Shoe device, accessory, accessory shoe device and electronic device

Abstract

To provide a compact shoe device that retains a large number of connection terminals and secures an area shaped to protect them and an area for relative positioning of components.SOLUTION: A shoe device 206 is attached to and detached from, in a first direction (Z), an accessory shoe device included in an electronic apparatus. The shoe device comprises: a plurality of connection terminals 257 arranged in a second direction (X) orthogonal to the first direction (Z); a retaining member 254 to retain the plurality of connection terminals; a leg 251 fixed to or integrated with the retaining member and retained by the accessory shoe device; and a connection plug 256 located on the attachment side relatively to the leg in the first direction and having, on both sides of the plurality of connection terminals in the second direction, protruding sections 256a protruding in a third direction (Y). Each protruding section has a slanted section 256b located outside in the second direction and slanted in the second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe device provided on an accessory to enable attachment and detachment of an accessory to an electronic device, and to an accessory shoe device provided on an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Imaging devices (electronic devices) such as digital cameras are provided with accessory shoe devices to which shoe devices for accessories such as lighting devices (flash units) are detachably attached. The accessory shoe device is provided with an engagement member that engages with and holds the shoe device, and the accessory shoe device and shoe device are each provided with connection terminals to enable two-way communication between the imaging device and the accessory. Conventionally, the number of connection terminals has often been five. In response to this, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic viewfinder having a shoe device that can be attached to and detached from the accessory shoe device of an imaging device, and the accessory shoe device and shoe device maintain compatibility with the conventional five connection terminals (communication pins) while increasing the number of connection terminals within the shape of the engaging member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-084681 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the device having a large number of connection terminals as disclosed in Patent Document 1 Accessories In the shoe device, If the accessory shoe device does not have an adequate waterproof structure, water may enter the interior of the imaging device that includes the accessory shoe device.

[0005] The present invention provides a number of connection terminals. It has a drip-proof structure that can prevent water from entering even if it has An accessory shoe device is provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An accessory shoe device according to one aspect of the present invention is an accessory shoe device to which an accessory is attached or detached in a first direction, the accessory shoe device comprising: a plurality of connection terminals arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a flexible substrate connected to the plurality of connection terminals; a holding member for holding the plurality of connection terminals; an engaging member for engaging with the accessory; and a housing member arranged to surround the holding member and the engaging member; When the accessory shoe device is attached to the electronic device, it is not between the housing member and the electronic device. The housing member has an opening through which the flexible substrate passes, and a drip-proof member having elasticity and adapted to come into contact with the holding member is provided around the opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, It is possible to provide an accessory shoe device having a drip-proof structure that can prevent water from entering even if it has a large number of connection terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an external flash unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the digital camera and an external flash unit. [Figure 4] 2A and 2B are an exploded view and a perspective view of an accessory shoe according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the structure of the engaging member of the accessory shoe and the connection terminal connector. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the external flash unit. [Figure 7] 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a front view showing the internal structure of a camera connection portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 3A and 3B are a top view and a cross-sectional view of the camera connection part. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an external flash unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]10A and 10B are a perspective view and a front view showing the internal structure of a camera connection portion in Example 2. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view of the accessory shoe of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the connection plug in the first and second embodiments. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the camera connector is attached to the accessory shoe in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an external flash unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 11A and 11B are a perspective view and a front view showing the internal structure of a camera connection portion in Example 3. [Figure 16] 11A and 11B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a digital camera and an external flash unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a top cover accessory shoe in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a drip-proof structure in a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following describes an imaging system including a digital camera (imaging device), which is an example of an electronic device equipped with an accessory shoe device, and an external flash unit (illumination device), which is an example of an accessory equipped with a shoe device detachable from the accessory shoe device of the digital camera. Accessories equipped with shoe devices are not limited to flash units, but also include various other accessories such as electronic viewfinder units, video capture microphones, conversion adapters, various measuring instruments, sub-cameras, etc. Electronic devices equipped with accessory shoe devices also include various electronic devices other than imaging devices. [Example]

[0012] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as camera) 100. The camera 100 includes a camera MPU 101 (a microcomputer), 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 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-segment 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 camera 100 also includes a flash control unit 118, a built-in flash 119, a camera LED assist light unit 121, and an accessory shoe device (hereinafter simply referred to as accessory shoe) 123. An external flash unit 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 123 as an accessory. A storage medium 109, such as a semiconductor memory, is attachable to and detachable from the camera 100.

[0013] The camera MPU 101 controls the imaging sequence of the camera 100 and the entire imaging system. The imaging optical system 122 has a group of lenses such as a zoom lens and a focus lens, an aperture, a shutter, etc., and focuses light from the subject field as an optical image (subject image) on the imaging element 103. The imaging element 103 is an image sensor such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor that captures (photoelectrically converts) the optical image. The timing signal generation circuit 102 generates timing signals required to operate the imaging element 103.

[0014] An A / D converter 104 converts an analog signal read from the image sensor 103 into a digital signal (image data). A memory controller 105 controls reading and writing of a memory (not shown) and a refresh operation of a buffer memory 106. The buffer memory 106 temporarily stores image data output from the A / D converter 104 and display image data for displaying an image on an 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.

[0015] The storage medium I / F 108 is an interface that enables communication between an attached storage medium 109 and the camera MPU 101. Note that the camera 100 may also include other storage media such as a hard disk or optical disk.

[0016] The motor control unit 110 controls a motor (not shown) in accordance with a signal from the camera MPU 101 to raise and lower a mirror (not shown) and charge the shutter. The shutter control unit 111 controls the exposure of the image sensor 103 by moving the front and rear shutter curtains in accordance with a signal from the camera MPU 101. The multi-segment photometry sensor 113 measures the brightness of each of the multiple areas divided within the image capture screen. The photometry unit 112 outputs a brightness signal indicating the brightness of each area to the camera MPU 101.

[0017] The camera MPU 101 calculates AV (aperture value), TV (shutter speed), ISO (sensitivity of the image sensor 103), and the like for adjusting exposure based on the luminance signal obtained from the photometry unit 112. The photometry unit 112 also outputs a luminance signal when the built-in flash 119 or the external flash unit 120 pre-flashes (pre-flashes) toward the subject to the camera MPU 101, and calculates the amount of light emitted by the external flash unit 120 (main flash amount) during actual imaging.

[0018] The lens control unit 114 communicates with the camera MPU 101 via a mount contact (not shown) and controls the focus and aperture value of the imaging optical system 122 by controlling a lens drive motor and an aperture drive motor (not shown). The focus detection unit 115 detects the defocus amount of the imaging optical system 122 using a focus detection method such as a phase difference detection method. The camera MPU 101 calculates the drive amount of the focus lens based on the detected defocus amount and performs autofocus (AF) by controlling the lens drive motor via the lens control unit 114.

[0019] The attitude detection unit 116 detects the tilt of the camera 100 in the direction of rotation around the optical axis of the imaging optical system 122. The switch operation unit 117 has a first switch (SW1) that is turned ON when a release button (not shown) is pressed a first stroke (halfway down) and a second switch (SW2) that is turned ON when the release button is pressed a second stroke (fully down), and outputs an ON signal from each switch to the camera MPU 101. The camera MPU 101 starts imaging preparation operations such as AF and photometry in response to the ON signal from SW1, and starts imaging (exposure) operations in response to the ON signal from SW2. The switch operation unit 117 also outputs signals to the camera MPU 101 in response to operations of operation members (not shown) other than SW1 and SW2.

[0020] The flash control unit 118 controls the flashes (pre-flash, main flash, fill flash, etc.) of the built-in flash 119 and the external flash unit 120 attached to the accessory shoe 123 in accordance with instructions from the camera MPU 101. Furthermore, when the flash control unit 118 detects that the external flash unit 120 has been attached to the accessory shoe 123, it starts supplying power to the external flash unit 120 via the accessory shoe 123. The detailed configuration of the accessory shoe 123 will be described later.

[0021] The camera LED fill light unit 121 irradiates the subject with near-infrared light (LED fill light) of a predetermined pattern that is used as fill light for focus detection by the focus detection unit 115. The camera MPU 101 controls the emission of fill light by the built-in flash 119 or the external flash unit 120 for focus detection based on the brightness signal from the photometry unit 112. Specifically, the camera MPU 101 instructs the built-in flash 119 or the external flash unit 120 to emit fill light via the flash control unit 118. The camera MPU 101 can also instruct the camera LED fill light unit 121 or the LED fill light unit 207 of the external flash unit 120 shown in FIG. 2 to emit LED fill light via the flash control unit 118.

[0022] 2 shows the configuration of the external flash unit 120. The external flash unit 120 has a main body 200, a bounce mechanism 201, and a head 202. The main body 200 has an external flash MPU 203, a main capacitor 209, various operation units 205 including a power switch, a display 208, an LED fill light unit 207, and a camera connection unit 206.

[0023] The external flash MPU 203 is mounted on a main board (not shown) and controls all operations, including the light emission control sequence, of the external flash unit 120. The camera connection unit 206 is a shoe device that mechanically and electrically connects the external flash unit 120 to the accessory shoe 123 of the camera 100. The camera MPU 101 and external flash MPU 203 communicate via the flash 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 below.

[0024] The LED assist light unit 207, like the camera LED assist light unit 121, irradiates the subject with LED assist light, such as near-infrared light, having a predetermined pattern as assist light during focus detection by the focus detection unit 115 of the camera MPU 101. The bounce mechanism 201 is a mechanism for rotating the head unit 202 horizontally or vertically relative to the main body 200 to change the direction of the illumination light (flash) emitted from the head unit 202. Using the bounce mechanism 201 makes it possible to indirectly illuminate the subject and capture images (bounce imaging). The head unit 202 has a light-emitting unit 204 that emits a flash. The light-emitting unit 204 has a light source such as a light-emitting discharge tube (e.g., a xenon tube) or an LED, a reflector, a Fresnel lens, and a light-emitting circuit. The light-emitting circuit causes the light source to emit a flash according to a signal from the external flash MPU 203.

[0025] Fig. 3(a) shows the camera 100 as seen from the diagonal rear side. Fig. 3(b) shows how to attach the external flash unit 120 to the accessory shoe 123 of the camera 100. Fig. 3(c) shows the state in which the external flash unit 120 is attached to the camera 100 as seen from the diagonal rear side.

[0026] 1 is provided on the front side (field side) of the camera 100, and the image display unit 107 is provided on the back side of the camera 100. A top cover 150 is provided on the top surface of the camera 100 as an exterior member, and an accessory shoe 123 is disposed on the top cover 150. Meanwhile, in the external flash unit 120, the camera connection unit 206 is provided on the bottom of the external flash unit 120.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the external flash unit 120 is slid parallel to the front side in the Z direction (the attachment side in the first direction) relative to the camera 100 to engage the camera connector 206 with the accessory shoe 123. This allows the external flash unit 120 to be attached to the camera 100. The front side in the Z direction is the direction from the rear side to the front side of the camera 100, that is, the direction from the image display unit 107 side to the imaging optical system 122 side. Note that the X direction (second direction), Y direction (third direction), and Z direction (front-rear direction) shown in FIG. 4 and subsequent drawings are common. The X direction is the 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 camera 100. The Y direction is the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction, and is the height direction of the camera 100.

[0028] Next, the accessory shoe 123 of the camera 100 will be described in detail. Fig. 4(a) shows the accessory shoe 123 disassembled from the top cover 150. Fig. 4(b) shows the assembled accessory shoe 123. The attachment direction of the accessory shoe 123 to the top cover 150 is the Y direction.

[0029] The accessory shoe 123 includes an engagement member 151, a connection terminal connector 152, a shoe stage 153, and an accessory shoe spring 154. The engagement member 151 is a member for holding the external flash unit 120 by engaging with the external flash unit 120. The connection terminal connector 152 includes a connector base member 152e, which serves as a holding member and is formed of a resin material or the like, and includes a plurality of connection terminals 152a arranged at equal intervals in the X direction on the connector base member 152e and held by the connector base member 152e. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the connection terminals 152a of the connection terminal connector 152 are located forward in the Z direction (on the front side of the camera 100), which is the mounting direction of the external flash unit 120. An engagement hole 156 that engages with a lock pin 252 of the external flash unit 120 shown in FIG. 6(a) is provided at the rear of the connection terminal connector 152 in the Z direction (on the back side of the digital camera 100).

[0030] When the external flash unit 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 123, the connection terminal 152a is electrically connected to the external flash unit 120. Furthermore, each of the multiple connection terminals 152a is electrically connected to a flexible board 158 located on the lower side of the top cover 150 in the Y direction. The flexible board 158 is connected to a main board (not shown) of the camera 100. Therefore, when the external flash unit 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 123, communication between the external flash unit 120 and the camera 100 becomes possible.

[0031] The shoe stage 153 is a housing member that surrounds the engaging member 151 and the connection terminal connector 152. The accessory shoe holding member 155 is a structural body that holds the engaging member 151. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the accessory shoe holding member 155, flexible board 158, top cover 150, shoe stage 153, and connection terminal connector 152 are fastened to the engaging member 151 by four screws 157 that pass through them. This positions and fixes these components relative to one another. By arranging the four screws 157, one in each of four regions that are equally divided in the X and Z directions, the above components can be joined in a balanced manner.

[0032] Figure 5(a) shows the structure of the upper surface of the engaging member 151, and Figure 5(b) shows the structure of the lower surface of the engaging member 151. Figure 5(c) shows the structure of the upper surface of the connection terminal connector 152. Figure 11 shows the accessory shoe 123 as seen from the insertion direction of the external flash unit 120.

[0033] The engaging member 151 is formed by bending a metal plate into a loop shape so that the end faces of both folded ends abut against each other at a seam 151a. The engaging member 151 has a pair of engaging portions 151b and a connecting portion 151c that interconnects the pair of engaging portions 151b. The engaging member 151 is formed with a pair of first screw holes 151d and a pair of second screw holes 151e that are used to fasten screws 157. The engaging member 151 also has an engaging hole 156 that engages with a lock pin 252 of the external flash unit 120.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 11, the pair of engagement portions 151b are spaced apart in the X direction by a first width (hereinafter referred to as engagement portion spacing) 151aa. A holding member 254 of the external flash unit 120 (described later and shown in FIG. 6(b)) is inserted into the engagement portion spacing 151aa. The pair of first screw hole portions 151d are spaced apart in the X direction and function as a pair of first fastening holes spaced apart from each other in the X direction at the rear (back side) of the Z direction. The pair of second screw hole portions 151e are spaced apart in the X direction and function as a pair of second fastening holes spaced apart from each other in the X direction at the front of the Z direction. The engagement hole portion 156 is formed in the area sandwiched between the pair of first screw hole portions 151d at a position that allows it to engage with a lock pin 252 of the external flash unit 120.

[0035] 4(b) and 5(c), a plurality of connection terminals 152a are exposed in the connection terminal connector 152. In the pitch direction (X direction) in which the plurality of connection terminals 152a are arranged, the position of the camera connection part 206 is determined by the engagement part spacing 151aa of the engagement member 151. Therefore, the holding member 254 of the external flash unit 120 is positioned relative to the connection terminal connector 152 by the engagement member 151.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11 , on both sides of the multiple connection terminals 152a sandwiched between them in the X direction on the front side of the connection terminal connector 152 (connector base member 152e) in the Z direction, there are formed abutment surfaces 152b that abut against and position the accessory shoe 123 in the Z direction when the external flash unit 120 is attached, and a groove 152c into which the accessory shoe 123 is inserted. Each groove 152c is formed to extend from the abutment surface 152b toward the front side (attachment side) in the Z direction and is provided with a sloped surface 152d that faces inward and diagonally upward (inclined with respect to the X direction). Note that the portion of the groove 152c above the sloped surface 152d extends outward in the X direction from the position of the upper end of the sloped surface 152d. This is to prevent a depression (sink mark) from occurring in the sloped surface 152d during resin molding if the sloped surface 152d were formed up to the upper end of the groove 152c.

[0037] As shown in Figure 11, in the X direction, the outermost inner surface 152ccc of the groove portion 152c in the connector base member 152e of the accessory shoe 123 is located outside the inner end surfaces (engagement portion spacing 151aa) of the pair of engagement portions 151b of the engagement member 151 and inside the outermost inner surface 151bb of the engagement member 151.

[0038] The slope start position 152cc, which is the end (lower end) of the slope portion 152d on the bottom side of the groove 152c, is located inside the engagement portion interval 151aa. This ensures an area for providing the abutment surface 152b that abuts against the abutment portion 251b (described later) of the camera connection portion 206 to position it in the Z direction. Furthermore, by providing a slope shape starting from the slope start position 152cc, the space for inserting the shoe device of the external flash unit 120 (the camera connection portion 206 (described later)) can be expanded, ensuring flexibility in the shape of the shoe device. As a result, the shoe device of the external flash unit 120 can be shaped to adequately protect its connection terminal.

[0039] Next, the external flash unit 120 will be described. Fig. 6(a) shows the external flash unit 120 as seen from the camera connector 206 side (the lower side in the Y direction). Fig. 6(b) shows a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 6(a), illustrating the internal structure of the camera connector 206. Fig. 7(a) shows the camera connector 206. However, the base 250 and lock lever 253, which will be described later, are not shown. Fig. 7(b) shows the camera connector 206 as seen from the front in the Z direction.

[0040] When the camera connection part 206 is attached to the accessory shoe 123 of the camera 100, as shown in Figure 6(b), it is provided on the lower side in the Y direction of the base part 250 of the external flash unit 120 (upper side in Figure 6(a)). The camera connection part 206 has a shoe mounting leg (engagement member, shoe plate) 251, a lock pin 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 254, a connection plug 256, and a Y-direction holding member 258.

[0041] The shoe mounting leg 251 is an engagement member that engages and holds the external flash unit 120 on the accessory shoe 123 of the camera 100. In other words, the shoe mounting leg 251 is an engagement member on the external flash unit 120 that is detachable from the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 123.

[0042] The accessory shoe 123 and camera connection part 206 are subjected to large stresses due to pressure to maintain the attached state and external forces (such as impacts) acting on the external flash unit 120. The shoe mounting leg 251 is made by processing a metal plate (sheet metal) to ensure high mechanical strength against such large stresses.

[0043] The lock pin 252 is a member for preventing the external flash unit 120 from falling off when the camera connection part 206 (shoe mounting leg 251) is attached to the accessory shoe 123, and is held by the shoe mounting leg 251 so as to be movable in the Y direction. Specifically, the lock pin 252 is held by a Y-direction holding member 258 so as to be slidable in the Y direction. The lock lever 253 and the Y-direction holding member 258 are held by a holding member 254.

[0044] When the external flash unit 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 123 and the lock lever 253 is rotated, a cam portion (not shown) moves the Y-direction holding member 258 downward in the Y direction in FIG. 6(b). At that time, the lock pin 252 also moves downward in the Y direction in FIG. 6(b) together with the Y-direction holding member 258. As a result, the lock pin 252 protrudes from the shoe mounting leg 251 and engages with an engagement hole portion 156 provided in the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 123. The lock pin 252 and the engagement hole portion 156 function as positioning members in the Z direction to ensure electrical connection between the external flash unit 120 and the camera 100.

[0045] The connection plug 256 is provided on the front side of the camera connection portion 206 in the Z direction, is made of a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as a resin material, and is integrated with the holding member 254. The outermost width T of the connection plug 256 in the X direction is narrower than the width W of the shoe mounting leg 251 in the X direction. This ensures an area for providing the contact portion 251b on the shoe mounting leg 251. The connection plug 256 has a plurality of connection terminals 257 for communicating by contacting the plurality of connection terminals 152a of the accessory shoe 123 shown in FIG. 5(c).

[0046] The multiple connection terminals 257 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple connection terminals 152a and are held by the holding member 254 so as to extend in the Z direction and be aligned in the X direction. Each connection terminal 257 has a tip portion 257a that contacts the corresponding connection terminal 152a. Each connection terminal 257 also has an extension portion 257b that extends rearward in the Z direction from the tip portion 257a and elastically displaces the tip portion 257a upward in the Y direction in FIG. 6(b) when the tip portion 257a abuts the connection terminal 152a. An extension portion 257c that extends upward in the Y direction is formed at the rear end of the extension portion 257b in the Z direction. The upper end of the extension portion 257c is provided with a flexible board connection portion 257d that is connected to a main board (not shown) of the external flash unit 120 and is connected to a flexible board 259 inserted into the holding member 254 from above in the Y direction.

[0047] The extension 257b has a stepped portion 257e formed in the Z direction, which has a step in the Y direction. As described above, the extension 257b is capable of elastic deformation in the Y direction. However, if the distance L of the extension 257b in the Z direction is short, a sufficient amount of deformation cannot be obtained, resulting in reduced durability. As a result, repeated attachment and detachment of the connection terminal 152a and the tip 257a may make the extension 257b more susceptible to damage. Therefore, by providing the stepped portion 257e in the extension 257b, a sufficient distance L is ensured without the extension 257b interfering with the shoe mounting leg 251.

[0048] 7(a) and 7(b), a pair of protrusions 256a is provided at both ends in the X direction of the connection plug 256, protruding downward in the Y direction (third direction) so as to sandwich the multiple connection terminals 257 therebetween. As shown in Fig. 7(b), the lower tip 256d of each protrusion 256a protrudes below a line connecting the lower ends of the tip portions 257a of the connection terminals 257 in order to protect the connection terminals 257 from external forces such as pressure and impact. In other words, the tip portion 257a of the connection terminal 257 is provided above (inside) the line connecting the lower tip portions 256d of the pair of protrusions 256a.

[0049] Furthermore, on the outer side (outer surface) in the X direction of each protrusion 256a, a sloped portion 256b is provided as an outer surface that extends obliquely upward from a lower tip 256d and faces obliquely downward, i.e., is inclined with respect to the X direction. Since each protrusion 256a has such a shape, it is possible to insert the connection plug 256 into the groove 152c having the sloped portion 152d in the connection terminal connector 152.

[0050] The sloped surface 256b serves to prevent damage to the connection plug 256 by dissipating external forces such as pressure and impact on the connection plug 256. For example, Fig. 7(c) shows a case where an external force is applied to the connection plug 256 from the X direction. Fig. 7(c) shows the connection plug 256 as seen from the front in the Z direction.

[0051] An external force acting in the X direction is designated as F1 and is defined as a vector. When the external force F1 acting on the sloped surface 256b is resolved according to the rules of addition in vector space, it is resolved into a component force F2 in a direction along the sloped surface 256b and a component force F3 in a direction perpendicular to the sloped surface 256b. If the angle formed by the external force F1 and the sloped surface 256b is designated as θ, the component forces F2 and F3 can be calculated using the following equation (1): F2=F1cosθ F3=F1sinθ (1) When the inclined surface portion 256b is provided, θ is in the range of 0°<θ<90°. F2 <F1 F3 <F1 (2) Since the component force F2 escapes in a direction along the inclined surface portion 256b, the only force that affects the connection plug 256 is the component force F3. As described above, the component force F3 is smaller than the component force F1, and therefore the connection plug 256 will not be damaged even if a relatively large external force is applied.

[0052] By forming the inclined surfaces 256b on both sides in the X direction so that the width in the X direction narrows toward the lower side in the Y direction, it is possible to dissipate a portion of the external force not only from the X direction but also from the lower side in the Y direction.

[0053] FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the connection plug 256 as viewed from the Z direction. In the Y direction, the height from the lower tip 256d of the protrusion 256a to the upper surface of the connection plug 256 (the height of the connection plug including the protrusion) is defined as B, and the height of the slope 256b from the lower tip 256d (slope starting position 256c) to the upper end of the slope 256b is defined as A. In this case, A is preferably at least 1 / 5 of B, and more preferably at least 1 / 4, 1 / 3, or even at least half, as shown in FIG. 12. That is, the slope 256b is formed to have a significant dimension for the function of dissipating external forces from the X direction, and is different from the chamfered shape typically provided at the corners of a protrusion. Furthermore, the inclination angle θ of the slope 256b with respect to the X direction is preferably set within the range of 45°±20° to achieve the function of dissipating external forces.

[0054] In order to ensure a sufficient area for the abutment portion 251b of the shoe mounting leg 251 relative to the abutment surface 152b of the accessory shoe 123, which is a positioning portion in the Z direction, it is desirable to make the width in the X direction between the slope start positions 256c at the lower tip ends 256d of the slope portions 256b on both sides as short as possible. In this embodiment, the width in the X direction between the slope start positions 256c is set inside the width V of the holding member 254 in the X direction, thereby ensuring a sufficient area for the abutment portion 251b.

[0055] The camera connection section 206 has a structure in which a shoe mounting leg 251 and a holding member 254 are fastened together. Details of this fastening structure will be described later.

[0056] The holding member 254 has a connecting portion 254a that can be inserted into the engaging portion spacing 151aa of the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 123 shown in FIG. 5(a) and has a width V that is shorter than the width W of the shoe mounting leg 251 in the X direction. The dimensions of the widths W and V are specified in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) B7101-1975, "Camera Accessory Mounting Seats and Mounting Feet." The position of the external flash unit 120 in the X direction relative to the camera 100 is determined by the engaging portion 254a mating with the engaging member 151. Furthermore, the shoe mounting leg 251 is biased upward in the Y direction by abutting against the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154, which serves as a biasing member, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and (b). As a result, the upper surface of the shoe engaging portion 251a abuts (presses against) the lower surface of the engaging member 151, thereby determining the position of the external flash unit 120 in the Y direction relative to the camera 100.

[0057] Furthermore, the position of the external flash unit 120 in the Z direction relative to the camera 100 is determined by the abutment portion 251b of the shoe mounting leg 251 abutting against the abutment surface 152b on the front side in the Z direction of the connection terminal connector 152.

[0058] The holding member 254 is also a structure for connecting the shoe mounting leg 251 and the base part 250, and the lock pin 252 and the connection terminal 257 are disposed inside the connecting part 254a.

[0059] Next, we will explain the fastening structure between the holding member 254 and the shoe mounting leg 251. Figure 8(a) shows the camera connection part 206 as seen from above in the Y direction, and Figure 8(b) shows a cross section taken along line B-B in Figure 8(a).

[0060] A pair of first screws 260a and a pair of second screws 260b, which are fastening members for fastening the shoe mounting leg 251 to the holding member 254, penetrate the holding member 254 and are fastened to the shoe mounting leg 251. At this time, by arranging the screws in a well-balanced manner, one in each of four regions that are approximately equally spaced in the X and Z directions, the shoe mounting leg 251 is structured to be stably held to the holding member 254. Also, as mentioned above, the shoe mounting leg 251 is a component that is subjected to large stress. For this reason, by fastening the metal shoe mounting leg 251 to the holding member 254 with a well-balanced pair of first screws 260a and a pair of second screws 260b, it is possible to ensure the necessary mechanical strength.

[0061] 8(b), a plurality of connection terminals 257 are arranged in an area S sandwiched between the pair of first screws 260a and the pair of second screws 260b. The width between the pair of first screws 260a and the pair of second screws 260b is narrower than the width between the lower tip ends 256d of the protrusions 256a of the connection plug 256, the width V of the holding member 254, the outermost width T of the connection plug 256, and the width W of the shoe mounting leg 251.

[0062] 13 shows a cross section seen from the Z direction when the camera connector 206 is attached to the accessory shoe 123. This figure shows the dimensions T and V of the camera connector 206 described above, as well as the positional relationship between each part of the camera connector 206 and each part of the accessory shoe 123.

[0063] In FIG. 13, as described above, the upper surface of the shoe fitting portion 251a of the camera connecting portion 206 abuts against the lower surface (ceiling surface) of the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 123 for positioning in the Y direction.

[0064] Meanwhile, the lower tip 256d and the sloped portion 256b of the protrusion 256a of the connection plug 256 in the camera connector 206 do not abut against the bottom surface and sloped portion 152d of the groove 152c of the accessory shoe 123, respectively. The gap between the lower tip 256d of the protrusion 256a and the bottom surface of the groove 152c of the accessory shoe 123 is set as small as possible. This allows the lower tip 256d of the protrusion 256a to abut against the bottom surface of the groove 152c of the accessory shoe 123 when an external force in the X direction is applied to the external flash unit 120, thereby reducing the floating of the connection plug 256 (its tilt relative to the accessory shoe 123).

[0065] Additionally, the gap between the slopes 256b and 152d and the gap between the inner end face 152ccc of the groove 152c and the outer end face of the connection plug 256 are each set to a certain size. This prevents a load from being applied to the connection terminals 257 and 152a when an external force is applied to the external flash unit 120 in the X direction.

[0066] In groove 152c of accessory shoe 123, the relationship between the height of groove 152c in the Y direction (the height from the bottom surface of groove 152c to the ceiling surface of engaging member 151) and the height of slope 152d in the Y direction is the same as the relationship between height B of connection plug 256 and height A of slope 256b in camera connecting portion 206. Similarly to slope θ of slope 256b in camera connecting portion 206, the tilt angle of slope 256b with respect to the X direction is preferably set in the range of 45°±20°.

[0067] In the above embodiments, the surface shape of the inclined surface 256b provided on the protrusion 256a has been described as a flat surface, but the inclined surface 256b may be a curved surface having a curvature. In other words, the inclined surface 256b may be a surface that is inclined with respect to the X direction.

[0068] According to the above embodiment, in the small camera connection portion 206 and accessory shoe 123, it is possible to secure an area for providing a larger number of connection terminals and shapes to protect them than before, as well as an area for positioning components. [Example]

[0069] An external flash unit 120 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Fig. 9(a) shows the external flash unit 120 as seen from the camera connector 206 side (the lower side in the Y direction). Fig. 9(b) shows a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 9(a), illustrating the internal structure of the camera connector 206. Fig. 10(a) shows the camera connector 206, with the base 250 and lock lever 253 omitted from the illustration. Fig. 10(b) shows the camera connector 206 as seen from the front in the Z direction.

[0070] When the camera connection part 206 is attached to the accessory shoe 123 of the camera 100, as shown in Figure 9(b), it is provided on the lower side in the Y direction of the base part 250 of the external flash unit 120 (upper side in Figure 9(a)). The camera connection part 206 has a shoe mounting leg 300a, a lock pin 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 300, a connection plug 300b, a Y-direction holding member 258, and a shoe cover 301.

[0071] Similar to the shoe mounting leg 251 of the first embodiment, the shoe mounting leg 300a is an engagement member for engaging the external flash unit 120 with the accessory shoe 123 of the camera 100. In other words, the shoe mounting leg 300a is an engagement member on the external flash unit 120 side that is detachable from the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 123.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the shoe mounting leg 251, which is a metal shoe plate, and the resin holding member 254 are formed as separate members, with priority given to mechanical strength. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the shoe mounting leg 300a and the holding member 300 are formed as a single member using a resin material (a non-conductive material). This eliminates the need for the pair of first screws 260a and the pair of second screws 260b described in the first embodiment, providing more space for arranging the connection terminals 257, and allowing a greater number of connection terminals 257 to be arranged than in the first embodiment. As a result, the external flash unit 120 can communicate more information with the camera 100 via the camera connection portion 206 and the accessory shoe 123.

[0073] The connection plug 300b is provided on the front side of the camera connection portion 206 in the Z direction and is formed as an integral part of the holding member 300, which is made of a non-conductive resin material in this embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the outermost width T of the connection plug 300b in the X direction is narrower than the width W of the shoe mounting leg 300a in the X direction, thereby ensuring an area on the shoe mounting leg 300a for providing the abutment portion 300e. The connection plug 300b has multiple connection terminals 257 that contact the multiple connection terminals 152a of the accessory shoe 123 shown in FIG. 5(c) to communicate. The shoe cover 301 is an enclosure attached to the holding member 300 and protects the multiple connection terminals 257. The shape of the connection terminals 257 is the same as in the first embodiment, and a step portion 257e is provided to ensure a sufficient distance L in the Z direction of the extension portion 257b without interfering with the shoe cover 301.

[0074] The shape of the connection plug 300b is also the same as that of the connection plug 256 of the first embodiment, and a pair of protrusions 300c is provided at both ends of the connection plug 300b in the X direction, protruding downward in the Y direction so as to sandwich the plurality of connection terminals 257. As shown in Fig. 10(b) , the lower tip 300k of each protrusion 300c protrudes below a line connecting the lower ends of the tip portions 257a of the connection terminals 257 in order to protect the connection terminals 257 from external forces such as pressure and impact. In other words, the tip portion 257a of the connection terminal 257 is provided above (inside) the line connecting the lower tip portions 300k of the pair of protrusions 300b.

[0075] Also in this embodiment, each protrusion 300c has a slope 300f extending obliquely upward from the lower tip 300k and facing obliquely downward on the outer side in the X direction. Since each protrusion 300c has such a shape, the connection plug 300b can be inserted into the groove 152c having the slope 152d in the connection terminal connector 152 described in the first embodiment. As described in the first embodiment, the slope 300c serves to release external forces, such as pressure and impact, applied to the connection plug 300b, thereby preventing the connection plug from being damaged.

[0076] Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, it is desirable to make the distance in the X direction between the slope start positions 300g at the lower tip ends 300k of the slope portions 300c on both sides as short as possible, so the slope start positions 300g on both sides are located inside the width V of the holding member 254 in the X direction, thereby ensuring a sufficient area for the abutment portion 300e of the shoe mounting leg 300a.

[0077] The holding member 300 has a connecting portion 300h that is insertable into the engaging portion spacing 151aa of the engaging member 151 shown in FIG. 5(a) and engageable with the engaging member 151, and that has a width V that is shorter in the X direction than the width W of the shoe mounting leg 300a. As in Example 1, the dimensions of width W and width V are specified in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) B7101-1975, "Camera Accessory Mounting Seats and Mounting Feet." When the connecting portion 300h engages with the engaging member 151, the position of the external flash unit 120 in the X direction relative to the camera 100 is determined. Furthermore, the shoe mounting leg 300a is biased upward in the Y direction by abutting against the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154 shown in FIGS. 4(a) and (b), causing the upper surface of the shoe engaging portion 300d to abut against the lower surface of the engaging member 151. This determines the position of the external flash unit 120 in the Y direction relative to the camera 100.

[0078] Furthermore, the position of the external flash unit 120 in the Z direction relative to the camera 100 is determined by the abutment portion 300e of the shoe mounting leg 300a abutting against the abutment surface 152b on the front side in the Z direction of the connection terminal connector 152.

[0079] The holding member 300 is also a structure for connecting the shoe mounting leg 300a and the base part 250, and the lock pin 252 and the connection terminal 257 are disposed inside the connecting part 300h. [Example]

[0080] Next, an external flash unit 120 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 14(a) shows the external flash unit 120 as seen from the camera connector 206 side (the lower side in the Y direction). Fig. 14(b) shows a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 14(a), illustrating the internal structure of the camera connector 206. Fig. 15(a) shows the camera connector 206, with the base 250 and lock lever 253 omitted from the illustration. Fig. 15(b) shows the camera connector 206 as seen from the front in the Z direction.

[0081] Figure 16(a) shows the external flash unit 120 attached to the camera 100, viewed from the diagonal rear side. Figure 16(b) shows a cross section taken along line BB in Figure 16(a), illustrating the state in which the camera connection part 206 (shoe mounting leg 400a) of the external flash unit 120 is in the process of being inserted into the accessory shoe 123 (engagement member 151) of the camera 100. Figure 16(c) shows the same cross section as Figure 16(b), illustrating the state in which the shoe mounting leg 400a has been completely inserted into the accessory shoe 123 and is held by the accessory shoe 123.

[0082] Similar to the shoe mounting leg 251 of the first embodiment, the shoe mounting leg 400a is an engagement member for engaging the external flash unit 120 with the accessory shoe 123 of the camera 100. In other words, the shoe mounting leg 400a is an engagement member on the external flash unit 120 side that is detachable from the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 123.

[0083] The shoe mounting leg 400a and the holding member 400 are formed as an integral member from a resin material (non-conductive material), similar to the shoe mounting leg 300a and the holding member 300 of Example 2. This eliminates the need for the pair of first screws 260a and the pair of second screws 260b described in Example 1, providing more space for arranging the connection terminals 257, and allowing a greater number of connection terminals 257 to be arranged than in Example 1. As a result, the external flash unit 120 can communicate more information with the camera 100 via the camera connection portion 206 and the accessory shoe 123.

[0084] The connection plug 400b is provided on the front side of the camera connection portion 206 in the Z direction and is formed as an integral member with the holding member 400, which is made of a non-conductive resin material, as in Example 2. As in Examples 1 and 2, the outermost width T of the connection plug 400b in the X direction is narrower than the width W of the shoe mounting leg 400a in the X direction, thereby ensuring an area on the shoe mounting leg 400a for providing the abutment portion 400e. The connection plug 400b has multiple connection terminals 257 that contact the multiple connection terminals 152a of the accessory shoe 123 shown in FIG. 5(c) to communicate. The shoe cover 301 is an enclosure attached to the holding member 400 and protects the multiple connection terminals 257. The shape of the connection terminals 257 is the same as in Examples 1 and 2, and a step portion 257e is provided to ensure a sufficient distance L in the Z direction of the extension portion 257b without interfering with the shoe cover 301.

[0085] The shape of the connection plug 400b is also similar to that of the connection plug 256 of Examples 1 and 2, and a pair of protrusions 400c is provided at both ends of the connection plug 400b in the X direction, protruding downward in the Y direction so as to sandwich the plurality of connection terminals 257. As shown in Fig. 15(b) , the lower tip 400k of each protrusion 400c protrudes below a line connecting the lower ends of the tip portions 257a of the connection terminals 257 in order to protect the connection terminals 257 from external forces such as pressure and impact. In other words, the tip portion 257a of the connection terminal 257 is provided above (inside) the line connecting the lower tip portions 400k of the pair of protrusions 400b.

[0086] Also in this embodiment, each protrusion 400c has a slope 400f extending obliquely upward from the lower tip 400k and facing obliquely downward on the outer side in the X direction. Since each protrusion 400c has such a shape, the connection plug 400b can be inserted into the groove 152c having the slope 152d in the connection terminal connector 152 described in the first embodiment. As described in the first and second embodiments, the slope 400f serves to release external forces, such as pressure and impact, applied to the connection plug 400b, thereby preventing the connection plug from being damaged.

[0087] Furthermore, similar to the first and second embodiments, it is desirable to make the distance in the X direction between the slope start positions 400g at the lower tip ends 400k of the slope portions 400f on both sides as short as possible, and therefore the slope start positions 400g on both sides are located inside the width V of the holding member 254 in the X direction, thereby ensuring a sufficient area for the abutment portion 400e of the shoe mounting leg 400a.

[0088] The holding member 400 has a connecting portion 400h that is formed so that it can be inserted into the engaging portion spacing 151aa of the engaging member 151 shown in Figure 5(a) and can engage with the engaging member 151, and that has a width V in the X direction that is shorter than the width W of the shoe mounting leg 400a. As in Examples 1 and 2, the dimensions of width W and width V are specified in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) B7101-1975 "Camera Accessory Mounting Seats and Mounting Feet." The position of the external flash unit 120 in the X direction relative to the camera 100 is determined by the engagement of the connecting portion 400h with the engaging member 151.

[0089] The holding member 400 is also a structure for connecting the shoe mounting leg 400a and the base part 250, and the lock pin 252 and the connection terminal 257 are disposed inside the connecting part 400h.

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 16(b) and 16(c), the shoe mounting leg 400a has a contact area (first area) 400j that contacts the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154 shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). When the contact area 400j contacts the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154, the shoe mounting leg 400a is biased upward in the Y direction, and the upper surface of the shoe fitting portion 400d contacts the lower surface of the engagement member 151. Arrow F in FIGS. 16(b) and 16(c) represents the biasing force of the accessory shoe spring 154. This determines the position of the external flash unit 120 in the Y direction relative to the camera 100. The contact area 400j corresponds to the biasing area of ​​the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154 when the external flash unit 120 is in the middle of being attached to the accessory shoe 123 and when it is completely attached. The contact ranges 400j are arranged on both sides of the plurality of connection terminals 152a on the front side in the Z direction (on the front side of the camera 100), which is the mounting direction.

[0091] The shoe mounting leg 400a also has a non-contact range (second range) 400i where it does not come into contact with the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154. This non-contact range 400i corresponds to a non-biased range where it is not biased by the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154 when the external flash unit 120 is in the middle of being attached to the accessory shoe 123 or when attachment is complete. In Figure 16(c), because a gap is generated between the accessory shoe spring 154 and the non-contact range 400i, the biasing force of the accessory shoe spring 154 on the non-contact range 400i is zero.

[0092] In this embodiment, the thickness of the non-contact area 400i in the Y direction is set to be larger than the thickness of the contact area 400j in the same direction. The thickness of the contact area 400j is set to be the same as in Examples 1 and 2. The reason for making the thickness of the non-contact area 400i in the Y direction larger than the thickness of the contact area 400j is as follows.

[0093] The resin shoe of this embodiment is inferior in strength to the metal shoe of Example 1 when compared with the same shape. Therefore, strength can be ensured by increasing the Y-direction thickness of the non-contact area 400i of the shoe mounting leg 400a. Since the strength calculated using the second moment of area increases in proportion to the square of the thickness, increasing the Y-direction thickness can efficiently increase strength. Furthermore, greater strength can be ensured by making the Z-direction length of the non-contact area 400i longer than the Z-direction length of the contact area 400j.

[0094] Furthermore, by making the thickness of the contact area 400j the same as in Examples 1 and 2, the shoe mounting leg 400a is made versatile in accordance with the JIS standard, and the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154 is prevented from exceeding the yield point and undergoing plastic deformation. Furthermore, when attaching the external flash unit 120 to the accessory shoe 123, in order to make the attachment load the same as in Examples 1 and 2, the thickness of the contact area 400j in the Y direction is made the same as in Examples 1 and 2.

[0095] Furthermore, since the non-contact range 400i is located on the attachment side in the Z direction of the contact range 400j, the elastic deformation portion 154a can be prevented from exceeding the yield point and undergoing plastic deformation even while the external flash unit 120 is being attached to the accessory shoe 123.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the non-contact range 400i is a non-biased range that is not biased by the elastic deformation portion 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154 when the external flash unit 120 is in the middle of attachment to the accessory shoe 123 or when attachment is complete. However, the non-contact range 400i may be configured to be biased by the accessory shoe spring 154 when the external flash unit 120 is in the middle of attachment to the accessory shoe 123 or when attachment is complete. In this case, the range corresponding to the non-contact range 400i should be the range in which the biasing force of the accessory shoe spring 154 is smaller than that of the contact range 400j when the external flash unit 120 is held by the accessory shoe 123. In other words, it is sufficient that the second range of the shoe mounting leg 400a is thicker than the first range, and that the biasing force of the accessory shoe spring 154 in the second range is smaller than that in the first range (including zero biasing force).

[0097] Furthermore, the position of the external flash unit 120 in the Z direction relative to the camera 100 is determined by the abutment portion 400e of the shoe mounting leg 400a abutting against the abutment surface 152b on the front side in the Z direction of the connection terminal connector 152. [Example]

[0098] An accessory shoe 423 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Figure 17 shows the top cover 450 separated from the camera 100 and the disassembled accessory shoe 423.

[0099] The accessory shoe 423 has an engaging member 451, a connection terminal connector 452, a shoe stage 453, and an accessory shoe spring 154. The engaging member 451 is a member for holding the external flash unit 120 by engaging with the external flash unit 120. The connection terminal connector 452 has a plurality of connection terminals 452a. The shoe stage 453 is a housing member that surrounds the engaging member 451 and the connection terminal connector 452. The accessory shoe holding member 155 is a structural body that holds the engaging member 451.

[0100] The accessory shoe holding member 155, flexible board 458, top cover 450, shoe stage 453, and connection terminal connector 452 are fastened to the engaging member 451 by four screws 157 inserted into holes formed in these members, thereby positioning and fixing these members relative to one another.

[0101] When the external flash unit 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 423, the connection terminal 452a is electrically connected to the external flash unit 120. In addition, each of the multiple connection terminals 452a is electrically connected to a flexible substrate 458 arranged on the lower side of the top cover 450 in the Y direction.

[0102] The flexible substrate 458 is connected to a main substrate (not shown) of the camera 100. Therefore, when the external flash unit 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 423, communication becomes possible between the external flash unit 120 and the camera 100. To connect the flexible substrate 458 to the inside of the camera 100, an opening 453a is provided in the shoe stage 453, and an opening 450a is provided in the top cover 450.

[0103] Next, the drip-proof structure will be explained using Figures 18(a) to (c). Figure 18(a) shows the accessory shoe 423 incorporated into the shoe stage 453 as viewed from above (+Y direction). Figure 18(b) shows only the shoe stage 453 as viewed from the +Y direction. Figure 18(c) shows a cross section taken along line AA in Figure 18(a).

[0104] An engagement hole 452b that engages with the lock pin 252 of the external flash unit 120 shown in Figure 6(a) is provided at the rear of the connection terminal connector 452 in the Z direction (on the rear side of the camera 100). The engagement member 451 is provided with a screw hole 451a into which the above-mentioned screw 157 is fastened. The shoe stage 453 is provided with a through-hole 453c through which the screw 157 passes.

[0105] A rectangular frame-shaped drip-proof member 453b is provided around an opening 453a provided in the shoe stage 453. The drip-proof member 453b is an elastic member such as an elastomer, and is formed integrally with the shoe stage 453. In this embodiment, the drip-proof member 453b is formed integrally with the shoe stage 453 by two-color injection molding.

[0106] 18(c), the drip-proof member 453b interferes with (comes into contact with) the connection terminal connector 452 and is compressed, thereby preventing water from entering the inside of the camera 100 through the opening 453a of the shoe stage 453 and the opening 450a of the top cover 450. The drip-proof member 453b may be formed as a separate member from the shoe stage 453, using an elastic member such as sponge or silicone.

[0107] Drip-proof member 453b is disposed within the projection plane (XZ projection plane) from the +Y direction of connection terminal connector 452. Furthermore, screw hole 451a and through-hole 453c described above are disposed inside drip-proof member 453b. This also makes it possible to prevent water from entering through screw hole 451a and through-hole 453.

[0108] In this way, the drip-proof member 453b provided around the opening 453a of the shoe stage 453 interferes with the connection terminal connector 452, thereby preventing water from entering the interior of the camera 100.

[0109] The embodiments described above are merely representative examples, and various modifications and alterations are possible to each embodiment when implementing the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 100 digital cameras 120 External Flash Unit 123 Accessory shoe 206 Camera connection part (shoe device) 251 Shoe mounting leg (engagement member) 254 Retaining member 256 connection plugs 256a Protrusion 256b Slope section 257 connection terminal

Claims

1. An accessory shoe device in which an accessory is attached and detached in a first direction, a plurality of connection terminals arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a flexible substrate connected to the plurality of connection terminals; a holding member for holding the plurality of connection terminals; an engaging member that engages with the accessory; a housing member disposed to surround the holding member and the engaging member, the housing member has an opening through which the flexible substrate passes; An accessory shoe device characterized in that an elastic drip-proof member that abuts against the holding member is provided around the opening, which is not between the housing member and the electronic device when the accessory shoe device is attached to the electronic device.

2. 2. The accessory shoe device according to claim 1, wherein the drip-proof member is integrally formed with the housing member.

3. 3. The accessory shoe device according to claim 1, wherein the drip-proof member is disposed within a projection plane of the holding member in a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

4. the engaging member has a screw hole portion for holding the holding member and the housing member, 4. The accessory shoe device according to claim 1, wherein the screw hole is disposed in an area surrounded by the drip-proof member.

5. The engaging member has an engaging hole portion that engages with a lock pin provided on the accessory, 5. The accessory shoe device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement hole is disposed in an area surrounded by the drip-proof member.

6. 5. The accessory shoe device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is connected to the plurality of connection terminals in an area surrounded by the drip-proof member.

7. The accessory shoe device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and a cover member positioned relative to the housing member.

8. A shoe device that is detachable from the accessory shoe device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. An accessory comprising the shoe device according to claim 8.

Images