Shoe Devices and Accessories

Abstract

To secure the functionality and mechanical strength required when using an accessory device by mounting it to an electronic apparatus, and improve convenience when using the accessory without mounting it to the electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: A camera connecting part 206 of an external lighting device 120 comprises: a shoe fitting leg 251 attachable / removable to / from an accessory shoe 123 of a digital camera 100 by slide operation and having a tripod female thread 280 to which a camera tripod, etc., is attachable; a holding member 254 for holding the shoe fitting leg 251; and a connecting plug 256 having a plurality of connection terminals 257 juxtaposed in an X direction and arranged forward of the holding member 254 in a Z direction. The tripod female thread 280 is provided rearward of the plurality of connection terminals 257 in the Z direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe device provided on an accessory for attaching and detaching the accessory to and from an electronic device. and , Accessor equipped with shoe device To Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] An imaging device such as a digital camera, which is an example of an electronic device, may include an accessory shoe device for mounting an accessory for photography, such as a lighting device (strobe device). In general, the accessory shoe device has an engagement portion that allows the accessory to be attached to and detached from the shoe device. In addition, the accessory shoe device and the shoe device each have a connection terminal that allows two-way communication between them.

[0003] Conventionally, for example, an accessory shoe device and five connection terminals provided on the shoe device have been used for communication between an imaging device and an accessory. However, in recent years, as accessory shoe devices have become more diverse and accessories have become more multifunctional, the number of terminals has become insufficient with the conventional five connection terminals. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes an imaging device equipped with an accessory shoe device with an increased number of connection terminals, and an electronic viewfinder equipped with a shoe device having connection terminals corresponding to the accessory shoe device. In the accessory shoe device and shoe device described in Patent Document 1, the number of connection terminals is increased without changing the shape of the engagement portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-84681 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An accessory equipped with a shoe device may be installed at a location away from the imaging device without being attached to the imaging device, and used to operate in conjunction with the operation of the imaging device. For example, a shooting method is known in which a strobe device is installed at a location away from the imaging device, and a subject is illuminated in synchronization with the imaging operation of the imaging device via wireless communication. In this case, for example, a camera tripod or stand that allows the shoe device to be attached and detached is used to install the strobe device at a predetermined location.

[0006] However, the shoe device described in the above Patent Document 1 does not have a structure (specifically, a tripod female screw) that allows direct fixation to a general camera tripod or the like used to fix an imaging device. This is because, in a shoe device having many connection terminals, in addition to securing the area necessary for arranging the numerous connection terminals, priority is given to securing the area for arranging the parts necessary for a firm connection with the accessory shoe device. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated tripod or stand separately, which is not user-friendly.

[0007] The present invention provides a shoe attachment that ensures the functionality and mechanical strength required when an accessory is attached to an electronic device, and also improves the convenience when the accessory is used without being attached to the electronic device. Place The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The shoe device according to the present invention is a shoe device that is detachable from an accessory shoe device provided in an electronic device, and is detachable from the accessory shoe device by sliding it in a first direction, and has an attachment portion to which a member different from the accessory shoe device can be attached. is formed as an integral structureThe connector comprises an engaging member, a holding member that holds the engaging member, and a connection plug having a plurality of connection terminals arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and arranged in front of the holding member in the first direction, and is characterized in that the mounting portion is provided rearward of the plurality of connection terminals in the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a shoe device and an accessory shoe device that ensure the functionality and mechanical strength required when an accessory is attached to an electronic device and used, while also improving convenience when using the accessory without attaching it to an electronic device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram of an external lighting device that is detachable from the digital camera of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a perspective view of the digital camera of FIG. 1 and the external lighting device of FIG. 2 as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing the structure of an accessory shoe device provided in the digital camera of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 5 is a perspective view of an engaging member and a signal terminal connector of the accessory shoe device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an exterior lighting device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a camera connection portion of the external illumination device of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are a top view and a cross-sectional view of the camera connection part in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the accessory shoe device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a partial perspective view of a camera connector that is detachable from the accessory shoe of FIG. 9. [Figure 11]13A and 13B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an exterior lighting device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an exterior lighting device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an exterior lighting device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an exterior lighting device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 15] 13A to 13C are a perspective view, an exploded perspective view, and a cross-sectional view of an exterior lighting device according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 16] 13A to 13C are a perspective view, an exploded perspective view, and a cross-sectional view of an exterior lighting device according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an external lighting device according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 18] 18 is an exploded perspective view of a camera connection portion of the external illumination device of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] 19 is a cross-sectional view showing an unlocked state of the camera connector of FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 20] 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a locked state of the camera connector of FIG. 18. [Figure 21] 19 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the camera connection portion of FIG. 18. [Figure 22] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a camera connection portion provided in the external illumination device according to the tenth embodiment. [Diagram 23] 23 is a cross-sectional view showing an unlocked state of the camera connector of FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 24] 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a locked state of the camera connector of FIG. 22. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, a digital camera (imaging device) is taken as an example of an electronic device equipped with an accessory shoe device, which is common to all of the embodiments. Also, an external lighting device (so-called strobe device) is taken as an accessory equipped with a shoe device configured to be detachable from the accessory shoe device of the digital camera. The digital camera and the strobe device constitute an imaging system. Note that the accessory equipped with a shoe device is not limited to a strobe device, and other examples include an electronic viewfinder and a microphone for video recording. Also, the electronic device equipped with an accessory shoe device configured to be engageable with the shoe device is not limited to an imaging device.

[0012] First Embodiment 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 includes a camera microcontroller 101 (hereinafter referred to as "camera MPU 101"), an imaging optical system 122, a timing signal generating circuit 102, an image sensor 103, an A / D converter 104, a memory controller 105, and a buffer memory 106. The digital camera 100 also includes an image display unit 107, a storage medium I / F 108, a motor control unit 110, a shutter control unit 111, a photometry unit 112, a multi-division photometry sensor 113, a lens control unit 114, a focus detection unit 115, an attitude detection unit 116, and a switch operation unit 117. The digital camera 100 also includes an illumination device control unit 118, a built-in illumination device 119, a camera LED auxiliary light unit 121, and an accessory shoe device 123 (hereinafter referred to as "accessory shoe 123"). A storage medium 109 and an external lighting device 120 can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 100 .

[0013] The camera MPU 101 controls the overall operation of the imaging system, including the shooting sequence. The camera MPU 101 also performs predetermined image processing on an image signal, which will be described later, to generate image data. The imaging optical system 122 is composed of a group of lenses, such as a zoom lens and a focus lens, an aperture, a shutter, and the like, and forms an optical image on the imaging element 103 based on light reflected from the subject scene. The imaging element 103 is an image sensor, such as a CCD or CMOS, that converts the optical image, which is light reflected from the subject scene, into an electrical signal. The timing signal generating circuit 102 generates a timing signal required to operate the imaging element 103.

[0014] The A / D converter 104 converts an analog electric signal read out from the image sensor 103 into a digital electric signal to generate an image signal. The memory controller 105 controls reading and writing of a memory (not shown) and a refresh operation of the buffer memory 106. The buffer memory 106 temporarily stores the image signal output from the A / D converter 104 and image data of an image to be displayed on the image display unit 107. The image display unit 107 has a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel, and displays the image data stored in the buffer memory 106 as an image.

[0015] Digital camera 100 is configured so that storage medium 109, such as a memory card, can be inserted and removed. Storage medium I / F 108 is an interface that enables communication between storage medium 109 attached to digital camera 100 and camera MPU 101. Storage medium 109 stores image data generated by camera MPU 101. Note that storage medium 109 may be a storage device such as a hard disk built into digital camera 100.

[0016] During exposure operation, the motor control unit 110 moves a mirror (not shown) up and down and charges the shutter (not shown) by controlling a motor (not shown) according to a signal from the camera MPU 101. The shutter control unit 111 cuts off the power supply to the shutter (front shutter curtain, rear shutter curtain) of the imaging optical system 122 according to a signal from the camera MPU 101, and causes the front shutter curtain and rear shutter curtain to travel, thereby controlling the exposure operation.

[0017] The photometry unit 112 outputs the output from a multi-division photometry sensor 113, which divides the image capture screen into a plurality of areas, as a luminance signal for each area in the image capture screen to the camera MPU 101. The camera MPU 101 calculates AV (aperture value), TV (shutter speed), ISO (sensitivity of the image capture element 103), and the like for exposure adjustment based on the luminance signal acquired from the photometry unit 112. The photometry unit 112 also outputs a luminance signal when the built-in illumination device 119 or the external illumination device 120 pre-emits light (pre-flash) toward the subject scene to the camera MPU 101, and calculates the amount of light emitted (main light emission amount) of the external illumination device 120 during main exposure (main shooting).

[0018] The lens control unit 114 communicates with the camera MPU 101 via a lens mount contact (not shown) and operates a lens drive motor and a lens aperture motor (not shown) to control the focus adjustment and aperture of the imaging optical system 122. The focus detection unit 115 detects the defocus amount for the subject field for automatic focus control (autofocus (AF)) using a known phase difference detection method or the like. The attitude detection unit 116 detects the inclination of the digital camera 100 with respect to the rotation direction around the photographing optical axis. The switch operation unit 117 detects the switching of SW1 (first switch) and SW2 (second switch), and the detection result is transmitted to the camera MPU 101. SW1 is turned on by the first stroke (half-press) of a release button (not shown), and the camera MPU 101 starts AF and photometry based on the on signal of SW1. SW2 is turned on by the second stroke (full press) of the release button, and the camera MPU 101 starts exposure operation based on the on signal of SW2. The switch operation unit 117 detects a signal generated in response to the operation of an operation member (not shown) other than SW1 and SW2, and transmits the signal to the camera MPU 101.

[0019] The external lighting device 120 can be attached to and detached from the accessory shoe 123. The lighting device control unit 118 controls the light emission operation (pre-flash, main flash, auxiliary light emission, etc.) of the external lighting device 120 via the built-in lighting device 119 and the accessory shoe 123 in accordance with instructions from the camera MPU 101. Furthermore, when the lighting device control unit 118 detects that the external lighting device 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 123, it starts supplying power to the external lighting device 120 via the accessory shoe 123. A detailed configuration of the accessory shoe 123 will be described later.

[0020] The camera LED auxiliary light unit 121 irradiates the subject field with near-infrared light (LED auxiliary light) having a predetermined pattern used as auxiliary light for focus detection control by the focus detection unit 115. The camera MPU 101 functions as an auxiliary light control means for controlling irradiation of auxiliary light by the built-in illumination device 119 or the external illumination device 120 to the subject field for focus detection based on the luminance signal output from the photometry unit 112. Specifically, the camera MPU 101 instructs the built-in illumination device 119 or the external illumination device 120 to emit auxiliary flash light via the illumination device control unit 118. Alternatively, the camera MPU 101 instructs the camera LED auxiliary light unit 121 or the LED auxiliary light unit 207 (see FIG. 2) of the external illumination device 120 to emit LED auxiliary light via the illumination device control unit 118.

[0021] 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the external illumination device 120. The external illumination device 120 is roughly composed of a main body 200, a bounce mechanism 201, and a head 202. The main body 200 has an external illumination MPU 203, various operation units 205 such as a power switch, a display unit 208, an LED auxiliary light unit 207, and a camera connection unit 206.

[0022] The external lighting MPU 203 is mounted on a main board (not shown) and is a microcontroller that controls the overall operation of the external lighting device 120, including the light emission control sequence of the external lighting device 120. The camera connection unit 206 is a shoe device that mechanically and electrically connects the external lighting device 120 to the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100. The camera MPU 101 and the external lighting MPU 203 perform necessary communication via the lighting device control unit 118, the accessory shoe 123, and the camera connection unit 206. The configuration of the camera connection unit 206 will be described in detail later.

[0023] The LED auxiliary light unit 207, like the camera LED auxiliary light unit 121, irradiates the subject with LED auxiliary light such as near-infrared light having a predetermined pattern as auxiliary light when the camera MPU 101 detects focus through the focus detection unit 115. The bounce mechanism unit 201 has a known mechanism that allows the head unit 202 to rotate relative to the main body unit 200, and also has a main capacitor 209 and the like. The bounce mechanism unit 201 is a known mechanism for changing the direction of the flash of light irradiation, for example, to a direction other than the subject, and holds the head unit 202 rotatably in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction relative to the main body unit 200. By using the bounce mechanism unit 201, it is possible to indirectly illuminate the subject and perform so-called bounce photography. The head unit 202 has a light emitting unit 204 that emits a flash of light. The light emitting unit 204 includes a discharge tube such as a xenon tube (not shown) or an LED required for flashing light, a reflector, a Fresnel lens, a light emitting circuit for emitting a flash of light in accordance with a light emitting signal from the external lighting MPU 203, and the like.

[0024] Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view of the digital camera 100 as viewed from the rear side. Fig. 3(b) is a perspective view showing a method for engaging the camera connection part 206 of the external lighting device 120 with the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100. Fig. 3(c) is a perspective view of the digital camera 100 with the external lighting device 120 attached as viewed from the rear side.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, an orthogonal coordinate system consisting of an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis is set for the digital camera 100 and the external lighting device 120. The Z direction (first direction) is the front-rear direction of the digital camera 100, and is parallel to the imaging optical axis of the digital camera 100 (direction perpendicular to the imaging surface of the image sensor 103). The X direction (second direction) is a direction perpendicular to the Z direction in a horizontal plane when the Z direction is parallel to the horizontal direction, and is the width direction of the digital camera 100. The Y direction (third direction) is a direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction, and is the height direction of the digital camera 100. The direction of each arrow shown in Fig. 3 is the positive direction (+ direction).

[0026] The imaging optical system 122 (not shown in FIG. 3) is provided on the front side (+Z direction side) of the digital camera 100, and the image display unit 107 is provided on the rear side (-Z direction side) of the digital camera 100. A top cover 150 is provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 100 as an exterior member, and an accessory shoe 123 is disposed on the top cover 150.

[0027] In the external lighting device 120, the camera connection part 206 is provided on the bottom (-Y direction side) of the external lighting device 120. The external lighting device 120 is slid relative to the digital camera 100 in a direction from the rear side to the front side of the digital camera 100 (+Z direction) to engage the camera connection part 206 with the accessory shoe 123. This allows the external lighting device 120 to be attached to the digital camera 100. Note that when removing the external lighting device 120 from the digital camera 100, the reverse operation to that for attachment can be performed.

[0028] Next, the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100 will be described. FIG. 4(a) is an exploded perspective view of the accessory shoe 123. FIG. 4(b) is an overall perspective view of the accessory shoe 123. The assembly (attachment) direction of the accessory shoe 123 to the top cover 150 is the Y direction. The accessory shoe 123 is disposed on the +Y direction side of the top cover 150. Meanwhile, an accessory shoe holding member 155 and a flexible board 158 are disposed on the -Y direction side of the top cover 150. In this manner, the members disposed on the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the top cover 150 are fixed to the top cover 150 by screws 157.

[0029] The accessory shoe 123 includes an engaging member 151, a signal terminal connector 152, a shoe stage 153, and an accessory shoe spring 154. The engaging member 151 is a member (engaged member) for engaging with and holding the camera connection portion 206 of the external illumination device 120. The signal terminal connector 152 includes a plurality of signal terminals 152a arranged side by side at equal pitches in the X direction on a connector base member formed of a resin material or the like.

[0030] Although the signal terminal 152a is a connection terminal for electrical connection, for convenience it is called the "signal terminal" to distinguish it from a connection terminal 257 (described later) provided in the camera connection unit 206. The signal terminal connector 152 is a holding member on the accessory shoe 123 side that holds the multiple signal terminals 152a.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 4(b), the signal terminal 152a is disposed on the +Z direction side of the signal terminal connector 152. A plurality of engagement holes 156 that engage with a plurality of lock pins 252 (see Fig. 6), described later, of the external illumination device 120 are provided on the -Z direction side of the signal terminal connector 152. Specifically, the lock pins 252 and the engagement holes 156 are provided in two locations each.

[0032] When the camera connection part 206 of the external lighting device 120 engages with the accessory shoe 123, the multiple signal terminals 152a are electrically connected one-to-one with the multiple connection terminals 257 of the external lighting device 120. The multiple signal terminals 152a are each electrically connected to a flexible board 158 arranged below (on the -Y direction side) of the top cover 150, and the flexible board 158 is connected to a main board (not shown) of the digital camera 100. Therefore, when the camera connection part 206 engages with the accessory shoe 123, communication between the external lighting device 120 and the digital camera 100 becomes possible.

[0033] The shoe stage 153 is a housing member that surrounds the engaging member 151 and the signal terminal connector 152. The accessory shoe holding member 155 is a structural body that holds the engaging member 151. Four screws 157 are fastened to the engaging member 151 after passing through the flexible board 158, the accessory shoe holding member 155, the top cover 150, the shoe stage 153, and the signal terminal connector 152. This positions and fixes each of these components. By arranging the four screws 157 one per four regions that are equally divided in the X direction and the Z direction, each component can be joined in a well-balanced manner.

[0034] The accessory shoe spring 154 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The accessory shoe spring 154 has an elastic deformation portion 154a that urges the camera connection portion 206 engaged with the engagement member 151 in the Y direction, and an abutment surface 154b that abuts the camera connection portion 206 in the Z direction.

[0035] 5(a) and (b) are perspective views of the engaging member 151, and the direction in which the engaging member 151 is viewed is different between FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b). The engaging member 151 is formed by folding a substantially plate-shaped metal material into a loop, and the end faces of both folded ends are opposed to each other and abut against each other at a seam 151a. The engaging member 151 also has a pair of engaging portions 151b and a connecting portion 151c that connects the pair of engaging portions 151b to each other. The engaging member 151 further has a pair of first screw holes 151d and a pair of second screw holes 151e used for fastening with a screw 157, and an engaging hole 156 that engages with a lock pin 252 of the external lighting device 120.

[0036] The pair of engaging portions 151b are spaced apart by a predetermined width (hereinafter referred to as "engagement portion interval T") in the X direction. A holding member 254 (see FIG. 6) of the external lighting device 120 is inserted into the engagement portion interval T. The pair of first screw holes 151d are spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the X direction and are used as fastening holes (first fastening holes) on the -Z direction side of the engaging member 151. The pair of second screw holes 151e are spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the X direction and are used as fastening holes (second fastening holes) on the +Z direction side of the engaging member 151. The engaging hole 156 is formed in a region sandwiched between the pair of first screw holes 151d at a position where it can engage with a lock pin 252 of the external lighting device 120.

[0037] Fig. 5(c) is a perspective view of the signal terminal connector 152. As shown in Fig. 4(b), the multiple signal terminals 152a are exposed to the exterior of the signal terminal connector 152. In the pitch direction (X direction) in which the multiple signal terminals 152a are arranged, the position of the camera connection part 206 is restricted by the engagement part interval T of the engagement member 151, so that the holding member 254 of the external illumination device 120 is positioned with respect to the signal terminal connector 152 by the engagement member 151.

[0038] Next, an external illumination device 120 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 6(a) is an external perspective view of the external illumination device 120, viewed from the -Y direction side mainly to show the external structure of the camera connection unit 206. Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view (YZ plane) taken along the arrow AA shown in Fig. 6(a), showing the internal structure of the camera connection unit 206 when a lock lever 253 (described later) is in an unlocked position (unlocked state). However, Fig. 6(a) shows the state in which the lock lever 253 is in a locked position (locked state).

[0039] The camera connection part 206 of the external lighting device 120 is provided on the lower side (-Y direction side) of the base part 250 of the external lighting device 120. The camera connection part 206 includes a shoe mounting leg 251 (shoe plate), a tripod female thread 280, a plurality of lock pins 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 254, a connection plug 256, and a Y direction holding member 258.

[0040] The shoe mounting leg 251 is an engaging member on the external lighting device 120 side for engaging the camera connection part 206 with the accessory shoe 123, and is therefore configured to be detachable from the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 123. Since the shoe mounting leg 251 is a component on which a large stress acts due to external forces such as pressure and impacts applied to the external lighting device 120, it is formed by processing a metal plate (sheet metal) and has high mechanical strength.

[0041] Shoe mounting leg 251 is provided with a tripod female screw 280. Tripod female screw 280 is an example of an attachment portion that allows attachment to an external member (e.g., a camera tripod) different from the accessory shoe device, and in this case, it is a screw hole that can be screwed into a tripod male screw that is generally used on camera tripods and the like. Tripod female screw 280 requires a certain amount of engagement with the tripod male screw, so it is provided at the lower end (-Y direction end) of camera connection part 206 so as to be convex in the +Y direction.

[0042] External forces such as pressure and impact applied to the external lighting device 120 act on the tripod female thread 280, as well as the shoe mounting leg 251, with great stress acting thereon. For this reason, the tripod female thread 280 is formed as an integral structure by drawing the shoe mounting leg 251, and has high mechanical strength. Note that the tripod female thread 280 may be formed by other methods, such as by forming it as an integral structure with the shoe mounting leg 251 by cutting or the like, as long as mechanical strength can be ensured.

[0043] The lock pins 252 provided at two locations are members for preventing the external lighting device 120 from falling off from the digital camera 100 after the shoe mounting leg 251 is attached to the accessory shoe 123, and are provided on the shoe mounting leg 251 so as to be movable in the Y direction. A lever (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as "lever D") is fitted and fixed to the lock pin 252. The lock lever 253 and the Y direction holding member 258 are members for moving the lock pin 252, and are provided on the holding member 254.

[0044] With the lock lever 253 in the unlocked position, as described with reference to Fig. 3, the camera connection part 206 of the external lighting device 120 is slid from the -Z direction side to the +Z direction side relative to the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100. This allows the camera connection part 206 to engage with the accessory shoe 123. Note that, as shown in Fig. 6(b), with the lock lever 253 in the unlocked position, the tip surface of the lock pin 252 protrudes slightly in the +Y direction from the lower end surface (the surface on the +Y direction side) of the shoe mounting leg 251, but the amount of protrusion is such that it does not interfere with engagement.

[0045] Thereafter, the lock lever 253 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position. The lock lever 253 is rotatable around the Y axis. With the rotation of the lock lever 253, the Y-direction holding member 258 and the lever D move a predetermined distance in the -Y direction by a cam portion (hereinafter referred to as "cam portion D") (not shown). With the movement of the lever D, the lock pin 252 engaged with the lever D moves a predetermined distance in the -Y direction. Thus, the two lock pins 252 are in a state in which their tips protrude further in the -Y direction than the surface of the shoe mounting leg 251, and engage with two engagement holes 156 provided in the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 123. This prevents the external illumination device 120 from falling off the accessory shoe 123.

[0046] The two lock pins 252 and the two engagement holes 156 have the function of regulating the position of the external lighting device 120 in the Z direction relative to the digital camera 100 and ensuring the electrical connection between the digital camera 100 and the external lighting device 120.

[0047] The connection plug 256 is provided in front of the camera connection portion 206 (on the +Z direction side) and is made of a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as a resin material. In this embodiment, the connection plug 256 and the holding member 254 are integrally made of a resin material. The connection plug 256 has a plurality of connection terminals 257 for abutting against a plurality of signal terminals 152a (see FIG. 5(c)) of the accessory shoe 123 to perform communication.

[0048] The connection terminals 257 correspond one-to-one to the signal terminals 152a. Each of the connection terminals 257 has a tip 257a that contacts the corresponding signal terminal 152a, and has a shape that extends from the tip 257a toward the -Z direction side. Each of the connection terminals 257 has an extension 257b that displaces the tip 257a in the Y direction by elastic deformation when the tip 257a contacts the signal terminal 152a. An extension 257c is formed at the -Z direction end of the extension 257b so as to be approximately perpendicular to the extension 257b. A flexible board connection part 257d that comes into contact with a flexible board 259 connected to a main board (not shown) of the external lighting device 120 when the flexible board 259 is inserted is provided at the tip of the extension 257c.

[0049] Each of the connection terminals 257 has an inclined portion 257e at the approximate center of the extension portion 257b. That is, the extension portion 257b has a step in the Y direction. As described above, the extension portion 257b can be elastically deformed in the Y direction. However, if the distance L of the extension portion 257b is short, a sufficient amount of deformation cannot be obtained. Therefore, repeated attachment and detachment of the signal terminal 152a and the tip portion 257a may cause damage easily and may not provide sufficient durability.

[0050] Therefore, an inclined portion 257e is provided on the extension portion 257b so that a step is formed in the Y direction at approximately the center of the extension portion 257b. This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient distance L for the extension portion 257b without interfering with the shoe mounting leg 251. Furthermore, by providing a step by the inclined portion 257e, it is possible to ensure a sufficient creepage distance from the tip end 257a to the extension portion 257c, so that the distance L can be made shorter than when the same creepage distance is ensured without providing a step.

[0051] 7 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of camera connection part 206, and shows a state in which base part 250 and lock lever 253 have been removed from camera connection part 206. In camera connection part 206, shoe mounting leg 251 and holding member 254 are fastened together. Details of the fastening structure between shoe mounting leg 251 and holding member 254 will be described later.

[0052] The holding member 254 is formed so as to be insertable (fittable) into the engagement portion interval T (see FIG. 5(a)) of the engaging member 151, and has a connecting portion 254a having a width V shorter than the width W of the shoe mounting leg 251. The holding member 254 is also a structure for connecting the shoe mounting leg 251 and the base portion 250, and the lock pin 252 and the connection terminal 257 are disposed inside the connecting portion 254a.

[0053] The connecting portion 254a fits into the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 123, thereby determining the X-direction position of the external lighting device 120 relative to the digital camera 100. Furthermore, the shoe mounting leg 251 comes into contact with the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154 (see FIG. 4) and is biased in the +Y direction, thereby causing the shoe fitting portion 251a to come into contact with the engaging member 151. This determines the Y-direction position of the external lighting device 120 relative to the digital camera 100. Furthermore, the abutting surface 251b formed on the shoe mounting leg 251 comes into contact with a pair of abutting surfaces 154b provided on the accessory shoe spring 154, thereby determining the Z-direction position of the external lighting device 120 relative to the digital camera 100. In this way, the external lighting device 120 is positioned relative to the digital camera 100 and is firmly held therein.

[0054] Next, a description will be given of the fastening structure between the holding member 254 and the shoe mounting leg 251. Fig. 8(a) is a top view (viewed from the +Y direction side) of the camera connection part 206. Fig. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB shown in Fig. 8(a).

[0055] The pair of first screws 260a and the pair of second screws 260b are fastening members that are inserted through the holding member 254 and fastened to the shoe mounting leg 251, thereby joining the shoe mounting leg 251 to the holding member 254. At this time, the shoe mounting leg 251 is stably held by the holding member 254 by arranging the screws in a well-balanced manner, one per region, which is approximately equally divided in the X and Z directions.

[0056] As described above, the shoe mounting leg 251 is subjected to a large stress. In response to this, the necessary mechanical strength can be ensured by fastening the metal shoe mounting leg 251 to the holding member 254 with a pair of first screws 260a and a pair of second screws 260b arranged in a well-balanced manner. In addition, in the region S between the pair of first screws 260a and the pair of second screws 260b, the connection terminal 257 is arranged on the +Z direction side of the camera connection part 206, and the tripod female screw 280 (see FIG. 6) is arranged on the -Z direction side. In this way, while maintaining the mechanical strength when the shoe mounting leg 251 is fastened to the holding member 254, it is possible to arrange many connection terminals 257 for multi-pole configuration, and it is also possible to attach and detach the external lighting device 120 to a general camera tripod or the like.

[0057] As described above, by providing a step in the Y direction at extension 257b of connection terminal 257 to shorten distance L (see FIG. 6), an area for providing tripod female screw 280 on the -Z direction side of camera connection portion 206 is secured. Furthermore, two lock pins 252 attached to shoe mounting leg 251 are disposed in area S, with one pin disposed in each of two areas that divide shoe mounting leg 251 approximately equally in the X direction. In this way, by disposing two lock pins 252 in a well-balanced manner, the mechanical strength of shoe mounting leg 251 can be increased.

[0058] <Second embodiment> As described above, in an accessory shoe equipped with many connection terminals, the area for arranging the many connection terminals and the components for protecting them is limited, and therefore it is not easy to ensure sufficient performance and durability. In response to this problem, in the second embodiment, a configuration of an accessory shoe is described that ensures an area for arranging multiple connection terminals and the components for protecting them, and also enables the arrangement and protection of multiple connection terminals in a camera connection section (shoe device).

[0059] For ease of explanation, the symbol '123A' is used for the accessory shoe according to the second embodiment, but the same names and symbols are used for components that are the same as the components of accessory shoe 123 described in the first embodiment. Also, the symbol '206A' is used for the camera connection part of an accessory that can be attached to accessory shoe 123A, but the same names and symbols are used for components that are the same as the components of camera connection part 206 described in the first embodiment.

[0060] 9 is a rear view (viewed from the -Z direction side) of the engaging portion 151 and the signal terminal connector 152 constituting the accessory shoe 123A. The signal terminal connector 152 includes a plurality of signal terminals 152a arranged in parallel at equal pitches in the X direction on a connector base member formed of a resin material or the like. The plurality of signal terminals 152a are arranged on the +Z direction side of the signal terminal connector 152, which is the attachment direction of the accessory. The signal terminal connector 152 has grooves 152c (recesses) into which a terminal protection portion (to be described in detail later) of the camera connection portion 206A is inserted, formed on both sides (on the ±X direction sides) of the plurality of signal terminals 152a so as to sandwich the plurality of signal terminals 152a in the X direction. Furthermore, the signal terminal connector 152 has abutment surfaces 152b on each of the ±X direction sides of the grooves 152c, which come into contact in the Z direction when the accessory is attached and position the accessory in the Z direction.

[0061] Here, the two grooves 152c are formed with a width U in the X direction by cutting out a part of the abutting surface 152b so as to sandwich the multiple signal terminals 152a. The two grooves 152c are provided inside the engagement portion interval T (see FIG. 5(a)) of the engagement member 151 in the X direction. In other words, there is a relationship of T>U between the engagement portion interval T and the width U, which ensures a sufficient area for the abutting surface 152b and achieves a firm attachment state.

[0062] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a partial structure of camera connection part 206A that is detachable from accessory shoe 123A of Fig. 9. Holding member 254 constituting camera connection part 206A is formed so as to be insertable (fittable) into the opening (within engagement part interval T) of engagement member 151. Holding member 254 also has coupling part 254a formed inside width W of shoe mounting leg 251. Connection plug 256 constituting camera connection part 206A is provided with terminal protection part 256a so as to sandwich multiple connection terminals 257 (not shown in Fig. 10) in the X direction.

[0063] The X-direction position of the accessory relative to digital camera 100 is determined by fitting connecting portion 254a with engaging member 151 of accessory shoe 123A. Furthermore, shoe mounting leg 251 abuts against elastic deformation portion 154a of accessory shoe spring 154 (see FIG. 4) and is biased in the +Y direction, so that shoe fitting portion 251a abuts against engaging member 151. This determines the Y-direction position of the accessory relative to digital camera 100. Furthermore, abutment surface 251b formed on shoe mounting leg 251 abuts against abutment surface 152b (see FIG. 9) provided on signal terminal connector 152, so that the Z-direction position of the accessory relative to digital camera 100 is determined. In this way, the accessory is positioned relative to digital camera 100 and firmly held. At this time, the terminal protection portion 256a of the connection plug 256 is inserted into and engages with the grooves 152c provided on the ±X direction sides of the multiple signal terminals 157a of the accessory shoe 123A, thereby protecting the multiple signal terminals 157a and the multiple connection terminals of the accessory.

[0064] <Third embodiment> In the third to tenth embodiments, other embodiments of the camera connection unit 206 of the external lighting device will be described. In each embodiment, the camera connection unit (shoe device) and its components and parts will be designated by names and symbols corresponding to the camera connection unit and its components and parts in the first embodiment. However, in order to distinguish the camera connection units in each embodiment, for the sake of convenience in the description, in the third embodiment, the reference symbol '120B' is used for the external lighting device and the reference symbol '206B' is used for the camera connection unit.

[0065] Fig. 11(a) is a perspective view of an external illumination device 120B according to the third embodiment. Fig. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in Fig. 11(a), showing the internal structure of the camera connector 206B when the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position. Fig. 11 corresponds to Fig. 6 used in the description of the first embodiment.

[0066] The camera connection part 206B of the external illumination device 120B is provided on the underside of the base part 250 of the external illumination device 120B in a normal attachment state to the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100. The camera connection part 206B includes a shoe mounting leg 351 (shoe plate), a tripod female thread 380, two lock pins 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 354, a connection plug 256, and a Y-direction holding member 258.

[0067] The shoe mounting leg 351 is an engaging member on the camera connecting part 206B side, configured to be detachable from the engaging member 151 in order to engage the camera connecting part 206B with the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 123. The shoe mounting leg 351 is a part on which a large stress acts due to external forces such as pressure and impacts applied to the external illumination device 120B, and therefore is formed by processing a metal plate material (sheet metal) and has high mechanical strength. The shoe mounting leg 351 is provided with an opening 301 that engages with a portion of the holding member 354 where the tripod female thread 380 is formed.

[0068] The holding member 354 is a structure that connects the shoe mounting leg 251 and the base part 250. In the first embodiment, the shoe mounting leg 251 and the tripod female screw 380 are formed as an integral structure, but in this embodiment, the holding member 354 and the tripod female screw 380 are formed as an integral structure. The tripod female screw 380 is a screw hole that can be screwed in the Y direction with a tripod screw or the like that is not limited to the accessory shoe 123 and is generally used for camera tripods, etc.

[0069] Similar to the shoe mounting leg 351, the tripod female screw 380 formed integrally with the holding member 354 is subjected to a large stress due to external forces such as pressure and impact applied to the external lighting device 120B. For this reason, a material that can ensure high mechanical strength is used for the holding member 354, and the tripod female screw 380 is formed by processing this material. For example, a non-conductive resin material (FRP) made of nylon resin mixed with glass fiber is used for the holding member 354.

[0070] In this embodiment, a metal material is used for shoe mounting leg 351 that is fastened to holding member 354 to ensure mechanical strength. However, this is not limiting, and for accessories that do not require a relatively high level of mechanical strength, such as a compact strobe or electronic viewfinder, shoe mounting leg 351 and holding member 354 having tripod female thread 380 may be integrally formed.

[0071] <Fourth embodiment> In the fourth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the reference numeral '120C' is used for the external lighting device, and the reference numeral '206C' is used for its camera connection portion.

[0072] Fig. 12(a) is a perspective view of an external illumination device 120C according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow DD in Fig. 12(a), showing the internal structure of the camera connector 206C when the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position. Fig. 11 corresponds to Fig. 6 used to explain the first embodiment.

[0073] The camera connection part 206C of the external illumination device 120C is provided on the underside of the base part 250 of the external illumination device 120C in a normal attachment state to the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100. The camera connection part 206C includes a shoe mounting leg 451 (shoe plate), a tripod female screw member 480, a plurality of lock pins 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 454, a connection plug 256, and a Y-direction holding member 258.

[0074] Shoe mounting leg 451 is an engaging member on the camera connecting part 206C side that is configured to be detachable from engaging member 151 in order to engage camera connecting part 206C with engaging member 151 of accessory shoe 123. Since shoe mounting leg 451 is a part on which large stress acts due to external forces such as pressure and impact applied to external lighting device 120C, it is formed by processing a metal plate (sheet metal) and has high mechanical strength.

[0075] The holding member 454 is a structure that connects the shoe mounting leg 451 and the base part 250. The holding member 454 is formed of, for example, a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as a resin material. The tripod female screw member 480 is a mounting member having a screw hole that can be screwed in the Y direction with a tripod screw or the like that is generally used not only for the accessory shoe 123 but also for a camera tripod or the like. The tripod female screw member 480 engages with the holding member 454 in a state in which rotation around the Y axis with respect to the holding member 454 is restricted (the structure that restricts the rotation is not shown), and the position in the Y direction is also restricted by the holding member 454.

[0076] Like the shoe mounting leg 451, the tripod female screw member 480 is a part that is subjected to large stress due to external forces such as pressure and impact applied to the external illumination device 120C, and is therefore made of metal, FRP, or the like that can ensure high mechanical strength. Also, the shoe mounting leg 451 is provided with an opening 401 that engages with the outer diameter surface of the tripod female screw member 480. After the tripod female screw member 480 is engaged with the holding member 454, the tripod female screw member 480 is engaged with the shoe mounting leg 451, whereby the tripod female screw member 480 is held by the holding member 454 and the shoe mounting leg 451.

[0077] <Fifth embodiment> In the fifth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the reference numeral '120D' is used for the external lighting device, and the reference numeral '206D' is used for its camera connection portion.

[0078] Fig. 13(a) is a perspective view of an external illumination device 120D according to the fifth embodiment, showing a state in which a terminal protection member 500 (described later) is attached. Fig. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow EE shown in Fig. 13(a), showing the internal structure of the camera connection part 206D in a state in which the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position. Fig. 13 corresponds to Fig. 6 used in the description of the first embodiment.

[0079] The camera connection section 206D of the external illumination device 120D is provided on the underside of the base section 250 of the external illumination device 120D in a normal attachment state to the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100. The camera connection section 206D includes a shoe mounting leg 551 (shoe plate), a tripod female thread 580, a plurality of lock pins 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 554, a connection plug 256, a Y-direction holding member 258, and a terminal protection member 500.

[0080] Shoe mounting leg 551 is an engaging member on the camera connecting part 206D side that is configured to be detachable from engaging member 151 in order to engage camera connecting part 206D with engaging member 151 of accessory shoe 123. Since shoe mounting leg 551 is a component on which large stress acts due to external forces such as pressure and impact applied to external illumination device 120D, it is formed by processing a metal plate (sheet metal) and has high mechanical strength.

[0081] The holding member 554 is a structure that connects the shoe mounting leg 551 and the base part 250. The holding member 554 is formed of, for example, a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as a resin material. The tripod female screw 580 is a screw hole that can be screwed in the Y direction with a tripod screw or the like that is generally used not only for the accessory shoe 123 but also for a camera tripod or the like. The tripod female screw 580 engages with the holding member 554 in a state in which rotation around the Y axis with respect to the holding member 554 is restricted. Note that a configuration for restricting the position of the tripod female screw 580 in the Y direction will be described later.

[0082] The terminal protection member 500 is a member for protecting the multiple connection terminals 257 from external forces such as external pressure and impacts and for protecting them from foreign matter such as dust and water droplets when the external lighting device 120D is not attached to the digital camera 100 or the like. The terminal protection member 500 is engageable with the shoe mounting leg 551 and is detachable. When the external lighting device 120D is attached to the digital camera 100 or the like (when the multiple connection terminals 257 are connected to the multiple signal terminals 152a of the accessory shoe 123), the terminal protection member 500 is removed from the camera connection part 206D.

[0083] The terminal protection member 500 has an opening corresponding to the position of the tripod female screw 580 (opening 501 of the shoe mounting leg 551), and the lower end face (the face on the -Y direction side) of the tripod female screw 580 is exposed to the outside. This makes it possible to screw the male screw of a camera tripod or the like into the screw hole of the tripod female screw 580 while the terminal protection member 500 is attached.

[0084] When lock lever 253 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position with terminal protection member 500 attached to camera connection portion 206D, lock pin 252 (not shown in FIG. 13(b)) protrudes in the -Y direction but stops at a position where it comes into contact with terminal protection member 500. At the same time, tripod female screw 580 is moved in the -Y direction by a cam portion (cam portion D) (not shown) a distance equivalent to the thickness of terminal protection member 500 in the Y direction. This makes it possible to avoid a decrease in the engagement between the male screw of a camera tripod or the like and tripod female screw 580 by the thickness of terminal protection member 500 in the Y direction.

[0085] The tripod female screw 580 is biased in the +Y direction by a compression coil spring (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as "compression coil spring D") and in the -Y direction by a cam portion D. When the terminal protection member 500 is not attached to the camera connection portion 206D and the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position, the camera connection portion 206D is slid from the -Z direction side to the +Z direction side with respect to the accessory shoe 123. This allows the camera connection portion 206D to engage with the accessory shoe 123. After that, when the lock lever 253 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position, the lock pin 252 engages with the engagement hole 156 of the accessory shoe 123. At this time, the tripod female screw 580 moves in the -Y direction by the cam portion D, but is configured to stop at a position where it abuts against the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 123.

[0086] In this way, in the camera connection part 206D of the external lighting device 120D, the tripod female screw 580 moves to an appropriate position in the Y direction depending on the usage situation. This makes it possible to ensure high mechanical strength by keeping the engagement amount with the tripod female screw 580 constant, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the camera connection part 206D from being damaged by stress acting due to external forces such as pressure or impact applied to the external lighting device 120D.

[0087] Sixth embodiment In the sixth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the reference numeral '120E' is used for the external lighting device, and the reference numeral '206E' is used for its camera connection portion.

[0088] In the first to fifth embodiments, the configuration in which the external lighting device is equipped with a tripod female screw has been described. In this embodiment, however, an external lighting device 120E having a camera connection part equipped with a tripod male screw instead of a tripod female screw as an attachment part will be described. By providing a tripod male screw, the external lighting device 120E can be fixed to various devices such as a digital camera having a tripod female screw, a stand, etc. For example, since the tripod male screw of the external lighting device 120E can be fixed to the tripod female screw provided on the bottom part of the digital camera 100, it becomes possible to attach many accessories to the digital camera 100. Note that the accessory having a camera connection part equipped with a tripod male screw is not limited to the external lighting device, but may be an external display device, a transmitter for wirelessly controlling the external lighting device, etc.

[0089] Fig. 14(a) is a perspective view of an external illumination device 120E according to a sixth embodiment. Figs. 14(b) and (c) are cross-sectional views taken along the arrow FF in Fig. 14(a). Fig. 14(b) shows the internal structure of the camera connector 206E when the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position. Fig. 14(c) shows the internal structure of the camera connector 206E when the lock lever 253 is in the locked position (locked state). Fig. 14 corresponds to Fig. 6 used to explain the first embodiment.

[0090] The camera connection part 206E of the external illumination device 120E is provided on the underside of the base part 250 of the external illumination device 120E in a normal attachment state to the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100. The camera connection part 206E includes a shoe mounting leg 651, a tripod male screw 680, a plurality of lock pins 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 654, and a Y-direction holding member 258.

[0091] The shoe mounting leg 651 is an engaging member on the camera connecting part 206E side that is configured to be detachable from the engaging member 151 in order to engage the camera connecting part 206E with the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 123. Since the shoe mounting leg 651 is a part on which a large stress acts due to an external force such as pressure or impact applied to the external illumination device 120E, it is formed by processing a metal plate (sheet metal) and has high mechanical strength.

[0092] The holding member 654 is a structure that connects the shoe mounting leg 651 and the base part 250. The holding member 654 is formed of, for example, a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as a resin material. The tripod male screw 680 has a shape that allows it to be screwed into a female screw or the like provided on the bottom surface of the digital camera 100. The tripod male screw 680 is engaged with the holding member 654 in a state in which rotation around the Y axis with respect to the holding member 654 is restricted.

[0093] The tripod male screw 680 is biased in the +Y direction by a compression coil spring (compression coil spring D) not shown, and in the -Y direction by a cam portion (cam portion D) not shown. If the tripod male screw 680 protrudes in the -Y direction from the lower end surface of the shoe mounting leg 651 with the lock lever 253 in the unlocked position, the tripod male screw 680 interferes with the accessory shoe 123, and the camera connection part 206E cannot be engaged with the accessory shoe 123. To prevent such a problem from occurring, when the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position, the tripod male screw 680 is biased in the +Y direction by the compression coil spring D, and is maintained in a state of being housed inside the camera connection part 206E. Therefore, the camera connection part 206E can be engaged with the accessory shoe 123 with the lock lever 253 in the unlocked position.

[0094] After the camera connection part 206E is engaged with the accessory shoe 123, the lock lever 253 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position. This causes the Y-direction holding member 258 to move in the -Y direction. At the same time, the tripod male screw 680 also moves in the -Y direction due to the cam part D that biases the tripod male screw 680 in the -Y direction, but the tripod male screw 680 stops at a position where it abuts against the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 123.

[0095] When fixing the external illumination device 120E to the tripod female screw of the digital camera 100 or a stand or tripod having a female screw, the lock lever 253 is set to the lock position before fixing. This results in a state in which the tripod male screw 680 protrudes in the -Y direction from the lower end surface of the shoe mounting leg 651 as shown in Fig. 13(c). This makes it possible to screw the tripod male screw 680 into the tripod female screw of the digital camera 100.

[0096] In this way, in the external illumination device 120E, the tripod male screw 680 moves to an appropriate position depending on the usage situation, thereby making it possible to maintain a constant engagement amount with the tripod male screw 680 and ensure high mechanical strength. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of damage to the camera connection part 206E due to stress acting due to external forces such as pressure and impact applied to the external illumination device 120E.

[0097] Seventh embodiment In the seventh embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the external lighting device is designated by the reference numeral '120F', and the camera connection portion thereof is designated by the reference numeral '206F'.

[0098] Fig. 15(a) is a perspective view of an external illumination device 120F according to the seventh embodiment. Fig. 15(b) is a partially exploded perspective view of a camera connection part 206F in the external illumination device 120F. Fig. 15(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow GG shown in Fig. 15(a), showing the internal structure of the camera connection part 206F when the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position. Figs. 15(a) and (c) correspond to Fig. 6 used to explain the first embodiment.

[0099] The camera connection part 206F of the external illumination device 120F is provided on the underside of the base part 250 of the external illumination device 120F in a normal attachment state to the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100. The camera connection part 206F includes a shoe mounting leg 751, an external engagement part 780, a plurality of lock pins 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 754, and a Y-direction holding member 258.

[0100] The shoe mounting leg 751 is an engaging member on the camera connecting part 206F side that is configured to be detachable from the engaging member 151 in order to engage the camera connecting part 206F with the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 123. Since the shoe mounting leg 751 is a part on which a large stress acts due to external forces such as pressure and impact applied to the external lighting device 120F, it is formed by processing a metal plate (sheet metal) and has high mechanical strength.

[0101] The holding member 754 is a structure for connecting the shoe mounting leg 751 to the connecting member 783 and the base part 250. The holding member 754 is formed of, for example, a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as a resin material.

[0102] The external engagement part 780 is detachably fastened to a connecting member 783 by a fixing screw 782, and can be replaced depending on the object to which the external illumination device 120F is to be fixed. For example, there is a case where the external illumination device 120F is to be mounted on a camera tripod having a 1 / 4 inch screw (international standard) generally used for digital cameras. In this case, an external engagement part 780 having a 1 / 4 inch female screw hole and a rotation restricting part 780a that restricts rotation around a central axis perpendicular to the radial direction is used. On the other hand, there is a case where the external illumination device 120F is to be mounted on a camera tripod having a 3 / 8 inch screw (German screw) used for large tripods. In this case, an external engagement part 780 having a 3 / 8 inch female screw hole and a rotation restricting part 780a that restricts rotation around a central axis perpendicular to the radial direction is used. Furthermore, when it is desired to fix the external illumination device 120F to a magnetic object, an external engagement part 780b made of a magnet can be used.

[0103] When external engagement part 780 provided with a tripod female thread is screwed into the male thread of a camera tripod, a large stress acts on external engagement part 780 due to external forces such as pressure and impact applied to external lighting device 120. For this reason, external engagement part 780 provided with a tripod female thread is desirably formed from a material (metal or FRP) that can ensure high mechanical strength, similar to shoe mounting leg 751.

[0104] In this way, by selecting and using the external engagement portion 780 in accordance with the object to which the external illumination device 120F is to be attached, it is possible to enhance versatility and to make it easy to use.

[0105] Eighth embodiment In the eighth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the reference numeral '120G' is used for the external lighting device, and the reference numeral '206G' is used for its camera connection portion.

[0106] Fig. 16(a) is a perspective view of an external illumination device 120G according to the eighth embodiment. Fig. 16(b) is a partially exploded perspective view of a camera connection part 206G in the external illumination device 120G. Fig. 16(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow HH in Fig. 16(a), showing the internal structure of the camera connection part 206G when the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position. Figs. 16(a) and (c) correspond to Fig. 6 used to explain the first embodiment.

[0107] The camera connection unit 206G of the external illumination device 120G is provided on the underside of the base unit 250 of the external illumination device 120G in a normal attachment state to the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100. The camera connection unit 206G includes a shoe mounting leg 851, a radio wave setting button 880, a detection flexible board 881, a plurality of lock pins 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 854, and a Y-direction holding member 258.

[0108] The shoe mounting leg 851 is an engaging member on the camera connecting unit 206G side, configured to be detachable from the engaging member 151 for engaging the camera connecting unit 206G with the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 123. The shoe mounting leg 851 is a part on which a large stress acts due to an external force such as pressure or impact applied to the external lighting device 120G, and is therefore formed by processing a metal plate (sheet metal) and has high mechanical strength. The shoe mounting leg 851 also has a hole into which the radio wave setting button 880 can be inserted, and is arranged so that the radio wave setting button 880 can be operated from outside the external lighting device 120G in a state where the external lighting device 120G is in a standalone state.

[0109] The holding member 854 is a structure that connects the shoe mounting leg 851 and the base part 250, and is formed of, for example, a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as a resin material. The holding member 854 has a hole that allows the radio wave setting button 880 to be inserted. After the radio wave setting button 880 and the detection flexible board 881 are engaged with the hole 854a of the holding member 854, the holding member 854 and the shoe mounting leg 851 are engaged. As a result, the radio wave setting button 880 and the detection flexible board 881 are sandwiched in the Y direction between the holding member 854 and the shoe mounting leg 851 and attached to the holding member 854. In other words, the positions of the radio wave setting button 880 and the detection flexible board 881 in the Y direction are regulated. The detection flexible board 881 is connected to a main board (not shown) of the external illumination device 120G, and when the radio wave setting button 880 is pressed, a signal corresponding to this is transmitted to the main board.

[0110] The external lighting device 120G may be used for lighting a subject during imaging without being attached to the digital camera 100. For example, when performing multi-light photography using a plurality of external lighting devices, imaging is performed in which the light emission amount and light emission timing of the external lighting device attached to the digital camera 100 and the external lighting device not attached to the digital camera 100 are controlled by radio wave communication. At that time, communication settings (pairing) are required to establish a communication connection by radio waves between the plurality of external lighting devices. Therefore, in the external lighting device 120G, by pressing the radio wave setting button 880, pairing with another external lighting device can be easily performed.

[0111] When the external lighting device 120G is attached to the digital camera 100, the radio wave setting button 880 is unnecessary. Therefore, by providing the radio wave setting button 880 to the camera connection unit 206G, it is made impossible to operate the radio wave setting button 880 when the external lighting device 120G is attached to the digital camera 100. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation of the radio wave setting button 880. Moreover, the same effect can be obtained by arranging a plurality of operating members that can set communication settings in detail in the camera connection unit 206G instead of the radio wave setting button 880. For example, a communication channel setting button, a radio wave communication ID setting button, a light emission group setting button, etc. can be attached.

[0112] <Ninth embodiment> In the camera connection part (shoe device), multiple connection terminals are exposed to the outside. In this case, if the number of connection terminals is increased, the width of each connection terminal must be narrowed, making it difficult to ensure mechanical strength, and as a result, damage or deformation may occur when an external force is applied. If the camera connection part is engaged with the accessory shoe while such damage or deformation occurs in the connection terminal, poor contact with the signal terminal on the accessory shoe side may occur, causing communication failure, and the signal terminal on the accessory shoe side may be deformed or damaged. Therefore, in this embodiment, an external lighting device having a camera connection part that makes it possible to suppress damage and deformation of a large number of connection terminals will be described. Note that in the ninth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the reference numeral '120H' is used for the external lighting device and the reference numeral '206H' is used for the camera connection part.

[0113] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the external illumination device 120H. Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the camera connection part 206H of the external illumination device 120H. Figs. 19(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views taken along the arrows J1-J1 and J2-J2 in Fig. 17, showing the internal structure of the camera connection part 206H when the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position. Figs. 20(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views taken along the arrows J1-J1 and J2-J2 in Fig. 17, showing the internal structure of the camera connection part 206H when the lock lever 253 is in the locked position.

[0114] The camera connection part 206H of the external illumination device 120H is provided on the underside of the base part 250 of the external illumination device 120H in a normal attachment state to the accessory shoe 123 of the digital camera 100. The camera connection part 206H includes a shoe mounting leg 251, a plurality of lock pins 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 254, a connection plug 256, a connection terminal 257, a Y-direction holding member 258, a terminal holding member 270, and a terminal protection plate 272.

[0115] The shoe mounting leg 251 is an engaging member on the camera connecting part 206H side that is configured to be detachable from the engaging member 151 in order to engage the camera connecting part 206H with the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 123. Since the shoe mounting leg 251 is a part on which a large stress acts due to external forces such as pressure and impact applied to the external lighting device 120H, it is formed by processing a metal plate (sheet metal) and has high mechanical strength.

[0116] The lock pins 252 are members for preventing the external illumination device 120H from falling off from the digital camera 100 after the shoe mounting leg 251 is attached to the accessory shoe 123, and two of them are provided on the shoe mounting leg 251 so as to be movable in the Y direction. Fitting portions 258a are fitted and fixed to the two lock pins 252. The lock lever 253 and the Y-direction holding member 258 move the lock pins 252. The terminal holding member 270 is held by the holding member 254 so as to be movable in the Y direction, and engages with the lock pin 252 at the sliding portion 270a. The lock pin 252 and the terminal holding member 270 are urged in the +Y direction by a spring 290.

[0117] The lock lever 253 is an operating member for a locking operation to prevent the camera connection part 206H from falling off from the accessory shoe 123, and is rotatable around the Y axis of the camera connection part 206H. FIG. 17 shows the lock lever 253 in the unlocked position. When the lock lever 253 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position with the camera connection part 206H attached to the accessory shoe 123, the Y-direction holding member 258 moves a predetermined distance in the -Y direction by a cam part (cam part D) not shown. At that time, since the lock pin 252 is engaged with the engagement part 258a, the lock pin 252 moves in the -Y direction together with the Y-direction holding member 258. In this way, the lock pin 252 engages with the engagement hole 156 provided in the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 123. The lock pin 252 and the engagement hole 156 function as a Z-direction position restricting member to ensure the electrical connection between the external illumination device 120H and the digital camera 100. As the lock pin 252 moves in the -Y direction, the terminal holding member 270 engaged with the lock pin 252 receives the biasing force of the cam portion D and moves in the -Y direction.

[0118] The connection plug 256 is provided on the +Z direction side of the camera connection section 206H, and is made of a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as a synthetic resin material. In the camera connection section 206H, the connection plug 256 and the holding member 254 are integrally formed of a resin material. The holding member 254 slidably holds the terminal holding member 270. The terminal holding member 270 has a plurality of connection terminals 257 for abutting against a plurality of signal terminals 152a of the accessory shoe 123 to perform communication.

[0119] The multiple connection terminals 257 correspond one-to-one to the multiple signal terminals 152a of the accessory shoe 123. The connection terminal 257 has a tip portion 257a that contacts the corresponding signal terminal 152a. The connection terminal 257 also has an extension portion 257b that displaces the tip portion 257a in the Y direction by elastic deformation when the tip portion 257a abuts against the signal terminal 152a. An extension portion 257c is provided at the -Z direction end of the extension portion 257b so as to be approximately perpendicular to the extension portion 257b. A flexible board connection portion 257d that comes into contact with a flexible board 259 connected to a main board (not shown) of the external lighting device 120H when the flexible board 259 is inserted is provided near the +Y direction end of the extension portion 257c.

[0120] Next, the operation of the connection terminal 257 linked to the locking operation of the external illumination device 120H will be described. The connection terminal 257 is fitted and fixed to the terminal holding member 270 at the extending portion 257c, and is movable in the Y direction together with the terminal holding member 270. As shown in Fig. 19(a), in the unlocked state in which the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position, the multiple connection terminals 257 are in a housed position in which their tip portions 257a are located on the +Y side of the bottom surface 251d of the shoe mounting leg 251 and inside the holding member 254.

[0121] When the lock lever 253 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position and the lock pin 252 moves in the -Y direction, the terminal holding member 270 and the connection terminals 257 move in the -Y direction in conjunction with this. In this way, as shown in Fig. 20(a), when the camera connection part 206H is in the locked state, the multiple connection terminals 257 are held at a height position (connection position) that is approximately the same as the bottom surface 251d of the shoe mounting leg 251, where the tip portions 257a can be connected to the signal terminals 152a.

[0122] In this way, in camera connection section 206H, in an unlocked state where lock lever 253 is set to the unlocked position, connection terminal 257 can be prevented from being exposed to bottom surface 251d, which is the external surface of shoe mounting leg 251. In other words, by keeping camera connection section 206H in the unlocked state and housing tip portion 257a of connection terminal 257 inside holding member 254, it is possible to prevent connection terminal 257 from being damaged or deformed due to inadvertent operation or external force.

[0123] In camera connection part 206H, shoe mounting leg 251 may be provided with a tripod female screw 251c. When a tripod (not shown) is attached to tripod female screw 251c, bottom surface 251d of shoe mounting leg 251 becomes a fixed surface relative to the mounting surface of the tripod. When camera connection part 206H is attached to a tripod with lock lever 253 in the unlocked position, tip portion 257a of connection terminal 257 is located inside holding member 254 as shown in FIG. 19, and therefore tip portion 257a does not come into contact with the tripod.

[0124] When the lock lever 253 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position after the camera connection part 206H has been attached to the tripod, the Y-direction holding member 258 moves in the -Y direction in conjunction with the rotation of the lock lever 253. At that time, when the tip of the lock pin 252 abuts against the mounting surface of the tripod, it does not protrude any further from the bottom surface 251d, and similarly, the terminal holding member 270 and the connection terminal 257 do not move any further in the -Y direction. This makes it possible to prevent the tip 257a of the connection terminal 257 from coming into contact with the mounting surface of the tripod.

[0125] The camera connection part 206H with the lock lever 253 in the locked position can also be attached to a tripod. In this case, for example, the lock pin 252 is pushed up in the +Y direction by the mounting surface of the tripod, the mounting surface of the tripod is brought into contact with the bottom surface 251d of the shoe mounting leg 251, and then the tripod female screw 251c is screwed into the tripod male screw.

[0126] At that time, before the attachment of camera connection part 206H to the tripod is completed, lock pin 252 moves in the +Y direction and retreats into holding member 254. In other words, before the tip of lock pin 252 reaches the position of bottom surface 251d of shoe mounting leg 251, tip part 257a of connection terminal 257 moves into holding member 254 on the +Y side of bottom surface 251d. This makes it possible to prevent tip part 257a of connection terminal 257 from coming into contact with the mounting surface of the tripod.

[0127] In this way, by making the connection terminal 257 movable in the Y direction in conjunction with the lock pin 252, it is possible to prevent the tip 257a of the connection terminal 257 from coming into contact with a tripod or the like, regardless of the state of the lock lever 253. Note that the connection terminal 257 is not limited to a configuration in which it moves in conjunction with the operation of the lock pin 252, and may be configured to move in conjunction with the rotational operation of the lock lever 253 or the fastening operation by a screw mechanism.

[0128] 21 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the camera connection part 206H, and illustrates a state in which the base part 250, the lock lever 253, and the Y-direction holding member 258 have been removed from the camera connection part 206H. In the camera connection part 206H, a holding member 254 is fastened to a shoe mounting leg 251. The holding member 254 is formed so as to be insertable (fittable) into the engagement part interval T (see FIG. 5(a)) of the engagement member 151, and has a connecting part 254a having a width V shorter than the width W of the shoe mounting leg 251.

[0129] The connecting portion 254a fits into the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 123, thereby determining the X-direction position of the external lighting device 120H relative to the digital camera 100. The shoe mounting leg 251 is biased in the +Y direction by abutting against the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154 (see FIG. 4), and the shoe fitting portion 251a abuts against the engaging member 151. This determines the Y-direction position of the external lighting device 120H relative to the digital camera 100. Furthermore, the abutting surface 251b formed on the shoe mounting leg 251 abuts against a pair of abutting surfaces 154b provided on the accessory shoe spring 154, thereby determining the Z-direction position of the external lighting device 120H relative to the digital camera 100. The holding member 254 is also a structure that connects the shoe mounting leg 251 and the base portion 250, and the lock pin 252 and the connection terminal 257 are disposed inside the connecting portion 254a.

[0130] Tenth embodiment In the tenth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the external lighting device is designated by the reference numeral '120J' and the camera connection unit is designated by the reference numeral '206J'. Note that among the components of the external lighting device 120J, the same components as those of the external lighting device 120H according to the ninth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the common explanation will be omitted.

[0131] In the external lighting device 120H according to the ninth embodiment, the moving direction of the connection terminal 257 is the same as the moving direction of the lock pin 252, but in the external lighting device 120J, the moving direction of the connection terminal 257 is different from the moving direction of the lock pin 252. And, the external appearance of the external lighting device 120J and the camera connection part 206J is substantially the same as the external appearance of the external lighting device 120H and the camera connection part 206H, and therefore, an external perspective view of the external lighting device 120J corresponding to FIG. 17 is omitted.

[0132] Fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the camera connector 206J of the external illumination device 120J according to the tenth embodiment. Figs. 23(a) and 23(b) are cross-sectional views of the camera connector 206J corresponding to the arrows J1-J1 and J2-J2 shown in Fig. 17, and show the internal structure of the camera connector 206J when the lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position. Figs. 24(a) and 24(b) are cross-sectional views of the camera connector 206J corresponding to the arrows J1-J1 and J2-J2 shown in Fig. 17, and show the internal structure of the camera connector 206J when the lock lever 253 is in the locked position.

[0133] The camera connection part 206J includes a shoe mounting leg 251, a lock pin 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 254, a connection plug 256, and a Y-direction holding member 258. A sliding guide part 270c of a terminal holding member 270 shown in FIG. 23(a) is provided at a position facing a guide part 254b of a holding member 254. A sliding part 270a of a terminal holding member 270 shown in FIG. 23(b) is engaged with the lock pin 252 so as to be drivable in the Z direction. The lock pin 252 and the terminal holding member 270 are biased in the +Y direction by a spring 290.

[0134] Lock lever 253 is arranged to be rotatable around the Y axis of camera connection part 206J between an unlocked position and a locked position. As shown in Fig. 23(a), in an unlocked state in which lock lever 253 is in the unlocked position, multiple connection terminals 257 are in a housed position in which tip portions 257a are located on the +Y side of bottom surface 251d of shoe mounting leg 251 and inside holding member 254.

[0135] When the lock lever 253 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position, the fitting portion 258a of the Y-direction holding member 258 moves in the -Y direction by a cam portion (cam portion D) (not shown). At that time, the lock pin 252 moves in the -Y direction together with the Y-direction holding member 258 because it is fitted with the fitting portion 258a. In addition, the terminal holding member 270 engaged with the lock pin 252 also moves in the -Y direction by receiving the biasing force of the cam portion D. At this time, the sliding guide portion 270c of the terminal holding member 270 slides in the +Z direction along the inclined surface shape of the guide portion 254b of the holding member 254. Therefore, due to the locking operation of the lock lever 253, the connection terminal 257 moves in the -Y direction while moving in the +Z direction together with the terminal holding member 270. Thus, in the locked state where the lock lever 253 is in the locked position, the multiple connection terminals 257 are held at a height position (connection position) approximately the same as the bottom surface 251d of the shoe mounting leg 251, where their tip portions 257a can be connected to the signal terminal 152a.

[0136] In this way, by engaging camera connection part 206J with accessory shoe 123 and then performing a locking operation by lock lever 253, connection terminal 257 is connected to signal terminal 152a while sliding in the +Z direction on the surface of signal terminal 152a. This makes it possible to remove dust from signal terminal 152a and enables stable communication between external illumination device 120J and digital camera 100. Note that connection terminal 257 is not limited to a configuration that is linked to the operation of lock pin 252, and may be configured to move in conjunction with the rotational operation of lock lever 253 or the fastening operation by a screw mechanism.

[0137] Although the present invention has been described in detail above based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned embodiments merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 100 Digital Camera 120 Exterior lighting equipment 123 Accessory shoe 206 Camera connection part 251 Shoe mounting leg 256 connection plug 252 Lock pin 253 Lock lever 254 Retaining member 256 connection plug 256a Terminal protection section 257 Connection terminal 257a Tip 280 Tripod female thread

Claims

1. A shoe device that is detachable from an accessory shoe device of an electronic device, an engaging member that is detachable from the accessory shoe device by sliding it in a first direction and has an attachment portion integrally formed therewith to which a member different from the accessory shoe device can be attached; A holding member for holding the engaging member; a connection plug having a plurality of connection terminals arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and arranged in front of the holding member in the first direction; A shoe device, wherein the attachment portion is provided behind the plurality of connection terminals in the first direction.

2. A shoe device that is detachable from an accessory shoe device of an electronic device, an engaging member that is detachable from the accessory shoe device by sliding it in a first direction; a holding member having an attachment portion to which a member different from the accessory shoe device can be attached, the holding member holding the engaging member; a connection plug having a plurality of connection terminals arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and arranged in front of the holding member in the first direction; A shoe device, wherein the attachment portion is provided behind the plurality of connection terminals in the first direction.

3. A shoe device that is detachable from an accessory shoe device of an electronic device, an engaging member that is detachable from the accessory shoe device by sliding it in a first direction; a mounting member having a mounting portion to which a member different from the accessory shoe device can be attached; a holding member for holding the mounting member and the engaging member; a connection plug having a plurality of connection terminals arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and arranged in front of the holding member in the first direction; A shoe device, wherein the attachment portion is provided behind the plurality of connection terminals in the first direction.

4. a width of the holding member in the second direction is smaller than a width of the engaging member; 4. The shoe device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection terminals are disposed in an area sandwiched between a plurality of fastening members in the second direction.

5. the connection plug has a plurality of lock pins that regulate a position of the shoe device relative to the accessory shoe device in the first direction; The shoe device according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion is disposed in a region sandwiched between the plurality of lock pins in the second direction.

6. 6. The shoe device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is a tripod female screw.

7. 7. The shoe device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is made of metal or resin.

8. An accessory comprising the shoe device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images