Imaging device

Abstract

In an imaging device in which the display is attached to the housing via a hinge, the aim is to facilitate the positioning of the display on the housing while also ensuring the mounting strength of the display to the housing. [Solution] The imaging device includes a housing 22 having first and second through holes 22a and 22b, a display 30, a first hinge 34 that movably connects the display 30 to the housing 22, a hinge support member 38 disposed inside the housing 22 to which the first hinge 36 is fixed, a fixing screw 40 that passes through the first through hole 22a of the housing 22 and fixes the first hinge 34 and the hinge support member 38 to each other, and position regulating structures 34d and 42 that pass through the second through hole 22b of the housing 22 and regulate the position of the first hinge 34 and the hinge support member 38 to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an imaging device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an imaging device in which a display is attached to a housing via a hinge has been known. For example, in the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, a hinge is fixed to a hinge support member via a fixing screw. Specifically, the fixing screw passes through a through hole of the hinge and a through hole of the housing and engages with a threaded hole of the hinge support member inside the housing. Further, the housing is provided with a positioning pin that engages with a positioning hole provided in the hinge.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, the hinge is positioned relative to the housing. However, due to the manufacturing precision of the hinge and the display, and the assembly precision of these components, even if the hinge is positioned relative to the housing, the display may not be properly positioned relative to the housing. For example, when the display is in its closest stored position to the housing, it may not be in the predetermined position and orientation that it should be in relative to the housing. In this case, it is necessary to reassemble the hinge and the display in order to properly position the display relative to the housing. However, it is not always the case that the display will be properly positioned relative to the housing in a single reassembly operation. Furthermore, there are cases where the display cannot be positioned in the correct position relative to the housing in the first place (i.e., when the display is in the correct position relative to the housing, the positioning pins of the housing interfere with the hinge and do not enter the positioning holes of the hinge).

[0005] One possible solution is to create a gap (play) between the hinge's positioning hole and the housing's positioning pin, allowing the display to move to the correct position relative to the housing after the housing's positioning pin enters the hinge's positioning hole. However, in this case, if an external force is applied, the hinge may move relative to the housing due to the gap between the positioning hole and the positioning pin, potentially reducing the mounting strength of the display to the housing via the hinge.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide an imaging device in which the display is attached to the housing via a hinge, that facilitates the positioning of the display to the housing while also ensuring the mounting strength of the display to the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of this disclosure, A housing having first and second through holes, The display and A first hinge that movably connects the display to the housing, A hinge support member is disposed within the housing and to which the first hinge is fixed, A fixing screw that passes through the first through hole of the housing and fixes the first hinge and the hinge support member to each other, An imaging device is provided, which has a position regulating structure that passes through the second through hole of the housing and regulates the position of the first hinge and the hinge support member relative to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, in an imaging device in which a display is attached to a housing via a hinge, it is possible to facilitate the positioning of the display on the housing while also ensuring the mounting strength of the display to the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Front perspective view of an imaging device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Rear perspective view of the imaging device with the display unit in the retracted position. [Figure 3] Rear perspective view of the imaging device with the display unit deployed. [Figure 4] Lower perspective view of the imaging device corresponding to Figure 3. [Figure 5] A forward exploded perspective view illustrating the mounting of the display unit to the housing. [Figure 6] Rear exploded perspective view illustrating the mounting of the display unit to the housing. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view showing the fixing of the first hinge to the housing. [Figure 8] Rearward perspective view of an imaging device according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] Rear perspective view of an imaging device according to a different embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, overly detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following descriptions unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0011] Note that the inventor(s) provide the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend to limit the subject matter described in the claims thereby.

[0012] Hereinafter, an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the imaging device with the display unit in a stored state. The X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system shown in the figures is for facilitating understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure and does not limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. The X-axis direction is the front-rear direction of the imaging device, the Y-axis direction is the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction is the height direction. The optical axis C of the imaging device extends in the front-rear direction.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the imaging device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 12, a lens mount 14 provided on the front surface 12a of the housing 12 to which a lens (not shown) is detachably attached, a display unit 16 provided on the rear surface 12b of the housing 12, and a shutter button 18 provided on the upper surface 12c of the housing 12.

[0015] In the case of the present embodiment, the housing 12 is composed of a plurality of parts. The housing 12 includes a front casing 20 to which the lens mount 14 is fixed, a rear casing 22 to which the display unit 16 is fixed, and a top casing 24 provided with the shutter button 18.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the imaging device with the display unit in the deployed state. Further, FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the imaging device corresponding to FIG. 3.

[0017] In the case of this embodiment, the display unit 16 is a tilt-variangle type display unit. Specifically, the display unit 16 includes a display 30, a base member 32, a first hinge 34 that connects the base member 32 to the housing 12 so as to be movable, and a second hinge 36 that connects the display 30 to the base member 32 so as to be movable.

[0018] The display 30 in the display unit 16 is substantially rectangular plate-shaped and includes a display screen 30a. The display 30 is, for example, a touch screen display. On the display screen 30a of the display 30, for example, an image of a subject incident on an imaging element (not shown) in the housing 12 through a lens (not shown) attached to the lens mount 14 is displayed. Also, a user interface such as an icon is displayed on the display screen 30a of the display 30.

[0019] The base member 32 in the display unit 16 is substantially rectangular plate-shaped, includes a second hinge 36 on one end side in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), and includes a seating surface 32a on the other end side where the display 30 sits.

[0020] The first hinge 34 in the display unit 16 is a so-called tilt hinge and includes a movable part 34a that supports the base member 32 and a fixed part 34b that supports the movable part 34a and is fixed to the housing 12. In the case of this embodiment, the first hinge 34 supports the display 30 via the base member 32 and the second hinge 36.

[0021] The movable part 34a of the first hinge 34 is arm-shaped and supports the display 30 so as to be rotatable about a first rotation center line R1 at one end thereof. The first rotation center line R1 extends in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the imaging device 10.

[0022] The fixed portion 34b of the first hinge 34 is fixed to the housing 12 and supports the other end of the movable portion 34a so as to be rotatable about the second pivot centerline R2. The second pivot centerline R2 extends parallel to the first pivot centerline R1.

[0023] The display 30 is movably connected to the housing 12 by this first hinge 34. Specifically, in this embodiment, the distance between the base member 32 and the housing 12 can be adjusted, as can the inclination of the base member 32.

[0024] The second hinge 36 in the display unit 16 is a so-called vari-angle hinge and includes a movable part 36a that supports the display 30 and a fixed part 36b that supports the movable part 36a and is fixed to the base member 32.

[0025] The movable portion 36a of the second hinge 36 supports the display 30 so as to be rotatable about a third pivot centerline R3. The third pivot centerline R3 extends parallel to the display screen 30a of the display 30.

[0026] The fixing portion 36b of the second hinge 36 is fixed to the base member 32 and supports the movable portion 36a so as to be rotatable about the fourth rotation centerline R4. The fourth rotation centerline R4 extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the third rotation centerline R3. In this embodiment 1, the fixing portion 36b is integrally provided with the base member 32.

[0027] With this second hinge 36, the display 30 can be seated on the seating surface 32a of the base member 32 with the display screen 30a facing the seating surface 32a (see Figure 2). Furthermore, the display 30 can be seated on the seating surface 32a of the base member 32 with the display screen 30a exposed. Additionally, as shown in Figure 3, the display 30 can be separated from the seating surface 32a of the base member 32.

[0028] Therefore, in this first embodiment, the first hinge 34 and the second hinge 36 allow the display 30 to be positioned in various positions relative to the housing 12, and its display screen 30a to be oriented in various directions.

[0029] From here, we will describe further features of the imaging device of this disclosure, specifically the method of fixing the display unit 16 to the housing 12.

[0030] Figures 5 and 6 are front and rear exploded perspective views illustrating the attachment of the display unit to the housing. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment of the first hinge to the housing.

[0031] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the display unit 16 is attached to the rear casing 22 of the housing 12 via the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34. However, strictly speaking, although the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 remains in contact with the rear casing 22, it is not directly fixed to the rear casing 22.

[0032] Specifically, the imaging device 10 has a hinge support member 38 that supports the fixed portion 34b of the first hinge 34. The imaging device 10 also has a plurality of screws 40 for fixing the fixed portion 34b of the first hinge 34 to the hinge support member 38.

[0033] In this embodiment, the hinge support member 38 is a plate-shaped member that has higher rigidity than the rear casing 22 of the housing 12. For example, the rear casing 22 is made of a magnesium alloy, and the hinge support member 38 is made of stainless steel.

[0034] Furthermore, the hinge support member 38 is positioned inside the housing 12 so as to face the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 across the rear casing 22. That is, the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 contacts the outer surface of the rear casing 22, and the hinge support member 38 contacts the inner surface of the rear casing 22.

[0035] In this embodiment, the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 has a female screw hole 34c that engages with a plurality of screws 40. Therefore, the hinge support member 38 has a plurality of through holes 38a through which each of the shaft portions 40a of the plurality of screws 40 passes. In addition, the rear casing 22 has a plurality of first through holes 22a through which each of the shaft portions 40a of the plurality of screws 40 passes.

[0036] The shafts 40a of each of the multiple screws 40 pass sequentially through the through holes 38a of the hinge support member 38 and the first through hole 22a of the rear casing 22, engaging with the female threaded holes 34c of the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34, thereby fixing the first hinge 34 to the hinge support member 38. In addition, the heads 40b of each of the multiple fixing screws 40 contact the hinge support member 38, causing the hinge support member 38 to function as a washer. As a result, the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the hinge support member 38 clamp the rear casing 22, and the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 remains in contact with the rear casing 22.

[0037] In this embodiment, the internal screw hole is formed in the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34, but instead, the internal screw hole may be formed in the hinge support member 38.

[0038] Furthermore, the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 is fixed to the hinge support member 38 via a plurality of fixing screws 40 and is also positioned relative to the hinge support member 38.

[0039] To explain in more detail, the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the hinge support member 38 are fixed to each other via multiple fixing screws 40, thereby restricting each other's positions in the direction in which the fixing screws 40 extend, i.e., in the fastening direction (X-axis direction).

[0040] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, the relative movement of the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the hinge support member 38 in directions intersecting the fastening direction of the fixing screw 40 (X-axis direction) (Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction) is restricted by a positional regulating structure different from that of the fixing screw 40.

[0041] In this embodiment, the position regulating structure, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, consists of two positioning pins 42 integrally provided on the hinge support member 38, and two positioning holes 34d formed in the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 that engage with the positioning pins 42. The positioning pins 42 are integrally fixed to the plate-shaped hinge support member 38, for example, by crimping. One of the two positioning holes 34d is elongated. A second through-hole 22b is formed in the rear casing 22 through which the two positioning pins 42 pass.

[0042] The engagement of these multiple positioning pins 42 and positioning holes 34d causes the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the hinge support member 38 to restrict each other's position in directions (Y-axis and Z-axis directions) that intersect with the fastening direction of the fixing screw 40 (X-axis direction). In other words, the relative movement of the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the hinge support member 38 is restricted.

[0043] This mutual positional restriction between the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the hinge support member 38 facilitates the positioning of the display unit 16 relative to the housing 12 (i.e., the rear casing 22) of the display 30, while ensuring the mounting strength of the display 30 to the housing 12. This will be explained in detail.

[0044] In this embodiment, the display 30 is connected to the housing 12 via a second hinge 36, a base member 32, and a first hinge 34. In this embodiment, there is no position-restricting structure between the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the housing 12 (rear casing 22) to restrict their relative positions. This is because each of the display 30, the second hinge 36, the base member 32, and the first hinge 34 has unavoidable tolerance variations in manufacturing, as well as unavoidable assembly variations within tolerances.

[0045] Unlike this embodiment, if the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the housing 12 are mutually regulated in position, for example, if they are positioned relative to each other via a positioning hole provided in the fixing portion 34b and a positioning pin provided in the housing 12, variations will occur in the position and orientation of the display 30 relative to the housing 12. For example, as shown in Figure 2, when the display 30 is in its closest stored position to the housing 12, variations will occur in the position and orientation of the display 30 relative to the housing 12. If the position and orientation of the display 30 relative to the housing 12 deviate significantly from the predetermined position and orientation that it should originally be in, beyond the allowable range, the display unit 16 needs to be disassembled and reassembled. This is very time-consuming. Furthermore, there are cases where the display 30 cannot be positioned correctly relative to the housing 12 (i.e., when the display 30 is positioned correctly relative to the housing 12, the positioning pins of the housing 12 interfere with the first hinge 34 and do not enter the positioning holes of the first hinge 34). To address this, one could consider creating a gap (play) between the positioning holes of the first hinge 34 and the positioning pins of the housing 12 in order to move the display 30 to the correct position relative to the housing 12 after the positioning pins of the housing 12 have entered the positioning holes of the first hinge 34. However, in this case, if an external force is applied, the gap between the positioning holes and the positioning pins may cause the first hinge 34 to move relative to the housing 12, which could reduce the mounting strength of the display 30 to the housing 12 via the first hinge 34.

[0046] For this reason, in this embodiment, the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the housing 12 do not restrict each other's position. Therefore, the display 30 is positioned relative to the housing 12 through the assembly process described below.

[0047] First, the display unit 16 is positioned with the display 30 seated on the base member 32 (as shown in Figure 2), while the first and second hinges 34 and 36 are folded. Next, while maintaining this position, the display unit 16 is temporarily placed in the rear casing 22 of the housing 12.

[0048] Next, the positioning pin 42 of the hinge support member 38 is inserted through the positioning hole 34c of the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 of the display unit 16, which is temporarily placed in the rear casing 22 of the housing 12.

[0049] Next, the hinge support member 38 is temporarily fixed to the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 by multiple fixing screws 40. That is, the multiple fixing screws 40 are not tightened all the way, and the hinge support member 38 and the fixing portion 34b do not completely clamp the rear casing 22 of the housing 12. Therefore, the display unit 16 can move with a small stroke relative to the rear casing 22.

[0050] Next, the entire display unit 16 is moved to adjust the position and orientation of the display 30 relative to the housing 12 to a predetermined position and orientation. At this time, the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the hinge support member 38 are connected via the positioning pin 42, so they move together. The predetermined position and orientation are, for example, the position and orientation of the display 30 when it is stored closest to the housing 12, as shown in Figure 2.

[0051] Then, after the display 30 is adjusted to a predetermined position and orientation, the multiple fixing screws 40 are tightened all the way while maintaining that state. As a result, the hinge support member 38 and the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 clamp the rear casing 22 of the housing 12. Consequently, the display unit 16 is completely fixed to the housing 12 with the display 30 maintained in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the housing 12, i.e., positioned relative to the housing 12. Therefore, there is no need to disassemble and reassemble the display unit 16 in order to position the display 30 relative to the housing 12.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hinge support member 38, which contacts the head 40b of the fixing screw 40, is positioned relative to the fixing portion 34c of the first hinge 34, which has a female screw hole 34c that engages with the fixing screw 40, by positioning pins 42 and positioning holes 34b that engage with each other. In other words, the hinge support member 38 cannot move relative to the fixing portion 34c of the first hinge 34. Therefore, the hinge support member 38 moves relative to the fixing portion 34c of the first hinge 34. This has the effect of reducing the loosening of the fixing screw 40, similar to a general washer. Thus, in this embodiment, the mounting strength of the display 30 to the housing 12 is ensured.

[0053] According to this embodiment, in an imaging device 10 in which the display 30 is attached to the housing 12 via first and second hinges 34 and 36, it is possible to easily position the display 30 on the housing 12 while also ensuring the mounting strength of the display to the housing.

[0054] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to the embodiments described herein, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0055] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the position-restricting structure that restricts the position of the fixing portion 34b of the first hinge 34 and the hinge support member 38 is a positioning pin 42 provided in the hinge support member 38 and a positioning hole 34d formed in the fixing portion 34b, but the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. For example, the positioning pin may be provided in the first hinge and the positioning hole may be provided in the hinge support member. Furthermore, the position-restricting structure is not limited to a pin and a hole, but may also be a shape that engages with each other, for example, a convex portion and a concave portion. Moreover, further members different from the first hinge and the hinge support member may be used as the position-restricting structure. For example, through holes may be provided in the fixing portion of the first hinge and the hinge support member, and a knock pin may be inserted into each through hole.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display 30 of the imaging device 10 is a tilt-vari-angle type display, and for that purpose, the display 30 is connected to the housing 12 via a first hinge 34 and a second hinge 36. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0057] Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of an imaging device according to another embodiment. Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of an imaging device according to a different embodiment.

[0058] In the imaging device 110 according to another embodiment shown in Figure 8, the display 30 is connected to the housing 112 via a hinge 136 that is substantially the same as the second hinge 36 in the imaging device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. That is, the display 30 of the imaging device 110 according to the other embodiment is a vari-angle type display. In this other embodiment, similar to the above-described embodiment, the fixing portion 136b of the hinge 136 is fixed to a hinge support member (not shown) inside the housing 112 via a fixing screw (not shown), and is positioned relative to the hinge support member via a position regulating structure (not shown). The housing 112 also has a first through hole (not shown) through which the fixing screw passes, and a second through hole (not shown) through which the positioning structure passes.

[0059] In the imaging device 210 according to a different embodiment shown in Figure 9, the display 30 is connected to the housing 212 via a hinge 234 that is substantially the same as the first hinge 34 in the imaging device according to the above-described embodiment. That is, the display 30 of the imaging device 210 according to the different embodiment is a tilt-type display. In this different embodiment, as in the above-described embodiment, the fixing portion 234b of the hinge 234 is fixed to a hinge support member (not shown) inside the housing 212 via a fixing screw (not shown), and is positioned relative to the hinge support member via a position regulating structure (not shown). The housing 212 also has a first through hole (not shown) through which the fixing screw passes, and a second through hole (not shown) through which the positioning structure passes.

[0060] In other words, the imaging device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is, in a broad sense, an imaging device comprising: a housing having first and second through holes; a display; a first hinge that movably connects the display to the housing; a hinge support member disposed inside the housing and to which the first hinge is fixed; a fixing screw that passes through the first through hole of the housing and fixes the first hinge and the hinge support member to each other; and a position regulating structure that passes through the second through hole of the housing and regulates the position of the first hinge and the hinge support member to each other.

[0061] As described above, the embodiments described in this disclosure have been explained as examples of the technology. For this purpose, drawings and a detailed description are provided. Therefore, among the components described in the drawings and detailed description, there may be not only components that are essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem, in order to illustrate the technology described above. For this reason, the mere fact that these non-essential components are described in the drawings and detailed description should not be immediately assumed to be essential.

[0062] Furthermore, since the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes of the technology described herein, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof. [Industrial applicability]

[0063] This disclosure is applicable to imaging devices in which a display is attached to a housing via a hinge. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 22. Enclosure (rear casing) 22a First through hole 22b Second through hole 30 displays 34. First hinge 34d Positioning regulating structure (positioning hole) 38 Hinge support member 40 Fixing screws 42 Positioning regulating structure (positioning pin)

Claims

1. A housing having first and second through holes, The display and A first hinge that movably connects the display to the housing, A hinge support member is disposed inside the housing and to which the first hinge is fixed, A fixing screw that passes through the first through hole of the housing and fixes the first hinge and the hinge support member to each other, An imaging device having a position regulating structure that passes through the second through hole of the housing and regulates the position of the first hinge and the hinge support member relative to each other.

2. The aforementioned position regulating structure, A protrusion is provided on one of the first hinge and the hinge support member, and passes through the second through hole of the housing, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a first hinge and a recess provided on the other of the hinge support member, which engages with the protrusion that passes through the second through hole of the housing.

3. The aforementioned protrusion is pin-shaped, The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the recess is a hole.

4. The first hinge mentioned above, A first movable part that supports the display so as to be rotatable about a first pivot centerline, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a first movable part that supports the first movable part so as to be rotatable about a second pivot center line parallel to the first pivot center line, and a first fixed part that is fixed to the hinge support member via the fixing screw.

5. Base member and The device further comprises a second hinge that movably connects the display to the base member with respect to the base member, The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first movable portion of the first hinge supports the base member so that it can rotate about the first pivot center line.

6. The second hinge mentioned above, A second movable part that rotatably supports the display so that it can rotate around a third pivot center line parallel to the display screen of the display, The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a second fixed portion that supports the second movable portion so as to be rotatable about a fourth pivot center line extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the third pivot center line, and a second fixed portion that is fixed to the base member.

7. The first hinge mentioned above, A movable part that rotatably supports the display so that it can rotate around a first pivot center line parallel to the display screen of the display, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a fixed portion that supports the movable portion so as to be rotatable about a second rotation center line extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first rotation center line, and fixed to the hinge support member.

Images