JP7418124B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, and more particularly to an imaging device equipped with an eyecup in a viewfinder eyepiece.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an imaging device is provided with a finder that allows viewing of a subject light beam guided to an imaging element.

Inside the viewfinder, information such as the angle of view of the subject, setting information, and the captured image are displayed. The photographer looks through the viewfinder and confirms the above-mentioned display contents.

Usually, an eyecup is provided in the viewfinder eyepiece so that the photographer can block outside light and easily look into the camera.

Eyecups are usually constructed from an elastic member.

For example, as in Patent Document 1, the configuration has a shape that is easy to bend so that the photographer does not feel pain even if the photographer looks at the viewfinder for a long time, and also has a configuration that blocks external light from the surroundings and improves the visibility of the display in the viewfinder. It becomes.

In addition, in Patent Document 2, since the eyecup is flat, even if the imaging device is left on a desk or the like with its back facing and the eyecup is left in contact with the desk, the eyecup will deform. It has a difficult configuration.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-133694 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-49716

However, in the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, there is a concern that deformation may remain when the imaging device is left on a desk or the like with its back facing and the eyecup is maintained in a compressed or bent state. .

In addition, in the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, if the eyecup is flat, it is difficult to bend when looking at the viewfinder, so the photographer feels a hard feeling, and the light shielding ability to block external light from the surroundings deteriorates. There are concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device equipped with an eyecup that has good feel and light shielding properties when the viewfinder is placed in close contact with the eyecup, and is not easily deformed when the eyecup is left in contact with the eyecup.

In order to achieve the above object, a main body part, a grip part held by a photographer, a body part, a grip part that protrudes from the main body part in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the grip part is positioned, and which directs a subject light flux guided to an image sensor. An imaging device including a finder for observation and an eyecup provided to surround an eyepiece window of the finder,
The eye cup has a holding part extending in the optical axis direction, and is connected to one end of the holding part, and is inclined toward the photographer's eye from the holding part in the optical axis direction more than the holding part. a flexible portion;
The holding portion includes a first holding portion provided along a direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion, and a first holding portion provided along a direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion, and a first holding portion provided along a direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion and an optical axis direction. a second holding part provided along a direction perpendicular to the
The first holding part and the second holding part are connected to each other so as to surround the eyepiece window of the finder in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis,
The flexible portion includes a first flexible portion provided along a direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion, and a first flexible portion provided along a direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion and an optical axis direction. a second bending portion provided along a direction perpendicular to;
The first flexible part and the second flexible part are connected to each other so as to surround the eyepiece window of the finder in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis,
The thickness of the second holding part in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction is larger than the thickness of the first holding part in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction,
The length of the first flexible portion in the optical axis direction is greater than the length of the second flexible portion in the optical axis direction,
When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the second bending portion includes a convex portion having a convex shape toward the photographer,
When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the slope angle of the inclined surface of the convex portion extending from the apex of the convex portion in the direction away from the main body portion is such that the slope angle of the inclined surface of the convex portion extends from the apex of the convex portion in the direction approaching from the main body portion. The angle of inclination is smaller than the angle of inclination of the inclined surface of the convex portion .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device equipped with an eyecup that has good feel and light shielding properties when the viewfinder is viewed, and is difficult to deform when the eyecup is left in contact with the eyecup.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a digital camera that is an example of an embodiment of an imaging device of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital camera 100 according to an embodiment of an imaging device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a rear view and a side view of the eyecup in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of a photographer holding a camera and taking a picture. FIG. 3 is a side view with the camera placed toward the rear. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the upper part of the eyecup in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of the left and right parts of the eyecup in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the eyecup in FIG. 3, and a perspective view of the eyecup. FIG. FIG. 7 is a rear view and a side view of an eyecup in a second embodiment.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First example]
(Perspective view of a digital single-lens reflex camera as an imaging device)
FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of a digital single-lens reflex camera, which is an example of the first embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, seen from the front side (subject side), and FIG. 1(b) is the same as FIG. 1(a). FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the digital single-lens reflex camera shown in FIG.

Note that in this embodiment, a digital camera is exemplified as an example of the imaging device of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The imaging device of the present invention includes a main body portion 505 and a grip portion 90 that is held by a photographer.

The camera also includes a finder 16 that protrudes in a direction different from the direction in which the grip is positioned with respect to the main body and that observes the subject light flux guided to the image sensor, and an eyecup 500 that surrounds the eyepiece window of the finder. .

The front of the camera is Fr, the rear is Rr, the upper side is T, the lower side is B, the left direction is L, and the right direction is R when viewed from the back.

As shown in FIG. 1(a), the digital camera of the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as camera 100) is provided with a mount section 502 on the front side to which a lens unit (not shown) is removably attached. There is.

The mount section 502 is provided with a communication terminal 10 that enables communication of control signals, status signals, data signals, etc. between the camera 100 and the lens unit (not shown), and supplies power to the lens unit side. .

Further, the camera 100 is provided with a release button 504 near the mount section 502, and by pressing the release button 504, the lens unit can be removed.

A shutter 101 is provided inside the camera 100, and is configured to be openable and closable depending on the exposure time of the image so that light hits an image sensor (not shown) during photography.

A grip section 90 is provided on the left side of the camera 100 when viewed from the front side, and the grip section 90 is provided with a shutter button 61 for the photographer to instruct the camera 100 to take a picture. .

The upper part of the camera 100 is provided with a shoe groove 512 for attaching a flash and a flash contact 513.

An outside viewfinder display section 43 is provided adjacent to the R side of the shoe groove 512. The outside viewfinder display section 43 displays various camera settings such as shutter speed and aperture.

As shown in FIG. 1(b), a display unit 28 such as an LCD is provided on the back side of the camera 100, and a finder 16 is provided above the display unit 28 for observing the subject light flux guided by the image sensor. It is provided.

An eyecup 500 is attached to the finder 16. Eye cup 500 may be removable or may be fixed to camera 100.

A card cover 202 is provided on the right side of the camera 100 when viewed from the back side, and a card cover 202 is provided to open and close a card slot into which a memory card is removably inserted, and a battery compartment is provided at the bottom of the camera 100. A battery cover 531 that can be opened and closed is provided.

A finder 16 protrudes upward from the main body 505 of the camera 100.

When the photographer views the camera 100 from the back side and holds the camera 100 with the right hand, the finder 28 will be located above the display section 28.

(Block Diagram)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the digital camera 100 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 2, a lens unit 150 is a lens unit equipped with an exchangeable photographic lens.

Although the lens 103 is normally composed of a plurality of lenses, only one lens is shown here for simplicity.

The communication terminal 6 is a communication terminal for the lens unit 150 to communicate with the digital camera 100 side, and the communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal for the digital camera 100 to communicate with the lens unit 150 side.

The lens unit 150 communicates with the system control section 50 via the communication terminals 6 and 10, and controls the aperture 1 via the aperture drive circuit 2 by the internal lens system control circuit 4.

Then, the focus is adjusted by displacing the position of the lens 103 via the AF drive circuit 3.

Through the finder 16, the photographer can check the subject image displayed on the electronic viewfinder 29 (hereinafter referred to as EVF 29), camera settings, captured images, and the like.

The shutter 101 is a focal plane shutter that can freely control the exposure time of the imaging unit 22 under the control of the system control unit 50.

The imaging unit 22 is an imaging device composed of a CCD, CMOS device, etc. that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The AE sensor 17 and the focus detection section 11 are connected to the image sensor 22 .

A/D converter 23 converts analog signals into digital signals. The A/D converter 23 is used to convert an analog signal output from the imaging section 22 into a digital signal.

The image processing section 24 performs resizing processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction, and color conversion processing on the data from the A/D converter 23 or the data from the memory control section 15.

Further, the image processing unit 24 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data. Based on the calculation results obtained by the image processing section 24, the system control section 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control.

As a result, TTL (through-the-lens) type AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed.

The image processing unit 24 further performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and performs TTL-based AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic results.

Output data from the A/D converter 23 is directly written into the memory 32 via the image processing section 24 and the memory control section 15 or via the memory control section 15.

The memory 32 stores image data obtained by the imaging section 22 and converted into digital data by the A/D converter 23, and image data to be displayed on the display section 28.

The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images, a predetermined period of moving images, and audio.

Furthermore, the memory 32 also serves as an image display memory (video memory). The D/A converter 19 converts the image display data stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies it to the display section 28 .

In this way, the display image data written in the memory 32 is displayed on the display section 28 via the D/A converter 19.

The display unit 28 displays on a display such as an LCD according to the analog signal from the D/A converter 19.

A digital signal that has been A/D converted by the A/D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is converted into an analog signal by the D/A converter 19, and sequentially transferred to the display unit 28 for display.

Therefore, it functions as an electronic viewfinder and can perform through image display (live view display (LV display)). Hereinafter, the image displayed in live view will be referred to as an LV image.

Various setting values of the camera, including the shutter speed and aperture, are displayed on the outside-finder liquid crystal display section 43 via the outside-finder display section drive circuit 44.

The nonvolatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable/recordable memory, such as an EEPROM.

The nonvolatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, etc. for the operation of the system control unit 50. The program here refers to a program for executing various flowcharts described later in this embodiment.

The system control unit 50 is a control unit consisting of at least one processor or circuit, and controls the entire digital camera 100.

By executing the program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 described above, each process of this embodiment, which will be described later, is realized.

For example, a RAM is used as the system memory 52, and constants and variables for operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 56, and the like are expanded.

The system control unit 50 also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the D/A converter 19, the display unit 28, and the like.

The AE sensor 17 measures the brightness of the subject through the lens unit 150. The focus detection section 11 outputs defocus amount information to the system control section 50.

The system control unit 50 controls the lens unit 150 based on the defocus amount information to perform phase difference AF. The focus detection section 11 may be a dedicated phase difference sensor, or may be configured as an imaging plane phase difference sensor of the image sensor 22.

The system timer 53 is a timer that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock.

The mode changeover switch 60, the first shutter switch 62, the second shutter switch 64, and the operation section 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions to the system control section 50.

The mode changeover switch 60 switches the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to one of a still image recording mode, a moving image shooting mode, a playback mode, and the like.

Modes included in the still image recording mode include an automatic shooting mode, an automatic scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode.

Additionally, there are various scene modes, custom modes, etc., which are shooting settings for each shooting scene. The mode selector switch 60 allows the user to directly switch to any of these modes.

Alternatively, after once switching to the shooting mode list screen using the mode changeover switch 60, one of the displayed plurality of modes may be selected and switched using another operating member.

Similarly, the video shooting mode may include a plurality of modes.

The first shutter switch 62 is turned on when the shutter button 61 provided on the digital camera 100 is pressed half-way (instruction to prepare for photographing) during operation, and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1.

The first shutter switch signal SW1 starts operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing.

The second shutter switch 64 is turned ON when the operation of the shutter button 61 is completed, that is, when the shutter button 61 is fully pressed (photographing instruction), and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2.

In response to the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit 50 starts a series of photographic processing operations from reading out signals from the imaging unit 22 to writing image data to the recording medium 200.

Each operating member of the operating unit 70 is assigned an appropriate function for each scene by selecting and operating various function icons displayed on the display unit 28, and acts as various function buttons.

Examples of the function buttons include an end button, a return button, an image forwarding button, a jump button, a narrowing down button, and an attribute change button.

For example, when the menu button is pressed, various setting menu screens are displayed on the display unit 28.

The user can intuitively perform various settings using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28, four-way buttons (up, down, left, right), and the SET button.

The operation unit 70 is a variety of operation members that serve as an input unit that accepts operations from the user. The operation section 70 includes push buttons, rotary dials, touch sensors, etc., and includes at least the following operation sections.

Shutter button 61, main electronic dial 71, power switch 72, sub electronic dial 73, cross key 74, SET button 75, LV button 76, enlarge button 77, reduce button 78, play button 79.

The power supply control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching the block to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not a battery is attached, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level.

Further, the power supply control section 80 controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and the instruction from the system control section 50, and supplies the necessary voltage to each section including the recording medium 200 for a necessary period.

The power supply unit 30 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

The recording medium I/F 18 is an interface with a recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording photographed images, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

The communication unit 54 is connected via a wireless or wired cable and transmits and receives video signals and audio signals.

The communication unit 54 can also be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet.

The communication unit 54 can transmit images captured by the imaging unit 22 (including LV images) and images recorded on the recording medium 200, and can also receive images and other various information from external devices. .

The attitude detection unit 55 detects the attitude of the digital camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity.

Based on the posture detected by the posture detection section 55, it is determined whether the image taken by the imaging section 22 is an image taken with the digital camera 100 held horizontally or an image taken with the digital camera 100 held vertically. It is possible to determine the

The system control unit 50 can add orientation information according to the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 55 to the image file of the image captured by the imaging unit 22, or rotate and record the image. be.

As the posture detection section 55, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used.

It is also possible to detect movements of the digital camera 100 (panning, tilting, lifting, whether it is stationary, etc.) using an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor, which is the posture detection unit 55.

(Shape 1 of eyecup 500)
3 to 7, the detailed shape of the eyecup 500 in the first embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 3 shows (a) a rear view and (b) a side view of the eyecup 500 of the camera 100. The eye cup 500 is usually made of an elastic member because it comes into contact with the area around the photographer's eye when looking through the finder.

The eyecup 500 has holding parts La1 and Lb1 extending in the optical axis direction and is connected to one end of the holding parts La1 and Lb1, and is further connected to the photographer's eye than the holding parts in the optical axis direction. It includes flexible portions La2 and Lb2 that are inclined toward .

A first holding portion La1 is provided along a direction different from the direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion 505 and a direction orthogonal to both the optical axis direction.

A second holding portion Lb1 is provided along a direction different from the direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion.

The first holding part La1 and the second holding part Lb1 are connected to each other so as to surround the eyepiece window of the finder 16 in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis,
The thickness Tb1 of the second holding part Lb1 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction is larger than the thickness Ta1 of the first holding part La1 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

The first holding portion La1 and the second holding portion Lb1 are connected to each other so as to surround the eyepiece window of the finder 16 in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

The thickness Tb1 of the second holding part Lb1 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction is larger than the thickness Ta1 of the first holding part La1 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

The first flexible portion La2 is provided along a direction different from the direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion and a direction perpendicular to both the optical axis direction.

A second flexible portion Lb2 is provided along a direction different from the direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion.

The first flexible portion La2 and the second flexible portion Lb2 are connected to each other so as to surround the eyepiece window of the finder 16 in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.

The length of the first flexible portion La2 in the optical axis direction is larger than the length of the second flexible portion Lb2 in the optical axis direction.

A thickness Ta2 of the first flexible portion La2 perpendicular to the direction in which the first flexible portion extends is larger than a thickness Ta1 of the first holding portion La1 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

The elastic member is, for example, a material such as a thermoplastic elastomer or rubber.

The cross-sectional shape is different between the upper W range of the eyecup 500 and the SL and SR ranges on the left and right sides of the eyecup 500 shown in FIG. 3(a). The left and right SL and SR parts have substantially the same shape.

The cross-sectional shapes of each will be explained later, but the W range is designed to improve the feel and light-shielding properties when the camera is close to the eye, while the SL and SR ranges are designed to improve light-shielding properties and prevent deformation when the bottom of the camera is left unattended. The configuration is as follows.

FIG. 3(b) is a side view of the eyecup 500 viewed from the L side of the camera 100. FIG. 3(b) shows the SL range of the eyecup 500, which includes a convex portion 510 in the Rr direction and protrudes by h from the central apex of the upper W range.

Further, the portion SL1 extending from the convex portion toward the W portion is inclined at an angle θ1, as shown in the figure.

This shape is such that when the photographer looks through the finder 16, the area around the eyes is likely to come into close contact, and it is appropriate that θ=5 to 15 degrees.

This provides an angle at which the photographer can easily look into the finder 16 even when wearing glasses.

Further, the portion SL2 facing toward the B direction from the convex portion is inclined at an angle θ2. SL2 is a part that comes into contact when the camera is left in the rear direction, and in this embodiment, θ2=approximately 25°.

As shown in FIG. 3(b), since θ1<θ2, the W portion and the upper side SL1 of the convex portion 510 have light shielding properties, and the lower side SL2 of the convex portion 510 has a light shielding property when the camera 100 is left facing the rear direction. It has a shape that prevents deformation.

When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the second bending portion Lb2 includes a convex portion 510 that is convex toward the photographer side.

When viewed from the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined surface of the convex portion 510 that extends from the apex of the convex portion 510 in the direction away from the main body portion 505 is equal to It is smaller than the inclination angle θ2 of the inclined surface of the extending convex portion 510.

The detailed shape of the SL range will be explained later.

(Side view showing the photographer holding the camera 100)
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which a photographer is holding the camera 100.

In this way, the photographer places his eye on the eyecup 500 attached to the finder 16 and takes a picture.

The photographer actively presses the upper W range of the eyecup 500 onto the eye and holds the camera 100 to stabilize it.

At this time, the SL and SR ranges on the left and right sides of the eyecup 500 cover the sides of the photographer's eyes, thereby blocking light that enters from the sides of the eyes.

Therefore, the eyecup 500 is required to have flexibility in the upper W range to give a good feel when the eye is close to the eye, and light-shielding properties to cover the sides of the photographer's eyes in the SL and SR ranges on the left and right sides.

Regarding the light shielding properties in the SL and SR ranges, the upper side SL1 of the convex portion 510 shown in FIG. 3(b) mainly functions.

(Side view when camera 100 is placed facing backward)
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the camera 100 when placed in the rear direction. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the device is placed on a flat surface such as a desk.

In FIG. 5, when the camera 100 is placed in the rear direction, the SL and SR ranges on the left and right sides of the eyecup 500 come into contact with a plane.

Since the eyecup 500 is convex with respect to the display section 28 such as an LCD on the back of the camera, the camera 100 is in a tilted state.

Therefore, the contact point of the eyecup 500 is such that the lower side SL2 than the convex portion 510 provided in the SL and SR ranges is in contact with the plane.

Since the eyecup 500 is an elastic member, there is a concern that the SL and SR ranges may be deformed if the camera 100 is left in the rear direction for a long time.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the SL and SR ranges on the left and right sides of the eyecup 500 are configured to be more difficult to deform than the upper W range.

In particular, the lower side SL2 of the convex portion 510 in the SL and SR ranges is configured to be difficult to deform. Detailed shapes such as cross-sectional configurations of the upper W range and the left and right SL and SR ranges will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

(A-A sectional view of W range in Figure 3)
FIG. 6 shows a sectional view taken along line AA in range W in FIG. The W range is composed of a holding part La1 and a bending part La2.

The holding portion La1 is configured to extend in the Rr direction, which is approximately the optical axis direction. The flexible portion La2 is configured to be inclined with respect to the Rr direction from the terminal end of the holding portion La1.

When the eye is viewed, the holding part La1 actively bends and the bending part La2 bends into the concave part Cw, so that it fits easily around the eye and improves the feel and light shielding properties.

In the W range, when the thickness of the holding part La1 is Ta1 and the thickness of the flexible part La2 is Ta2, the holding part La1 is easily bent because Ta1<Ta2.

In addition, since Ta1<Ta2, when the flexible part La2 is bent into the concave part Cw, the area around the photographer's eye is in contact with the flexible part Lb2, so the thicker Ta2 is, the better the feeling will be when the eye is closed. This is because it is easy to use and has good light shielding properties.

The second flexible portion Lb2 is formed along the short side of the finder 16 that protrudes in a direction different from the direction in which the grip portion 90 is positioned with respect to the main body portion 505 (the direction perpendicular to the optical axis). The second bending portion Lb2 is formed in the SL and SR ranges.

The second holding portion Lb1 is formed along the short side of the finder 16 that protrudes in a direction different from the direction in which the grip portion 90 is positioned with respect to the main body portion 505. The second holding portion Lb1 is formed in the SL and SR ranges.

Further, the first flexible portion La2 is formed along the long side of the finder 16 that protrudes in a direction different from the direction in which the grip portion 90 is positioned with respect to the main body portion 505 (direction perpendicular to the optical axis). The first bending portion La1 is formed in the W range.

The first holding portion La1 is formed along the long side of the finder 16 that protrudes in a direction different from the direction in which the grip portion 90 is positioned with respect to the main body portion 505. The first holding portion La1 is formed in the W range.

(BB sectional view of the SL and SR ranges in Figure 3)
FIG. 7(a) shows a BB cross-sectional view of the SL and SR ranges in FIG. 3. Since the SL and SR ranges on the left and right portions have substantially the same shape, only the SL portion will be described in detail in FIG. 7(b).

The SL section includes a holding section Lb1 and a flexible section Lb2. The holding portion Lb1 is configured to extend in the Rr direction, which is approximately the optical axis direction.

The thickness of the flexible portion Lb2 is Tb2. The flexible portion Lb2 is configured to be inclined with respect to the Rr direction from the terminal end of the holding portion Lb1.

As shown in the figure, the thickness of the holding portion Lb1 satisfies Tb1<Tb3, and the holding portion Lb1 has a shape that is easily bent at the boundary between the holding portion Lb1 and the flexible portion Lb2.

Tb3 is the thickness of the base of the holding portion Lb1 on the attachment side.

Therefore, when the eye is viewed, the boundary between the holding part Lb1 and the flexible part Lb2 is bent, so that the flexible part Lb2 is bent into the concave part Csl, thereby improving the feel.

Next, the cross-sectional shapes of the upper W range and the left and right SL and SR ranges are compared.

As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, compared to the upper W range, the SL and SR ranges on the left and right sides are less likely to hit the area around the photographer's eye when the eye is close, so the flexible part is attached to the holding part. The amount of deformation has become smaller.

That is, in the Rr direction, La2>Lb2, and the bending portion Lb2 is configured to have a smaller amount of deformation. In connection with this, the holding portions (La1, Lb1) are configured such that La1<Lb1 in the Rr direction, thereby improving the light-shielding ability of covering the side surfaces of the photographer's eyes in the SL and SR ranges.

Further, as described in FIG. 5, when the camera 100 is placed toward the back, the SL and SR ranges on the left and right sides of the eyecup 500 are the areas that come into contact with the surface on which the eyecup 500 is placed.

Therefore, it is desirable that the left and right SL and SR ranges are more difficult to deform than the upper W range.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, regarding the thickness of the holding part in the upper W range and the left SL range, Tb1>Ta1, and the flexible part Lb2 is more difficult to bend.

Further, as described above, in the Rr direction, La2>Lb2, and the bending portion Lb2 is configured to have a smaller amount of deformation.

In FIGS. 5 and 7, detailed explanation will be added regarding the bending portion Lb2 in the SL range.

When the camera 100 is placed toward the back, the lower SL2 is in contact with the convex portion 510 provided in the SL range.

Therefore, in the flexible portion Lb2 in the SL range, the lower side SL2 is required to be less likely to deform than the convex portion 510.

Note that even when the photographer's eye is close, the flexible portion Lb2 of the lower side SL2 than the convex portion 510 is unlikely to hit the surroundings of the eye, so even if it is difficult to deform, it has little effect on the feel and light-shielding properties.

Referring to FIG. 8, a description will be given of the termination portion 520 that terminates the concave portion Csl in which the SL range is located. FIG. 8(a) is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 3(b).

FIG. 8(b) shows a top perspective view of the eyecup 500 in a single component state, and FIG. 8(c) shows a bottom perspective view of the eyecup 500 in a single component state.

FIG. 8(a) is a cross section of the first holding part La1 and the second holding part Lb1. Cw and Csl in FIG. 8(a) are recesses each composed of a first bending part La2 and a first holding part La1, and a second bending part Lb2 and a second holding part Lb1.

To summarize the above-mentioned contents, when the thickness Ta1 of the first holding part La1, the thickness Tb1 on the tip side of the second holding part Lb1, and the thickness Tb2 on the attachment side, Ta1<Tb1<Tb3.

The thickness Tb3 of the second holding portion Lb1 increases toward the bottom of the camera, and is shaped to be integrated with the terminal end portion 520.

That is, the recessed portion Csl closes and disappears at the end on the main body portion 505 side, and the attachment portion of the eyecup 500 to the main body portion and the second flexible portion Lb2 are connected at the terminal end portion (connecting portion) 520.

The terminal end portion (connection portion) 520 has a shape that fills the concave portion at the lower part (direction B) of the concave portion Csl located in the SL portion, and has a shape that makes it difficult for the second flexible portion La2 to deform.

Therefore, when the camera 100 is left in the rear direction, the SL2 portion is not easily deformed, and there is little concern that the light shielding performance will deteriorate due to deformation of the outer shape of the eyecup 500. The terminal end portions 520 are located at substantially the same position and have substantially the same shape on the SL side and the SR side.

When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the eyecup includes a recessed portion Csl recessed toward the eyepiece window formed by the second holding portion Lb1 and the second bending portion Lb2.

The second flexible portion is connected to the attachment portion of the main body 505 of the eyecup 500 at the end on the main body side.

[Second example]
FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment in which the eyecup attached to the finder eyepiece is not rectangular but circular.

The back of the camera 601 includes an eyecup 600, a finder eyepiece window 616, and a display section 628, and the eyecup 600 has an upper part in a W1 range and left and right parts in an SL1 and SR1 range.

The upper part (W1) and left and right parts (SL1, SR1) are defined by dividing into four parts within a range of about 90 degrees from the center of the finder eyepiece window.

The left and right portions (SL1, SR1) have substantially the same and symmetrical shape.

As in the first embodiment, the W1 range in the upper part has a cross-sectional shape that satisfies the feeling when the eye is close to the camera, the light shielding property, and the SL1 and SR1 ranges in the left and right parts have a convex part 610, which satisfies the light shielding property and the holding force when the camera is left on the back side. It becomes. The details of the cross-sectional shape are the same as those in the first embodiment, so detailed explanation will be omitted.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the invention.

16 Finder 500 Eyecup 510 Convex portion 520 End portion La1, Lb1 Holding portion La2, Lb2 Flexible portion Cw, Csl Recessed portion

Claims (3)

A main body part, a grip part held by a photographer, a finder that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the grip part is positioned with respect to the main body part, and that observes a subject light flux guided to an image sensor; An imaging device comprising: an eyecup surrounding an eyepiece window;
The eye cup has a holding part extending in the optical axis direction, and is connected to one end of the holding part, and is inclined toward the photographer's eye from the holding part in the optical axis direction more than the holding part. a flexible portion;
The holding portion includes a first holding portion provided along a direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion, and a first holding portion provided along a direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion, and a first holding portion provided along a direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion and an optical axis direction. a second holding part provided along a direction perpendicular to the
The first holding part and the second holding part are connected to each other so as to surround the eyepiece window of the finder in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis,
The flexible portion includes a first flexible portion provided along a direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion, and a first flexible portion provided along a direction in which the grip portion is positioned with respect to the main body portion and an optical axis direction. a second bending portion provided along a direction perpendicular to;
The first flexible part and the second flexible part are connected to each other so as to surround the eyepiece window of the finder in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis,
The thickness of the second holding part in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction is larger than the thickness of the first holding part in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction,
The length of the first flexible portion in the optical axis direction is greater than the length of the second flexible portion in the optical axis direction,
When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the second bending portion includes a convex portion having a convex shape toward the photographer,
When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the slope angle of the inclined surface of the convex portion extending from the apex of the convex portion in the direction away from the main body portion is such that the slope angle of the inclined surface of the convex portion extends from the apex of the convex portion in the direction approaching from the main body portion. An imaging device characterized in that the angle of inclination is smaller than the angle of inclination of the inclined surface of the convex portion . 1 . The thickness of the first flexible portion in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first flexible portion is larger than the thickness of the first holding portion in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. The imaging device described in . When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the eyecup includes a recessed portion recessed toward the eyepiece window formed by the second holding portion and the second flexible portion,
The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second flexible portion is connected to a mounting portion of the main body of the eyecup at an end on the main body side.

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