JPH11317901A - Electronic image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic image pickup device whose external size, especially its thickness is decreased more. SOLUTION: The electronic image pickup device is provided with a photographing lens unit 28 that forms an object image, an image display means 18 that displays an image, and a housing 10 that contains the photographing lens unit 28 and the image display means 18. The photographing lens unit 28 and the image display means 18 are placed in the housing 10 so as not to be overlapped in a direction along an optical axis of the photographing lens unit 28.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic imaging device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There has been known an electronic image pickup apparatus for photographing an image formed on a charge coupled device (Charge Coupled Device) by a lens unit through the electronic image pickup element. In the field of electronic imaging devices, there are always goals of further miniaturization and weight reduction, and ease of assembly.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made under the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic image pickup apparatus capable of reducing external dimensions, particularly thickness, as compared with the prior art. It is.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, an electronic image pickup apparatus according to the present invention comprises a photographing lens unit for forming a subject image and an image for displaying an image. Display means; and a housing for storing the photographing lens unit and the image display means. In the housing, the photographing lens unit and the image display means are mutually connected in a direction along the optical axis of the photographing lens unit. Are arranged so that they do not overlap.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, another electronic image pickup apparatus according to the present invention comprises a photographing lens unit for forming a subject image, an image display means for displaying an image, A strobe light emitting unit for emitting light toward a subject; and a housing for storing the photographing lens unit, the image display unit, and the strobe light emitting unit. In the housing, the photographing lens unit and the image display unit are provided. Is arranged so as not to overlap with each other in the direction along the optical axis of the taking lens unit, and in the front region of the outer surface of the housing, the strobe window of the strobe light emitting means is biased toward the upper surface region side of the central portion. It is characterized by being arranged.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, another electronic image pickup apparatus according to the present invention comprises a photographing lens unit for forming a subject image, and an image display means for displaying an image. A finder unit for visually recognizing a subject, and a housing for housing the photographic lens unit, the image display means, and the finder unit. In the housing, the photographic lens unit and the image display means In the rear surface region of the outer surface of the housing, the lens units are arranged so as not to overlap with each other in a direction along the optical axis of the lens unit.
The finder eyepiece of the finder unit is characterized by being arranged near the upper end of the back surface area on the end face area side with respect to the image display section of the image display means.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an external appearance of an electronic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above and front, and FIG. 2 is an electronic imaging apparatus of FIG. FIG. 1 schematically shows a state in which a lens barrier of the apparatus is disposed in an open position.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the electronic imaging device of FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the external appearance of the electronic imaging device of FIG.

In this embodiment, the electronic image pickup device is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled De).
a digital camera that uses a photoelectric conversion element such as an electronic device as an electronic imaging unit to capture an image.

As shown in FIG. 1, a housing 10 of the electronic image pickup apparatus has a front housing member 12 and a rear housing member 14 which are combined with each other so as to be able to be divided into two parts. Front housing member 12 and rear housing member 1
4 is made of a synthetic resin such as a polycarbonate resin or an ABS resin.

The right end (the left end when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1) of the front area of the outer surface of the front housing member 12 is swelled forward so that the user can easily grasp it with his right hand. A grip rubber 12a is attached to the right end of the front area so that the finger of the right hand of the user holding the right end does not slip with sweat, for example.

The inside of the expanded right end portion is a battery storage space for a main power supply battery, and a battery access opening for inserting and removing the main power supply battery into and out of the battery storage space is formed by a front housing member 12. Is open at the right end (the left end when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1) of the lower surface area of the outer surface of. A battery cover is rotatably supported at the battery access opening and closing position between the closed position and the open position. The battery access opening, the battery cover and the bearing structure for the battery cover will be described later in detail. I do.

A decorative plate 12b is attached to the upper end of the front area of the outer surface of the front housing member 12 from substantially the center to the left end (the right end when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1).
A strobe window 12c, a self-timer display window 12d, and a finder view window 12e are formed on the decorative plate 12b in this order from the center toward the left end, and an outer surface of the front housing member 12 corresponding to the decorative plate 12b is formed. At the upper end of the front area, there is a strobe window 12c of the decorative board 12b,
An unillustrated strobe opening, a self-timer display opening, and a finder observing opening corresponding to the self-timer display window 12d and the finder observing window 12e are formed.

A lens barrier 16 is disposed below the decorative plate 12b at the upper end in the front area of the outer surface of the front housing member 12. The lens barrier 16 is located immediately below the self-timer display window 12d and the finder view window 12e as shown in FIG. 1 and at a first position away from the left end (the right end when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1) of the front area. As shown in FIG. 2, it is slidable along the front area between a second position which is located to the right of the viewfinder window 12e and reaches the left end of the front area.

In the front area, a lens opening 12f is formed directly below a finder view window 12e as shown in FIG. 2, and the lens barrier 16 closes the lens opening 12f at the first position shown in FIG. And the second shown in FIG.
In this position, the lens opening 12f is open, so that the first position of the lens barrier 16 shown in FIG. 1 can be called the closed position, and the second position of the lens barrier 16 shown in FIG. 2 can be called the open position.

When the lens barrier 16 slides between the closed position and the open position, the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 16 are placed in the front area of the outer surface of the housing 10 in the front area.
The first guide groove, which is obscured by b and is not shown in FIG. 1, and the front end of the lower surface area of the outer surface of the housing 10 in parallel with the first guide groove at substantially the center to the left end (from the front as shown in FIG. This is performed by engaging with a second guide groove (not shown in FIG. 1) provided over the right end (see FIG. 1) to guide the movement. The structure of each of the first and second guide grooves (not shown in FIG. 1) and the structure of the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 16 slidably engaged therewith will be described later in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing information display window 12g is disposed substantially at the center of the rear end of the upper surface area of the outer surface of the front housing member 12, and corresponds to the photographing information display window 12g inside the housing 10. For example, a photographing information display means such as a liquid crystal display element is arranged. The photographing information display means includes various information (for example, setting and canceling of a self-timer mode, various flash modes, a continuous photographing mode, and a deletion mode of a photographing record, the number of photographed images, and a battery for a main power supply). And the various information displayed on the photographing information display means can be viewed from outside the housing 10 via the photographing information display window 12g. At the rear end of the upper surface area, various operation buttons 12h for selecting the various information displayed on the imaging information display means are arranged on both sides of the imaging information display window 12g.

A shutter button 12i is disposed at the right end (left end when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1) of the front surface of the upper surface area of the outer surface of the front housing member 12.

Further, a terminal protection cover 12j is attached to the left end surface region (the right end surface region when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1) of the outer surface of the front housing member 12 so as to be freely opened and closed. A signal input / output terminal and an external power supply input terminal are hidden behind the terminal protection cover 12j.

As shown in FIG. 3, substantially at the center of the rear surface area of the outer surface of the rear housing member 14, for example, a liquid crystal display stored in the housing 10 so as to face the rear surface area of the inner surface of the rear housing member 14. Image display means 18 such as a device
An image display window 14a that exposes the image display unit (that is, screen) 18a is formed. Rear housing member 1
Image display window 14 at the upper end of the back surface area of the outer surface
A viewfinder eyepiece window 14b is disposed on the left side of the image display unit 14a, and a plurality of image display operation buttons 14c for operating the image display means 18 are disposed on the right side of the image display window 14a at the upper end of the back surface area. Is arranged.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 1, showing a front housing member 12 and a rear housing member 14 which are separated from each other, and a space between the front housing member 12 and the rear housing member 14. Indicates a stored main body block 20.

The main body block 20 includes the front housing member 1.
Body frame 2 having a projection surface substantially equal to the front area of the inner surface of the second housing 2 and the rear area of the inner surface of the rear housing member 14.
0a. A light emitting unit 22 of a flash light emitting unit is disposed at a position corresponding to the flash window 12c of the front housing member 12 in the main body frame 20a, and the light emitting unit 22 includes a xenon tube and a light reflecting umbrella.

In the main body frame 20a, a light emitting element 24 for displaying a self-timer operation and a front end of a finder unit 26 are disposed at positions corresponding to the self-timer display window 12d and the finder view window 12e of the front housing member 12, respectively. ing. The rear end of the finder unit 26 corresponds to the finder eyepiece window 14b of the rear housing member 14.

A photographing lens unit 28 is disposed at a position corresponding to the lens opening 12f of the front housing member 12 below the finder unit 26 in the main body frame 20a, and an inner end of the photographing lens unit 28 is, for example, a CCD (CCD). ChargeCoupled Device
Electronic imaging means using an optoelectronic conversion element as in e) is incorporated.

The terminal protection cover 12 of the front housing member 12 is located on the left side (right side in FIG. 4) of the finder unit 26 and the photographing lens unit 28 in the main body frame 20a.
The signal input / output terminal 30 and the external power supply input terminal 32 are arranged at a position corresponding to the terminal protection cover 12j.

In the main body frame 20a, below the light emitting section 22, a booster 34 for boosting a predetermined voltage from a main power supply battery, which will be described later, to a predetermined voltage for driving each circuit, and a charge for emitting strobe light emitting means are provided. A strobe condenser 36 for storing is arranged. And body frame 2
In the area facing the front area of the inner surface of the front housing member 12 at 0a, the strobe condenser 36, the photographing lens unit 28, and the signal from the booster 34 substantially at the center in the left-right direction of the main body frame 20a to the left end (right end in FIG. 4). A strobe board 38 is arranged avoiding the input / output terminal 30 and the external power input terminal 32. A known circuit for controlling the operation of the strobe light emitting means is formed on the strobe substrate 38.

Further, in the main body frame 20a, a right end (left end in FIG. 4) opposed to a right end (left end in FIG. 4) which bulges forward in the front region of the inner surface of the front housing member 12 is provided with a main frame. From the booster 34 substantially at the center in the left-right direction of 20a to the right end (left end in FIG. 4), it cooperates with the right end (left end in FIG. 1) which bulges forward in the front region of the inner surface of the front housing member 12. To form a partition for defining a battery storage space 40 for storing a plurality of main power supply batteries (not shown). A plurality of contact terminals 42 for a plurality of main power batteries (not shown) stored in the battery storage space 40 are arranged at the upper end of the right end (the left end in FIG. 1) of the main body frame 20a.

The battery access opening of the battery storage space 40 is located at the right end of the lower surface area of the outer surface of the front housing member 12 (FIG. 1).
In this case, the battery is opened at the left end portion. The battery access opening and the battery cover for the battery access opening will be described later in detail as described above.

A signal input / output terminal 30 and an external power input terminal 32 are connected to a portion corresponding to the right end from the image display window 14a substantially at the center in the left-right direction on the back surface area of the inner surface of the rear housing member 14 in the main body frame 20a. The external interface board 44 is arranged.

At the upper end of the main body frame 20a, a switch / display board 46 is arranged corresponding to the upper surface area of the inner surface of the front housing member 12. Switch / display board 46
A shutter operation switch 48 operated by the shutter button 12i is disposed at a position corresponding to the shutter button 12i in the upper surface area of the outer surface of the front housing member 12. The switch / display board 46 further includes information display means 50 such as a liquid crystal display and the operation buttons 12h corresponding to the imaging information display window 12g and various operation buttons 12h in the upper surface area of the outer surface of the front housing member 12. Various operation switches 52 to be operated are arranged.

Around the rear surface region of the inner surface of the rear housing member 14, a plurality of fixing screws (not shown) are used to connect the rear housing member 14 to the front housing member 12 together with the main body block 20. Connecting piece 54,
A plurality of engagement pieces 56 used to engage the rear housing member 14 with a predetermined position of the front housing member 12 are formed.

An auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 for detachably holding an auxiliary power supply battery is formed in the lower right corner in the rear surface area of the inner surface of the rear housing member 14. The structure of the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 will be described later in detail.

The lower surface area of the inner surface of the rear housing member 14 is an intersecting surface area extending in a direction intersecting the rear surface area of the inner surface of the rear housing member 14 where the image display window 14a is formed. Image display window 14 in the area
A tripod support portion 60 having a tripod hole opened in a lower surface area (that is, an intersecting surface area) of the outer surface of the rear housing member 14 is formed at a position corresponding to substantially the center in the left-right direction of “a”.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main body block 20 shown in FIG. 4 when viewed obliquely from above and behind. As shown in FIG. 5, behind the external interface board 44 in the main body frame 20a of the main body block 20, the taking lens unit 28 (see FIG. 4) and the above-mentioned CCD (Charge Coupled D), for example, are used.
An imaging substrate 62 on which a circuit for controlling an electronic imaging unit (not shown) using an optoelectronic conversion element such as an electronic device is formed.

An image display means 18 is arranged at a position corresponding to the image display window 14a on the rear surface area of the inner surface of the rear housing member 14 in the main body frame 20a. The image display means 18 has a flat quadrangular shape, and is directed upward and downward near the left and right ends of the upper side and the lower side thereof (that is, an image display window 14a is formed on the inner surface of the rear housing member 14). (Toward the upper surface area and the lower surface area, which are the intersecting surface areas extending in the direction intersecting the back surface area).
A protruding mounting protrusion 64 is formed. The image display means 18 comprises two pairs of upper and lower mounting projections 64.
And is fixed to a predetermined image display means fixing member 20b of the main body frame 20a by a fixing screw (not shown).
The upper and lower two pairs of the mounting protrusions 64 are attached to the main body frame 20.
This facilitates the work of fixing the image display means 18 to a, and further facilitates the assembly of the electronic imaging apparatus of this embodiment.

When the main body block 20 is stored in a predetermined position in the housing 10 by connecting the main body block 20 to the front housing member 12 together with the rear housing member 14 as described above, an image display of the main body block 20 is performed. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, between the pair of mounting protrusions 64 on the lower side of the image display means 18 below the means 18,
A tripod support 60 in the lower surface area of the inner surface of the rear housing member 14 is arranged.

In the housing 10, the tripod support portion 60 is thus arranged so as to be disposed in a normally unused space between the pair of mounting projections 64 on the lower side of the image display means 18. Accordingly, the space utilization efficiency in the housing 10 is increased, and it is not necessary to increase the thickness in the front-rear direction or the height in the vertical direction of the housing 10 in order to dispose the tripod support portion 60 in the housing 10. As a result, the external dimensions and weight of the housing 10 are not increased (that is, it contributes to downsizing and weight reduction of the electronic imaging apparatus of the present embodiment). Further, a margin is provided in the arrangement of various components in the housing 10, and assembly of the electronic imaging apparatus of this embodiment is facilitated.

On the right side of the image display means 18 in the main body frame 20a, a main power supply battery (not shown) stored in the battery storage space 40 at the right end (left end in FIG. 4) of the front surface of the main body frame 20a shown in FIG. There is provided a booster 66 for boosting a predetermined voltage from the input to a predetermined voltage for the image display means 18.

Above the booster 66 in the main body frame 20a, a plurality of image display operation buttons 14c at the upper end of the rear surface area of the outer surface of the rear housing member 14 (see FIG. 3).
An image display operation board 70 on which a plurality of image display operation switches 68 operated by the user is formed is arranged.

A main board 72 with a central processing unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the electronic image pickup apparatus of this embodiment is disposed behind the image display means 18 in the main body frame 20a.

FIG. 6 shows a main body frame 20a, a finder unit 26, a photographic lens unit 28, an image display means 18, and a strobe substrate 3 inside the housing 10.
8, a schematic perspective view of the state in which the external interface board 44, the imaging board 62, the image display operation board 70, and the main board 72 are arranged as viewed from above the housing 10 is shown.

6, the image display operation board 70 is located on the right side of the image display means 18 inside the housing 10, and the finder unit 2 is located on the left side of the image display means 18.
6, it can be clearly seen that the finder eyepiece 14b is located, and the photographing lens unit 28 is disposed below the finder unit 26 and on the left side of the image display means 18.

Further, the image display operation board 70 is disposed on the right side of the image display means 18 at the upper end of the rear surface area of the housing 10, and the finder eyepiece 14b, that is, the finder unit 26, is symmetrically arranged with the image display operation board 70. Since it is located on the left side of 18 and at the upper end of the rear surface area of the housing 10, it creates a space in the housing 10 where the taking lens unit 28 can be placed below the finder unit 26 on the left side of the image display means 18. Can do it.

Since the image display means 18 and the photographing lens unit 28, which is usually relatively thick, do not overlap each other in the direction along the optical axis of the photographing lens unit 28 (the front-back direction of the housing 10). 1
0, particularly the thickness in the front-rear direction can be reduced.

Next, the operation of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, whose configuration has been schematically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, will be schematically described. The user of the electronic imaging device holds the right end of the housing 10 with the right hand, and moves the lens barrier 16 on the front of the housing 10 from the closed position in FIG. 1 to the open position in FIG. The switch is turned on, and the image formed by the photographing lens of the photographing lens unit 28 on the electronic imaging means is converted into an electric signal by the electronic imaging means. During this time, the housing 10
By operating a plurality of image display operation buttons 14c shown in FIG. 3 on the back side of FIG. 3, the image can be displayed on the image display section (ie, screen) 18a of the large image display means 18 shown in FIG.
When the main power switch is turned on, the housing 1
The small photographing information display window 12g shown in FIG.
At the same time, various kinds of current predetermined information (for example, the number of shots and the remaining power for the main power supply) regarding the electronic imaging device are displayed. The predetermined various information is changed by operating various operation buttons 12h on the upper end surface of the housing 10 shown in FIG.

The finder eyepiece 14b is pressed against the right eye to capture a desired photographing target (subject) via the finder unit 26, or the image displayed on the image display section (ie, screen) 18a of the image display means 18 is displayed. Pressing the shutter button 12i at a desired timing while watching,
The image of the subject at that moment is stored in the memory of the main board 72.

The image stored in the memory is displayed on the image display section (ie, screen) 18a of the large image display means 18 shown in FIG. 3 by operating a plurality of image display operation buttons 14c shown in FIG. Can be done. At this time, the plurality of image display operation buttons 14c in FIG. 3 can be operated using only the right thumb while holding the right end of the housing 10 with the right hand.

That is, on the rear surface of the housing 10, a finder eyepiece 14b is arranged on the left side of the image display means 18 as shown in FIG. 3, and a plurality of image display operation buttons 14c (image display operation members) are provided. Since it is arranged on the right side of the image display means 18, it captures a desired photographing target (subject) via the finder unit 26, or the image display unit (ie, screen) 1 of the image display means 18.
8a while viewing the image displayed on the shutter button 12.
Holding the right end of the housing 10 with the right hand, the photographing operation of pressing i and the reproduction operation of displaying the image stored in the memory on the image display section (ie, screen) 18a of the large image display means 18 in FIG. The electronic imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention can be executed using only the right hand while holding the device, and the electronic imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention can be easily used. Can be done.

If the image stored in the memory is not required, an erasing operation for erasing the image from the memory can be performed by operating various operation buttons 12h shown in FIG.

The above-mentioned reproducing operation and erasing operation can be executed while the lens barrier 16 is located at the closed position. That is, even while the lens barrier 16 is located at the closed position and the main power is turned off, the main power can be turned on by operating the plurality of image display operation buttons 14c, and the image stored in the memory can be displayed. It is possible to perform a reproduction operation to be displayed on the image display section (that is, screen) 18a of the large image display means 18 in FIG. In this state, various operation buttons 12 shown in FIG.
By operating h, an erasing operation of erasing unnecessary images from the images stored in the memory can be performed.

Before the shutter button 12i is pressed, various operation buttons 12h shown in FIG. 1 on the upper end surface of the housing 10 are operated to set a desired flash mode or self-timer mode in the electronic imaging apparatus. For example, when the shutter button 12i is pressed, the electronic imaging apparatus can be operated in a desired flash mode or self-timer mode, and the type of the currently set flash mode can be changed or released, and the self-timer mode can be released. Can be executed.

Further, the terminal protection cover 12j on the left end face (right end face in FIG. 1) of the housing 10 shown in FIG. 1 is opened, and a signal input / output terminal connector (not shown) is connected to the signal input / output terminal 30 shown in FIGS. If connected, the image stored in the memory can be output to an external image processing device such as a computer or a printing machine. The external power supply input terminal 32 shown in FIGS. When the coupling is connected, the main power supply for the electronic imaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention is in the battery storage space 40 (see FIG. 4) at the right end (left end in FIG. 1) of the housing 10. The main power supply battery (not shown) is immediately switched to the external power supply to prevent the main power supply battery (not shown) from being consumed. In addition, if an external power supply connection connector (not shown) is separated from the external power supply input terminal 32 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the main power supply for the electronic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to the external power supply. To the right end of the housing 10 (left end in FIG. 1)
Is immediately switched to the main power supply battery (not shown) in the battery storage space 40 (see FIG. 4).

Next, the structure of the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 shown in FIG. 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8 is an illustration of the auxiliary power supply battery holder room 58 shown in FIG. A partial vertical sectional view showing a positional relationship between the battery holder chamber 58 and the imaging board 62 of the main body frame 20 is shown.

The auxiliary power supply battery 74 accommodated in the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 has a substantially disk shape, and has one electrode on the peripheral surface and the other electrode on one end surface. The auxiliary power supply battery 74 is used for backup of various circuits used in the electronic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 has a flat U-shaped flat battery holder 76b having a pair of sandwiching arms 76a.
And a pair of holding arms 76a of the battery holder 76b
A part of the peripheral surface of the auxiliary power supply battery 74 and a part of a part near the peripheral surface of one end surface are detachably held by a pair of sandwiching arms 76a. Therefore, in the battery holder 76b, a part of the peripheral surface of the auxiliary power supply battery 74 is exposed in the direction of the tip of the pair of sandwiching arms 76a, and both end surfaces are exposed between the pair of sandwiching arms 76a. .

The battery holder 76b is formed of a material having no conductivity and elasticity such as a synthetic resin, for example, and is connected to the side faces of the tip ends of the pair of sandwiching arms 76a opposite to each other. A recess 76c is formed.

The auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 further includes a battery for entering and exiting a battery holder 76b formed along the rear surface area at the left end (right end in FIG. 4) of the lower surface area of the rear housing member 14 of the housing 10. It has a holder access opening 78. The battery holder 76b holding the auxiliary power supply battery 74 is inserted into and removed from the battery holder access opening 78 with the peripheral surface of the auxiliary power supply battery 74 facing the battery holder access opening 78. Battery holder room 58 for auxiliary power supply
The battery holder is formed near the lower surface region at the left end (the right end in FIG. 4) of the inner surface of the rear surface region of the rear housing member 14 of the housing 10 and inserted into the housing 10 through the battery holder access opening 78. There is a peripheral wall 80 surrounding the peripheral surface of the battery holder 76b except for the battery holder access opening 78.

The engaging recess 76c at the tip of a pair of sandwiching arms 76a of the battery holder 76b inserted into the housing 10 to a predetermined position through the battery holder access opening 78 is elastically engaged with the peripheral wall 80. A pair of engaging projections 80a to be combined are formed.

The auxiliary power supply battery 74 held in the battery holder 76b at a predetermined position inside the housing 10 has the other end face opposite to the one end face on which one electrode is disposed, and the rear end of the housing 10 The left end (the right end in FIG. 4) of the inner surface of the back surface region of the member 14 is opposed to the other end surface facing region 82 surrounded by the peripheral wall 80 near the lower surface region. The one end face on which the electrodes are arranged faces a fixed side wall 86 which is detachably fixed to the protruding end of the peripheral wall 80 by a known fixing means 84 such as a fixing screw.

That is, the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 is surrounded by the peripheral wall 80 formed on the inner surface of the rear surface region of the rear housing member 14 and the peripheral wall 80 on the inner surface of the rear surface region of the rear housing member 14. It comprises an end face facing region 82 and a fixed side wall 86 which is detachably fixed to the protruding end of the peripheral wall 80 by a known fixing means 84. The other end facing region 82 has a battery holder 76b at one electrode on the peripheral surface of the auxiliary power supply battery 74 held by the battery holder 76b at a predetermined position inside the housing 10.
A first terminal 88 is provided in contact with a part of the pair of pinching arms 76a exposed in the direction of the tips, and a fixed side wall 86 is provided with a battery holder 76b at a predetermined position inside the housing 10. Contacting a part of the other electrode on one end surface of the auxiliary power supply battery 74 held between the pair of holding arms 76a of the battery holder 76b.
Terminal 90 is formed.

The second terminal 90 has a fixed side wall 86 made of a material having conductivity and elasticity, and is formed by punching from the fixed side wall 86. The second terminal 90 also has a fixed side wall 86 formed of a non-conductive material.
It can also be formed by fixing a terminal piece made of a material having conductivity and elasticity.

In this embodiment, a first terminal 88 is provided in an inner surface of the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 of the housing 10 in a region 82 opposite to the other end surface surrounded by a peripheral wall 80 on the back surface region of the rear housing member 14. And is in contact with one electrode on the peripheral surface of the auxiliary power supply battery 74 held in the battery holder 76b, and on the inner surface of the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 of the housing 10, the rear surface area of the rear housing member 14. A second terminal 90 is provided on a fixed side wall 86 fixed to the protruding end of the peripheral wall 80 of the battery holder 76.
b is in contact with the other electrode on one end face of the auxiliary power supply battery 74 held by the battery holder 76b inserted into the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 of the housing 10 from the battery holder access opening 78. First and second terminals 88 and 90 for both electrodes of the auxiliary power supply battery 74.
Is supported by another member in the housing 10, for example, the imaging board 62 facing the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58, for example, the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 in the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 8, various components 92 can be arranged in a surface area facing the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber 58 in another member such as the imaging substrate 62, and the surface of the another member can be used. Since the efficiency (mounting efficiency) can be increased, the electronic imaging device can be made smaller and lighter than before,
Assembly is also easier.

Further, the configuration of the battery holder chamber 58 for the auxiliary power supply is simple, and before the fixed side wall 86 is fixed to the protruding end of the peripheral wall 80, the space is enclosed by the protruding end of the peripheral wall 80. The first terminal 88 can be easily provided on the other end surface facing region 82 on the inner surface of the housing 10. The second terminal 90 can be easily provided on the fixed side wall 86 before fixing the fixed side wall 86 to the protruding end of the peripheral wall 80.

When the fixed side wall 86 is formed of an electric terminal material and the second terminal 90 is formed by a part of the fixed side wall 86, the fixed side wall 86 with the second terminal 90 can be easily formed. As a result, the electronic imaging device according to the present invention can be more easily assembled by reducing the number of components.

Next, the structure for sliding the lens barrier 16 between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and the open position shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail. FIG. 9 shows a lens barrier 16 of the electronic image pickup apparatus shown in FIG.
2 schematically shows a structure for sliding between a closed position shown in FIG. 2 and an open position shown in FIG. 2 along a finder unit 26 and a photographing lens unit 28 at the left end (right end in FIG. 1) of the electronic imaging apparatus. FIG. 10 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a structure for sliding a conventional lens barrier between a closed position and an open position.

The structure for the sliding is such that the lens unit 2 is provided on the outer surface of the front housing portion 12 of the housing 10.
A pair of first and second guide grooves 10 arranged above and below the lens opening 12f for introducing light into the lens 8 and extending in the left-right direction parallel to each other while sandwiching the lens opening 12f from above and below.
0,102.

Here, the first guide groove 100 is
0 at the outer surface of the front housing part 12
The front area is located below the lens opening 12f in the front area where 2f is formed, and opens downward as indicated by an arrow C, which is one of the intersecting directions intersecting with the front direction indicated by the arrow F in which the front area faces. The second guide groove 102 is located above the lens opening 12f and opens in the front direction. More specifically, the first guide groove 100 is located in the lower surface area of the front housing portion 12 near the front area, and the second guide groove 102 is located in the front area and has a finder view above the lens opening 12f. It is located between the window 12e and the lens opening 12f.

The upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 16 are engaged with a pair of first and second guide grooves 100 and 102, respectively. More specifically, the lower end of the lens barrier 16 corresponding to the lower first guide groove 100 is connected to the first guide groove 10.
0, and is engaged with the first guide groove 100 in the front direction F and the reverse direction indicated by the arrow B which is the opposite direction, and is slidable along the first guide groove 100. And a first engaging claw 16a. The upper end of the lens barrier 16 corresponding to the upper second guide groove 102 is inserted into the second guide groove 102 through the opening, and corresponds to the cross direction in this embodiment. Engages with the second guide groove 102 in the vertical direction,
A second engaging claw 16b slidable along the second guide groove 102 is provided.

The first engaging claw 16a and the second engaging claw 16b at the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 16 are connected to the lower first engaging claw 16a by the lower first guide groove. After the lens barrier 16 is inserted into the upper second engaging claw 16b, the lens barrier 16 is pivoted around the lower first engaging claw 16a and the lower first guide groove 100 as the second engaging claw 16b. Guide groove 102
The second engaging claw 1 above.
6b can be naturally and comfortably inserted into the upper second guide groove 102.

Thereafter, the upper half of the upper second guide groove 102 is covered with a falling-off preventing member 104 fixed to the front area of the front housing member 12.
Is engaged with the upper half of the second engaging claw 102 at the upper end of the lens barrier 16 in the front direction, and the second guide groove 10
2 prevents the second engaging claw 102 at the upper end of the lens barrier 16 from falling off from the opening. Further, in this embodiment, the falling-off preventing member 104 is covered with the decorative plate 12b and cannot be seen in the front area of the front housing member 12.

That is, in this embodiment, the lower first
The guide groove 100 of the front housing part 12 of the housing 10
Of the front housing part 12
And the upper second guide groove 102 is also located in the front area of the outer surface of the front housing portion 12 of the housing 10 but is not covered by the fall-off preventing member 104 and the decorative plate 12b. Therefore, it cannot be seen from the front of the front housing portion 12. Therefore, the appearance of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment is smart when viewed from the front area of the outer surface of the front housing portion 12 of the housing 10.

Further, the first and second engaging claws 16a, 16b at both upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 16 are connected to a pair of first and second guide grooves 100, 1 on the outer surface of the housing 10.
02 slidably engages with the first guide groove 100 at the lower end of the lens barrier 16 corresponding to the first guide groove 100 before the fall-prevention member 104 is fixed to the outer surface of the housing 10 as described above. The engaging claw 16a is moved into the first guide groove 100 from the lower surface area, which is one of the cross directions intersecting with the front direction F in which the front area where the lens opening 12f is formed faces the outer surface of the housing 10. The second engaging claw 16b at the upper end of the lens barrier 16 corresponding to the second other guide groove 102 in the front area is inserted in the opening B through the opening in the direction B opposite to the front direction F. 2 can be inserted into the guide groove 102 of the housing 10 through the above-mentioned opening, and then the stopper member 104 can be fixed to the outer surface of the housing 10. First and second guide grooves 100,
The first and second engagement claws 16a and 16b at both upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 16 with respect to the lens barrier 02 do not require a large force, so that assembly can be facilitated. Since a large force is not applied to the upper and lower ends of the barrier 16 and the structure of the lens barrier 16 can be simplified, the electronic imaging device can be made smaller and lighter than in the related art.

Further, such a structure for sliding the lens barrier 16 between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and the open position shown in FIG. 2 is provided between the first and second guide grooves 100 and 102. Lens barrier 1
6, the distance between them (the height, which is the vertical distance in this embodiment) is shorter than the distance in the movement direction of the housing 6 (the width direction, which is the horizontal direction of the housing 10 in this embodiment). When the force applied to the lens barrier 16 during the movement of the lens barrier 16 is not applied to the center of the lens barrier 16 in the height direction, couples generated at the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 16 are reduced. Therefore, the lens barrier 16 can always be slid smoothly.

In FIG. 9, the rear housing member 14 and the main body block 20 are connected to the connecting piece 54 of the rear housing member 14.
Also shown is a state in which the front housing member 12 is connected to the front housing member 12 by a fixing screw 114 via the.

FIG. 10 shows a structure for sliding the lens barrier 16 between the closed position and the open position of the electronic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. In the conventional structure for sliding the lens barrier 110 between the closed position and the open position, the first and second openings are opened upward and downward along the front surface region in the upper surface region and the lower surface region of the outer surface of the housing 112. The first and second engaging claws 110a, 110b protruding from the engaging grooves 112a, 112b in the directions approaching each other at the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 110.
Are slidably engaged along the first and second engagement grooves 112a and 112b.

In such a conventional structure, the housing 1
In order to engage the first and second engaging claws 110a and 110b at both upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 110 with the first and second engaging grooves 112a and 112b of the twelve, the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 110 are required. First and second engagement claws 110a, 1
The lens barrier 110 is pressed toward the front area of the housing 112 with the 10b facing the upper and lower ends of the front area of the housing 112. Then, the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 110 are elastically bent so as to increase the distance therebetween by sliding the first and second engaging claws 110a and 110b on the upper and lower ends of the front area of the housing 112. Later, the first and second engagement claws 110a, 110b are connected to the first and second engagement grooves 112a, 112b of the housing 112.
Are engaged as shown in FIG. In such a conventional structure, the lens barrier 1 is forcibly elastically bent.
The strength of the upper and lower ends of the lens 10 must be set strong, and the weight of the lens barrier 110 increases. As a result, the weight of the conventional electronic image pickup apparatus having such a slidable structure for the lens barrier 110 increases.

Also, a relatively large force is required to forcibly and elastically bend the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 110, and the first and second engagement grooves 112 of the housing 112 are required.
The engagement work of the first and second engagement claws 110a, 110b at the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 110 with the a, 112b is difficult. In addition, when the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 110 are forcibly elastically bent, the lens barrier 110
The upper and lower ends of the device were sometimes damaged.

Further, in such a conventional structure, the height of the lens barrier 110 must be substantially equal to the height between the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 112. Therefore, the width of the lens barrier 110 in the moving direction must be reduced. Barrier 110
Is relatively small compared to the height of the lens barrier 110
When the force applied to the lens barrier 110 during the movement of the lens barrier 110 is not applied to the center of the lens barrier 110 in the height direction, couples generated at the upper and lower ends of the lens barrier 110 increase. Therefore, the lens barrier 110 cannot always be slid smoothly. If the width in the moving direction of the lens barrier 110 is relatively large compared to the height of the lens barrier 110 in order to always slide the lens barrier 110 smoothly, the weight of the lens barrier 110 increases,
As a result, the weight of the conventional electronic image pickup apparatus having such a slidable structure for the lens barrier 110 increases.

Next, in FIG. 1, the battery storage space 4 inside the swelled right end (the left end in FIG. 1) of the housing 10 is shown.
The front housing member 12 has an opening at the right end (the left end when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1) of the lower surface area of the outer surface of the front housing member 12 for inserting and removing a main power supply battery (not shown) with respect to 0 (see FIG. 4). A detailed description will be given of a bearing structure of a battery lid supported rotatably between a closed position and an open position at a battery access opening.

FIG. 11 shows a battery access opening 120 at the right end (left end when viewed from the front as in FIG. 1) of the lower surface area of the outer surface of the front housing member 12 of FIG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the vicinity of a bearing structure of a battery lid 122 rotatably supported between a closed position and an open position. FIG.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a bearing structure of a battery cover 122 and a battery cover 122;

The above-mentioned bearing structure is arranged such that the main body frame 20a is positioned at a position facing the lower end surface of the main body frame 20a in the lower surface area of the inner surface of the front housing member 12 of the housing 10.
A pair of shaft support recesses 114 provided at a predetermined distance from each other in the extension direction of the lower end surface of the main frame 20a and each having a radial opening 114a covered by the lower end surface of the main body frame 20a in the housing 10. ing. More specifically, in this embodiment, the pair of shaft support recesses 114 are provided at the lower surface area of the inner surface of the front housing member 12 at a position facing the lower end surface of the main body frame 20a.
Are formed at the rear ends of the right and left side edges of the main frame 20a at a predetermined distance from each other in the extending direction of the lower end face of the main body frame 20a.

The battery cover 122 protrudes concentrically in the left and right direction at the rear ends of the left and right side edges of the battery access opening 120.
It has a pair of rotation center shafts 122a. The pair of rotation center shafts 122a of the battery lid 122 are connected to the front housing member 12, the rear housing member 14, and the main body block 20 shown in FIG. Immediately before are interconnected as shown in FIG.
The pair of shaft support recesses 114 are inserted through radial openings 114a as shown by two-dot chain lines in FIG. When the front housing member 12, the rear housing member 14 and the main body block 20 shown in FIG. 4 are interconnected as shown in FIG. 9, the radial openings 114a of the pair of shaft support recesses 114 as shown in FIG. Is the body frame 20 in the housing 10
a is covered by the lower end surface. Thereby, the battery lid 122
Is rotatable between a closed position covering the battery access opening 120 and an open position opening the battery access opening 120 around a pair of rotation center axes 122a in the pair of shaft support recesses 114 shown in FIG. It is.

A pair of rotation center shafts 122a of the battery lid 122
The lower end surface of the main body frame 20a in the housing 10 prevents the pair of shaft support recesses 114 from falling off from the radial opening 114a.

The bearing structure for the battery lid 122 having the above-described structure is constituted by a pair of shaft support recesses 114 provided on the inner surface of the housing 10 and the housing 10.
The radial opening 114a of the shaft support recess 114
Of the electronic imaging device can be simplified, and thus the electronic imaging device can be made smaller, lighter, and easier to assemble as compared with the related art.

From the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the features of the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention can be expressed as follows. Reference numerals included in the following expressions are used in the above-described embodiment, but are attached to facilitate understanding of features of the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention. The features of the electronic imaging device are not limited to the components of the above-described embodiment to which reference numerals are attached. The features of the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention are defined by the meaning of the following expressions to the last, including the components of the above-described embodiment to which reference numerals are attached.

(1). A body frame (20a); a housing (10) for storing the body frame (20a) and having a battery access opening (120) for inserting and removing a battery;
On the inner surface of the housing (10), the body frame (2
0a) and a housing (10)
The shaft support recess (1) covered by the main body frame (20a) inside
14); the shaft support recess (114) rotatably supported by the shaft support recess (114) on the inner surface of the housing (10) and the body frame (20a) in the housing (10).
A closed position covering the battery access opening (120) of the housing (10) around the rotation center axis (122a) and the battery access opening ( And a battery cover (122) rotatable between an open position in which the battery cover (120) is opened.

(2). In the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, which is configured as described in the above (1), the battery lids (122) are arranged concentrically with each other, and have a pair of battery lids (122) facing in opposite directions. Center axis of rotation (122a)
And has radial openings (114a) at two positions on the inner surface of the housing (10) facing the body frame (20a), each of which is covered by the body frame (20a) in the housing (10). A pair of shaft support recesses (114) are provided, and a pair of rotation center axes (122a) of the battery lid (122) are connected to the inner surface of the housing (10).
It can be rotatably supported by the pair of shaft support recesses (114).

With this configuration, the battery cover (1
22) can be supported so that it can rotate more firmly and more smoothly with respect to the housing (10). From the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the electronic imaging device of the present invention can be expressed as follows.

(3). A housing (10) housing the lens unit (28) and having a lens opening (12f) for introducing light into the lens unit (28); and a lens opening (12f) on the outer surface of the housing (10). A pair of guide grooves (10
0, 102); both ends (16a, 16b) are engaged with a pair of guide grooves (100, 102), and the lens opening (12,
a lens barrier (16) guided by a pair of guide grooves (100, 102) between a closed position covering f) and an open position opening the lens opening (12f).
Then, one of the pair of guide grooves (100, 102) (10
0) is open in the cross direction (C) intersecting the front direction (F) in which the front area where the lens opening (12f) is formed on the outer surface of the housing (10) faces. The other (102) of the guide grooves (100, 102)
Is open in the front direction (F) on the outer surface of the housing (10). Also, the one guide groove (10
0) corresponding to both ends (16) of the lens barrier (16).
a, 16b) is inserted into the one guide groove (100), engages with the one guide groove (100), and engages with the one guide groove (100). The two ends (16a, 16b) of the lens barrier (16) corresponding to the other guide groove (102).
Of the other guide groove (1)
02), engages with the other guide groove (102), and is slidable along the other guide groove (102). Further, on the outer surface of the housing (10), the lens barrier (16) engages with the other end (16b) of the lens barrier (16) in the front direction and extends from the opening of the other guide groove (102). 16) A falling-off preventing member (104) for preventing the other end (16b) from falling off.
Are fixed.

(4). In the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, which is configured as described in the above (3), the one guide groove (100) is provided in the housing (10).
Is formed on the outer surface of the lower surface area located below the front area and extending in the direction (F, B) intersecting with the front area, and the other guide groove (102) is formed in the housing (10). ) Is preferably formed in the front area on the outer surface.

With such a configuration, the housing (10) of the electronic image pickup device is connected to the lens opening (1) in the front area.
When viewed facing 2f), that is, when viewed in the opposite direction (B), the one guide groove (100) is not seen, and the other guide groove (102) is also prevented from falling off. 104) and the decorative board (12b) are not obstructed. Therefore, the housing (1) of the electronic imaging device
The appearance of 0) becomes smart.

From the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention can be further expressed as follows. (5). A battery holder (76b) in which a flat battery (74) having both electrodes on the peripheral surface and one end surface is supported by a part of the peripheral surface and a part of both end surfaces; And a battery holder access opening (78) for the battery holder (76b) with respect to the battery holder access opening (78).
Are inserted and removed with the peripheral surface of the battery (74) facing the battery holder access opening (78).
8) to hold the battery holder (76b) inserted from the battery holder (76b) inserted into the battery holder (76b) inserted through the battery holder access opening (78) on its inner surface. A battery holder chamber (58) having a first terminal (88) in contact with one electrode on the peripheral surface and a second terminal (90) in contact with the other electrode on one end surface of the battery (74) is provided. And a housing (10).

(6). In the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, which is configured as described in (5) above, the battery holder chamber (58) of the housing (10).
Is formed so as to protrude from the inner surface of the housing (10) and faces the peripheral surface of the battery (74) of the battery holder (76b) in the battery holder chamber (58) and the battery holder access opening (78) (M). ), A peripheral wall (80) facing other than
On the inner surface of the housing (10), the peripheral wall (8)
0) and the battery holder (7) in the battery holder chamber (58).
A battery (74b) of the battery holder (76b) in the battery holder chamber (58) fixed to the protruding end of the peripheral wall (80) and facing the other end face of the battery (74) of the battery (74). 74) The fixed side wall (86) facing the one end surface.
The first terminal (88) is provided on the other end surface facing region (82) on the inner surface of the housing (10), and the second terminal (90) is provided on the fixed side wall (88). 86).

The structure of such a battery holder chamber (58) is simple, and the fixed side wall (86) is attached to the projecting end of the peripheral wall (80).
Before fixing the first terminal (88), the first terminal (88) is easily provided in the other end surface opposing region (82) of the inner surface of the housing (10) through a space region surrounded by the protruding end of the peripheral wall (80). I can do it. The second terminal (90) can be easily provided on the fixed side wall (86) before fixing the fixed side wall (86) to the protruding end of the peripheral wall (80).

(7). In the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, which is configured as described in (6), the fixed side wall (86) is formed of an electric terminal material, and the second terminal (90) is formed. Is the fixed side wall (8
6) can be formed.

As described above, the fixed side wall (86) with the second terminal (90) can be easily formed, and the electronic imaging device of the present invention can be further easily assembled by reducing the number of parts. .

From the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention can be further expressed as follows. (8). Housing (10) containing image display means (18) for displaying an image based on an input video signal
And a tripod support portion (60) provided on the housing (10) having a tripod hole, wherein the image display means (18) has at least two projecting pieces ( 64), wherein the tripod support (60) is arranged in the housing (10) so as to project between at least two projecting pieces (64) of the image display means (18). And

The tripod support portion (60) projecting between at least two projecting pieces (64) of the image display means (18) in the housing (10) is provided with a housing (1).
0) improves the space utilization efficiency, and contributes to downsizing and weight reduction of the electronic imaging device. Housing (10)
This allows room for the arrangement of components inside and facilitates the assembly of the electronic imaging device.

(9). In the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, which is configured as described in (8) above, the image display section (18a) of the image display means (18) is exposed on the outer surface of the housing (10). A tripod hole of the tripod support portion (60) is opened in an intersecting surface area extending in a direction (F, B) intersecting with the rear surface area, and the image display means (18) in the housing (10). Protrudes the at least two projecting pieces (64) toward the intersecting plane region, and stores a main body frame (20a) in the housing (10);
It is preferable that the image display means (18) is supported by the main body frame (20a) via the at least two projecting pieces (64).

The image display means (18) is supported on the main body frame (20a) via the at least two projecting pieces (64) in the housing (10), thereby assembling the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention. Is further promoted.

(10). In the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, which is configured as described in (8) or (9) above, the image display means (18) can be a liquid crystal display element.

From the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention can be further expressed as follows. (11). A housing (10) that houses a finder unit (26), an electronic imaging unit, and an image display unit (18) and has an image display operation member (14c) provided on an outer surface for operating the image display unit (18). ), And image display means (1) on the outer surface of the housing (10).
8) The eyepiece window (14) of the viewfinder unit (26) in the back surface area where the image display section (18a) is exposed.
b) is located on the left side of the image display section (18a), and the image display operation member (14c) is located on the image display section (1).
8a).

With such a configuration, the user of the electronic imaging device can use the right hand of the housing (10) of the electronic imaging device.
Hold the right end of the finder unit with your right eye
In addition to being able to look through the eyepiece window (14b) of 6), the image display operation member (14c) can be freely operated with the right hand. That is, the user of the electronic imaging apparatus can easily use the electronic imaging apparatus regardless of whether the image is captured by the electronic imaging unit or the image is displayed by the image display unit (18).

(12). In the electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, which is configured as described in the above (11), the eyepiece window (14b) of the finder unit (26) is provided in the rear surface area of the outer surface of the housing (10). It is arranged on the left side of the image display section (18a) in the vicinity of the upper end of the back surface area.
4c) is preferably arranged on the right side of the image display section (18a) near the upper end of the back area.

With such a configuration, the housing (1)
0), it is possible to create a space for disposing the taking lens unit (28) for the electronic imaging means below the finder unit (26) and on the left side of the image display means (18). ), Especially the thickness. Moreover, the image display operation member (14c) can be easily operated with the right thumb holding the right end of the housing (10).

From the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention can be further expressed as follows. (13). The camera includes a housing (10) in which a photographing lens unit (28) and image display means (18) are stored. In the housing (10), the photographing lens unit (28) and the image display means (18) are connected to the photographing lens unit. (28) are arranged so as not to overlap each other in the direction along the optical axis.

With such a configuration, the housing (1)
0), a relatively thick photographing lens unit (2)
8) and the image display means (18) do not overlap each other in the direction along the optical axis of the taking lens unit (28), so that the outer dimensions, particularly the thickness, of the housing (10) can be reduced.

[0107]

As has been described in detail above, the electronic image pickup device of the present invention can have a smaller external dimension, particularly a thickness, than the conventional one.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an external appearance of an electronic imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from above and front.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the electronic imaging device of FIG. 1 schematically showing a state where a lens barrier of the electronic imaging device of FIG. 1 is arranged at an open position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the external appearance of the electronic imaging device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic imaging device of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main body block shown in FIG. 4 as viewed obliquely from above and behind.

FIG. 6 shows a main body frame of a main body block, a finder unit, a photographing lens unit, an image display means, a strobe substrate, an external external interface substrate, an imaging substrate, an image display operation substrate, and a housing inside the housing of the electronic imaging device of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a state in which a main board is arranged, as viewed from above a housing.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber shown in FIG. 4;

8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a positional relationship between an auxiliary power supply battery holder chamber shown in FIG. 4 and an imaging substrate of a main body frame in the housing of FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a structure for sliding the lens barrier of the electronic imaging device of FIG. 1 between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and the open position shown in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a finder unit and a photographing lens unit at a left end (right end in FIG. 1) of the electronic imaging apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a structure for sliding a conventional lens barrier between a closed position and an open position.

11 is a battery access opening opening at the right end (left end when viewed from the front as in FIG. 1) of the lower surface area of the outer surface of the front housing member of FIG. 1, and a closed position and an open position at the battery access opening; FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the vicinity of a bearing structure of a battery lid rotatably supported between the battery cover and the battery cover.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the battery access opening and the bearing structure of the battery lid of FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 housing 12 front housing member 12f lens opening 14 rear housing member 14 14b finder eyepiece window 14c image display operation button (image display operation member) 16 lens barrier 16a first engagement claw 16b second engagement claw 18 image display means (Liquid crystal display element) 18a Image display unit 20 Body block 20a Body frame 26 Finder unit 28 Shooting lens unit 40 Battery storage space 58 Battery holder room for auxiliary power 60 Tripod support 64 Mounting protrusion 74 Battery for auxiliary power 76b Battery holder 78 Battery holder access opening 80 Peripheral wall 82 Other end surface facing area 86 Fixed side wall 88 First terminal 90 Second terminal 100 First guide groove 102 Second guide groove 104 Fall-off prevention member 114 Shaft support recess 114a Radial opening 120 Battery door opening 1 2 battery cover 122a rotational axis

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H01M 2/10 H01M 2/10 P (72) Inventor Takashi Inoue 2-34-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. 72) Inventor Yu Sato 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A photographing lens unit for forming a subject image, image display means for displaying an image, and a housing for storing the photographing lens unit and the image display means, wherein: An electronic imaging apparatus, wherein the photographing lens unit and the image display means are arranged so as not to overlap each other in a direction along the optical axis of the photographing lens unit. 2. A photographing lens unit for forming a subject image, image display means for displaying an image, strobe light emitting means for emitting light toward a subject, the photographing lens unit, and the image A housing for storing the display means and the strobe light emitting means, wherein the photographing lens unit and the image display means are arranged in the housing so as not to overlap each other in a direction along the optical axis of the photographing lens unit. An electronic image pickup apparatus, wherein a strobe window of the strobe light emitting means is arranged in a front region of an outer surface of the housing so as to be biased toward a central upper surface region. 3. A photographic lens unit for forming a subject image, an image display means for displaying an image, a finder unit for visually recognizing the subject, the photographic lens unit, the image display means, and A housing for storing a finder unit, wherein the photographing lens unit and the image display means are arranged so as not to overlap each other in a direction along an optical axis of the photographing lens unit, and the housing is provided outside the housing. In the back surface area of the front surface, the finder eyepiece of the finder unit is arranged near the upper end of the back area on the end face area side with respect to the image display unit of the image display means. apparatus.