Imaging apparatus

Abstract

To provide suppression of deterioration of operability during opening and closing of a display unit, while maintaining a high-quality stored state.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus 100 includes: an apparatus body 101; and a rear monitor 121 attached to the rear side of the apparatus body 101 via a hinge 115 having opening-closing axes MA and MB perpendicular to each other. The apparatus body 101 includes: a monitor-accommodating unit 129 for accommodating the rear monitor 121; a battery chamber 116 for accommodating a battery; a partition unit 124 for separating the monitor-accommodating unit 129 and the battery chamber 116; and a monitor-lock mechanism provided in the partition unit 124 and in the rear monitor 121, the monitor-lock mechanism holding the rear monitor 121 in the monitor-accommodating unit 129.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device equipped with a display unit. [Background technology]

[0002] There are imaging devices equipped with a display unit configured with a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like, and the display unit is generally attached to the back of the imaging device via a hinge so that it can be opened and closed. Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a holding means is provided between the imaging device and the display unit to hold the display unit in a closed (close contact) state relative to the imaging device. Specifically, when a locking claw provided on the imaging device engages with a recessed portion provided on the display unit, the inclination of the display unit is corrected by the sliding of the inclined surface of the locking claw and the inclined surface of the recessed portion, and the display unit is held in a closed state relative to the imaging device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-290692 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a display unit is cantilevered by a hinge to allow it to open and close, its own weight tends to cause the display unit to tilt, with the opposite side of the opening and closing axis lowering. In Patent Document 1, the recess in the display unit is provided on the side opposite the opening and closing axis of the hinge. Therefore, if the display unit tilts, the position of the recess relative to the locking claw may shift, potentially reducing operability when opening and closing the display unit. Furthermore, if the display unit tilts, it may rub against the wall of the storage compartment of the imaging device body when opening or closing the display unit, further reducing operability. Furthermore, if the display unit tilts while stored in the imaging device body, the appearance quality is impaired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that can suppress a decrease in operability when opening and closing a display unit, and can maintain a high-quality storage state of the display unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The imaging device of the present invention is an imaging device comprising a device main body and a display unit attached to the back side of the device main body via a hinge having a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis that are perpendicular to each other, wherein the device main body has a first storage section that houses the display unit, a second storage section that houses a battery, and a partition section that separates the first storage section and the second storage section, and wherein holding means for holding the display unit in the first storage section is provided on the partition section and the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an imaging device that can suppress a decrease in operability when opening and closing a display unit, and that can maintain a high-quality storage state of the display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an imaging device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing the imaging device with the rear monitor in a changed state. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the locking claws and the surrounding structure that constitute the monitor locking mechanism. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the movement of the monitor lock mechanism when the rear monitor is opened or closed. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the rear monitor in the standard storage state. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the rear monitor in a stored state taken along arrows ME-ME in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a corner of the rear monitor and a locking claw are in contact with each other. FIG. [Figure 8]6 is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of the rear monitor taken along the arrow ME-ME in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the imaging device as seen from the rear. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of the rear surface of the imaging device. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating how a cable is attached to and detached from an external connection terminal. [Figure 12] 10 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the external connection terminal and the grip portion operation system. FIG. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are an external perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line NA-NA in the external perspective view of an imaging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an imaging device 100 according to an embodiment, and the viewing direction of the imaging device 100 is different between FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b). For ease of explanation, three-dimensional orthogonal axes (X, Y, Z) are defined as shown in FIG. 1. The Z axis is perpendicular (parallel to the imaging optical axis) to the imaging surface of an imaging element (not shown) installed inside the imaging device 100. The direction from the imaging device 100 toward a subject (not shown) is defined as the positive direction (+Z), and the opposite direction is defined as the negative direction (-Z). The X axis is parallel to the width direction of the imaging device 100. The direction from left to right as viewed from the front (+Z side) of the imaging device 100 is defined as the positive direction (+X), and the opposite direction is defined as the negative direction (-X). The Y axis is parallel to the height direction of the imaging device 100. The direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface of the imaging device 100 is defined as the positive direction (+Y), and the opposite direction is defined as the negative direction (-Y). The posture of the imaging device 100 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (where the X-axis and Z-axis are parallel to the horizontal plane and the +Y direction faces the sky) is referred to as the normal posture.

[0011] The imaging device 100 has a lens device 103, a device body 101, and a rear monitor 121. The device body 101 and the rear monitor 121 are distinguished for ease of explanation. A lens mount 102 that allows the lens device 103 to be attached and detached is disposed on the front surface of the imaging device 100. A power switch 111 that turns the power of the imaging device 100 on and off, and a recording button 112 that starts and stops capturing still images and videos are provided on the top surface of the imaging device 100.

[0012] A rear monitor 121 (display unit) and a battery chamber 116 (battery storage section) are provided on the rear surface of the imaging device 100. The rear monitor 121 has a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like, and displays still images and moving images captured by the imaging device 100, menus for configuring various settings for the imaging device 100, operating status, and the like. Various batteries 104 that supply power to the imaging device 100 can be attached and detached to the battery chamber 116. A battery removal button 117 is provided near the battery chamber 116 as an operating member for removing the battery 104 stored in the battery chamber 116, and a user can remove the battery 104 stored in the battery chamber 116 by pressing the battery removal button 117.

[0013] An air intake 131 and a group of connection terminals (not shown due to a protective cover 132) for communicatively connecting to an external device (not shown) are provided on the right side of the image capture device 100. In addition, a gripping portion 141, which is a portion where the user grips the image capture device 100 with their right hand, an air exhaust 142, and a recording media insertion portion 143 are provided on the left side of the image capture device 100. A cooling unit constituted by a cooling duct, a fan, etc. (not shown) is arranged inside the image capture device 100, and the ends of the cooling duct serve as the air intake 131 and the air exhaust 142.

[0014] Additionally, various operation buttons and dials for setting the imaging device 100 and performing imaging operations are provided on the exterior surface of the imaging device 100. Furthermore, although not shown, the imaging device 100 is internally provided with a main control board that performs overall control of the imaging device 100 and image processing, an imaging board on which an imaging element that converts incident light from the lens device 103 into an electric signal, various sensors, and the like.

[0015] Next, various usage modes of the rear monitor 121 will be described with reference to Fig. 1(b) and Fig. 2. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the imaging device 100 when the rear monitor 121 is in a fully open state, and Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view of the imaging device 100 when the rear monitor 121 is in an inverted storage state. Note that Fig. 1(b) is a perspective view of the imaging device 100 when the rear monitor 121 is in a standard storage state, expressed in terms of the state of the rear monitor 121.

[0016] The rear monitor 121 is a so-called vari-angle monitor configured to be rotatable about a hinge 115 having two mutually perpendicular axes, an opening / closing axis MA substantially parallel to the Y axis and a rotation axis MB perpendicular to the opening / closing axis MA, as a central axis. The rear monitor 121 is rotatable about the opening / closing axis MA between a stored position shown in FIG. 1(b) and an open position pulled out from the stored position.

[0017] The rear monitor 121 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the opening / closing axis MA and the rotation axis MB. The rear monitor 121 has a display screen 151 in which a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like is embedded, a rear portion 152 on the opposite side of the display screen 151, and long side surfaces 153a and 153b and short side surfaces 153c formed between the display screen 151 and the rear portion 152. The long side surfaces 153a and 153b are provided with claw receivers 154a and 154b, respectively.

[0018] 1(b), the standard storage state is a state in which the rear surface 152 of the rear monitor 121 is exposed to the -Z side of the device body 101, and the display screen 151 faces the rear surface of the device body 101. The standard storage state is suitable for storing or transporting the imaging device 100, because the display screen 151 is not exposed to the outside and therefore damage to the display screen 151 can be prevented.

[0019] When the rear monitor 121 is rotated approximately 180 degrees from the standard storage state around the opening / closing axis MA and extended to the +X side of the device body 101, it enters a fully open state in which the display screen 151 faces the -Z side, as shown in Fig. 2(a). The fully open state is an example of a state in which the rear monitor 121 is in the open position, and with the rear monitor 121 in the fully open state, the user can check the live view video displayed on the display screen 151 and also take still images and videos while checking the subject.

[0020] 1(b) to the state of FIG. 2(a), a rear operation system 113 provided on the rear surface of the device main body 101 is exposed to the outside. The rear operation system 113 is composed of buttons, switches, etc., and by operating the rear operation system 113, the user can perform various settings of the imaging device 100 and cause the imaging device 100 to perform a desired operation.

[0021] When the rear monitor 121 in the fully open state is rotated approximately 180 degrees around the rotation axis MB and then rotated approximately 180 degrees around the opening / closing axis MA, it enters an inverted storage state in which the display screen 151 is exposed to the outside on the rear side of the device body 101, as shown in FIG. 2(b). In the inverted storage state, as in the fully open state, the user can check various images displayed on the display screen 151, but cannot operate the rear operation system 113. Note that the space in which the rear monitor 121 is placed on the rear of the device body 101 when the rear monitor 121 is in the standard storage state or the inverted storage state is referred to as the "monitor storage section 129."

[0022] Next, a description will be given of a configuration (hereinafter referred to as a "monitor lock mechanism") for stably holding the rear monitor 121 in the monitor storage section 129 in the standard storage state and the inverted storage state. The main components of the monitor lock mechanism include a monitor lock hook 201 (protrusion) provided on the device main body 101 and hook receivers 154a, 154b (recesses) provided on the rear monitor 121. The rear monitor 121 is stably held in the monitor storage section 129 by one of the hook receivers 154a, 154b engaging with the monitor lock hook 201.

[0023] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the monitor lock claw 201 that constitutes the monitor lock mechanism and the structure around it. Specifically, Figure 3(a) is an enlarged view of the dashed line portion MC shown in Figure 2(a). Figure 3(b) is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the monitor lock mechanism on the device main body 101 side, with the rear cover 114 that constitutes the rear of the device main body 101 removed.

[0024] The monitor lock mechanism has, as components of the device main body 101, a monitor lock claw 201, a spring 204, a claw holding member 205, and a rear cover 114. The rear cover 114 is provided with a partition wall 124 (see FIG. 1(b)) that separates the monitor storage section 129 and the battery chamber 116 in the Y direction. The monitor lock claw 201 is arranged so as to protrude toward the +Y side from a part of the upper surface 124a of the partition wall 124 (the wall surface on the monitor storage section 129 side (+Y side)). The claw holding member 205 is fixed to the rear cover 114 with screws or the like (not shown).

[0025] The spring 204 is an example of a biasing member that biases the monitor lock claw 201 in the +Y direction. The monitor lock claw 201 is held by a claw holding member 205 in a state in which it is biased in the Y direction by the spring 204, and is movable in the Y direction, which is the expansion and contraction direction of the spring 204.

[0026] Monitor locking claw 201 has inclined surfaces 202a and 202b that protrude in the +Y direction. The boundary (ridge line) between inclined surfaces 202a and 202b may be formed as a smooth, continuous curve, or an upper surface 203 may be formed between inclined surfaces 202a and 202b. Because monitor locking claw 201 slides against rear monitor 121, it is desirable that it be made of a material with good sliding properties, such as POM.

[0027] 2, the monitor lock mechanism has concave claw receivers 154a and 154b provided on the long side surfaces 153a and 153b as components of the rear monitor 121. Details will be described later, but the claw receivers 154a and 154b have inner wall surfaces 155a and 155b (see FIG. 6), respectively, that come into contact with the slope 202b of the monitor lock claw 201 in the standard storage state and the inverted storage state.

[0028] In this embodiment, the hinge 115 that rotates the rear monitor 121 is provided on one of two short side surfaces of the rear monitor 121, which is configured to have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction orthogonal to the display screen 151. In this case, the components of the monitor lock mechanism on the rear monitor 121 are provided on the long side surfaces 153a and 153b of the rear monitor 121. The components of the monitor lock mechanism on the device main body 101 are provided in the area between the monitor storage section 129 and the battery chamber 116, that is, on the partition wall 124. This makes it possible to prevent the imaging device 100 from becoming larger in the width direction (X direction) compared to when the monitor lock mechanism is provided on the short side surface 153c of the rear monitor 121.

[0029] In this embodiment, the monitor lock mechanism is disposed between the battery chamber 116 and the rear monitor 121, but this is not limitative, and the monitor lock mechanism may be disposed at a position facing the battery chamber 116 with the rear monitor 121 as the reference. This makes it possible to prevent the image capture device 100 from becoming larger in the width direction.

[0030] Next, the operation of the monitor lock mechanism when the rear monitor 121 is rotated from the open position to the storage position will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the monitor lock mechanism when the rear monitor 121 is opened or closed. FIG. 4(a) shows a top view of the imaging device 100 in a state where the rear monitor 121 is opened by 6 degrees around the opening / closing axis MA from the standard storage state, as an example of a state in which the rear monitor 121 is being opened or closed. FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow ME-ME shown in FIG. 4(a), and shows the configuration around the monitor lock mechanism. Note that hatching of cross sections of some components has been omitted in FIG. 4(b).

[0031] When the rear monitor 121 in the open position is pushed in the direction of the arrow MF shown in Figure 4(b) (direction to close the rear monitor 121), the corner 157 of the rear monitor 121 comes into contact with the slope 202a of the monitor lock claw 201 and then pushes the monitor lock claw 201 in the -Y direction. When the rear monitor 121 is then further pushed in the direction of the arrow MF, the side surface (long side surface 153a in Figure 4) on the lower side (-Y side) of the rear monitor 121 slides against the upper surface 203 of the monitor lock claw 201, and then the claw receiver 154a engages with the monitor lock claw 201. In this way, the rear monitor 121 is stored in the monitor storage section 129 in the standard storage state.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the rear monitor 121 in the standard storage state. Fig. 5(a) shows a side view of the imaging device 100 when the rear monitor 121 is in the standard storage state. Fig. 5(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the members around the monitor lock mechanism taken along the arrows MG-MG shown in Fig. 5(a).

[0033] When the rear monitor 121 is in the standard storage state, the monitor locking claw 201 and the claw receiver 154a are engaged. At this time, as shown in Figure 5(b), the spring 204 urges the monitor locking claw 201 in the +Y direction, causing the inclined surface 202b of the monitor locking claw 201 to abut against the open end on the +Z side of the claw receiver 154a (the corner formed by the inner wall surface 155a on the +Z side and the long side surface 153a). As a result, the rear monitor 121 is pressed not only in the +Y direction but also toward the rear of the device main body 101 (in the +Z direction).

[0034] Here, because the rear monitor 121 can be opened and closed by a cantilever using the hinge 115, the weight of the rear monitor 121 tends to cause the short side surface 153c to tilt downward toward the -Y side. In contrast, in this embodiment, the pressing force of the spring 204 on the rear monitor 121 in the +Y direction has the effect of correcting the tilt of the rear monitor 121 in the XY plane. Therefore, the rear monitor 121 is held in the monitor storage section 129 in a state where tilt due to its own weight is suppressed, thereby suppressing a decrease in the quality of the imaging device 100 in the stored state. Furthermore, the force of the spring 204 pressing the monitor locking hook 201 in the +Z direction presses the rear monitor 121 against the device main body 101, thereby reducing wobbling of the rear monitor 121 around the opening / closing axis MA. In other words, the rear monitor 121 can be stably held in the monitor storage section 129.

[0035] The only difference between the standard storage state and the inverted storage state of the rear monitor 121 is whether the claw receiver 154a or the claw receiver 154b engages with the monitor lock claw 201. Therefore, even in the inverted storage state, the rear monitor 121 is locked by the monitor lock mechanism, just like in the standard storage state, and is held in the monitor storage section 129 in the inverted storage state.

[0036] Next, tilt correction of the rear monitor 121 using the monitor lock claw 201 will be described using the standard storage state as an example. Note that tilt correction of the rear monitor 121 in the inverted storage state is the same as tilt correction in the standard storage state, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] As described above, the support structure of the rear monitor 121 is a cantilever structure with the hinge 115 as a fulcrum for the device main body 101. Therefore, in the standard storage state, the rear monitor 121 may tilt in the direction indicated by the arrow MH in Fig. 1(b) due to its own weight, and the long side surface 153a of the rear monitor 121 may come close to the top surface 124a of the partition wall portion 124 of the rear cover 114. This may narrow the gap MM in the Y direction between the long side surface 153a and the top surface 124a shown in Fig. 4(b), which may result in a deterioration in quality in the standard storage state.

[0038] To address this issue, the imaging device 100 has a monitor locking tab 201 that protrudes in the +Y direction from the upper surface 124a of the rear cover 114. In other words, the protruding direction of the monitor locking tab 201 is substantially parallel to the opening / closing axis MA of the hinge 115 and substantially perpendicular to the long side surface 153a. Therefore, even if the open rear monitor 121 is pushed in the direction of the arrow MF in FIG. 4B with the long side surface 153a and the upper surface 124a in close proximity, the Y-direction position of the rear monitor 121 is adjusted as follows: That is, after the corner 157 of the rear monitor 121 abuts against the inclined surface 202a of the monitor locking tab 201, the rear monitor 121 is lifted in the +Y direction, sliding along the inclined surface 202a. As a result, as the gap MM between the long side surface 153a and the upper surface 124a increases, the rear monitor 121 rotates around the hinge 115 as a fulcrum. Thereafter, the monitor locking claw 201 and the claw receiver 154a engage with each other, and the rear monitor 121 is held in the standard storage state in the monitor storage section 129. In the standard storage state, the monitor locking claw 201 lifts the rear monitor 121 to a predetermined position in the +Y direction due to the biasing force of the spring 204. In this way, the tilt of the rear monitor 121 is corrected when the rear monitor 121 is stored and in the stored state.

[0039] Next, a configuration for smoothly opening and closing the rear monitor 121 will be described with reference to the previously mentioned drawings. When the rear monitor 121 is in the open position, the biasing force of the spring 204 via the monitor lock claw 201 does not act on the rear monitor 121. Therefore, when the rear monitor 121 is in the open position, the rear monitor 121 may be tilted as described above due to its own weight. If the rear monitor 121 is rotated to the storage position in this state, the rear monitor 121 and the upper surface 124a of the partition wall 124 may rub against each other. If such rubbing occurs, the user is likely to feel uncomfortable operating the rear monitor 121.

[0040] To avoid such problems, as shown in FIG. 3(b), strip-shaped sliding ribs 211a and 211b protruding in the +Y direction are provided at a predetermined interval on the upper surface 124a of the partition wall 124 on the -X and +X sides of the monitor locking claw 201. The sliding ribs 211a and 211b may be integrally formed with the rear cover 114, or may be formed as separate members and attached to the rear cover 114. If the rear cover 114 and the sliding ribs 211a and 211b are formed as separate members (components), surface treatments such as painting can be performed separately for the rear cover 114 and the sliding ribs 211a and 211b. For example, by painting the rear cover 114 and leaving the sliding ribs 211a and 211b unpainted, the sliding ribs 211a and 211b can be provided with a surface condition that facilitates sliding (low friction). For example, it is desirable to use a material with a small coefficient of friction, such as POM, for the sliding ribs 211a and 211b.

[0041] 3(b), the sliding ribs 211a, 211b can be formed integrally with the claw holding member 205. The width MK of the sliding ribs 211a, 211b in the X direction is, for example, 1 mm, and the amount of protrusion from the upper surface 124a of the partition wall portion 124 is, for example, 0.5 mm. The longitudinal direction of the sliding ribs 211a, 211b is the direction in which they slide against the rear monitor 121 when the rear monitor 121 is opened or closed, that is, approximately parallel to the Z direction.

[0042] 1(b), when the user opens or closes the rear monitor 121, the only area on the upper surface 124a of the partition wall 124 where the long side surface 153a of the rear monitor 121 slides is the sliding ribs 211a and 211b. Therefore, the frictional force generated by the opening or closing operation of the rear monitor 121 is smaller than when the sliding ribs 211a and 211b are not provided. Thus, even if the rear monitor 121 is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow MH in FIG. 1(b), the user can open or close the rear monitor 121 without any discomfort.

[0043] When the rear monitor 121 is closed, the long side surface 153a first begins to slide against the sliding rib 211b and then also slides against the sliding rib 211a. Conversely, when the rear monitor 121 is opened in the standard storage state, the long side surface 153a initially slides more against the sliding rib 211a than against the sliding rib 211b, and then slides only against the sliding rib 211b. In this way, by arranging the two sliding ribs 211a, 211b at a predetermined interval in the X direction so as to sandwich the monitor lock hook 201, a wide sliding area can be formed when the rear monitor 121 is opened or closed.

[0044] Next, we will explain the claw receivers 154a and 154b, which are the main components of the monitor lock mechanism. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the claw receiver 154a is provided on the long side surface 153a of the rear monitor 121, and the claw receiver 154b is provided on the long side surface 153b. The rear monitor 121 can be stored in the standard storage state by engaging the claw receiver 154a with the monitor lock claw 201, and in the inverted storage state by engaging the claw receiver 154b with the monitor lock claw 201.

[0045] Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow ME-ME shown in Fig. 5(a), with the rear monitor 121 in the standard storage state. Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the same position as the arrow ME-ME shown in Fig. 5(a), with the rear monitor 121 in the inverted storage state. Note that hatching of cross sections of some components is omitted in Figs. 6(a) and (b).

[0046] The inner wall surface 155a of the claw receiver 154a and the inner wall surface 155b of the claw receiver 154b are provided in positions that are approximately point-symmetrical in the YZ plane with respect to the rotation axis MB of the hinge 115 (when viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis MB). This allows the claw receivers 154a and 154b to come into contact with the monitor lock claw 201 in the same positional relationship when the rear monitor 121 is stored.

[0047] Next, the operation of the monitor locking claw 201 by the corner 157 of the rear monitor 121 when the rear monitor 121 is opened or closed will be described. As described with reference to FIG. 4, when the opened rear monitor 121 is closed, the corner 157 of the rear monitor 121 comes into contact with the slope 202a of the monitor locking claw 201. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the corner 157 comes into contact with the slope 202a of the monitor locking claw 201 when the rear monitor 121 is closed. At this time, the slope 202a of the monitor locking claw 201 is arranged so as to be approximately parallel to the corner 157 of the rear monitor 121, as indicated by the dashed dotted line. In other words, the slope 202a of the monitor locking claw 201 is not arranged parallel to the X-axis. Therefore, the slope 202a of the monitor locking claw 201 makes line contact with the corner 157 of the rear monitor 121 rather than making contact at a single point. As a result, when storing the rear monitor 121, wear due to contact between the corners 157 of the rear monitor 121 and the monitor locking claws 201 is unlikely to occur, and since it is possible to reduce sticking due to wear, it is possible to close the rear monitor 121 smoothly.

[0048] Next, the configuration of the monitor lock mechanism and its surroundings in the standard storage state will be described. Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the monitor lock mechanism and its surroundings in the standard storage state, taken along arrows ME-ME in Figure 5(a). Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view of the monitor lock mechanism and its surroundings in the inverted storage state, taken at the same position as Figure 8(a). Note that in the cross-sectional views of Figures 8(a) and (b), hatching has been omitted for cross sections of some components.

[0049] When the rear monitor 121 is opened or closed, the monitor locking tab 201 is pushed in the −Y direction when it comes into contact with the rear monitor 121, causing the top surface 203 of the monitor locking tab 201 to slide against the long side surface 153a (or the long side surface 153b). At this time, the lengths of the areas where the top surface 203 of the monitor locking tab 201 slides on the long side surface 153a and the long side surface 153b differ. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 , arrow SB, which indicates the sliding length of the monitor locking tab 201 when the rear monitor 121 is in the inverted storage state, is shorter than arrow SA, which indicates the sliding length of the monitor locking tab 201 when the rear monitor 121 is in the standard storage state. In this way, by reducing the thickness of the rear monitor 121 in the direction perpendicular to the display screen 151 and reducing unnecessary portions of the rear part 152 by chamfering or the like, the imaging device 100 can be made smaller in size in the standard storage state.

[0050] Next, the external connection terminal will be described. Fig. 9 is an external perspective view of the imaging device 100 as seen from the rear. On the rear surface of the imaging device 100, an external connection terminal 300 is provided in addition to a rear monitor 121, a battery chamber 116, etc. Note that in Fig. 2, for example, the external connection terminal 300 is protected by a cap and is not visible from the outside.

[0051] Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged view of the rear surface of the imaging device 100. Fig. 10 shows the relative positions of the external connection terminal 300, rear monitor 121, monitor storage section 129, battery 104, battery chamber 116, and battery removal button 117.

[0052] Fig. 11(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which an interface cable 310 (hereinafter referred to as "cable 310") is attached to the external connection terminal 300. Fig. 11(b) is a perspective view showing a schematic view of attaching and detaching the cable 310 to and from the external connection terminal 300. Fig. 12 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the external connection terminal 300 and the grip unit operation system 304.

[0053] The external connection terminal 300 has a connector locking section 301. A connector 302 and a connector locking claw 303 are provided at the tip of a cable 310. The cable 310 is, for example, an Ethernet cable that communicatively connects the imaging device 100 to an external device (not shown). When the connector 302 is attached to the external connection terminal 300, the connector locking claw 303 engages with the connector locking section 301, thereby preventing the connector 302 from being unintentionally removed by the user. In the state of FIG. 11( a) where the connector 302 is attached to the external connection terminal 300, the connector 302 can be removed from the external connection terminal 300 by pulling the cable 310 in the −Z direction while pushing the connector locking claw 303 in the +X direction.

[0054] Relative to the external connection terminal 300, the battery chamber 116 is disposed in the +X direction, the battery removal button 117 is disposed in the -Y direction, and the monitor housing section 129 is disposed in the +Y direction. In contrast, the connector lock section 301 is disposed in the -X direction, which is different from the battery chamber 116, the battery removal button 117, and the monitor housing section 129, relative to the external connection terminal 300. In addition, a grip section operation system 304, which is one of the multiple operation sections provided in the imaging device 100, is provided on the back surface of the grip section 141. A raised section 305, which raised in the -Z direction adjacent to the grip section operation system 304, is formed on the +X side of the grip section operation system 304, and the external connection terminal 300 is disposed on the top surface of the raised section 305.

[0055] This allows the cable 310 to be easily attached and detached without reducing the visibility and operability of the rear monitor 121, the operability of the rear operation system 113, the battery removal button 117, and the grip operation system 304, or the ease of attaching and detaching the battery 104. Furthermore, the rear monitor 121, rear operation system 113, battery compartment 116, the battery removal button 117, the grip operation system 304, and the external connection terminal 300 are efficiently arranged, thereby realizing a compact image capture device 100.

[0056] Next, the wireless antenna arranged on the rear surface of the imaging device 100 will be described. Fig. 13(a) is an external perspective view of the imaging device 100 as seen from the rear. Fig. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow NA-NA shown in Fig. 13(a). Note that in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 13(b), hatching has been omitted for cross sections of some components.

[0057] A wireless antenna board 700 is disposed between the battery chamber 116 and the storage position of the rear monitor 121 (inside the partition wall 124) in the device main body 101. The wireless antenna board 700 is disposed so that the board surface is perpendicular to the Z axis, and is electrically connected to a control board (not shown) inside the device main body 101.

[0058] The rear cover 114 also serves as an exterior member that covers the wireless antenna board 700. The rear cover 114 is made of a non-conductive resin material and therefore does not impede communication. The rear cover 114 also has a battery chamber 116 formed therein. The contacts that electrically connect the battery 104 to the device body 101 when the battery 104 is installed are exposed to the outside through a hole in the battery chamber 116. Because these contacts are movable members held in place by a spring so that they can be moved in and out when the battery 104 is installed or removed, they may come into contact with the battery chamber 116. Therefore, the battery chamber 116 must be made of a non-conductive resin material. In this embodiment, the rear cover 114 having the battery chamber 116 is made of a non-conductive resin material, and the rear cover 114 is also used as a cover for the wireless antenna board 700, thereby reducing the number of components.

[0059] As described above, the rear monitor 121 is a variable-angle monitor. Therefore, when the rear monitor 121 is rotated around the opening / closing axis MA, the rear monitor 121 does not move in the vertical direction (Y direction). Therefore, no matter what position the rear monitor 121 is in, it will not overlap with the wireless antenna board 700 in the Z direction, and therefore the rear monitor 121 will not interfere with communication via the wireless antenna board 700. It is also necessary to arrange the monitor lock mechanism without interfering with the arrangement of the external connection terminal 300 and the wireless antenna board 700. From this perspective, it is preferable to arrange the monitor lock mechanism in a position that divides the long side of the monitor storage section 129 approximately equally in the longitudinal direction (a position where the ME-ME cross section intersects with the claw receivers 154a and 154b).

[0060] While the present invention has been described in detail above based on preferred embodiments thereof, 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-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0061] For example, in the above embodiment, the monitor lock mechanism was provided using the space between the monitor storage section 129 and the battery chamber 116, but the monitor lock mechanism can also be applied to image capture devices that do not have a battery chamber. For example, a protrusion corresponding to the partition wall 124 may be provided on the underside of the rear monitor 121 in the storage position, and the monitor lock mechanism may be provided on the protrusion. Furthermore, even in an image capture device that has nothing below the rear monitor 121 in the storage position, if a vertical position grip can be attached to the bottom of the image capture device, a portion corresponding to the partition wall 124 can be provided on the vertical position grip and the monitor lock mechanism can also be provided.

[0062] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) An imaging device comprising a device main body and a display unit attached to the rear side of the device main body via a hinge having a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis that are perpendicular to each other, wherein the device main body has a first storage section that houses the display unit, a second storage section that houses a battery, and a partition section that separates the first storage section and the second storage section, and wherein a holding means for holding the display unit in the first storage section is provided on the partition section and the display unit. (Configuration 2) The imaging device described in Configuration 1, characterized in that the display unit is rotatable about the first rotation axis between a storage position stored in the first storage section and an open position pulled out from the first storage section, and the holding means includes a protrusion that protrudes from a wall surface of the partition facing the first storage section in a first direction perpendicular to the wall surface and is arranged to be movable in the first direction, a biasing member that is provided on the partition and biases the protrusion in the first direction, and a recess that is provided on a side of the display unit facing the partition when the display unit is in the storage position and engages with the protrusion. (Configuration 3) The imaging device described in Configuration 2, characterized in that the protrusion has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface that form a ridge portion that protrudes in the first direction, and when the display unit is in the storage position, the second inclined surface abuts against the opening edge of the recess, and the display unit is urged in the first direction and in a direction toward the device main body via the protrusion by the urging member. (Configuration 4) The imaging device according to Configuration 3, wherein the first inclined surface comes into line contact with the display unit when the display unit is rotated from the open position to the stored position. (Configuration 5) The imaging device described in Configuration 3 or 4, characterized in that the display unit is stored in the first storage section in a first storage state in which the display screen of the display unit faces the front of the device body, or in a second storage state in which the display screen faces the rear of the device body, and the recess is provided on each of the side surfaces facing the partition wall when the display unit is in the first storage state and the side surfaces facing the partition wall when the display unit is in the second storage state. (Configuration 6) The imaging device described in Configuration 5, wherein the display unit has an approximately rectangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the display screen of the display unit, and the side of the display unit on which the recess is provided is the side on the long side of the display unit. (Configuration 7) The imaging device according to configuration 6, wherein the recess is provided at a position that divides the long side surface of the display unit into approximately equal parts in the length direction. (Configuration 8) The imaging device described in Configuration 7, characterized in that the position at which the second inclined surface abuts against the recesses provided on each side surface of the long side of the display unit is a position that is approximately point-symmetric with respect to the second rotation axis when viewed from the axial direction of the second rotation axis. (Configuration 9) The imaging device described in Configuration 8, characterized in that the length by which the ridge portion of the protrusion slides against the side of the display unit when the display unit is rotated from the second storage state to the open position is shorter than the length by which the ridge portion of the protrusion slides against the side of the display unit when the display unit is rotated from the first storage state to the open position. (Configuration 10) An imaging device described in any one of configurations 2 to 9, characterized in that a rib protruding from the wall surface of the partition portion facing the first storage portion is provided to slide against the display unit when the display unit is opened or closed. (Configuration 11) The imaging device according to configuration 10, wherein the ribs are provided at two locations with a predetermined distance between them across the protrusion. (Configuration 12) The imaging device according to configuration 10 or 11, wherein the rib and the device body are made of different materials. (Configuration 13) An imaging device described in any one of configurations 1 to 12, characterized in that an operating member for removing the battery stored in the second storage section and an external connection terminal for connecting to an external device are provided on the back of the device main body, the external connection terminal has a locking portion for preventing the connector connected to the external connection terminal from coming loose, and the locking portion is provided in a direction different from the direction from the external connection terminal toward the second storage section, the operating member, and the display unit, respectively, when viewed from the rear of the device main body. (Configuration 14) The imaging device described in Configuration 13, characterized in that the device body has a gripping portion for a user to grip the imaging device, an operating portion provided on the back of the gripping portion, and a raised portion adjacent to the operating portion and raised from the device body toward the rear of the device body, and the external connection terminal is provided on the top surface of the raised portion. (Configuration 15) An imaging device described in any one of configurations 1 to 14, characterized in that it includes a wireless antenna board arranged inside the partition wall, and when viewed from the rear to the front of the imaging device, the wireless antenna board does not overlap with the battery stored in the second storage section and the display unit stored in the first storage section. (Configuration 16) The imaging device described in Configuration 15, characterized in that the radio antenna board and the display unit do not overlap when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the imaging surface of the imaging element provided in the imaging device, regardless of the position and state of the display unit. (Configuration 17) An imaging device comprising a display unit attached to the rear side of the device body via a hinge having two rotation axes perpendicular to each other, wherein the device body has a storage section for storing the display unit, a wall having a wall surface that faces the lower side of the display unit stored in the storage section when the imaging device is in a normal position, a protrusion protruding from the wall surface in a first direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface of the device body and arranged to be movable in the first direction, and a biasing member that biases the protrusion in the first direction, wherein the display unit has a recess that engages with the protrusion when stored in the storage section, and when the protrusion and the recess are engaged, the display unit is biased by the biasing member via the protrusion in the first direction and toward the rear of the device body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 100 Imaging device 101 Device body 115 Hinge 116 Battery compartment 117 Battery removal button 121 Rear monitor 124 Bulkhead 129 Monitor storage area 141 Gripping part 151 Display screen 201 Monitor locking claw 202a, 202b Slopes 211a, 211b Sliding rib 300 External connection terminal 301 Connector lock part 304 Grip operation system 305 Ridge 700 Wireless Antenna Board

Claims

1. A device body, a display unit attached to a rear side of the device body via a hinge having a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis that are orthogonal to each other, The device body includes: a first storage section for storing the display unit; a second storage section for storing a battery; a partition wall portion separating the first storage portion and the second storage portion, An imaging device, wherein a holding means for holding the display unit in the first storage section is provided on the partition wall and the display unit.

2. the display unit is rotatable about the first rotation axis between a storage position where the display unit is stored in the first storage section and an open position where the display unit is pulled out from the first storage section, The holding means is a protrusion that protrudes in a first direction perpendicular to a wall surface of the partition wall facing the first storage portion and is arranged to be movable in the first direction; a biasing member provided on the partition wall and biasing the protrusion in the first direction; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a recess provided on a side surface of the display unit that faces the partition wall when the display unit is in the storage position, the recess engaging with the protrusion.

3. the protrusion has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface that form a ridge portion that protrudes in the first direction, 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein when the display unit is in the storage position, the second inclined surface abuts against the opening edge of the recess, and the display unit is biased in the first direction and in a direction toward the device body via the protrusion by the biasing member.

4. 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the first inclined surface comes into line contact with the display unit when the display unit is rotated from the open position to the retracted position.

5. the display unit is stored in the first storage section in a first storage state in which a display screen of the display unit faces forward of the device body, or in a second storage state in which the display screen faces backward of the device body; 5. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the recess is provided on each of a side surface facing the partition wall when the display unit is in the first storage state and a side surface facing the partition wall when the display unit is in the second storage state.

6. the display unit has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to a display screen of the display unit, 6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the recess is provided on a side surface of the display unit on a longer side of the display unit.

7. 7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the recess is provided at a position that divides a long side surface of the display unit into approximately equal parts in the length direction.

8. The imaging device described in claim 7, characterized in that the position at which the second inclined surface abuts against the recesses provided on each side surface of the long side of the display unit is a position that is approximately point-symmetric with respect to the second rotation axis when viewed from the axial direction of the second rotation axis.

9. The imaging device described in claim 8, characterized in that the length by which the ridge portion of the protrusion slides against the side of the display unit when the display unit is rotated from the second storage state to the open position is shorter than the length by which the ridge portion of the protrusion slides against the side of the display unit when the display unit is rotated from the first storage state to the open position.

10. The imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that a rib protruding from the wall surface of the partition portion facing the first storage portion is provided to slide against the display unit when the display unit is opened or closed.

11. 11. The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the ribs are provided at two locations with a predetermined distance between them across the protrusion.

12. 12. The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the rib and the device body are made of different materials.

13. an operating member for removing the battery housed in the second housing section; an external connection terminal for connecting to an external device is provided on the rear surface of the device body; the external connection terminal has a locking portion that prevents a connector connected to the external connection terminal from coming off, The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when viewed from the rear of the device body, the locking portion is provided in a direction different from the direction from the external connection terminal toward the second storage portion, the operating member, and the display unit.

14. The device body includes: a gripping portion for a user to grip the imaging device; an operation unit provided on the rear surface of the grip unit; a raised portion that is adjacent to the operation portion and that protrudes from the device body toward the rear of the device body, 14. The imaging device according to claim 13, wherein the external connection terminal is provided on the top surface of the protrusion.

15. a radio antenna substrate disposed inside the partition wall, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein when the imaging device is viewed from the rear to the front, the wireless antenna board does not overlap with the battery housed in the second housing section and the display unit housed in the first housing section.

16. The imaging device according to claim 15, characterized in that the radio antenna board and the display unit do not overlap when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the imaging surface of the imaging element provided in the imaging device, regardless of the position and state of the display unit.

17. An imaging device including a display unit attached to a rear side of a device body via a hinge having two rotation axes perpendicular to each other, The device body includes: a storage section for storing the display unit; a wall portion having a wall surface facing a lower side surface of the display unit stored in the storage portion when the imaging device is in a normal posture; a protrusion that protrudes from the wall surface in a first direction from the lower surface toward the upper surface of the device body and is arranged to be movable in the first direction; a biasing member that biases the protrusion in the first direction, the display unit has a recess that engages with the protrusion when housed in the housing, an imaging device characterized in that, when the protrusion and the recess are engaged, the display unit is urged by the urging member via the protrusion in the first direction and toward the rear of the device body.

Images