates an operation feeling such as a force feeling or a click feeling in response to a user's operation of an operation member such as a rotating ring, dial, or button.

Patent Document 1 discloses a camera in which a vibration device (piezoelectric actuator) is provided directly below a button such as a shutter button that can be pressed by a user, and the vibration device is vibrated according to the pressing operation to give the user a sense of operation. It is Further, in Patent Document 2, by generating vibrations in a vibration device provided in a shutter button on which a user places a finger or in a grip held by a user, the user is made to perceive the direction in which an object can be properly captured (that is, A camera is disclosed that provides information indicating the orientation of the camera.

JP 2006-136865 A JP 2013-157953 A

However, when the user rotates the operation ring provided on the outer circumference of the lens barrel of the camera, if the camera body (for example, the grip) that is different from the operation ring that the user actually touches vibrates, the user may You may feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, in order to vibrate the vibrating device arranged in the portion of the operation ring that is not touched by the user's finger and transmit the vibration to the user's finger, it is necessary to increase the vibration generated by the vibrating device. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an electronic device that uses a vibration device to provide a good operational feeling to a user who operates an operation member.

An electronic device as one aspect of the present invention includes a base member, a first conductive member having a conductive portion and attached to the base member, an operating member that rotates with respect to the base member by a user operation, an operating member a vibration device that generates vibration, and a second conductive member that has a contact portion that contacts the conductive portion of the first conductive member and is attached to the operation member and electrically connected to the vibration device; a third conductive member disposed on the side opposite to the first conductive member across the operating member in the axial direction along which the central axis of rotation of the operating member extends and attached to the base member; and a fourth conductive member attached to the operating member and having a contact portion that contacts the portion . When the operation member rotates, the contact portion of the second conductive member slides against the conductive portion of the first conductive member, thereby supplying power to the vibration device through the first and second conductive members. , the second and fourth conductive members each have elasticity in the axial direction, and urge the operation member from both sides in the axial direction by the elastic force .

According to the present invention, by attaching the vibration device to the operating member, it is possible to provide a user operating the operating member with a good operational feeling. Moreover, the operating member can be rotated without being restricted in its rotation angle.

1A is an external perspective view of a camera that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the configuration of an LRA mounted on the camera. (a) Rear perspective view and (b) bottom view of the camera of Example 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the camera of Example 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the front cover unit in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the arrangement of vibration devices in Example 1. FIG. (a) A cross-sectional view of an operation ring portion in Example 1, and (b) an enlarged view of a portion A. FIG. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a front cover unit according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an operation ring portion in Example 2; FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a front cover unit according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; (a) A diagram showing a conductive pattern provided on a detection substrate in Example 3, and (b) an exploded cross-sectional view of an operation ring portion.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1A and 2A and 2B, the configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera) 10 as an imaging device (electronic device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. . As shown in FIG. 1A, the optical axis direction of the optical system housed in a lens barrel unit (lens barrel portion) described later in the camera 10 is defined as the Z-axis direction, and the direction orthogonal to this is defined as the Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction (horizontal direction) and the Y-axis direction (vertical direction). Hereinafter, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are collectively referred to as the X/Y-axis direction. The direction of rotation about the X-axis is defined as the pitch direction, and the direction of rotation about the Y-axis is defined as the yaw direction. The pitch direction and yaw direction (hereinafter collectively referred to as pitch/yaw direction) are directions of rotation about two axes, the X-axis and the Y-axis, which are orthogonal to each other.

FIG. 1(a) shows the front and top surfaces of the camera 10. FIG. The camera 10 includes a front cover unit 11 that forms the front portion of the camera body, and a collapsible lens barrel unit 12 that is provided in the center of the front cover unit 11 and forms an image of the subject by focusing light from the subject. and An imaging element (see FIG. 3) that photoelectrically converts (pictures) a subject image to generate an image is provided in the main body.

A front grip portion 101 for the user to grip the camera 10 by hand is provided on the left side (right side when viewed from the rear) of the front cover unit 11 when viewed from the front (object side). The front grip portion 101 protrudes forward from the portion of the front cover unit 11 surrounding the lens barrel unit 12 (a front cover to be described later), and has a shape that is easy for the user to hold with the hand (middle finger or ring finger). A user holding the front grip portion 101 can operate a release button 17 and a zoom lever 16, which will be described later, with the index finger of the hand. Therefore, the front grip portion 101 is arranged closer to the release button 17 than the lens barrel unit 12 is.

An operation ring 102 rotatable around the optical axis is provided on the outer circumference of the lens barrel unit 12 . The user can assign an arbitrary function for changing the imaging condition to each of a plurality of rotational positions for each predetermined amount of rotation of the operation ring 102 . For example, by rotating the operation ring 102 and selecting its rotational position, it is possible to variably set the imaging conditions such as the focal position and the exposure value. That is, the operation ring 102 is an operation member that allows the user to perform settings related to imaging, and is an operation member that allows the user to perform operations to a plurality of rotational positions. The setting related to imaging referred to in the present embodiment includes switching, adjustment, etc. related to imaging.

An exposure dial 13 for setting an exposure value, a power button 14, and a mode dial 15 for switching imaging modes are arranged on the upper surface of the camera 10 . When the user presses the power button 14 while the power of the camera 10 is off, the power of the camera 10 is turned on. When the power of the camera 10 is turned on, the lens barrel unit 12 protrudes forward from the retracted position to enable imaging. When the user rotates the mode dial 15 in this state and selects its rotational position, various imaging modes can be set. The various shooting modes include a manual still image shooting mode in which the user can arbitrarily set shooting conditions such as shutter speed and aperture value, an automatic still image shooting mode that automatically obtains an appropriate amount of exposure, and a video shooting mode. , a moving image capturing mode, and the like. In the manual still image pickup mode, the user can set an arbitrary exposure value (shutter speed+aperture value) by rotating the exposure dial 13 and selecting its rotational position. The exposure dial 13 and the mode dial 15 are operation members that can be operated by the user to make settings related to imaging, and are also operation members that can be operated by the user to a plurality of rotational positions.

Further, on the top surface of the camera 10, there are a zoom lever 16 that is operated left and right by the user to change the focal length of the lens barrel unit 12, and a release button 17 that is pressed by the user to instruct imaging. are placed. Furthermore, a built-in flash unit 19 is provided on the upper surface of the camera 10 so that it can be popped up and retracted, and an accessory shoe 18 is provided on the upper surface of the built-in flash unit 19 to allow attachment and detachment of an external flash unit, microphone, etc. ing.

When the user presses the power button 14 while the power of the camera 10 is ON, the lens barrel unit 12 is stored in the main body and the power of the camera 10 is turned OFF.

In this embodiment, a vibration device, which will be described later, is provided inside the operation ring 102 . The vibrating device vibrates according to the rotational operation of the operating ring 102 and gives vibration to the operating ring 102 . The vibration device is, for example, a type using a piezoelectric element, an eccentric motor type, or a linear actuator (LRA: Linear Resonant Actuator) type, and vibration parameters such as vibration strength (amplitude) and vibration frequency can be variably set. . Various vibration patterns can be generated by changing the vibration parameters.

FIG. 2(a) shows the back of the camera 10. FIG. On the rear surface of the camera 10, a rear cover unit 23 forming the rear surface of the main body, a rear operation section 21 provided on the rear cover unit 23, and a display section 22 are provided. The rear operation section 21 includes a plurality of buttons and dials, and is provided below the rear grip section 23c of the rear cover unit 23 on which the user's thumb rests when gripping the camera 10. As shown in FIG.

When the power of the camera 10 is ON and the still image or moving image capturing mode is set, the display unit 22 displays a through image of the subject image captured by the image sensor. Further, the display unit 22 displays imaging parameters indicating imaging conditions such as shutter speed and aperture value, and the user can change the setting values of the imaging parameters by operating the rear operation unit 21 while viewing the display. is possible. The setting values of the imaging parameters may be changed by a touch operation (slide operation) on a slider displayed on the display unit 22 as a touch panel. In this case, the slider is an operation member that allows the user to perform settings related to imaging, and is an operation member that allows the user to operate to a plurality of slide positions.

The rear operation unit 21 includes a playback button for instructing playback of the recorded captured image, and the captured image is played back and displayed on the display unit 22 by the user operating the playback button.

2B shows the bottom surface of the camera 10. FIG. A tripod seat 30 is provided on the bottom surface of the camera 10 . Accessory devices such as a tripod and a jacket can be attached to the tripod socket 30 .

FIG. 1(b) shows the configuration of an LRA type vibrating device 100. As shown in FIG. The LRA is composed of vibrator 100a, magnet 100b, spring 100c, coil 100d and base 100e. Vibrator 100a holds magnet 100b and is movably coupled to base 100e by spring 100c. The coil 100d is arranged near the magnet 100b and electrically connected to a substrate (not shown). The coil 100d is supplied with a current from the substrate to generate an electromagnetic force, and the reciprocating motion of the vibrator 100a due to the attraction force or repulsion force between the electromagnetic force and the magnet 100b causes the vibration device 100 to move. Vibration occurs in the direction of the arrow.

FIG. 3 shows the electrical and optical configuration of the camera 10. As shown in FIG. The camera 10 includes a power supply unit 135 that supplies power to each unit described later, and an operation unit 40 including the exposure dial 13, the power button 14, the mode dial 15, the zoom lever 16, the release button 17, and the rear operation unit 21 described above. have. The overall control of the camera 10 is performed by a control section 115 as control means. The control unit 115 controls the entire camera 10 by reading and executing a control program stored in a memory (not shown).

The lens barrel unit 12 includes a zoom unit 116 that includes a zoom lens that moves in the optical axis direction to change magnification, and a lens vibration reduction unit 118 that includes a shift lens as a vibration reduction element that reduces (corrects) image blur. have The lens stabilization unit 118 moves (shifts) the shift lens in the X/Y-axis directions orthogonal to the optical axis to perform an image stabilization operation to reduce image blur. Further, the lens barrel unit 12 has an aperture/shutter unit 122 that performs light amount adjustment operation and shutter operation, and a focus unit 124 that includes a focus lens that moves in the optical axis direction to perform focus adjustment.

The camera 10 drives the zoom driving unit 117 that drives the zoom unit 116 to move the zoom lens, the anti-vibration driving unit 119 that drives the lens anti-vibration unit 118 to shift the shift lens, and the diaphragm/shutter unit 122. and a diaphragm/shutter drive unit 123 that The camera 10 also has a focus driver 125 that drives the focus unit 124 to move the focus lens.

When an instruction for zooming is input from the operation unit 40 , the control unit 115 controls driving of the zoom unit 116 via the zoom driving unit 117 to perform zooming. In addition, the control unit 115 controls the aperture/shutter unit via the aperture/shutter driving unit 123 in accordance with the setting values of the aperture value and the shutter speed received from the operation unit 40 or the luminance signal acquired from the image processing unit 131 (to be described later). 122 aperture driving is controlled. Further, the control unit 115 controls the shutter driving of the diaphragm/shutter unit 122 via the diaphragm/shutter driving unit 123 in accordance with the imaging instruction operation of the release button 17 . Further, the control unit 115 performs autofocus by controlling driving of the focus unit 124 via the focus driving unit 125 according to the focus signal acquired from the image processing unit 131 .

The imaging device 126 photoelectrically converts the subject image and outputs an imaging signal. The image processing unit 131 performs various image processing on the imaging signal to generate an image signal. The display unit 22 displays an image signal (through image) output from the image processing unit 131, displays imaging parameters as described above, and reproduces and displays captured images recorded in the storage unit 132. .

Also, the imaging device 126 is included in the sensor vibration isolation unit 130 as a vibration isolation device. The sensor stabilization unit 130 moves (shifts) the imaging device 126 in the X/Y axis directions perpendicular to the optical axis to reduce (correct) image blurring. The control unit 115 controls imaging by the image sensor 126 and driving of the sensor anti-vibration unit 130 (shift position of the image sensor 126) via the sensor driving unit 127. FIG.

The camera 10 has a pitch shake detection section 120a and a yaw shake detection section 120b as shake detection means capable of detecting shake such as camera shake applied to the camera 10 (hereinafter referred to as camera shake). The pitch shake detection unit 120a and the yaw shake detection unit 120b use an angular velocity sensor (vibration gyro) and an angular acceleration sensor, respectively, in the pitch direction (rotation direction around the X axis) and yaw direction (rotation direction around the Y axis). Detects camera shake and outputs a shake signal.

The pitch stabilization calculation unit 121a uses the shake signal from the pitch shake detection unit 120a to calculate the shift positions of the lens stabilization unit 118 (shift lens) and the sensor stabilization unit 130 (imaging element 126) in the Y-axis direction. do. Also, the yaw stabilization calculation unit 121b calculates the shift positions of the lens stabilization unit 118 and the sensor stabilization unit 130 in the X-axis direction using the shake signal from the yaw shake detection unit 120b. The control unit 115 controls the lens stabilization unit 118 via the stabilization driving unit 119 and the sensor driving unit 127 according to the shift position in the pitch/yaw direction calculated by the pitch stabilization calculation unit 121a and the yaw stabilization calculation unit 121b. and the shift position of the sensor vibration isolation unit 130 . As a result, an anti-vibration operation for correcting image blur is performed.

The user can select through the operation unit 40 whether to drive one or both of the lens vibration isolation unit 118 and the sensor vibration isolation unit 130 to perform the image stabilization operation. For example, when the user has turned on the image stabilizing operation setting, the control unit 115 determines the imaging scene, and selects one or both of the lens image stabilizing unit 118 and the sensor image stabilizing unit 130 that are most suitable. Select to perform anti-vibration operation.

The rotation detector 133 detects a rotation operation of the operation ring 102 . When the rotation detection unit 133 detects a rotation operation, the control unit 115 causes the vibration device driving unit 134 to output a drive signal to the vibration device 100 to cause the vibration device 100 to vibrate. As will be described later, the vibrating device 100 transmits vibration to the operation ring 102, so that the user's hand (finger) touching the operation ring 102 is given an operational feeling such as a click feeling in response to the rotational operation of the operation ring 102. be able to.

As described above, it is possible to change the set values of the imaging parameters by operating the rear operation unit 21 , but it is also possible to assign the change of the set values of the imaging parameters to the operation of rotating the operation ring 102 .

Further, the camera 10 has an orientation detection section (orientation detection means) 136 . The orientation detection unit 136 is configured using, for example, an acceleration sensor, and detects the orientation of the camera 10 . The control unit 115 controls the spirit level function displayed on the display unit 22, the lens anti-vibration unit 118, etc., according to the orientation of the camera 10 detected through the orientation detection unit 136 (hereinafter referred to as camera orientation).

FIG. 4 shows the front cover unit 11 disassembled. The front cover unit 11 has a front base member 104, and a front cover 103, which is a metal exterior cover, is fixed to the front base member 104 with double-sided tape or adhesive. The front grip portion 101 is attached to the front cover 103 from the outside and fixed from the inside with two screws (not shown). As described above, the front grip part 101 has a shape protruding forward from the front cover 103 so that the user can easily hold it. The front grip portion 101 has a two-layer structure of a resin member on the side of the front cover 103 and an elastic member on the surface side that is gripped by the user.

An O-ring 105 is fitted in a groove extending in the circumferential direction (that is, in the rotational direction of the operating ring 102) on the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion of the operating ring 102 (see FIG. 6(a)). The O-ring 105 is made of a rubber material such as fluororubber which has good slidability. The operation ring 102 to which the O-ring 105 is assembled in this way is assembled to the operation ring holding portion 104a formed in the front base member 104 from the front. As a result, the O-ring 105 is sandwiched between the operation ring 102 and the operation ring holding portion 104a, and the radial rattle of the operation ring 102 with respect to the front base member 104 is suppressed.

On the other hand, a sliding sheet 107 is attached to the front surface of the rotation detection ring 106 . The rotation detection ring 106 has a plurality of concave portions and convex portions 106c alternately formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. These convex portions 106c function as light shielding portions that enter and exit between the light emitting portions and the light receiving portions of the photointerrupters 133a and 133b included in the rotation detection portion 133 as the rotation detection ring 106 rotates.

The rotation detection ring 106 is attached to the operation ring 102 from behind the front base member 104 . At this time, the phase matching recesses 102a provided at multiple circumferential locations on the inner circumference of the operation ring 102 are aligned with the phase matching portions 106a provided at multiple locations (two locations in this embodiment) in the rotation detection ring 106 in the circumferential direction. The rotational position of the rotation detection ring 106 is determined so as to match with . Hooking portions 106b formed so as to extend forward from a plurality of locations (four locations in this embodiment) of the rotation detection ring 106 in the circumferential direction are engaged with projections 102b provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the operation ring 102. match. In this way, the operation ring 102 and the rotation detection ring 106 are connected so as to be rotatable together.

The photointerrupters 133a and 133b described above are mounted on the flexible substrate 109 so as to be arranged at different positions (phases) in the rotation direction of the rotation detection ring 106. FIG. A flexible substrate 109 is assembled to the front base member 104 . Each photointerrupter is in a light blocking state when the convex portion 106c of the rotation detection ring 106 is positioned between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and receives light when the convex portion 106c is not positioned between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. state. The direction and amount of rotation of the rotation detection ring 106, that is, the operation ring 102 can be detected by detecting and counting the switching between the light blocking state and the light receiving state of the photointerrupters 133a and 133b. The photointerrupters 133a and 133b and the rotation detection ring 106 constitute rotation detection means.

Further, around the operation ring holding portion 104a on the front surface of the front base member 104, a power supply substrate 111 as a first conductive member is attached by double-sided tape or adhesion. The power supply substrate 111 is formed in an annular shape, and power supply patterns 111a and 111b as conductive portions are formed in an annular shape on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the front surface, respectively, without being interrupted in the circumferential direction. there is The power supply patterns 111 a and 111 b are electrically connected to a main board (not shown) attached to the front base member 104 . The control unit 115, the vibration device driving unit 134, and the like shown in FIG. 3 are mounted on this main board. The vibrating device driving section 134 is electrically connected to the power supply patterns 111a and 111b through the main substrate.

FIG. 5 shows the operating ring 102 viewed from behind. The vibration device 100 is attached (fixed) to the inner peripheral portion of the operation ring 102 with double-sided tape or adhesive. Since the LRA type vibrating device 100 has a box shape as shown in FIG. 1B, it can be firmly fixed to the operation ring 102 by double-sided tape or adhesion using its outer surface. However, the vibration device 100 may be attached to the operation ring 102 with screws. Also, the vibrating device 100 is operated so that its vibrating direction (the arrow direction shown in FIG. 1B) is parallel to the optical axis of the lens barrel unit 12, that is, in the optical axis direction. Attached to ring 102 .

A first power supply brush 112 and a second power supply brush 113 as second conductive members are attached to the rear surface of the inner peripheral portion of the operation ring 102 by screws or adhesion. The first and second power supply brushes 112 and 113 are each formed to extend in an arc shape in the circumferential direction of the operation ring 102 . The vibration device 100 has lead wires 100f and 100g for power supply. The lead wires 100f and 100g are electrically connected to lead wire connection portions 112a and 113a provided on the first and second power supply brushes 112 and 113 by soldering or the like, respectively.

The two contact portions 112b provided on both sides in the circumferential direction of the first power supply brush 112 contact different positions in the circumferential direction of the power supply pattern 111a of the power supply board 111 shown in FIG. The two contact portions 113b provided on both sides in the circumferential direction of the second power supply brush 113 contact different positions in the power supply pattern 111b of the power supply board 111 in the circumferential direction. In this way, the contact portions 112b, 113b and the power supply patterns 111a, 111b come into contact with each other in the optical axis direction (in other words, the axial direction along which the central axis of rotation of the operation ring 102 extends).

A driving current (driving signal from the vibrating device driving section 134 ) from the power feeding substrate 111 is supplied to the vibrating device 100 via the first and second power feeding brushes 112 and 113 . That is, power is supplied to the vibrating device 100 . Thereby, vibration can be generated in the vibrating device 100 .

When the operation ring 102 rotates, the first and second power supply brushes 112, 113 also rotate together with the operation ring 102, and the contact portions 112b, 113b slide on the power supply patterns 111a, 111b. At this time, since the power supply patterns 111 a and 111 b are formed continuously in the circumferential direction, power can be supplied from the power supply substrate 111 to the vibration device 100 regardless of the rotational position (phase) of the operation ring 102 . In addition, by using the first and second power supply brushes 112 and 113 that slide on the power supply patterns 111a and 111b, the operation ring 102 can be controlled by wiring as in the case of using a wiring such as a flexible substrate or a cable. Limitation of the rotation angle can be avoided. That is, endless rotation operation of the operation ring 102 becomes possible.

FIG. 6(a) shows a cross section around the operation ring 102, and FIG. 6(b) shows an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 6(a).

As shown in FIG. 5, the first and second power supply brushes 112 and 113 each have two arm portions 112c and 113c extending in the circumferential direction, and the contact portions 112b are attached to the tips of the arm portions 112c and 113c. , 113b are provided. The first and second power supply brushes 112 and 113 are formed such that the arm portions 112c and 113c have elasticity in the optical axis direction. With the arm portions 112c and 113c elastically deformed to generate elastic force, the contact portions 112b and 113b contact the power supply substrate 111 (power supply patterns 111a and 111b), thereby moving the operation ring 102 forward (see FIG. 6 ( a) and (b) are biased in directions indicated by arrows. This bias presses the rotation detection ring 106 against the rear end surface of the operation ring holding portion 104 a of the front base member 104 via the sliding sheet 107 . This suppresses rattling of the operation ring 102 with respect to the front base member 104 in the optical axis direction.

In the present embodiment, contact portions 112b and 113b are provided at the tips of arm portions 112c and 113c provided in the circumferential direction on each of the first and second power supply brushes 112 and 113, that is, four arms in total. The contact portion and the contact portion are provided at intervals of 90° in the circumferential direction. This prevents the central axis of rotation of the operation ring 102 from tilting with respect to the optical axis. However, one arm portion and one contact portion may be provided for each of the two power supply brushes, and three contact portions may be provided at intervals of 120° in the circumferential direction using an elastic dummy contact member (not shown).

Further, in this embodiment, the elasticity of the first and second power supply brushes 112 and 113 is used to remove looseness in the operation ring 102. However, the first and second power supply brushes 112 and 113 are Another elastic member may be interposed between the operating ring 102 and the front base member 104. FIG.

Next, the relationship between the vibrating device 100 and the photointerrupter 133a will be described with reference to FIG. 6(b). The following description also applies to the photointerrupter 133b.

As also shown in FIG. 6A, the vibrating device 100 is arranged so that its vibrating direction is the optical axis direction. The photointerrupter 133a is arranged so that the light beam L1 is emitted from its light emitting portion toward the light receiving portion in parallel with the vibration direction.

As described above, the rotation detection ring 106 is provided with the convex portion (light shielding portion) 106c along its entire circumference. The convex portion 106c protrudes radially outward from the rotation detection ring 106, and moves in and out between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photointerrupter 133a as the operation ring 102 rotates.

In this embodiment, the vibrating direction of the vibrating device 100 is the same as the arrangement direction of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photointerrupter 133a, that is, the direction in which the light emitting portion emitting the light beam L1 and the light receiving portion receiving the light beam L1 face each other. Therefore, even if the protrusion 106c is displaced in the vibration direction due to vibration of the vibrating device 100, the amount of light L1 blocked by the protrusion 106 hardly changes. As a result, erroneous detection of rotation of the operation ring 102 by the photointerrupter 133a (and 133b) caused by vibration of the vibrating device 100 can be reduced.

If the vibrating direction of the vibrating device 100 is the radial direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photointerrupter 133a, the vibration of the vibrating device 100 may change the amount of light L1 blocked by the convex portion 106. . As a result, the amount of light received by the light-receiving portion of the photointerrupter 133a is unstable, and there is a possibility that the rotation of the operation ring 102 is erroneously detected. Therefore, as in this embodiment, it is desirable that the vibration direction of the vibration device 100 coincides with the arrangement direction of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photointerrupter 133a, that is, with the optical axis direction.

Next, Example 2 of the present invention will be described. The description of the configuration common to the first embodiment is omitted. FIG. 7 shows an exploded front cover unit 11 according to the second embodiment.

In this embodiment, an LRA type vibration device 200 is attached to the inner peripheral portion of the operation ring 202 as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 8A). Around the operation ring holding portion 204a on the front surface of the front base member 204, a rear power feeding board 211A as a first conductive member is attached. A ring-shaped front end cover 214 is attached to the front end surface of the operation ring holding portion 204a with screws. On the rear surface of the front end cover 214, that is, on the surface opposite to the rear power supply substrate 211A with the operation ring 202 interposed in the optical axis direction (vibration direction of the vibration device 200), a front power supply as a third conductive member is provided. substrate 211B is attached. Both the rear power feeding substrate 211A and the front power feeding substrate 211B are formed in an annular shape. A power supply pattern 211a and a power supply pattern 211b as conductive portions are formed in an annular shape on the rear side power supply substrate 211A and the front side power supply substrate 211B, respectively, without being interrupted in the circumferential direction. The front end cover 214 constitutes a base member together with the front base member 204 to which it is integrally fixed.

On the other hand, a first power supply brush 212 as a second conductive member is attached to the rear surface of the inner peripheral portion of the operation ring 202 . A second power supply brush 213 as a fourth conductive member is attached to the front surface of the inner peripheral portion of the operation ring 202 . Both the first and second power supply brushes 212 and 213 are formed in an annular shape. The first and second power supply brushes 212 and 213 respectively have lead wire connection portions 212a and 213a at one point in the circumferential direction. Lead wires 200a and 200b of the vibrating device 200 are electrically connected to these lead wire connection portions 212a and 213a by soldering or the like.

Further, the first and second power supply brushes 212 and 213 respectively have contact portions 212b and 213b at a plurality of locations (three locations in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction. The three contact portions 112b provided on the first power supply brush 212 contact different positions in the circumferential direction of the power supply pattern 211a of the rear power supply board 211A. In addition, the three contact portions 213b provided on the second power supply brush 213 are in contact with different positions in the circumferential direction of the power supply pattern 211b of the front side power supply board 211B. Thus, the contact portions 212b, 213b and the power feeding patterns 211a, 211b come into contact with each other in the optical axis direction. By arranging the power supply patterns 211a and 211b separately in the optical axis direction as in this embodiment, the outer diameter of each power supply substrate can be made smaller than in the first embodiment, and the lens barrel unit can be made smaller in the radial direction.

The drive currents from the rear and front power feeding substrates 211A and 211B (driving signals from the vibrating device driving section 134 described in the first embodiment) vibrate via the first and second power feeding brushes 212 and 213, respectively. supplied to the device 200 . That is, power is supplied to the vibrating device 200 . Thereby, vibration can be generated in the vibrating device 200 .

When the operation ring 202 rotates, the first and second power supply brushes 212 and 213 also rotate together with the operation ring 202, and the contact portions 212b and 213b slide with respect to the power supply patterns 211a and 211b. At this time, since the power supply patterns 211a and 211b are formed continuously in the circumferential direction, regardless of the rotational position (phase) of the operation ring 202, the vibration from the rear and front power supply substrates 211A and 211B to the vibrating device 200 can be detected. Power supply becomes possible. In addition, by using the first and second power supply brushes 212 and 213 that slide on the power supply patterns 211a and 211b, the operation ring 202 can be controlled by wiring as in the case of using a wiring such as a flexible substrate or a cable. Limitation of the rotation angle can be avoided. That is, endless rotation operation of the operation ring 202 becomes possible.

FIG. 8(a) shows a cross section around the operation ring 202, and FIG. 8(b) shows an enlarged portion B in FIG. 8(a). The first and second power supply brushes 212 and 213 are formed to have elasticity in the optical axis direction. With the first and second power supply brushes 212, 213 elastically deformed to generate elastic force, the contact portions 212b, 213b contact the power supply patterns 211a, 211b of the rear and front power supply substrates 211A, 211B, respectively. By doing so, the operation ring 202 is urged from both sides in the optical axis direction. This urging from both sides suppresses rattling of the operation ring 202 with respect to the front base member 204 in the optical axis direction.

A cylindrical rotation detection sheet (scale) 206 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the operation ring 202 with double-sided tape. The rotation detection sheet 206 is provided with a rotation detection pattern in which light reflecting portions 206a and non-reflecting portions 206b are alternately arranged. On the other hand, the front base member 204 is attached with a detection substrate 209 on which two photoreflectors 233a and 233b are mounted. Each photoreflector is provided with a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion facing the rotation detection pattern of the rotation detection sheet 206 .

When the operation ring 202 is rotated, the rotation detection sheet 206 also rotates. At this time, each of the two photoreflectors 233a and 233b receives light emitted from the light emitting portion and reflected by the rotation detecting pattern (reflecting portion 206a) of the rotation detecting sheet 206 with the respective light receiving portions. Two pulse signals whose phases are shifted from each other are output from the light receiving portions of the two photoreflectors 233a and 233b. By using these pulse signals, the direction and amount of rotation of the operation ring 202 can be detected. The photoreflectors 233a and 233b and the rotation detection sheet 206 constitute rotation detection means.

Next, the relationship between the vibrating device 200 and the photoreflector 233a will be described with reference to FIG. 8(b). The following description also applies to the photoreflector 233b.

The vibrating device 200 is arranged such that its vibrating direction is the optical axis direction. The photoreflector 233a emits a light beam L2 from its light emitting portion toward the rotation detecting sheet 206 in a radial direction orthogonal to the vibration direction, and receives the light beam L2 reflected by the rotation detecting sheet 206 at a light receiving portion. Thus, the vibrating direction of the vibrating device 200 is the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the photoreflector 233a face the rotation detection sheet 206 (that is, the optical axis direction).

When the vibration device 200 vibrates, the rotation detection sheet 206 is displaced in the vibration direction with respect to the photoreflector 233a. However, if the rotation detection sheet 206 has a width larger than the amount of displacement, there is almost no effect on rotation detection of the operation ring 202 using reflected light from the rotation detection sheet 206 by the photoreflector 233a. As a result, erroneous detection of rotation of the operation ring 202 by the photoreflector 233a (and 233b) caused by vibration of the vibration device 200 can be reduced. Further, even if the vibrating device 200 vibrates, the radial distance between the photoreflector 233 and the rotation detection sheet 206, that is, the optical path length of the light beam L2 does not change. Therefore, erroneous detection of rotation can be further reduced.

Next, Example 3 of the present invention will be described. The description of the configuration common to the first embodiment is omitted. FIG. 9 shows an exploded front cover unit 11 according to the second embodiment.

In this embodiment, the LRA type vibration device 300 is attached to the inner peripheral portion of the operation ring 302 as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 10(b)). Around the operation ring holding portion 304a on the front surface of the front base member 304, a power supply board 311 as a first conductive member is attached. The power supply substrate 311 is formed in an annular shape, and power supply patterns 311a and 311b as conductive portions are formed annularly on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the front surface, respectively, without being interrupted in the circumferential direction. there is

A first power supply brush 312 and a second power supply brush 313 as second conductive members are attached to the rear surface of the inner peripheral portion of the operation ring 302 by screws or adhesion. The first and second power supply brushes 312, 313 are formed similarly to the first and second power supply brushes 112, 113 of the first embodiment. The vibration device 300 has lead wires 300f and 300g for power supply. The lead wires 300f and 300g are electrically connected to lead wire connection portions 312a and 313a provided on the first and second power supply brushes 312 and 313 by soldering or the like, respectively.

The two contact portions 312b provided on both sides of the first power supply brush 312 in the circumferential direction contact different positions in the power supply pattern 311a of the power supply substrate 311 in the circumferential direction. The two contact portions 313b provided on both sides in the circumferential direction of the second power supply brush 313 are in contact with different positions in the circumferential direction of the power supply pattern 311b of the power supply substrate 311, respectively. Thus, the contact portions 312b, 313b and the power feeding patterns 311a, 311b come into contact with each other in the optical axis direction.

A driving current from the power feeding substrate 311 (driving signal from the vibrating device driving section 134 described in the first embodiment) is supplied to the vibrating device 300 via the first and second power feeding brushes 312 and 313 . That is, power is supplied to the vibrating device 100 . Thereby, vibration can be generated in the vibrating device 300 .

When the operation ring 302 rotates, the first and second power supply brushes 312 and 313 also rotate together with the operation ring 302, and the contact portions 312b and 313b slide on the power supply patterns 311a and 311b. At this time, since the power supply patterns 311 a and 311 b are formed continuously in the circumferential direction, power can be supplied from the power supply substrate 311 to the vibrating device 300 regardless of the rotational position (phase) of the operation ring 102 . In addition, by using the first and second power supply brushes 312 and 313 that slide on the power supply patterns 311a and 311b, the operation ring 302 can be controlled by wiring as in the case of using a wiring such as a flexible substrate or cable. Limitation of the rotation angle can be avoided. That is, endless rotation operation of the operation ring 302 becomes possible.

A ring-shaped front end cover 314 is attached to the front end surface of the operation ring holding portion 304a of the front base member 304 with screws. On the rear surface of the front end cover 314, that is, on the surface opposite to the feeding substrate 311 across the operation ring 302 in the optical axis direction (vibration direction of the vibration device 300), a rotation detecting substrate as a third conductive member is provided. 309 is attached. The rotation detection substrate 309 is formed in an annular shape. As shown in FIG. 10A, rotation detection patterns 309a, 309b, and 309c as conductive portions are annularly formed on the rear surface of the rotation detection substrate 309 without discontinuity in the circumferential direction. The front end cover 314 constitutes a base member together with the front base member 304 to which it is integrally fixed.

On the other hand, a rotation detection brush 333 as a fourth conductive member is attached to the front surface of the inner peripheral portion of the operation ring 302 . The rotation detection brush 333 is formed in an annular shape, and has three convex portions protruding forward in the circumferential direction and three concave portions recessed backward in the circumferential direction alternately in the circumferential direction. The rotation detection brush 333 has contact portions 333a, 333b, and 333c projecting further forward from three convex portions.

When the rotation detection substrate 309 rotates together with the operation ring 302, the contact portion 333a is always in contact (sliding) with the rotation detection pattern 309a, and the contact portions 333b and 333c move according to the phase of the operation ring 302. One of the rotation detection patterns 309b and 309c is in contact with the other. Therefore, according to the rotation of the operation ring 302, the state in which the rotation detection brush 333 is in contact with the rotation detection patterns 309a and 309b and the state in which it is in contact with the rotation detection patterns 309a and 309c alternately occur. As a result, two pulse signals whose phases are shifted from each other can be extracted from the rotation detection brush 333 . By using these pulse signals, the direction and amount of rotation of the operation ring 302 can be detected. The rotation detection brush 333 and the rotation detection substrate 309 constitute rotation detection means.

FIG. 10(b) shows an exploded cross section around the operation ring 302. As shown in FIG. The first and second power supply brushes 312, 313 are formed to have elasticity in the optical axis direction, like the first and second power supply brushes 112, 113 of the first embodiment. On the other hand, the rotation detection brush 333 also has elasticity in the optical axis direction due to the shape described above. The contact portions 312b, 313b, and 313c of the first and second power supply brushes 312, 313 and the rotation detection brush 333 are elastically deformed to generate an elastic force, and the power supply pattern 311a of the power supply substrate 311 is connected to the power supply pattern 311a. , 311b and the rotation detection patterns 309a to 309c of the rotation detection substrate 309 are in contact with each other. Thereby, the operation ring 302 is urged from both sides in the optical axis direction. This urging from both sides suppresses rattling of the operation ring 302 with respect to the front base member 304 in the optical axis direction.

Next, the relationship between the vibration device 300, the rotation detection substrate 309, and the rotation detection brush 333 will be described with reference to FIG. 10(b). Also in this embodiment, the vibrating device 300 is arranged so that its vibrating direction is the optical axis direction. This vibration direction (optical axis direction) is the direction in which the rotation detection patterns 309a to 309c of the rotation detection substrate 309 and the contact portions 333a to 333c of the rotation detection brush 333 come into contact with each other.

Therefore, even if the vibrating device 300 vibrates, the contact points 333a to 333c of the rotation detection brush 333 on the rotation detection patterns 309a to 309c of the rotation detection substrate 309 do not change in the circumferential direction. That is, the two pulse signals obtained from the rotation detection brush 333 do not change due to vibration. As a result, erroneous detection of rotation of the operation ring 302 by the rotation detection substrate 309 and the rotation detection brush 333 due to vibration of the vibration device 300 can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the rotation detection substrate 309 is annularly arranged on a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction. If the rotation detection substrate is bent into a cylindrical shape, seams are formed at both ends in the circumferential direction. At the seams, gaps and overlapping portions are generated due to tolerances of the rotation detection board and other components. Then, when the rotation detection brush passes through the gap or overlapping portion, there is a possibility that the pulse signal obtained from the rotation detection brush may be interrupted or may be caught by the end portion of the rotation detection substrate. On the other hand, by arranging the rotation detecting substrate 309 in an annular shape on the surface orthogonal to the optical axis direction as in the present embodiment, the above problem can be avoided, and the operation ring 302 A pulse signal can be stably obtained from the rotation detection brush 333 regardless of the phase of . This also applies to the power supply substrates in Examples 1-3.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, a lens-integrated camera has been described, but an interchangeable lens (electronic device) attached to a lens-interchangeable camera is also included in other embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, cameras and interchangeable lenses have been described, but various electronic devices having operation members that can be operated by a user are also included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Each embodiment described above is merely a representative example, and various modifications and changes can be made to each embodiment in carrying out the present invention.

10 Camera body 12 Lens barrel unit 100, 200, 300 Vibration device 102, 202, 302 Operation ring 104 Front base member 111, 211A, 211B, 311 Power supply board 112, 113, 212, 213, 333, 312, 313 Brush

Claims (7)

a base member;
a first conductive member having a conductive portion and attached to the base member;
an operation member that rotates with respect to the base member by a user operation;
a vibration device that is attached to the operation member and generates vibration;
a second conductive member having a contact portion that contacts the conductive portion of the first conductive member and attached to the operation member and electrically connected to the vibration device ;
a third conductive member attached to the base member, disposed on the side opposite to the first conductive member across the operation member in the axial direction in which the rotation center axis of the operation member extends;
a fourth conductive member having a contact portion that contacts the conductive portion of the third conductive member and attached to the operation member;
When the operating member rotates, the contact portion of the second conductive member slides against the conductive portion of the first conductive member, thereby causing the electrical contact through the first and second conductive members. powering the vibrating device,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein each of the second and fourth conductive members has elasticity in the axial direction, and biases the operation member from both sides in the axial direction by elastic force . 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is rotatably provided on the outer circumference of the lens barrel unit. In the first conductive member and the second conductive member, the conductive portion of the first conductive member and the contact portion of the second conductive member are in contact with each other in the axial direction along which the central axis of rotation of the operation member extends. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is attached to the base member and the operation member so as to be connected to each other. In the first conductive member, the conductive portion of the first conductive member is provided continuously in the rotation direction of the operation member,
The second conductive member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second conductive member extends in an arc shape in the rotational direction and has contact portions of the second conductive member on both sides in the rotational direction. Electronics as described. 5. The third and fourth conductive members, together with the first and second conductive members, are provided for supplying power to the vibration device. The electronic device described in . 6. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein said third and fourth conductive members are provided for detecting rotation of said operating member. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the vibration device generates vibrations in an axial direction along which the central axis of rotation of the operation member extends.

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