Imaging system and cooling device

Abstract

To provide an imaging system comprising an external cooling device that is easily attached to and detached from a body part of an imaging apparatus and can maintain the operability of the imaging apparatus.SOLUTION: In an imaging system in which a cooling device 2 is mounted on a digital camera 1, the digital camera 1 has a display unit 1 that is rotatable between a closed position and an open position, and a recessed part 104 that accommodates the display unit 1 at the closed position. The cooling device 2 has a fan accommodation part 201 that accommodates a fan 205, and attachment and detachment operation parts 202, 203 that are connected to the fan accommodation part 201 so as to sandwich the fan accommodation part 201 and can change the distance in a direction to sandwich the fan accommodation part 201. The attachment and detachment operation parts 202, 203 are brought into contact with the side wall parts 104a-104c of the recessed part 104 to hold the cooling device 2 in the recessed part 104. The fan 205 faces a heat radiation surface 104h on the bottom face of the recessed part 104 to promote heat radiation from the heat radiation surface 104h.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging system and a cooling device, and more particularly to an imaging system configured by mounting a cooling device on an imaging device such as a digital camera. [Background technology]

[0002] In imaging devices such as digital cameras, there is a tendency for the amount of heat generated by electronic components, including various semiconductor devices, to increase due to the increased number of pixels in the imaging element, faster image processing, improved video capture functions, etc. It is not easy to provide a heat dissipation mechanism with sufficient heat dissipation performance inside the imaging device, for example, because it would result in the imaging device becoming larger.

[0003] In view of this, various external cooling devices that can be attached to and detached from an imaging device have been proposed to obtain sufficient heat dissipation performance under usage conditions where the amount of heat generated is large. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an external cooling device that can be attached to and detached from the housing of an imaging device, has a heat absorbing surface and a heat generating surface, and is configured to supply air to an intake port of the imaging device from the heat absorbing surface and not to supply air to the intake port of the imaging device from the heat generating surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-145327 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the volume of the external cooling device is large, so even if the imaging device is made compact, this feature is offset, and the overall size increases, reducing the operability of the imaging device.

[0006] In addition, in imaging devices with a storage space for a variable angle display device or the like on the back side, the back side of the device body that is exposed by rotating the display device to the side of the device body is often close to heat generating parts inside the device. Therefore, it is thought that the temperature rise inside the device can be suppressed by promoting heat dissipation from the back side of the device body. Furthermore, if a small external cooling device that is easily attached and detached to the back side of the device body can be realized, it is thought that the operability of the imaging device will not be reduced.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an imaging system equipped with an external cooling device that can be easily attached and detached to the main body of the imaging device and that can maintain the operability of the imaging device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The imaging system of the present invention is an imaging system comprising an imaging device and a cooling device attached to the imaging device, wherein the imaging device has a display device that is rotatable between a closed position and an open position, and a recess that houses the display device in the closed position, and the cooling device has a fan storage section that houses a fan, and two attachment / detachment operating parts that are connected to the fan storage section so as to sandwich the fan storage section and whose distance in the direction of sandwiching the fan storage section can be changed, and the cooling device is held in the recess by the two attachment / detachment operating parts abutting opposing side wall portions of the recess, a bottom surface of the recess has a heat dissipation surface for dissipating heat generated inside the imaging device to the outside, and the fan faces the heat dissipation surface. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging system equipped with an external cooling device that can be easily attached to and detached from the main body of the imaging device and that can maintain the operability of the imaging device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the digital camera. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a cooling device according to a first embodiment that is detachable from a digital camera. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view of an imaging system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cooling device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a cooling device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an imaging system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a cooling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a cooling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an imaging device and a cooling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention when attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a digital camera will be described as an example of an image capturing apparatus constituting an image capturing system according to the present invention.

[0012] First Embodiment Fig. 1(a) is a front perspective view of a digital camera 1. As shown in Fig. 1(a), for convenience of explanation and from the viewpoint of clarifying the attachment / detachment relationship with an external cooling device 2 (hereinafter referred to as "cooling device 2") described later, three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates (XYZ axes) are defined for the digital camera 1. The Z axis is parallel to the imaging optical axis (not shown), and when the Z axis and the X axis are parallel to the horizontal plane, the Y axis is parallel to the vertical direction. The X direction is the width direction of the digital camera 1, and the Y direction is the height direction of the digital camera 1.

[0013] A vertical position grip 103 can be attached and detached to the digital camera 1 using a tripod mount (not shown), and Fig. 1 shows the state in which the vertical position grip 103 is attached to the digital camera 1. The main body of the digital camera 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "camera body") is provided with a horizontal position grip 102 for holding the digital camera 1 in a horizontal position to take a photograph in a horizontal position. Meanwhile, by attaching and holding the vertical position grip 103, a user can take a photograph in a vertical position without having to hold the horizontal position grip 102 and rotate the digital camera 1 90 degrees to put the digital camera 1 in a vertical position.

[0014] The camera body of the digital camera 1 is provided with a release button 101 and an accessory shoe 115. The release button 101 is configured as a two-stage switch that starts preparation operations for shooting such as AF and AE when pressed halfway, and starts image capture operations from exposure to development and recording when pressed all the way. Accessories such as a strobe (lighting) device can be attached and detached to the accessory shoe 115. When no accessory is attached to the accessory shoe 115, the accessory shoe 115 can be protected by attaching an accessory shoe cap 114 to the accessory shoe 115, as shown in FIG. 1(a). FIG. 1(b) shows a perspective view of the accessory shoe 115 and the configuration in the vicinity thereof.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 has a display unit 108 and a viewfinder 106. The display unit 108 is provided on the rear side of the camera body and has a liquid crystal panel or the like that displays images and various information. The display unit 108 is supported by a hinge mechanism (not shown) to be rotatable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the camera body. FIGS. 2(a) and (b) show a state in which the display unit 108 is rotated approximately 180 degrees to the side of the body of the digital camera 1 as an example of the open position. The hinge mechanism is covered by a hinge cover 112, and the hinge cover 112 is fixed to the hinge mechanism. When the display unit 108 is rotated, the hinge cover 112 rotates integrally with the display unit 108. The display unit 108 can be oriented in any direction of the display screen by a so-called vari-angle mechanism.

[0016] A recess 104 that is a storage space for the display unit 108 is provided on the rear surface of the camera body. The closed position of the display unit 108 refers to the position where the display unit 108 is stored in the recess 104. The state where the display unit 108 is stored in the recess 104 is not illustrated. The recess 104 has side walls 104a, 104b, and 104c that are ends in the X direction, and a hinge mechanism (not illustrated) is provided between the side walls 104a and 104b. The side wall 104c is provided with a locking member 111 that locks the display unit 108 when the display unit 108 is stored in the recess 104 (when the display unit 108 is closed).

[0017] The bottom surface of the recess 104 has a heat dissipation surface 104h at a position corresponding to the heat generating part 300 inside the camera for dissipating heat generated by the heat generating part 300 to the outside. The side walls 104a and 104b of the recess 104 have engagement recesses 105a and 105b for stabilizing the mounting state of the cooling device 2 (details will be described later). The side walls 104c of the recess 104 have engagement recesses 105c and 105d equivalent to the engagement recesses 105a and 105b, which are provided so as to face the engagement recesses 105a and 105b in the X direction. The engagement recesses 105a and 105b do not move in conjunction with the hinge mechanism. In other words, the engagement recesses 105a and 105b are provided in a part of the camera body that does not rotate in conjunction with the hinge cover 112.

[0018] The viewfinder 106 is a display means through which the user looks into and checks the subject and settings when shooting or playing back, and the user can use the viewfinder 106 or the display unit 108 depending on the usage situation. A removable viewfinder cap 107 is attached to the outside of the viewfinder 106, and the user can attach one of the desired design.

[0019] The vertical position grip 103 includes operation members 109 and 110. The operation members 109 and 110 are pressed by the user when changing shooting conditions such as exposure and shutter speed, for example.

[0020] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view of the cooling device 2 according to the first embodiment which is detachable from the digital camera 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling device 2. Note that the coordinate axes shown in Figs. 3 and 4 coincide with the coordinate axes shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with respect to the digital camera 1 when the cooling device 2 is attached to the digital camera 1.

[0021] The cooling device 2 is roughly composed of a fan housing section 201, a fan 205, attachment / detachment operation sections 202 and 203, locking members 207a, 207b, 207c and 207d, and batteries 208a and 208b.

[0022] The fan housing section 201 is composed of a front cover 201a and a rear cover 201b, has openings for intake and exhaust, and houses a fan 205. The front cover 201a is provided with a power switch (not shown) (a switch for turning on / off the drive of the fan 205). The power switch may be provided in the attachment / detachment operation section 202 or the attachment / detachment operation section 203.

[0023] The attachment / detachment operation units 202 and 203 are both used to attach and detach the cooling device 2 to and from the recess 104 of the digital camera 1. The attachment / detachment operation unit 202 is made up of a front cover 202a and a rear cover 202b, and the attachment / detachment operation unit 203 is made up of a front cover 203a and a rear cover 203b.

[0024] The attachment / detachment operation unit 202 is provided with connection parts 204a and 204b to be connected to the fan storage unit 201, and the attachment / detachment operation unit 203 is provided with connection parts 204c and 204d to be connected to the fan storage unit 201. Elastic members (specifically, compression coil springs) 209a, 209b, 209c, and 209d are housed inside the connection parts 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d, respectively. The elastic members 209a to 209d allow the fan storage unit 201 and the attachment / detachment operation units 202 and 203 to expand and contract in the direction of arrow A (X direction) shown in FIG. 3. The user can easily attach the cooling device 2 to the recess 104 by narrowing the gap between the attachment / detachment operation unit 202 and the attachment / detachment operation unit 203 and fitting the cooling device 2 into the recess 104 of the digital camera 1.

[0025] The attachment / detachment operation part 202 is provided with locking members 207a, 207b that engage with engagement recesses 105a, 105b formed in the side wall parts 104a, 104b of the recess 104 when the cooling device 2 is attached to the recess 104 of the digital camera 1. Similarly, the attachment / detachment operation part 203 is provided with locking members 207c, 207d that engage with engagement recesses 105c, 105d formed in the side wall part 104c of the recess 104 when the cooling device 2 is attached to the recess 104 of the digital camera 1. If the distance between the attachment / detachment operation part 202 and the attachment / detachment operation part 203 is narrowed, the engagement of the locking members 207a to 207d with the engagement recesses 105a to 105d is released, so that the cooling device 2 can be easily removed from the recess 104 by pulling out the cooling device 2 in this state.

[0026] In this way, by providing a pair of locking members and engaging recesses (engaging portion and engaged portion) at least in one place each on the contact surfaces in the X direction between the attachment / detachment operating parts 202, 203 and the recess 104, it is possible to prevent the cooling device 2 from accidentally falling off. In this embodiment, two locking members and two engaging recesses are provided at a predetermined interval in the Y direction on the contact surfaces in the X direction between the attachment / detachment operating parts 202, 203 and the recess 104. This not only prevents the cooling device 2 from falling off, but also makes it possible to stabilize the cooling device 2 when stored in the recess 104.

[0027] The attachment / detachment operating parts 202, 203 house batteries 208a, 208b for driving the fan 205, and the batteries 208a, 208b are electrically connected to the fan 205 and a power switch (not shown) by electrical connection members (not shown). By turning on the power switch, the cooling device 2 can drive the fan 205 independently using power supplied from the batteries 208a, 208b without receiving power from the digital camera 1. Note that the fan 205 can be driven if at least one of the batteries 208a, 208b is present, and it is not necessary that both of the attachment / detachment operating parts 202, 203 house batteries.

[0028] The attachment / detachment operation part 202 (rear cover 202b) is provided with abutment members 206a and 206b that come into contact with the bottom surface of the recess 104 when the cooling device 2 is attached to the recess 104. Similarly, the attachment / detachment operation part 203 (rear cover 203b) is provided with abutment members 206c and 206d. The abutment members 206a to 206d are elastic members such as rubber.

[0029] The fan 205 is rotationally driven by an actuator (not shown), and the direction of air blown by the fan 205 is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess 104. At this time, vibrations are generated in the actuator and the fan 205, and the generated vibrations are transmitted to the fan housing section 201 (front cover 201a and rear cover 201b), and further to the attachment / detachment operation sections 202, 203 via the connection sections 204a to 204d.

[0030] Here, as described above, elastic members are arranged inside the connection parts 204a to 204d between the fan housing part 201 and the attachment / detachment operation parts 202 and 203. In addition, the attachment / detachment operation parts 202 and 203 are provided with abutment members 206a to 206d as elastic members that abut the bottom surface of the recess 104 when the cooling device 2 is attached to the recess 104. Therefore, the cooling device 2 has a structure in which vibration transmission from the fan 205 and the fan housing part 201 to the attachment / detachment operation parts 202 and 203 is suppressed, and further, vibration is less likely to be transmitted from the attachment / detachment operation parts 202 and 203 to the camera body (the bottom surface of the recess 104). In this way, for example, it is possible to suppress the sound or noise caused by the driving of the fan 205 during video shooting from being recorded, and also to reduce the influence on image stabilization when the digital camera 1 has an image stabilization function. In addition, the contact members 206a to 206d have the effect of preventing the bottom surface of the recess 104 from being scratched when the cooling device 2 is attached to the recess 104.

[0031] 5 is a perspective view of the imaging system according to the first embodiment, in other words, a perspective view showing a state in which the cooling device 2 is attached to the digital camera 1. As described above, the user can attach the cooling device 2 to the recess 104 by pressing the cooling device 2 against the recess 104 of the digital camera 1 with the space between the attachment / detachment operation parts 202, 203 of the cooling device 2 narrowed, and then releasing the attachment / detachment operation parts 202, 203.

[0032] When the cooling device 2 is attached to the recess 104, the engagement recesses 105a to 105d and the locking members 207a to 207d engage with each other and the abutment members 206a to 206d abut against the bottom surface of the recess 104, so that the cooling device 2 is stably held by the camera body.

[0033] Furthermore, because the thickness of the cooling device 2 in the Z direction is small, when the cooling device 2 is attached to the recess 104, the cooling device 2 does not protrude beyond the tip of the viewfinder cap 107 toward the rear side of the digital camera 1. Since the increase in volume caused by attaching the cooling device 2 to the digital camera 1 in the imaging system is small, the operability of the digital camera 1 is substantially the same whether the cooling device 2 is attached or not.

[0034] Inside the camera body, there are disposed a control board 127 (see FIG. 6) on which electronic components such as a CPU 120 (see FIG. 6), an image processor 122 (see FIG. 6), and a shutter controller 121 (see FIG. 6) are mounted. Electronic devices such as the CPU 120 generate heat when performing various arithmetic processes. The heat generating unit 300 described with reference to FIG. 2 is disposed inside the camera body, and refers to a portion that generates heat by operating, and is located near the center of the bottom surface of the recess 104 having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction. The position on the bottom surface of the recess 104 facing the heat generating unit 300 is the heat dissipation surface 104h, and the heat generated by the heat generating unit 300 is dissipated to the outside through the heat dissipation surface 104h. At this time, the fan 205 is driven to flow air over the heat dissipation surface 104h to promote heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface 104h to the outside air, thereby cooling the heat generating unit 300 (suppressing a temperature rise of the heat generating unit 300).

[0035] From the viewpoint of increasing the efficiency of heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface 104h, it is desirable that the heat dissipation surface 104h is contained within the projection plane of the fan 205 when viewed from the Z direction or that the overlapping area ratio is large, although this depends on the internal configuration of the camera body. In this embodiment, this condition is satisfied.

[0036] The contact members 206a to 206d are arranged to contact the four corners of the bottom surface of the recess 104 so as not to come into contact with the heat dissipation surface 104h. This suppresses heat transfer from the bottom surface of the recess 104 to the attachment / detachment operating parts 202, 203 (suppresses a temperature rise in the attachment / detachment operating parts 202, 203), thereby improving safety when the user removes the cooling device 2.

[0037] 6 is a block diagram of the imaging system according to the first embodiment. Digital camera 1 has an imaging sensor 124, a power supply 123, a shutter 125, a control board 127, and engagement recesses 105a to 105d. On control board 127, for example, a CPU 120, an image processing unit 122, and a shutter control unit 121 are mounted.

[0038] The imaging sensor 124 is, for example, a CMOS sensor, and converts an optical image formed through a photographing lens (not shown) into an image signal. The shutter 125 is disposed in front of the imaging sensor 124, and controls the amount of exposure to the imaging sensor 124. The control board 127 is a printed wiring board (PWB), and various electric and electronic components are mounted on it. The CPU 120 controls the operation of the digital camera 1 and the vertical position grip 103. The image processing unit 122 performs development processing of the image signal output from the imaging sensor 124. The shutter control unit 121 controls the operation of the shutter 125 upon receiving a command from the CPU 120. The power supply 123 supplies power to each circuit unit in the digital camera 1. The vertical position grip 103 has operation members 109 and 110, and when the operation members 109 and 110 are operated, an operation signal is sent to the CPU 120. The cooling device 2 has already been described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, and therefore will not be described here.

[0039] In this way, in the first embodiment, the cooling device 2 can be easily attached to and detached from the recess 104 formed on the back surface of the digital camera 1 by narrowing the interval between the attachment / detachment operation parts 202, 203 of the cooling device 2. The distance between the X-direction side surfaces of the recess 104 to which the cooling device 2 can be attached has a degree of freedom in the X-direction by the variable distance between the attachment / detachment operation parts 202, 203, and this can increase the versatility of the cooling device 2 (increase the number of models of digital cameras to which the cooling device 2 can be attached). The cooling device 2 is attached to the recess 104 provided on the back surface of the digital camera 1 to accommodate the display unit 108. At this time, the cooling device 2 has a small thickness in the Z direction and does not protrude further toward the back surface of the digital camera 1 than the viewfinder cap 107, so that the operability is substantially the same whether the cooling device 2 is attached or not. For example, when a user looks through the viewfinder 106 and performs various operations, the user can obtain the same operability whether the cooling device 2 is attached or not.

[0040] In addition, the cooling device 2 is provided with an elastic member inside the connection parts 204a to 204d, and an elastic member such as rubber is used for the abutment members 206a to 206d, so that vibrations generated in the cooling device 2 are not easily transmitted to the digital camera 1. This, for example, suppresses deterioration of sound quality during video shooting, and also reduces unnecessary effects on the image stabilization function. Furthermore, the cooling device 2 can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 1 even if the vertical position grip 103 is attached to the digital camera 1.

[0041] In the first embodiment, the attachment / detachment operation units 202, 203 of the cooling device 2 are provided on the width direction (X direction) side of the digital camera 1, but this is not limiting and they may be provided on the height direction (Y direction) of the digital camera 1. Here, when the lower end side surface of the recess 104 is formed on the camera body, the engagement recess may be provided on the lower end side surface. On the other hand, when the lower surface of the display unit 108 forms the bottom surface of the digital camera 1 when the display unit 108 is stored in the camera body, that is, there are cases where the lower end side surface of the recess 104 does not exist on the camera body. In this case, for example, it becomes necessary to attach the vertical position grip 103, and the engagement recess is provided on the vertical position grip 103 at the lower end side of the digital camera 1.

[0042] The number of attachment / detachment operation parts of the cooling device 2 is not limited to two, and may be configured to have one each in the width direction and height direction (X direction, Y direction) of the digital camera 1, for example, a total of four. In addition, elastic members are arranged inside the connection parts 204a-204d of the cooling device 2, but instead of such a configuration, the connection parts may have a screw structure (with internal and external threads that screw together) and the distance between the connection parts may be changed by turning each connection part. Furthermore, the engagement recesses 105a-105d are provided on the side surface of the recess 104 of the digital camera 1, but the engagement protrusions may be provided in a convex shape instead of a concave shape, and in this case, a concave-shaped locking part that engages with the engagement protrusions may be provided on the attachment / detachment operation parts 202, 203.

[0043] <Second embodiment> The configuration of the digital camera 1 described in the first embodiment is directly applicable to the imaging system according to the second embodiment. Therefore, the following description will focus on the cooling device according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a cooling device that uses the viewfinder 106 as a detachable part will be described.

[0044] 7(a) and (b) are perspective views of an external cooling device 3 (hereinafter referred to as "cooling device 3") according to a second embodiment that is detachable from the digital camera 1. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling device 3. The cooling device 3 is roughly composed of a viewfinder attachment / detachment operation section 31 and a fan storage section 32.

[0045] First, the fan storage section 32 will be described. The fan storage section 32 has a fan storage section 301 composed of a front cover 301a and a rear cover 301b, and a fan 305 stored in the fan storage section 301. The front cover 301a and the rear cover 301b are formed with openings for intake and exhaust. Abutment members 306a, 306b, 306c, and 306d made of an elastic member such as rubber are provided on the surface of the fan storage section 301 (rear cover 301b) facing the bottom surface of the recess 104. The abutment members 306a to 306d correspond to the abutment members 206a to 206d in the cooling device 2 according to the first embodiment, are arranged at the four corners of the rear cover 301b, and provide the same effects (such as vibration transmission suppression and heat transmission suppression) as those provided by the abutment members 206a to 206d.

[0046] Locking members 307a, 307b, 307c, and 307d are provided on the side surface of the fan storage section 301 in the X direction, which engage with engagement recesses 105a, 105b, 105c, and 105d provided in the digital camera 1 when the fan storage section 32 is stored in the recess 104. The locking members 307a to 307d can advance and retreat between a locking position (a position where they enter the engagement recess) and a retreating position (a position where they come out of the engagement recess) by an elastic member (e.g., a compression coil spring) (not shown) arranged inside the fan storage section 301. This provides the same effects as those provided by the engagement recesses 105a to 105d and the locking members 207a to 207d in the cooling device 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0047] Batteries 308a, 308b that serve as power sources for driving the fan 305 are housed inside the fan storage section 301, and power can be supplied from the batteries 308a, 308b to the fan 305. When a power switch (not shown) provided on the front cover 301a is turned on, the fan 305 is driven by power supplied from the batteries 308a, 308b and generates wind.

[0048] Next, the viewfinder attachment / detachment operation unit 31 will be described. The viewfinder attachment / detachment operation unit 31 has a viewfinder attachment / detachment unit 304 and a viewfinder cap 303. Although the viewfinder cap 107 is shown attached to the viewfinder 106 in Fig. 2, the viewfinder cap 107 can be removed from the viewfinder 106. When the viewfinder cap 107 is removed from the viewfinder 106, the viewfinder attachment / detachment unit 304 can be attached to the viewfinder 106.

[0049] Finder attachment / detachment section 304 is provided with bearings 304a and 304b in a portion that will be disposed below finder 106 when attached to finder 106. Meanwhile, bearings 301c and 301d are provided on an upper portion of front cover 301a of fan housing section 301 of fan housing section 32.

[0050] A shaft 312 is inserted into bearings 304a and 304b of the viewfinder attachment / detachment section 304 and a hole 314b of the link 314. A shaft 313 is inserted into a hole 314a of the link 314 and holes 310b and 311b of the links 310 and 311. A shaft 315 is inserted into holes 310a and 311a of the links 310 and 311 and bearings 301c and 301d provided in the front cover 301a. In this way, the viewfinder attachment / detachment section 304 rotatably supports the fan housing section 301 via a link section consisting of the links 310, 311, and 314. In other words, the fan housing section 32 is rotatably supported by the viewfinder attachment / detachment operation section 31 via a link section.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the imaging system according to the second embodiment, in other words, a perspective view showing a state in which the cooling device 3 is attached to the digital camera 1. FIG. 9(a) shows a state in which the display unit 108 is rotated and disposed on the side of the camera body, the fan storage unit 32 of the cooling device 3 is stored in the recess 104 on the back of the camera body, and the finder attachment / detachment operation unit 31 is attached to the finder 106. At this time, the states of the links 310, 311, and 314 are adjusted so that the finder cap 303 protrudes toward the back side (-Z side) of the camera body beyond the fan storage unit 32, and the user's face is less likely to come into contact with the fan storage unit 32 when looking through the finder 106. In other words, even while the cooling device 3 is attached, the user can look through the finder 106 to capture an image or the like.

[0052] Fig. 9(b) shows a state in which the fan storage section 32 has been rotated upward from the state in Fig. 9(a) to move the fan storage section 32 away from the recess 104. By rotating the fan storage section 32 further upward from the position in Fig. 9(b) to a position where the fan storage section 32 does not overlap with the recess 104 when viewed from the Z direction, the display section 108 can be stored in the recess 104.

[0053] 9(c) shows a state in which the fan storage section 32 is rotated from above to below after the display section 108 has been stored in the recess 104, so that the fan storage section 32 is positioned so as to overlap the display section 108. By configuring the links 310, 311, and 314 in this way so that the fan storage section 32 can be positioned so as to overlap the display section 108, for example, the imaging system can be made compact when the digital camera 1 is not in use, making it easy to carry.

[0054] In this way, in the second embodiment, the finder 106 is used to attach the cooling device 3, and the fan storage section 32 is configured to be rotatable relative to the finder attachment / detachment operation section 31. As a result, when the digital camera 1 is not in use, the display section 108 and the fan storage section 32 can be stored by stacking them on the back of the camera body, improving portability. Even when the cooling device 3 is attached to the finder 106 of the digital camera 1, the user can take images while looking through the finder 106. The effects of the cooling device 3 with respect to cooling the heat generating section 300 and maintaining operability can be obtained in the same way as the cooling device 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0055] <Third embodiment> The configuration of the digital camera 1 described in the first embodiment is directly applicable to the imaging system according to the third embodiment. Therefore, the following description will focus on the cooling device according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a cooling device that uses an accessory shoe 115 as an attachment / detachment part will be described.

[0056] 10(a) and (b) are perspective views of an external cooling device 4 (hereinafter referred to as "cooling device 4") according to a third embodiment that is detachable from the digital camera 1. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling device 4. The cooling device 4 is generally composed of an accessory shoe attachment / detachment operation section 41 and a fan storage section 42.

[0057] First, a description will be given of the fan housing section 42. The fan housing section 42 has a fan housing section 401 constituted by a front cover 401a and a rear cover 401b, and a fan 405 housed in the fan housing section 401.

[0058] The front cover 401a and the rear cover 401b are formed with openings for intake and exhaust. Abutment members 406a, 406b, 406c, and 406d made of an elastic material such as rubber are provided on the surface of the fan housing section 42 (rear cover 401b) facing the bottom surface of the recess 104. The abutment members 406a to 406d correspond to the abutment members 206a to 206d in the cooling device 2 according to the first embodiment, are arranged at the four corners of the rear cover 401b, and provide the same effects (such as vibration transmission suppression and heat transmission suppression) as those provided by the abutment members 206a to 206d. The front cover 401a is formed with extensions 401c and 401d that extend to the -Z side (the rear side of the camera body) and have bearings at their tips.

[0059] Locking members 407a, 407b, 407c, and 407d are provided on the side surface of the fan storage section 301 in the X direction, which engage with engagement recesses 105a, 105b, 105c, and 105d provided in the digital camera 1 when the fan storage section 42 is stored in the recess 104. The locking members 407a to 407d can advance and retreat between a locked position and a retracted position by an elastic member (e.g., a compression coil spring) (not shown) arranged inside the fan storage section 401. This provides the same effect as that provided by the engagement recesses 105a to 105d and the locking members 207a to 207d in the cooling device 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0060] Batteries 408a and 408b that serve as power sources for driving the fan 405 are stored inside the fan storage section 401, and power can be supplied from the batteries 408a and 408b to the fan 405. When a power switch (not shown) provided on the front cover 401a is turned on, the fan 405 is driven by the power supplied from the batteries 408a and 408b and generates wind.

[0061] The cooling device 4 may be provided with electrical wiring for supplying power for driving the fan 405 from the accessory shoe 115, in which case there is no need to store the batteries 408a, 408b in the fan storage section 401. Also, using a communication terminal of the accessory shoe 115, it is possible to configure the CPU 120 to control the driving of the fan 405 in response to the temperature of the heat generating section 300, for example. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a power switch on the front cover 401a.

[0062] Next, a description will be given of accessory shoe attachment / detachment operation section 41. Accessory shoe attachment / detachment operation section 41 has accessory shoe attachment / detachment section 403 which is a portion for attachment / detachment to accessory shoe 115, and a connection section 404 which connects accessory shoe attachment / detachment section 403 and fan housing section 42.

[0063] The accessory shoe attachment / detachment part 403 has a structure equivalent to that of the accessory shoe cap 114, and can be attached to and detached from the accessory shoe 115 by a sliding operation in the Z direction. The accessory shoe attachment / detachment part 403 may be structured so that another accessory can be attached and detached while attached to the accessory shoe 115. In this case, the accessory shoe attachment / detachment part 403 is provided with an engagement part and electrical contacts equivalent to those of the accessory shoe 115, and wiring for electrically connecting the electrical contacts of the accessory shoe 115 to each other.

[0064] The connecting portion 404 has an enclosing portion 404b that surrounds the outer periphery of the finder 106 with a certain gap and has a gap portion S, and a connecting portion 404a that connects the enclosing portion 404b and the accessory shoe attachment / detachment portion 403. Bearing portions 404c and 404d are formed at two ends of the enclosing portion 404b, and the shaft portions of the links 410 and 411 are rotatably attached to the bearing portions 404c and 404d. Here, the links 410 and 411 each have a hole. A shaft 412 is inserted through the bearing portions of the extension portions 401c and 401d formed in the front cover 401a and the hole portions of the links 410 and 411. As a result, the fan storage portion 42 is rotatably supported with respect to the accessory shoe attachment / detachment operation portion 41 via the links 410 and 411 and the shaft 412.

[0065] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the imaging system according to the third embodiment, in other words, a perspective view showing a state in which the cooling device 4 is attached to the digital camera 1. When the finder cap 107 is attached to the finder 106, the surrounding portion 404b of the connecting portion 404, the links 410 and 411, and the extending portions 401c and 401d of the fan housing portion 401 are located closer to the camera body than the end face of the finder cap 107. Therefore, even when the cooling device 4 is attached, the user can look through the finder 106 and perform various operations without any hindrance. Although not shown, the cooling device 4 can also be arranged on the back of the digital camera 1 with the display portion 108 and the fan housing portion 42 overlapping each other when not in use, as in the cooling device 3 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9(c).

[0066] In this way, in the third embodiment, the accessory shoe 115 is used to attach the cooling device 4, and the fan housing section 42 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the accessory shoe attachment / detachment operation section 41. As a result, when the digital camera 1 is not in use, the display section 108 and the fan housing section 42 can be stored by stacking them on the back of the camera body, improving portability. Even when the cooling device 4 is attached to the digital camera 1, the user can take images while looking through the viewfinder 106. The effects of the cooling device 4 in cooling the heat generating section 300 and maintaining operability can be obtained in the same way as the cooling device 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0067] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) An imaging system comprising an imaging device and a cooling device attached to the imaging device, wherein the imaging device has a display device that can be rotated between a closed position and an open position, and a recess that houses the display device in the closed position, and the cooling device has a fan storage section that houses a fan, and two attachment / detachment operating parts that are connected to the fan storage section so as to sandwich the fan storage section and whose distance in the direction sandwiching the fan storage section can be changed, wherein the cooling device is held in the recess by the two attachment / detachment operating parts abutting opposing side wall portions of the recess, a bottom surface of the recess has a heat dissipation surface for dissipating heat generated inside the imaging device to the outside, and the fan faces the heat dissipation surface. (Configuration 2) The imaging system described in Configuration 1, characterized in that the two attachment / detachment operating parts and the opposing side wall portions of the recess engage when the two attachment / detachment operating parts and the opposing side wall portions of the recess are in contact with each other, and the engagement is released when the spacing between the two attachment / detachment operating parts is narrowed. (Configuration 3) An imaging system as described in configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that a connection portion connecting the two attachment / detachment operating portions to the fan storage portion has an elastic member, and the spacing between the two attachment / detachment operating portions can be changed by expanding and contracting the elastic member. (Configuration 4) An imaging system described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the two attachment / detachment operating parts have elastic members that abut against a bottom surface of the recess when the cooling device is attached to the recess, and when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess, the elastic members and the heat dissipation surface do not overlap. (Configuration 5) The imaging system according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein a battery for driving the fan is housed in at least one of the two attachment / detachment operation parts. (Configuration 6) An imaging system comprising an imaging device and a cooling device attached to the imaging device, wherein the imaging device has a display device rotatable between a closed position and an open position, and a recess for housing the display device in the closed position, and the cooling device has a fan storage section for housing a fan and detachable from the recess, and an attachment / detachment operating section rotatably connected to the fan storage section and detachable from a main body of the imaging device, wherein a bottom surface of the recess has a heat dissipation surface for dissipating heat generated inside the imaging device to the outside, and the fan faces the heat dissipation surface. (Configuration 7) The imaging system according to configuration 6, wherein the imaging device has a viewfinder, and the attachment / detachment operation unit is detachable from the viewfinder. (Configuration 8) The imaging system described in Configuration 7, wherein the attachment / detachment operating unit has a viewfinder attachment / detachment unit that is attachable to and detachable from the viewfinder, and a viewfinder cap attached to the viewfinder attachment / detachment unit, and the viewfinder cap protrudes toward the rear side of the imaging device further than the fan storage unit stored in the recess. (Configuration 9) The imaging system according to configuration 6, wherein the imaging device has an accessory shoe, and the attachment / detachment operation unit is attachable to and detachable from the accessory shoe. (Configuration 10) The imaging system described in Configuration 9, wherein the attachment / detachment operating unit has an engagement portion and electrical contacts equivalent to those of the accessory shoe, as well as wiring for electrically connecting the electrical contacts of the accessory shoe, and an accessory can be attached and detached from the attachment / detachment operating unit. (Configuration 11) The imaging system according to configuration 9 or 10, wherein the cooling device has electrical wiring for supplying power for driving the fan from the accessory shoe. (Configuration 12) The imaging system according to configuration 11, wherein the imaging device has a control means for controlling the driving of the fan. (Configuration 13) An imaging system described in any one of configurations 6 to 12, characterized in that a locking member is provided on a contact surface between the side wall portion of the recess in the fan storage section, and an engagement recess is provided in a position opposite the locking member on the side wall portion of the recess, and the locking member is movable between a locked position where it enters the engagement recess and a retracted position where it comes out of the engagement recess. (Configuration 14) The imaging system according to any one of configurations 6 to 13, wherein a battery for driving the fan is housed in the fan housing section. (Configuration 15) An imaging system described in any one of configurations 6 to 14, characterized in that the cooling device has a link section that connects the fan storage section and the attachment / detachment operation section so that the cooling device can be placed on top of the display device when the display device is stored in the recess. (Configuration 16) An imaging system described in any one of configurations 6 to 15, characterized in that the fan storage section has an elastic member that abuts against the bottom surface of the recess when the cooling device is attached to the recess, and when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess, the elastic member and the heat dissipation surface do not overlap. (Configuration 17) The imaging system described in configuration 4 or 16, characterized in that the recess has an approximately rectangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess, and the elastic member is arranged at the four corners of the bottom surface. (Configuration 18) The imaging system according to any one of configurations 1 to 17, wherein the heat dissipation surface is located near the center of the bottom surface of the recess. (Configuration 19) The imaging system according to any one of configurations 1 to 18, wherein the direction of air blown by driving the fan is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess. (Configuration 20) A cooling device that is detachable from an imaging device, comprising: a fan storage section that stores a fan; two attachment / detachment operating parts that are connected to the fan storage section so as to sandwich the fan storage section and whose distance in the direction sandwiching the fan storage section can be changed; and elastic members attached to the two attachment / detachment operating parts, wherein the cooling device is held in the recess provided in the imaging device to store a display device in the imaging device that is rotatably arranged in the imaging device, by the elastic members abutting against a bottom surface of the recess, and the two attachment / detachment operating parts abutting against opposing side wall portions of the recess. (Configuration 21) A cooling device that is detachable from an imaging device, comprising: an attachment / detachment operating section that is detachable from a viewfinder of the imaging device; a fan storage section that stores a fan and is rotatably connected to the attachment / detachment operating section; an elastic member attached to the fan storage section; and a locking member provided in the fan storage section, wherein the fan storage section is held in the recess provided in the imaging device by the elastic member abutting against a bottom surface of the recess provided in the imaging device to store a display device in the imaging device that is rotatably arranged in the imaging device, and the locking member engaging with the opposing side wall portion of the recess. (Configuration 22) A cooling device that is detachable to an imaging device, comprising: an attachment / detachment operating section that is detachable from an accessory shoe of the imaging device; a fan storage section that stores a fan and is rotatably connected to the attachment / detachment operating section; an elastic member attached to the fan storage section; and a locking member provided on the fan storage section, wherein the fan storage section is held in the recess provided in the imaging device for storing a display device in the imaging device that is rotatably arranged on the imaging device, by the elastic member abutting against a bottom surface of the recess, and the locking member engaging with the opposing side wall portion of the recess.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described in detail above based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned embodiments merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Digital camera 2,3,4 Cooling device 31 Viewfinder attachment / detachment operation section 32,42 Fan storage section 41 Accessory shoe attachment / detachment operation section 104 Recess 104a,104b,104c Side wall part 104h Heat dissipation surface 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d Engagement recess 106 Finder 108 Display section 115 Accessory shoe 201 Fan storage section 202, 203 Attachment / detachment operation section 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d Connections 205 Fan 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d Contact members 207a, 207b, 207c, 207d Locking members 208a,208b battery

Claims

1. An imaging system including an imaging device and a cooling device attached to the imaging device, The imaging device includes: a display device that is rotatable between a closed position and an open position; a recess for accommodating the display device in the closed position; The cooling device includes: A fan storage section that stores the fan; two attachment / detachment operation units connected to the fan storage unit so as to sandwich the fan storage unit therebetween and capable of changing a distance between the attachment / detachment operation units in a direction sandwiching the fan storage unit; The cooling device is held in the recess by the two attachment / detachment operation parts being brought into contact with the opposing side wall parts of the recess, an imaging system, wherein a bottom surface of the recess has a heat dissipation surface for dissipating heat generated inside the imaging device to the outside, and the fan faces the heat dissipation surface;

2. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that the two attachment / detachment operating parts and the opposing side wall portions of the recess have at least one pair of engaging portions and engaged portions that engage with each other when the two attachment / detachment operating parts and the opposing side wall portions of the recess are in contact with each other, and the engagement is released when the distance between the two attachment / detachment operating parts is narrowed.

3. a connecting portion that connects the two attachment / detachment operation portions to the fan housing portion includes an elastic member; 2. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the two attachment / detachment operation parts can be changed by expanding and contracting the elastic member.

4. the two attachment / detachment operation parts each have an elastic member that comes into contact with a bottom surface of the recess when the cooling device is attached to the recess, 2. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member and the heat dissipation surface do not overlap when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess.

5. 2. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein a battery for driving said fan is housed in at least one of said two attachment / detachment operation units.

6. An imaging system including an imaging device and a cooling device attached to the imaging device, The imaging device includes: a display device that is rotatable between a closed position and an open position; a recess for accommodating the display device in the closed position; The cooling device includes: a fan storage section that stores a fan and is detachable from the recess; an attachment / detachment operation unit that is rotatably connected to the fan storage unit and is attachable to and detachable from a main body of the imaging device; an imaging system, wherein a bottom surface of the recess has a heat dissipation surface for dissipating heat generated inside the imaging device to the outside, and the fan faces the heat dissipation surface;

7. the imaging device has a viewfinder; 7. The imaging system according to claim 6, wherein the attachment / detachment operation unit is detachable from the viewfinder.

8. The attachment / detachment operation unit includes: a viewfinder attachment / detachment section that is attachable to and detachable from the viewfinder; a viewfinder cap attached to the viewfinder attachment section, 8. The imaging system according to claim 7, wherein the viewfinder cap protrudes toward the rear side of the imaging device beyond the fan storage portion stored in the recess.

9. the imaging device has an accessory shoe; 7. The imaging system according to claim 6, wherein the attachment / detachment operation unit is detachable from the accessory shoe.

10. the attachment / detachment operation unit has an engagement unit and an electrical contact equivalent to the accessory shoe, and wiring for electrically connecting the engagement unit and the electrical contact of the accessory shoe; 10. The imaging system according to claim 9, wherein an accessory is attachable to and detachable from the attachment / detachment operation unit.

11. 11. The imaging system according to claim 9, wherein the cooling device has an electric wiring for supplying power for driving the fan from the accessory shoe.

12. 12. The imaging system according to claim 11, wherein the imaging device comprises a control unit for controlling the driving of the fan.

13. a locking member is provided on a contact surface between the fan storage portion and a side wall of the recess, and an engagement recess is provided on the side wall of the recess at a position facing the locking member, 7. The imaging system according to claim 6, wherein the locking member is movable between a locking position where the locking member enters the engagement recess and a retracted position where the locking member exits from the engagement recess.

14. 7. The imaging system according to claim 6, wherein a battery for driving the fan is accommodated in the fan accommodation section.

15. The imaging system according to claim 6, characterized in that the cooling device has a link portion that connects the fan storage portion and the attachment / detachment operation portion so that the cooling device can be placed on top of the display device with the display device stored in the recess.

16. the fan housing portion has an elastic member that comes into contact with a bottom surface of the recess when the cooling device is attached to the recess, 7. The imaging system according to claim 6, wherein the elastic member and the heat dissipation surface do not overlap when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess.

17. The recess has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of the recess, 17. The imaging system according to claim 4, wherein the elastic members are disposed at four corners of the bottom surface.

18. 7. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation surface is located near the center of the bottom surface of the recess.

19. 7. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the fan blows air in a direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of the recess.

20. A cooling device that is detachable from an imaging device, A fan storage section that stores the fan; two attachment / detachment operation units connected to the fan storage unit so as to sandwich the fan storage unit therebetween, and the distance between the attachment / detachment operation units in a direction sandwiching the fan storage unit can be changed; and an elastic member attached to the two attachment / detachment operation parts, The cooling device is characterized in that the elastic member abuts against a bottom surface of a recess provided in the imaging device for storing a display device rotatably arranged on the imaging device in the imaging device, and the two attachment / detachment operating parts abut against opposing side wall portions of the recess, thereby being held in the recess.

21. A cooling device that is detachable from an imaging device, a detachable operation unit that is detachable from a viewfinder of the imaging device; a fan storage section that stores a fan and is rotatably connected to the attachment / detachment operation section; An elastic member attached to the fan storage section; a locking member provided in the fan storage section, a cooling device characterized in that the fan storage section is held in a recess provided in the imaging device for storing a display device rotatably arranged in the imaging device, the elastic member abutting against a bottom surface of the recess, and the locking member engaging with an opposing side wall portion of the recess.

22. A cooling device that is detachable from an imaging device, an attachment / detachment operation unit that is attachable to and detachable from an accessory shoe of the imaging device; a fan storage section that stores a fan and is rotatably connected to the attachment / detachment operation section; An elastic member attached to the fan storage section; a locking member provided in the fan storage section, a cooling device characterized in that the fan storage section is held in a recess provided in the imaging device for storing a display device rotatably arranged in the imaging device, the elastic member abutting against a bottom surface of the recess, and the locking member engaging with an opposing side wall portion of the recess.

Images