Electronic Devices and Accessories

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus that can prevent the occurrence of a malfunction when an accessory is attached without increasing the size of an accessory shoe device.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus 100 comprises an accessory shoe 123 that is electrically connected to a camera connection unit 206 of an external strobe device 120 and an accessory. The accessory shoe 123 has a plurality of terminals TC01 to TC21 that are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals in an X-direction orthogonal to a Z-direction being an attachment direction of the external strobe device 120 and each extend in the Z-direction and extend in a Y-direction orthogonal to the X-direction and the Z-direction, and standing wall parts that are formed of dielectric material and adjacent to portions extending in the Y-direction of the terminals TC01 to TC21. The height of the standing wall parts including a standing wall part 123a and a standing wall part 123b is changed according to the terminals TC01 to TC21 to adjust the order in which terminals TA01 to TA21 of the camera connection unit 206 are brought into contact with the terminals TC01 to TC21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and an accessory that can be attached to the electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Some imaging devices, which are an example of electronic devices, are equipped with an accessory shoe device that allows accessories such as lighting devices (strobe devices) to be attached and detached. The accessory shoe device engages with a shoe device provided on the accessory to mechanically hold the accessory and also serves to electrically connect the imaging device and the accessory. To this end, the accessory shoe device and the shoe device are each provided with an engaging portion and an engaged portion that engage with each other, and are also provided with connection terminals that enable two-way communication of clock signals, data signals, etc. between the imaging device and the accessory.

[0003] The accessory shoe assembly and the connecting terminals provided on the shoe assembly may have a configuration in which the connecting terminals are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the shoe assembly is attached to the accessory shoe assembly. In this case, one way to increase the types of signals that can be transmitted and received between the imaging device and the accessory while avoiding an increase in the size of the accessory shoe assembly and the shoe assembly is to narrow the arrangement pitch of the connecting terminals.

[0004] However, if the pitch of the connection terminals is narrowed, there is a concern that, for example, changes in the potential of the clock signal terminal or data signal terminal will be more likely to affect the connection terminal of an adjacent signal line, making it more likely that the imaging device or accessory will malfunction.

[0005] To address this issue, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which multiple connection terminals are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval, and GND terminals that serve as reference potentials are arranged on both sides of the clock signal terminal. This suppresses noise that is transmitted to other signal terminals due to the clock signal between the imaging device and the accessory, making it less likely that malfunctions will occur. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-34172 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, if the shoe device is tilted relative to the accessory shoe device when engaging the shoe device with the accessory shoe device (see FIG. 5(b)), the order of connection between the connection terminals may differ from the intended order, which may result in malfunction. The technology described in Patent Document 1 cannot solve this problem.

[0008] One way to avoid this problem is to shift the multiple connection terminals on the accessory shoe device in the installation direction according to the contact order, rather than arranging them in a horizontal row in the installation direction. However, with a configuration in which the connection terminals are shifted in the installation direction, the more terminals whose contact timings are shifted, the larger the accessory shoe device and the shoe device itself become.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide an electronic device that can prevent malfunctions when an accessory is attached to the electronic device without increasing the size of the accessory shoe device. Another object of the present invention is to provide an accessory that can prevent malfunctions when attached to the electronic device without increasing the size of the shoe device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device including an accessory shoe device electrically connected to an accessory, the accessory shoe device including a plurality of terminals arranged in a line at predetermined intervals in a first direction perpendicular to a mounting direction of the accessory, each terminal having a first portion extending in the mounting direction and a second portion extending in a second direction perpendicular to the mounting direction and the first direction, and a dielectric material, each of the plurality of terminals adjacent to each of the second portions. did and a plurality of standing wall portions, at least one of the plurality of standing wall portions being the second portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals is not exposed and the second portions of the other terminals are exposed, The height of the second portion in the second direction is different from that of the other standing wall portions. Ruko It is characterized by the following.

[0011] The accessory of the present invention is an accessory comprising a shoe device that can be attached to and detached from an accessory shoe device provided on an electronic device, wherein the shoe device has a plurality of terminals arranged at predetermined intervals in a first direction perpendicular to the attachment direction of the shoe device to the accessory shoe device, and when the shoe device is attached to the accessory shoe device, the positions of the contact points among the plurality of terminals that first come into contact with the terminals provided on the accessory shoe device differ for each of the plurality of terminals in the attachment direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunctions without increasing the size of the accessory shoe device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an external strobe device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an imaging device and an external strobe device. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the arrangement of terminals on the accessory shoe and the camera connection portion. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation when an external strobe device is attached to the imaging device. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which a terminal of an accessory shoe and a terminal of a camera connection portion are in contact with each other in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of terminals that constitute an accessory shoe according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an external strobe device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a state in which a terminal of an accessory shoe and a terminal of a camera connection portion are in contact with each other in the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a state in which a terminal of an accessory shoe and a terminal of a camera connection portion are in contact with each other in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a state in which a terminal of an accessory shoe and a terminal of a camera connection portion are in contact with each other in the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, an image capture device equipped with an accessory shoe device will be described as an electronic device according to the present invention, and a flash device will be described as an accessory equipped with a shoe device that engages with the accessory shoe device. However, the electronic device equipped with the accessory shoe device is not limited to an image capture device. Furthermore, accessories detachable from an image capture device are not limited to a flash device, and may include various accessories related to image capture, such as an electronic viewfinder, a video capture microphone, intermediate accessories such as a conversion adapter or a multi-connection adapter, various measuring instruments, and a sub-camera. The image capture device and the flash device constitute an image capture system. Note that the intermediate accessory includes a shoe device that engages with the accessory shoe device of the electronic device and an accessory shoe device that engages with the shoe device of the accessory, and therefore corresponds to an accessory from the perspective of the electronic device and an electronic device from the perspective of the accessory.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an imaging device 100. Specifically, the imaging device 100 is a digital camera. The imaging device 100 includes a camera MPU 130, 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 imaging device 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 imaging device 100 also includes a flash control unit 118, a built-in flash 119, a camera LED assist light unit 124, and an accessory shoe device (hereinafter referred to as "accessory shoe") 123.

[0016] An external strobe device 120 can be attached to the accessory shoe 123. A storage medium 109 such as a semiconductor memory can be attached to and detached from the main body (housing) of the imaging device 100. The storage medium 109 may be a hard disk built into the imaging device 100, an optical disk that can be attached to and detached from the imaging device 100, or the like.

[0017] The camera MPU 130 is a so-called microcomputer that comprehensively controls the imaging sequence of the imaging device 100 and the overall operation of the 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 a subject 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 for the operation of the imaging element 103 and supplies them to the imaging element 103.

[0018] 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.

[0019] The storage medium I / F 108 is an interface that enables communication between a storage medium 109 attached to the imaging device 100 and the camera MPU 130. The motor control unit 110 controls a motor (not shown) in accordance with a signal from the camera MPU 130 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 curtains of the shutter in accordance with a signal from the camera MPU 130. The multi-segment photometric sensor 113 measures the luminance of each of multiple areas divided within the imaging screen. The photometric unit 112 outputs a luminance signal indicating the luminance of each area to the camera MPU 130.

[0020] The camera MPU 130 calculates AV (aperture value), TV (shutter speed), ISO (sensitivity of the image sensor 103), etc. for exposure adjustment based on the luminance signal acquired from the photometry unit 112. The photometry unit 112 outputs a luminance signal when the built-in flash 119 or the external flash device 120 pre-emits light toward the subject, to the camera MPU 130. The camera MPU 130 uses the luminance signal The light emission amount (main light emission amount) of the external strobe device 120 during actual imaging is calculated.

[0021] The lens control unit 114 communicates with the camera MPU 130 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 130 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.

[0022] The attitude detection unit 116 detects the tilt of the imaging device 100 in the direction of rotation about 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). The ON signals from SW1 and SW2 are output to the camera MPU 130. The camera MPU 130 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 130 in response to the operation of operation members (not shown) other than SW1 and SW2.

[0023] The strobe control unit 118 controls the flashes (pre-flash, main flash, fill flash, etc.) of the built-in strobe 119 and the external strobe device 120 attached to the accessory shoe 123 in accordance with instructions from the camera MPU 130. Furthermore, when the strobe control unit 118 detects that the external strobe device 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 123, it starts supplying power to the external strobe device 120 via the accessory shoe 123. The detailed configuration of the accessory shoe 123 will be described later.

[0024] Camera LED fill light unit 124 irradiates the subject with near-infrared light (LED fill light) of a predetermined pattern that is used as fill light for focus detection by focus detection unit 115. For focus detection, camera MPU 130 instructs built-in strobe 119 or external strobe device 120 via strobe control unit 118 to emit fill light based on the brightness signal from photometry unit 112. Camera MPU 130 can also instruct camera LED fill light unit 124 or LED fill light unit 207 (see FIG. 2) of external strobe device 120 via strobe control unit 118 to emit LED fill light for focus detection.

[0025] 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the external strobe device 120. The external strobe device 120 has a main body 200, a bounce mechanism 201, and a head 202. The main body 200 has an external strobe MPU (hereinafter referred to as "strobe MPU") 203, a main capacitor 209, various operation units 205 including a power switch, etc., a display 208, an LED fill light unit 207, and a camera connection unit 206.

[0026] The strobe MPU 203 is mounted on a main board (not shown) and controls all operations including the light emission control sequence of the external strobe device 120. The camera connection unit 206 is a shoe device that mechanically and electrically connects the external strobe device 120 to the accessory shoe 123 of the imaging device 100. The camera MPU 130 and the strobe MPU 203 communicate via the strobe 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.

[0027] Similar to the camera LED assist light unit 124, the LED assist light unit 207 emits LED assist light, such as near-infrared light, having a predetermined pattern onto the subject as assist light when the camera MPU 130 detects the focus via the focus detection unit 115. The bounce mechanism unit 201 rotates the head unit 202 horizontally or vertically relative to the main body unit 200 to change the emission direction of the illumination light (flash) from the head unit 202. By using the bounce mechanism unit 201, it is also possible to perform so-called bounce imaging, in which the subject is indirectly illuminated and imaged.

[0028] The head unit 202 has a light emitting unit 204 that emits a flash of light. The light emitting unit 204 has a light source such as a light emitting discharge tube (such as 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 light in accordance with a signal from the strobe MPU 203.

[0029] Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view showing the imaging device 100 as seen from diagonally behind. Fig. 3(b) is a schematic diagram showing how the external strobe device 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 123 of the imaging device 100. Fig. 3(c) is a perspective view showing the external strobe device 120 attached to the imaging device 100 as seen from diagonally behind.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, the X, Y, and Z directions are defined as being orthogonal to each other with respect to the image capture device 100 and the external strobe device 120. The Z direction is parallel to the optical axis of the image capture optical system 122 and corresponds to the front-to-rear direction of the image capture device 100. The X direction is the width direction of the image capture device 100 and is orthogonal to the Z direction in the horizontal plane when the Z direction is within the horizontal plane. The Y direction is the height direction of the image capture device 100 and is orthogonal to the Z and X directions. The direction indicated by the arrow in each direction is defined as the + direction (positive direction).

[0031] In the imaging device 100, the imaging optical system 122 (not shown in FIG. 3) is provided on the front side (field side) of the imaging device 100, and the image display unit 107 is provided on the back side of the imaging device 100. A top cover 150 serving as an exterior member is provided on the top surface of the imaging device 100, and an accessory shoe 123 is disposed on the top cover 150. Meanwhile, in the external strobe device 120, the camera connection unit 206 is provided on the bottom of the external strobe device 120.

[0032] 3(b), the camera connection portion 206 can be engaged with the accessory shoe 123 by sliding the external strobe device 120 in the +Z direction from the rear side to the front side of the image capture device 100 relative to the image capture device 100. This causes the external strobe device 120 to be attached to the image capture device 100. To remove the external strobe device 120 from the image capture device 100, the external strobe device 120 can be slid in the -Z direction from the front side to the rear side of the image capture device 100.

[0033] Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of 21 terminals TC01 to TC21 on the accessory shoe 123 included in the imaging device 100. Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of 21 terminals TA01 to TA21 on the camera connection unit 206 included in the external strobe device 120.

[0034] The imaging device 100 and the external flash device 120 are electrically connected by one-to-one contact between the multiple terminals TC01 to TC21 of the accessory shoe 123 and the multiple terminals TA01 to TA21 of the camera connector 206. On the accessory shoe 123, terminal TC01 is located at the right end as viewed from the subject side, and 21 terminals are arranged in a row in the X direction at regular intervals up to terminal TC21 on the left side. Similarly, on the camera connector 206, terminal TA01 is located at the right end as viewed from the subject side, and 21 terminals are arranged in a row in the X direction at regular intervals up to terminal TA21 on the left side. Note that, although the accessory shoe 123 and the camera connector 206 are assumed to have the same number of terminals here, this is not necessarily the case.

[0035] Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing how to properly attach the external strobe device 120 to the imaging device 100. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the camera connector 206 is slid parallel to the Z direction, which is the attachment direction, relative to the accessory shoe 123 to engage the accessory shoe 123 with the camera connector 206. Then, the terminals TA01 to TA21 and the terminals TC01 to TC21 that correspond one-to-one to them come into contact substantially simultaneously.

[0036] However, if the external strobe device 120 is attached while an excessive load is being applied in the rotational direction, an unusual contact state may result. FIG. 5(b) shows in an exaggerated manner the external strobe device 120 is being attached to the image capture device 100 while a load is being applied in the rotational direction to the external strobe device 120 (a state in which the external strobe device 120 is tilted at an angle δ with respect to the Z direction). In this case, the accessory shoe 123 and the camera connector 206 first come into contact at the terminals TC01 and TA01, and last come into contact at the terminals TC21 and TA21. Furthermore, if the attachment of the external strobe device 120 is stopped midway, there is a risk that the terminals TC21 and TA21 may not come into contact.

[0037] To solve this problem, it is conceivable to extend terminal TC21 in the Z direction, which is the mounting direction, but this would result in an increase in the size of accessory shoe 123. Therefore, in the first embodiment, as described below, by providing a standing wall portion 123b (see FIG. 6) for a specific terminal, it is possible to change the contact order of multiple terminals between accessory shoe 123 and camera connection portion 206 while keeping the multiple terminals arranged in a row at regular intervals.

[0038] Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state when the terminals of the accessory shoe 123 and the camera connecting portion 206 are in contact with each other, showing the state when terminals TC21 and TA21 are in contact with each other. Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state when the terminals of the accessory shoe 123 and the camera connecting portion 206 are in contact with each other, showing the state when terminals TC01 and TA01 are in contact with each other.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the terminal TC21 extends in the Z direction, which is the mounting direction of the external strobe device 120, and in the -Y direction (downward in FIG. 6) perpendicular to the mounting direction. A standing wall portion 123a made of a dielectric material (for example, a non-conductive resin material) is provided adjacent to the -Z side surface of the portion of the terminal TC21 that extends in the -Y direction. The standing wall portion 123a serves to hold the terminal TC21. When the terminal TA21 is slid in the +Z direction and comes into contact with the terminal TC21 at the contact point TA21a, communication is established between the image capture device 100 and the external strobe device 120 through the terminals TA21 and TC21. It is possible do.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6(b), the terminal TC01 extends in the Z direction, which is the mounting direction of the external strobe device 120, and in the -Y direction (downward in FIG. 6) perpendicular to the mounting direction. A standing wall portion 123b made of a dielectric material is provided adjacent to the -Z side surface of the portion of the terminal TC01 extending in the -Y direction (the side surface facing the approach direction of the camera connection portion 206 when the external strobe device 120 is mounted). The standing wall portion 123b serves to hold the terminal TC01. When the terminal TA01 is slid in the +Z direction and comes into contact with the terminal TC01 at the contact point TA01b, communication is established between the image capture device 100 and the external strobe device 120 via the terminals TA01 and TC01. It is possible do.

[0041] Contact point TA01a shown in Figure 6(b) corresponds to contact point TA21a in Figure 6(a), and is the point at which terminal TA01 would come into contact with a terminal equivalent to terminal TC21 held by standing wall portion 123a if terminal TA01 were to slide in the Z direction relative to that terminal. However, because standing wall portion 123b is formed higher in the +Y direction (upward in Figure 6) than standing wall portion 123a, terminal TA01 does not come into contact with terminal TC01 at contact point TA01a, but rather at contact point TA01b. In other words, the timing at which terminals TA01 and TC01 come into contact can be delayed from the timing at which terminals TA21 and TC21 come into contact by the time required for terminal TA01 to move in the Z direction over the distance between contact points TA01a and TA01b.

[0042] Furthermore, terminal TA21 made of metal material first comes into contact with terminal TC21 made of metal material, while terminal TA01 made of metal material first comes into contact with standing wall portion 123b made of resin material and then comes into contact with terminal TC01 made of metal material. Terminal TA01 comes into contact with standing wall portion 123b, which allows standing wall portion 123b to absorb the impact when camera connecting portion 206 is attached to accessory shoe 123. At this time, by forming standing wall portion 123b into a sloped shape inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the Y direction as shown in FIG. 6(b), the impact can be effectively dissipated.

[0043] In order to shift the contact timing between the terminals, the standing wall portion 123b may be higher than the terminal TC01 (may protrude toward the +Y side), and a part of the terminal TC01 in the Z direction may be covered by the standing wall portion 123b. In the first embodiment, two types of standing wall portions 123a, 123b with different heights (standing wall portions with one step) are shown, but more types of standing wall portions with different heights (standing wall portions with two or more steps) may be present.

[0044] As explained above, by providing vertical wall portions of different heights for each terminal of the accessory shoe 123, it is possible to change the contact order of the multiple terminals of the accessory shoe and the camera connection part while keeping the multiple terminals aligned in a row. This prevents the contact order of the contact points from changing even when the external strobe device 120 is attached while tilted relative to the attachment direction, as shown in Figure 5(b), and makes it possible to have the terminals contact each other in a predetermined order.

[0045] In the first embodiment, terminals TC01 and TA01 are assigned to communication for detecting attachment of the external strobe device 120. If the attachment detection terminals make contact early in the attachment operation, communication begins before the other terminals have contacted, resulting in a communication error. To prevent this situation from occurring, the first embodiment ensures that the attachment detection terminals make contact after the other communication terminals and power supply terminals, so that by the time the connection detection terminals make contact, the other communication terminals and power supply terminals are already in reliable contact. Furthermore, to prevent damage or malfunction of the device, it is desirable for the terminal (GND terminal) assigned with the ground (GND) potential to make contact first. This can be easily achieved by changing the timing of contact in the first embodiment. In this way, the first embodiment makes it possible to avoid communication errors caused by terminals making contact in an unintended order.

[0046] Incidentally, it is also possible that the external strobe device 120 is attached in a state in which it is tilted in the opposite direction to the attachment direction shown in FIG. 5(b). In that case, the terminals TA21 and TC21 contact each other first, and the terminals TA01 and TC01 contact each other last. Therefore, there is no problem even if the terminal TC01 is held by the vertical wall portion 123b.

[0047] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, a modified example of the accessory shoe 123 described in the first embodiment will be described. The configurations of the imaging device 100 and the external strobe device 120 are the same as those in the first embodiment except for the accessory shoe 123, and therefore will not be described. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the accessory shoe and camera connection portion.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of multiple terminals that make up the accessory shoe 123 according to the second embodiment, shown on a plane perpendicular to the mounting direction of the camera connector 206. The accessory shoe 123 has terminals TC31 to TC51 arranged in a row at regular intervals. Terminal TC31 and terminals TC32 to TC51 are at different heights in the vertical direction (corresponding to the Y direction in FIG. 3(a)). Specifically, terminal TC31 is positioned lower than the other terminals TC32 to TC51. This allows for intentional delay in contacting terminal TC31 even when the mounting operation is performed with the external strobe device 120 tilted relative to the mounting direction, as shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0049] In this way, by changing the height of the multiple terminals while arranging them in a row, it is possible to change the contact order of the multiple terminals on the accessory shoe and camera connector. In this way, even if the external strobe device 120 is attached while tilted relative to the attachment direction, as shown in Figure 5(b), it is possible to make the terminals contact each other in the specified order.

[0050] <Third embodiment> Here, a description will be given of a modified example of the external strobe device 120 described in the first embodiment. The overall configuration of the imaging device 100 is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] 8(a) is a perspective view of the external strobe device 120 according to the third embodiment, as seen from the camera connection portion 206 side (-Y direction side (bottom)). FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA shown in FIG. 8(a).

[0052] When the camera connector 206 is attached to the accessory shoe 123 of the imaging device 100, as shown in FIG. 8(b), it is provided on the −Y direction side (lower side (upper side in FIG. 8(a)) of the base 250 of the external strobe device 120. The camera connector 206 is attached to the shoe mounting leg 300a, a pair The lock pin 252, the lock lever 253, the connection plug 300b, the Y-direction holding member 258, the holding member 300, and the shoe cover 301 are included.

[0053] The shoe mounting leg 300a is an engagement member for engaging the external strobe device 120 with the accessory shoe 123 of the image capture device 100, that is, an engagement member of the external strobe device 120 that is detachable from the accessory shoe 123. The lock pin 252 is a member for preventing the external strobe device 120 from falling off from the image capture device 100 when the camera connection section 206 (shoe mounting leg 300a) is attached to the accessory shoe 123, and is held by the shoe mounting leg 300a so as to be movable in the Y direction. The lock pin 252 is held by a Y-direction holding member 258 so as to be slidable in the Y direction, and the lock lever 253 and the Y-direction holding member 258 are held by a holding member 300.

[0054] When the external strobe device 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 123 and the lock lever 253 is rotated, the Y-direction holding member 258 is opened by a cam portion (not shown). but- At that time, the lock pin 252 moves together with the Y-direction holding member 258. but- It moves in the Y direction. As a result, the lock pin 252 protrudes from the shoe mounting leg 251 and engages with an engagement hole (not shown) of the accessory shoe 123.

[0055] The camera connection unit 206 , tree It is made of a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as an elastomeric material, and is integrated with the holding member 300. The connection plug 300b has a plurality of connection terminals 257 for contacting and communicating with the terminals TC01 to TC21 of the accessory shoe 123, and the plurality of connection terminals 257 correspond to the terminals TA01 to TA21 described in the first embodiment.

[0056] The multiple connection terminals 257 are configured to correspond one-to-one to the terminals TC01-TC21 of the accessory shoe 123, each extending in the Z direction and arranged at regular intervals in the X direction, and are held by the holding member 300. Each of the multiple connection terminals 257 has a tip portion 257a that comes into contact with the corresponding terminal TC01-TC21. As shown in FIG. 8(b), the tip portion 257a is a portion that has a substantially triangular shape that is convex toward the -Y side when viewed from the X direction. In the following description, the end of the tip portion 257a on the +Z direction side will be referred to as the 'traveling direction end'. Furthermore, the surface of the tip portion 257a that extends from the traveling direction end to the lower end (the end on the -Y side) will be referred to as the 'contact surface'.

[0057] Each of the multiple connection terminals 257 has a shape that extends from a tip portion 257a in the -Z direction (rearward), and has an extension portion 257b that elastically deforms to displace the tip portion 257a in the +Y direction when the tip portion 257a abuts against the terminals TC01 to TC21. An extension portion 257c that extends in the +Y direction (upward) is formed at the -Z direction end (rear end) of the extension portion 257b. A flexible board connection portion 257d is provided at the upper end of the extension portion 257c. The flexible board connection portion 257d is connected to a main board (not shown) of the external strobe device 120 and is connected to a flexible board 259 that is inserted into the holding member 300 from the +Y direction side.

[0058] The extending portion 257b is formed with a step portion 257e having a step in the Y direction midway in the Z direction, which allows the extending portion 257b to elastically deform in the Y direction. Here, if the Z-direction distance L of the extending portion 257b is short, it is expected that a sufficient amount of elastic deformation will not be obtained, resulting in reduced durability. Specifically, repeated attachment and detachment of the tip portion 257a to and from the terminals TC01 to TC21 (not shown) of the accessory shoe 123 may make the extending portion 257b more susceptible to damage. In the third embodiment, the extending portion 257b is provided with the step portion 257e, thereby ensuring a sufficient length for the Z-direction distance L of the extending portion 257b and ensuring the necessary durability.

[0059] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the multiple connection terminals 257 for contacting each other in a predetermined connection order even if tilting occurs in the attachment direction as described with reference to Fig. 5(b) when attaching the external strobe device 120 to the image capture device 100. In the following description, it is assumed that the multiple connection terminals 257 are 21 terminals TA01 to TA21 arranged in a row at predetermined intervals in the X direction, as in the first embodiment. It is also assumed that the terminals TC01 to TC21 of the accessory shoe 123 and the terminals TA01 to TA21 of the camera connection portion 206 contact each other one-to-one and are electrically connected.

[0060] Fig. 9(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the state in which the camera connection unit 206 is in the middle of being attached to the accessory shoe 123, and represents the state when the terminal TA21 comes into contact with the terminal TC21. Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the camera connection unit 206 is further moved in the +Z direction from the position shown in Fig. 9(a) and the terminal TA01 comes into contact with the terminal TC01. Note that in this case, the contact of the terminal TA01 is desired to be delayed compared to the contact of the terminal TA21.

[0061] 9(a) and the terminal TC01 shown in Fig. 9(b) extend in the +Z direction, which is the mounting direction of the external strobe device 120, and in the -Y direction, which is perpendicular to the mounting direction, respectively, and are held by a standing wall portion 123a made of a resin material. When viewed from the X direction, the terminals TC01 and TC21 substantially overlap in their entirety.

[0062] In the third embodiment, the terminals TA01 and TA21 have the same shape, but the terminal TA01 is arranged shifted a certain distance in the -Z direction from the terminal TA21 in the camera connection portion 206. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9(a), when the terminal TA21 moves in the +Z direction and comes into contact with the terminal TC21 at the contact point TA21a, the terminal TA01 is not in contact with the terminal TC01.

[0063] After terminal TA21 comes into contact with terminal TC21 at contact point TA21a, if the camera connection unit 206 is further moved in the +Z direction, terminal TA01 comes into contact with terminal TC01 at contact point TA01a, as shown in Fig. 9(b). Note that, from the time when terminal TA21 comes into contact with terminal TC21 until terminal TA01 comes into contact with terminal TC01, terminal TA21 moves in the +Z direction while moving its contact point with terminal TC21, and this movement range TA21L is shown by a dashed line in Fig. 9(a).

[0064] That is, in the third embodiment, the timing of contact between terminals TA01 and TC01 can be delayed from the timing of contact between terminals TA21 and TC21 by the time required for the contact point of terminal TA21 with respect to terminal TC21 to move through the movement range TA21L. In this way, by shifting the positions of terminals TA01 and TA21 in the Z direction in the camera connection unit 206, the timing of contact between terminals TA01 and TC01 and the timing of contact between terminals TA21 and TC21 can be shifted.

[0065] In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the terminals TC01 and TA01 are assigned to communicate for attachment detection of the external flash device 120. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the attachment detection terminal makes contact after the other communication terminals and the power supply terminal, and when the connection detection terminal makes contact, the other communication terminals and the power supply terminal are already securely in contact. Furthermore, because the terminal TA21 makes contact with the terminal TC21 of the accessory shoe 123 before the other terminals of the camera connector 206, the terminal TA21 may be assigned as a GND terminal. According to the third embodiment, by shifting the Z-direction positions of the terminals TA01 to TA21 and adjusting the contact order with the terminals TC01 to TC21, the terminals can be easily contacted in the order of the GND terminal, communication terminal, power supply terminal, and attachment detection terminal.

[0066] <Fourth embodiment> In the third embodiment, the contact order of the connection terminals 257 with the terminals of the accessory shoe 123 was adjusted by shifting the positions of the multiple connection terminals 257 of the camera connection unit 206 in the Z direction. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, the contact order of the connection terminals 257 with the terminals of the accessory shoe 123 is adjusted by adjusting the terminal shapes of the multiple connection terminals 257 of the camera connection unit 206. Note that the basic configurations of the image capture device 100 and the external strobe device 120 are similar to those in the third embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted here, and the following description will focus on the terminal shapes of the multiple connection terminals 257 of the camera connection unit 206, which is a feature of the fourth embodiment.

[0067] Fig. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the camera connection unit 206 is in the middle of being attached to the accessory shoe 123, and represents the state when the terminal TA21 comes into contact with the terminal TC21. Fig. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the camera connection unit 206 is further moved in the +Z direction from the position shown in Fig. 10(a) and the terminal TA101 comes into contact with the terminal TC01. Note that the terminal TA101 corresponds to the terminal TA01 described in the first and third embodiments, and is a terminal whose contact is desired to be delayed compared to the terminal TA21.

[0068] Terminal TC21 shown in FIG. 10(a) and terminal TC01 shown in FIG. 10(b) are the same as terminal TC21 shown in FIG. 9(a) and terminal TC01 shown in FIG. 9(b), respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0069] The +Z direction end of terminal TA21 is defined as TA21c, and the +Z direction end of terminal TA101 is defined as TA101c. The angle of the contact surface of terminal TA21 relative to terminal TC21 is defined as contact surface angle θTA21, and the angle of the contact surface of terminal TA101 relative to terminal TC01 is defined as contact surface angle θTA101.

[0070] In the camera connection part 206, the positions of the traveling direction end TA21c and the traveling direction end TA101c in the Z direction are the same. However, the contact surface angle θTA101 is set to be smaller than the contact surface angle θTA21. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the terminal TA101 contacts the terminal TC01 and communication It is possible Before this, terminal TA21 contacts terminal TC21 at contact point TA21a to communicate. It is possible do.

[0071] After terminal TA21 comes into contact with terminal TC21 at contact point TA21a, if the camera connection unit 206 is further moved in the +Z direction, terminal TA101 comes into contact with terminal TC01 at contact point TA101a, as shown in Fig. 10(b). Note that, from the time when terminal TA21 comes into contact with terminal TC21 until terminal TA101 comes into contact with terminal TC01, terminal TA21 moves in the +Z direction while moving its contact point with terminal TC21, and this movement range TA21L is shown by a dashed line in Fig. 10(a).

[0072] That is, in the fourth embodiment, the timing of contact between terminals TA101 and TC01 can be delayed from the timing of contact between terminals TA21 and TC21 by the time required for the contact point of terminal TA21 with respect to terminal TC21 to move through the movement range TA21L. In this way, by changing the angle of the contact surfaces of terminals TA21 and TA101, the timing of contact between terminals TA101 and TC01 and the timing of contact between terminals TA21 and TC21 can be shifted.

[0073] In the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the terminals TC01 and TA01 are assigned to communicate with each other to detect attachment of the external flash device 120. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the attachment detection terminal makes contact after the other communication terminals and power supply terminals, and when the connection detection terminal makes contact, the other communication terminals and power supply terminals are already securely in contact. Furthermore, because the terminal TA21 makes contact with the terminals of the accessory shoe 123 before the other terminals of the camera connector 206, the terminal TA21 may be assigned as a GND terminal. According to the fourth embodiment, by adjusting the contact order of the terminals TC01 to TC21 by changing the angle of the contact surfaces of the terminals TA01 to TA21, the terminals can be easily contacted in the order of the GND terminal, communication terminal, power supply terminal, and attachment detection terminal.

[0074] Fifth Embodiment In the fifth embodiment, a modified example of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the angles of the contact surfaces of the multiple connection terminals 257 of the camera connection unit 206 were changed, but in the fifth embodiment, the shapes of the contact surfaces are changed. Note that the basic configurations of the image capture device 100 and the external strobe device 120 are similar to those in the third embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted here. The following description will focus on the terminal shapes of the multiple connection terminals 257 of the camera connection unit 206, which is a feature of the fifth embodiment.

[0075] 11(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the camera connection unit 206 is in the middle of being attached to the accessory shoe 123, and represents the state when the terminal TA121 comes into contact with the terminal TC21. FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the camera connection unit 206 is further moved in the +Z direction from the state shown in FIG. 11(a) and the terminal TA01 comes into contact with the terminal TC01. Note that the terminal TA121 corresponds to the terminal TA21 described in the first and third embodiments. The terminal TA01 is a terminal whose contact with the terminal of the accessory shoe 123 is desired to be delayed compared to the terminal TA121.

[0076] Terminal TC21 shown in FIG. 11(a) and terminal TC01 shown in FIG. 11(b) are the same as terminal TC21 shown in FIG. 9(a) and terminal TC01 shown in FIG. 9(b), respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0077] The +Z direction end of the terminal TA121 is the traveling direction end TA121c, and the +Z direction end of the terminal TA01 is the traveling direction end TA01c. In the camera connection part 206, the traveling direction end TA121c and the traveling direction end TA01c are located at the same position in the Z direction. However, the contact surface of the terminal TA121 has a curved shape that protrudes (bulges) toward the +Z direction side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11(a), when the terminal TA01 comes into contact with the terminal TC01 to communicate, It is possible Before this, terminal TA121 contacts terminal TC21 at contact point TA121a to communicate. It is possible do.

[0078] After terminal TA121 comes into contact with terminal TC21 at contact point TA121a, if the camera connection unit 206 is further moved in the +Z direction, terminal TA01 comes into contact with terminal TC01 at contact point TA01a, as shown in Fig. 11(b). Note that, from the time when terminal TA121 comes into contact with terminal TC21 until terminal TA01 comes into contact with terminal TC01, terminal TA121 moves in the +Z direction while moving its contact point with terminal TC21, and this movement range TA121L is shown by a dashed line in Fig. 11(a).

[0079] That is, in the fifth embodiment, the timing of contact between terminals TA01 and TC01 can be delayed from the timing of contact between terminals TA121 and TC21 by the time required for the contact point of terminal TA121 with terminal TC21 to move through the movement range TA121L. In this way, by changing the shape of the contact surfaces of terminals TA121 and TA01, the timing of contact between terminals TA01 and TC01 and the timing of contact between terminals TA121 and TC21 can be shifted.

[0080] In the fifth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the terminals TC01 and TA01 are assigned to communication for detecting attachment of the external flash device 120. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the attachment detection terminals contact the other communication terminals and power supply terminals after the other terminals, and when the connection detection terminals contact, the other communication terminals and power supply terminals are already securely in contact. Furthermore, because the terminal TA121 contacts the terminals of the accessory shoe 123 before the other terminals of the camera connector 206, the terminal TA121 may be assigned to GND. According to the fifth embodiment, by changing the shape of the contact surfaces of the terminals TA01 to TA20 and TA121 with the terminals TC01 to TC21 and adjusting the contact order with the terminals TC01 to TC21, the terminals can be easily contacted in the order of GND, communication, power supply, and attachment detection.

[0081] In all of the above embodiments, one of terminals TC01 and TC21 of the accessory shoe 123 is designated as the terminal that should be contacted first, and the other is designated as the terminal that should be contacted last. If it is necessary to also shift the contact timing of terminals TC02 to TC20, the contact timing is shifted in order, starting from terminal TC01 and progressing to terminal TC21. In other words, the effect of delaying the contact timing is greatest for the terminal that should be contacted last and least for the terminal that should be contacted first. For example, if only the first embodiment is applied when it is desired that terminal TC01 be contacted last, the heights of the upright walls of terminals TC01 to TC21 are set so that TC01 > TC02 > . . . > TC20 > TC21. This prevents communication errors from occurring regardless of the direction in which the external strobe device 120 is attached.

[0082] Even if the terminal for which the contact timing is to be delayed is not located at the end of a row of terminals, the terminal contact order can be adjusted by adopting the configurations of the above embodiments, thereby making it possible to avoid communication errors.

[0083] Sixth Embodiment By combining the configuration of the accessory shoe 123 described in the first and second embodiments with the configuration of the camera connection portion 206 described in the third to fifth embodiments, it is possible to increase the number of variations in the contact order. Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, a specific example in which the contact order between terminals is changed by combining the first to fifth embodiments will be described. Here, as an example of a possible combination, a configuration in which the contact timing is shifted in five stages by combining the first, third, and fifth embodiments will be described.

[0084] The contact timing of terminals TC02 to TC06 and terminals TA02 to TA06 are shifted in this order. At least one of terminals TC02 to TC06 is provided with a standing wall portion 123b formed higher on the +Y direction side in the first embodiment. Furthermore, at least one of terminals TA02 to TA06 is made into a connection terminal 257 shifted in the -Z direction in the third embodiment, and a connection terminal 257 having a curved shape protruding in the +Z direction in the fifth embodiment.

[0085] Specifically, terminals TA03 and TC03 are used as the reference for the contact order, and the timing at which terminals TA03 and TC03 come into contact is hereinafter referred to as the “reference timing.” The configurations of TA21 and TC21 shown in FIG. 6(a) described in the first embodiment are applied to terminals TA03 and TC03.

[0086] Terminals TA02 and TC02 are assumed to be terminals that are to be brought into contact at a timing earlier than the reference timing. In this case, the relationship between terminals TA121 and TA01 described in the fifth embodiment is applied to the relationship between terminals TA02 and TA03. That is, terminal TA02 is provided with a curved shape that protrudes in the +Z direction, similar to terminal TA121 shown in FIG. 11(a). This allows the timing of contact between terminals TA02 and TC02 to be earlier than the timing of contact between terminals TA03 and TC03.

[0087] Next, terminals TC04 and TA04 are assumed to be terminals that are to be brought into contact at a timing later than the reference timing. In this case, the relationship between terminals TA21 and TA01 described in the third embodiment is applied to the relationship between terminals TA03 and TA04. That is, in the camera connection unit 206, terminal TA04 is positioned offset in the -Z direction from terminal TA03. This allows the contact timing between terminals TA04 and TC04 to be delayed from the contact timing between terminals TA03 and TC03.

[0088] Assume that terminals TC05 and TA05 are terminals whose contact timing is to be delayed further than that of terminals TC04 and TA04. In this case, terminal TA05 has the same configuration as terminal TA03, but the first embodiment is applied so that the standing wall portion 123b that holds terminal TC05 is formed higher in the +Y direction than the reference terminal TC03. In this case, the height in the Y direction of the standing wall portion 123b is set so that terminals TA05 and TC05 come into contact after terminals TA04 and TC04 have come into contact.

[0089] Terminals TC06 and TA06 are assumed to be the terminals to be brought into contact last. In this case, the first embodiment is applied so that the vertical wall portion holding terminal TC06 is formed higher in the +Y direction than the vertical wall portion of the reference terminal TC03. Furthermore, the third embodiment is applied to terminal TA06, so that terminal TA06 is positioned offset in the -Z direction from terminal TA03 in the camera connection section 206. With the above configuration, the contact timings of terminals TC02 to TC06 and terminals TA02 to TA06 can be offset in this order.

[0090] As explained above, according to the present invention, the order in which the multiple terminals of the accessory shoe and camera connector come into contact can be changed as desired. This prevents the order in which the contacts come into contact from changing even when the external strobe device 120 is attached while tilted relative to the attachment direction, as shown in Figure 5(b), and makes it possible to have the terminals come into contact with each other in a predetermined order.

[0091] While the present invention has been described in detail above based on preferred embodiments thereof, 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-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 100 Imaging device 120 External strobe device 123 Accessory shoe 123a,123b Standing wall part 257 connection terminal TA01~TA21,TC01~TC21,TC31~TC51 TA101, TA121 terminals

Claims

1. An electronic device including an accessory shoe device electrically connected to an accessory, The accessory shoe device a plurality of terminals arranged in a row at predetermined intervals in a first direction perpendicular to the attachment direction of the accessory, each terminal having a first portion extending in the attachment direction and a second portion extending in a second direction perpendicular to the attachment direction and the first direction; a plurality of upstanding wall portions made of a dielectric material and adjacent to each of the second portions of the plurality of terminals; an electronic device characterized in that at least one of the plurality of vertical wall portions has a height in the second direction relative to the second portion that is different from that of the other vertical wall portions, so that the second portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals is not exposed and the second portions of the other terminals are exposed.

2. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of upright wall portions has a slope that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the second direction.

3. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of upright wall portions is formed to a position higher than a corresponding terminal in the second direction.

4. one of the plurality of terminals is a terminal for detecting attachment of the accessory to the accessory shoe device; 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical wall portion provided for the attachment detection terminal is higher than the vertical wall portions provided for the other terminals.

5. The electronic device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the multiple vertical wall portions are provided on side surfaces of the second part, facing the direction in which the accessory approaches when the accessory is attached to the accessory shoe device in the attachment direction.

6. 6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an imaging device.

7. An accessory having a shoe device that is detachable from an accessory shoe device provided in an electronic device, The shoe device a plurality of terminals arranged at predetermined intervals in a first direction perpendicular to a direction in which the shoe device is attached to the accessory shoe device; the plurality of terminals have the same shape of tip ends, including contact points that first come into contact with terminals provided on the accessory shoe device when the shoe device is attached to the accessory shoe device, when viewed from the first direction, and the positions of the tip ends vary depending on the attachment direction; The accessory is characterized in that the positions of the contact points differ for each of the plurality of terminals in the mounting direction.

8. An accessory having a shoe device that is detachable from an accessory shoe device provided in an electronic device, The shoe device a plurality of terminals arranged at predetermined intervals in a first direction perpendicular to a direction in which the shoe device is attached to the accessory shoe device; the plurality of terminals have different shapes of tip portions including contact points that first come into contact with terminals provided on the accessory shoe device when the shoe device is attached to the accessory shoe device, The accessory is characterized in that the positions of the contact points differ for each of the plurality of terminals in the mounting direction.

9. 9. The accessory according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of terminals has a surface including the contact point at an angle different from that of the other terminals.

10. The accessory according to claim 8 , wherein at least one of the plurality of terminals has a curved shape such that a surface including the contact points protrudes in the mounting direction.

11. 11. The accessory according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of terminals are positioned at the same tip end in the attachment direction of the tip end portion.

12. The accessory according to claim 8 , wherein the plurality of terminals have tip portions at different positions in the mounting direction.

13. one of the plurality of terminals includes an attachment detection terminal for detecting that the shoe device is attached to the accessory shoe device; 13. The accessory according to claim 8, wherein the attachment detection terminal is finally electrically connected to the terminal of the accessory shoe device when the shoe device is attached to the accessory shoe device.

14. the plurality of terminals include a GND terminal and other communication terminals, The accessory described in claim 13, characterized in that when the shoe device is attached to the accessory shoe device, the GND terminal, the other communication terminal, and the attachment detection terminal are electrically connected to the terminals of the accessory shoe device in that order.

15. The accessory according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the accessory is an accessory related to imaging.

Images