JP6657696B2 - Imaging device and support mechanism for movable member - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device having a movable display unit. The invention also relates to a support mechanism for the movable member.

  2. Description of the Related Art There are imaging devices such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras in which the direction and angle of a display unit for displaying an image with respect to the main body of the imaging device can be adjusted in order to improve the convenience of shooting and operation. . As a support mechanism for such a movable display unit, a hinge mechanism (so-called vari-angle mechanism) that supports the display unit so as to be rotatable about one or more axes, or a plurality of links (arms) connected by axes. A known link mechanism is known. Also, as in Patent Document 1, there is also known a structure in which a concave curved surface shape is formed on a main body of an imaging device, a convex curved surface shape is formed on a display unit side, and the display unit is slidable along the uneven surface. Have been.

JP 2009-303104A

  In a conventional support structure using a hinge mechanism or a link mechanism, the degree of freedom in setting the direction of the display unit is limited. In addition, when the hinge mechanism is used, when the display unit is rotated around the axis, the position of the display unit is largely shifted with respect to the photographing optical axis, and it may be difficult to perform composition adjustment. Particularly in close-up photography (macro photography), the distance between the display unit of the imaging device and the subject is short, and slight shaking or displacement of the photographer or the imaging device greatly affects the composition. If the deviation is large, it is difficult to perform intuitive composition adjustment, and the photographer is stressed.

  A support structure using a curved surface as in Patent Literature 1 has a higher degree of freedom in setting the direction of the display unit than a hinge mechanism or a link mechanism. However, when the display unit is slid with respect to the main body of the imaging apparatus, the projection amount of the display unit in the direction perpendicular to the imaging optical axis increases, and the practical inclination angle of the display unit is reduced. In order to achieve this, the problem is that the concave surface becomes deeper (the protrusion amount of the convex surface becomes larger), and the thickness in the direction along the imaging optical axis tends to become larger.

  Further, in technical fields other than the imaging apparatus, there is a similar problem with a movable member supporting mechanism capable of adjusting the direction and angle with respect to the main body portion, while improving the degree of freedom in setting the direction and angle of the movable member. In addition, there has been a demand to prevent the support mechanism from being enlarged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that has a high degree of freedom in setting the direction and angle of a movable display unit and can be configured in a small size. Another object of the present invention is to provide a movable member support mechanism that has a high degree of freedom in setting the direction and angle of the movable member and can be configured in a small size.

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having a main body having an image sensor and a display unit capable of displaying an image obtained by the image sensor and movably supported with respect to the main body, wherein the display unit is moved in a direction of contacting and separating from the main unit. In a state in which the display unit is close to the main body, the display unit can be tilted in the first mode about an axis in a specific direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of contact and separation with the main body. the display unit is Ri der possible tilting direction freely second aspect with respect to the body, it has one and the other to the positioning projection and the positioning hole of the main body and the display unit, in a state where the display unit is separated from the main body positioning protrusion is not inserted into the positioning holes, the positioning projection in a state where the display unit is close to the body, characterized in Rukoto determines the position of the display unit relative to the main body is inserted into the positioning hole.

  It is preferable that the direction in which the display unit comes into contact with and separates from the main body is a direction in which the optical axis of a light beam incident on the image sensor is extended.

  The display unit performs the tilt in the first mode in a plurality of directions with reference to a reference angle that makes the display surface substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the light beam incident on the imaging element, and sets the reference angle in the tilt in the second mode. Preferably, it is possible to tilt in different directions without going through.

  The display section may perform the tilting of the first mode with the contact point contacting the main body as a fulcrum. For example, the display unit has a substantially rectangular outer shape, the main body has a contacted part to which four sides of the outer shape of the display part can respectively contact, and the display unit contacts the contacted part. The tilting of the first mode can be performed in four directions with the four contacting sides as fulcrums.

  It is preferable that the display unit performs the first and second tilts within a range not protruding from the outer shape of the main body when viewed along the optical axis of the light beam incident on the image sensor.

  Further, it is preferable that the display unit is movable in a rotation direction about an axis facing the main body when the display unit is separated from the main body.

  The display unit may include a first support step that can be tilted with respect to the main body, and a second support step that increases the tilt angle in at least one direction with respect to the first support step.

The present invention also provides an imaging apparatus having a main body having an imaging element and a display capable of displaying an image obtained by the imaging element and movably supported with respect to the main body, wherein the display is tilted with respect to the main body. A possible first supporting step, and a second supporting step for increasing the tilt angle in at least one direction with respect to the first supporting step, the main body and one of the first supporting steps; On the other hand, a positioning protrusion and a positioning hole are provided. When the first supporting step is separated from the main body, the positioning protrusion is not inserted into the positioning hole, and when the first supporting step is close to the main body, the positioning protrusion is moved. It is inserted into the positioning holes, characterized in Rukoto determine the position of the first support step portion relative to the body.

The present invention also provides a support mechanism for movably supporting a movable member with respect to a main body, wherein the movable member is movably supported in a direction in which the movable member is moved toward and away from the main body. The tilting of the first mode about the axis in a specific direction substantially orthogonal to the separating direction is possible, and in the state separated from the main body, the movable member can tilt in the second mode in which the movable member can freely move relative to the main body. Ah is, have one and the other to the positioning projection and the positioning hole of the main body and the movable member, the positioning projection not inserted into the positioning hole in a state in which the movable member is separated from the main body, positioned with the movable member approaches the body projection is characterized Rukoto determine the position of the movable member relative to the body is inserted into the positioning hole.

The present invention also provides a support mechanism for movably supporting a movable member with respect to a main body, wherein a first support step which can be tilted with respect to the main body, and a tilt angle in at least one direction with respect to the first support step. A second supporting step for enlarging the movable step, wherein the operation of the first supporting step and the second supporting step changes the position of the movable member with respect to the main body, and one of the main body and the first supporting step. And the other has a positioning projection and a positioning hole. When the first supporting step is separated from the main body, the positioning projection is not inserted into the positioning hole, and when the first supporting step is close to the main body, the positioning protrusion is provided. There characterized Rukoto determine the position of the first support step portion relative to the body is inserted into the positioning hole.

The detailed operation and structure of the support mechanism of the movable member can be the same as those of the above-described imaging apparatus. As a movable member to which the support mechanism according to the present invention is applied, a display unit that displays an image based on a signal sent from a main body or the like is preferable. Further, in any of the modes of the imaging device and the support mechanism of the movable member, a magnet is provided in the positioning protrusion, and when the positioning protrusion is inserted into the positioning hole, the display unit or the movable member is moved relative to the main body by the magnetic force of the magnet. It is preferable to keep them.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an imaging device that has a high degree of freedom in setting the direction and angle of the movable display unit and can be configured in a small size. In addition, it is possible to obtain a movable member supporting mechanism that has a high degree of freedom in setting the direction and angle of the movable member and can be configured to be small.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an interchangeable lens type single-lens reflex camera according to an embodiment of the present invention in an initial state in which a movable monitor is accommodated in a monitor accommodating portion of a camera body. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same-lens reflex camera in a state where the movable monitor is tilted leftward. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same-lens reflex camera in a state where the movable monitor is tilted rightward. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same-lens reflex camera in a state where a movable monitor is tilted downward. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the same-lens reflex camera in a state where a movable monitor is tilted upward. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the same-lens reflex camera in a state where the movable monitor is further tilted upward. It is a perspective view of the state where the movable monitor was pulled back by the same-lens reflex camera. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the same-lens reflex camera in a state where a movable monitor is tilted obliquely to the upper right. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same-lens reflex camera in a state where the movable monitor is tilted diagonally to the lower left. FIG. 9 is a rear view of the same-lens reflex camera in a state where the angle of the movable monitor is changed around an axis parallel to the optical axis. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the camera body and the movable monitor in the state of FIG. 7 in a cross section along the optical axis.

  1 to 11 show a camera body 10 of a camera (imaging device) 1 to which the present invention is applied. The camera 1 is an interchangeable lens single-lens reflex camera, and an interchangeable lens (lens barrel) (not shown) can be attached to and detached from the camera body 10. “O” shown in FIG. 11 is an optical axis of a light beam entering the camera body 10 through the optical system of the interchangeable lens. The front, rear, up, down, left, and right directions in the following description correspond to the directions indicated by arrows in the figure, and the front is the subject side. In a normal shooting posture, the photographer is located behind the camera 1, and the up-down direction and the left-right direction correspond to the direction viewed from the photographer with the camera body 10 held substantially horizontally.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a mount unit 11 for attaching and detaching an interchangeable lens is provided on the front surface of the camera body 10. A quick return mirror 12 rotatable around a mirror hinge 12x is provided inside the camera body 10 behind the mount unit 11. The quick return mirror 12 is moved by a mirror driving mechanism (not shown) into a mirror-down position (position shown in FIG. 11) obliquely provided on the photographing optical path in the camera body 10 and a mirror-up position retracted upward from the photographing optical path. Rotate between.

  When the quick return mirror 12 is at the mirror down position, subject light passing through the optical system of the interchangeable lens attached to the mount 11 is reflected upward by the quick return mirror 12 and guided to the finder optical system. As shown in FIG. 11, the finder optical system includes a pentaprism 13 located above the quick return mirror 12, an eyepiece system 14 located behind the pentaprism 13, and an eyepiece located behind the eyepiece lens system 14. With the window 15, the subject image can be optically observed through the eyepiece window 15 when the quick return mirror 12 is at the mirror down position. An image sensor 16 is further provided inside the camera body 10 behind the quick return mirror 12. When the quick return mirror 12 rotates to the mirror-up position, it becomes possible for the image pickup device 16 to receive the subject light incident along the optical axis O. A shutter (focal plane shutter) (not shown) is arranged between the quick return mirror 12 and the image sensor 16, and subject light reaches the light receiving surface of the image sensor 16 by opening the shutter. The subject light received by the image sensor 16 is photoelectrically converted and converted into electronic image data by an image generation circuit. A circuit board 17 on which an image generation circuit and the like are mounted is provided in the camera body 10.

  On the rear side of the camera body 10, an operation dial 50 is provided on the right side of the eyepiece window 15, a plurality of operation buttons 51 are provided below the operation dial 50, and a plurality of operation buttons 52 are provided on the left side of the eyepiece window 15. Is provided. The operation dial 50 is rotatable about a vertical axis, and each operation button 51 and each operation button 52 can be pushed. Using the operation dial 50, each operation button 51, and each operation button 52, various settings and function selections regarding the camera 1 can be executed. Since the specific settings and functions are well known, the description thereof is omitted, but as an example, the aperture value and the shutter speed can be set by rotating the operation dial 50. The camera body 10 further includes various operation dials and operation buttons on the upper surface side or the like, but the description thereof will be omitted.

  A movable monitor (display unit, movable member) 20 is further provided on the rear side of the camera body 10. The movable monitor 20 is located below the eyepiece window 15 and the plurality of operation buttons 52 and to the left of the plurality of operation buttons 51, and the operation dial 50 is located diagonally above and to the right of the movable monitor 20. The movable monitor 20 includes a display device 21 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The movable monitor 20 is located on the extension of the optical axis O. More specifically, the center of the outer shape of the movable monitor 20 is located substantially on a virtual line O ′ (FIG. 11) extending the optical axis O. Signal communication is performed between the camera body 10 and the movable monitor 20 by a flexible board 18 (FIG. 11) connecting the circuit board 17 and the display device 21, and a subject image based on image data obtained via the image sensor 16. Alternatively, various information other than the image can be displayed on the display device 21. The movable monitor 20 is movably supported with respect to the camera body 10, and can change the direction and the position of the display device 21. Hereinafter, the support mechanism of the movable monitor 20 and its operation will be described. In the following description, the direction regarding the movable monitor 20 is the direction when the movable monitor 20 is at the initial position shown in FIG. 1 (in a state where the tilting or pulling-out operation with respect to the camera body 10 is not performed) unless otherwise specified. Shall be stated.

  The display device 21 is fixedly supported by a support frame (second support step) 22. The display device 21 has a substantially rectangular display surface facing the rear side of the camera 1, and the support frame 22 includes an upper side 22a, a lower side 22b, a left side 22c surrounding four sides around the rectangular display device 21. It has a right side part 22d. The display device 21 has a horizontally long shape that is long in the left-right direction. In the support frame 22 corresponding to the shape of the display device 21, the upper side 22a and the lower side 22b constitute a pair of long sides, and the left side 22c and the right side. The portion 22d forms a pair of short sides.

  The support frame 22 is supported by a metal base plate (first support step) 23. The support frame 22 is rotatable with respect to the base plate 23 about a tilt shaft 22x (FIGS. 2, 4, and 11) located behind (front of) the upper side 22a. The axis of the tilt shaft 22x extends in the left-right direction, and the support frame 22 can change its direction in the vertical direction by rotating about the tilt shaft 22x (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

Two through holes (positioning holes) 23a are formed in the base plate 23 at different positions in the left-right direction ( only the right through hole 23a is visible in FIG. 6 and the left through hole 23a is illustrated). Absent). Further, flanges 23b, 23c, and 23d are formed on the periphery of the base plate 23 so as to fit into the lower side 22b, the left side 22c, and the right side 22d of the support frame 22.

  On the rear surface side of the camera body 10, a monitor accommodating portion 30 capable of accommodating the movable monitor 20 is formed. The monitor accommodating portion 30 is a substantially rectangular concave portion corresponding to the substantially rectangular outer shape of the movable monitor 20 (fitting the substantially rectangular movable monitor 20), and each of the upper edge walls (covered portions) protruding rearward in a flange shape. The monitor accommodating portion 30 is surrounded by the contact portion 30a, the lower edge wall (contacted portion) 30b, the left edge wall (contacted portion) 30c, and the right edge wall (contacted portion) 30d. Four guide grooves 31 which are long grooves extending radially in a direction along a diagonal line of the substantially rectangular monitor housing portion 30 are formed at the bottom of the monitor housing portion 30. More specifically, the upper left guide groove 31 extending from the vicinity (corner) of the upper edge wall 30a and the left edge wall 30c in the direction of the center (the imaginary line O ') of the monitor accommodating portion 30, the lower edge wall 30b and the left A guide groove 31 on the lower left side extending from the vicinity of the boundary (corner) of the edge wall 30c in the direction of the center (virtual line O ') of the monitor accommodating portion 30, and the vicinity of the boundary (corner) of the upper edge wall 30a and the right edge wall 30d , A guide groove 31 on the upper right side extending in the direction of the center (virtual line O ′) of the monitor accommodating section 30, and the center of the monitor accommodating section 30 (virtual line) A lower right guide groove 31 extending in the O ′) direction is provided. Of the guide grooves 31, an end closer to the center of the monitor accommodating portion 30 is called an inner end, and an end farther from the center of the monitor accommodating portion 30 is called an outer end. The inner ends of the four guide grooves 31 are arranged so as to surround the imaginary line O '. Two positioning protrusions 32 are further formed on the bottom of the monitor housing portion 30 at positions different in the left-right direction. Each positioning projection 32 can be inserted into a through hole 23 a formed in the base plate 23. A magnet is provided in each positioning projection 32.

  Each of the upper edge wall 30a, the lower edge wall 30b, the left edge wall 30c, and the right edge wall 30d surrounding the monitor accommodating portion 30 is not uniform in the amount of projection from the bottom of the monitor accommodating portion 30 toward the rear, It has recesses 30e, 30f, 30g and 30h with a small amount of protrusion to the rear. The concave portion 30e is formed in the central portion of the upper edge wall 30a in the left-right direction. By forming the concave portion 30e, the upper edge wall 30a does not interfere with the eyepiece window 15. The recess 30f is formed at the center in the left-right direction of the lower edge wall 30a, and the flange 23b of the base plate 23 can enter the recess 30f. The recess 30g is formed at the center of the left edge wall 30c in the vertical direction, and the flange 23c of the base plate 23 can enter the recess 30g. The recess 30h is formed from the vertical center portion of the right edge wall 30d to the vicinity of the upper end connected to the upper edge wall 30a, and the flange 23d of the base plate 23 can enter the recess 30h. An upper end portion of the right edge wall 30d located between the upper edge wall 30a and the concave portion 30h is a low wall 30i having a small amount of rearward projection, and gradually projects from the low wall 30i to the upper edge wall 30a. Is getting bigger.

  The movable monitor 20 is connected to the camera body 10 via four support rods 24. A spherical end 25 is provided at one end of each support rod 24, and a spherical end 26 (see FIG. 11) is provided at the other end of each support rod 24. , And the spherical end 26 is fitted into a socket 27 provided on the base plate 23. The spherical end portion 25 and the spherical end portion 26 are spherical bodies which are connected to the corresponding guide grooves 31 and sockets 27 so as to be capable of spherical rotation (free rotation with no restriction on the direction). The ball joint structure has a high degree of freedom in each direction of the main body 10 and the movable monitor 20. Further, the spherical end portion 25 is supported movably (slidably) in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 31. Four support rods 24 and sockets 27 are provided in a positional relationship corresponding to the four guide grooves 31. The upper left support rod 24 connects the upper left guide groove 31 and the upper left socket 27, and is connected to the lower left side. Support rod 24 connects the lower left guide groove 31 and the lower left socket 27, the upper right support rod 24 connects the upper right guide groove 31 and the upper right socket 27, and the lower right support rod. Reference numeral 24 connects the lower right guide groove 31 and the lower right socket 27.

The movable monitor 20 having the above support structure operates as follows with respect to the camera body 10. FIG. 1 shows an initial position where the entire movable monitor 20 is accommodated in the monitor accommodating portion 30 of the camera body 10. At the initial position, the two positioning projections 32 are inserted into the through holes 23a, and the position of the movable monitor 20 is determined. The movable monitor 20 is held at the initial position by attracting the base plate 23 by the magnetic force of the magnet provided in each positioning projection 32. In addition, along the upper edge wall 30a, the lower edge wall 30b, the left edge wall 30c, and the right edge wall 30d surrounding the monitor accommodating portion 30, the upper side 22a, the lower side 22b (flange 23b), and the left side 22c of the movable monitor 20 are arranged. (Flange 23c) and right side 22d (flange 23d). In the initial position of the movable monitor 20, the spherical end 25 of each support rod 24 is located near the outer end of the guide groove 31, and the rising angle (projection amount) of each support rod 24 with respect to the monitor accommodating section 30 is minimum. It has become. In the initial position of the movable monitor 20, the four sockets 27 and the spherical ends 26 of the four support rods 24 are in a positional relationship surrounding the imaginary line O '. The orientation of the movable monitor 20 at the initial position is set so that the display surface of the display device 21 is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis O (more strictly, a virtual line O ′ extending the optical axis O backward). I have. The direction of the movable monitor 20 is defined as a reference angle. When the movable monitor 20 separates from the camera body 10 by performing various operations described below from the initial position, each positioning protrusion 32 is in a state of being separated (not inserted) from the corresponding through hole 23a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the movable monitor 20 can be tilted in four directions, up, down, left, and right from the reference angle at the initial position. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the movable monitor 20 is tilted leftward with respect to an axis that is oriented vertically. The movable monitor 20 is tilted to the left by pulling the right side 22d (flange 23d) side backward, using the contact point between the left side 22c (flange 23c) and the left edge wall 30c as a fulcrum. At this time, the two support rods 24 on the upper right side and the lower right side respectively move the spherical end portion 25 from the vicinity of the outer end of the guide groove 31 toward the inner end side while raising the rising angle (projection angle) with respect to the monitor accommodating portion 30. Amount) is increased, and as a result, the two sockets 27 on the upper right side and the lower right side are pushed rearward, whereby the movable monitor 20 is tilted leftward. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the movable monitor 20 is operated up to the maximum leftward tilt angle by pushing the two support rods 24 on the upper right side and the lower right side. In this state, the two spherical bodies on the upper right side and the lower right side are shown. The end 25 is located near the inner end of the corresponding guide groove 31.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the movable monitor 20 is tilted rightward with respect to an axis that is oriented in the vertical direction. The movable monitor 20 is tilted to the right by pulling the left side 22c (flange 23c) side backward, using the contact point between the right side 22d (flange 23d) and the right edge wall 30d as a fulcrum. At this time, the two support rods 24 on the upper left and lower left respectively move the spherical end 25 from the vicinity of the outer end of the guide groove 31 toward the inner end, and the rising angle (projection amount) with respect to the monitor housing 30. ) Is increased, and as a result, the upper left and lower left sockets 27 are pushed rearward, whereby the movable monitor 20 is inclined rightward. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the movable monitor 20 is operated to the maximum rightward tilt angle by pushing out the two support rods 24 on the upper left and lower left sides. In this state, the two spherical ends on the upper left and lower left sides are shown. Reference numeral 25 is located near the inner end of the corresponding guide groove 31.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the movable monitor 20 is tilted downward about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The movable monitor 20 is tilted downward by pulling the upper side 22a side backward, using the contact point between the lower side 22b (flange 23b) and the lower edge wall 30b as a fulcrum. At this time, the two support rods 24 on the upper left and upper right respectively move the spherical end 25 from the vicinity of the outer end of the guide groove 31 toward the inner end, and the rising angle (projection amount) with respect to the monitor housing 30. ) Is increased, and as a result, the upper left and upper right sockets 27 are pushed rearward, whereby the movable monitor 20 tilts downward. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the movable monitor 20 is operated up to the maximum downward tilt angle by pushing out the two support rods 24 on the upper left and upper right sides. In this state, the two spherical ends on the upper left and upper right sides are shown. Reference numeral 25 is located near the inner end of the corresponding guide groove 31.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the movable monitor 20 is tilted upward with respect to an axis that faces in the left-right direction. The movable monitor 20 is tilted upward by pulling the lower side 22b (flange 23b) side backward, using the contact point between the upper side 22a and the upper edge wall 30a as a fulcrum. At this time, the two support rods 24 on the lower left side and the lower right side respectively move the spherical end portion 25 from the vicinity of the outer end of the guide groove 31 toward the inner end side while raising the rising angle (projection) with respect to the monitor accommodating portion 30. Amount) is increased, and as a result, the lower left and lower right sockets 27 are pushed rearward, whereby the movable monitor 20 is tilted upward. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the movable monitor 20 is operated up to the maximum tilt angle upward by pushing out the two lower left and lower right support rods 24, and in this state, two spherical lower left and lower right spheres are shown. The end 25 is located near the inner end of the corresponding guide groove 31.

  In the initial position of the movable monitor 20 in FIG. 1 (the state of being stored in the monitor housing unit 30), the movable monitor 20 is moved by the upper edge wall 30a, the lower edge wall 30b, the left edge wall 30c, and the right edge wall 30d around the monitor housing unit 30. By surrounding the movable monitor 20, the movable monitor 20 can be protected from being carelessly operated by preventing the external monitor from being caught. The low wall 30i formed at the upper end portion (boundary portion with the upper edge wall 30a) of the right edge wall 30d is provided with an operation dial 50 located at the upper right of the movable monitor 20 and a plurality of operation buttons located below the operation dial 50. 51 has a function of improving operability. Specifically, when the grip portion of the camera body 10 is gripped with the right hand, it is assumed that the operation dial 50 and the push buttons (part of the plurality of operation buttons 51) located around the operation dial 50 are operated with the right thumb. You. At this time, since the low wall 30i is located on the locus of the thumb, the thumb smoothly reaches the operation dial 50 without being caught by the high walls (30a, 30b, 30c and 30d) surrounding the monitor accommodating section 30. It will be easier to earn.

  As described above, at the initial position of the movable monitor 20, the movable monitor 20 can be protected by the walls 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d (including the low wall 30i) provided at the positions surrounding the four corners of the movable monitor 20. On the other hand, by forming the concave portions 30e, 30f, 30g and 30h around the monitor accommodating portion 30, the edge of the movable monitor 20 is partially exposed, and the movable monitor 20 can be moved from the initial position as shown in FIGS. Good operability (holding a finger) when the monitor 20 is tilted is also realized. Each of the recesses 30e, 30f, 30g, and 30h is formed corresponding to the central portion of the upper side portion 22a, the lower side portion 22b, the left side portion 22c, and the right side portion 22d of the movable monitor 20; The force for tilting the movable monitor 20 is easily applied.

  FIGS. 2 to 5 show a state in which the movable monitor 20 is tilted to the maximum tilt angle in the up, down, left, and right directions by pushing the support rod 24, but in the middle between the inner end and the outer end of the guide groove 31. By positioning the spherical end portion 25, it is possible to hold the movable monitor 20 at an arbitrary smaller inclination angle. The spherical ends 25 of the support rods 24 are fitted in the corresponding guide grooves 31 in a state where a predetermined friction is given, and when the tilting operation on the movable monitor 20 is stopped halfway, the movable monitor 20 is moved at the angle. Can be held. The maximum tilt angle of the movable monitor 20 can be made larger or smaller than the size shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 by changing the setting of the length of the support rod 24, the length of the guide groove 31, and the like. .

  As shown in FIG. 6, the movable monitor 20 can further rotate the support frame 22 about the tilt shaft 22x with respect to the base plate 23 to increase the upward angle. For example, in the state of FIG. 5, the movable monitor 20 as a whole is directed upward by about 40 degrees with respect to the camera body 10 due to the above-described tilting (first-step tilting) via the support rod 24. In the state of FIG. 6, the support frame 22 and the display device 21 change upward by about 90 degrees with respect to the initial position of FIG. 1 by adding the tilt of the support frame 22 with respect to the base plate 23 (second stage tilt). are doing. Thereby, for example, the movable monitor 20 can be used like a waist level finder. The rotation of the support frame 22 from the state of FIG. 5 to the state of FIG. 6 can be performed by putting a finger on a portion of the support frame 22 that is not covered by the flanges 23b, 23c, and 23d of the base plate 23.

  When the movable monitor 20 is housed in the monitor housing unit 30 close to the camera body 10 (initial position), the movable monitor 20 can tilt about the axis in a specific direction such as the vertical direction or the horizontal direction as described above. it can. The tilt of the movable monitor 20 is referred to as the tilt of the first mode. In addition to the tilting of the first mode, the movable monitor 20 is pulled out from the monitor accommodating portion 30 in the optical axis direction (in the direction along the virtual line O ′ extending the optical axis O) as shown in FIGS. The camera body 10 can be separated from the camera body 10. The operation of pulling out the movable monitor 20 is performed by increasing the rising angles (projection amounts) of the four support rods 24 with respect to the monitor accommodating portion 30. For example, the projecting amounts of the four support rods 24 with respect to the monitor accommodating portion 30 are made substantially equal, so that the movable monitor 20 is not tilted from the initial position in FIG. 1 (while maintaining the reference angle). 7 and FIG.

  In a state in which the movable monitor 20 is pulled out of the monitor accommodating portion 30 and is separated from the camera body 10, the movable monitor 20 includes the upper edge wall 30a, the lower edge wall 30b, the left edge wall 30c and the right edge wall of the monitor accommodating portion 30. It is possible to operate without being restricted by 30d. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, tilting in a free direction that is not limited to the axial center in a specific direction such as the vertical direction or the horizontal direction is possible. For example, the movable monitor 20 is moved obliquely upward to the right in FIG. 8, obliquely downward to the left in FIG. 9, obliquely upward to the left in FIG. 8, and obliquely downward to the right in FIG. 9. It can be tilted, and the angle can be arbitrarily set within a range that each support rod 24 can follow. The freely tiltable movable monitor 20 is referred to as a tilt of the second mode. In a state where the movable monitor 20 is pulled out less than the maximum amount backward, the movable monitor 20 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis O while maintaining the reference angle within a predetermined range that each support rod 24 can follow. You can also make them move.

  In a state where the movable monitor 20 is pulled out to the rear of the monitor accommodating portion 30, as shown in FIG. 10, a virtual line O ′ extending the optical axis O (with respect to the camera body 10) is provided within a range that each support rod 24 can follow. The rotation operation of the movable monitor 20 around an axis (the axis facing the moving and separating direction of the movable monitor 20) is also possible. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the movable monitor 20 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the photographer side, and the movable monitor 20 can be rotated in the opposite clockwise direction. In the present embodiment, since the center of the outer shape of the movable monitor 20 is substantially located on the virtual line O ′ extending the optical axis O, the movable monitor 20 rotates around the center of its own outer shape in the state of FIG. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the virtual line O ′ extending the optical axis O passes through a position different from the center of the outer shape of the movable monitor 20. In this case, the position of the center of the outer shape of the movable monitor 20 does not match the position of the center of rotation.

  As described above, in the camera 1 of the present embodiment, the degree of freedom in setting the position of the movable monitor 20 with respect to the camera body 10 is high. As a first mode of operation of the movable monitor 20, the movable monitor 20 can be tilted in four directions, up, down, left and right, in a state where the movable monitor 20 is at the initial position in the monitor accommodating section 30. As a second mode of operation of the movable monitor 20, in a state where the movable monitor 20 is moved rearward in the optical axis direction from the initial position (in the direction away from the camera body 10), free tilting without any restriction on the direction is possible. Become. The tilt of the movable monitor 20 in the second mode differs from the tilt of the first mode in that the display surface of the display device 21 of the movable monitor 20 does not pass through a reference angle that is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis O, and the tilt is arbitrary. The operability is excellent because the transition can be made directly from one direction to the next tilt direction. In any of the embodiments, when the movable monitor 20 is tilted, the movable monitor 20 falls within a range in which the movable monitor 20 does not protrude from the outer shape of the camera body 10 when viewed in a direction parallel to the optical axis O as shown in FIG. An increase in the size of the camera 1 (particularly, an increase in size in the vertical and horizontal directions perpendicular to the optical axis O) can be prevented.

  The movable monitor 20 can further increase the angle change in a predetermined direction (upward) by rotating the support frame 22 with respect to the base plate 23, and can cope with more various photographing postures.

  When the movable monitor 20 is moved backward from the initial position in the optical axis direction (in a direction away from the camera body 10), rotation around the optical axis O as shown in FIG. The degree of freedom of setting is higher.

  The tilt and rotation of the movable monitor 20 are performed without greatly changing the relative positional relationship between the outer center of the movable monitor 20 and the optical axis O (a virtual line O ′ extending the optical axis O). Since the movable monitor 20 does not greatly deviate from the outer shape of the camera body 10 when viewed along the optical axis O, it is easy to perform composition adjustment and the like. In addition, at the initial position of the movable monitor 20, the movable monitor 20 is housed in the monitor accommodating portion 30 of the camera body 10, and the movable monitor 20 is pulled out from the monitor accommodating portion 30 as necessary. 1 can be reduced in the optical axis direction.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, the movable monitor 20 of the illustrated embodiment increases the upward angle change by the rotation of the support frame 22 with respect to the base plate 23 in addition to the angle change using the four support rods 24. It is also possible to apply the angle change to directions other than upward.

  Although the movable monitor 20 of the illustrated embodiment includes the display device 21 having a horizontally long screen, the present invention is also applicable to a type of imaging apparatus having a display screen having a shape other than a horizontally long screen such as a square. Further, the outer shape of the display screen is not limited to a rectangle, and may be a triangle, a square other than a rectangle, a polygon having five or more vertices, a curved shape having no vertices, or the like.

  The display device 21 is not fixedly mounted on the support frame 22 like the movable monitor 20 of the illustrated embodiment, but a separate display device (for example, a smartphone) is attached to and detached from the support frame 22. Possible types of displays may be employed. As a display device constituting the display unit, any of a display having only a display function and a touch-panel display operated by touching a screen can be adopted.

  Although the camera 1 of the illustrated embodiment is a single-lens reflex camera with an interchangeable lens, the imaging apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this. Can be applied to a video camera or the like that mainly performs the following. In particular, since the camera angle of a moving image is frequently changed during shooting, an image pickup apparatus having a display unit with a high degree of freedom in position setting to which the present invention is applied is effective.

  The present invention relates to a device having an image display unit movable with respect to the main body, as well as an imaging device, a portable electronic device such as a laptop personal computer, a tablet computer, and a smartphone, a car navigation device, and an inspection device such as an oscilloscope. It can be applied to such as.

  The present invention can be widely applied to a technical field having a movable member movably supported with respect to a main body other than an application for image display.

1 camera (imaging device)
10 Camera body (body)
15 Eyepiece window 16 Image sensor 17 Circuit board 18 Flexible board 20 Movable monitor (display unit, movable member)
21 display device 22 support frame (second support step)
22a Upper side 22b Lower side 22c Left side 22d Right side 22x Tilt shaft 23 Base plate (first supporting step)
23a Through hole (positioning hole)
23b 23c 23d Flange 24 Support rod 25 26 Spherical end 27 Socket 30 Monitor accommodating part 30a Upper edge wall (contacted part)
30b Lower edge wall (contacted part)
30c Left edge wall (contacted part)
30d Right edge wall (contacted part)
30e 30f 30g 30h Recess 30i Low wall 31 Guide groove 32 Positioning protrusion 50 Operation dial 51 52 Operation button

Claims (19)

In an imaging apparatus having a main body having an imaging device and a display portion capable of displaying an image obtained by the imaging device and movably supported with respect to the main body,
The display unit is movably supported in the direction of approaching and separating from the main body, and in a state close to the main body, the display unit is centered on an axis in a specific direction substantially orthogonal to the approaching and separating direction with respect to the main body. possible tilting of the first embodiment, in the state of being separated from the main body, wherein the display unit Ri tilting can der direction freely second aspect relative to the body,
A positioning protrusion and a positioning hole are provided on one and the other of the main body and the display unit, and when the display unit is separated from the main body, the positioning protrusion is not inserted into the positioning hole, and the display unit is mounted on the main body. imaging device according to claim Rukoto define the position of the display unit relative to the body the positioning projection in close state is inserted into the positioning hole.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the display unit contacts and separates from the main body is a direction in which an optical axis of a light beam incident on the imaging element is extended.   The display unit performs the tilt of the first aspect in a plurality of directions with reference to a reference angle that makes the display surface substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the light beam incident on the image sensor, and the tilt of the second aspect. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera can perform tilting in different directions without passing through the reference angle.   4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit performs the tilting of the first aspect with a contact point that contacts the main body as a fulcrum. 5.   The display unit has a substantially rectangular outer shape, the main body includes a contacted part to which four sides of the outer shape of the display unit can be respectively contacted, and the display unit is provided on the contacted part. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the tilt of the first aspect is performed in four directions with the four sides abutting on the respective fulcrums.   6. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the display unit performs the tilting of the first and second aspects within a range not protruding from an outer shape of the main body when viewed along an optical axis of a light beam incident on the imaging element. 7. The imaging device according to claim 1.   The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display unit is movable in a rotation direction around an axis facing the contact / separation direction while being separated from the main body.   The display unit includes a first support step that can be tilted with respect to the main body, and a second support step that increases a tilt angle in at least one direction with respect to the first support step. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: In an imaging apparatus having a main body having an imaging device and a display portion capable of displaying an image obtained by the imaging device and movably supported with respect to the main body,
The display unit includes a first support step that can be tilted with respect to the main body, and a second support step that increases a tilt angle in at least one direction with respect to the first support step. ,
The main body and the first support step have positioning protrusions and positioning holes on one and the other, and the positioning protrusions are not inserted into the positioning holes when the first support step is separated from the main body. the imaging apparatus of the first support step portion is characterized Rukoto define the position of the first support step portion relative to the body the positioning projection in a state of close is inserted into the positioning hole in the body.   10. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a magnet in the positioning projection, wherein the display unit is held by the main body by a magnetic force of the magnet when the positioning projection is inserted into the positioning hole. 11. Imaging device. In the support mechanism for movably supporting the movable member with respect to the main body,
The movable member is movably supported in the direction of contacting and separating with respect to the main body, and in a state approaching the main body, the movable member is centered on an axis in a specific direction substantially orthogonal to the contacting and separating direction with respect to the main body. possible tilting of the first embodiment, in the state of being separated from the body, said movable member Ri tilting can der direction freely second aspect relative to the body,
The main body and the movable member have a positioning protrusion and a positioning hole on one and the other, and when the movable member is separated from the main body, the positioning protrusion is not inserted into the positioning hole, and the movable member is attached to the main body. the support mechanism of the movable member to which the positioning projection in close state is characterized Rukoto define the position of the movable member with respect to the main body is inserted into the positioning hole. The movable member can perform the tilt of the first aspect in a plurality of directions with reference to a reference angle, and the tilt of the second aspect can perform the tilt in different directions without passing through the reference angle. The support mechanism for a movable member according to claim 11, wherein The movable member support mechanism according to claim 11 or 12 , wherein the movable member performs the tilting of the first aspect with a contact point contacting the main body as a fulcrum. The movable member has a substantially rectangular outer shape, the main body has a contacted portion to which four sides of the outer shape of the movable member can be respectively contacted, and the movable member has 14. The movable member support mechanism according to claim 13 , wherein the tilting of the first aspect is performed in four directions with the four sides abutting on the respective fulcrums. The support mechanism for a movable member according to any one of claims 11 to 14 , wherein the movable member is movable in a rotation direction about an axis facing the contact / separation direction while being separated from the main body. The movable member has a first support step that can be tilted with respect to the main body, and a second support step that increases the tilt angle in at least one direction with respect to the first support step. The support mechanism for a movable member according to any one of claims 11 to 15 , wherein: In the support mechanism for movably supporting the movable member with respect to the main body,
A first support step that can be tilted with respect to the main body, and a second support step that increases a tilt angle in at least one direction with respect to the first support step; Changing the position of the movable member with respect to the main body by the operation of the supporting step and the second supporting step;
The main body and the first support step have positioning protrusions and positioning holes on one and the other, and the positioning protrusions are not inserted into the positioning holes when the first support step is separated from the main body. , of the movable member to which the first support step portion is characterized Rukoto define the position of the first support step portion relative to the body the positioning projection in a state of close is inserted into the positioning hole in the body Support mechanism. The support mechanism for a movable member according to any one of claims 11 to 17 , wherein the movable member is a display unit that displays an image based on a signal sent from the main body. The magnet according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the positioning protrusion has a magnet, and when the positioning protrusion is inserted into the positioning hole, the movable member is held on the main body by a magnetic force of the magnet. A support mechanism for the movable member.

Images