Accessories

Abstract

Attach the accessories to the camera body in a way that allows them to be used properly. [Solution] An accessory that can be attached to a camera body having a group of body-side terminals, a body-side mount positioned outside the group of body-side terminals, and a first body-side protrusion, a second body-side protrusion, a third body-side protrusion, and a fourth body-side protrusion, respectively, positioned in a region divided by a first body-side straight line and a second body-side straight line perpendicular to the first body-side straight line, comprising an accessory-side mount 310, a cylindrical portion 312 of the accessory-side mount, a group of accessory-side terminals 320, and a first accessory-side protrusion and a third accessory-side protrusion positioned on an accessory-side third straight line L3 that intersects the first accessory-side straight line L1 at approximately 45 degrees, and a second accessory-side protrusion and a fourth accessory-side protrusion positioned on an accessory-side fourth straight line L4 perpendicular to the third accessory-side straight line L3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an accessory.

Background Art

[0002] An accessory that can be attached to and detached from a camera body is known (for example, Patent Document 1). Conventionally, it has been necessary to attach an accessory to a camera body in a state where it can be properly used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] An accessory according to a first aspect of the invention includes an image sensor that is rectangular in shape with an upper edge, a lower edge, a right edge, and a left edge when the camera body is held in a horizontal position, and into which subject light centered on the optical axis is incident; a group of body-side terminals consisting of a plurality of body-side terminals arranged in an arc shape on the upper part of the upper edge of the image sensor; an annular body-side mount centered on the optical axis, arranged outside the image sensor and the group of body-side terminals; a first body-side projection protruding in the inward direction from the body-side mount; and a second body-side projection protruding in the inward direction from the body-side mount. An accessory that can be attached to a camera body, comprising: a third body-side projection protruding inward from the body-side mount; and a fourth body-side projection protruding inward from the body-side mount, wherein the first body-side projection, the second body-side projection, the third body-side projection, and the fourth body-side projection are respectively arranged in four regions divided by a first body-side straight line passing through the center of the arc direction of the body-side terminal group and the optical axis, and a second body-side straight line perpendicular to the first body-side straight line and the optical axis, the optical axis is the center An accessory-side mount having an annular shape, contacting the body-side mount; a cylindrical portion extending in the optical axis direction from the inner peripheral edge of the accessory-side mount; a group of accessory-side terminals arranged inside the cylindrical portion and contacting the body-side terminal when attached to the camera body; a first accessory-side projection protruding from the cylindrical portion toward the outer circumference of the accessory-side mount and extending in the circumferential direction around the optical axis; and a second projection protruding from the cylindrical portion toward the outer circumference of the accessory-side mount and extending in the circumferential direction around the optical axis. It comprises a second accessory-side projection extending in the direction of the accessory-side mount, a third accessory-side projection projecting from the cylindrical portion toward the outer circumference of the accessory-side mount and extending in the circumferential direction around the optical axis, and a fourth accessory-side projection projecting from the cylindrical portion toward the outer circumference of the accessory-side mount and extending in the circumferential direction around the optical axis, wherein the first accessory-side projection and the third accessory-side projection are arranged on an accessory-side third line that intersects at approximately 45 degrees in the optical axis with the accessory-side first line passing through the center of the accessory-side terminal group and the optical axis.The second accessory-side protrusion and the fourth accessory-side protrusion are positioned on the fourth accessory-side line, which is perpendicular to the third accessory-side line and the optical axis. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0005] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the camera system. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the camera body's mount surface, as seen from the interchangeable lens side. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the camera body's mount surface, as seen from the interchangeable lens side. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the leaf spring in the body-side mount. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the lens mount surface as seen from the camera body. [Figure 6] This is a front view of the lens mount surface as seen from the camera body. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the mount surface of an interchangeable lens. [Figure 8] This is a front view of the body-side claw and lens-side claw at the insertion position, as seen from the interchangeable lens side. [Figure 9] This is a front view of the body-side claw and lens-side claw at the mounting position, as seen from the interchangeable lens side. [Figure 10] These are front and side views of the body-side claw and the lens-side claw in an over-rotated state in the mounting direction, as seen from the interchangeable lens side. [Figure 11] This is a side view of the body-side claw and the lens-side claw in an over-rotated state in the removal direction, as seen from the interchangeable lens side. [Figure 12] This is a front view of the body-side claw and the lens-side claw in the first incorrect insertion state, as seen from the interchangeable lens side. [Figure 13] This is a front view of the body-side claw and the lens-side claw in the second, third, and fourth incorrect insertion states, as seen from the interchangeable lens side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a camera system 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. The camera system 1 includes a camera body 2 and an interchangeable lens 3 as an example of an accessory that can be attached to the camera body 2. Examples of other accessories that can be attached to the camera body 2 include a mount adapter, a teleconverter, a wide converter, and the like.

[0007] The interchangeable lens 3 includes a lens-side mount 310, a lens-side terminal holder 320, a lens-side CPU 330, a lens-side communication unit 340, a lens-side memory unit 350, an imaging optical system 360, and a drive unit 370. The lens-side mount 310 and the lens-side terminal holder 320 will be described in detail later.

[0008] The lens-side CPU 330 consists of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits. The lens-side communication unit 340 performs predetermined data communication with the camera body 2. The lens-side communication unit 340 is connected to the lens-side terminal (described later) provided on the lens-side terminal holding unit 320 and to the lens-side CPU 330. The lens-side storage unit 350 is a non-volatile storage medium. The lens-side storage unit 350 is connected to the lens-side CPU 330. The lens-side storage unit 350 stores predetermined control programs that the lens-side CPU 330 will execute. The lens-side CPU 330 controls the interchangeable lens 3 by reading the control program from the lens-side storage unit 350 and executing the program.

[0009] The imaging optical system 360 forms an image of the subject on the imaging surface of the image sensor 270, which will be described later. The optical axis O of the imaging optical system 360 coincides with the center position of the lens-side mount 310 and the body-side mount 210, which will be described later. The imaging optical system 360 in Figure 1 generally includes a lens 361, a focusing lens 362, and a lens 363. The focusing lens 362 is a lens that adjusts the imaging position of the subject image. The drive unit 370 is connected to the lens-side CPU 330 and has actuators, etc., which are not shown. The drive unit 370 moves the focusing lens 362 forward and backward in the direction of the optical axis O (+Z, -Z direction) using these actuators, etc.

[0010] The camera body 2 includes a body-side mount 210, a body-side terminal holder 220, a body-side CPU 230, a body-side communication unit 240, a body-side memory unit 250, a power supply unit 260, and an image sensor 270. The body-side mount 210 and the body-side terminal holder 220 will be described in detail later.

[0011] The body-side CPU 230 consists of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits. The body-side CPU 230 performs various controls on the body. The body-side communication unit 240 performs predetermined data communication with the interchangeable lens 3. The body-side communication unit 240 is connected to the body-side CPU 230 and to a plurality of body-side terminals (described later) provided on the body-side terminal holding unit 220.

[0012] The body-side memory unit 250 is a non-volatile storage medium. The body-side memory unit 250 is connected to the body-side CPU 230. The body-side memory unit 250 has predetermined control programs and the like that the body-side CPU 230 will execute stored in it beforehand. The body-side CPU 230 controls the camera body 2 by reading the control programs from the body-side memory unit 250 and executing the programs.

[0013] The power supply unit 260 has a power source and supplies power to the inside of the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3. The power supply unit 260 is connected to a body-side terminal (described later) provided in the body-side terminal holding unit 220 and the body-side CPU 230. The imaging device 270 is a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD or a CMOS. The imaging device 270 is connected to the body-side CPU 230, images a subject, and outputs an imaging signal. The description of the processing of the output imaging signal is omitted.

[0014] (Explanation of the lens mount mechanism) The camera system 1 of the present embodiment includes a so-called bayonet-type lens mount mechanism. Hereinafter, the body-side mount 210 of the camera body 2 and the lens-side mount 310 of the interchangeable lens 3 will be described in order.

[0015] (Body-side mount 210) FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are diagrams schematically showing the mount of the camera body 2 as viewed from the side of the interchangeable lens 3. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the state in which the camera body 2 is held in a horizontal position. As shown in FIG. 2, when the rectangular imaging device 270 holds the camera body 2 in a horizontal position, the horizontal side, that is, the long side becomes the upper side and the lower side, and the short side becomes the right side and the left side. The body-side first straight line B1 extending in the vertical direction Y of the camera body 2, shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, is the vertical direction as viewed by the photographer using the camera system 1 when holding the camera body 2 in a horizontal position. The body-side second straight line B2 extending in the horizontal direction X of the camera body 2, shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, is the horizontal direction as viewed by the photographer using the camera system 1 when holding the camera body 2 in a horizontal position.

[0016] The body-side first straight line B1 and the body-side second straight line B2 are orthogonal on the optical axis O (center). As shown by a dashed line in FIG. 2, lines extending in a direction intersecting at 45 degrees with the body-side first straight line B1 and the body-side second straight line B2 on the optical axis O of the imaging device 270 are defined as the body-side third straight line B3 and the body-side fourth straight line B4.

[0017] The mount of the camera body 2 includes the body-side mount 210 and the body-side terminal holder 220 described above in FIG. 1. The body-side mount 210 has an annular reference surface 211 that has a constant width and is arranged along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis O. Further, the body-side mount 210 has a body-side first claw portion 290a, a body-side second claw portion 290b, a body-side third claw portion 290c, and a body-side fourth claw portion 290d. In the following description, these four protruding portions, the body-side first claw portion 290a to the fourth claw portion 290d, are collectively referred to as the body-side claw portion 290.

[0018] The body-side claw portions 290 are arranged at intervals along the circular opening 212 of the body-side mount 210. As shown in FIG. 2, the body-side first claw portion 290a is located at the upper right position, the body-side second claw portion 290b is located at the upper left position, the body-side third claw portion 290c is located at the lower left position, and the body-side fourth claw portion 290d is located at the lower right position, respectively. The body-side first claw portion 290a is in the region above the body-side second straight line B2 and to the right of the body-side first straight line B1, the body-side second claw portion 290b is in the region above the body-side second straight line B2 and to the left of the body-side first straight line B1, the body-side third claw portion 290c is in the region below the body-side second straight line B2 and to the left of the body-side first straight line B1, and the body-side fourth claw portion 290d is in the region below the body-side second straight line B2 and to the right of the body-side first straight line B1, respectively.

[0019] The body-side first claw portion 290a and the body-side third claw portion 290c are respectively arranged on the line of the body-side fourth straight line B4 and in a region that is substantially symmetric about the optical axis O. The body-side second claw portion 290b and the body-side fourth claw portion 290d are respectively arranged on the line of the body-side third straight line B3 and in a region that is substantially symmetric about the optical axis O. As shown in FIG. 2, the central positions along the circumferential direction of each of the body-side first claw portion 290a to the body-side fourth claw portion 290d do not overlap with the body-side third straight line B3 and the body-side fourth straight line B4.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the circumferential lengths of the body-side first claw portion 290a to the body-side fourth claw portion 290d are all different. Specifically, the body-side first claw portion 290a is the longest, the body-side third claw portion 290c is the second longest, the body-side fourth claw portion 290d is the third longest, and the body-side second claw portion 290b is the shortest. The angle α1 formed by the straight line connecting one end of the body-side first claw portion 290a and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the body-side first claw portion 290a and the optical axis O, is approximately 47 degrees, and is between 46.5 degrees and 47.5 degrees. The angle α3 formed by the straight line connecting one end of the body-side third claw portion 290c and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the body-side third claw portion 290c and the optical axis O, is approximately 42.5 degrees, and is between 42.0 and 43.0 degrees.

[0021] The angle α4 formed by the straight line connecting one end of the fourth claw portion 290d on the body side and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the fourth claw portion 290d on the body side and the optical axis O, is approximately 42 degrees, and is between 41.5 degrees and 42.5 degrees. The angle α2 formed by the straight line connecting one end of the second claw portion 290b on the body side and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the second claw portion 290b on the body side and the optical axis O, is approximately 40 degrees, and is between 40.0 and 41.0 degrees. The radial lengths (claw heights) of the first claw portion 290a to the fourth claw portion 290d on the body side are the same. Also, the lengths (claw thicknesses) of the first claw portion 290a to the fourth claw portion 290d on the body side in the optical axis O direction are the same.

[0022] The body-side claw portion 290 protrudes from the opening 212 of the body-side mount 210 toward the optical axis O (center of the image sensor 270), and on the circumference of the opening 212, there are portions where the body-side claw portion 290 is present and portions where it is not. In the following description, the space 280a between the body-side first claw portion 290a and the body-side fourth claw portion 290d on the circumference of the opening 212 of the body-side mount 210 will be referred to as the body-side first insertion / removal portion 280a.

[0023] Similarly, the space 280b between the body-side first claw portion 290a and the body-side first claw portion 290b is referred to as the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b, the space 280c between the body-side second claw portion 290b and the body-side third claw portion 290c is referred to as the body-side third insertion / removal portion 280c, and the space 280d between the body-side third claw portion 290c and the body-side fourth claw portion 290d is referred to as the body-side fourth insertion / removal portion 280d. These four spaces, the body-side first insertion / removal portions 280a to the fourth insertion / removal portions 280d, are collectively referred to as the body-side insertion / removal portion 280.

[0024] The circumferential lengths of the first insertion / extraction portion 280a to the fourth insertion / extraction portion 280d on the body side are all different. Specifically, the third insertion / extraction portion 280c on the body side is the longest, the first insertion / extraction portion 280a on the body side is the second longest, the fourth insertion / extraction portion 280d on the body side is the third longest, and the second insertion / extraction portion 280b on the body side is the shortest. The angle β3 between the straight line connecting one end of the body-side third insertion / removal portion 280c and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the body-side third insertion / removal portion 280c and the optical axis O, is approximately 51 degrees and is between 51.0 and 52.0 degrees. The angle β1 between the straight line connecting one end of the body-side first insertion / removal portion 280a and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the body-side first insertion / removal portion 280a and the optical axis O, is approximately 50 degrees, and is between 50.0 and 51.0 degrees.

[0025] The angle β4 formed by the straight line connecting one end of the fourth insertion / removal portion 280d on the body side to the optical axis O and the straight line connecting the other end of the fourth insertion / removal portion 280d on the body side to the optical axis O is approximately 46 degrees, and is between 45.5 degrees and 46.5 degrees. The angle β2 formed by the straight line connecting one end of the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b and the optical axis O, is approximately 39 degrees, and is between 39.0 and 40.0 degrees. Of course, the sum of the angles α1 to α4 of the four body-side first claw portions 290a to the body-side fourth claw portion 290d and the angles β1 to β4 of the four body-side first insertion / removal portions 280a to the body-side fourth insertion / removal portion 280d is 360 degrees.

[0026] The first insertion / extraction portion 280a on the body side is positioned above the third straight line B3 on the body side and below the fourth straight line B4 on the body side; the second insertion / extraction portion 280b on the body side is positioned above the third straight line B3 on the body side and above the fourth straight line B4 on the body side; the third insertion / extraction portion 280c on the body side is positioned below the third straight line B3 on the body side and above the fourth straight line B4 on the body side; and the fourth insertion / extraction portion 280d on the body side is positioned below the third straight line B3 on the body side and below the fourth straight line B4 on the body side.

[0027] The first insertion / removal portion 280a and the third insertion / removal portion 280c on the body side are positioned on the line of the second straight line B2 on the body side, in a substantially symmetrical region with respect to the optical axis O. The second insertion / removal portion 280b and the fourth insertion / removal portion 280d on the body side are positioned on the line of the first straight line B1 on the body side, in a substantially symmetrical region with respect to the optical axis O. As shown in Figure 2, the center positions along the circumferential direction of the first insertion / removal portion 280a to the fourth insertion / removal portion 280d on the body side do not coincide with the first straight line on the body side or the second straight line on the body side B2.

[0028] A body-side terminal holding portion 220, consisting of multiple body-side terminals, is provided inside the opening 212 of the body-side mount 210. The body-side terminal holding portion 220 has an arc shape corresponding to the annular shape of the body-side mount 210. The body-side terminal holding portion 220 is located on the inner circumference side of the opening 212 of the body-side mount 210 and above the image sensor 270, preferably positioned in the center of the upper part of the image sensor 270 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. In other words, the circumferential center of the body-side terminal holding portion 220 is preferably located on the first straight line B1 on the body side.

[0029] A body-side first claw portion 290a is positioned to the upper right of the body-side terminal holding portion 220, and a body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b is positioned to the upper left of the body-side terminal holding portion 220. Therefore, the angle between the straight line connecting one end of the body-side terminal holding portion 220 and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the body-side terminal holding portion 220 and the optical axis O, is smaller than the combined angle of the angle α1 of the body-side first claw portion 290a and the angle β2 of the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b.

[0030] The body-side terminal holder 220 has multiple body-side terminals as described above. The multiple body-side terminals (referred to as the body-side terminal group) are arranged in an arc shape on the upper part of the upper edge of the image sensor 270. Each of the body-side terminals is a conductive pin. The body-side terminal group is pushed in the -Z direction (Figure 1) by a spring or the like (not shown). Here, the -Z direction is the direction from the camera body 2 towards the interchangeable lens 3, which is the direction towards the subject. The +Z direction is the direction from the interchangeable lens 3 towards the camera body 2, which is the direction towards the image sensor 270.

[0031] The body-side mount 210 has a hole through which the lock pin 214 passes. The hole through which the lock pin 214 passes is located to the upper right of the body-side fourth claw portion 290d. In other words, on the annular reference surface 211 of the body-side mount 210, the hole for the lock pin 214 is located between the region where the body-side fourth claw portion 290d is located and the region where the body-side first claw portion 290a is located. The lock pin 214 is pushed toward the -Z direction (towards the subject) by a spring (not shown). The lock pin 214 can be moved toward the +Z direction (towards the image sensor 270) against the biasing force of the spring by pressing a lock release button (not shown).

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the camera body 2 mount with the body-side mount 210 removed, viewed from the interchangeable lens 3 side. A first leaf spring 213a is provided at a position corresponding to the first body-side claw portion 290a (on the back side of the first body-side claw portion 290a). Similarly, a second leaf spring 213b is provided at a position corresponding to the second body-side claw portion 290b (on the back side of the second body-side claw portion 290b), a third leaf spring 213c is provided at a position corresponding to the third body-side claw portion 290c (on the back side of the third body-side claw portion 290c), and a fourth leaf spring 213d is provided at a position corresponding to the fourth body-side claw portion 290d (on the back side of the fourth body-side claw portion 290d). In the following description, these four first leaf springs 213a to fourth leaf springs 213d will be collectively referred to as leaf spring 213. The leaf spring 213 is positioned on the image sensor 270 side of the body-side claw portion 290 and presses the subject-side side of the opposing lens-side claw portion (described later) 390 toward the image sensor 270 (+Z direction).

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the rear end of the body-side terminal holding portion 220 in the mounting direction 44 (described later) is positioned near the straight line B5 connecting the optical axis O and the rear end of the first leaf spring 213a in the mounting direction 44 (described later). The second leaf spring 213b, the third leaf spring 213c, and the fourth leaf spring 213d are positioned at approximately 90-degree intervals around the optical axis O, starting from the first leaf spring 213a.

[0034] (Lens-side mount 310) Figures 5 and 6 schematically show the mount of interchangeable lens 3 as seen from the camera body 2 side (viewed from behind the interchangeable lens 3). The first straight line L1 on the lens side of interchangeable lens 3, shown as a solid line in Figure 5 and extending in the vertical direction Y, represents the up and down direction as seen from the photographer when the photographer using camera system 1 holds camera body 2 in a horizontal position. The second straight line L2 on the lens side of interchangeable lens 3, also shown as a solid line in Figure 5 and extending in the horizontal direction X, represents the left and right direction as seen from the photographer when the photographer using camera system 1 holds camera body 2 in a horizontal position.

[0035] The first line L1 and the second line L2 on the lens side are perpendicular to each other on the optical axis O (center) of the interchangeable lens 3. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 5, the lines extending in the direction that intersects the first line L1 and the second line L2 on the lens side at a 45-degree angle on the optical axis O are designated as the third line L3 and the fourth line L4 on the lens side. When the interchangeable lens 3 is mounted on the camera body 2 in a usable state, the first line B1 on the body side coincides with the first line L1 on the lens side, the second line B2 on the body side coincides with the second line L2 on the lens side, the third line B3 on the body side coincides with the fourth line L4 on the lens side, and the fourth line B4 on the body side coincides with the third line L3 on the lens side. Note that even if the lines do not perfectly coincide, a deviation is acceptable as long as it allows the interchangeable lens 3 to be mounted on the camera body 2 in a usable state.

[0036] The mount of the interchangeable lens 3 comprises the lens-side mount 310 and the lens-side terminal holding portion 320 as described in Figure 1. The lens-side mount 310 is formed in an annular shape centered on the optical axis O of the interchangeable lens 3 and is arranged along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis O. The lens-side mount 310 has a reference surface 311 that contacts the reference surface 211 of the body-side mount 210 when the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2. The reference surface 311 is an annular shape centered on the optical axis O and is arranged along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis O. On the rear end surface of the reference surface 311 in the direction of the optical axis O, a sliding surface 309 for a lock pin, on which the lock pin 214 described later slides when attached, is formed in a concave shape toward the -Z direction on a cross section along the Z direction. The sliding surface 309 for the lock pin is an annular shape centered on the optical axis O and is arranged along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis O.

[0037] The lens-side mount 310 is fixed to a fixing member located inside the interchangeable lens 3 by screwing it with screws 313. When the lens-side mount 310 is viewed from the camera body 2 side, the screws 313 are arranged at approximately 90-degree intervals around the optical axis O. In addition, the four screws 313 are each located on the outer circumference of the four lens-side claw portions 390, which will be described later. Furthermore, the screws 313 are located on the outer circumference of both ends in the circumferential direction of the lens-side terminal holding portion 320.

[0038] The lens-side mount 310 has a cylindrical portion 312 extending in the direction of the optical axis O from its inner peripheral edge (the inner peripheral edge of the reference plane 311). When the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2, the rear end of the cylindrical portion 312 in the direction of the optical axis O is positioned to protrude toward the camera body 2 from the reference plane 311. The lens-side mount 310 has a lens-side first claw portion 390a, a lens-side second claw portion 390b, a lens-side third claw portion 390c, and a lens-side fourth claw portion 390d, spaced apart from each other along the outer circumference of the rear end of the cylindrical portion 312 in the direction of the optical axis O. In the following explanation, these four protruding parts, the lens-side first claw portion 390a to the fourth claw portion 390d, will be collectively referred to as the lens-side claw portion 390.

[0039] The lens-side claw portion 390 is provided in a direction that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral edge of the cylindrical portion 312 of the lens-side mount 310 toward the outer circumference of the lens-side mount 310, and is approximately perpendicular to the optical axis O. Furthermore, the lens-side claw portion 390 extends in the circumferential direction centered on the optical axis O. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lens-side first claw portion 390a is located in the upper left position, the lens-side second claw portion 390b is located in the upper right position, the lens-side third claw portion 390c is located in the lower right position, and the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d is located in the lower left position. In other words, the first claw portion 390a on the lens side is positioned above the second straight line L2 on the lens side and to the left of the first straight line L1 on the lens side; the second claw portion 390b on the lens side is positioned above the second straight line L2 on the lens side and to the right of the first straight line L1 on the lens side; the third claw portion 390c on the lens side is positioned below the second straight line L2 on the lens side and to the right of the first straight line L1 on the lens side; and the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side is positioned below the second straight line L2 on the lens side and to the left of the first straight line L1 on the lens side.

[0040] Furthermore, the first claw portion 390a and the third claw portion 390c on the lens side are positioned in a substantially symmetrical region on the line of the third straight line L3 on the lens side with respect to the optical axis O, while the second claw portion 390b and the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side are positioned in a substantially symmetrical region on the line of the fourth straight line L4 on the lens side with respect to the optical axis O. Note that the third straight line L3 and the fourth straight line L4 on the lens side do not necessarily pass through the center position along the circumferential direction of the first claw portion 390a to the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side.

[0041] When the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2, the body-side claw portion 290 is positioned between the lens-side mount 310 and the lens-side claw portion 390 in the optical axis O direction. At this time, the lens-side first claw portion 390a contacts the leaf spring 213a of the body-side first claw portion 290a, the lens-side second claw portion 390b contacts the leaf spring 213b of the body-side second claw portion 290b, the lens-side third claw portion 390c contacts the leaf spring 213c of the body-side third claw portion 290c, and the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d contacts the leaf spring 213d of the body-side fourth claw portion 290d.

[0042] The lens-side claw portion 390 has a biased portion which is a contact portion that is biased away from the body-side claw portion 290 when it comes into contact with the leaf spring 213. The shape of the biased portion is not required as long as the lens-side claw portion 390 receives sufficient biasing force from the leaf spring 213, and the contact between the leaf spring 213 and the biased portion can be point contact, line contact, or surface contact. The shape and material of the leaf spring 213 are not required as long as they can sufficiently press against the lens-side claw portion 390, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0043] When the leaf spring 213 of the body-side claw portion 290 and the lens-side claw portion 390 come into contact, the lens-side claw portion 390 is pressed away from the body-side claw portion 290 along the optical axis O (in the +Z direction). As the lens-side claw portion 390 is pressed in the +Z direction (towards the image sensor 270), the lens-side mount 310 is pressed toward the body-side mount 210, stabilizing the attachment of the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3.

[0044] Furthermore, the circumferential lengths of the lens-side claw portion 390 and the body-side claw portion 290 do not need to match, and the circumferential length of the lens-side claw portion 390 can be changed within the range that the leaf spring 213 can press against. Also, when the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2, the entire surface of the lens-side claw portion 390 and the entire surface of the body-side claw portion 290 do not need to face each other, and the position of the circumferential end of the lens-side claw portion may differ from the position of the circumferential end of the body-side claw portion. Furthermore, the circumferential lengths of the lens-side claw portion 390 and the body-side insertion / removal portion 280 do not need to be approximately the same; it is sufficient that the circumferential length of the inserted lens-side claw portion 390 is less than or equal to the circumferential length of the body-side insertion / removal portion 280. Similarly, the body-side claw portion 290 and the lens-side insertion / removal portion 380 do not need to have the same circumferential length; it is sufficient that the circumferential length of the body-side claw portion 290 that is inserted is less than or equal to the circumferential length of the lens-side insertion / removal portion 380.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, the circumferential lengths of the lens-side first claw portion 390a to the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d are all different. Furthermore, the angles formed by the line connecting one end of the lens-side first claw portion 390a to the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d in the circumferential direction to the optical axis O and the line connecting the other end of the lens-side first claw portion 390a to the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d in the circumferential direction to the optical axis O are all different. Specifically, the lens-side third claw portion 390c is the longest, the lens-side first claw portion 390a is the second longest, the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d is the third longest, and the lens-side second claw portion 390b is the shortest. The angle α7 formed by the line connecting one end of the lens-side third claw portion 390c and the optical axis O, and the line connecting the other end of the lens-side third claw portion 390c and the optical axis O, is approximately 48.5 degrees, and is between 48.0 and 49.0 degrees. The angle α5 formed by the straight line connecting one end of the lens-side first claw portion 390a to the optical axis O and the straight line connecting the other end of the lens-side first claw portion 390a to the optical axis O is approximately 48 degrees, and is between 47.5 degrees and 48.5 degrees.

[0046] The angle α8 formed by the line connecting one end of the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side to the optical axis O and the line connecting the other end of the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side to the optical axis O is approximately 44 degrees, and is between 43.0 and 45.0 degrees. The angle α6 formed by the straight line connecting one end of the lens-side second claw portion 390b to the optical axis O and the straight line connecting the other end of the lens-side second claw portion 390b to the optical axis O is approximately 36 degrees, and is between 35.5 degrees and 36.5 degrees. Furthermore, the angle α6 formed by the straight line connecting one end of the second claw portion 390b on the lens side to the optical axis O and the straight line connecting the other end of the second claw portion 390b on the lens side to the optical axis O is smaller than the rotation angle, which will be described later.

[0047] The radial lengths (claw heights) of the first claw portion 390a to the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side are approximately the same. Also, the lengths (claw thicknesses) of the first claw portion 390a to the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side in the optical axis O direction are approximately the same.

[0048] Furthermore, at least one of the lens-side claw portions 390 may be partially cut out to the extent that it does not affect the mounting state with the camera body 2. Even if a part of the lens-side first claw portion 390a is cut out, the entire area including the protruding portion located in the region facing the body-side first claw portion 290a and the cut-out portion shall be considered the lens-side first claw portion 390a. The same applies to the other lens-side second to fourth claw portions 390b to 390d. The notching method may involve cutting the lens-side first claw portion 390a so as to divide it into two or more parts in the circumferential direction, cutting it so as to remove a part of the lens-side first claw portion 390a, or cutting it so as to shorten the radial length of at least a part of the lens-side first claw portion 390a. Accordingly, the lens-side claw portion 390 may also have a part cut out on the lens-side third straight line L3 or the lens-side fourth straight line L4. Furthermore, the circumferential length of the lens-side first claw portion 390a may be changed within the range that allows it to pass through the corresponding body-side first insertion / removal portion 280a during insertion. The same applies to the lens-side second claw portion 390b, lens-side third claw portion 390c, and lens-side fourth claw portion 390d. Furthermore, the radial thickness of the cylindrical portion 312 can be changed as appropriate, and it may have a shape in which at least a portion protrudes inward from the cylindrical portion 312 of this embodiment.

[0049] The lens-side claw portion 390 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 312, and on the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 312, there is a portion where the lens-side claw portion 390 is present and a space portion where the lens-side claw portion 390 is not present.

[0050] In the following description, the space 380d between the lens-side first claw portion 390a and the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d on the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 312 will be referred to as the lens-side first insertion / removal portion 380a. Similarly, the space 380b between the lens-side first claw portion 390a and the lens-side second claw portion 390b is referred to as the lens-side second insertion / removal portion 380b, the space 380c between the lens-side second claw portion 390b and the lens-side third claw portion 390c is referred to as the lens-side third insertion / removal portion 380c, and the space 380d between the lens-side third claw portion 390c and the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d is referred to as the lens-side fourth insertion / removal portion 380d. These four lens-side insertion / removal sections 380a to 4th insertion / removal sections 380d are collectively referred to as the lens-side insertion / removal section 380.

[0051] The circumferential lengths of the lens-side first insertion / removal section 380a to the lens-side fourth insertion / removal section 380d are all different. Specifically, the lens-side second insertion / removal section 380b is the longest, the lens-side first insertion / removal section 380a is the second longest, the lens-side fourth insertion / removal section 380d is the third longest, and the lens-side third insertion / removal section 380c is the shortest. The angle β6 between the straight line connecting one end of the lens-side second insertion / removal portion 380b and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the lens-side second insertion / removal portion 380b and the optical axis O, is approximately 50 degrees, and is between 49.5 degrees and 50.5 degrees. The angle β5 between the straight line connecting one end of the lens-side first insertion / removal portion 380a and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the lens-side first insertion / removal portion 380a and the optical axis O, is approximately 45 degrees, and is between 44.5 degrees and 45.5 degrees.

[0052] The angle β8 formed by the straight line connecting one end of the fourth insertion / removal portion 380d on the lens side to the optical axis O and the straight line connecting the other end of the fourth insertion / removal portion 380b on the lens side to the optical axis O is approximately 44.5 degrees, and is between 44.0 and 45.0 degrees. The angle β7 between the line connecting one end of the lens-side third insertion / removal portion 380c and the optical axis O, and the line connecting the other end of the lens-side third insertion / removal portion 380c and the optical axis O, is approximately 44 degrees. It is between 43.5 degrees and 44.5 degrees. Of course, the sum of the angles α5 to α8 of the four lens-side first claw portions 390a to the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d, and the angles β5 to β8 of the four lens-side first insertion / removal portions 380a to the lens-side fourth insertion / removal portion 380d, is 360 degrees.

[0053] Furthermore, the first insertion / removal portion 380a and the third insertion / removal portion 380c on the lens side are positioned in substantially symmetrical regions on the line of the second straight line L2 on the lens side with respect to the optical axis O, while the second insertion / removal portion 380b and the fourth insertion / removal portion 380d on the lens side are positioned in substantially symmetrical regions on the line of the first straight line L1 on the lens side with respect to the optical axis O. Note that the first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2 on the lens side do not necessarily pass through the center position along the circumferential direction of the first insertion / removal section 380a to the fourth insertion / removal section 380d on the lens side.

[0054] Inside the cylindrical portion 312, a lens-side terminal holding portion 320 consisting of multiple lens-side terminals is provided. The lens-side terminal holding portion 320 has an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the annular lens-side mount 310. The lens-side terminal holding portion 320 is positioned parallel to the opening of the lens-side mount 310 and on the upper part of the lens-side mount 310, preferably positioned in the center of the upper part as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In other words, the circumferential center of the lens-side terminal holding portion 320 is preferably located on the first lens-side straight line L1.

[0055] A lens-side first claw portion 390a is positioned to the upper left of the lens-side terminal holding portion 320, and a lens-side second insertion / removal portion 380b is positioned to the upper right of the lens-side terminal holding portion 320. Therefore, the angle between the straight line connecting one end of the lens-side terminal holding portion 320 and the optical axis O, and the straight line connecting the other end of the lens-side terminal holding portion 320 and the optical axis O, is smaller than the combined angle of the angle α5 of the lens-side first claw portion 390a and the angle β6 of the lens-side second insertion / removal portion 380b.

[0056] As described above, the lens-side terminal holding portion 320 has multiple lens-side terminals. The multiple lens-side terminals (referred to as the lens-side terminal group) are arranged in an arc shape in a single line on the inside of the lens-side mount 310 within the lens-side terminal holding portion 320. Each lens-side terminal group is arranged so that its conductive contact surface is exposed in the +Z direction (Figure 1).

[0057] All contact surfaces of the multiple lens-side terminals may be located in the +Z direction from the rear end of the lens-side claw portion 390 in the optical axis O direction, or they may be located in the -Z direction from the rear end of the lens-side claw portion 390 in the optical axis O direction. Furthermore, some of the contact surfaces of the multiple lens-side terminals may be positioned in the +Z direction from the rear end of the lens-side claw portion 390 in the optical axis O direction, and the remaining contact surfaces may be positioned in the -Z direction from the rear end of the lens-side claw portion 390 in the optical axis O direction.

[0058] The lens-side mount 310 has a lock pin receiving portion 314. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lock pin receiving portion 314 is positioned to the upper left of the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d. In other words, the lock pin receiving portion 314 is positioned between the portion of the lock pin sliding surface 309 of the lens-side mount 310 that corresponds to the outer circumference of the lens-side first claw portion 390a and the portion that corresponds to the outer circumference of the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d.

[0059] The lock pin receiving portion 314 is a groove into which the lock pin 214 of the camera body 2 fits when the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2. This groove is concave in shape from the lock pin sliding surface 309 of the lens-side mount 310 toward the -Z direction (Figure 1). When the camera body 2's unlock button is not pressed, the -Z end (the front end on the subject side) of the lock pin 214 fits into the lock pin receiving portion 314 of the lens-side mount 310. When the camera body 2's unlock button is pressed, the -Z end of the lock pin 214 is positioned in the +Z direction relative to the lock pin sliding surface 309. Therefore, when the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2 are rotated relative to each other while the camera body 2's unlock button is pressed, the lock pin 214 does not come into contact with the lock pin sliding surface 309.

[0060] When the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2, multiple body-side terminals physically contact the corresponding multiple lens-side terminals. This contact electrically connects the multiple body-side terminals to the multiple lens-side terminals. In other words, the multiple body-side terminals and the multiple lens-side terminals become electrically conductive.

[0061] As shown in Figure 7, a limiting pin 315 is positioned between the reference surface 311 of the lens-side mount 310 and the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d, protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 312. The limiting pin 315 is positioned on the rear end side of the mounting direction 44 of the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d (closer to the lens-side third claw portion 390c). A portion of the limiting pin 315 is positioned on the back side of the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d when viewed from behind the interchangeable lens 3. In this embodiment, the limiting pin 315 is screwed to the cylindrical portion 312 from the radially outer side using a threaded member, but the shape and material of the limiting pin 315 are not limited to this.

[0062] (How to attach interchangeable lens 3 to camera body 2) Next, the method for attaching the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 will be explained with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figures 8 and 9 show the positional relationship between the body-side claw portion 290 of the camera body 2 and the lens-side claw portion 390 of the interchangeable lens 3, illustrating the contact state between the claw portions. Also, Figures 8 and 9 show the body-side mount 210 and the lens-side mount 310 as viewed from the subject side toward the image sensor 270 side (viewed in the +Z direction), and the lens-side mount 310 is reversed left and right compared to Figures 5 and 6.

[0063] When attaching the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2, first, the position of the indicator (not shown) on the outer surface of the interchangeable lens 3 is aligned with the indicator (not shown) on the outer surface of the camera body 2, the body-side mount 210 and the lens-side mount 310 are placed facing each other, and each lens-side claw portion 390 is inserted into each body-side insertion / removal portion 280. That is, as shown in Figure 8, the first lens-side claw portion 390a is inserted into the first body-side insertion / removal portion 280a, the second lens-side claw portion 390b is inserted into the second body-side insertion / removal portion 280b, the third lens-side claw portion 390c is inserted into the third body-side insertion / removal portion 280c, and the fourth lens-side claw portion 390d is inserted into the fourth body-side insertion / removal portion 280d. At this time, the first claw portion 290a on the body side is inserted into the second insertion / removal portion 380b on the lens side, the second claw portion 290b on the body side is inserted into the third insertion / removal portion 380c on the lens side, the third claw portion 290c on the body side is inserted into the fourth insertion / removal portion 380d on the lens side, and the fourth claw portion 290d on the body side is inserted into the first insertion / removal portion 380a on the lens side. The position of the interchangeable lens 3 relative to the camera body 2 at this time is referred to as the insertion position.

[0064] From the insertion position described above, rotate the interchangeable lens 3 in the mounting direction 44 shown in Figure 8. The mounting direction 44 is a direction along the circumferential direction centered on the optical axis O, within a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis O. As the interchangeable lens 3 rotates, the body-side first claw portion 290a and the leaf spring 213a enter the space between the lens-side first claw portion 390a and the reference surface 311.

[0065] Specifically, the lens-side first claw portion 390a enters the image sensor 270 side (+Z side) of the body-side first claw portion 290a, and the lens-side first claw portion 390a faces the image sensor 270 side (+Z side) of the leaf spring 213a. At the same time, the body-side first claw portion 290a and the leaf spring 213a enter the space between the lens-side first claw portion 390a and the reference surface 311. Similarly, the second claw portion 290b and leaf spring 213b on the body side enter the space between the second claw portion 390b on the lens side and the reference surface 311, the third claw portion 290c and leaf spring 213c on the body side enter the space between the third claw portion 390c on the lens side and the reference surface 311, and the fourth claw portion 290d and leaf spring 213d on the body side enter the space between the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side and the reference surface 311. At this time, the lens-side terminal group makes contact with the body-side terminal group in sequence. Although the interchangeable lens 3 is rotated relative to the camera body 2 in the mounting direction 44, the camera body 2 may also be rotated in the opposite direction to the mounting direction 44 relative to the interchangeable lens 3.

[0066] Figure 9 shows the interchangeable lens 3 rotated by a first angle in the mounting direction 44 relative to the camera body 2 from the insertion position in Figure 8, indicating that the interchangeable lens 3 has been fully mounted on the camera body 2. The position of the interchangeable lens 3 at this time is called the mounting position. In this embodiment, the first angle is approximately 40 degrees, ranging from 38.5 degrees to 41.5 degrees.

[0067] In the mounting position, the lock pin 214 of the camera body 2 is pushed in the -Z direction and enters the lock pin receiving portion 314 of the interchangeable lens 3. When the lock pin 214 enters the lock pin receiving portion 314, the interchangeable lens 3 is restricted from rotating relative to the camera body 2 for removal. In other words, when each body-side claw portion 290 and each lens-side claw portion 390 reach the mounting position, the relative position of the body-side mount 210 and the lens-side mount 310 in the circumferential direction is determined.

[0068] Furthermore, the lens-side claw portion 390 is pushed toward the image sensor 270 (+Z direction) by the leaf spring 213, causing the reference surface 311 of the lens-side mount 310 to contact the reference surface 211 of the body-side mount 210. The lens-side mount 310 makes surface contact with the body-side mount 210 and is biased by the leaf spring 213, thereby firmly attaching the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2. When mounted, each of the multiple lens-side terminals contacts and electrically connects with each of the corresponding multiple body-side terminals.

[0069] Furthermore, the state from when each lens-side claw portion 390 in Figure 8 is inserted into the corresponding body-side insertion / removal portion 280 at the insertion position until just before the mounting position in Figure 9 is called the mounting state. Since the lock pin 214 of the camera body 2 is pressed in the -Z direction, when in the mounting state, the -Z end of the lock pin 214 contacts the lock pin sliding surface 309 of the lens-side mount 310.

[0070] As the interchangeable lens 3 rotates, the -Z end of the locking pin 214 slides on the locking pin sliding surface 309 of the interchangeable lens 3. Therefore, no fixing screws for securing the lens-side mount 310 are placed in the first angular range of the locking pin sliding surface 309 in the opposite direction to the mounting direction 44 from the locking pin receiving portion 314. By not placing fixing screws in the above first angular range in the opposite direction, the -Z end of the locking pin 214 does not come into contact with the fixing screws when sliding on the locking pin sliding surface 309, allowing the interchangeable lens 3 to be attached and detached smoothly.

[0071] (How to remove interchangeable lens 3 from camera body 2) When the user presses the unillustrated unlock button on the camera body while the lens is mounted, the lock pin 214 retracts from the lock pin receiving portion 314 toward the image sensor 270. This releases the rotation restriction on the interchangeable lens 3 relative to the camera body 2, allowing the lens-side mount 310 to rotate relative to the body-side mount 210. When the interchangeable lens 3 is rotated relative to the camera body 2 in the opposite direction to the mounting direction 44 (removal direction) while pressing the unillustrated unlock button, each lens-side claw portion 390 moves from the position facing the image side of each body-side claw portion 290 to the position of each body-side insertion / removal portion 280, reaching the insertion position shown in Figure 8.

[0072] (Explanation of over-rotation in the mounting direction) Next, with reference to Figure 10, we will describe the over-rotation state in which the interchangeable lens 3 is rotated by more than 1 angle in the mounting direction 44 relative to the camera body 2. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the body-side fourth claw portion 290d of the camera body 2 and the lens-side fourth claw portion 390d of the interchangeable lens 3. The upper part of the dashed line (a) is a view from the subject side toward the image sensor 270 side, and the lower part of the dashed line (b) is a view of the lens mount mechanism from the side. When attaching the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2, if the user presses the lock release button while rotating the interchangeable lens 3 in the mounting direction 44, the lock pin 214 does not enter the lock pin receiving portion 314 at the mounting position. Therefore, the interchangeable lens 3 can be rotated further relative to the camera body 2 from the mounting position shown in Figure 9. If the interchangeable lens 3 is rotated further in the mounting direction 44 relative to the camera body 2 from its mounting position, the limiting pin 315 contacts the rear end of the fourth claw portion 290d on the body side in the mounting direction 44, preventing the interchangeable lens 3 from rotating any further relative to the camera body 2.

[0073] (Explanation of over-rotation in the removal direction) Next, with reference to Figure 11, we will describe the over-rotation state in which the interchangeable lens 3 is rotated beyond its insertion position in the opposite direction to the mounting direction 44 (removal direction) relative to the camera body 2. Figure 11 is a side view of a part of the lens mount mechanism in the over-rotation state in the removal direction. Since the limiting pin 315 is located at the rear end of the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side in the mounting direction 44, if the user attempts to rotate the interchangeable lens 3 in the reverse direction after inserting it into the camera body 2, the limiting pin 315 will come into contact with the tip of the third claw portion 290c on the body side in the mounting direction 44, preventing the interchangeable lens 3 from rotating further in the removal direction relative to the camera body 2.

[0074] In this way, the limiting pin 315 abuts against the circumferential end of the body-side claw portion 290, thereby preventing over-rotation in both the mounting direction 44 and the removal direction. Since the limiting pin 315 prevents over-rotation in both the mounting direction 44 and the removal direction, there is no need to provide two separate members: one to prevent over-rotation in the mounting direction 44 and another to prevent over-rotation in the removal direction. Furthermore, since the limiting pin 315 prevents over-rotation by utilizing the circumferential end of the body-side claw portion 290, there is no need to provide a separate member that contacts the limiting pin 315 during over-rotation.

[0075] (Explanation of incorrect insertion) Next, we will explain a misinsertion condition in which a user attempts to insert the interchangeable lens 3 into the camera body 2 in the wrong position without aligning the indicator on the interchangeable lens 3 with the indicator on the camera body 2. In the misinsertion condition, the lens-side claw portion 390 does not pass through the body-side insertion / removal portion 280, so the positional relationship between the lens-side claw portion 390 and the body-side claw portion 290 on the optical axis O is different from the positional relationship at the insertion position. Figures 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams showing the positional relationship between the body-side claw portion 290 of the camera body 2 and the lens-side claw portion 390 of the interchangeable lens 3, showing the contact state between the claw portions. Also, Figures 12 and 13 are views of the body-side mount 210 and the lens-side mount 310 as seen from the subject side toward the image sensor 270 side (viewed in the +Z direction), and the lens-side mount 310 is reversed left and right compared to Figures 5 and 6. As an example of a misinsertion condition, Figure 12 shows the state in which the indicator on the interchangeable lens 3 and the indicator on the camera body 2 are shifted 15 degrees from the insertion position toward the removal direction. Furthermore, Figures 13(a) to (c) show the state where the indicators on the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2 are shifted by 90 degrees from the insertion position.

[0076] Figure 12 shows the state where the lens is shifted 15 degrees from the insertion position in the removal direction (first incorrect insertion state). As shown by the hatching in Figure 12, the lens-side claw portion 390 contacts the body-side claw portion 290 at the portions indicated by the four symbols γ1 to γ4, so the lens-side claw portion 390 is not inserted into the body-side insertion / removal portion 280. In other words, in the first incorrect insertion state, the lens-side claw portion 390 and the body-side claw portion 290 contact at four points, thereby reliably preventing incorrect insertion.

[0077] Figure 13(a) shows the second misinsertion state, where the indicators on interchangeable lens 3 and camera body 2 are shifted approximately 90 degrees from the insertion position in the removal direction. Figure 13(b) shows the third misinsertion state, where the indicators on interchangeable lens 3 and camera body 2 are shifted approximately 180 degrees from the insertion position in the removal direction. Figure 13(c) shows the fourth misinsertion state, where the indicators on interchangeable lens 3 and camera body 2 are shifted approximately 270 degrees from the insertion position in the removal direction.

[0078] As shown in Figure 13(a), in the second incorrect insertion state, the lens-side third claw portion 390c comes into contact with the body-side first claw portion 290a at the portion indicated by γ5, and with the body-side second claw portion 290b at the portion indicated by γ7, preventing insertion into the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b. Also, the lens-side first claw portion 390a comes into contact with the body-side fourth claw portion 290d at the portion indicated by γ6, preventing insertion into the body-side fourth insertion / removal portion 280d. In this way, in the second incorrect insertion state, the lens-side claw portion 390 comes into contact with the body-side claw portion 290 at three points to prevent incorrect insertion.

[0079] As shown in Figure 13(b), in the third incorrect insertion state, the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side comes into contact with the first claw portion 290a on the body side at the portion indicated by γ8, preventing insertion into the second insertion / removal portion 280b on the body side. Similarly, the first claw portion 390a on the lens side comes into contact with the third claw portion 290c on the body side at the portion indicated by γ9, preventing insertion into the first insertion / removal portion 280a on the body side. Thus, in the third incorrect insertion state, the lens side claw portion 390 comes into contact with the body side claw portion 290 at two points, preventing incorrect insertion.

[0080] As shown in Figure 13(c), in the fourth incorrect insertion state, the lens-side first claw portion 390a comes into contact with the body-side first claw portion 290a at the portion indicated by γ10, and the body-side second claw portion 290b at the portion indicated by γ11, preventing insertion into the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b. Similarly, the lens-side third claw portion 390c comes into contact with the body-side third claw portion 290c at the portion indicated by γ12, preventing insertion into the body-side fourth insertion / removal portion 280d. Thus, in the fourth incorrect insertion state, the lens-side claw portion 390 comes into contact with the body-side claw portion 290 at three points to prevent incorrect insertion.

[0081] As described above, in the case of incorrect insertion other than the insertion position, the lens-side claw portion 390 contacts the body-side claw portion 290 at at least two points, thereby preventing the lens-side claw portion 390 from being inserted into the body-side insertion / removal portion 280 in any position other than the insertion position. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to attach the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 in the incorrect insertion position, the contact between the claw portions at at least two points reliably prevents incorrect insertion.

[0082] Furthermore, in the first to fourth incorrect insertion states, one of the two or more contact points is located on the upper side of the image sensor 270. In other words, in the incorrect insertion position, one of the lens-side first claw portion 390a to lens-side third claw portion 390c contacts the end of the body-side first claw portion 290a on the mounting direction 44 end side, preventing the lens-side first claw portion 390a to lens-side third claw portion 390c from being inserted into the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b. As described above, the body-side terminal holding portion 220 is located within the opening 212 of the body-side mount 210, above the image sensor 270. The body-side first claw portion 290a is located above the body-side terminal holding portion 220, and the body-side first claw portion 290a has the longest circumferential length among the four body-side claw portions 290. Furthermore, the body-side second insertion / removal section 280b is located above the body-side terminal retaining section 220, and the body-side second insertion / removal section 280b is the shortest of the four body-side insertion / removal sections 280. Therefore, only the lens-side second claw section 390b is inserted into the body-side second insertion / removal section 280b in the correct insertion position, and the other lens-side first claw sections 390a to third claw sections 390c cannot be mistakenly inserted into the body-side second insertion / removal section 280b. In addition, the lens-side first claw sections 390a to third claw sections 390c cannot enter the body-side second insertion / removal section 280b at an angle (inclined in a direction intersecting the optical axis O). This prevents the lens-side claw sections 390a to 390c from hitting the body-side terminal retaining section 220 and damaging the body-side terminal in a mistakenly inserted state. Furthermore, the body-side first claw portion 290a prevents misinsertion by contacting one of the lens-side claw portions 390 in the misinsertion state. However, the body-side first claw portion 290a has the longest circumferential length and highest durability among the four lens-side claw portions 290, thus reducing the possibility of damage to the body-side first claw portion 290a in the event of misinsertion. In addition, in the second to fourth misinsertion states, at least one of the contact points is located opposite the body-side terminal holding portion 220 across the optical axis O. That is, one of the contact points is near the body-side terminal holding portion 220 and above the body-side second straight line B2 passing through the optical axis O, while the other contact point is below the body-side second straight line B2 passing through the optical axis O.Therefore, in the second to fourth misinsertion states, there are two or three contact points, but since contact occurs above and below the second straight line B2 on the body side passing through the optical axis O, the possibility of misinsertion can be reduced. Furthermore, in the first to fourth incorrect insertion states, one of the two or more contact points is located on the outer circumference of the lens-side terminal retaining portion 320. In other words, in the incorrect insertion position, one of the body-side first to fourth claws 290a to 290d contacts the end of the lens-side first claw 390a on the mounting direction 44 side. Therefore, it prevents the other body-side second to fourth claws 290b to 290d from being incorrectly inserted into the lens-side second insertion / removal portion 380b. As described above, the upper part of the lens-side terminal retaining portion 320 has the end of the body-side first claw 290a on the mounting direction 44 side. This prevents the lens-side first claw 290a from passing through the body-side insertion / removal portions 280b to 280d other than the body-side first insertion / removal portion 280a, hitting the lens-side terminal retaining portion 320, and damaging the lens-side terminal. Furthermore, the first claw portion 390a on the lens side prevents incorrect insertion by contacting one of the claw portions 290 on the body side in the event of incorrect insertion. However, the first claw portion 390a on the lens side has the second longest circumferential length among the four claw portions 390 on the lens side and is relatively durable, thus reducing the possibility of damage to the first claw portion 390a on the lens side in the event of incorrect insertion.

[0083] Here, as shown in Figure 8, the lens-side second claw portion 390b passes through the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b and is positioned at the insertion position, and faces the body-side second claw portion 290b at the mounting position. The angle α6 of the lens-side second claw portion 390b (Figure 6) is smaller than the angle β2 of the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b (Figure 3). The angle β2 of the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b is smaller than the first angle from the insertion position to the mounting position. Therefore, by making the lens-side second claw portion 390b smaller than the first angle, the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b can be made smaller to prevent other lens-side claw portions 390 other than the lens-side second claw portion 390b from passing through in a misinserted state. In particular, in the second to fourth incorrect insertion states, where there are two or three contact points between the lens-side claw portion 390 and the body-side claw portion 290, it is possible to prevent the other lens-side claw portions 390a, 390c, and 390d, other than the lens-side second claw portion 390b, from passing through the body-side second insertion / removal portion 280b. Since the body-side terminal retaining portion 220 is located on the inner diameter side of the body-side second insertion / removal portion 290b, by preventing the other lens-side claw portions 390a, 390c, and 309d from passing through, it is also possible to prevent the other lens-side claw portions 390 or cylindrical portion 312 from hitting the body-side terminal retaining portion 220 and damaging the body-side terminal. Furthermore, the angle α6 of the second claw portion 390b on the lens side may be smaller than the angles α5, α7, and α8 of the first claw portion 390a, the third claw portion 390c, and the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side. The angle β2 of the second insertion / removal portion 280b on the body side may be smaller than the angles α5, α7, and α8 of the first claw portion 390a, the third claw portion 390c, and the fourth claw portion 390d on the lens side.

[0084] According to the embodiment described above, the interchangeable lens 3 can be attached to the camera body 2 in a state where it can be used properly. In particular, when attaching the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3, the four lens-side claws 390 are pressed in the +Z direction by each of the leaf springs 213 of the four body-side claws 290. Therefore, even if either the interchangeable lens 3 or the camera body 2 is subjected to an impact, there are four protruding parts (lens-side claws 390 and body-side claws 290), resulting in high impact resistance.

[0085] Furthermore, when the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2, communication, power supply, and control can be performed between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 through the respective terminals on the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3, allowing the camera system 1 to be used properly.

[0086] The four protrusions of the interchangeable lens 3 are positioned on a line that intersects the line connecting the center of the contact holder and the optical axis O at approximately a 45-degree angle on the optical axis O. They contact four leaf springs 213, which are spaced approximately 90 degrees apart around the optical axis O, and face the four protrusions of the camera body 2. This provides high impact resistance whether the camera system 1 is held horizontally or vertically. In particular, even if either the interchangeable lens 3 or the camera body 2 is subjected to an impact in the vertical direction, since there are two protrusions on the right and two on the left side of the line (B1, L1) connecting the center of the contact holder and the optical axis O, the impact in the vertical direction can be absorbed by two or more protrusions.

[0087] The second claw portion 290b and the fourth claw portion 290d on the body side are positioned on the third straight line B3 on the body side, and the first claw portion 290a and the third claw portion 290c on the body side are positioned on the fourth straight line B4 on the body side. Here, the angle α4 of the fourth claw portion 290d is the third largest angle among the four body side claw portions 290, and the angle α2 of the second claw portion 290b is the smallest angle (fourth largest) among the four body side claw portions 290. Also, the angle α1 of the first claw portion 290a is the largest angle among the four body side claw portions 290, and the angle α3 of the third claw portion 290c is the second largest angle among the four body side claw portions.

[0088] Therefore, if either the interchangeable lens 3 or the camera body 2 is subjected to an impact in the vertical direction, the force applied to the combination of the two upper protrusions (body-side first claw 290a and body-side second claw 290b) and the combination of the two lower protrusions (body-side fourth claw 290d and body-side third claw 290c) will be approximately equal. Even if an impact is received in the horizontal direction, the force applied to the combination of the two left protrusions (body-side third claw 290c and body-side second claw 290b) and the combination of the two right protrusions (body-side first claw 290a and body-side fourth claw 290d) will be approximately equal.

[0089] The first lens-side claw portion 390a and the third lens-side claw portion 390c are positioned on the third lens-side straight line L3, and the second lens-side claw portion 390b and the fourth lens-side claw portion 390d are positioned on the fourth lens-side straight line L4. Here, the angle α8 of the fourth lens-side claw portion 390d is the third largest angle among the four lens-side claw portions 390, and the angle α6 of the second lens-side claw portion 390b is the smallest angle (fourth largest) among the four lens-side claw portions 390. Also, the angle α5 of the first lens-side claw portion 390a is the second largest angle among the four lens-side claw portions, and the angle α7 of the third lens-side claw portion 390c is the largest angle among the four lens-side claw portions.

[0090] Therefore, if either the interchangeable lens 3 or the camera body 2 is subjected to an impact in the vertical direction, the force applied to the combination of the two upper protrusions (lens-side first claw 390a and lens-side second claw 390b) and the combination of the two lower protrusions (lens-side fourth claw 390d and lens-side third claw 390c) will be approximately equal. Even if the impact is in the horizontal direction, the force applied to the combination of the two left protrusions (lens-side first claw 390a and lens-side fourth claw 390d) and the combination of the two right protrusions (lens-side third claw 390c and lens-side second claw 390b) will be approximately equal.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the angle of the third lens claw portion 390c is larger than that of the first lens claw portion 390a, which is positioned on the third lens-side straight line L3, and the angle of the fourth lens claw portion 390d is larger than that of the second lens claw portion 390b, which is positioned on the fourth lens-side straight line L4, which is positioned on the fourth lens-side straight line L4. In other words, of the two lens claw portions 390 facing each other across the optical axis O, the two lens claw portions 390 below the second lens-side straight line L2 (horizontal direction) are larger. Therefore, when the camera system is held in a horizontal position, the impact received by the interchangeable lens 3 from below can be received over a wide area by the two lens claw portions 390 with larger angles below the second lens-side straight line L2. Furthermore, when the interchangeable lens 3 is subjected to an impact from below while the camera system is held horizontally, the lens-side claw portion 390 below the second straight line L2 on the lens side is subjected to an impact in the direction of moving toward the body-side claw portion 290 (-Z direction). Here, the leaf spring 213 presses the lens-side claw portion 390 toward the body-side claw portion 290 (+Z direction). Therefore, even when the interchangeable lens 3 is subjected to an impact from below while the camera system is held horizontally, the lens-side claw portion 390 below the second straight line L2 on the lens side can absorb the impact over a large area, and also with the biasing force of the leaf springs 213 of the opposing body-side claw portions 290, thus providing high impact resistance.

[0092] When the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2, the lens-side terminal holder 320 is positioned above the image sensor 270. When the camera system 1 is held horizontally, sunlight entering the interchangeable lens 3 enters from below on the exit side of the interchangeable lens 3, so ghosting is likely to occur on the lower side of the image sensor 270. However, in this embodiment, the lens-side terminal holder 320 is positioned above the image sensor 270 instead of below, so ghosting can be suppressed.

[0093] The four leaf springs 213 are arranged at approximately 90-degree intervals around the optical axis O. Therefore, at least two of the four leaf springs 213, with the optical axis O in between, are in contact with the two lens-side claw portions 390, and these two lens-side claw portions 390 are pressed in the +Z direction. In this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 3 is provided with four lens-side claw portions 390, but even if one of the four lens-side claw portions 390 of the interchangeable lens 3 is damaged, at least two lens-side claw portions 390 are positioned opposite each other with the optical axis O in between, and are therefore pressed by the two leaf springs 213 positioned opposite each other with the optical axis O in between. Thus, even if the number of lens-side claw portions 390 of the interchangeable lens 3 is reduced due to damage, a camera system 1 can be provided that allows the interchangeable lens 3 to be mounted on the camera body 2 in a usable state. Furthermore, since the leaf spring 213 is located on straight line B5 (Figure 4), the lens-side terminal near straight line B5 can be firmly pressed against the body-side terminal.

[0094] The following modifications are also possible, and one or more of these modifications can be combined with the embodiments described above. (modified version)

[0095] One of the four lens-side claws 390 may be removed, resulting in a configuration with three lens-side claws. Even with three lens-side claws, since the leaf springs 213 of the camera body 2 are arranged at 90-degree intervals around the optical axis O, the lens-side claws can be pressed against at least three leaf springs 213 and mounted in a usable state.

[0096] The lens-side claw portion 390 may be configured such that two of the four claw portions 390 that face each other across the optical axis O are removed, leaving two claw portions that face each other across the optical axis O. Even with only two claw portions, they face each other across the optical axis O, and the leaf springs of the camera body 2 are arranged at 90-degree intervals around the optical axis, so the claw portions can be pressed against at least the leaf springs 213 that face each other across the optical axis O, allowing them to be mounted in a usable state. When configuring with two claw portions that face each other across the optical axis O, it is preferable to position one of the two claw portions closer to the center of the lens-side terminal holding portion 320. By positioning the claw portion closer to the center of the lens-side terminal holding portion 320 and bringing it into contact with the leaf springs 213, the lens-side terminal and the body-side terminal can be brought into contact, allowing the camera system 1 to be used properly.

[0097] There are no particular limitations on the material of the lens-side mount 310; it may be metal or resin. Furthermore, at least a portion of the ends of the lens-side mount 310 (such as the outer peripheral end of the lens-side claw portion 390, the circumferential end of the lens-side claw portion 390, and the optical axis O-direction end of the cylindrical portion 312) may be inclined. The ends of the lens-side mount 310 do not necessarily have to be inclined, and may have a step in some parts.

[0098] There are no particular limitations on the shape of the lens-side terminal retaining portion 320, and it can be changed as appropriate. In particular, by inclining the circumferential end of the lens-side terminal retaining portion 320, contact with the body-side terminal retaining portion 220 can be made smoother when rotating it from the insertion position to the mounting position. Furthermore, although the lens-side terminal holding portion 320 is provided with multiple lens-side terminals arranged in an arc shape, the position of the lens-side terminals may be shifted within the range where they contact the body-side terminals when the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2.

[0099] The circumferential center position and length of the lens-side claw portion 390 can be appropriately changed within the range in which it is pressed by the leaf spring 213 at the mounting position. The circumferential center position of the lens-side claw portion 390 and the circumferential center position of the biased portion may be located at different positions. In other words, the position in which the lens-side claw portion 390 is pressed by the circumferential center position of the leaf spring 213 may be different from the circumferential center position of the lens-side claw portion 390. Similarly, the circumferential center position of the lens-side claw portion 390 and the circumferential center position of the body-side claw portion 290 do not have to coincide at the mounting position. Furthermore, the circumferential length of the lens-side claw portion 390 and the corresponding circumferential length of the body-side claw portion 290 do not have to coincide.

[0100] In this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 3 of the camera system 1 was used as an example of an accessory, but the accessory is not limited to the interchangeable lens 3. For example, it could be a teleconverter, wide-angle converter, or extension ring that is attached between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 to change the focal length of the interchangeable lens 3. Alternatively, it can be applied to a mount adapter that allows accessories, including interchangeable lenses 3 of other mount standards, to be attached to the mount standard of the camera body 2. In other words, it can be applied similarly to any accessory that is attached to the mount of the camera body 2. In that case, the lens-side claw portion, lens-side terminal, etc. correspond to the accessory-side protrusion portion, accessory-side terminal, etc. of each respective accessory.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the accessory is detachable from the camera body 2. However, the camera body 2 may be a mount adapter that allows interchangeable lenses 3 of the above mount standard to be attached to a camera body with a different mount standard than the above mount standard, and the above accessory may be attached to that mount adapter.

[0102] Although various embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. Other embodiments conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1...Camera system, 2...Camera body, 3...Interchangeable lens, 44...Mounting direction, 210...Body-side mount, 211...Reference plane, 212...Aperture, 213...Leaf spring, 220...Body-side terminal retaining part, 270...Image sensor, 290...Body-side claw part, 309...Sliding surface for lock pin, 310...Lens-side mount, 311...Reference plane, 312...Cylindrical part, 320...Lens-side terminal retaining part, 360...Imaging optical system, 390...Lens-side claw part, B1~B4...Body-side 1st straight line~4th straight line, L1~L4...Lens-side 1st straight line~4th straight line, B5...Straight line, O...Optical axis

Claims

[Claim 1] The camera body, when held horizontally, comprises an image sensor having a rectangular shape with an upper edge, a lower edge, a right edge, and a left edge, into which subject light centered on the optical axis is incident; a group of body-side terminals consisting of a plurality of body-side terminals arranged in an arc shape on the upper part of the upper edge of the image sensor; an annular body-side mount centered on the optical axis, positioned outside the image sensor and the group of body-side terminals; a first body-side projection protruding inward from the body-side mount; a second body-side projection protruding inward from the body-side mount; and the body An accessory that can be attached to and removed from a camera body, comprising a third body-side projection protruding inward from the camera-side mount, and a fourth body-side projection protruding inward from the body-side mount, wherein the first body-side projection, the second body-side projection, the third body-side projection, and the fourth body-side projection are respectively arranged in four regions divided by a first body-side straight line passing through the center of the arc direction of the body-side terminal group and the optical axis, and a second body-side straight line perpendicular to the first body-side straight line and the optical axis, It is an annular shape centered on the optical axis, and includes an accessory-side mount that contacts the body-side mount, A cylindrical portion extending in the direction of the optical axis from the inner peripheral edge of the accessory-side mount, A group of accessory-side terminals, which are arranged inside the cylindrical portion and come into contact with the body-side terminal when attached to the camera body, A first accessory-side projection extends from the cylindrical portion toward the outer circumference of the accessory-side mount and extends in a circumferential direction around the optical axis, A second accessory-side projection extends from the cylindrical portion toward the outer circumference of the accessory-side mount and extends in a circumferential direction around the optical axis, A third accessory-side projection extends from the cylindrical portion toward the outer circumference of the accessory-side mount and extends in a circumferential direction around the optical axis, A fourth accessory-side projection extends from the cylindrical portion toward the outer circumference of the accessory-side mount and extends in a circumferential direction around the optical axis, Equipped with, An accessory in which the first accessory-side protrusion and the third accessory-side protrusion are arranged on a third accessory-side line that intersects the optical axis at approximately 45 degrees with the first accessory-side line passing through the center of the accessory-side terminal group and the optical axis, and the second accessory-side protrusion and the fourth accessory-side protrusion are arranged on a fourth accessory-side line that is perpendicular to the optical axis with respect to the third accessory-side line.

Images