Two-Stage Bayonet Mount Terminals for Reliable Accessory Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased number of terminals in image capturing apparatuses and accessories using bayonet coupling mechanisms leads to wear and tear, resulting in decreased insulation resistance, short circuits, and increased contact resistance, compromising the reliability of electrical connections and causing erroneous detection of accessory mounting.
Innovation Solution
The image capturing apparatus features a two-stage terminal holder with a height level difference, allowing terminals to connect at different positions, reducing wear and tear by minimizing sliding contacts and arranging critical power-supply terminals separately from communication terminals to prevent short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of terminals is increased to support enhanced functionality, then communication and power supply capabilities are improved, but terminal wear and reliability decrease due to frequent mounting and dismounting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal holder is divided into multiple stages (first stage and second stage) with different height levels. Terminals are segmented and assigned to different stages based on their function and wear characteristics. This segmentation allows critical terminals to be positioned on stages that experience less mechanical stress during mounting/dismounting operations, thereby maintaining electrical connection reliability while supporting enhanced functionality with multiple terminals.
2Volume of moving object
If terminals are arranged in a single plane for compact design, then device size is reduced, but wear and contact resistance increase due to sliding contacts during bayonet coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal arrangement transitions from a single-plane (2D) configuration to a multi-stage (3D) configuration along the optical axis direction. Terminals are distributed across different height levels (first stage and second stage) rather than being confined to one plane. This dimensional change eliminates sliding contacts between terminals during bayonet coupling operations, reducing wear and contact resistance while maintaining a compact overall mount size.
3Device complexity
If power-supply terminals and communication terminals are arranged together, then terminal holder structure is simplified, but short circuits may occur due to wear and decreased insulation resistance
Solution Approach 1:
Power-supply terminals and communication terminals are segmented and assigned to different stages of the terminal holder. Power-supply terminals are positioned on the first stage while communication terminals are positioned on the second stage (or vice versa for certain terminals). This spatial segmentation increases the physical distance between power and communication circuits, maintaining insulation resistance and preventing short circuits even as terminals experience wear during repeated mounting and dismounting operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus on which an accessory including a first mount is mountable includes a second mount. The second mount is configured to allow bayonet coupling to the first mount of the accessory. The second mount includes a plurality of terminals disposed in a circumferential direction, and a terminal holder configured to hold the plurality of terminals. Each of the plurality of terminals is electrically connectable to a terminal of the accessory. The terminal holder has a height level difference in a center-axis direction of the second mount. The plurality of terminals include a first terminal configured to be used to detect mounting of the accessory on the image capturing apparatus. The first terminal is disposed further in a mount direction of the accessory than the other terminals among the plurality of terminals on a first stage of the terminal holder.