Imaging systems, imaging devices, and accessories

Abstract

This suppresses the occurrence of rotational displacement of accessories relative to the imaging device. [Solution] In an imaging system 100 in which an accessory 120 is attached to an imaging device 110, the imaging device 110 has a protrusion 115 that projects forward from near the bottom surface of the front, and the accessory 120 has a screw fixing portion 123 which is a screw hole that opens on the bottom surface opposite to the protrusion 115 when attached to the imaging device 110. The protrusion 115 is provided with a first through hole 115a that penetrates the imaging device 110 in the vertical direction, and when the imaging device 110 is viewed from the vertical direction with the accessory 120 attached, the screw fixing portion 123 and the first through hole 115a overlap, making it possible to screw a screw through the first through hole 115a into the screw fixing portion 123.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging system including an imaging apparatus and an accessory. Background Art

[0002] In interchangeable-lens imaging apparatuses, the bayonet coupling method is widely used for the structure attaching and detaching accessories such as interchangeable lenses to and from the lens mount provided on the front surface of the imaging apparatus. In the bayonet coupling method, the claw portion of the accessory's camera mount and the claw portion of the imaging apparatus's lens mount are engaged by abutting the camera mount of the accessory and the lens mount of the imaging apparatus at a predetermined position and rotating them. At this time, the claw portion of the camera mount is urged toward the inside of the imaging apparatus by the force of a spring provided inside the imaging apparatus acting on the claw portion of the lens mount, whereby the accessory is coupled to the imaging apparatus.

[0003] The bayonet coupling method has the advantage that accessories can be easily attached to and detached from the imaging apparatus. However, when a force larger than the urging force acting on the claw portion of the camera mount acts on the accessory, the accessory moves relative to the imaging apparatus, which may shift the optical axis between the accessory and the imaging apparatus and degrade optical performance. To address such a problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration that suppresses the occurrence of displacement of the accessory relative to the imaging apparatus by using a member that presses the accessory attached to the imaging apparatus against the imaging apparatus in the optical axis direction. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2021-148869 Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, there is a risk that the accessory (specifically, the interchangeable lens) may experience rotational displacement around the optical axis.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a technique for suppressing rotational displacement of an accessory relative to an imaging device in an imaging system in which an accessory is attached to the imaging device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The imaging system according to the present invention comprises an imaging device and an accessory mounted on the front surface of the imaging device, wherein the imaging device has a protrusion that projects forward from near the bottom surface of the front surface of the imaging device and has at least one first through hole that penetrates the imaging device in the vertical direction, and the accessory has at least one first screw hole that opens on the bottom surface facing the protrusion when mounted on the imaging device, and when the imaging device with the accessory mounted is viewed from the vertical direction of the imaging device, the first screw hole and the first through hole overlap, and it is possible to screw a screw through the first through hole into the first screw hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in an imaging system in which an accessory is attached to an imaging device, the occurrence of rotational displacement of the accessory relative to the imaging device can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view of the imaging system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of attaching the fixing member to the imaging system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a bottom view of the imaging system and a schematic diagram illustrating the mounting method of the imaging system to the base. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view of the imaging system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mounting method of the imaging system to the base. [Figure 6] This is an exploded perspective view of the imaging system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the imaging system and a schematic diagram illustrating the mounting method of the imaging system to the base. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the imaging system 100 according to the first embodiment, and the viewing direction of the imaging system 100 is different in Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b). The imaging system 100 is broadly composed of an imaging device 110 and an accessory 120 that can be attached to or detached from the imaging device 110.

[0011] The Cartesian coordinate system shown in Figure 1 is set for the imaging system 100. The Z-axis is perpendicular to the imaging plane of the image sensor 111 and represents the front-to-back direction of the imaging device 110, with the direction from the back side to the front side of the imaging device 110 being defined as the positive direction. The Y-axis represents the up-and-down direction of the imaging device 110, with the direction from the bottom side to the top side being defined as the positive direction. The X-axis represents the left-to-right direction of the imaging device 110, with the direction from the left side to the right side being defined as the positive direction when viewing the imaging device 110 from the front side. The definitions of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis also apply to the imaging systems 200 and 300 according to the second and third embodiments, which will be described later.

[0012] The front of the imaging device 110 is provided with a first mount 112 (lens mount) that allows for the attachment and detachment of various interchangeable lenses with different optical performance and accessories such as mount adapters. A group of contact terminals 117 is arranged inside the first mount 112. Inside the imaging device 110 are an image sensor 111 that converts an optical image into an image signal, and a control board (not shown) on which a microcomputer and other components that perform overall control of the imaging system 100 are mounted. The bottom surface of the imaging device 110 is provided with a plurality of fixing holes 113 as screw holes. For example, the imaging device 110 can be fixed to a tripod by screwing the screw of a tripod into a predetermined screw hole among the fixing holes 113 via a tripod mounting base from the bottom side of the imaging device 110.

[0013] The imaging device 110 is equipped with a protrusion 115 that extends forward from near the bottom surface of the front. The protrusion 115 plays a role in preventing the imaging device 110 from tipping forward when a large accessory is attached to the first mount 112.

[0014] In this embodiment, accessory 120 is specifically a mount adapter. Accessory 120 has a second mount 121 on its back, a third mount 122 on its front, and fixing protrusions 124 on its sides. Accessory 120 also has a screw fixing portion 123 (screw hole) that opens on the bottom surface facing the protrusion 115 in the Y-axis direction when accessory 120 is attached to the imaging device 110.

[0015] The second mount 121 is configured to be connectable to the first mount 112 of the imaging device 110 by a bayonet-type mounting mechanism. When the second mount 121 is mechanically connected to the first mount 112, a group of contact terminals (not shown) provided on the second mount 121 makes contact with a group of contact terminals 117 on the imaging device 110, and the accessory 120 and the imaging device 110 are electrically connected.

[0016] The third mount 122 enables attachment and detachment of accessories such as incompatible (not directly mountable) interchangeable lenses to and from the first mount 112 of the imaging device 110, and the interchangeable lens mounted on the third mount 122 can form an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 111. The fixing convex portion 124 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, and the screw fixing portion 123 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0017] Next, a fixing member that stabilizes the attached state of the accessory 120 to the imaging device 110 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of attaching the fixing member 180 to the imaging system 100. The fixing member 180 is an arcuate (arc-shaped) member having a curved shape matching the side surface of the accessory 120, and can be fixed in the Z-direction to a fixing portion 116 provided on the front surface of the imaging device 110 by a fixing screw 182. In a state where the fixing member 180 is fixed to the fixing portion 116, it urges the fixing convex portion 124 provided on the side surface of the accessory 120 toward the imaging device 110. This makes it possible to reduce displacement (wobbling) of the accessory 120 relative to the imaging device 110 in the front-rear direction (Z-direction), the vertical direction (Y-direction), and the left-right direction (X-direction).

[0018] Subsequently, a configuration for restricting rotation of the accessory 120 about the optical axis (about the Z-axis) relative to the imaging device 110 will be described. FIG. 3(a) is a bottom view of the imaging system 100. FIG. 3(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of attaching the imaging system 100 to a base 130.

[0019] First through-holes 115a penetrating in the Y-axis direction are formed at two positions in the convex portion 115 of the imaging device 110. The base 130 is a plate-shaped member (e.g., a camera rail slider, etc.) to which the imaging system 100 can be attached, that is, a member to which the imaging system 100 is fixed. Second through-holes 131 are formed at two positions in the base 130, and third through-holes 132 are formed at three positions in the base 130.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the first through-hole 115a of the convex portion 115 and the screw fixing portion 123 of the accessory 120 are designed to overlap on a projection plane in the Y-axis direction, which is the vertical direction of the imaging apparatus 110. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the accessory 120 can be fixed to the base 130 by passing the fixing screw 133 through the second through-hole 131 of the base 130 and the first through-hole 115a of the convex portion 115 and screwing it into the screw fixing portion 123 of the accessory 120. This makes it possible to restrict the rotation of the accessory 120 relative to the imaging apparatus 110 about the optical axis (the axis that passes through the center of the imaging surface of the image sensor 111 and is orthogonal to the imaging surface), and can also restrict the forward falling or tilting of the imaging system 100.

[0021] Note that although the fixing member 180 is not illustrated in FIG. 3(b), even when the fixing member 180 is attached, no obstacle occurs in fixing the accessory 120 to the base 130 by the fixing screw 133.

[0022] The imaging apparatus 110 can be fixed to the base 130 by passing an unillustrated screw through the third through-hole 132 of the base 130 and screwing it into a screw hole provided at a position corresponding to the third through-hole 132 among the plurality of fixing holes 113 in the imaging apparatus 110. This allows the imaging system 100 to be firmly fixed to the base 130.

[0023] Next, an imaging system according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an imaging system 200 according to the second embodiment, wherein FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) show different viewing directions of the imaging system 200. The imaging system 200 generally includes an imaging apparatus 210 and an accessory 220 that can be attached to and detached from the imaging apparatus 210. In the following description, components of the imaging system 200 that correspond to the components of the aforementioned imaging system 100 and are substantially identical with no differences will be noted, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0024] The imaging device 210 is equipped with a protrusion 215 that projects forward from near the bottom surface of the front, and a first through-hole 215a is provided in one location on the protrusion 215. The first through-hole 215a is located on the optical axis (not shown) on the projection plane in the Y-axis direction. The function of the protrusion 215 is equivalent to the function of the protrusion 115 of the imaging device 110 in the first embodiment, and the configuration of the imaging device 210 other than the protrusion 215 is the same as the configuration of the imaging device 110, so a description is omitted.

[0025] In the first embodiment, the bottom surface of accessory 120 had two screw fixing portions 123, but the bottom surface of accessory 220 in the first embodiment has one screw fixing portion 223. The screw fixing portion 223 is located at a position that coincides with the first through hole 215a of the protrusion 215 on the projection plane in the Y-axis direction when accessory 220 is attached to the imaging device 210. The configuration of accessory 220 other than the screw fixing portion 223 is the same as that of accessory 120, and therefore will not be described.

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of attaching the imaging system 200 to the base 230. The base 230 is a component corresponding to the base 130 in the first embodiment, and has a second through hole 231 formed in one place and a third through hole 232 formed in two places. The accessory 220 can be fixed to the base 130 by passing a fixing screw 233 through the second through hole 231 of the base 230 and the first through hole 215a of the protrusion 215 and screwing it into the screw fixing part 223 of the accessory 220. In addition, the imaging device 210 can be fixed to the base 130 by passing a screw (not shown) through the third through hole 232 of the base 230 and screwing it into a screw hole provided in the imaging device 210 at a position corresponding to the third through hole 232 among the multiple fixing holes 213. Thus, similar to the first embodiment, the rotation of the accessory 220 around the optical axis relative to the imaging device 210 is restricted, and the forward tilting or inclination of the imaging system 200 can be restricted.

[0027] Next, an imaging system according to the third embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging system 300 according to the third embodiment, and the viewing direction of the imaging system 300 is different in Figure 6(a) and Figure 6(b). The imaging system 300 is broadly composed of an imaging device 310 and an accessory 320 that can be attached to or detached from the imaging device 310. In the following description, for components of the imaging system 300 that correspond to the components of the imaging system 100 described above and have virtually no differences, this will be noted and the explanation will be omitted.

[0028] The imaging device 310 has two protrusions 315 that project forward from near the bottom surface of the front and from near the left and right ends (X-direction ends). The protrusions 315 of the imaging device 310 differ from the protrusions 115 and 215 in the first and second embodiments in that they do not have screw fixing portions 123 and 223 which are screw holes. The configuration of the imaging device 310 other than the protrusions 315 is the same as that of the imaging device 110, so a description is omitted.

[0029] Accessory 320 has two screw fixing parts 323 (screw holes) on its bottom surface (the position that becomes the bottom surface when attached to the imaging device 310). The configuration of accessory 320 other than the screw fixing parts 323 is the same as the configuration of accessory 120 in the first embodiment, so a description is omitted.

[0030] Figure 7(a) is a bottom view of the imaging system 300. On the projection plane in the Y-axis direction, the two protrusions 315 of the imaging device 310 protrude forward of the position of the screw fixing portion 323 of the accessory 320, but are positioned so as not to overlap with the screw fixing portion 323 of the accessory 320.

[0031] Figure 7(b) is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of attaching the imaging system 300 to the base 330. The base 330 is a component corresponding to the base 130 in the first embodiment, and has two through holes 331 formed therein. On the projection plane in the Y-axis direction, the two through holes 331 are positioned to overlap with the two screw fixing parts 323 of the accessory 320. As described above, on the projection plane in the Y-axis direction, the two protrusions 315 of the imaging device 310 do not overlap with the screw fixing parts 323 of the accessory 320. Therefore, the accessory 320 can be fixed to the base 330 by placing the imaging device 310 on the base 330, passing the fixing screws 333 through the through holes 331 of the base 330, and screwing them into the screw fixing parts 323 of the accessory 320. This allows for restricting the rotation of the accessory 320 around the optical axis relative to the imaging device 310, as well as restricting the forward tilting or inclination of the imaging system 300, similar to the first and second embodiments.

[0032] As described above, according to the present invention, in an imaging system in which an accessory is attached to the imaging device, the rotational displacement of the accessory relative to the imaging device can be suppressed. Therefore, even when another accessory is attached via the accessory, the attached state of the other accessory can be stabilized. Furthermore, when the imaging system is mounted on a base, the tilt displacement of the imaging system relative to the base can be suppressed.

[0033] Although the present invention has been described in detail above based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the embodiments described above is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is possible to combine each embodiment as appropriate.

[0034] For example, the above embodiment assumes a situation where the imaging system is fixed to a base, but from the viewpoint of restricting the rotation of the accessory around the optical axis relative to the imaging device, the screw fixing part of the accessory may be fixed to the protrusion of the imaging device. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the through hole formed in the protrusion of the imaging device is a stepped hole that allows the screw head to be housed so that the screw head does not protrude from the bottom surface of the imaging device (protrusion), and prevents the entire screw from coming out (the screw head stops inside the through hole). By inserting the screw from the through hole side and screwing it into the screw fixing part, the rotation of the accessory around the optical axis relative to the imaging device can be restricted.

[0035] Furthermore, although a mount adapter was described as an accessory that can be attached to and detached from the imaging device in the above embodiment, the accessory that can be attached to and detached from the imaging device may be an interchangeable lens that has a screw fixing part similar to the mount adapter in the above embodiment.

[0036] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) An imaging system comprising an imaging device and an accessory mounted on the front surface of the imaging device, wherein the imaging device has a protrusion that projects forward from near the bottom surface of the front surface of the imaging device and has at least one first through hole that penetrates the imaging device in the vertical direction, and the accessory has at least one first screw hole that opens on the bottom surface facing the protrusion when mounted on the imaging device, and when the imaging device with the accessory mounted is viewed from the vertical direction of the imaging device, the first screw hole and the first through hole overlap, and it is possible to screw a screw through the first through hole into the first screw hole. (Configuration 2) The imaging system according to Configuration 1, characterized in that it has a base that can be attached to the bottom surface of the imaging device, the base has a second through hole at a position that overlaps with the first through hole when viewed from the top or bottom direction of the imaging device, and the accessory can be fixed to the base by screwing a screw through the second through hole and the first through hole into the first screw hole. (Configuration 3) The imaging system according to Configuration 2, characterized in that at least one second screw hole is provided at a predetermined position on the bottom surface of the imaging device, the base has a third through hole at a position that overlaps with the second screw hole when the first through hole and the second through hole overlap when viewed from the top and bottom direction of the imaging device, and the imaging device is fixed to the base by passing a screw through the third through hole and screwing it into the second screw hole. (Configuration 4) The imaging system according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the first through-hole is a stepped hole that allows the screw head to be housed so as not to protrude from the bottom surface of the protrusion, and the screw head stops inside the first through-hole. (Configuration 5) An imaging system comprising an imaging device, an accessory attached to the front of the imaging device, and a base on which the imaging device is placed, wherein the imaging device has a protrusion that projects forward from near the bottom surface of the front of the imaging device, the accessory has at least one screw hole that opens to the bottom surface facing the base when attached to the imaging device, the base has at least one through hole, and when the imaging device is viewed from above and below with the accessory attached to the imaging device and the imaging device placed on the base, the protrusion and the screw hole do not overlap, the screw hole and the through hole overlap, and it is possible to screw a screw into the screw hole through the through hole. (Configuration 6) The imaging system according to Configuration 5, characterized in that the protrusions are located near the bottom surface of the front of the imaging device when the imaging device is viewed from the front, and protrude forward from near the left end and the right end. (Configuration 7) The imaging system according to any one of Configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that a first mount is provided on the front surface of the imaging device, and the accessory has a second mount that can be coupled with the first mount. (Configuration 8) The imaging system according to Configuration 7, characterized in that the first mount and the second mount are bayonet-type mounts. (Configuration 9) The imaging system according to Configuration 7 or 8, characterized in that the accessory is an interchangeable lens or a mount adapter. (Configuration 10) An imaging device having a mount on the front that allows accessories to be attached and detached, An imaging device characterized by having a protrusion that projects forward from near the bottom surface of the front surface, the protrusion having at least one through hole that penetrates the imaging device in the vertical direction, and being able to pass a screw through the through hole and screw it into a screw hole provided in the accessory when the accessory is attached to the imaging device. (Configuration 11) An imaging device having a mount on its front surface that allows for the attachment and detachment of accessories, wherein the mount has a protrusion that projects forward from near the bottom surface of the front surface, and the mount is capable of attaching an accessory having at least one screw hole at a position that is on the bottom surface side of the imaging device when the mount is attached to the imaging device, and when the accessory having at least one screw hole is viewed from the top or bottom direction of the imaging device, the protrusion projects forward beyond the position of the screw hole, and the protrusion and the screw hole do not overlap. (Configuration 12) The imaging device according to Configuration 11, characterized in that the protrusions are located near the bottom surface of the front of the imaging device when viewed from the front, and protrude forward from near the left end and the right end. (Configuration 13) An accessory that is detachable from an imaging device, wherein the accessory has a screw hole that opens in the same direction as the bottom surface of the imaging device when it is attached to the imaging device, and when the accessory is attached to the imaging device, it is possible to screw a screw into the screw hole through a base fixed to the bottom surface of the imaging device or a through hole provided in the imaging device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 100, 200, 300 imaging systems 110,210,310 Imaging device 112 First Mount 115 Convex part 115a, 215a First through hole 120,220,320 Accessories 123,223,323 Screw fixing part 130,230,330 base 131,231 Second through hole 331 Through hole

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising an imaging device and an accessory mounted on the front of the imaging device, The imaging device has a protrusion that extends forward from near the bottom surface of the front of the imaging device and has at least one first through-hole that penetrates the imaging device in the vertical direction, The accessory has at least one first screw hole that opens on the bottom surface facing the protrusion when attached to the imaging device, An imaging system characterized in that, when the accessory is attached to the imaging device and viewed from above or below the imaging device, the first screw hole and the first through hole overlap, and it is possible to screw a screw through the first through hole into the first screw hole.

2. The imaging device has a base that can be attached to the bottom surface, The base has a second through-hole at a position that overlaps with the first through-hole when viewed from the top or bottom direction of the imaging device. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that the accessory can be fixed to the base by screwing a screw into the first screw hole through the second through hole and the first through hole.

3. At least one second screw hole is provided at a predetermined position on the bottom surface of the imaging device. The base has a third through-hole at a position that overlaps with the second screw hole when viewed from above or below the imaging device, with the first through-hole and the second through-hole overlapping. The imaging system according to claim 2, characterized in that the imaging device is fixed to the base by passing it through the third through hole and screwing a screw into the second screw hole.

4. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first through-hole is a stepped hole that allows the screw head to be housed so that the screw head does not protrude from the bottom surface of the protrusion, and the screw head stops inside the first through-hole.

5. An imaging system comprising an imaging device, an accessory attached to the front of the imaging device, and a base on which the imaging device is mounted, The imaging device has a protrusion that extends forward from near the bottom surface of the front of the imaging device, The accessory has at least one screw hole opening on its bottom surface facing the base when attached to the imaging device, The base has at least one through hole, An imaging system characterized in that, when the accessory is attached to the imaging device and the imaging device is placed on the base, and the imaging device is viewed from above or below, the protrusion and the screw hole do not overlap, the screw hole and the through hole overlap, and it is possible to screw a screw into the screw hole through the through hole.

6. The imaging system according to claim 5, characterized in that the protrusions are located near the bottom surface of the front of the imaging device when the imaging device is viewed from the front, and protrude forward from near the left end and the right end.

7. A first mount is provided on the front of the imaging device. The imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the accessory has a second mount that can be coupled to the first mount.

8. The imaging system according to claim 7, characterized in that the first mount and the second mount are bayonet-type mounts.

9. The imaging system according to claim 8, characterized in that the aforementioned accessory is an interchangeable lens or a mount adapter.

10. An imaging device having a mount on the front that allows for the attachment and detachment of accessories, The aforementioned front surface has a protrusion that extends forward from near the bottom surface, The aforementioned protrusion has at least one through hole that penetrates the imaging device in the vertical direction, An imaging device characterized in that, with the accessory attached to the imaging device, it is possible to pass a screw through the through hole and screw it into a screw hole provided in the accessory.

11. An imaging device having a mount on the front that allows for the attachment and detachment of accessories, The aforementioned front surface has a protrusion that extends forward from near the bottom surface, The mount is such that, when attached to the imaging device, an accessory having at least one screw hole at a position on the bottom side of the imaging device can be attached, An imaging device characterized in that, when the accessory having at least one screw hole is attached to the imaging device and viewed from the top or bottom of the imaging device, the protrusion extends forward beyond the position of the screw hole and the protrusion and the screw hole do not overlap.

12. The imaging device according to claim 11, characterized in that the protrusions are located near the bottom surface of the front surface of the imaging device when the imaging device is viewed from the front, and protrude forward from near the left end and the right end.

13. An accessory that can be attached to and detached from an imaging device, The accessory has a screw hole that opens in the same direction as the bottom surface of the imaging device when it is attached to the imaging device, The accessory is characterized in that, with the accessory attached to the imaging device, it is possible to screw a screw into the screw hole through a base fixed to the bottom surface of the imaging device or through a through hole provided in the imaging device.

Images