Lens mount, camera mount on which lens mount can be mounted, and mount system

Abstract

To provide a lens mount in which a terminal part coming into contact with a terminal part of a camera mount is appropriately arranged, a camera mount to which the lens mount can be attached, and a mount system.SOLUTION: A lens mount detachably attachable to a camera mount including a plurality of first bayonet claw portions and a plurality of first terminal portions, the lens mount including a plurality of second bayonet claw portions engageable with the plurality of first bayonet claw portions, a plurality of second terminal portions configured to contact the plurality of first terminal portions when the lens mount is attached to the camera mount, the plurality of second terminal portions being provided at positions different from those of the plurality of second bayonet claw portions, and a terminal portion used for determining a type of the lens mount attached to the camera mount and disposed at a predetermined position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lens mount, a camera mount to which the lens mount can be attached, and a mount system. [Background technology]

[0002] The camera and camera accessory described in Patent Document 1 are known as a camera having multiple terminal pins and a camera accessory such as an interchangeable lens that is detachable from the camera and has multiple terminal surfaces for contacting the multiple terminal pins and communicating with the camera.

[0003] The interchangeable lens described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with multiple bayonet claws that can be coupled with multiple bayonet claws provided on the camera. In Patent Document 1, when the interchangeable lens is attached to a camera, the terminal surface on the interchangeable lens that comes into contact with a terminal pin for determining the type of interchangeable lens, among the multiple terminal pins on the camera, is within the angle range in which predetermined bayonet claws are provided on the interchangeable lens. By being equipped with this configuration, the interchangeable lens described in Patent Document 1 can more reliably determine the type of interchangeable lens attached to the camera. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-13331 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, among the multiple terminal pins on the camera, in addition to the terminal pin that determines the type of interchangeable lens attached to the camera, there is also a communication terminal section for communication between the camera and the interchangeable lens. In order to stabilize communication between the camera and the interchangeable lens, it is preferable that the terminal pin corresponding to the communication terminal section on the camera be in stable contact with the terminal surface corresponding to the communication terminal section on the interchangeable lens.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lens mount in which terminal portions that come into contact with terminal portions of a camera mount are appropriately arranged, as well as a camera mount and an imaging system to which the lens mount can be attached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a lens mount comprising: A lens mount detachable from a camera mount having a plurality of first bayonet claws and a plurality of first terminal portions, a plurality of second bayonet claws engageable with the plurality of first bayonet claws; a plurality of second terminal portions that come into contact with the plurality of first terminal portions when the lens mount is attached to the camera mount; the plurality of second terminal portions are provided at positions different from the plurality of second bayonet claw portions, and include a terminal portion used to determine the type of lens mount attached to the camera mount, and a terminal portion used for communication between the camera mount and the lens mount, When viewed in the direction of the central axis of the mount portion, a half line extending from the central axis and passing through the terminal portion used for the discrimination passes between the plurality of second bayonet claw portions, and a half line extending from the central axis and passing through the terminal portion used for the communication passes through a predetermined claw portion of the plurality of second bayonet claw portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an accessory in which terminals that come into contact with terminals of an imaging device are appropriately arranged, as well as an imaging device and an imaging system to which the accessory can be attached. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1A] 1 is a block diagram of a camera and an interchangeable lens according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1B] 1 is a block diagram of the terminal section of a camera and an interchangeable lens according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic diagram of the entire camera and interchangeable lens according to the present embodiment; [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic diagram of an overall view of an interchangeable lens according to an embodiment of the present invention removed from a camera; [Figure 3A] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3B] 1 is an exploded perspective view of an interchangeable lens according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4A] 1 is a detailed view of a camera mount according to this embodiment. [Figure 4B] 1 is a detailed view of a camera mount according to this embodiment. [Figure 4C] 1 is a detailed view of a camera mount according to this embodiment. [Figure 5A] 1 is a front view showing the normal position of the camera according to the present embodiment; [Figure 5B] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the camera according to the present embodiment in a normal position, taken along the line VB-VB; [Figure 6A] 1 is a front view showing the vertical position of the camera according to the present embodiment; [Figure 6B] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB of the camera in the vertical position according to the embodiment; [Figure 7A] FIG. 1 is a detailed view of the lens mount according to the present embodiment in a locked phase state. [Figure 7B] FIG. 1 is a detailed view of the lens mount according to the present embodiment in a locked phase state. [Figure 8A] 1 is a detailed diagram showing the arrangement of the camera contact pins according to the present embodiment; [Figure 8B]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of camera contact pins according to the present embodiment; [Figure 9A] 1 is a detailed diagram showing the arrangement of lens contact portions according to the present embodiment; [Figure 9B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of lens contact portions according to the present embodiment; [Figure 10A] 1 is a diagram showing the insertion phase state when an interchangeable lens is attached to a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the camera operator's side. [Figure 10B] 1 is a view of the lock phase state when an interchangeable lens is attached to a camera according to the present embodiment, as seen from the camera operator's side. [Figure 11] A perspective view of the lens mount and the lens terminal holding member [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting mechanism according to a modified example. [Figure 13A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mounting mechanism in an uncoupled state according to a modified example. [Figure 13B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mounting mechanism in an uncoupled state according to a modified example. [Figure 13C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mounting mechanism in an uncoupled state according to a modified example. [Figure 14A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mounting mechanism in a coupled state according to a modified example. [Figure 14B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mounting mechanism in a coupled state according to a modified example. [Figure 14C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mounting mechanism in a coupled state according to a modified example. [Figure 15A] 1 is a diagram illustrating a first conversion adapter 40 and a second interchangeable lens 50 that can be attached to a camera body 10. [Figure 15B] 1 is a diagram illustrating a first conversion adapter 40 and a second interchangeable lens 50 that can be attached to a camera body 10. [Figure 16A] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a second conversion adapter 70 and a first interchangeable lens 100 that can be attached to a camera body 60. [Figure 16B] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a second conversion adapter 70 and a first interchangeable lens 100 that can be attached to a camera body 60. [Figure 17A]FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws of the camera mount 1401 provided at one end of the first conversion adapter 40. [Figure 17B] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws of the camera mount 1401 provided at one end of the first conversion adapter 40. [Figure 17C] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws of the camera mount 1401 provided at one end of the first conversion adapter 40. [Figure 18A] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws of the lens mount 1301 provided at the other end of the first conversion adapter 40. [Figure 18B] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws of the lens mount 1301 provided at the other end of the first conversion adapter 40. [Figure 19A] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for attaching a predetermined imaging device 1000 and a predetermined interchangeable lens 2000, which have claws and notches that interfere with each other; [Figure 19B] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for attaching a predetermined imaging device 1000 and a predetermined interchangeable lens 2000, which have claws and notches that interfere with each other; [Figure 20A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of interference between the claws when attempting to attach the lens mount 1301 to the camera mount 1401 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of interference between the claws when attempting to attach the lens mount 1301 to the camera mount 1401 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21A] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a case where incompatible claws are inserted into notches on the lens mount 1301 side and the camera mount 1401 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21B] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a case where incompatible claws are inserted into notches on the lens mount 1301 side and the camera mount 1401 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21C]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a case where incompatible claws are inserted into notches on the lens mount 1301 side and the camera mount 1401 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21D] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a case where incompatible claws are inserted into notches on the lens mount 1301 side and the camera mount 1401 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22A] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws of the camera mount 1201 provided at one end of the second conversion adapter 70. [Figure 22B] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws of the camera mount 1201 provided at one end of the second conversion adapter 70. [Figure 23A] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws of the lens mount 1501 provided at the other end of the second conversion adapter 70. [Figure 23B] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws of the lens mount 1501 provided at the other end of the second conversion adapter 70. [Figure 23C] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws of the lens mount 1501 provided at the other end of the second conversion adapter 70. [Figure 24A] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of interference between the claws when attempting to attach the claws serving as a reference on the lens mount 1501 side to the recesses serving as a reference on the camera mount 1201 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24B] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of interference between the claws when attempting to attach the claws serving as a reference on the lens mount 1501 side to the recesses serving as a reference on the camera mount 1201 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of interference between claws when a non-standard claw on the lens mount 1501 side is attached to a standard recess on the camera mount 1201 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25B]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of interference between claws when a non-standard claw on the lens mount 1501 side is attached to a standard recess on the camera mount 1201 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25C] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of interference between claws when a non-standard claw on the lens mount 1501 side is attached to a standard recess on the camera mount 1201 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25D] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of interference between claws when a non-standard claw on the lens mount 1501 side is attached to a standard recess on the camera mount 1201 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the claws provided on the camera mount 401 side and the lens mount 501 side are engaged with each other according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Camera system configuration) First, a camera system (imaging system, mount system) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using Fig. 1A. As shown in Fig. 1A, the camera system according to this embodiment is composed of an interchangeable lens (optical device, accessory, lens apparatus) 100 as a camera accessory, and a camera body (imaging apparatus) 10 to which the interchangeable lens 100 is removably attached. In other words, the interchangeable lens 100 can be attached to and detached from the camera body 10.

[0011] (Configuration of interchangeable lens 100) Interchangeable lens 100 has lens 101 and lens drive unit 102, which includes an actuator that moves or operates optical members such as a lens unit (not shown) and an aperture included in lens 101. Interchangeable lens 100 also has lens control unit 103, which includes a microcomputer that controls communication with camera control unit 18 via mount 1 and controls lens drive unit 102. Note that lens 101 may include only one lens unit or multiple lens units. The same applies to the aperture.

[0012] The term "lens unit" used here refers to a single lens, a cemented lens, or a collection of multiple lenses whose spacing with adjacent lens units changes during zooming or focusing. The lens 101 includes a zoom lens unit that moves along the optical axis for zooming, and a focusing lens unit that moves along the optical axis for focusing. The lens 101 also includes a shift lens unit that moves in a direction different from the optical axis for image stabilization. However, the lens 101 does not necessarily have to include a zoom lens unit or a shift lens unit.

[0013] (Configuration of camera body 10) The camera body 10 has an image sensor (image pickup element) 11 as a charge storage type solid-state image pickup element that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject formed by a lens 101 in the interchangeable lens 100 and outputs an electrical signal. The camera body 10 also has an A / D conversion unit 12 that converts the analog electrical signal output from the image sensor 11 into a digital signal, and an image processing unit 13 that performs various image processing on the digital signal converted by the A / D conversion unit 12 to generate a video signal.

[0014] The video signal (still image or moving image) generated by image processing unit 13 is displayed on display unit 14 and recorded on recording medium 15. Camera body 10 also functions as a buffer when processing the video signal and has memory 16 for storing operating programs used by camera control unit 18, which will be described later. Camera body 10 also has camera operation input unit 17, which includes a power switch for turning the power on and off, a shooting switch for starting recording of the video signal, and a selection / setting switch for setting various menus.

[0015] The camera body 10 also has a camera control unit 18 including a microcomputer that inputs signals from the camera operation input unit 17 to perform various settings and controls communication with the lens control unit 103 provided in the interchangeable lens 100 via the mount 1.

[0016] (Electrical connection configuration between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100) Next, the electrical connection configuration between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 will be described using Figure 1B. Figure 1B shows the electrical circuit configuration when the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 are connected via the mount 1, the terminal parts (electrical contacts) provided on the mount 1 for electrically connecting them, and the connection state of each terminal part.

[0017] The mount 1 in the camera system is composed of a mount section (first mount section) A on the camera body 10 side and a mount section (second mount section) B on the interchangeable lens 100 side, and mount section A and mount section B have multiple terminal sections (contact points or electrical contact points) that can be electrically connected to their counterparts. More specifically, the mount 1 has a VDD terminal section and a VBAT terminal section that are power supply terminal sections for supplying power from the camera body 10 to the interchangeable lens 100, and a DGND terminal section and a PGND terminal section that are ground terminal sections. The mount 1 also has an LCLK terminal section, a DCL terminal section, a DLC terminal section, a DLC2 terminal section, a CS terminal section, and a DCA terminal section that are communication terminal sections for communication between the camera control section 18 and the lens control section 103. The mount 1 also has other terminal sections, such as an MIF terminal section for detecting that the interchangeable lens 100 has been attached to the camera body 10, and a TYPE terminal section for determining the type of camera accessory attached to the camera body 10. Each terminal section will be described in more detail below.

[0018] 1B, the camera power supply unit 1103 generates a communication control power supply (VDD) as a power supply for supplying power to the attached accessory via the VDD terminal or as a power supply for supplying power to the first communication I / F unit 1102a via the power supply switching unit 1104. The camera power supply unit 1103 also generates a drive power supply (VBAT) as a power supply for supplying power to the attached accessory via the VBAT terminal.

[0019] The camera power supply unit 1103 generates 3.3V power to be supplied to the camera control unit 18, the first communication I / F unit 1102a, and the second and third communication I / F units 1102b. The camera power supply unit 1103 also generates 3.0V power to be supplied to the first communication I / F unit 1102a and the second and third communication I / F units 1102b via the power supply switching unit 1104.

[0020] The power supply switching unit 1104 is connected to the camera power supply unit 1103. The power supply switching unit 1104 supplies only one of the VDD and 3.0 V power supplies generated by the camera power supply unit 1103 to the first communication I / F unit 1102a as the power supply Vs for the communication interface. The power supply voltage is switched in accordance with an instruction from the camera control unit 18.

[0021] Based on VDD supplied from the camera body 10, the lens power supply unit 1203 generates a 3.0 V power supply as a power supply voltage to be supplied to the lens control unit 103 and the lens side communication I / F unit 1205. Furthermore, when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 10, a driving power supply (VBAT) is supplied to the driving circuit unit 1204 on the interchangeable lens 100 side from the camera power supply unit 103 described above via a VBAT terminal.

[0022] In this embodiment, the power supply voltage levels of the lens control unit 103 and the lens side communication I / F unit 1205 are the same (3.0 V), but the voltage level indicated by the lens control unit 103 may be set to 3.3 V. In this case, since it is necessary to supply power of voltage levels of 3.0 V and 3.3 V to the lens side communication I / F unit 1205, the lens power supply unit 1203 generates power of 3.0 V and 3.3 V.

[0023] (Power terminal part) The VDD terminal is a terminal for supplying a communication control power supply (VDD) from the camera body 10 to the interchangeable lens 100 as communication power used mainly for communication control. In this embodiment, the communication control power supply is 5.0 V. The VBAT terminal is a terminal for supplying a drive power supply (VBAT) from the camera body 10 to the interchangeable lens 100 as drive power used mainly for operating mechanical drive systems including motors, etc., excluding the above-mentioned communication control. In this embodiment, the drive power supply is 4.25 V.

[0024] (Ground terminal) The DGND terminal is a terminal that connects the camera body 10 and the communication control system of the interchangeable lens 100 to ground. In other words, it is a ground (GND) terminal that corresponds to the VDD power supply. Here, grounding means that the ground is at the same level as the negative side of a power supply such as a battery. The PGND terminal is a terminal that connects the camera body 10 and the mechanical drive system, including a motor and the like, provided in the interchangeable lens 100 to ground. In other words, it is a ground (GND) terminal that corresponds to the VBAT power supply.

[0025] (Communication terminal section) The communication terminal unit includes a terminal group (LCLK, DCL, DLC terminals) that is a first communication unit for performing a first communication, and a terminal group (DLC2 terminals) that is a second communication unit for performing a second communication independent of the first communication. The communication terminal unit further includes a terminal group (CS, DCA terminals) that is a third communication unit for performing a third communication independent of the first and second communications. The camera control unit 18 and the lens control unit 103 can perform the first, second, and third communications, which are independent of each other, via these communication terminals.

[0026] The LCLK terminal unit is a terminal unit for a communication clock signal output from the camera body 10 to the interchangeable lens 100, and is also a terminal unit that allows the camera body 10 to monitor the busy state of the interchangeable lens 100. The DCL terminal unit is a terminal unit for two-way communication data between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100, and is a CMOS type interface. The DLC terminal unit is a terminal unit for communication data output from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 10, and is a CMOS type interface.

[0027] The DLC2 terminal is a terminal for communication data output from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 10, and is a CMOS type interface. The DCA terminal is a terminal for two-way communication data between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100, and is a CMOS type interface. The CS terminal is a communication request signal terminal between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100, and is an open type interface.

[0028] (Other terminals) The MIF terminal section is a terminal section for detecting whether the interchangeable lens 100 has been attached to the camera body 10 or whether the interchangeable lens 100 has been removed from the camera body 10. The camera control section 18 detects a change in the voltage level of the MIF terminal section, and after detecting that the interchangeable lens 100 has been attached to the camera body 10, starts supplying power to the VDD terminal section and VBAT terminal section and begins communication. In other words, the MIF terminal section triggers the start of power supply from the camera body 10 to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0029] As described above, the TYPE terminal is a terminal for determining the type of camera accessory attached to the camera body 10. The camera control unit 18 detects the voltage of the signal from the TYPE terminal and determines the type of camera accessory attached to the camera body 10 based on that value. The interchangeable lens 100 is pulled down connected to the DGND terminal with a predetermined resistance value, which will be described later. In this embodiment, when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 10, communication is performed with the interface voltage at the terminals of the first communication unit, second communication unit, and third communication unit set to 3.0 V.

[0030] (Mechanical connection structure between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100) FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100. FIG. 2A shows the interchangeable lens 100 attached to the camera body 10. FIG. 2B shows the interchangeable lens 100 removed from the camera body 10. The camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 are connected to each other by moving the interchangeable lens 100 from the unlocked position to the locked position with the reference surfaces of the camera mount 201 and the lens mount 301 in contact with each other. Here, the camera mount 201 is the mount section (first mount section) on the imaging device side, and the lens mount 301 is the mount section (second mount section) on the optical device side.

[0031] The second conversion adapter 70, which will be described later, has a camera mount 1201 that has the same configuration as the camera mount 201 that the camera body 10 has. The first conversion adapter 40 has a lens mount 1301 that has the same configuration as the lens mount 301 that the first lens 100 (interchangeable lens 100) has.

[0032] Furthermore, although the camera mount 201 and the lens mount 301 are ring-shaped, they may also have the following shapes. That is, the shapes of the camera mount 201 and the lens mount 301, particularly the shapes of the openings or the shapes of the portions that come into contact with the mating side, may be arc-shaped. In other words, the shapes of the camera mount 201 and the lens mount 301, particularly the shapes of the openings or the portions that come into contact with the mating side, may be ring-shaped with a portion missing.

[0033] 3 is an exploded perspective view of the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100. Fig. 3A shows an exploded perspective view of the camera body 10, and Fig. 3B shows an exploded perspective view of the interchangeable lens 100. Optical axis 3000 is the optical axis of the lens 101 provided in the interchangeable lens 100, and when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 10, a photographing light beam passing along optical axis 3000 can be incident on the image sensor 11.

[0034] (Each member of the camera body 10) Next, each of the members provided in the camera body 10 will be described.

[0035] The lock pin 202 is a restricting means (locking member, convex portion) for restricting (locking) the attached state of the camera body 10 and the camera accessory. The lock pin 202 is movable back and forth in a direction parallel to the optical axis 3000. Specifically, when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 10, the lock pin 202 enters a lock pin groove (recess, groove portion) 301z of the lens mount 301, thereby locking the attached state of the two together.

[0036] The holding member 203 is a camera-side terminal holding member that holds a plurality of terminal pins 203a to 203k, 203m provided on the camera body 10 side.

[0037] The camera body member 204 is a camera housing that holds the various components of the camera body 10. Specifically, the camera mount 201 and holding member 203 are fastened to the camera body member 204 by fastening screws 205a to 205d for the camera mount 201 and fastening screws for the holding member 203 (not shown). The camera body member 204 holds an imaging unit (not shown) equipped with the image sensor 11, and a shutter unit (not shown).

[0038] The lens mount biasing member 206 is a camera-side biasing member that draws first to third lens claws (plurality of second engaging portions, plural second bayonet claws) 301d to 301f provided on the lens mount 301 (described later) toward the camera mount 201. The lens mount biasing member 206 is held in the space between the camera mount 201 and the camera body member 204.

[0039] (Components of the interchangeable lens 100) Next, each of the members provided in the interchangeable lens 100 will be described.

[0040] The front lens 101a and the rear lens 101b are optical members included in the lens 101. Of course, the lens 101 may include lenses other than the front lens 101a and the rear lens 101b.

[0041] Lens mount 301 is a mount portion on the interchangeable lens 100 side. Lens barrel (accessory main body) 302 is a lens holding member that holds lens 101. Lens mount 301 is fastened to lens barrel 302 with lens mount fastening screws 304a to 304d.

[0042] The holding member 303 is a lens-side terminal holding portion for holding a plurality of terminal surfaces 303a to 303k, 303m provided on the interchangeable lens 100. The holding member 303 is fastened to the lens mount 301 with lens contact holding portion fastening screws 305a and 305b.

[0043] (Configuration of camera mount 201) Next, the configuration of the camera mount 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 6B.

[0044] 4A and 4B are diagrams of the camera mount 201 as viewed from the photographer's side (the rear side of the camera body 10) of the camera body 10. Fig. 5A is a diagram showing the camera body 10 in the normal position where the camera grip 204a of the camera body 10 is located on the left side as viewed from the subject side, which is a frequently used state when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 10.

[0045] FIG. 5B is a partially enlarged view of a cross section taken along the VB-VB line of the camera body 10 in the normal position with the interchangeable lens 100 attached. The VB-VB direction is a vertical direction that passes through the center of the camera mount 201. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the camera body 10 in a vertical position with the interchangeable lens 100 attached, in which the camera body 10 is held with the camera grip 204a on top (when viewing the camera mount 201 from the photographer's side, the lock pin 202 is located on the bottom), which is the second most common position after the normal position. FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view of a cross section taken along the VIB-VIB line of the camera body 10 in the normal position with the interchangeable lens 100 attached. The VIB-VIB direction is a vertical direction that passes through the center of the camera mount 201 and is perpendicular to the VB-VB direction.

[0046] 4A and 4B, camera mount 201 is provided with a plurality of camera claws as a plurality of first engagement portions (a plurality of first bayonet claws) having widths in the radial and circumferential directions of an opening of camera mount 201. The plurality of camera claws here refer to first camera claw (camera-side bayonet claw) 201a, second camera claw 201b, and third camera claw 201c.

[0047] 4A and 4B, the space between first camera claw 201a and second camera claw 201b is referred to as first camera cutout (first camera recess) 201d, the space between second camera claw 201b and third camera claw 201c is referred to as second camera cutout 201e, and the space between third camera claw 201c and first camera claw 201a is referred to as third camera cutout 201f.

[0048] Here, the ends of the first camera claw 201a are referred to as first end 201a1 and second end 201a2, the ends of the second camera claw 201b are referred to as third end 201b1 and fourth end 201b2, and the ends of the third camera claw 201c are referred to as fifth end 201c1 and sixth end 201c2.

[0049] Furthermore, the angle formed by the line connecting the center of the camera mount 201 to the first end 201a1 and the line connecting the center of the camera mount 201 to the second end 201a2 is defined as θa. The angle formed by the line connecting the center of the camera mount 201 to the third end 201b1 and the line connecting the center of the camera mount 201 to the fourth end 201b2 is defined as θb. The angle formed by the line connecting the center of the camera mount 201 to the fifth end 201c1 and the line connecting the center of the camera mount 201 to the sixth end 201c2 is defined as θc. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in this embodiment, θa = 48°, θb = 40°, and θc = 92°. θa, θb, and θc are the angles of the camera tabs in the circumferential direction, respectively.

[0050] Furthermore, when the angle formed by the line connecting the center of camera mount 201 to second end 201a2 and the line connecting the center of camera mount 201 to third end 201b1 is taken as the circumferential angle of first camera cutout 201d, this angle is 57° in this embodiment. Similarly, the circumferential angle of second camera cutout 201e is 66°, and the circumferential angle of third camera cutout 201f is 57°.

[0051] The line segment connecting the center of the camera mount 201 and the center of the lock pin 202 is defined as a reference line. The angle between the line connecting the center of the camera mount 201 and the first end 201a1 and the reference line and the angle between the line connecting the center of the camera mount 201 and the second end 201a2 and the reference line is defined as the arrangement angle range of the first camera claw 201a. In this case, the arrangement angle range of the first camera claw 201a is 169° to 217°. Similarly, the arrangement angle range of the second camera claw 201b is 274° to 314°, and the arrangement angle range of the third camera claw 201c is 20° to 112°.

[0052] Here, θa is divided into an angle θa1 above the upper center line 3002 and an angle θa2 below the upper center line 3002 by a center line 3002 that passes through the center of the lock pin 202 and the center of the camera mount 201. In this embodiment, the camera claws and camera notches are arranged so that the relationships θc≧θa+θb and θa1+θc>θa2+θb hold.

[0053] By adopting this configuration, it is possible to increase the strength of the camera tabs above the horizontal center line 3002 of the camera mount 201. Therefore, with the camera body 10 in the normal position with the interchangeable lens 100 attached, deformation of the camera tabs is suppressed when supporting the weight of the interchangeable lens 100, and tilting of the interchangeable lens 100 in the bowing direction can be reduced.

[0054] In this embodiment, the third camera claw 201c is disposed so that a center line 3003 passing through the center of the camera mount 201 passes through at least a part of the third camera claw 201c when the camera body 10 is in the normal position. The center line 3003 is a line that passes through the center of the camera mount 201 and is perpendicular to the center line 3002 that passes through the center of the lock pin 202 and the center of the camera mount 201.

[0055] The center line 3003 extends in a direction perpendicular to the central axis extending parallel to the optical axis 3000. In other words, the center line 3003 is a vertical line that intersects the central axis of the camera mount 201 at right angles and passes through the central axis of the camera mount 201 when the camera body 10 is placed on a horizontal plane.

[0056] 5B, in the normal position, this configuration makes it possible to reduce backlash Δ1 between the third lens claw 301f and the third camera claw 201c, which will be described later, in a direction parallel to the optical axis 3000. Therefore, with the camera body 10 and interchangeable lens 100 in the normal position, it is possible to reduce backlash of the interchangeable lens 100 relative to the camera body 10 in the direction of gravity (a direction perpendicular to the optical axis) when the camera mount 201 supports the weight of the interchangeable lens 100.

[0057] In addition, in this embodiment, the first camera claw portion 201a is positioned so that the center line 3002 passing through the center of the camera mount 201 when the camera body 10 is in the normal position passes through at least a portion of the first camera claw portion 201a.

[0058] 6B, this configuration makes it possible to reduce the backlash Δ2 between the first lens claw 301d and the first camera claw 201a in the direction parallel to the optical axis 3000 in the vertical position. Therefore, in the camera body 10 in the vertical position with the interchangeable lens 100 attached, it is possible to reduce the backlash of the interchangeable lens 100 in the direction of gravity relative to the camera body 10 that occurs when the camera mount 201 supports the weight of the interchangeable lens 100.

[0059] (Lens mount 301 configuration) Next, the configuration of the lens mount 301 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9A and 9B.

[0060] Figure 7 is a view from the photographer's side of the lens mount 301 of the interchangeable lens 100 when it is locked to the camera body 10 in the normal position (lock phase state) with the lock pin groove 301z positioned on the left side as viewed from the photographer's side.

[0061] The lens mount 301 is provided with first lens claws (lens-side bayonet claws) 301d, second lens claws 301e, and third lens claws 301f as a plurality of second engagement portions having widths in the radial and circumferential directions of an opening of the lens mount 301. The lens mount 301 is also provided with a circumferential positioning pin 301y that prevents the interchangeable lens 100 from rotating any further than a desired position when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 10. When the positioning pin 301y comes into contact with the fourth end 201b2, the interchangeable lens 100 will not rotate any further than the desired position.

[0062] 7, the space between the third lens claw 301f and the first lens claw 301d is referred to as the first lens cutout 301a, the space between the first lens claw 301d and the second lens claw 301e is referred to as the second lens cutout 301b, and the space between the second lens claw 301e and the third lens claw 301f is referred to as the third lens cutout 301c.

[0063] The ends of the first lens claw 301d are designated as first end 301d1 and second end 301d2, the ends of the second lens claw 301e are designated as third end 301e1 and fourth end 301e2, and the ends of the third lens claw 301f are designated as fifth end 301f1 and sixth end 301f2.

[0064] 7, the circumferential angle of the first lens claw 301e is 53°, the circumferential angle of the second lens claw 301d is 62°, and the circumferential angle of the third lens claw 301f is 53°. The circumferential angle of the first lens claw 301e here refers to the angle between a line connecting the center of the lens mount 301 to the first end 301d1 and a line connecting the center of the lens mount 301 to the second end 301d2. The circumferential angles of the second lens claw 301d and the third lens claw 301f can be defined in the same way as the circumferential angle of the first lens claw 301d.

[0065] Furthermore, if the angle formed by the line connecting the center of lens mount 301 to fifth end 301f1 and the line connecting the center of lens mount 301 to first end 301d1 is taken as the circumferential angle of first lens cutout 301a, this angle is 52° in this embodiment. Similarly, the circumferential angle of second lens cutout 301b is 44°, and the circumferential angle of third lens cutout 301c is 96°.

[0066] The line segment connecting the center of the lens mount 301 and the center of the lock pin groove 301z is defined as the reference line. The angle between the line connecting the center of the lens mount 301 and the first end 301d1 and the reference line to the angle between the line connecting the center of the lens mount 301 and the second end 301d2 and the reference line is defined as the arrangement angle range of the first lens claw 301d. In this case, the arrangement angle range of the first lens claw 301d is 159° to 212°. Similarly, the arrangement angle range of the second lens claw 301e is 256° to 318°, and the arrangement angle range of the third lens claw 301f is 54° to 107°.

[0067] Here, in the normal position, the center line 3005 is a line that passes through the center of the lens mount 301 and intersects perpendicularly with center line 3006 that passes through the center of lock pin groove 301z and the center of lens mount 301. Center line 3005 passes through at least a portion of second lens claw 301e and at least a portion of third lens claw 301f. This reduces the play Δ1 shown in FIG. 5B and the deformation of each lens claw that occurs when the interchangeable lens 100 tries to tip in the bowing direction. Center line 3005 is a perpendicular line that intersects perpendicularly with the center axis of lens mount 301 and passes through the center axis of lens mount 301 when the camera body 10 with the interchangeable lens 100 attached is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0068] In addition, the first lens claw 301d is positioned so that the center line 3006 passes through at least a part of the first lens claw 301d, thereby reducing the backlash △2 shown in Figure 6B described above and deformation of each lens claw due to the interchangeable lens 100 trying to fall in the bowing direction.

[0069] (Arrangement relationship between the camera mount 201 and the camera side terminal part) Next, the positional relationship between the camera mount 201 and the camera-side terminal portion will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0070] Fig. 8A is a diagram viewed from the subject side (the front side of camera body 10) showing the positional relationship between camera mount 201, multiple terminal pins 203a to 203k, 203m which are multiple camera-side terminal portions (first terminal portions), and holding member 203. Fig. 8B is a diagram viewed from diagonally above camera mount 201, terminal pins 203a to 203k, 203m, and holding member 203 on the subject side (the front side of camera body 10).

[0071] 8A, terminal pins 203a to 203k, 203m are arranged on the holding member 203 along a camera terminal pin arrangement line 3001. The terminal pins 203a to 203k, 203m are movable terminal portions that can advance and retreat in a direction parallel to the optical axis 3000, and are biased toward the interchangeable lens 100 by a spring (not shown).

[0072] The relationship between each terminal section and each terminal pin shown in the aforementioned FIG. 1B is as follows: terminal pin 203a is the camera-side VDD terminal section, terminal pin 203b is the camera-side VBAT terminal section, terminal pin 203c is the camera-side TYPE terminal section, terminal pin 203d is the camera-side PGND terminal section, and terminal pin 203e is the camera-side MIF terminal section. Terminal pin 203f is the camera-side DCL terminal section, terminal pin 203g is the camera-side DLC terminal section, terminal pin 203h is the camera-side LCLK terminal section, terminal pin 203i is the camera-side DLC2 terminal section, and terminal pin 203j is the camera-side DCA terminal section. Terminal pin 203k is the camera-side CS terminal section, and terminal pin 203m is the camera-side DGND terminal section.

[0073] 8B, the height of terminal pins 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d in the direction of optical axis 3000 is higher than the height of terminal pins 203e, 203f, 203g, 203h, 203i, 203j, 203k, and 203m in the direction of optical axis 3000. This is because holding member 203 has two surfaces with different heights in the direction of optical axis 3000, and terminal pins 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d are provided on the higher surface, and the remaining terminal pins are provided on the lower surface.

[0074] That is, in this embodiment, not all the terminal pins are provided on the same surface. By adopting such a configuration in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress wear on the terminals caused by the camera-side terminals sliding over the lens-side terminals when attaching the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 10. More specifically, when the interchangeable lens 100 is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position in order to attach the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 10, there is a period during which the terminal pins 203e to 203k, 203m do not come into contact with the lens-side terminals. This makes it possible to suppress wear on the terminals described above.

[0075] (Relationship between lens mount 301 and lens terminal) Next, the positional relationship between the lens mount 301 and the lens-side terminal portion will be described using Figures 9A and 9B. Figure 9A is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the lens mount 301, terminal surfaces 303a-303k, 303m, which are multiple lens-side terminal portions (second terminal portions), and holding member 303, as viewed from the photographer's side when the interchangeable lens 100 is in the locked phase state described above. Figure 9B is a diagram showing the lens mount 301, terminal surfaces 303a-303k, 303m, and holding member 303, as viewed from diagonally above, as viewed from the photographer's side, when the interchangeable lens 100 is in the locked phase state described above and the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 10.

[0076] 9A, holding member 303 has terminal surfaces 303a to 303k, 303m arranged on lens contact arrangement line 3004. The relationship between each terminal section and each terminal surface shown in Fig. 1B above is as follows: That is, terminal surface 303a is the lens side VDD terminal section, terminal surface 303b is the lens side VBAT terminal section, terminal surface 303c is the lens side TYPE terminal section, terminal surface 303d is the lens side PGND terminal section, and terminal surface 303e is the lens side MIF terminal section.

[0077] Terminal surface 303f is the lens side DCL terminal portion, terminal surface 303g is the lens side DLC terminal portion, terminal surface 303h is the lens side LCLK terminal portion, terminal surface 303i is the lens side DLC2 terminal portion, terminal surface 303j is the lens side DCA terminal portion, terminal surface 303k is the lens side CS terminal portion, and terminal surface 303m is the lens side DGND terminal portion.

[0078] 9B , the height of terminal surfaces 303a, 303b, 303c, and 303d in the direction of optical axis 3000 is lower than the height of terminal surfaces 303e, 303f, 303g, 303h, 303i, 303j, 303k, and 303m in the direction of optical axis 3000. This is because holding member 303 has two surfaces with different heights in the direction of optical axis 3000, with terminal surfaces 303a, 303b, 303c, and 303d provided on the lower surface and the remaining terminal surfaces provided on the higher surface. Compared to the configuration of the camera-side terminal portion described above, this configuration of the lens-side terminal portion can suppress wear on the terminal portions described above.

[0079] Reference numerals 303n and 303q are guide slopes for pushing the terminal pins toward the image sensor 11 when the interchangeable lens 100 is rotated to attach the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 10. By providing the guide slopes, the contact pressure between each terminal pin provided on the camera body 10 and the lens mount 301 changes gradually, thereby reducing deformation and wear of each terminal pin provided on the camera body 10.

[0080] (Mounting of the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 10) Next, the operation of attaching the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B.

[0081] Attaching a camera accessory such as the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 10 can be roughly divided into the first and second operations described below.

[0082] The first operation is to insert the interchangeable lens 100 into the camera body 10 by aligning the rotational positions of the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 to predetermined positions so that the lens tabs can fit into the camera cutouts. Then, the lens side diameter fitting portion 301x shown in FIG. 7B is radially fitted into the camera side diameter fitting portion 201x shown in FIG. 4C. The second operation is to rotate the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 relatively toward the locked position with the lens side diameter fitting portion 301x and the camera side diameter fitting portion 201x radially fitted into each other. Then, the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 are bayonet-coupled to each other.

[0083] 10A is a view from the camera mount 201 side (photographer side) of the insertion phase state (first state) when attaching the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 10 of this embodiment. The insertion phase state here refers to a state in which the first lens claw portion 301d is inserted into the first camera cutout portion 201d, the second lens claw portion 301e is inserted into the second camera cutout portion 201e, and the third lens claw portion 301f is inserted into the third camera cutout portion 201f. In this state, the lens side diameter fitting portion 301x and the camera side diameter fitting portion 201x are radially fitted together.

[0084] 10B is a view from the camera mount 201 side (photographer side) of the lock phase state (second state) when attaching the camera body 10 and interchangeable lens 100 of this embodiment. The lock phase state here refers to a state in which the interchangeable lens 100 has been rotated approximately 60° clockwise from the insertion phase state shown in FIG. 10A as viewed from the subject side of the interchangeable lens 100, causing the lens tabs and camera tabs to engage with each other.

[0085] More specifically, in the locked phase state, the first lens claw 301d is positioned on the image sensor 11 side of the first camera claw 201a, and the second lens claw 301e is positioned on the image sensor 11 side of the second camera claw 201b. Furthermore, the third lens claw 301f is positioned on the image sensor 11 side of the third camera claw 201c. In this state, the lens claws and camera claws are engaged with each other, and the lock pin 202 is inserted into the lock pin groove 301z, locking the rotation of the interchangeable lens 100. Furthermore, in the locked phase state, each lens claw is urged toward the image sensor 11 by the lens mount urging member 206. Instead of the lens mount biasing member 206, a leaf spring may be provided on each camera claw.

[0086] Furthermore, when the interchangeable lens 100 transitions from the insertion phase state to the lock phase state, the aforementioned guide slopes 303n and 303q press the terminal pins on the camera body 10 side toward the image sensor 11 side.

[0087] Then, while being pressed, each of these terminal pins on the camera body 10 comes into contact with the corresponding portion of the terminal surfaces 303a to 303k, 303m. Note that the first to come into contact is the terminal pin 203m and the terminal surface 303e.

[0088] (The positional relationship between the lens tab and the lens-side MIF terminal) 9A, in this embodiment, terminal surface 303e, which is the lens-side MIF terminal portion, is within angular range C in which second lens claw 301e is provided. Here, angular range C refers to the range between a half line extending from optical axis 3000 (the central axis of the optical device) and passing through third end 301e1 and a half line extending from optical axis 3000 and passing through fourth end 301e2, when viewed in the direction of optical axis 3000 (when viewed in the direction of the central axis of the optical device). Terminal surface 303e being within angular range C in which second lens claw 301e is provided can be rephrased as follows: When viewed in the direction of optical axis 3000, a half line extending from optical axis 3000 and passing through third end 301e1 is defined as a first line, and a half line extending from the end of optical axis 3000 and passing through fourth end 301e2 is defined as a second line. In other words, the terminal surface 303e is located in the area surrounded by the outer periphery of the lens side diameter fitting portion 301x and the first and second lines. Note that expressions using angle ranges D and E, which will be described later, can also be expressed in the same way as the angle range C above.

[0089] As described above, the MIF terminal section is a terminal section for detecting that the interchangeable lens 100 has been attached to the camera body 10. Furthermore, when the MIF terminal section detects that the interchangeable lens 100 has been attached to the camera body 10, power supply to the VDD terminal section and the VBAT terminal section begins, and communication begins between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100. For this reason, it is preferable that terminal pin 203e, which is the MIF terminal section on the camera side, and terminal surface 303e, which is the MIF terminal section on the lens side, are in stable contact with each other.

[0090] 9A, the camera-side MIF terminal portion, which determines whether or not the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 10, can make more stable contact with the lens-side MIF terminal portion. The camera-side MIF terminal portion and the lens-side MIF terminal portion make stable contact with each other, allowing communication between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 to begin stably. This also stably operates the communication protocol between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100, enabling high-speed communication.

[0091] In this way, according to this embodiment, communication between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 can be performed more stably. As a result, it is possible to improve the ease of use of the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 by further increasing the communication speed, and to provide the camera system with new functions by exchanging new information between the camera body 10 and the interchangeable lens 100.

[0092] Note that the aforementioned statement that terminal surface 303e, which is the lens-side MIF terminal portion, is within angle range C in which second lens claw 301e is provided can be rephrased as follows. That is, as shown in Fig. 9A, when viewed in the direction of the central axis of lens mount 301, a semi-linear line passing through terminal surface 303e, which is the lens-side MIF terminal portion, and the central axis of lens mount 301 passes through second lens claw 301e, which is the predetermined second bayonet claw. In other words, when viewed in the direction of the central axis of lens mount 301, a semi-linear line extending from the central axis of lens mount 301 and passing through terminal surface 303e, which is the lens-side MIF terminal portion, passes through second lens claw 301e, which is the predetermined second bayonet claw.

[0093] Furthermore, if the accessory is an interchangeable lens, the central axis of the lens mount 301 may be the optical axis of the interchangeable lens, or may be the central axis of the opening of the lens mount 301 .

[0094] 9A, in this embodiment, the lens-side terminal portions are provided at positions different from the lens-side bayonet claws. More specifically, the lens-side bayonet claws are located outside the opening of the lens mount 301, while the lens-side terminal portions are located inside this opening.

[0095] (The positional relationship between the lens tab and the lens communication terminal) In this embodiment, in addition to terminal surface 303e, which is the lens-side MIF terminal, the lens-side communication terminal is also located within angle range C where second lens tab 301e is provided. The lens-side communication terminals referred to here are terminal surfaces 303f, 303g, 303h, 303i, 303j, and 303k. As shown in FIG. 9A , in this embodiment, all of the lens-side communication terminals are located within angle range C where second lens tab 301e is provided. This configuration ensures that the lens-side communication terminal is located in or near the area where the camera tab and lens tab are bayonet-coupled to stabilize the interchangeable lens 100 when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 10. This allows for more stable communication between the interchangeable lens 100 and the camera body 10 during actual photography. Note that in this embodiment, all of the lens-side communication terminals are located within angle range C where second lens tab 301e is provided. However, for example, it is sufficient that more than half, more preferably more than 80% of the communication terminal portion on the lens side is within the angle range C in which the second lens claw portion 301e is provided.

[0096] Note that the above-mentioned "all of the lens-side communication terminals are within the angle range C in which the second lens tab 301e is provided" can be rephrased as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when viewed in the direction of the central axis of the lens mount 301, all of the multiple semi-linear lines passing through each of the multiple lens-side communication terminals and the central axis of the lens mount 301 pass through the second lens tab 301e, which is the predetermined second bayonet tab. In other words, when viewed in the direction of the central axis of the lens mount 301, all of the multiple semi-linear lines extending from the central axis of the lens mount 301 and passing through the multiple lens-side communication terminals pass through the second lens tab 301e, which is the predetermined second bayonet tab. In yet another way, all of the multiple semi-linear lines extending from the central axis of the lens mount 301 and passing through the multiple lens-side communication terminals pass through the second lens tab 301e, which is the predetermined second bayonet tab.

[0097] 9, in this embodiment, the circumferential length of holding member 303, which is the lens-side terminal holding portion, is longer than the bayonet claw portion of one lens. For this reason, it is not possible to place all of the lens-side terminal portions within angle range C. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, terminal surface 303e, which is the lens-side MIF terminal portion, which is particularly important, and all of the lens-side communication terminal portions are placed within angle range C as a priority.

[0098] (Positional relationship between the lens claw and the positioning pin 303p) Next, the positional relationship between the lens claw portion and the positioning pin (protrusion) 303p will be described with reference to FIG.

[0099] The positioning pin 303p is provided on the holding member 303 and extends radially outward from an opening of the lens mount 301. The position of the holding member 303 relative to the lens mount 301 is determined by inserting the positioning pin 303p into a hole 301h3 provided in the lens mount. With the positioning pin 303p inserted into the hole 301h3, the holding member 303 can be fixed to the lens mount 301 using holes 301h2 and 301h4 provided in the lens mount 301 and screws (not shown). The hole 301h1 is a hole into which the aforementioned positioning pin 301y is inserted to prevent the interchangeable lens 100 from rotating beyond a desired position. In this embodiment, each hole is a through hole; however, for example, the hole 301h3 may be a recess with a bottom rather than a through hole, as long as it engages with the positioning pin 303p.

[0100] As described above, in this embodiment, terminal surface 303e, which is the lens-side MIF terminal portion, is within angle range C in which second lens claw portion 301e is provided. In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , positioning pin 303p is also within angle range C in which second lens claw portion 301e is provided. With this configuration, when interchangeable lens 100 is attached to camera body 10, positioning pin 303p is located in or near an area where the camera claw portion and lens claw portion are bayonet-coupled to provide stability. This makes it possible to prevent the position of holding member 303 from shifting when external forces such as vibrations or impacts from being dropped are applied to interchangeable lens 100 or camera body 10 during actual photography.

[0101] The statement that the positioning pin 303p is also within the angle range C in which the second lens claw 301e is provided can be rephrased as follows: When viewed in the direction of the central axis of the lens mount 301, a half line passing through the positioning pin 303p and the central axis of the lens mount 301 passes through the second lens claw 301e, which is the predetermined second bayonet claw.

[0102] (Arrangement relationship between terminal surface 303e and positioning pin 303p) Furthermore, as described above, when the interchangeable lens 100 transitions from the insertion phase state to the lock phase state, the terminal pin and terminal surface that come into contact first are terminal pin 203m and terminal surface 303e. For this reason, it is preferable that terminal surface 303e be stable when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, terminal surface 303e is provided near positioning pin 303p in the circumferential direction of the lens mount 301. This allows for more stable contact between terminal surface 303e, which is the terminal surface that the terminal pin comes into contact with first, and the terminal pin when the interchangeable lens 100 transitions from the insertion phase state to the lock phase state.

[0103] Specifically, the terminal surface 303e being provided near the positioning pin 303p mentioned above means the following. That is, when the interchangeable lens 100 is in the normal position (with the lock pin groove 301z on the left side), the positioning pin 303p is provided within an angular range D between a line passing through the center of the terminal surface 303d and the optical axis 3000 and a line passing through the center of the terminal surface 303g and the optical axis 3000. Note that the terminal surface 303d is the terminal surface next to the terminal surface 303e in the counterclockwise direction from the terminal surface 303e, and the terminal surface 303g is the terminal surface two terminal surfaces away from the terminal surface 303e in the clockwise direction from the terminal surface 303e. Furthermore, it is preferable that the positioning pin 303p be located within an angular range E between a line passing through the center of the terminal surface 303e and the optical axis 3000 and a line passing through the center of the terminal surface 303g and the optical axis 3000.

[0104] The positional relationship between terminal surface 303e and positioning pin 303p can also be expressed as follows. That is, terminal surface 303e, which is the lens-side MIF terminal portion, is defined as the reference terminal portion, and the lens-side terminal portion closest to terminal surface 303e in a first direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 9A ) as viewed from terminal surface 303e among the multiple lens-side terminal portions is defined as the first adjacent terminal portion. In this embodiment, the first adjacent terminal portion is terminal surface 303d. Then, the lens-side terminal portion closest to terminal surface 303e in a second direction (clockwise in FIG. 9A ) opposite to the first direction as viewed from terminal surface 303e among the multiple lens-side terminal portions is defined as the second adjacent terminal portion. In this embodiment, the second adjacent terminal portion is terminal surface 303f. Among the multiple lens side terminal portions, the lens side terminal portion closest to the second adjacent terminal portion in the second direction is defined as the third adjacent terminal portion. In this embodiment, the third adjacent terminal portion is terminal surface 303g.

[0105] In this case, positioning pin 303p and hole 301h3 are within angle range D from terminal surface 303d to terminal surface 303g. It is more preferable that positioning pin 303p and hole 301h3 are within angle range E from terminal surface 303e to terminal surface 303g. Angular range D here is the range, when viewed from the direction of optical axis 3000, between a half line extending from optical axis 3000 and passing through the center of terminal surface 303d, and a half line extending from optical axis 3000 and passing through the center of terminal surface 303g. Angular range E can be defined in the same way as angle range D, using optical axis 3000, the center of terminal surface 303e, and the center of terminal surface 303g.

[0106] The above positional relationship can be restated as follows: When viewed in the direction of the central axis of the lens mount 301, the positioning pin 303p and the hole 301h3 are located within the region between a half line passing through the central axis of the lens mount 301 and the first adjacent terminal, and a half line passing through the central axis of the lens mount 301 and the third adjacent terminal.

[0107] When viewed in the direction of the central axis of the lens mount 301, the positioning pin 303p and the hole 301h3 are located within the area between the half line passing through the central axis of the lens mount 301 and the reference terminal portion, and the half line passing through the central axis of the lens mount 301 and the third adjacent terminal portion.

[0108] If the terminal surface is rectangular, the center of the terminal surface is the intersection of two diagonals of the terminal surface as viewed in the optical axis direction. If the terminal surface is rectangular or non-rectangular, such as circular, the center of gravity of the terminal surface as viewed in the optical axis direction may be the center of the terminal surface.

[0109] 9 and 11, in this embodiment, terminal surface 303c, which is the lens-side TYPE terminal portion, is not within angle range C. In other words, when viewed in the direction of the central axis of lens mount 301, a half line passing through terminal surface 303c, which is the lens-side TYPE terminal portion for determining the type of accessory attached to the camera, and the central axis of lens mount 301 passes through the notch between the multiple second bayonet claws. This configuration makes it easy to arrange the lens-side MIF terminal portion and lens-side communication terminal portion, which are used for determinations and communications that are more important than determining the type of accessory, within angle range C. If terminal surface 303c, which is the lens-side TYPE terminal portion, were within angle range C, it would be difficult to secure space for arranging the lens-side MIF terminal portion and lens-side communication terminal portion within angle range C, which is undesirable.

[0110] (Variation) Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0111] For example, in this embodiment, the configuration of the interchangeable lens 100 has been described using the interchangeable lens 100 as an example of the optical device, but the optical device of the present invention is not limited to the interchangeable lens 100. For example, an adapter that can be interposed between the interchangeable lens 100 and the camera body 10 may be considered the optical device (accessory) of the present invention, and the mount on the interchangeable lens 100 side of this adapter may be a mount with the same configuration as the interchangeable lens 100. In both the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter, the member to which the lens mount 301 is fixed by fastening screws (mount fixing members) 304a to 304d is considered the accessory body.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the configuration in which the holding member 303 has the positioning pin 303p and the lens mount 301 has the hole 301h3 has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the holding member 303 may have a hole (a through-hole or a recess) and the lens mount 301 may have a protrusion that engages with this hole. In other words, it is sufficient that one of the holding member 303 and the lens mount 301 has a protrusion and the other has a hole (a through-hole or a recess).

[0113] Furthermore, each of the three bayonet claws provided on each mount in the above-described embodiment may be further divided. That is, one bayonet claw may be formed as a collection of multiple bayonet claws (a bayonet claw group). For example, this would be the case if a groove were provided in one bayonet claw. In this case, the angular range of the bayonet claw group arranged in the circumferential direction of each mount is the same as in the above-described embodiment.

[0114] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a device equipped with either a camera mount or an accessory mount is actually rotated relative to a device equipped with the other mount, thereby bayonet-coupling the two devices, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the camera mount and the accessory mount are rotated relative to each other may be adopted, thereby enabling bayonet-coupling between the camera mount and the accessory mount. This will be explained in detail below.

[0115] Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting mechanism 5000 according to a modified example of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mounting mechanism 5000 according to a modified example of the present invention in an uncoupled state. Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mounting mechanism 5000 according to a modified example of the present invention in a coupled state. For the sake of explanation, Figs. 12 to 14 simultaneously illustrate a movable mounting section 5010 of the mounting mechanism 5000 and a lens mount 301 that can be bayonet-coupled to the movable mounting section 5010 of the mounting mechanism 5000. Furthermore, explanations for the same members as those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted and the same reference numerals will be used.

[0116] 12 , the mount mechanism 5000 of this modified example has an operating unit 5030, a fixed mount unit 5020, a movable mount unit 5010, and a contact holding member 203 arranged in this order from the side where the lens mount 301 is attached, with the optical axis 3000 as the central axis. The operating member 5030 is a ring-shaped operating means that can rotate around the central axis, and is fixed to the movable mount unit 5010 by arms 5040 and screws. In this modified example, the operating unit 5030 and the movable mount unit 5010 are fixed at a total of two locations using two arms 5040 that are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the two central axes. With this configuration, when the operating member 5030 is rotated, the movable mount unit 5010 also rotates integrally around the central axis.

[0117] The movable mount section 5010 is provided with movable mount claws 5011a, 5011b, and 5011c that can be bayonet-coupled to the bayonet claws 301a to 301c provided on the lens mount 301. The movable mount section 5010 is also provided with a threaded section 5012 that is threaded around the central axis, and as the movable mount section 5010 rotates around the central axis, the state of engagement with a threaded section 5022 of a fixed mount section 5020, which will be described later, changes.

[0118] The fixed mount unit 5020 is provided with a camera mount surface 5021 that abuts against the mount surface of the lens mount 301, and a screw portion 5022 that screws into the screw portion 5012 of the movable mount unit 5010. Unlike the movable mount unit 5010 described above, the fixed mount unit 5020 does not rotate around its central axis in response to the rotation operation of the operation unit 5030.

[0119] Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 , a bayonet coupling method for the mount mechanism according to this modification will be described. The bayonet claws on the lens mount 301 are inserted through the openings of the operating unit 5030 and the fixed mount unit 5020, allowing them to engage with the movable mount claws 5011a-c of the movable mount 5010. The state shown in FIG. 13 is when the operating member 5030 is in the unlocked position. In this state, the lens mount surface of the lens mount 301 and the camera mount surface 5021 of the fixed mount unit 5020 abut against each other, but the claws of the lens mount 301 and the movable mount unit 5010 do not engage with or overlap each other when viewed from the central axis direction. FIG. 13C shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIIIC-XIIIC shown in FIG. 13B. FIG. 14 illustrates the mount mechanism 5000 when the operating unit 5030 is rotated from this state.

[0120] The state shown in FIG. 14 is a state in which the operating member 5030 is in the locked position. In this state, the claws of the lens mount 301 and the movable mount 5010 overlap each other as viewed in the central axis direction, thereby engaging with each other in the central axis direction. In this state, as the operating member 5030 is rotated, the engagement state between the threaded portion 5022 of the fixed mount member 5020 and the threaded portion of the movable mount member 5010 changes, and the movable mount member 5010 moves toward the imaging device in the central axis direction. FIG. 14C shows a cross-sectional view of the XIVC-XIVC section shown in FIG. 14B. As shown in FIGS. 13C and 14C, as the mounting mechanism 5000 changes from an unlocked state to a locked state, the movable mount member 5010 moves in the central axis direction away from the fixed mount member 5020. With this configuration, each of the movable mount claws 5011a to 5011c engaged with the bayonet claws on the lens mount 301 side moves toward the imaging device side.

[0121] As described above, in mount mechanism 5000 of this modified example, the movable mount, which has claws that can engage with claws on the lens mount, rotates around its central axis, allowing the movable mount to move in the direction of the central axis relative to the fixed mount. With this configuration, mount mechanism 5000 of this modified example can reduce the occurrence of gaps (backlash) that occur between the lens mount and the camera mount when they are connected.

[0122] In the above-described modified example, the mounting mechanism 5000 is provided on the imaging device side, but the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the mounting mechanism 5000 is provided on the camera accessory side, such as an interchangeable lens.

[0123] As mentioned above, for example, in this embodiment, the configuration of the interchangeable lens 100 has been described using the interchangeable lens 100 as an example of an optical device, but the optical device in the present invention is not limited to the interchangeable lens 100. For example, an adapter that can be interposed between the interchangeable lens 100 and the camera body 10 may also be considered an optical device (accessory) in the present invention. This adapter will be described in more detail below.

[0124] First, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the basic configuration of a conversion adapter (adapter device), which is a camera accessory that can be attached to the camera mount 201 of the camera body 10, will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a first conversion adapter 40 and a second interchangeable lens 50 that can be attached to the camera body 10. FIG. 15A shows an external perspective view of the camera body 10 with the second interchangeable lens 50 attached via the first conversion adapter 40. FIG. 15B shows an external perspective view of the camera body 10 with the first conversion adapter 40 and the second interchangeable lens 50 removed. Note that the second interchangeable lens (hereinafter referred to as the second lens) 50 has a lens mount 501 with a short flange back but the same mount diameter as the camera mount 201. In other words, the second lens 50 has the same mount diameter as the first lens 100 described above, but unlike the first lens 100, it is a camera accessory that is not compatible with direct attachment to the camera body 10.

[0125] Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating a second conversion adapter 70 and a first lens 100 that can be attached to a camera body 60. Figure 16A shows an external perspective view of the camera body 60 with the first lens 100 attached via the second conversion adapter 70, and Figure 16B shows an external perspective view of the camera body 60 with the second conversion adapter 70 and first lens 100 removed.

[0126] Here, if an interchangeable lens with a long flange focal length is directly attached to an imaging device with a short flange focal length, problems such as an inability to focus at the correct position will occur, and capturing an image of a subject in this state will result in an unnatural image. For example, the above-mentioned problem will occur when the second lens 50 with a long flange focal length is attached to the above-mentioned camera body 10.

[0127] Similarly, if an interchangeable lens with a short flange focal length is directly attached to an imaging device with a long flange focal length, problems such as an inability to focus at the correct position will occur, and capturing an image of the subject in this state will result in an unnatural image. For example, the above-mentioned problem will occur if a first lens 100 with a short flange focal length is attached to a camera body 60 as a second imaging device with a longer flange focal length than the camera body 10 described above.

[0128] In particular, because the camera body 10, the camera body 60, the first lens 100, and the second lens 50 have the same mount diameter, it is difficult for the user to determine from the appearance of both which imaging device and interchangeable lens have a flange focal distance that is compatible with direct attachment.

[0129] Therefore, it is preferable that only compatible interchangeable lenses can be directly connected to a specific imaging device, so that an imaging device and an interchangeable lens having incompatible flange focal lengths are not mistakenly directly attached.

[0130] Furthermore, when an incompatible interchangeable lens is attached to an imaging device, a conversion adapter must be used between the two to adjust the flange focal distance. However, if an interchangeable lens compatible with direct connection to the imaging device is mistakenly attached to the other side of the conversion adapter while the imaging device is attached to one side of the conversion adapter, there is a risk of inaccurate focusing, as mentioned above. Therefore, it is desirable to have a configuration that limits the imaging devices and camera accessories that can be attached to one side and the other side of the conversion adapter, respectively.

[0131] Specifically, when an interchangeable lens with a long flange back is attached to an imaging device with a short flange back, a conversion adapter with one end that can be attached only to the imaging device and the other end that can be attached only to the interchangeable lens is preferred.Furthermore, when an interchangeable lens with a short flange back is attached to an imaging device with a long flange back, a conversion adapter with one end that can be attached only to the imaging device and the other end that can be attached only to the interchangeable lens is preferred.

[0132] A lens mount 1301 is attached to the adapter barrel 40a with a fastening screw (not shown) at one end in the optical axis direction of the first conversion adapter 40. This lens mount 1301 is an accessory mount that can be attached to and detached from the camera mount 201 provided on the camera body 10 described above.

[0133] Furthermore, at the other end side in the optical axis direction of the first conversion adaptor 40, a camera mount 1401 is attached to the adaptor barrel 40a with a fastening screw (not shown). This camera mount 1401 is a camera mount that can be attached to and detached from the lens mount 501 of the second lens 50. The camera mount 1401 of the first conversion adapter 40 is attached so that the imaging surface of the imaging sensor 11 of the camera body 10 is positioned at a position corresponding to the flange focal distance of the second lens 50.

[0134] A lens mount 1501 is attached to the adapter barrel 70a with a fastening screw (not shown) at one end in the optical axis direction of the second conversion adapter 70. This lens mount 1501 is an accessory mount that can be attached to and detached from the camera mount 401 provided on the camera body 60.

[0135] Furthermore, a camera mount 1201 is attached to the adapter barrel 70a with a fastening screw (not shown) on the other end in the optical axis direction of the second conversion adapter 70. As described above, this camera mount 1201 is a camera mount to which the lens mount 301 of the first lens 100 can be attached and detached.

[0136] The second conversion adapter 70 is provided with a first optical member 701a and a second optical member 701b between the adapter barrel 70a and the lens mount 1501 in the optical axis direction. The first optical member 701a and the second optical member 701b enable the second conversion adapter 70 to extend the flange focal length of the first lens 100 to match the imaging surface of the imaging sensor disposed in the camera body 60. For convenience, the optical members are two lenses, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0137] Next, with reference to FIGS. 17 to 21, the angles (phases) at which the bayonet claws are arranged in the circumferential direction of the camera mount and lens mount of the first conversion adapter 40 will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws in the camera mount 1401 provided at one end of the first conversion adapter 40. FIG. 17A is a diagram illustrating the angular range occupied by the camera claws and camera cutouts relative to the lock pin 1401z in the circumferential direction of the camera mount 1401 as viewed from the rear side (camera body 10 side). FIG. 17B is a diagram illustrating the angular range occupied by the multiple camera claws 1401a to 1401c in the circumferential direction of the camera mount 1401 as viewed from the rear side (camera body 10 side). FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view taken along the XVIIC-XVIIC cross section illustrated in FIG. 17B.

[0138] The first conversion adapter 40 is a mount adapter used to attach the second lens 50, which has a long flange back, to the camera body 10, which has a short flange back. Therefore, the first conversion adapter 40 is desirably configured so that the lens mount 1301 cannot be directly attached to the camera body 60, which has a long flange back, and the first lens 100, which has a short flange back, cannot be directly attached to the camera mount 1401. This configuration satisfies the positional relationship of the tabs and notches that prevents the lens mount 1301 provided on one end (first end) of the first conversion adapter 40 from being directly attached to the camera mount 1401 provided on the other end (second end).

[0139] The camera mount 1401 is provided with a first camera claw 1401a, a second camera claw 1401b, and a third camera claw 1401c in this order in the circumferential direction (inner diameter direction). When the camera mount 1401 is viewed from the rear side as shown in Fig. 17A, the camera claw provided at the position farthest from the lock pin 1401z is the first camera claw 1401a. Then, the second camera claw 1401b and the third camera claw 1401c are provided in this order clockwise from the first camera claw 1401a.

[0140] Furthermore, camera mount 1401 is provided with first camera notch 1401d, second camera notch 1401e, and third camera notch 1401f in this order in the circumferential direction (inner diameter direction). When camera mount 1401 is viewed from the rear side as shown in Fig. 17A, the notch provided closest to lock pin 1401z is second camera notch 1401e. Then, third camera notch 1401f and first camera notch 1401d are provided in this order clockwise from second camera notch 1401e.

[0141] 17C, a fitting portion 1401x is provided in the circumferential direction on the camera mount 1401 side to restrict movement of the camera accessory in a direction parallel to the optical axis when the camera accessory is attached. In this embodiment, the diameter of the fitting portion 1401x on the camera mount 1401 side in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis is defined as the mount diameter.

[0142] The method of bayonet coupling between the first conversion adapter 40 and the second lens 50 is substantially the same as the method of bayonet coupling between the camera body 10 and the first lens 100 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0143] For ease of explanation, the circumferential ends of camera claws 1401a, 1401b, and 1401c are referred to as first end 1401a1, second end 1401a2, third end 1401b1, fourth end 1401b2, fifth end 1401c1, and sixth end 1401c2. As described above, when the camera mount 1401 is viewed from the rear side, the ends are assigned part numbers in clockwise order starting from the first camera claw 1401a.

[0144] 17A, in the first conversion adaptor 40 of this embodiment, the angles (angle ranges) of the camera tabs and camera notches in the circumferential direction of the camera mount 1401 are defined as follows: the angle θA1 of the first camera tab 1401a is 56°, the angle θA2 of the second camera tab 1401b is 62°, and the angle θA3 of the third camera tab 1401c is 62°. The angle of the first camera notch 1401d is 57°, the angle of the second camera notch 1401e is 66°, and the angle of the third camera notch 1401f is 57°. That is, the camera mount 1401 has different angles of the camera tabs than the camera mount 201 of the camera body 10 described above, but the angles of the camera notches are the same.

[0145] Furthermore, when the camera claws of the first conversion adapter 40 are viewed from the rear side, the clockwise angles of the camera claws in the circumferential direction of the camera mount 1401, based on the position of the lock pin 1401z (referred to as the reference position) at which each camera claw is disposed, are defined as follows: The first camera claw 1401a is positioned between 159° and 215° from the reference position; the second camera claw 1401b is positioned between 272° and 334° from the reference position; and the third camera claw 1401c is positioned between 40° and 102° from the reference position.

[0146] Next, Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws in the lens mount 1301 provided on the other end of the first conversion adapter 40. Fig. 18A is a diagram illustrating the angular range occupied by the lens claws and lens cutouts relative to the lock pin 1301z in the circumferential direction of the lens mount 1301 as viewed from the rear side. Fig. 18B is a diagram illustrating the angular range occupied by the multiple lens cutouts 1301a to 1301c in the circumferential direction of the lens mount 1301 as viewed from the rear side.

[0147] 18B, the angle (angle range) that each lens cutout occupies in the circumferential direction of lens mount 1301 is θA4 for first lens cutout 1301a and θA5 for second lens cutout 1301b. Note that the installation angles of each tab and cutout in lens mount 1301 of first conversion adapter 40 are the same as those of lens mount 301 of first lens 100 described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0148] The angles in the circumferential direction of the claws and notches of lens mount 1301 and camera mount 1401 provided on first conversion adapter 40 are compared. For example, on the lens mount 1301 side, angle θA5 of second lens notch 1301b having the smallest angle is 44°, while on the camera mount 1401 side, angle θA1 of first camera claw 1401a having the smallest angle is 56°. In other words, the claw on the camera mount 1401 side having the smallest angle is larger than the notch on the lens mount 1301 side having the smallest angle (θA5<θA1). In this case, of the notch on the lens mount 1301 side and the claw on the camera mount 1401 side, at least one lens notch and one camera claw interfere with each other. Therefore, even if you try to attach an interchangeable lens to the camera body so that the optical axes of the camera mount 1401 and the lens mount 1301 are approximately parallel, the claw portion and the notch portion will interfere with each other, making it impossible to attach the interchangeable lens to the camera body.

[0149] However, even if only one claw portion and one notch portion interfere with each other, there are cases where each claw on the camera mount side can be inserted into each notch portion on the lens mount side. Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for attaching a predetermined image capture device 1000 having claw portions and notches that interfere with each other to a predetermined interchangeable lens 2000. Fig. 19A is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of a predetermined image capture device having claw portions and notches that interfere with each other, during the process of attaching a predetermined interchangeable lens to the predetermined image capture device. Fig. 19B is a cross-sectional view taken along the XIXB-XIXB line illustrated in Fig. 19A.

[0150] 19A and 19B, with the optical axis of the lens mount tilted diagonally relative to the optical axis of the camera mount, one end of the camera tab is inserted into the lens notch, and the lens mount and camera mount are then rotated relative to each other. In this case, even if the camera tab and lens notch would normally interfere with each other, the interference can be resolved during the relative rotation of the lens mount and the camera mount, allowing the camera tab to transition to a state where it is inserted into the lens notch. In this case, as long as other camera tabs and lens notches do not interfere with each other, an interchangeable lens can be attached to the camera body.

[0151] Therefore, in this embodiment, the claws and notches on the lens mount 1301 side and the camera mount 1401 side are arranged so that the angle of a specific lens notch adjacent to a reference lens claw is smaller than the angle of two camera claws adjacent to a reference camera notch.

[0152] Specifically, in this embodiment, angles θA4 and θA5 between the first lens notch 1301a adjacent to the first lens tab 1301d and the second lens recess 1301b are smaller than angles θA1 and θA2 between the first camera tab 1401a adjacent to the first camera notch 1401d and the second tab 1401b. That is, θA4 (52°) is smaller than θA1 (56°), and θA5 (44°) is smaller than θA2 (62°) (θA4<θA1, θA5<θA2).

[0153] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, even if an attempt is made to insert the first lens claw portion 1301d into the first camera notch portion 1401d, the second lens claw portion 1301e will definitely interfere with the second camera claw portion 1401b, and the third lens claw 1301f will definitely interfere with the first camera claw portion 1401a.

[0154] Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of interference between the claws when attempting to attach the lens mount 1301 to the camera mount 1401 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 20A shows interference between the third lens claw 1301f and the first camera claw 1401a, and Fig. 20B shows interference between the second lens claw 1301e and the second camera claw 1401b.

[0155] As described above, in this embodiment, the mount sections of the incompatible interchangeable lens, the imaging device, and the conversion adapter are configured so that two of the claws on each mount section of the incompatible interchangeable lens and the imaging device interfere with each other. This configuration reduces the risk of an incompatible interchangeable lens being mistakenly attached to the imaging device, or of an incompatible interchangeable lens and imaging device being mistakenly attached to the mount sections provided on both ends of the conversion adapter.

[0156] However, even if the above conditions are met, for example, when trying to insert three claws into incompatible notches, depending on the angle of each claw and the notch, two claws may end up being inserted into the notch.

[0157] Therefore, in this embodiment, the angles of at least two adjacent lens cutouts are configured to be smaller than the angles of all of the camera tabs. Specifically, in this embodiment, the angles θA4 and θA5 in the circumferential direction between the first lens cutout 1301a and the second lens cutout 1301b are smaller than the angles θA1 to θA3 in the circumferential direction between the first to third camera tabs 1401a to 1401c. That is, in this embodiment, the relationships between the tabs and notches on the lens mount 1301 side and the camera mount 1401 side satisfy θA4<θA1, θA4<θA2, θA4<θA3, θA5<θA1, θA5<θA2, and θA5<θA3.

[0158] 21A and 21B are diagrams illustrating an example of inserting incompatible claws into cutouts on the lens mount 1301 side and the camera mount 1401 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 21A shows interference between the third lens claw 1301f and the third camera claw 1401c when inserting the first lens claw 1301d into the third camera cutout 1401f. Fig. 21B shows interference between the second lens claw 1301e and the first camera claw 1401a when inserting the first lens claw 1301d into the third camera cutout 1401f. Fig. 21C shows interference between the third lens claw 1301f and the second camera claw 1401b when inserting the first lens claw 1301d into the second camera cutout 1401e. FIG. 21D shows how the second lens claw 1301e and the third camera claw 1401c interfere with each other when the first lens claw 1301d is inserted into the second camera cutout 1401e.

[0159] As shown in FIGS. 21A to 21D, in this embodiment, regardless of the relative rotation angle between the lens mount 1301 and the camera mount 1401, the lens claws and the camera claws interfere with each other at least in two places.

[0160] This configuration more effectively prevents an interchangeable lens and conversion adapter equipped with the lens mount 301 (1301) from being mistakenly attached to an imaging device and conversion adapter equipped with the camera mount 401 (1401).

[0161] Next, with reference to FIGS. 22 to 26, the angle (phase) at which the bayonet claws are arranged in the circumferential direction of the camera mount and lens mount of second conversion adaptor 70 will be described.

[0162] The second conversion adapter 70 is a mount adapter used to attach the first lens 100, which has a short flange back, to the camera body 60, which has a long flange back. A lens mount 1501 is provided on one end (third end) of the second conversion adapter 70, and a camera mount 1201 is provided on the other end (fourth end). The camera mount 201 of the second conversion adapter 70 has the same configuration as the camera mount 1201 of the camera body 10, which is the first imaging device described above. The lens mount 1501 of the second conversion adapter 70 has the same configuration as the lens mount 501 of the second lens 50 described above.

[0163] Therefore, it is desirable for the second conversion adapter 70 to be configured so that the camera body 10 with a short flange back cannot be directly attached to the lens mount 1501, and the second lens 50 with a long flange back cannot be directly attached to the camera mount 1201. This configuration can be realized by satisfying a positional relationship between the tabs and notches such that the lens mount 1501 provided on one end (third end) of the second conversion adapter 70 and the camera mount 1201 provided on the other end (fourth end) cannot be directly attached to each other.

[0164] Fig. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws in the camera mount 1201 provided at one end of the second conversion adapter 70. Fig. 22A is a diagram illustrating the angular range occupied by the camera claws and camera cutouts relative to the lock pin 1202 in the circumferential direction of the camera mount 1201 as viewed from the rear side. Fig. 22B is a diagram illustrating the angular range in which each claw is provided for the multiple camera claws 1201a to 1201c in the circumferential direction of the camera mount 1201 as viewed from the rear side. Note that the installation angles of the claws and cutouts in the camera mount 1201 of the second conversion adapter 70 are similar to those of the camera mount 201 of the camera body 10 described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0165] As shown in Figure 22B, in the circumferential direction of the camera mount 1201, the angle from the sixth end 11201c2 of the third camera claw portion 1201c to the third end 1201b1 of the second camera claw portion 1201b, including the first camera claw portion 201a, is θA6 (162°). In addition, in the circumferential direction of the camera mount 1201, the angle from the second end 1201a2 of the first camera claw 1201a to the fifth end 1201c1 of the third camera claw 1201c, including the second camera claw 1201b, is defined as θA7 (163°). In addition, in the circumferential direction of the camera mount 1201, the angle from the fourth end 1201b2 of the second camera claw 1201b to the first end 1201a1 of the first camera claw 1201a, including the third camera claw 1201c, is defined as θA8 (215°).

[0166] Next, Fig. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation angle of the bayonet claws in the lens mount 1501 provided at the other end of the second conversion adapter 70. Fig. 23A is a diagram illustrating the angular range occupied by the lens claws and lens cutouts relative to the lock pin 1501z in the circumferential direction of the lens mount 1501 as viewed from the rear side. Fig. 23B is a diagram illustrating the angular range in which each of the multiple lens cutouts 1501a to 1501c is provided in the circumferential direction of the lens mount 1501 as viewed from the rear side. Fig. 23C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIIIC-XXIIIC in Fig. 23B.

[0167] Lens mount 1501 is provided with first lens claw 1501d, second lens claw 1501e, and third lens claw 1501f in this order in the circumferential direction (inner diameter direction). When lens mount 1501 is viewed from the rear side as shown in Fig. 23A, the lens claw provided at the position farthest from recess 1501z into which the lock pin is inserted is first lens claw 1501d. Then, second lens claw 1501e and third lens claw 1501f are provided in this order clockwise from first lens claw 1501d.

[0168] Furthermore, a first lens cutout 1501a, a second lens cutout 1501b, and a third lens cutout 1501c are provided in this order in the circumferential direction (inner diameter direction) of the lens mount 1501. When the lens mount 1501 is viewed from the rear side as shown in Fig. 23A, the cutout provided closest to the recess 1501z is the third lens cutout 1501c. Then, the first lens cutout 1501a and the second lens cutout 1501b are provided in this order clockwise from the third lens cutout 1501c.

[0169] For ease of explanation, the circumferential ends of lens claws 1501d, 1501e, and 1501f are referred to as first end 1501d1, second end 1501d2, third end 1501e1, fourth end 1501e2, fifth end 1501f1, and sixth end 1501f2. As described above, when viewing the lens mount 1501 from the rear side, the ends are assigned part numbers in clockwise order starting from the first lens claw 1501d.

[0170] 23A, in this embodiment, the angles (angle ranges) of each lens claw and each lens cutout in the circumferential direction of lens mount 1501 are defined as follows: The angle of first lens claw 1501d is 53°, the angle of second lens claw 1501e is 62°, and the angle of third lens claw 1501f is 53°. In other words, the angles of each lens claw on the lens mount 1501 side are the same as the angles of the lens claws on the lens mount 301 side described above.

[0171] In contrast, the angles of the lens cutouts on the lens mount 1501 side are different from the angles of the lens cutouts on the aforementioned lens mount 1301 side. Specifically, the angle of the first lens cutout 1501a is 60°, the angle of the second lens cutout 1501b is 66°, and the angle of the third lens cutout 1501c is 66°.

[0172] When viewing the lens tabs from the rear side, the clockwise angles of the lens tabs relative to the position (referred to as the reference position) of the recess 501z where each lens tab is located in the circumferential direction of the lens mount 1501 are defined as follows: The first lens tab 1501d is positioned between 157° and 210° from the reference position; the second lens tab 1501e is positioned between 276° and 338° from the reference position; and the third lens tab 1501f is positioned between 44° and 97° from the reference position.

[0173] 23C, a fitting portion 1501x is provided in the circumferential direction on the lens mount 1501 side to restrict movement in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging device when the lens mount 1501 is attached to the imaging device. In this embodiment, the diameter of the fitting portion 1501x on the camera mount 1201 side in a direction parallel to the optical axis is defined as the mount diameter. The mount diameters of the camera mounts and lens mounts described above are assumed to be approximately the same length.

[0174] 23B, the angle from the fifth end 1501f1 of the third lens claw 1501f to the second end 1501d2 of the first lens claw 5101d, including the first lens cutout 1501a, in the circumferential direction of the lens mount 1501 is defined as θA9 (166°). The angle from the first end 1501d1 of the first lens claw 1501d to the fourth end 1501e2 of the second lens claw 1501e, including the second lens cutout 1501b, in the circumferential direction of the lens mount 1501 is defined as θA10 (181°). In addition, in the circumferential direction of the lens mount 5101, the angle from the third end 1501e1 of the second lens claw portion 1501e to the sixth end 1501f2 of the third lens claw portion 1501f, including the third lens cutout portion 1501c, is defined as θA11 (181°).

[0175] The angles in the circumferential direction of the claws and notches of camera mount 1201 and lens mount 1501 provided on second conversion adapter 70 are compared. For example, the angle (92°) of third camera claw 1201c on the camera mount 1201 side is larger than the angle (66°) of second and third lens notches 1501b and 501c, which have the largest angles among the lens notches on the lens mount 1501 side. In other words, the angle of at least one camera claw on the camera mount 1201 side is larger than the angle of the lens notch on the lens mount 1501 side which has the largest angle.

[0176] In this case, at least one of the claws on the camera mount 2101 side and the notches on the lens mount 1501 side interfere with each other. Therefore, even if you try to attach an interchangeable lens to the camera body so that the optical axes on the camera mount 1201 side and the lens mount 1501 side are approximately parallel, the claws and the notches interfere with each other, making it impossible to attach the interchangeable lens to the camera body.

[0177] However, as explained above with respect to the first conversion adapter 40, there are cases where the claws on the camera mount side can be inserted into the notches on the lens mount side even if only one claw and one notch interfere with each other. For example, there are cases where an interchangeable lens can be attached to the camera body by inserting one end of the camera claw into the lens notch with the optical axis of the lens mount obliquely tilted relative to the optical axis of the camera mount, and then rotating the lens mount and the camera mount relative to each other.

[0178] Therefore, in this embodiment, the claws and notches on the camera mount 1201 side and the lens mount 1501 side are arranged in the circumferential direction so as to satisfy θA6<θA9 and θA7<θA10. Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the claws interfere with each other when attempting to attach the reference claw on the lens mount 1501 side to the reference notch on the camera mount 1201 side according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 24A shows how the third lens claw 1501f and the third camera claw 1201c interfere with each other, and Fig. 24B shows how the second lens claw 1501e and the third camera claw 1201c interfere with each other.

[0179] As shown in Figures 24A and 24B, for example, when attempting to insert the reference first lens claw portion 1501d into the reference camera notch portion 1201d, the third camera claw portion 1201c interferes with the second and third lens claw portions 1501e and 501f.

[0180] That is, when viewed from the rear side, the sum of the angles between a reference lens claw, its adjacent clockwise lens claw, and the lens notches located between them is defined as the first angle. When viewed from the rear side, the sum of the angles between a reference camera notch, its adjacent clockwise camera notch, and the camera notches located between them is defined as the second angle. When viewed from the rear side, the sum of the angles between a reference lens notch, its adjacent counterclockwise lens claw, and the lens notches located between them is defined as the third angle. When viewed from the rear side, the sum of the angles between a reference camera notch, its adjacent counterclockwise camera notch, and the camera notches located between them is defined as the fourth angle. In this embodiment, the claws and notches on the camera mount 1201 side and the lens mount 1501 side are arranged so that the first angle is greater than the second angle and the third angle is greater than the fourth angle.

[0181] With this configuration, at least two lens claws and one camera claw interfere with each other. Therefore, the risk of an incompatible interchangeable lens being mistakenly attached to an imaging device, or an interchangeable lens and imaging device being mistakenly attached that are incompatible with the mount sections provided on both ends of the conversion adapter, can be reduced.

[0182] However, even if the above conditions are met, for example, when trying to insert three claws into incompatible notches, depending on the angle of each claw, two claws may end up being inserted into the notch.

[0183] Therefore, in this embodiment, the claws and notches on the camera mount 1201 side and the lens mount 1501 side are arranged in the circumferential direction to satisfy θA6<θA9, θA6<θA10, θA6<θA11, and θA7<θA9, θA7<θA10, θA7<θA11. That is, the sum of the two claws other than the reference lens claw and the lens notch located therebetween, as viewed from the rear side, is defined as the fifth angle. In this embodiment, the claws and notches on the camera mount 1201 side and the lens mount 1501 side may be arranged so that the second angle and the fourth angle are smaller than the first angle, the third angle, and the fifth angle.

[0184] 25A and 25B are diagrams illustrating an example of interference between claws when attempting to attach a non-reference claw on the lens mount 1501 to a reference notch on the camera mount 1201 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 25A shows interference between the first lens claw 1501d and the third camera claw 1201c when attempting to insert the second lens claw 1501e into the first camera notch 1201d. Fig. 25B shows interference between the third lens claw 1501c and the third camera claw 1201c when attempting to insert the second lens claw 1501e into the first camera notch 1201d. Fig. 25C shows interference between the second lens claw 1501e and the third camera claw 1201c when attempting to insert the third lens claw 1501f into the first camera notch 1201d, and Fig. 25D shows interference between the first lens claw 1501d and the third camera claw 1201c when attempting to insert the third lens claw 1501f into the first camera notch 1201d.

[0185] 25A to 25D, in this embodiment, at least two lens claws interfere with one camera claw, regardless of the relative rotation angle between lens mount 1501 and camera mount 1201. This configuration more effectively prevents an interchangeable lens and conversion adapter equipped with lens mount 501 (1501) from being erroneously attached to an imaging device and conversion adapter equipped with camera mount 201 (1201).

[0186] 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the claws provided on the camera mount 401 and the lens mount 501 according to an embodiment of the present invention are engaged with each other. As shown in FIG. 26, the first lens claw 501d can be inserted into the first camera notch 401d. The second lens claw 501e can be inserted into the second camera notch 401e. Furthermore, the third lens claw portion 501f can be inserted into the third camera cutout portion 401f. That is, the camera mount 401 side and the lens mount 501 side are combined so as to be directly attached to each other. Note that, as shown in FIG. 10A, the camera mount 201 side and the lens mount 301 side are combined so as to be directly attached to each other.

[0187] As explained above, the camera mount 401 corresponding to an imaging device with a long flange back (e.g., camera body 60) and the lens mount 501 corresponding to an interchangeable lens with a long flange back (e.g., second lens 50) can be directly attached to each other. However, the camera mount 201 corresponding to an imaging device with a short flange back (e.g., camera body 10) and the lens mount 501 corresponding to an interchangeable lens with a long flange back (e.g., second lens 50) cannot be directly attached to each other. Also, the camera mount 201 corresponding to an imaging device with a short flange back (e.g., camera body 10) and the lens mount 301 corresponding to an interchangeable lens with a short flange back (e.g., first lens 100) can be directly attached to each other. However, the camera mount 401 corresponding to an imaging device with a long flange back (e.g., camera body 60) and the lens mount 301 corresponding to an interchangeable lens with a short flange back (e.g., first lens 100) cannot be directly attached to each other.

[0188] Therefore, the imaging device and camera accessory employing the configuration of the above-described embodiment can prevent the incorrect attachment of imaging devices and camera accessories that have approximately the same mount diameter but are not compatible with each other.

[0189] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lens mount detachably attached to a camera mount having a plurality of first bayonet claws and a plurality of first terminal portions, a plurality of second bayonet claws engageable with the plurality of first bayonet claws; a plurality of second terminal portions that come into contact with the plurality of first terminal portions when the lens mount is attached to the camera mount; the plurality of second terminal portions are provided at positions different from the plurality of second bayonet claw portions, and include a terminal portion used to determine the type of lens mount attached to the camera mount, and a terminal portion used for communication between the camera mount and the lens mount, A lens mount characterized in that, when viewed in the direction of the central axis of the mount portion, a half line extending from the central axis and passing through the terminal portion used for the discrimination passes between the plurality of second bayonet claw portions, and a half line extending from the central axis and passing through the terminal portion used for the communication passes through a predetermined claw portion of the plurality of second bayonet claw portions.

2. The lens mount according to claim 1, characterized in that, when viewed in the direction of the central axis, all of a plurality of semi-linear lines extending from the central axis and passing through a plurality of terminal portions among the plurality of second terminal portions used for communication between the camera mount and the lens mount pass through predetermined claw portions among the plurality of second bayonet claw portions.

3. 3. The lens mount according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal holding portion that holds the plurality of second terminal portions, wherein one of the terminal holding portion and the lens mount has a convex portion, and the other has a hole portion that engages with the convex portion.

4. 4. The lens mount according to claim 3, wherein, when viewed in the direction of the central axis, a half line extending from the central axis and passing through the convex portion passes through a predetermined one of the plurality of second bayonet claws.

5. Among the plurality of second terminal portions, when a terminal portion adjacent to a terminal portion used for determining whether the lens mount is attached to the camera mount on one side of the terminal portion is defined as a first adjacent terminal portion, a terminal portion adjacent to the terminal portion used for the determination on the other side of the terminal portion is defined as a second adjacent terminal portion, and a terminal portion adjacent to the second adjacent terminal portion on the other side is defined as a third adjacent terminal portion, 5. The lens mount according to claim 3, wherein, when viewed in the direction of the central axis, the convex portion and the hole portion are provided in a region between a half line extending from the central axis and passing through the first adjacent terminal portion and a half line extending from the central axis and passing through the third adjacent terminal portion.

6. 6. The lens mount according to claim 5, wherein, when viewed in the direction of the central axis, the convex portion and the hole portion are provided in a region between a half line extending from the central axis and passing through the terminal portion used for determination and a half line extending from the central axis and passing through the third adjacent terminal portion.

7. 7. The lens mount according to claim 5, wherein the determination triggers the start of power supply from the camera mount to the lens mount.

8. 8. The lens mount according to claim 1, wherein the number of the second terminal portions is twelve.

9. 9. The lens mount according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second terminal portions include a terminal portion for connecting a communication control system of an imaging device having the camera mount and an accessory having the lens mount to ground, and a terminal portion for supplying power used for operation of the communication control system from the camera mount to the lens mount.

10. 10. The lens mount according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second terminal portions include a terminal portion for connecting a mechanical drive system of an imaging device including the camera mount and an accessory including the lens mount to ground, and a terminal portion for supplying power used for operation of the mechanical drive system from the camera mount to the lens mount.

11. 11. The lens mount according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second terminal portions include a terminal portion for receiving a clock signal output from the camera mount, a terminal portion for performing bidirectional data communication between the camera mount and the lens mount, and a terminal portion for transmitting data to the camera mount.

12. 12. The lens mount according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of second terminal portions include a terminal portion for transmitting data to the camera mount independent of the terminal portion for transmitting data to the camera mount.

13. 13. The lens mount according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of second terminal portions include a terminal portion for performing bidirectional data communication between the camera mount and the lens mount, independent of the terminal portion for performing bidirectional data communication between the camera mount and the lens mount, and a terminal portion for receiving a communication request signal from the camera mount.

14. 14. The lens mount according to claim 1, further comprising a fitting portion that restricts the camera mount in a direction perpendicular to the central axis when the lens mount is attached to the camera mount.

15. An accessory comprising a lens mount and a lens according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. An accessory comprising the lens mount according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and being detachable from a lens device.

17. 17. The accessory of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of third bayonet claws engageable with the lens device, wherein the minimum circumferential dimension of the plurality of third bayonet claws is greater than the minimum circumferential dimension of the notches between the plurality of second bayonet claws.

18. the lens mount has a restricted portion that is restricted by a restricting portion of the camera mount when the lens mount is attached to the camera mount, An accessory as described in claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the multiple second bayonet claw portions include first and second claw portions adjacent to the regulated portion in the circumferential direction, and opposite claw portions arranged on the opposite side of the regulated portion from the first and second claw portions in the circumferential direction.

19. a plurality of third bayonet claws engageable with the lens device; a circumferential dimension of the notch portion adjacent to one end of the opposite claw portion is smaller than a circumferential dimension of the third bayonet claw portion overlapping with the notch portion as viewed in the direction of the central axis; An accessory as described in claim 18, characterized in that the circumferential dimension of the notch portion adjacent to the other end of the opposite claw portion is smaller than the circumferential dimension of the third bayonet claw portion that overlaps with the notch portion when viewed in the direction of the central axis.

20. a plurality of third bayonet claws engageable with the lens device; a circumferential dimension of the notch portion adjacent to one end of the opposite claw portion is smaller than a circumferential dimension of each of the plurality of third bayonet claw portions; An accessory as described in claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the circumferential dimension of the notch adjacent to the other end of the opposite claw portion is smaller than the circumferential dimension of each of the multiple third bayonet claw portions.

21. a plurality of third bayonet claws engageable with the lens device; An accessory as described in any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the circumferential distance between the farthest ends of the opposite claw portion and the first claw portion is larger than the circumferential distance between the farthest ends of the first and second notch portions, among the notches between the multiple third bayonet claw portions, that overlap with the opposite claw portion and the first claw portion when viewed in the direction of the central axis.

22. a plurality of third bayonet claws engageable with the lens device; Among the notches between the plurality of third bayonet claws, the distance in the circumferential direction between the farthest ends of the first and second notches that overlap with the opposite claw and the first claw when viewed in the direction of the central axis is smaller than the distance in the circumferential direction between the farthest ends of two adjacent second bayonet claws among the plurality of second bayonet claws, An accessory as described in any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the circumferential distance between the farthest ends of the third notch portion and the first notch portion, among the notches between the plurality of third bayonet claw portions, which overlap with the second claw portion when viewed in the direction of the central axis, is smaller than the circumferential distance between the farthest ends of two adjacent second bayonet claw portions among the plurality of second bayonet claw portions.

23. A camera mount comprising the plurality of first bayonet claws and the plurality of first terminal portions, and being detachable from the lens mount according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

24. A mount system comprising: a lens mount according to any one of claims 1 to 22; and a camera mount according to claim 23.

Images