Imaging device

Abstract

An imaging device according to the present invention comprises a body part, a support plate that is connected to the body part so as to be capable of rotation around a first axis and can rotate around the first axis to move from overlapping a back surface of the body part in a first overlapping state to being visible from a front surface side of the body part in a first deployed state, and a display part that has a display screen, is supported on the support plate so as to be capable of rotation around a second axis that intersects the first axis, and can rotate around the second axis to move from overlapping the support plate in a second overlapping state into a second deployed state.　

Description

Imaging device

[0001] It relates to an imaging device.

[0002] For an imaging device having a display screen for displaying a captured image or a live view image (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5), it is desirable to be able to view the display screen in a variety of states.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-101779, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-177585, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-124902, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-080400, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-114934

[0004] According to the first aspect, the imaging device includes a main body portion, and a support plate that is rotatably connected to the main body portion around a first axis, and is movable from a first overlapping state overlapping the back surface of the main body portion to a first unfolded state that can be visually recognized from the front side of the main body portion by rotating around the first axis, and a display portion that is rotatably supported by the support plate around a second axis intersecting the first axis, and is movable from a second overlapping state overlapping the support plate to a second unfolded state by rotating around the second axis and has a display screen.

[0005] According to the second aspect, the imaging device includes a main body portion, and a connecting plate that is rotatably connected to the main body portion around a fourth axis, and is movable from a third overlapping state overlapping the back surface of the main body portion to a third unfolded state by rotating around the fourth axis, and a support plate that is rotatably connected to the connecting plate around a fifth axis arranged along the fourth axis, and is movable from a fourth overlapping state overlapping the connecting plate to a fourth unfolded state by rotating around the fifth axis, and a display portion that is rotatably supported by the support plate around a sixth axis intersecting the fifth axis, and is movable from a fifth overlapping state overlapping the support plate to a fifth unfolded state by rotating around the sixth axis and has a display screen.

[0006] Incidentally, the configuration of the embodiments described below may be appropriately improved, and at least a part thereof may be replaced with other components. Furthermore, constituent elements that are not particularly limited in terms of their arrangement are not limited to the arrangements disclosed in the embodiments, and can be arranged at positions where their functions can be achieved.

[0007] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the digital camera of the first embodiment. Figures 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams of the digital camera of the first embodiment. Figures 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of the digital camera of the first embodiment. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the digital camera of the first embodiment. Figures 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of the digital camera of the first embodiment. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the digital camera of the first embodiment. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the digital camera of the first embodiment. Figures 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of the digital camera of the first embodiment. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the digital camera of the second embodiment. Figures 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the digital camera of the second embodiment. Figures 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the digital camera of the second embodiment. Figures 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams of the digital camera of the second embodiment. Figures 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams of the digital camera of the second embodiment.

[0008] [First Embodiment] Figures 1 to 8B are explanatory diagrams of a digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment. The digital camera 1 is an example of an imaging device. Figure 1 shows the rear side of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 has a main body 10, a support plate 50, and a display unit 70. Inside the main body 10 are an image sensor that receives light from the subject and a memory that stores captured images. The main body 10 is substantially rectangular in shape with a predetermined thickness and has a front 11, a rear 12, a right side 13, a left side 14, an upper side 15, and a bottom 16. As shown in Figure 4, a lens 11f is provided on the front 11. The lens 11f may or may not be removable from the front 11. A fixing part 17 is provided on the rear 12 along the right side 13. A support plate 50, which will be described in more detail later, is rotatably connected to the fixing part 17. A connector port 13c is provided on the right side 13. The connector port 13c has multiple insertion openings that can connect multiple types of connectors. The upper side surface 15 is provided with a release button 15b and an inclined portion 15s. The release button 15b is separated from the inclined portion 15s in the longitudinal direction of the main body 10.

[0009] The support plate 50 is substantially rectangular in shape. As shown in Figures 1 and 2A, the support plate 50 is rotatably connected around the axis A1 by a rotating part 57 of the support plate 50 and a fixed part 17 of the main body 10. The axis A1 is parallel to the short side direction of the main body 10 when viewed from the front 11. In Figure 1, the support plate 50 is in a first superimposed state, overlapping the back surface 12 of the main body 10. By rotating the support plate 50 clockwise around the axis A1 in Figure 1, the support plate 50 moves into a first unfolded state, separated from the main body 10, as shown in Figure 2A. A recess 12r is formed on the back surface 12 of the main body 10. In the first superimposed state, the back surface 52 of the support plate 50 faces the recess 12r. The support plate 50 can rotate, for example, 180 degrees around the axis A1 from the first superimposed state. The axis A1 is an example of a first axis.

[0010] A display unit 70 is rotatably connected to the support plate 50 around an axis A2. The axis A2 intersects, specifically perpendicular to, the axis A1. The display unit 70 has a predetermined thickness and is substantially rectangular in shape, similar to the support plate 50. The display unit 70 has a display screen 71 capable of displaying various information such as captured images, live view images, and menus. In the state shown in Figure 1, the display screen 71 is exposed from the support plate 50 and faces the back side, with its longitudinal direction aligned horizontally and its transverse direction aligned vertically. A fixing portion 58 is formed along the top edge of the support plate 50. A rotation shaft 80 is rotatably connected to the fixing portion 58 around the axis A2. The rotation shaft 80 is connected to the center of one of the long sides of the display unit 70. In Figures 1 and 2A, the display unit 70 is in a second superposition state, overlapping the surface 51 of the support plate 50 shown in Figure 4. As the display unit 70 rotates together with the rotation axis 80 around the axis A2, the display unit 70 enters a second unfolded state, as shown in Figure 2B, for example. The display unit 70 can rotate, for example, 240 degrees around the axis A2 from the first superimposed state. Axis A2 is an example of a second axis.

[0011] The display unit 70 is rotatably connected to the rotation axis 80 around axis A3. Axis A3 intersects, specifically perpendicular to, axis A2. As shown in Figure 3A, the display unit 70 in the second deployed state can rotate, for example, 90 degrees counterclockwise and 180 degrees clockwise around the rotation axis 80. Axis A3 is an example of a third axis. The electrical connection between the display unit 70 and the main body 10 is made by cables from within the main body 10 via the fixed part 17, the rotating part 57, the fixed part 58, and the rotation axis 80.

[0012] Figure 3B shows the first unfolded state, where the support plate 50 shown in Figure 1 has been rotated 180 degrees clockwise around axis A1 from the first superimposed state. It also shows the second unfolded state, where the display unit 70 is parallel to the support plate 50 after being rotated 180 degrees clockwise around axis A2, and the display screen 71 faces the subject after being rotated 180 degrees clockwise around axis A3. Figure 4 shows the digital camera 1 in the state shown in Figure 3B from the front 11 side, with the connector C connected to the connector port 13c. Connector C is, for example, a connector for supplying external power to the digital camera 1 or for outputting the captured image of the digital camera 1 to an external monitor. The display screen 71 of the display unit 70 does not overlap with connector C when viewed from the subject side. Therefore, even when the photographer takes a selfie while checking the live view image displayed on the display screen 71, or when various information (for example, the self-timer countdown) is displayed to the subject, the connector C connected to the digital camera 1 does not obstruct the visibility of the display screen 71.

[0013] From the state shown in Figure 1, the display unit 70 is rotated around the axis A2. As a result, as shown in Figure 5A, the support plate 50 is in the first superimposed state and the display unit 70 is in the second unfolded state with the display screen 71 facing upward. This makes it possible to check the display screen 71 even when shooting at waist level. When the display unit 70 is rotated 180 degrees clockwise around the axis A3 from the state shown in Figure 5A, the display screen 71 faces downward, as shown in Figure 5B. This makes it possible to check the display screen 71 even when shooting at a high angle. In this state, the display unit 70 is rotated around the axis A2 away from the support plate 50. Here, the upper surface 15 is provided with an inclined portion 15s that is flat and slopes downward from the front 11 side to the back 12 side. As a result, the back surface 72 of the display unit 70 is supported by the inclined portion 15s of the upper surface 15 as shown in Figure 6, and it becomes possible to rotate beyond 180 degrees, for example up to 240 degrees, without being obstructed by the upper surface 15, and the display screen 71 faces diagonally upward. In the state shown in Figure 6, for example, when a photographer is supporting the back 12 of the digital camera 1 against their body (for example, their stomach) while taking a picture, they can take a picture while viewing a stable image, such as a live view image, displayed on the display screen 71. Also, since the release button 15b is separated from the inclined part 15s, even in the state shown in Figure 6, the display unit 70 is separated from the release button 15b, thus preventing the display unit 70 from interfering with the operation of the release button 15b. Furthermore, by rotating the display unit 70 around the axis A2 from the state shown in Figure 6, it is possible to transition to a second superimposed state where the display screen 71 faces the surface 51 of the support plate 50. This allows the display screen 71 to be protected when the digital camera 1 is not in use.

[0014] In the state shown in Figure 2B, the display unit 70 is positioned so that the display screen 71 is at approximately the same height as the upper side surface 15. Figure 7 shows the state shown in Figure 2B with the top handle T attached to the upper side surface 15, as seen from the front 11 side. The upper side surface 15 is provided with screw holes and an accessory shoe (not shown) for attaching the top handle T. As a result, for example, even when the photographer is taking a picture with the digital camera 1 while holding the top handle T, the display screen 71 is at a height close to the upper side surface 15, so the displayed live view image can be viewed at a position close to the photographer's face.

[0015] From the state shown in Figure 5A, the display unit 70 is rotated approximately 90 degrees around the axis A2 so that it is separated from the support plate 50. As a result, the display screen 71 faces the subject, as shown in Figure 8A. For example, the photographer can check the live view image displayed on the display screen 71 while taking a picture of themselves.

[0016] From the state shown in Figure 5A, rotate the display unit 70 clockwise by approximately 90 degrees around the axis A3. As a result, as shown in Figure 8B, the longitudinal direction of the display unit 70 aligns with the vertical direction, and the display screen 71 faces the side. This allows the photographer to view the captured image or live view image displayed on the display screen 71 from the side relative to the digital camera 1. It is also possible to rotate the display unit 70 counterclockwise by approximately 90 degrees around the axis A3 from the state shown in Figure 5A.

[0017] [Second Embodiment] Figures 9 to 13B are explanatory diagrams of the digital camera 1a of the second embodiment. With respect to the digital camera 1a of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the digital camera 1 of the first embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted. Figure 9 shows the rear side of the digital camera 1a. The digital camera 1a has a main body 10a, a connecting plate 30, a support plate 50a, and a display unit 70. Figure 10A shows a third unfolded state in which the connecting plate 30 has rotated around the axis A4, which will be described later, and separated from the main body 10a. The connecting plate 30 is connected between the main body 10a and the support plate 50a. The connecting plate 30 is substantially rectangular and is a plate that is thinner than the support plate 50a. The connecting plate 30 has a pair of arms 33 and a pair of arms 34. The arms 33 protrude from the upper and lower edges of the connecting plate 30 in one direction along the longitudinal direction of the connecting plate 30. The arm portion 33 is rotatably connected to the restricting projection 18 of the main body portion 10a around the axis A4. The restricting projection 18 protrudes from a recess 12r along the right side surface 13 of the main body portion 10a to the back side of the main body portion 10a. The arm portion 34 extends from the upper and lower edges of the connecting plate 30 in the other direction along the longitudinal direction of the connecting plate 30. The arm portion 34 is rotatably connected to the central part of the support plate 50a around the axis A5. Axes A4 and A5 are parallel to axis A1 in the first embodiment described above. In Figure 9, the back surface 32 of the connecting plate 30 is in a third superimposed state facing the recess 12r of the main body portion 10a. The connecting plate 30 is provided so as to be rotatable, for example, 90 degrees counterclockwise around axis A4 from the third superimposed state. In detail, the regulating projection 18 and the connecting plate 30 come into contact, thereby restricting the range of rotation of the connecting plate 30 around its axis A4 from the third superimposed state. Axis A4 is an example of a fourth axis.

[0018] Unlike the support plate 50 of the first embodiment, the support plate 50a does not have a rotating part 57. In Figures 9 and 10A, the support plate 50a is in the fourth superposition state, overlapping the surface 31 of the connecting plate 30. In Figures 9 and 10A, the display unit 70 is in the fifth superposition state, overlapping the surface 51 of the support plate 50a shown in Figure 10B. As shown in Figure 10A, the support plate 50a is provided so as to be rotatable by approximately 150 degrees counterclockwise around the axis A5 from the fourth superposition state. The axis A5 is an example of a fifth axis. From the state in Figure 10A, the support plate 50a is rotated approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise to the fourth unfolded state, and the display unit 70 is further rotated approximately 90 degrees around the axis A2 from the fifth superposition state to the fifth unfolded state. As a result, as shown in Figure 10B, the display screen 71 faces upward, and the display unit 70 is positioned along the upper surface 15 at approximately the same height. Axis A2 is an example of the sixth axis. Figure 11A shows the case where the top handle T is attached to the upper side surface 15 in this state, viewed from the front 11 side. As a result, for example, even when the photographer is taking a picture with the digital camera 1a while holding the top handle T, the display screen 71 is at a height close to the upper side surface 15, so the displayed live view image can be viewed at a position close to the photographer's face.

[0019] From the state shown in Figure 10B, if the display unit 70 is rotated approximately 90 degrees around the axis A2 away from the support plate 50a, the display screen 71 faces the subject and the support plate 50a and the display unit 70 become approximately parallel, as shown in Figure 11B. Figure 11B shows the state in which the connector C is connected to the connector port 13c, viewed from the front 11 side. In this way, the display screen 71 does not overlap with the connector C when viewed from the subject side, so even when the photographer takes a selfie while checking the live view image displayed on the display screen 71, or when various information (for example, the self-timer countdown) is displayed to the person being photographed (subject), the visibility of the display screen 71 is not obstructed.

[0020] As shown in Figure 12A, the display unit 70 is connected to the rotation axis 80 so as to be rotatable around axis A3, similar to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 12A, when the display screen 71 is facing the subject, the display unit 70 can rotate 180 degrees counterclockwise around axis A3, for example, and 90 degrees clockwise around axis A3. From the state in Figure 12A, the display unit 70 is rotated 180 degrees counterclockwise around axis A3 to bring the connecting plate 30 into the third superposition state. Axis A3 is an example of a seventh axis. Furthermore, it is rotated around axis A2 so that the display screen 71 faces upward. As a result, as shown in Figure 12B, the back surface 72 of the display unit 70 is supported by the inclined portion 15s of the upper surface 15, and the upper surface 15 can rotate beyond 180 degrees without being obstructed, for example up to 240 degrees, and the display screen 71 faces diagonally upward. This allows the photographer to, for example, support the back of the digital camera 1 (e.g., on their stomach) while taking a picture, and to view a stable live view image displayed on the display screen 71 while shooting.

[0021] From the state shown in Figure 10A, the support plate 50a can be rotated approximately 150 degrees counterclockwise around the axis A5 to transition to the fourth unfolded state, and the connecting plate 30 can be rotated counterclockwise around the axis A4. As a result, as shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the sides of the support plate 50a and the display unit 70 contact the recess 12r in a position where the longitudinal direction of the support plate 50a and the display unit 70 is horizontal and the short direction is vertical, and the display screen 71 faces sideways. This stabilizes the position of the display unit 70, allowing the photographer to view the captured image or live view image displayed on the display screen 71 from the side relative to the digital camera 1a. Note that, as shown in Figure 13A, the arm portion 34 of the connecting plate 30 is in contact with the support plate 50a. This restricts the range of rotation of the support plate 50a around the axis A5 relative to the connecting plate 30.

[0022] The embodiments described above are examples of preferred implementations. However, they are not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention, and any combination of constituent elements may be used.

[0023] 1, 1a Digital camera 10, 10a Main body 13 Right side 13c Connector port 15 Top side 15s Inclined section 18 Restrictive protrusion 30 Connecting plate 50, 50a Support plate 70 Display section 71 Display screen 80 Rotating shaft C Connector T Top handle

Claims

1. An imaging device comprising: a main body; a support plate rotatably connected to the main body about a first axis and capable of transitioning from a first superimposed state where it overlaps the back of the main body to a first unfolded state visible from the front of the main body by rotating about the first axis; and a display unit rotatably supported by the support plate about a second axis intersecting the first axis and capable of transitioning from a second superimposed state where it overlaps the support plate to a second unfolded state by rotating about the second axis and having a display screen.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is rotatably connected to the second axis in the second unfolded state, around a third axis intersecting the second axis.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first axis is along the lateral side surface of the main body portion having an insertion opening to which a connector can be connected, and the display screen does not overlap with the connector when the support plate is in the first deployed state and the display portion is in the second deployed state.

4. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second axis is along the upper surface of the main body having an inclined portion, and when the support plate is in the first superimposed state, the display unit can rotate around the second axis from the second superimposed state in which the display screen is superimposed on the support plate to transition to the second unfolded state, and the inclined portion supports the display unit in the second unfolded state.

5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein a top handle can be attached to the upper side surface, and when the support plate is in the first unfolded state, the display unit can transition from the second superimposed state to the second unfolded state in which the display screen is aligned with the upper side surface.

6. An imaging device comprising: a main body; a connecting plate rotatably connected to the main body about a fourth axis and capable of transitioning from a third superimposed state overlapping the back surface of the main body to a third unfolded state by rotating about the fourth axis; a support plate rotatably connected to the connecting plate about a fifth axis aligned along the fourth axis and capable of transitioning from a fourth superimposed state overlapping the connecting plate to a fourth unfolded state by rotating about the fifth axis; and a display unit rotatably supported by the support plate about a sixth axis intersecting the fifth axis and capable of transitioning from a fifth superimposed state overlapping the support plate to a fifth unfolded state by rotating about the sixth axis and having a display screen.

7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the display unit is rotatably connected to the sixth axis in the fifth deployed state, around a seventh axis intersecting the sixth axis.

8. The imaging device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the fourth axis is along the lateral side surface of the main body portion having an insertion opening into which a connector can be connected, and the display screen does not overlap with the connector when the connecting plate is in the third deployed state, the support plate is in the fourth deployed state, and the display portion is in the fifth deployed state.

9. The imaging device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sixth axis is along the upper surface of the main body having an inclined portion, and when the connecting plate is in the third superimposed state and the support plate is in the fourth superimposed state, the display unit can rotate around the sixth axis from the fifth superimposed state in which the display screen is superimposed on the support plate to the fifth unfolded state, and the inclined portion supports the display unit in the fifth unfolded state.

10. The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein a top handle can be attached to the upper side surface, and when the connecting plate is in the third unfolded state and the support plate is in the fourth unfolded state, the display unit can transition from the fifth superimposed state to the fifth unfolded state in which the display screen is aligned with the upper side surface.

11. An imaging device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the connecting plate is in the third unfolded state, the display unit is in the fifth superimposed state in which the display screen faces away from the support plate, and the support plate is capable of transitioning from the fourth superimposed state to the fourth unfolded state in which it faces in the opposite direction to the direction in which the display screen faced in the fourth superimposed state by rotating in one direction around the fifth axis.

12. The imaging device according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the main body has a restricting portion that restricts the rotation angle of the connecting plate around the fourth axis in the third unfolded state.

Images