The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2005-032571, filed on Feb. 9, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a digital camera and a handheld gaming device using a recording medium such as a memory card and a battery.
An electronic device such as a digital camera and a handheld gaming device uses a recording medium (hereafter referred to as a memory card) as mentioned above and a battery. The electronic device has a recording medium mounting unit (hereafter referred to as a memory card mounting unit) to house the memory card and a battery mounting unit to house the battery. The memory card mounting unit houses the memory card and the battery mounting unit houses the battery (e.g., JP-A No. 276418/1994).
The electronic device in the past is provided with the memory card mounting unit and the battery mounting unit in the chassis. A large part of space is used for the memory card mounting unit and the battery mounting unit, making it difficult to miniaturize and thin the chassis (as thin as a card).
There is a need for miniaturizing and thinning the chassis (as thin as a card) by devising the arrangement of the recording medium mounting unit, the battery mounting unit, a printed wiring board, and the like, and for improving the usability of the electronic device.
The electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a flat chassis (housing) that contains a recording medium mounting unit (accommodating section) and a battery mounting unit. One of the recording medium mounting unit and the battery mounting unit is positioned approximately at the center of the chassis. The other mounting unit is positioned to one side of the mounting unit disposed approximately at the center of the chassis. An opening of the mounting unit positioned approximately at the center of the chassis is provided on a first end face of the chassis. An opening of the other mounting unit is provided on a second end face of the chassis continuous with the first end face of the chassis. More specifically, the recording medium mounting unit is arranged approximately at the center of the chassis. The battery mounting unit is arranged to one side of the recording medium mounting unit. A main circuit board is arranged in the chassis so as to overlap with the recording medium mounting unit.
A battery contact terminal is provided at one side of the main circuit board and between the recording medium mounting unit and the battery mounting unit. The battery contact terminal contacts a terminal of a battery mounted in the battery mounting unit.
A divider plate is used to divide an inside of the chassis into first, second, and third parts mounting spaces. The first parts mounting space is positioned between the divider plate and the first principal plane of the chassis. The second parts mounting space is positioned between the divider plate and the second principal plane of the chassis. The third parts mounting space is free from the divider plate.
The first parts mounting space contains the recording medium mounting unit, the battery mounting unit, and the main circuit board. The first parts mounting space further contains a capacitor, an AF illuminator, and a flash unit that form a strobe unit.
The capacitor is arranged between the battery mounting unit and a fourth end face of the chassis opposite the first end face. The AF illuminator and the flash unit are arranged between the recording medium mounting unit and the fourth end face of the chassis. A liquid crystal panel is arranged in the second parts mounting space. A lens unit is arranged in the third parts mounting space.
The lens unit includes an imaging lens arranged to a side of the flash unit and the AF illuminator. An iris driving unit is provided on one side of the lens unit. At least part of the iris driving unit projects into the first parts mounting space.
The main circuit board and the recording medium mounting unit are provided with a cutout to accommodate at least part of the iris driving unit. The iris driving unit is displaced so as to project toward the first principal plane of the chassis from the lens unit. The bottom of the iris driving unit is provided with a panel support hole for receiving one end of the liquid crystal panel.
The first principal plane of the chassis is provided with a protrusion guide hole for receiving a portion of the iris driving unit protruding toward the first principal plane of the chassis.
One end of the divider plate is positioned toward the second end face of the chassis. The other end thereof is positioned toward the fourth end face of the chassis through a pair of arms.
A strap fitting is provided on the outside of the second end face of the chassis having the opening for the battery mounting unit. The second end face of the chassis and the strap fitting may be integrally formed by means of aluminum die casting.
One of the recording medium mounting unit and the battery mounting unit is positioned approximately at the center of the chassis. The other mounting unit is positioned to one side of the mounting unit disposed approximately at the center of the chassis. An opening of the mounting unit arranged approximately at the center of the chassis is provided on a first end face of the chassis. An opening of the other mounting unit is provided on a second end face of the chassis continuous with the first end face. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the same end face from having multiple openings. In addition, a recording medium (memory card) and a battery can be inserted into the corresponding mounting units from different directions that form an angle of approximately 90°.
Generally, a battery is heavier than a recording medium. The battery may fall out of the battery mounting unit due to its own weight when the battery mounting unit is arranged approximately at the center of the chassis and the mounting unit's opening is provided in the bottom end face as the first end face of the chassis. To solve this problem, the battery is inserted from an opening provided in a side end face of the chassis as the second end face of the chassis. This prevents the battery from falling out of the opening due to its own weight. Further, a memory card lighter than the battery is mounted in the recording medium mounting unit provided at the center of the chassis. This decreases possibilities where the recording medium may fall out of the opening due to its weight.
The main circuit board is provided so as to overlap with the mounting unit approximately at the center of the chassis. The main circuit board is accordingly arranged approximately at the center of the chassis. This facilitates connection between the main circuit board and its peripheral parts.
The battery contact terminal is provided at one side of the main circuit board and between the recording medium mounting unit and the battery mounting unit. When a battery is inserted into the battery mounting unit, a terminal at the end of the battery can contact the battery contact terminal on the one side of the main circuit board.
The divider plate is used to divide the inside of the chassis into first, second, and third parts mounting spaces. The first parts mounting space is positioned between the divider plate and the first principal plane of the chassis. The second parts mounting space is positioned between the divider plate and the second principal plane of the chassis. The third parts mounting space is free from the divider plate. In this manner, the respective parts can be orderly arranged in the first to third parts mounting spaces.
The first parts mounting space contains the recording medium mounting unit, the battery mounting unit, the main circuit board, and the strobe unit. Accordingly, the main circuit board can connect with the strobe unit and the like in the first parts mounting space. More specifically, the strobe unit's capacitor is arranged using a free space between the battery mounting unit and the fourth end face of the chassis opposite the first end face of the chassis. The AF illuminator and the flash unit forming the strobe unit are arranged using a free space between the battery mounting unit and the fourth end face of the chassis. In this manner, the various parts can be effectively arranged without leaving unused space in the narrow chassis. The liquid crystal panel is arranged in the second parts mounting space. The rear (bottom) of the liquid crystal panel is supported by the divider plate. This prevents the liquid crystal panel from being deformed even when its obverse is pressed.
As mentioned above, the divider plate forms a boundary between the first and second parts mounting spaces. To one side of the divider plate, the first parts mounting space contains the recording medium mounting unit, the battery mounting unit, the main circuit board, and the like. To the other side of the divider plate, the second parts mounting space contains the liquid crystal panel. The third parts mounting space contains the lens unit. The third parts mounting space is free from the divider plate and provides the largest space between the first and second principal planes of the chassis. Accordingly, the third parts mounting space can contain the lens unit that is the thickest of the other parts mounted in the chassis. The liquid crystal panel and the lens unit are arranged without overlapping with each other.
The iris driving unit protrudes from one side of the lens unit. At least part of the iris driving unit projects into the first parts mounting space. The lens unit requires the iris driving unit. The iris driving unit necessarily becomes wider than the lens unit. When the lens unit is designed in accordance with the width of the iris driving unit, the width of the lens unit becomes larger as a whole. To solve this problem, at least part of the iris driving unit protrudes from one side of the lens unit and projects into the first parts mounting space. This eliminates the need to design the lens unit in accordance with the width of the iris driving unit. The main circuit board and the recording medium mounting unit are provided with a cutout to accommodate at least part of the iris driving unit that protrudes from one side of the lens unit. The iris driving unit can be introduced into the cutout. This makes it possible to arrange the main circuit board, the recording medium mounting unit, and the lens unit as closely as possible to each other.
The iris driving unit is displaced so as to project toward the first principal plane of the chassis from the lens unit. The bottom of the iris driving unit is provided with a panel support hole for receiving one end of the liquid crystal panel. The one end of the liquid crystal panel is introduced into the panel support hole. This makes it possible to arrange the liquid crystal panel and the lens unit as closely as possible to each other. The first principal plane of the chassis is provided with a protrusion guide hole for receiving the portion of the iris driving unit protruding toward the first principal plane of the chassis. The portion protruding toward the first principal plane is introduced into the protrusion guide hole and protrudes to the outside of the first principal plane through the protrusion guide hole. This prevents the entire chassis from being thickened.
One end of the divider plate is positioned toward the second end face of the chassis. The other end of the divider plate is positioned toward the fourth end face of the chassis through a pair of arms. This prevents the divider plate from bending toward the first principal plane of the chassis or the first principal plane from changing the capacity of the first or second parts mounting space. The strap fitting for attaching a strap is provided on the outside of the second end face of the chassis provided with the opening for the battery mounting unit. The strap fitting can be used as a grip to easily hold the camera body. The strap fitting contacts the battery cover when opened. The battery cover opens or closes the opening of the battery mounting unit. In this manner, the strap fitting restricts the angle with which the battery cover is opened and protects the battery cover.
The second end face of the chassis and the strap fitting may be integrally formed by means of aluminum die casting. This eliminates the need for assembling the strap fitting to the second end face of the chassis. Further, the strap fitting's thickness or shape can be easily changed, for example, in such a manner that the strap fitting is thickened at its root and is tapered toward the end.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
The following describes the electronic device according to the present invention in the order of: (1) Overall construction of the electronic device; (2) Construction of the camera body; (3) Construction of the barrier; (4) Construction of the roller; (5) Construction of the barrier slide guide; (6) Construction of the toggle spring; (7) Construction of the memory card mounting unit's cover; (8) Construction of the battery mounting unit's cover; (9) Construction of the battery release lever; (10) Construction of the strap fitting; and (11) Other embodiments.
(1) Overall Construction of the Electronic Device
The digital camera 1 has a flat, rectangular parallelepipedic camera body 2. On its first principal plane 3, there are provided an imaging lens 4, an AF illuminator 5 for emitting auto-focus assist light, and a flash unit 6.
The iris driving mechanism 184 partially protrudes and is hidden by the barrier 7 at the first position as shown in
The barrier is approximately rectangularly formed. Its four corners are provided with first through fourth rollers 11 through 14 that touch the first principal plane 3 of the camera body 2. Along the moving direction, both sides of the barrier 7 are provided with a pair of first and second barrier slide guides 15 and 16. The barrier 7 uses the first through fourth rollers 11 through 14 and the first and second barrier slide guides 15 and 16 to move between the first and second positions on the first principal plane 3 of the camera body 2.
As will be described in detail in the section about the construction of the camera body, the first barrier slide guide 15 is composed of a first barrier engager 25 and a first barrier engaging unit 91. The first barrier engager 25 is provided on the camera body 2. The rail-shaped first barrier engaging unit 91 is provided on the barrier and slidably catches the first barrier engager 25. Similarly to the first barrier slide guide 15, the second barrier slide guide 16 is composed of a second barrier engager 26 and a second barrier engaging unit 92. The second barrier engager 26 is provided on the camera body 2. The rail-shaped second barrier engaging unit 92 is provided on the barrier and slidably catches the second barrier engager 26.
As shown in
As shown in
When a battery is inserted into the battery mounting unit 69, the battery's end face presses the battery ejection spring 161. The battery ejection spring 161 accumulates force. When the battery is placed in the battery mounting unit 69, the terminal on the battery's end face contacts with the battery contact terminal 112 provided inside the battery mounting unit 69. The end of the battery release lever 71 is used to press the rear of the battery to prevent the battery from being inadvertently removed from the battery mounting unit 69.
The battery can be removed from the battery mounting unit 69 using the battery release lever 71 to release the stop on the rear of the battery. The battery is pushed out of the battery mounting unit 69 for a specified amount due to the spring force of the battery ejection spring 161.
(2) Construction of the Camera Body
The camera body is constructed by assembling various parts on the chassis 8. As shown in
The third end face (top end face) of the chassis 8 is formed by aligning a second edge 9b of the top cover plate 9 to a second edge 10b of the bottom cover plate 10 (see
The fourth end face 75 is orthogonal to the top and bottom cover plates 9 and 10 whose ends 9d and 10d are opened to mount the second end face (to the right of a user during normal use of the camera) 68 of the chassis 8.
The chassis' second end face 68 is formed by aluminum die casting or plastic injection molding to form an opening 69a (see
One side of the divider plate 171 is positioned to the inside of the second end face 68. The other side of the divider plate 171 is provided with first and second arms 172 and 173. The second end face 68 and the first and second arms 172 and 173 position the divider plate 171 between and approximately parallel to the first principal plane 3 and the second principal plane 51. As shown in
As shown in
The battery mounting unit 69 is provided inside the first principal plane 3 of the top cover plate 9. The battery mounting unit 69 is shaped in a flat, approximately rectangular cylinder. A battery can be inserted through the opening 69a in one end adjacent to the second end face 68 of the chassis 8. When the top cover plate 9 is assembled onto the divider plate 171, the battery mounting unit 69 is positioned above the divider plate 171.
The main circuit board 181 is attached so as to be placed on the memory card mounting unit 66. The memory card mounting unit 66 has an opening 66a positioned approximately at the center of a first end face 65 of the chassis 8. One side of the memory card mounting unit 66 is provided with the battery contact terminal 112. The battery contact terminal 112 faces toward an opening 69b at the end of the battery mounting unit 69. When the battery 111 is mounted in the battery mounting unit 69 through the opening 69a of the battery mounting unit 69, a power supply terminal 111a of the battery 111 contacts with the battery contact terminal 112 on one side of the memory card mounting unit 66.
The AF illuminator 5 and the strobe flash unit 6 are placed between the memory card mounting unit 66 and the third end face 61 of the chassis 8. The capacitor 179 is placed between the battery mounting unit 69 and the third end face 61 of the chassis 8.
The second parts mounting space 175 contains a liquid crystal panel 182. The rear of the liquid crystal panel 182 is supported on the divider plate 171. The display surface of the liquid crystal panel 182 is revealed to the outside through the transparent liquid crystal display window 52 provided on the second principal plane 51 of the bottom cover plate 10 of the chassis 8.
A lens unit 183 is placed in the third parts mounting space 176. The lens unit 183 provides an optical system in the vertical direction. The lens unit 183 uses a long and thin lens equipped with an optical zoom using a prism to bend an optical axis. The imaging lens 4 is provided at one end of the lens unit 183. The imaging lens 4 may be positioned to the chassis' third end face 61, i.e., to the side of the AP illuminator 5. In this state, the lens unit 183 is contained in the third parts mounting space 176.
One side of the lens unit 183 is provided with an iris driving unit 184. At least part of the iris driving unit 184 enters the first parts mounting space 174. At least part of the iris driving unit 184 is displaced (protruded) toward the first principal plane 3 of the chassis 8. As shown in
As shown in
The iris driving unit 184 is displaced toward the first principal plane 3 of the chassis 8. As shown in
A base plate 21 is attached under the imaging lens 4, the AF illuminator 5, and the flash unit 6. The base plate 21 has a first opening 22 that contains part of the iris driving unit 184. The base plate 21 has a second opening 23 that is provided with a switch operation unit 24. The switch operation unit 24 is used to manipulate a barrier position detection switch (not shown) provided in the chassis 2. The barrier position detection switch is used to detect whether the barrier 7 is situated at the first position or the second position. Both sides of the base plate 21 are provided with a pair of first and second barrier engagers 25 and 26 that construct the first and second barrier slide guides 15 and 16.
As shown in the exploded perspective view of
The switch operation unit 24 is formed by bending a leaf spring like a dogleg. One side of the switch operation unit 24 is provided with an attaching base 34 to attach the switch operation unit 24 to the base plate 23. The attaching base 34 is provided with multiple boss inserting holes 35 to insert bosses 33 provided on the first barrier engager 31.
The switch operation unit 24 is attached to the first barrier engager attaching portion 31 when the switch operation unit 24 is inserted into the second opening 23 and the multiple bosses 33 are inserted into the multiple boss inserting holes 35 on the attaching base 34.
The first barrier engager 25 is formed by bending a metal plate. One side of the first barrier engager 25 is provided with an attaching base 41 to attach the first barrier engager 25 to the base plate 21. The attaching base 41 is provided with multiple boss inserting holes 42 to fit the bosses 33 provided on the first barrier engager attaching portion 31.
As mentioned above, the bosses 33 on the first barrier engager attaching portion 31 are inserted into the boss inserting holes 35 in the attaching base 34 of the first barrier engager attaching portion 31. The bosses 33 are inserted into the boss inserting holes 42 in the attaching base 41. The tip of the boss 33 is caulked to enlarge the diameter. In this manner, the first barrier engager 25 is attached to the first barrier engager attaching portion 31 while the attaching base 34 of the switch operation unit 26 is sandwiched between the first barrier engager 25 and the first principal plane 3 of the chassis 2. Multiple positioning bosses 43 are provided on the attaching base 41 of the first barrier engager 25.
The positioning boss 43 is used when the first barrier engager 25 is attached to the first barrier engager attaching portion 31. At this time, the positioning boss 43 fits into the boss inserting hole 44 in the base plate 23 to position the first barrier engager 25. The attaching base 41 of the first barrier engager 25 is provided with a first spring locking portion 45 to lock one end of the toggle spring 17.
The second barrier engager 26 is formed by bending a metal plate similarly to the first barrier engager 25. One side of the second barrier engager 26 is provided with an attaching base 46 to attach the second barrier engager 26 to the base plate 23. The attaching base 46 is provided with multiple boss inserting holes 47 to fit the bosses 33 provided on the second barrier engager attaching portion 32.
The bosses 33 on the second barrier engager attaching portion 32 are inserted into the boss inserting holes 52 in the attaching base 46. The tip of the boss 33 is caulked to enlarge the diameter. In this manner, the second barrier engager 26 is attached to the second barrier engager attaching portion 32. A positioning boss is provided for the attaching base 46 of the second barrier engager 26. The positioning boss 48 is used when the second barrier engager 26 is attached to the second barrier engager attaching portion 32. At this time, the positioning boss 48 fits into the boss inserting hole 49 in the second barrier engager attaching portion 32 to position the second barrier engager 26. The first opening 22 in the base plate 21 is covered with an iris cover sheet 50 to prevent dust and the like from entering the chassis 2 through the first opening 22. As shown in
(3) Construction of the Barrier
As shown in
The inside portion 81 has an approximately rectangular cutout window 86. The metal plate 83 is attached so as to fit to the cutout window 86. There are formed the switch operation unit pressing portion 82 and a tongue 88 that are cut out and are raised from the metal plate 82. The tongue 88 has a second spring locking portion 87 that locks one end of the toggle spring 17. The other end of the toggle spring 17 is fastened to the first spring locking portion 45 provided on the attaching base 41 of the first barrier engager 25.
The periphery of the metal plate 83 has multiple boss inserting holes 89. These boss inserting holes 89 engage with bosses 90 around the cutout window 86 of the inside portion 81. The tips of these bosses 90 are caulked to enlarge the diameters. In this manner, the metal plate 83 is attached to the inside portion 81.
Four corners of the inside portion 81 are provided with first through fourth rollers 11 through 14 that contact with the first principal plane 3 of the chassis 2. In terms of the moving direction, both sides of the inside portion 81 are provided with first and second rail-shaped barrier engaging units 91 and 92. The barrier engaging units 91 and 92 engage with the first and second barrier engagers 25 and 26 attached to the base plate 21.
The first barrier engaging unit 91 is formed along one side of a first long hole 93 formed at one side of the inside portion 81. The second barrier engaging unit 92 is formed along another side of a second long hole 94 formed at another side of the inside portion 81. The first and second barrier engagers 27 and 28 and the first and second rail-shaped barrier engaging units 91 and 92 construct the first and second barrier slide guides 15 and 16.
(4) Construction of the Roller
As shown in
An approximately horseshoe-shaped clip 98 is attached to the side of each of the first to fourth roller receptacles 97 that rotatably mount the first to fourth rollers 11 to 14. The approximately horseshoe-shaped clips 98 prevent the first to fourth rollers 11 to 14 from slipping out of the first to fourth roller receptacles 97. A cutout window 98b is provided in a pair of opposite sides 98a of the approximately horseshoe-shaped clip 98. The cutout window 98b exposes part of the disk-shaped roller body 95.
When the inside portion 81 overlaps with the first principal plane 3 of the chassis 2, the first to fourth rollers 11 to 14 contact with the first principal plane 3 of the chassis 2.
(5) Construction of the Barrier Slide Guide
The barrier slide guide guides the movement of the barrier 7. As shown in
The first barrier slide guide 15 is constructed by engaging the first barrier engager 25 on the chassis 2 with the first rail-shaped barrier engaging unit 91 on the inside portion 81. The second barrier slide guide 16 is constructed by engaging the second barrier engager 26 on the chassis 2 with the second rail-shaped barrier engaging unit 92 on the inside portion 81.
The first barrier engaging unit 91 engages with the first barrier engager 25 through the first long hole 93 formed at one side of the inside portion 81. The first barrier engaging unit 91 gently presses the first to fourth rollers 11 to 14 against the principal plane 3 of the chassis 2. The second barrier engaging unit 92 engages with the second barrier engager 28 through the second long hole 94 formed at the other side of the inside portion 81. The second barrier engaging unit 92 gently presses the first to fourth rollers 11 to 14 against the principal plane 3 of the chassis 2. Along one sides of the first and second long holes 93 and 94, the barrier 7 moves to the first position to expose the imaging lens or to the second position to hide the imaging lens.
As shown in
(6) Construction of the Toggle Spring
When the barrier 7 is moved to the first position, the toggle spring 17 presses the first and second barrier engagers 25 and 26 against the first stopper 18 to keep the barrier opening. When the barrier 7 is moved to the second position, the toggle spring 17 presses the first and second barrier engagers 25 and 26 against the second stopper 19 to keep the barrier closing.
As shown in
The first arm 17b of the toggle spring 17 is rotatably fastened to the first spring locking portion 45 on the attaching base 41 of the first barrier engager 25. The second arm 17c of the toggle spring 17 is rotatably fastened to the second spring locking portion 87 on a cutout piece 88 of the metal plate 83 (see
As shown in
(7) Construction of the Memory Card Mounting Unit's Cover (Memory Card Cover)
The memory card cover 67 opens or closes the opening of the memory card mounting unit 66. As shown in the sectional view of
The cover rotating mechanism 143 is used to attach the memory card cover 67 to the chassis 2. The memory card cover 67 is rotatably attached to the chassis 2 between a first position (
The cover rotating mechanism 143 is composed of a pivot 144 of the memory card cover 67, a long slot-shaped bearing 145, a rack 146, and a pinion 147. The long slot-shaped bearing 145 movably attaches the pivot 144 to the chassis 2. When the memory card cover 67 is opened or closed, the pivot 144 rotates. The rack 146 and the pinion 147 move the rotating pivot 144 along the long slot-shaped bearing 145.
The pivot 144 is provided to the memory card cover 67. The long slot-shaped bearing 145 is provided to the chassis 2. The pinion 147 is provided on the outside peripheral surface pivot 144. The rack 146 is provided along the direction of moving the pivot in the long slot-shaped bearing 145.
The long slot-shaped bearing 145 is provided approximately parallel to insertion direction A or ejection direction B of the memory card 148 to or from the memory card mounting unit 66. Closing the memory card cover 67 moves the pivot 144 inside the long slot-shaped bearing 145 in insertion direction A of the memory card 148. Opening the memory card cover 67 moves the pivot 144 inside the long slot-shaped bearing 145 in ejection direction B of the memory card 148.
As shown in
The click mechanism 151 is composed of a click shaft 152 and a spring (leaf spring) 153. The click shaft 152 is provided to the memory card cover 67 and rotates with the rotation of the memory card cover 67. The spring 153 is provided to the chassis 2 and contacts with the peripheral surface of the click shaft 152. The peripheral surface of the click shaft 152 is provided with first and second spring contact surfaces 154 and 155 continuously formed along the rotation direction of the click shaft 152. The first spring contact surface 154 allows the spring 153 to generate a force to press the pivot 144 toward the end of the long slot-shaped bearing 145 in insertion direction A of the memory card 148. The second spring contact surface 155 allows the spring 153 to generate a force to press the pivot 144 toward the end of the long slot-shaped bearing 145 in insertion direction B of the memory card 148.
There is a boundary 156 between the first and second spring contact surfaces 154 and 155. The boundary 156 provides a neutral position that allows the spring 153 to generate no force to rotate the click shaft 152. A radial distance between center C of the click shaft 152 and the boundary 156 is larger than a radial distance between center C of the click shaft 152 and the first or second spring contact surface 154 or 155.
In the above-mentioned construction, the memory card cover 67 according to the embodiment may be closed. In this state, the outside surface of the memory card cover 67 is approximately level with the outside surface of the chassis 2 as shown in
(8) Construction of the Battery Mounting Unit's Cover (Battery Cover)
As shown in
The battery cover 70 is rotatably attached to the chassis 2 by means of a shaft 101. When rotated clockwise around the shaft 101 as shown in
As shown in
When the battery cover 70 is closed as shown in
(9) Construction of the Battery Release Lever
As shown in
As shown in
After the battery 111 is placed in the battery mounting unit 69, the battery release lever 71 may be freed from being slid back. Due to a spring force of the spring 108, the battery release lever 71 automatically returns to a position to partially close the opening 69a of the battery mounting unit 69. In this manner, the battery release lever 71 prevents the battery 111 from being removed from the battery mounting unit 69. As shown in
When the battery cover 70 is kept closed, there may be a possibility of sliding back the battery release lever 71. When the battery release lever is inadvertently slid back, the battery 111 may be pushed out of the battery mounting unit 69 due to a spring force of the battery contact terminal 112 at the inside end of the battery mounting unit and due to a spring force of the battery ejection spring. When the battery 111 is slightly pushed out, the presence of the battery cover 70 may make it unclear that the battery 111 is incompletely mounted in the battery mounting unit 69.
To solve this problem, as shown in
The battery 111 can be removed from the battery mounting unit 69 by opening the battery cover 70 and then sliding back the battery release lever 71 against the force applied from the spring 108. Sliding back the battery release lever 71 releases the battery ill from being seated. As shown in
After the battery 111 is pushed out due to the spring force of the battery contact terminal 112, the battery release lever 71 may be moved to the battery 111. As shown in
(10) Construction of the Strap Fitting
The strap fitting 72 is used to attach a wrist strap, a neck strap, and the like for safety. In addition, a user may feel it easy to hold the chassis 2 when he or she places his or her thumb or the like on the strap fitting 72.
As shown in
As shown in
Pressing the disengaging button 128 removes the multi-connector 121 from the camera 1. As shown in
As mentioned above, the multi-connector 121 is constructed to engage with the strap fitting 72. This structure provides the following effect compared to a structure that does not allow the multi-connector to engage with the strap fitting. For example, a cord connected to the multi-connector 121 may be pulled to apply a large force. In such case, the force is not directly applied to a connector connecting portion, making it possible to protect the connector or the terminal.
(11) Other Embodiments
According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the memory card mounting unit 66 is provided at the center of the camera body 2. The memory card 148 is mounted or dismounted from the opening 66a in the bottom end face 65 of the camera body 2. The battery mounting unit 69 is provided orthogonally to the memory card mounting unit 66. The battery 111 is mounted or dismounted from the opening 69a in the side end face 68 of the camera body 2. According to another construction, the battery mounting unit may be provided at the center of the camera body 2. The battery 111 may be mounted or dismounted from the opening 69a in the bottom end face 65 of the camera body 2. The memory card mounting unit 66 may be provided orthogonally to the battery mounting unit 69. The memory card 148 may be mounted or dismounted from the opening 66a in the side end face 68 of the camera body 2. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the digital camera has been described as an example of electronic devices. The present invention can be broadly applied to small electronic devices that use memory cards and batteries. For example, such electronic devices include not only imaging apparatuses such as the digital camera, but also cellular phones and handheld gaming machines.
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
P2005-032571 | Feb 2005 | JP | national |