Accessories and electronic devices having accessory socket devices

Abstract

An electronic device and an accessory are provided. The electronic device can reduce the occurrence of malfunctions when attaching the accessory without increasing the size of an accessory socket device. The electronic device includes the accessory socket device and a controller. The accessory socket device is electrically connectable with the accessory and has terminals arranged in a row in a first direction that intersects perpendicularly with an attachment direction of the accessory. The controller is electrically connected to the terminals. At least one of the terminals differs from the other terminals in the length of an exposed portion of the terminal in a second direction that intersects perpendicularly with both the attachment direction and the first direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electronic device having an accessory socket device and an accessory attachable to the accessory socket device. BACKGROUND

[0002] As an example of an electronic device equipped with an accessory socket device to which an accessory such as a lighting device (an electronic flash device) is attachable, a camera device is known. The accessory socket device mechanically holds the accessory by engaging with a socket device of the accessory, and electrically connects the accessory with the camera device. Therefore, the accessory socket device and the socket device each have an engaging portion and a portion to be engaged that engage with each other, and have connection terminals that enable bidirectional communication of a clock signal and a data signal between the camera device and the accessory.

[0003] For example, the connection terminals provided in each of the accessory socket device and the socket device are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals in a direction that intersects perpendicularly with the direction of attachment of the socket device to the accessory socket device. In this case, when the arrangement pitch of the connection terminals is narrowed, the types of signals that are communicable between the camera device and the accessory increase without increasing the accessory socket device and the socket device.

[0004] However, when the arrangement pitch of the connection terminals is narrowed, the change in potential of a terminal such as a clock signal terminal or a data signal terminal easily affects the connection terminals of adjacent signal lines, which easily leads to a malfunction in the camera device or the accessory.

[0005] In view of such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-34172 (JP 2013-34172 A, U.S. Patent 9,049,378, the same family as the present application) discloses a configuration that arranges a plurality of connection terminals in a row at predetermined intervals, and arranges GND terminals for providing a reference potential on both sides of a clock signal terminal. This reduces noise to other signal terminals due to a clock signal between the camera device and the accessory, and thus hardly leads to a malfunction.

[0006] However, in a case where the socket device is tilted with respect to the accessory socket device during attachment of the socket device to the accessory socket device (see Figure 5B ), the connection order between the connection terminals differs from the planned order, which can result in a malfunction. The technology described in the above publication document cannot solve such a problem.

[0007] To avoid this problem, a configuration can be considered in which the connection terminals of the accessory socket device are offset in the attachment direction according to the planned connection order without aligning the connection terminals in the lateral direction with respect to the attachment direction. However, in the configuration in which the connection terminals are offset in the attachment direction, as the number of terminals to be offset increases, the size of the accessory socket device and the socket device increases. SUMMARY

[0008] The present application provides an electronic device that can reduce the occurrence of a failure in attaching an accessory without increasing the size of an accessory socket device.

[0009] Therefore, a first aspect of the present application provides an electronic device including: an accessory socket device that can be electrically connected with an accessory and has terminals arranged in a row in a first direction that perpendicularly intersects with an attachment direction of the accessory; and a controller electrically connected to the terminals, in which at least one of the terminals differs from the other terminals in the length of an exposed portion in a second direction that perpendicularly intersects with both the attachment direction and the first direction.

[0010] According to the electronic device of the present application, the occurrence of a failure can be reduced without increasing the size of the accessory socket device.

[0011] Further features of the present application will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a camera device of an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of an external flash device that can be attached to Figure 1 the camera device shown in

[0014] Figure 3A is a perspective view of the camera device shown in Figure 1 from the back side. Figure 3B is a perspective view showing a method for attaching the external flash device of Figure 2 to an accessory socket of a digital camera. Figure 3C is a perspective view showing a state in which the external flash device is attached to the digital camera.

[0015] Figure 4A is a diagram showing the arrangement of terminals of the accessory socket, and Figure 4B is a diagram showing the arrangement of terminals of the camera connector.

[0016] Figure 5A and Figure 5Bis a diagram showing an example of an operation of attaching an external flash device to a camera device.

[0017] Figure 6A and Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which terminals of an accessory socket contact terminals of a camera connector in the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of terminals constituting an accessory socket in the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8A is a perspective view showing an external flash device in the third embodiment. Figure 8B is a perspective view showing Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the external flash device shown in

[0020] Figure 9A and Figure 9B is a diagram showing an example of a state in which terminals of an accessory socket contact terminals of a camera connector in the third embodiment.

[0021] Figure 10A and Figure 10B is a diagram showing an example of a state in which terminals of an accessory socket contact terminals of a camera connector in the fourth embodiment.

[0022] Figure 11A and Figure 11B is a diagram showing an example of a state in which terminals of an accessory socket contact terminals of a camera connector in the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Embodiments according to the present application will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following explanation, a camera device having an accessory socket device is regarded as an electronic device according to the present application, and an electronic flash device is regarded as an accessory having a socket device that engages with the accessory socket device. However, the electronic device having the accessory socket device is not limited to the camera device. Furthermore, the accessory that can be attached to the camera device is not limited to the electronic flash device. Accessories related to camera shooting, such as an electronic viewfinder, a microphone for shooting a video image, an intermediate accessory (a conversion adapter and a multi-adapter), various measuring devices, a sub camera, and the like, can be employed. The camera device and the electronic flash device constitute a camera shooting system. Since the intermediate accessory is provided with a socket device that engages with the accessory socket device of the electronic device and an accessory socket device that engages with the socket device of the accessory, the intermediate accessory is equivalent to the accessory from the electronic device, and is equivalent to the electronic device from the accessory.

[0024] Figure 1is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the imaging apparatus 100. Specifically, the imaging apparatus 100 is a digital still camera. The imaging apparatus 100 has a camera MPU 130, an imaging optical system 122, a timing signal generating circuit 102, an image sensor 103, an A / D converter 104, a memory controller 105, and a buffer memory 106. Further, the imaging apparatus 100 has an image display unit 107, a storage medium I / F 108, a storage medium 109, a motor controller 110, a shutter controller 111, a photometry unit 112, a multi-division photometry sensor 113, a lens controller 114, a focus detection unit 115, a posture detection unit 116, and a switch operation unit 117. Further, the imaging apparatus 100 has a flash device controller 118, a built-in flash device 119, a camera LED auxiliary illumination unit 124, and an accessory socket device (hereinafter referred to as "accessory socket") 123.

[0025] The accessory socket 123 can be equipped with an external flash device 120. Further, the storage medium 109 such as a semiconductor memory is detachable from the body (housing) of the imaging apparatus 100. Note that the storage medium 109 can be a hard disk built in the imaging apparatus 100, or an optical disc or the like attachable to the imaging apparatus 100.

[0026] The camera MPU 130 is a so-called microcomputer, and entirely controls the imaging sequence and the entire operation of the imaging system of the imaging apparatus 100. The imaging optical system 122 includes a plurality of lens groups such as a zoom lens and a focus lens, an aperture, and a shutter, and forms an optical image (subject image) on the image sensor 103 by refracting light from a subject. The image sensor 103 is a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor or the like that photographs the optical image (photoelectrically converts the optical image). The timing signal generating circuit 102 generates a timing signal necessary for the operation of the image sensor 103, and supplies the timing signal to the image sensor 103.

[0027] The A / D converter 104 converts an analog signal read from the image sensor 103 into a digital signal (image data). The memory controller 105 controls the reading and writing of a memory (not shown), and controls a refresh operation of the buffer memory 106. The buffer memory 106 temporarily stores the image data output from the A / D converter 104 and display image data used for displaying an image on the image display unit 107. The image display unit 107 has a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel, and displays the image data stored in the buffer memory 106.

[0028] The storage medium I / F 108 is an interface that enables communication between the camera MPU 130 and the storage medium 109 mounted in the imaging device 100. The motor controller 110 controls a motor (not shown) to move a mirror (not shown) up and down and charge a shutter in accordance with a signal from the camera MPU 130. The shutter controller 111 controls exposure of the image sensor 103 by advancing a front curtain and a back curtain of the shutter in accordance with a signal from the camera MPU 130. The multi-segment photometry sensor 113 measures luminance values in segmented areas within an imaging area. The photometry unit 112 outputs luminance signals of the respective areas to the camera MPU 130.

[0029] The camera MPU 130 calculates values for exposure control, such as AV (aperture value), TV (shutter speed), ISO (sensitivity of the image sensor 103), and the like, based on the luminance signals obtained from the photometry unit 112. The photometry unit 112 outputs luminance signals detected when the built-in flash device 119 or the external flash device 120 performs pre-flashing toward a field of view to the camera MPU 130. The camera MPU 130 calculates a main light emission amount of the external flash device 120 at the time of main exposure (main imaging) based on these luminance signals.

[0030] The lens controller 114 communicates with the camera MPU 130 through mounting contacts (not shown) and controls a focus and an aperture of the imaging optical system 122 by controlling a lens drive motor and an aperture drive motor (not shown). The focus detection unit 115 detects an amount of defocus of the imaging optical system 122 by using a focus detection method such as a phase difference detection method. The camera MPU 130 calculates a drive amount of a focus lens based on the detected amount of defocus and performs auto focus (AF) by controlling the lens drive motor via the lens controller 114.

[0031] The attitude detection unit 116 detects a tilt of the digital camera 100 in a direction of rotation around an optical axis of the imaging optical system 122. The switch operation unit 117 has a first switch (SW1) that becomes ON when a release button (not shown) is pressed halfway in a first stroke (half-pressing), and a second switch (SW2) that becomes ON when the release button is pressed all the way in a second stroke (full-pressing). ON signals from SW1 and SW2 are output to the camera MPU 130. The camera MPU 130 starts an imaging preparation operation such as AF and photometry in response to the ON signal from SW1. Also, the camera MPU 130 starts an imaging (exposure) operation in response to the ON signal from SW2. Note that signals responsive to operations of operation members (not shown) other than SW1 and SW2 are also detected by the switch operation unit 117 and output to the camera MPU 130.

[0032] According to an instruction from the camera MPU 130, the flash device controller 118 controls the light emission operation (preliminary light emission, main light emission, and auxiliary light emission, etc.) of the built-in flash device 119, and controls the light emission operation of the external flash device 120 attached to the accessory socket 123. Further, upon detecting the attachment of the external flash device 120 to the accessory socket 123, the flash device controller 118 starts to supply electric power to the external flash device 120 through the accessory socket 123. The structure of the accessory socket 123 will be described in detail later.

[0033] The camera LED auxiliary illumination unit 124 irradiates the field of view with near-infrared light (LED auxiliary light) of a predetermined pattern used as auxiliary light for focus detection by the focus detection unit 115. The camera MPU 130 instructs the built-in flash device 119 or the external flash device 120 to emit the auxiliary light for focus detection by the flash device controller 118, based on the luminance signal from the photometry unit 112. Further, the camera MPU 130 instructs the LED auxiliary light emission of the camera LED auxiliary illumination unit 124, or instructs the LED auxiliary light emission for focus detection by the flash device controller 118 to the LED auxiliary illumination unit 207 (see Figure 2 ) of the external flash device 120.

[0034] Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the external flash device 120. The external flash device 120 has a body 200, a reflection mechanism 201, and a head 202. The body 200 has an external flash MPU (hereinafter referred to as "flash MPU") 203, a main capacitor 209, a switch operation unit 205 including a power switch or the like, a display unit 208, an LED auxiliary illumination unit 207, and a camera connector 206.

[0035] The external flash MPU 203 is implemented on a main substrate (not shown), and controls all operations including the light emission control sequence of the external flash device 120. The camera connector 206 is a socket device that mechanically and electrically connects the external flash device 120 to the accessory socket 123 of the imaging device 100. The camera MPU 130 communicates with the external flash MPU 203 through the flash device controller 118, the accessory socket 123, and the camera connector 206. Details of the structure of the camera connector 206 will be mentioned later.

[0036] As with the camera LED auxiliary illumination unit 124, the LED auxiliary illumination unit 207 irradiates the field of view with near-infrared light (LED auxiliary light) for projecting a predetermined pattern, which serves as auxiliary light used for focus detection control by the camera MPU 130 through the focus detection unit 115. The reflection mechanism 201 enables the head 202 to be turned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the body 200. The user can change the emission direction of the illumination light (flash light) from the head 202 by turning the head 202. Using the reflection mechanism 201 enables so-called bounce shooting by indirectly illuminating the subject.

[0037] The head 202 has a light emitting device 204 that emits a flash. The light emitting device 204 has a light source such as a light discharge tube (xenon lamp tube) or an LED, a reflection umbrella, a Fresnel lens, and a light emitting circuit. The light emitting circuit controls the light source to emit light in accordance with a signal from the external flash MPU 203.

[0038] Figure 3A is a perspective view showing the camera device 100 as seen from the oblique back side. Figure 3B is a schematic view showing a method for attaching the external flash device 120 to the accessory socket 123 of the camera device 100. Figure 3C is a perspective view showing the state in which the camera device 100 is equipped with the external flash device 120 as seen from the oblique back side.

[0039] As Figures 3A-3C shown for the sake of explanation, with respect to the camera device 100 and the external flash device 120, an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction that are orthogonal to each other are defined. The Z direction is parallel to the optical axis of the camera optical system 122 and is the front-back direction of the camera device 100. The X direction is the width direction of the camera device 100 and is orthogonal to the Z direction in a horizontal plane in the case where the Z direction is in the horizontal plane. The Y direction is the height direction of the camera device 100 and is orthogonal to both the Z direction and the X direction. Further, the arrows of the respective directions show the positive direction (+ direction).

[0040] The camera optical system 122 (not shown in Figures 3A-3C ) is provided on the front side (field of view side) of the camera device 100, and the image display unit 107 is provided on the back side of the camera device 100. The top cover 150, which is an external member, is provided on the upper portion of the camera device 100. The accessory socket 123 is arranged with respect to the top cover 150. Meanwhile, the camera connector 206 is provided on the bottom portion of the external flash device 120.

[0041] As Figure 3BAs shown, when the user slides the external flash device 120 in the +Z direction from the back side of the imaging device 100 toward the front side with respect to the imaging device 100, the user can engage the camera connector 206 with the accessory socket 123. Thereby, the external flash device 120 is attached to the imaging device 100. When the external flash device 120 is detached from the imaging device 100, the user slides the external flash device 120 in the -Z direction from the front side of the imaging device 100 toward the back side.

[0042] Figure 4A is a view showing an example of arrangement of 21 terminals TC01 to TC21 in the accessory socket 123 of the imaging device 100. Figure 4B is a view showing an example of arrangement of 21 terminals TA01 to TA21 in the camera connector 206 of the external flash device 120.

[0043] The imaging device 100 and the external flash device 120 are electrically connected because the terminals TC01 to TC21 of the accessory socket 123 respectively contact the terminals TA01 to TA21 of the camera connector 206 one-to-one. In the accessory socket 123, the terminal TC01 is arranged at the right end seen from the subject side, and the 21 terminals until the terminal TC21 arranged at the left end are arranged in a row in the X direction at constant intervals. Likewise, in the camera connector 206, the terminal TA01 is arranged at the right end seen from the subject side, and the 21 terminals until the terminal TA21 arranged at the left end are arranged in a row in the X direction at constant intervals. Although the number of terminals of the accessory socket 123 is equal to the number of terminals of the camera connector 206 in the present embodiment, the two numbers do not necessarily have to be equal.

[0044] Figure 5A is a view showing a normal attachment method of the external flash device 120 to the imaging device 100. As shown, Figure 5A by sliding the camera connector 206 with respect to the accessory socket 123 in parallel with the Z direction as the attachment direction, the camera connector 206 is engaged with the accessory socket 123. Then, the terminals TC01 to TC21 contact the corresponding terminals TA01 to TA21 one-to-one at substantially the same time.

[0045] However, when the attachment operation is performed in a state where an excessive load in the turning direction is applied to the external flash device 120, the contact state can be different from the normal contact state. Figure 5BThe operation of attaching the external flash device 120 to the image pickup apparatus 100 in a state where the load in the rotation direction is amplified and applied to the external flash device 120 (a state where tilting with respect to the angle δ of the Z direction occurs). In this case, the terminal TC01 of the accessory socket 123 first contacts the terminal TA01 of the camera connector 206, and the terminal TC21 last contacts the terminal TA21. Further, when the attachment operation of the external flash device 120 is stopped halfway, the terminal TC21 can not contact the terminal TA21.

[0046] To solve this problem, a method of extending the terminal TC21 in the Z direction as the attachment direction can be considered. However, this method increases the accessory socket 123. Therefore, the first embodiment makes it possible to change the contact order of the terminals of the accessory socket 123 and the camera connector 206 while keeping the terminals arranged in a row at constant intervals, by providing a high-standing wall portion 123b (see Figure 6B ) to a specific terminal as described below.

[0047] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a state at the time when the terminal TC21 of the accessory socket 123 contacts the terminal TA21 of the camera connector 206. Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view showing a state at the time when the terminal TC01 of the accessory socket 123 contacts the terminal TA01 of the camera connector 206.

[0048] As shown in Figure 6A , the terminal TC21 is provided with a first portion TC21a extending in the Z direction as the attachment direction of the external flash device 120, and a second portion TC21b extending in the -Y direction (downward in Figure 6A ) intersecting perpendicularly with the attachment direction. A low-standing wall portion 123a formed of a dielectric material (for example, a non-conductive resin material) is provided in abutment with the side surface of the -Z side of the second portion TC21b of the terminal TC21 extending in the -Y direction. It should be noted that the low-standing wall portion 123a holds the terminal TC21. When the terminal TA21 slides in the +Z direction and contacts the terminal TC21 at the contact point TA21a, communication between the image pickup apparatus 100 and the external flash device 120 becomes available via the terminals TA21 and TC21.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6B , the terminal TC01 is provided with a first portion TC01a extending in the Z direction as the attachment direction of the external flash device 120, and a second portion TC01b extending in the -Y direction (downward in Figure 6BThe -Z side of the second portion TC01b (the side facing the approach direction of the camera connector 206 when the external flash device 120 is attached) is provided with a high-standing wall portion 123b formed of a dielectric material in abutment with the side surface. It should be noted that the high-standing wall portion 123b holds the terminal TC01. Figure 6A and Figure 6B A comparison between the lengths of the exposed portions of the terminals TC01 and TC21 in the -Y direction indicates that the lengths are different. The lengths of the non-exposed portions of these terminals covered by the standing wall portions can be different from each other. When the terminal TA01 slides in the +Z direction and contacts the terminal TC01 at the contact point TA01b, communication between the camera device 100 and the external flash device 120 becomes available via the terminals TA01 and TC01.

[0050] Figure 6B The contact point TA01a shown corresponds to the contact point TA21a in Figure 6A If the terminal TA01 were to slide in the Z direction with respect to a terminal equivalent to the terminal TC21 held by the low-standing wall portion 123a, the terminal TA01 would contact the equivalent terminal at the contact point TA01a. However, since the high-standing wall portion 123b is formed higher in the +Y direction (upward in Figure 6A ) than the low-standing wall portion 123a, the terminal TA01 contacts the terminal TC01 at the contact point TA01b without contacting the terminal TC01 at the contact point TA01a. That is, the timing at which the terminal TA01 contacts the terminal TC01 can be delayed from the timing at which the terminal TA21 contacts the terminal TC21 by a period of time required for the terminal TA01 to move in the Z direction the distance between the contact point TA01a and the contact point TA01b.

[0051] Furthermore, although the terminal TA21 made of a metal material first contacts the terminal TC21 made of a metal material, the terminal TA01 made of a metal material contacts the terminal TC01 made of a metal material after contacting the high-standing wall portion 123b made of a resin material. Since the terminal TA01 contacts the high-standing wall portion 123b, the high-standing wall portion 123b can absorb the impact of the camera connector 206 being attached to the accessory socket 123. Since the high-standing wall portion 123b is formed to have a slope inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the Y direction as shown in Figure 6B , the impact can be effectively released.

[0052] In order to shift the contact timing of the terminal, the high-standing wall portion 123b can be higher than the terminal TC01 (can protrude to the +Y side), or a part of the first portion TC01a of the terminal TC01 extending in the Z direction can be covered by the high-standing wall portion 123b. Although two kinds of low-standing wall portion 123a and high-standing wall portion 123b (standing wall portions having one step difference) are explained in the first embodiment, three or more kinds of standing wall portions having two or more step differences can be employed.

[0053] As described above, since the standing wall portions having different heights are provided for the respective terminals of the accessory socket 123, it is possible to change the contact order of the camera connector 206 to the terminals of the accessory socket 123 while keeping the terminals arranged in a row. Therefore, even in a state where the external flash device 120 is tilted with respect to the attachment direction as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to prevent the change of the contact order of the terminals, which enables the terminals to be contacted in the predetermined order. Figure 5B

[0054] It should be noted that, in the first embodiment, the communication for attachment detection of the external flash device 120 is assigned to the terminals TC01 and TA01. If the attachment detection terminals TC01 and TA01 are to be contacted at an early stage of the attachment operation, the communication will start without waiting for the contact of the other terminals, which will result in a communication error. In order to avoid such a situation, in the first embodiment, the attachment detection terminals are contacted after the other communication terminals and the power supply terminals are contacted. At the time when the attachment detection terminals are contacted, the other communication terminals and the power supply terminals are certainly contacted. Furthermore, it is preferable that the GND terminals to which the ground potential (GND) is assigned are contacted at the start time in order to prevent the malfunction and failure of the device. According to the first embodiment, this can be easily achieved by changing the contact timing. In this way, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a communication error due to the connection of the terminals in a non-intended contact order.

[0055] Incidentally, the external flash device 120 can be attached in a state where it is tilted in the direction opposite to the direction shown in FIG. 10. In this case, the terminal TA21 and the terminal TC21 are contacted first, and the terminal TA01 and the terminal TC01 are contacted last. Therefore, even if the terminal TC01 is held by the high-standing wall portion 123b, no problem will occur at all. Figure 5B

[0056] Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, a modification example of the accessory socket 123 described in the first embodiment will be described. Since the structures of the camera device 100 and the external flash device 120 except for the accessory socket 123 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description of these structures is omitted. The same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are used for the accessory socket and the camera connector.​​

[0057] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a plurality of terminals constituting the accessory socket 123 according to the second embodiment, and is shown in a plane that intersects perpendicularly with the attachment direction of the camera connector 206. The accessory socket 123 has terminals TC31 to TC51 arranged in a row at constant intervals. The terminal TC31 is different from the terminals TC32 to TC51 in height in the vertical direction (corresponding to the Y direction in Figure 3A Figure 5B

[0058] As described above, it is possible to change the order of contact of the terminals of the camera connector 206 and the accessory socket 123 by making the heights of the terminals different while keeping the terminals arranged in a row. In this way, even if the external flash device 120 is attached in a state in which it is inclined with respect to the attachment direction as shown in Figure 5B

[0059] Next, the third embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, a modification of the external flash device 120 described in the first embodiment will be described. Since the entire structure of the imaging device 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description of the structure is omitted.

[0060] Figure 8A is a perspective view showing the external flash device 120 according to the third embodiment as seen from the camera connector 206 side (-Y direction side (lower side)). Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view showing the camera connector 206 in Figure 8A along the line A-A.

[0061] The camera connector 206 is provided on the -Y direction side (upper side in Figure 8A , lower side in Figure 8B ) of the base portion 250 of the external flash device 120. The camera connector 206 has a socket mounting leg 300a, a pair of locking pins 252, a locking lever 253, a connection plug 300b, a Y direction holding member 258, a holding member 300, and a socket cover 301.

[0062] ​​​The socket mounting leg 300a is a connecting member that engages the external flash unit 120 with the accessory socket 123 of the camera equipment 100. In other words, the socket mounting leg 300a is a connecting member for the external flash unit 120 that can be attached to and detached from the accessory socket 123. The locking pin 252 prevents the external flash unit 120 from detaching from the camera equipment 100 when the camera connector 206 (socket mounting leg 300a) is attached to the accessory socket 123. The locking pin 252 is provided in the socket mounting leg 300a in a manner movable in the Y direction. The locking pin 252 is held in a manner movable in the Y direction by the Y-direction retaining member 258. The locking lever 253 and the Y-direction retaining member 258 are held by the retaining member 300.

[0063] When the locking lever 253 is rotatably operated with the external flash unit 120 attached to the accessory socket 123, the Y-direction retaining member 258 moves in the -Y direction via a cam mechanism (not shown). At this time, the locking pin 252 moves together with the Y-direction retaining member 258 in the -Y direction. As a result, the locking pin 252 protrudes from the socket mounting leg 300a and engages with the engagement hole (not shown) of the accessory socket 123.

[0064] The camera connector 206 is formed of a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as resin and is integrated with the retaining member 300. The connector plug 300b has a plurality of connection terminals 257 for communication with the terminals TC01 to TC21 of the contact accessory socket 123. These connection terminals 257 correspond to the terminals TA01 to TA21 described in the first embodiment.

[0065] The connecting terminals 257 are configured to correspond one-to-one with terminals TC01 to TC21 of the accessory socket 123. The connecting terminals 257 extend in the Z direction, are arranged at constant intervals in the X direction, and are held by the retaining member 300. Each connecting terminal 257 has a front end portion 257a that contacts the corresponding terminal of one of the terminals TC01 to TC21. Figure 8B As shown, the front end portion 257a is an approximately triangular portion that protrudes towards the -Y side when viewed along the X direction. In the following description, the end of the front end portion 257a in the +Z direction is referred to as the "attachment direction end". Furthermore, the surface of the front end portion 257a that extends from the attachment direction end to the lower end (the end on the -Y side) is referred to as the "contact surface".

[0066] Each of the connection terminals 257 has an extension 257b extending from a front end portion 257a to the -Z direction side. The extension 257b displaces the front end portion 257a in the +Y direction by elastically deforming when the front end portion 257a contacts a corresponding one of the terminals TC01 to TC21. A vertical portion 257c is formed so as to extend in the +Y direction (upper side) at an end (rear end) of the extension 257b in the -Z direction. A flexible substrate connecting portion 257d is formed at an upper end of the vertical portion 257c. The flexible substrate connecting portion 257d is connected to a flexible substrate 259 that is connected to a main substrate (not shown) of the external flash device 120 and is inserted into the holding member 300 from the +Y direction side.

[0067] A stepped portion 257e having a step in the Y direction is formed in the middle of the extension 257b, whereby the extension 257b can be elastically deformed in the Y direction. In a case where the distance L in the Z direction of the extension 257b is short, a sufficient amount of deformation cannot be obtained. As a result, deterioration of durability is predicted. Specifically, the extension 257b can be easily damaged when attachment and detachment between the terminals TC01 to TC21 (not shown) of the accessory socket 123 and the front end portion 257a are repeated. In the third embodiment, the sufficient distance L in the Z direction of the extension 257b is secured by providing the stepped portion 257e in the extension 257b, and the required durability is secured.

[0068] Next, the structure of the connection terminals 257 will be described, which are used to contact the terminals in a predetermined connection order even when the external flash device 120 is attached to the image pickup apparatus 100 in a state where the attachment direction is inclined as described with reference to Figure 5B In the following description, as in the first embodiment, the connection terminals 257 should be 21 terminals TA01 to TA21 arranged in a row in the X direction at a predetermined interval. Then, the terminals TC01 to TC21 of the accessory socket 123 and the terminals TA01 to TA21 of the camera connector 206 will contact and electrically connect one-to-one.

[0069] Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate state of an attachment operation of the camera connector 206 to the accessory socket 123, and shows a state where the terminal TA21 contacts the terminal TC21. Figure 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the camera connector 206 is further moved in the +Z direction from the position shown in Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the camera connector 206 is further moved in the +Z direction from the position shown in

[0070] Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the camera connector 206 is further moved in the +Z direction from the position shown in Figure 9BThe terminals TC01 are each extended in the +Z direction, which is the attachment direction of the external flash device 120, and the -Y direction, which is orthogonal to the attachment direction, and are held by a low wall portion 123a made of a resin material. The terminals TC01 and TC21 substantially overlap each other as a whole when viewed in the X direction.

[0071] In the third embodiment, although the terminal TA01 and the terminal TA21 have the same shape, the terminal TA01 is offset in the -Z direction by a certain distance compared to the terminal TA21 in the camera connector 206. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, when the terminal TA21 is moved in the +Z direction and contacts the terminal TC21 at a contact point TA21a, the terminal TA01 does not contact the terminal TC01. Figure 9A

[0072] When the camera connector 206 is further moved in the +Z direction after the terminal TA21 contacts the terminal TC21 at the contact point TA21a, as shown in FIG. 15, the terminal TA01 contacts the terminal TC01 at a contact point TA01a. From when the terminal TA21 contacts the terminal TC21 until the terminal TA01 contacts the terminal TC01, the terminal TA21 is moved in the +Z direction while moving the contact point for the terminal TC21. The movement range TA21L of the contact point is shown by a broken line in FIG. 15. Figure 9B Figure 9A

[0073] That is, in the third embodiment, it is possible to delay the contact timing of the terminal TA01 and the terminal TC01 from the contact timing of the terminal TA21 and the terminal TC21 by a period of time required for moving the contact point of the terminal TA21 to the terminal TC21 through the movement range TA21L. In this way, it is possible to offset the contact timing of the terminal TA01 and the terminal TC01 from the contact timing of the terminal TA21 and the terminal TC21 by offsetting the positions of the terminals TA01 and TA21 in the Z direction in the camera connector 206.

[0074] ​​​It should be noted that, as with the first embodiment, in the third embodiment, communication of attachment detection of the external flash device 120 is assigned to the terminals TC01 and TA01. Thus, as with the first embodiment, the attachment detection terminals are contacted after the other communication terminals and the power supply terminals are contacted. At the time of contact of the attachment detection terminals, the other communication terminals and the power supply terminals are certainly contacted. Furthermore, since the terminal TA21 is contacted to the terminal TC21 of the accessory socket 123 before the other terminals of the camera connector 206, the GND terminal can be assigned to the terminal TA21. According to the third embodiment, since the contact order of the terminals TA01 to TA21 to the terminals TC01 to TC01 can be adjusted by shifting the positions of the terminals TA01 to TA21 in the Z direction, the terminals can be easily contacted in the order of the GND terminal, the communication terminal, the power supply terminal, and the attachment detection terminal.

[0075] Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the contact order of the connection terminals 257 of the camera connector 206 to the terminals of the accessory socket 123 is adjusted by shifting the positions of the connection terminals 257 in the Z direction. In contrast to this, in the fourth embodiment, the contact order of the connection terminals 257 of the camera connector 206 to the terminals of the accessory socket 123 is adjusted by adjusting the angles of the contact surfaces of the connection terminals 257. Since the basic structures of the imaging device 100 and the external flash device 120 conform to those in the third embodiment, the descriptions of these structures are omitted. Hereinafter, the angles of the contact surfaces of the connection terminals 257 of the camera connector 206, which are characteristic features of the fourth embodiment, will be mainly described.

[0076] Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate state of the attachment operation of the camera connector 206 to the accessory socket 123, and shows a state in which the terminal TA21 contacts the terminal TC21. Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the camera connector 206 is further moved in the +Z direction from the position shown in Figure 10A It should be noted that the terminal TA101 corresponds to the terminal TA01 described in the first embodiment and the third embodiment, and it is desired that the contact timing of the terminal TA101 is delayed from that of the terminal TA21.

[0077] Figure 10A The terminal TC21 shown in Figure 10B The terminal TC01 shown in Figure 9A The terminal TC21 shown in Figure 9B The terminal TC01 shown in

[0078] The end of terminal TA21 in the +Z direction should be the attachment direction end TA21c, and the end of terminal TA101 in the +Z direction should be the attachment direction end TA101c. Furthermore, the angle between the contact surface of terminal TA21 and terminal TC21 should be the contact surface angle θTA21, and the angle between the contact surface of terminal TA101 and terminal TC01 should be the contact surface angle θTA101.

[0079] In camera connector 206, the attachment direction ends TA21c and TA101c are positioned identically in the Z direction. However, the contact surface angle θTA101 is set to be smaller than the contact surface angle θTA21. Therefore, as... Figure 10A As shown, communication becomes available due to the contact of terminals TA21 and TC21 at contact point TA21a before communication becomes available due to the contact of terminals TA101 and TC01.

[0080] When the camera connector 206 moves further in the +Z direction after terminal TA21 contacts terminal TC21 at contact point TA21a, as Figure 10B As shown, terminal TA101 contacts terminal TC01 at contact point TA101a. From the moment terminal TA21 contacts terminal TC21 until terminal TA101 contacts terminal TC01, terminal TA21 moves along the +Z direction while moving the contact point against terminal TC21. The range of movement of this contact point TA21L is within... Figure 10A The middle part is indicated by a dashed line.

[0081] In other words, in the fourth embodiment, the contact timing of terminals TA101 and TC01 can be delayed from the contact timing of terminals TA21 and TC21 by the time period required for terminal TA21 to move towards the contact point of terminal TC21 through the movement range TA21L. In this way, the contact timing of terminals TA101 and TC01 can be offset from the contact timing of terminals TA21 and TC21 by changing the angle of the contact surfaces of terminals TA101 and TA21.

[0082] It should be noted that, as in the first embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, communication of attachment detection of the external flash device 120 is assigned to the terminal TC01 and the TA101. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the attachment detection terminal is contacted after the other communication terminals and the power supply terminal are contacted. At the time of contact of the attachment detection terminal, the other communication terminals and the power supply terminal are certainly contacted. Furthermore, since the terminal TA21 is contacted to the terminal of the accessory socket 123 before the other terminals of the camera connector 206, the GND terminal can be assigned to the terminal TA21. According to the fourth embodiment, since the contact order of the terminals TA101 to TA21 to the terminals TC01 to TC21 can be adjusted by changing the angle of the contact surface of the terminals TA101 to TA21, the terminals can be easily contacted in the order of the GND terminal, the communication terminal, the power supply terminal, and the attachment detection terminal.

[0083] Next, the fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described. Although the angle of the contact surface of the connection terminal 257 of the camera connector 206 is changed in the fourth embodiment, the shape of the contact surface is changed in the fifth embodiment. Since the basic structures of the imaging device 100 and the external flash device 120 follow the structures in the third embodiment, the description of these structures is omitted. Hereinafter, the terminal shape of the connection terminal 257 of the camera connector 206 as a characteristic feature of the fifth embodiment will be mainly described.

[0084] Figure 11A is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate state of the attachment operation of the camera connector 206 to the accessory socket 123, and shows a state in which the terminal TA121 contacts the terminal TC21. Figure 11B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the camera connector 206 is further moved in the +Z direction from the state shown in Figure 11A It should be noted that the terminal TA121 corresponds to the terminal TA21 described in the first embodiment and the third embodiment. It is desirable that the contact timing of the terminal TA01 to the terminal of the accessory socket 123 is delayed from the contact timing of the terminal TA121.

[0085] Figure 11A The terminal TC21 and the terminal TC01 shown in Figure 11B are the same as the terminal TC21 and the terminal TC01 shown in Figure 9A are the same as the terminal TC21 and the terminal TC01 shown in Figure 9B are the same as the terminal TC21 and the terminal TC01 shown in

[0086] The end of the terminal TA121 in the +Z direction should be the attachment direction end TA121c, and the end of the terminal TA01 in the +Z direction should be the attachment direction end TA01c. In the camera connector 206, the positions of the attachment direction ends TA121c and TA01c in the Z direction are the same. However, the contact surface of the terminal TA121 has a curved shape that protrudes (bulges) to the +Z direction side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, communication becomes available due to the contact of the terminal TA121 and the terminal TC21 at the contact point TA121a before communication becomes available due to the contact of the terminals TA01 and TC01. Figure 11A

[0087] When the camera connector 206 is further moved in the +Z direction after the terminal TA121 contacts the terminal TC21 at the contact point TA121a, as shown in FIG. 18, the terminal TA01 contacts the terminal TC01 at the contact point TA01a. From when the terminal TA121 contacts the terminal TC21 until when the terminal TA01 contacts the terminal TC01, the terminal TA121 moves in the +Z direction while moving the contact point for the terminal TC21. The movement range TA121L of this contact point is shown by a broken line in FIG. 18. Figure 11B Figure 11A

[0088] That is, in the fifth embodiment, the contact timing of the terminals TA01 and TC01 can be delayed from the contact timing of the terminals TA121 and TC21 by a period of time required for moving the contact point of the terminal TA121 to the terminal TC21 through the movement range TA121L. In this way, it is possible to shift the contact timing of the terminals TA01 and TC01 from the contact timing of the terminals TA121 and TC21 by changing the shape of the contact surfaces of the terminals TA01 and TA121.

[0089] Note that, as with the first embodiment, in the fifth embodiment, the communication for attachment detection of the external flash device 120 is assigned to the terminals TC01 and TA01. Therefore, as with the first embodiment, the attachment detection terminals are contacted after the other communication terminals and the power supply terminals are contacted. When the attachment detection terminals are contacted, the other communication terminals and the power supply terminals are certainly contacted. Further, since the terminal TA121 contacts the terminals of the accessory socket 123 before the other terminals of the camera connector 206, the GND terminal can be assigned to the terminal TA121. According to the fifth embodiment, since it is possible to adjust the order of contact of the terminals TA01 to TA20 and TA121 to the terminals TC01 to TC21 by changing the shape of the contact surfaces of the terminals TA01 to TA121, the terminals can be easily contacted in the order of the GND terminal, the communication terminal, the power supply terminal, and the attachment detection terminal.

[0090] ​​​In the above-described embodiments, one of the terminals TC01 and TC21 of the accessory socket 123 serves as a terminal that should be initially contacted, and the other terminal serves as a terminal that should be finally contacted. When it is desired to additionally shift the contact timing of the terminals TC02 to TC20, the contact timing should be gradually shifted from the terminal TC01 toward the terminal TC21. That is, the effect of delaying the contact timing becomes greatest in the terminal that should be finally contacted, and the effect becomes smallest in the terminal that should be initially contacted. For example, in the case of applying the first embodiment to the case where the terminal TC01 that should be finally contacted is desired, the heights H01 to H21 of the standing wall portions of the terminals TC01 to TC21 are set to satisfy H01 > H02 >... > H20 > H21. Thereby, even if the external flash device 120 is tilted in any direction during the attachment operation, the occurrence of a communication error can be avoided.

[0091] Even if the terminal in which the contact timing is desired to be delayed is not disposed at the end of the terminals disposed in a row, the contact order of the terminals can be adjusted by employing the configuration of each of the above-described embodiments, which can avoid the occurrence of a communication error.

[0092] Next, the sixth embodiment will be described. When the structure of the accessory socket 123 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment is combined with the structure of the camera connector 206 described in the third embodiment to the fifth embodiment, the variation of the change of the contact order can be increased. Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, a specific example of changing the contact order of the terminals by the combination of the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, a configuration in which the contact timing is shifted in five stages by combining the first embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fifth embodiment will be described.

[0093] The contact timing of the terminals TC02 to TC06 and the terminals TA02 to TA06 is shifted in this order. The high standing wall portion 123b formed in the +Y direction that is higher in the first embodiment is provided with respect to at least one of the terminals TC02 to TC06. Further, the connection terminal 257 that is shifted in the -Z direction in the third embodiment is applied to at least one of the terminals TA02 to TA06. Also, the connection terminal 257 having a curved shape that protrudes in the +Z direction in the fifth embodiment is applied to at least one of the terminals TA02 to TA06.

[0094] Specifically, the contact timing of the terminals TA03 and TC03 is the standard of the contact order, and the contact timing of the terminals TA03 and TC03 is referred to as the reference timing. The high standing wall portion 123b described in the first embodiment is provided with respect to at least one of the terminals TA03 and TC03. Figure 6A The structure of the terminals TA21 and TC21 illustrated is applied to the terminals TA03 and TC03.

[0095] The terminals TA02 and TC02 should be terminals that are desired to make contact before the reference timing. In this case, the relationship between the terminals TA121 and TA01 described in the fifth embodiment is applied to the relationship between the terminals TA02 and TA03. As with the terminal TA121 shown in FIG. 12, a curved shape protruding in the +Z direction is provided in the terminal TA02. Thereby, the contact timing of the terminals TA02 and TC02 can be made to precede the contact timing of the terminals TA03 and TC03. Figure 11A

[0096] Next, the terminals TC04 and TA04 should be terminals that are desired to make contact at a timing later than the reference timing. In this case, the relationship between the terminals TA21 and TA01 described in the third embodiment is applied to the relationship between the terminals TA03 and TA04. That is, in the camera connector 206, the terminal TA04 is arranged at a position offset in the -Z direction with respect to the terminal TA03. Thereby, the contact timing of the terminals TA04 and TC04 can be made to be delayed from the contact timing of the terminals TA03 and TC03.

[0097] The terminals TC05 and TA05 should be terminals that are desired to make the contact timing further delayed from the contact timing of the terminals TC04 and TA04. In this case, the terminal TA05 has the same structure as the terminal TA03, and by applying the first embodiment, the standing wall portion 123b of the terminal TC05 is formed higher in the +Y direction than the standing wall portion of the reference terminal TA03. The height of the standing wall portion 123b in the Y direction is set so that the terminals TA05 and TC05 will make contact after the terminals TA04 and TC04 make contact.

[0098] The terminals TC06 and TA06 should be terminals that are desired to make contact last. In this case, by applying the first embodiment, the standing wall portion of the terminal TC06 is formed higher in the +Y direction than the standing wall portion of the reference terminal TA03. Further, by applying the third embodiment, in the camera connector 206, the terminal TA06 is arranged at a position offset in the -Z direction with respect to the terminal TA03. According to the above configuration, the contact timings of the terminals TC02 to TC06 and the terminals TA02 to TA06 are offset in this order.

[0099] As described above, according to the present application, the contact order of the terminals of the mating socket and the camera connector is arbitrarily changeable. Therefore, even in a state where the external flash device 120 is inclined with respect to the attachment direction as shown in FIG. 13, the change in the contact order of the terminals can be prevented, which makes it possible for the terminals to make contact in the predetermined order. Figure 5B

[0100] Other Embodiments

[0101] ​​While the application has been described with reference to the typical embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the application is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims is to be accorded the widest under standing allowable under the law.

[0102] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-076428, filed April 28, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: an accessory socket device capable of being electrically connected with an accessory, and having terminals arranged in a row along a first direction that perpendicularly intersects with an attachment direction of the accessory; standing wall portions formed of a dielectric material, and provided in contact with the respective terminals; and a controller electrically connected to the terminals, wherein at least one of the terminals differs from the other terminals in a length of an exposed portion in a second direction that perpendicularly intersects with both the attachment direction and the first direction, wherein each of the terminals has a first portion that extends along the attachment direction and a second portion that extends along the second direction, wherein each of the standing wall portions is provided in contact with the second portion of the respective terminal, and wherein at least one of the standing wall portions differs from the other standing wall portions in a height with respect to the second portion of the second portion. At least one of the standing wall portions is formed to have an inclined surface that is inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the second direction. 2.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, At least one of the standing wall portions is formed to a position higher than the respective terminal in the second direction. 3.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, One of the terminals is an attachment detection terminal for detecting attachment of the accessory to the accessory socket device, and 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, wherein the standing wall portion provided to the attachment detection terminal is higher than the standing wall portions provided to the other terminals. The second portion is arranged on a side of the first portion that is approached by the accessory during an attachment operation of the accessory to the accessory socket device. 5.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, Each of the standing wall portions is provided to a side surface of the second portion that is approached by the accessory during the attachment operation.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein, The electronic apparatus includes an image pickup apparatus. 7.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein 8.An accessory comprising: a socket device capable of being attached to an accessory socket device of an electronic apparatus, and having terminals arranged in a row along a first direction that perpendicularly intersects with an attachment direction of the socket device to the accessory socket device; a controller electrically connected to the terminals, wherein the terminals include a first terminal and a second terminal that differs in shape from the first terminal, wherein a position of a contact point of the first terminal differs from a position of a contact point of the second terminal in the attachment direction, the contact point of the first terminal first contacting a terminal of the accessory socket device during an attachment operation of the socket device to the accessory socket device. a shape of a front end portion of the first terminal that includes the contact point is the same as that of the second terminal when viewed along the first direction, and wherein the first terminal differs from the second terminal in a position of the front end portion in the attachment direction.

9. The fitment of claim 8, wherein, The first terminal differs from the second terminal in a shape of a front end portion that includes the contact point. The first terminal differs from the second terminal in an angle of a face that includes the contact point.

10. The fitment of claim 8, wherein, One of the first terminal and the second terminal has a curved shape that protrudes a face that includes the contact point in the attachment direction.

11. The fitment of claim 10, wherein, ​ 12. The fitment of claim 10, wherein, ​ 13. The fitment of claim 10, wherein, The end position of the front end portion of the first terminal in the attachment direction is the same as the end position of the second terminal.

14. The fitment of claim 10, wherein, The first terminal and the second terminal differ in the position of the front end portion in the attachment direction.

15. The fitment of claim 8, wherein, One of the first terminal and the second terminal includes an attachment detection terminal for detecting attachment of the socket device to the accessory socket device, and The attachment detection terminal is electrically connected last to a terminal of the accessory socket device during an attachment operation of the socket device to the accessory socket device.

16. The fitment of claim 15, wherein, The terminals include a GND terminal and other communication terminals, and The GND terminal, the other communication terminals, and the attachment detection terminal are connected in the order of the GND terminal, the other communication terminals, and the attachment detection terminal to terminals of the accessory socket device during the attachment operation.

17. The fitment of claim 8, wherein, The accessory is related to a camera operation.

Images