JP7225368B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device such as a digital video camera for business use, and more particularly to an imaging device having a plurality of external connection terminals.

With commercial digital video cameras, etc., you carry the camera body on your shoulder with the cable connected, and shoot while moving. Many of them are located on the back side of the main unit.

However, recent business-use digital video cameras have become multi-functional, and connectors for performing high-speed communication, connectors for IP communication, and the like are provided on the camera body, and the number of connectors is increasing. For this reason, it is not possible to arrange all the connectors on the rear side of the camera body, and there is a camera in which the connectors are arranged on the side surface of the camera body (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2007-53426

However, when the number of connectors increases as cameras become more multi-functional, placing the connectors on the side of the camera body can lead to problems such as disconnection of the connector due to the cables getting caught when carrying the camera body on the shoulder. is likely to occur.

On the other hand, if all the connectors are arranged on the back of the camera body, the size of the camera body in the width direction is further increased, resulting in an unsuitable shape for a shoulder-mounted digital video camera for professional use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce the insertion/extraction of a cable to/from an external connection terminal even when a plurality of external connection terminals are arranged on the side surfaces of the apparatus body in the width direction, while reducing the width of the device body of an imaging device. To provide a technology for preventing cable catching and connector disconnection, etc.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to claim 1 comprises: an apparatus main body having a lens unit detachably mounted on the front surface and a battery unit detachably mounted on the rear surface thereof; a plurality of inclined surfaces provided on the left side surface in the width direction of the apparatus main body perpendicular to the optical axis when viewed from the side; and a plurality of external connection terminals provided on the plurality of inclined surfaces; each of the inclined surfaces includes a first end and a second end, and the first end of each of the plurality of inclined surfaces is greater than the second end in the width direction. the first end of each of the plurality of inclined surfaces located near the axis, and the first end of each of the plurality of inclined surfaces in the direction of the optical axis is positioned closer to the back side of the apparatus main body than the second end Each of the surfaces is inclined, and the plurality of inclined surfaces are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the left side and at least partially overlap each other when viewed from the back side of the device main body. characterized by being

According to the present invention, even when a plurality of external connection terminals are arranged on the width direction side surface of the device main body, it is possible to reduce the ease of inserting and withdrawing a cable from/to the external connection terminal while reducing the thickness of the main body of the imaging device in the width direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cable from being caught, the connector from coming off, and the like.

1 is a front perspective view of a digital video camera for business use, which is an example of an embodiment of an imaging apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the business-use digital video camera shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the rear side; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which lids and covers are attached to a plurality of connectors of the business-use digital video camera shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which lids and covers are attached to a plurality of connectors of the business-use digital video camera shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which cables and the like are respectively connected to a plurality of connectors of the business-use digital video camera shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which cables and the like are connected to a plurality of connectors of the business-use digital video camera shown in FIG. 2; FIG. Fig. 3 is a left side view of the camera body as viewed from the front side; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 7; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which cables are connected to connectors arranged on the left side surface of the camera body as viewed from the front side; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 9;

An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a shoulder-mounted digital video camera for business use, which is an example of an embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the business-use digital video camera shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the rear side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a digital video camera 100 for professional use (hereinafter simply referred to as camera 100) of this embodiment has an interchangeable lens unit on the front side of a camera body 101 as an example of a device body. 102 is detachably provided. A battery unit 103 for supplying power is detachably provided on the rear surface of the camera body 101 . A plurality of connectors are provided on the left side surface in the width direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit 102 when the camera body 101 is viewed from the front side.

Specifically, a D-tap connector 104, a wireless communication connector 105, a microphone input connector 106, a lens connector 107, a card connector 108, a USB connector 109, and an HDMI (registered trademark) cable connector 202 are provided.

Similarly, an external monitor connector 201, a wired LAN cable connector 203, imaging information output connectors 204 and 205, monitors 206 and 207, and a return signal connector 208 are provided. Similarly, SDI connectors 209-212, a remote control terminal 213, a rank connector 214 and an audio output stereo connector 215 are provided.

Audio output monaural connectors 216 and 217 and a power connector 218 are provided below the battery unit 103 at the bottom of the back of the camera body 101 . The camera 100 of the present embodiment takes pictures while moving with the camera body 101 carried on the shoulder in a state in which cables are connected to respective connectors, which are a plurality of external connection terminals.

As shown in FIG. 1, the D-tap connector 104 is a power connector capable of supplying power to an external video light or an external monitor. The wireless communication connector 105 is a connector for connecting a wireless communication unit 502 (see FIG. 5) capable of wirelessly transferring photographed data.

The microphone input connector 106 is an XLR connector, and when an external microphone is connected, the signal input to the external microphone is sent to the main board (not shown) of the camera body 101 and subjected to predetermined signal processing. Audio can be recorded.

A lens connector 107 is a connector for transmitting a signal from the lens unit 102 to the camera body 101 by connecting a cable of the lens unit 102 . The card connector 108 has a recording medium inside the lid. The USB connector 109 can perform wireless communication by connecting an external connection USB.

As shown in FIG. 2, the external monitor connector 201 is a connector for connecting an external electronic viewfinder (EVF), and by connecting a cable for the EVF, images input from the lens unit 102 can be viewed. It can be output to EVF.

The HDMI cable connector 202 is a communication cable for transmitting video and audio, and can output video and audio input from the lens unit 102 to an external monitor. The wired LAN cable connector 203 can be connected to the Internet by connecting a LAN cable.

Shooting information output connectors 204 and 205 are connectors for outputting information at the time of shooting, respectively, and can output information such as time code and GEN lock by connecting external devices. The monitors 206 and 207 are connectors for outputting video signals input from the lens unit 102, and in this embodiment, BNC connectors are used.

The return signal connector 208 is a connector for inputting external information, and when shooting with a plurality of cameras, it is possible to display images shot by other cameras on the monitor of the camera 100. Yes, using a BNC connector.

SDI connectors 209 to 212 are connectors for outputting SDI signals to the outside, and use BNC connectors. By connecting a remote control unit to the remote control terminal 213 , a signal input from the remote control unit can be output to the main substrate of the camera body 101 to operate the camera 100 .

The rank connector 214 can operate the camera 100 by connecting a rank remote controller. The audio output stereo connector 215 can output audio recorded on the camera 100 side to the outside as a stereo signal.

Audio output monaural connectors 216 and 217 are both capable of outputting audio recorded by camera 100 to the outside as a monaural signal. Audio output mono connector 216 outputs channel one and audio output mono connector 217 outputs channel two. A power connector 218 is a connector for supplying power to the camera 100 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which lids and covers are attached to the connectors 104 to 109 of the camera 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which lids and covers are attached to the connectors 201 to 208 of the camera 100 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, connector lid 301 is detachably attached to D-tap connector 104 and connector lid 302 is detachably attached to wireless communication connector 105 . The terminal cover 303 has two connector covers, which are attached to the microphone input connector 106 and the lens connector 107, respectively. The jack cover 304 covers and protects the USB connector 109 so that it can be opened and closed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the jack cover 401 has two connector covers that are detachably attached to the external monitor connector 201 and the HDMI cable connector 202, respectively. The connector lid 402 is detachably attached to the wired LAN cable connector 203 . The BNC cover 403 has two connector covers, which are detachably attached to the photographing information output connectors 204 and 205, respectively.

The monitor cover 404 has three connector lids, which are detachably attached to the monitor 206, the monitor 207, and the return signal connector 208, respectively. The SDI cover 405 has five connector lids, which are detachably attached to the SDI connectors 209 to 212 and the remote control terminal 213, respectively.

The rear cover 406 has two connector lids, which are detachably attached to the rank connector 214 and the audio output stereo connector 215, respectively. The rear jack cover 407 has three connector lids, which are detachably attached to the audio output monaural connector 216, the audio output monaural connector 217 and the power connector 218, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which cables and the like are connected to the connectors 104 to 109 of the camera 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which cables and the like are connected to the connectors 201 to 208 of the camera 100 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, D-tap cable 501 is an L-shaped cable and is connected to D-tap connector 104 . Wireless communication unit 502 is an L-shaped unit and is connected to wireless communication connector 105 . A microphone input cable 503 is connected to the microphone input connector 106 .

A lens cable 504 is connected to the lens connector 107 . A USB communication unit 505 is an L-shaped unit and is connected to the USB connector 109 . Note that the D-tap cable 501, the wireless communication unit 502, and the USB communication unit 505 have a small amount of protrusion from the camera body 101, and are unlikely to be damaged even if they are arranged on the side surface of the camera body 101.

As shown in FIG. 6, the external monitor connection cable 601 is connected to the external monitor connection connector 201 . HDMI cable 602 is connected to HDMI cable connector 202 . A connector fixing screw is attached to the HDMI cable 602, and by tightening the connector fixing screw into a screw hole formed in the camera body 101, the HDMI cable connector 202 can be prevented from being damaged.

A wired LAN cable 603 is connected to the wired LAN cable connector 203 . A BNC cable 604 is connected to the imaging information output connector 204 , and a BNC cable 605 is connected to the imaging information output connector 205 . BNC cables 606 and 607 are connected to monitors 206 and 207, respectively.

BNC cable 608 is connected to return signal connector 208, and BNC cables 609-612 are connected to SDI connectors 209-212, respectively. A remote control cable 613 is connected to the remote control terminal 213 .

A rank cable 614 is connected to the rank connector 214 . XLR 5-pin cable 615 is connected to audio output stereo connector 215, and XLR 3-pin cables 616, 617 are connected to audio output monaural connectors 216, 217, respectively. An XLR 4 pin cable 618 is connected to the power connector 218 .

These various cables have a rigid portion made of metal or resin at the tip of the side connected to the connector, and the rigid portion has a different length depending on the type of cable.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the camera body 101 viewed from the front side. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 7. FIG. In FIG. 7, an external monitor connection connector 201 and an HDMI cable connector 202 are arranged on a connector arrangement surface 701 . A wired LAN cable connector 203 is arranged on the connector arrangement surface 702 .

Photographing information output connectors 204 and 205 are arranged on the connector arrangement surface 703 . A monitor 206 , a monitor 207 and a return signal connector 208 are arranged on the connector arrangement surface 704 . SDI connectors 209 to 212, a remote control terminal 213, a rank connector 214, and an audio output stereo connector 215 are arranged on the connector arrangement surface 705. FIG. These connectors are arranged at positions that do not protrude from the outermost portion of the camera body 101 .

Here, each of the connector placement surfaces 701 to 705 is an inclined surface in which the end on the back side of the camera body 101 (hereinafter referred to as the inner end) is inclined in the direction of approaching the optical axis of the lens section 102 . The inclination angle of each inclined surface is set to approximately 60° with respect to the optical axis of the lens portion 102 .

Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the inner end of the connector placement surface 701 and the end of the connector placement surface 702 on the front side of the camera body 101 away from the optical axis of the lens portion 102 (hereinafter referred to as the outer end) are defined. , are connected by a connecting surface 801 at an angle of approximately 90°.

Similarly, the inner end of the connector placement surface 702 and the outer end of the connector placement surface 703 are connected by a connecting surface 802 at an angle of approximately 90°. Furthermore, the inner end of the connector placement surface 703 and the camera body 101 are connected by a connection surface 803 at an angle of approximately 90°.

As a result, the side wall of the camera body 101 can be prevented from obstructing the insertion of cables into the connectors arranged on the connector arrangement surfaces 701 to 705 .

The connector arrangement surfaces 701 to 705 are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and when viewed from the left side in the width direction of the camera body 101 perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens unit 102, the respective surfaces overlap each other. It is placed in a position where it should not be As a result, it is possible to improve the insertion/extraction of the cable with respect to each connector.

Furthermore, when viewed from the optical axis direction (front side) of the lens portion 102, the connector arrangement surfaces 701 to 705 are arranged so that the respective surfaces overlap each other. This makes it possible to make the camera body 101 thinner.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which cables are connected to connectors arranged on the left side surface of the camera body 101 when viewed from the front side. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the D-tap cable 501 is an L-shaped cable, so the cable is arranged at a position inclined by 90° with respect to the direction of insertion into the D-tap connector 104 . Therefore, the D-tap cable 501 is wired along the side surface of the camera body 101 .

In addition, since the wireless communication unit 502 connected to the wireless communication connector 105 and the USB communication unit 505 connected to the USB connector 109 are L-shaped with respect to the connector connecting portion, the height of the camera body 101 is reduced. placed along the vertical direction.

Also, the microphone input connector 106 to which the microphone input cable 503 is connected and the lens connector 107 to which the lens cable 504 is connected are arranged facing the front side of the camera body 101 .

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, audio output monaural connectors 216 and 217 to which XLR 3-pin cables 616 and 617 are connected and a power connector 218 to which an XLR 4-pin cable 618 is connected are located on the rear side of the camera body 101. placed facing the Therefore, even when the cable and the unit are connected, these connectors do not cause problems such as breakage or catching of the cable.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the front and rear connectors of the lens portion 102 in the optical axis direction are arranged close to each other on the connector arrangement surfaces 701 to 703 . For this reason, two connectors 201 and 202 are arranged on the same plane on the connector arrangement surface 701 arranged on the frontmost side.

Also, one connector 203 is positioned between the connectors 201 and 202 on the connector placement surface 702 between the connector placement surface 701 and the connector placement surface 703 arranged on the rearmost side. Furthermore, two connectors 204 and 205 are arranged on the connector arrangement surface 703 so as to be shifted from the connector 203 in the height direction of the camera body 101 .

In this way, by alternately arranging the connectors on the connector arrangement surfaces 701 to 703 in the height direction of the camera body 101, when the cables are pulled out straight, a plurality of cables do not overlap each other. can be placed. This improves the insertion/extraction properties of the cable with respect to the connector.

As shown in FIG. 10, the connector 202 to which the HDMI cable 602 is connected, the connector 203 to which the wired LAN cable 603 is connected, and the connector 205 to which the BNC cable 605 is connected are approximately connected to the connection surfaces 801 to 803, respectively. arranged in parallel. Therefore, the shape of the periphery does not interfere with insertion and removal of the cable.

Also, the length L1 of the connection surface 801, the length L2 of the connection surface 802, and the length L3 of the connection surface 803 are substantially the same as or equal to the rigid portion of the cable inserted into the connector arranged on the connector arrangement surfaces 701 to 703. set longer than that. As a result, when the cable is pushed in the bending direction, the connection surfaces 801 to 803 receive the pushing force.

In addition, since the lengths L1 to L3 of the connection surfaces 801 to 803 are substantially the same length as the rigid portion of the cable, when inserting and removing the cables from the connectors arranged on the connector arrangement surfaces 701 to 703 adjacent to each other, Neighboring cables do not get in the way.

Furthermore, since the hard part of the cable is arranged inside the camera body 101 in the width direction from the card connector 108, even if the side face of the camera body 101 in the width direction collides with an obstacle such as a wall, the cable and the connector will not be damaged. will not be damaged.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the camera body 101 in the width direction can be reduced, and even when a plurality of connectors are arranged on the side surface of the camera body 101, the insertion/extraction of the cable to/from the connector can be easily performed. , to prevent the cable from being caught or disconnected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the connector and disconnection of the cable.

The configuration of the present invention is not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiments, and the material, shape, size, form, number, location, etc. can be appropriately changed within the scope of the present invention. is.

100 camera 101 camera main body 102 lens portion 104 to 109 connectors 201 to 205, 208 connectors 701 to 705 connector placement surfaces 801 to 803 connection surfaces

Claims (6)

a device main body in which a lens unit is detachably attached to the front surface and a battery unit is detachably attached to the back surface;
a plurality of inclined surfaces provided on the left side surface in the width direction of the device body orthogonal to the optical axis when viewed from the front side of the device body;
and a plurality of external connection terminals provided on the plurality of inclined surfaces,
Each of the plurality of slanted surfaces includes a first end and a second end, and the first end of each of the plurality of slanted surfaces is wider than the second end in the width direction. The plurality of tilted surfaces are positioned near the optical axis, and the first end of each of the plurality of inclined surfaces is positioned closer to the back side of the apparatus body than the second end in the optical axis direction. are inclined respectively ,
The plurality of inclined surfaces are arranged so as not to overlap with each other when viewed from the left side and at least partially overlap with each other when viewed from the rear side of the device main body. imaging device. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclination angles of said plurality of inclined surfaces are substantially the same. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of external connection terminals arranged on the plurality of inclined surfaces are arranged at positions not projecting from the outermost portion of the device body. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of external connection terminals are provided on a surface facing the front side of the apparatus main body different from the plurality of inclined surfaces. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a wireless communication connector is provided on an upper portion of the left side surface of the apparatus main body as viewed from the front side of the apparatus main body. 6. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein said imaging device is a digital video camera.

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