JP2024117293A - Switch device, lens device, and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch device advantageous in terms of achieving both a reduction in the thickness of an apparatus body including the switch device and operability of a slide switch.

SOLUTION: A switch device has: an exterior member; an operating member that is provided on an outer peripheral part of the exterior member slidably in a circumferential direction of the exterior member; a printed circuit board member that is provided on an inner peripheral part of the exterior member; a first urging member that is provided on the inner peripheral part of the exterior member and urged against the print circuit board member; and a second urging member that is different from the first urging member, provided on the inner peripheral part of the exterior member, and urged against the exterior member. The second urging member has a first urging part and a second urging part provided extending in an operation direction of the operating member. The first urging member and the second urging member are integrally fixed to the operating member.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a switch device that is applied to electric/electronic devices and optical devices, and to a lens device and an imaging device that are equipped with a switch device.

Some lens barrels, which are circular optical devices, have slide switches on the exterior for switching between functions such as autofocus and image stabilization.

Patent document 1 discloses a rotational position detection device that is provided in an electronic device such as a digital camera, and that sets the shooting mode and other items by rotating a rotation operation member.

Patent No. 6395348

However, in the position detection device disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the click part that determines the click feeling and load when switching modes is made of the same material as the brush. As a result, there is a possibility that a sufficient load cannot be obtained, resulting in unintended switching. If an attempt is made to increase the switching load, the contact pressure of the brush, which is made of the same material, also increases, making the signal pattern more susceptible to wear. If an attempt is made to reduce the contact pressure, the length to the brush contact part becomes longer, resulting in an increase in the size of the device, which is an issue.

The object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that is advantageous in that it achieves both a slim device body that includes the switch device and the operability of the slide switch.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention has an exterior member, an operating member provided on the outer periphery of the exterior member so as to be slidable in the circumferential direction of the exterior member, a printed circuit board member provided on the inner periphery of the exterior member, a first biasing member provided on the inner periphery of the exterior member and biased against the printed circuit board member, and a second biasing member separate from the first biasing member and provided on the inner periphery of the exterior member and biased against the exterior member, the second biasing member having a first biasing portion and a second biasing portion extending in the operating direction of the operating member, and the first biasing member and the second biasing member being fixed integrally to the operating member.

The present invention provides a switch device that is advantageous in that it achieves both a slim device body that includes the switch device and the operability of the slide switch.

1 is a perspective view of an interchangeable lens 100 equipped with a slide switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the interchangeable lens 100 of FIG. 1 on the XY plane. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the changeover switch 110. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining positional deviation between a brush 120a and a signal pattern. 1 is an enlarged view of a portion including a contact portion 125 and a shaft portion 114 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an imaging device 300.

Below, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts will be designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

<Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interchangeable lens 100 equipped with a slide switch (switch device) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view on the XY plane of the interchangeable lens 100 of FIG. 1. Here, the interchangeable lens 100 as a lens device will be described as an example, but the slide switch according to the present embodiment is useful for optical devices such as video cameras and digital cameras having an optical drive mechanism. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the interchangeable lens 100 adopts a one-group configuration as an example of an imaging optical system. The interchangeable lens 100 contains an imaging optical system 101 that forms an image of a subject by focusing light from the subject. In the interchangeable lens 100 of the present embodiment, the imaging optical system 101 is configured to advance and retreat in the direction of the optical axis O as a focus group, but is not limited to this. For example, some lenses may not be movable but may be fixed.

The interchangeable lens 100 includes a focus drive unit 102, a cam ring 103, a linear guide tube 104, a fixed tube 105, and a lens mount 106. The linear guide tube 104 is a fixed part that is fixed to the lens mount 106 via the fixed tube 105. A bayonet claw (not shown) is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the linear guide tube 104. Meanwhile, a circumferential groove is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring 103. The cam ring 103 rotates around the optical axis O by the engagement of the bayonet claw and the circumferential groove. In addition, the linear guide tube 104 is formed with a linear guide groove that restricts the movement of the imaging optical system 101, which is the focus group, in the rotational direction and guides the linear movement in the direction of the optical axis O. Furthermore, the cam ring 103 is formed with a cam groove that has a locus of a certain angle in the rotational direction. The focus group is provided with a plurality of cam followers, and the plurality of cam followers engage with the corresponding linear guide grooves and cam grooves. The focus drive unit 102 is gear-coupled to the cam ring 103, and transmits the driving force of the focus drive unit 102 to the cam ring 103. The driving force transmitted from the focus drive unit 102 rotates the cam ring 103, and the cam follower moves the focus group forward and backward in the direction of the optical axis O by engaging the linear guide groove with the cam groove.

The interchangeable lens 100 also includes an aperture unit 107. The aperture unit 107 adjusts the amount of light by driving an aperture drive unit (not shown).

A ring-shaped operation ring 108 that can be rotated around the optical axis O by user operation is arranged on the outer circumference of the fixed barrel 105 on the subject side. In other words, the operation ring 108 can be rotated in the circumferential direction. The outer circumference of the operation ring 108 is provided with a knurled shape to prevent the user's hand from slipping when operating it. An exterior ring 109 is arranged on the outside of the fixed barrel 105 near the lens mount 106 as an exterior member.

A changeover switch 110 serving as a switching device is disposed on the surface of the exterior ring 109. The changeover switch 110 is a switch for switching the operational functions of the operation ring 108. The user can manually move the operation knob portion 113 of the changeover switch 110 clockwise or counterclockwise around the optical axis O. That is, the operation knob portion 113 is provided as an operating member on the outer periphery of the exterior member so as to be slidable in the circumferential direction of the exterior member.

When the user moves the operation knob 113 of the changeover switch 110 in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction, the operation ring 108 is set to a focus ring function. When the user moves the operation knob 113 in a counterclockwise direction and places the operation knob 113 in a first position, the camera enters an autofocus mode. In the autofocus mode, the user can focus on a subject by moving the focus group forward and backward in the direction of the optical axis O without operating the operation ring 108. On the other hand, when the operation knob 113 is moved in a clockwise direction and placed in a second position, the camera enters a manual focus mode. In the manual focus mode, the focus group can be moved forward and backward in the direction of the optical axis O by operating the operation ring 108, thereby performing a focusing operation. In addition, when the operation knob 113 is moved to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, the camera enters a control ring mode. In the control ring mode, the user can assign any function to the operation of the operation ring 108 by operating a screen provided on the camera body 200 (shown in FIG. 6 ). For example, if the function of operating exposure compensation is assigned to the operation ring 108, it becomes possible to perform exposure compensation by operating the operation ring 108. Also, if the function of operating the aperture is assigned to the operation ring 108, it becomes possible to drive the aperture unit 107 by operating the operation ring 108. That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to switch between at least three modes by operating the operation knob unit 113. It is also possible to configure it so that four or more modes can be switched.

Next, the configuration of the changeover switch 110 will be described in detail. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the changeover switch 110. In Figure 3, Figure 3(A) is an exploded perspective view seen from the front side, and Figure 3(B) is an exploded perspective view seen from the back side. Note that in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the exterior ring 109 has a circular ring shape (see Figures 1 and 2), but for the convenience of creating the drawings, only a part of the shape is shown and the other parts are omitted.

In FIG. 3(A), a rectangular recess 109a is provided on the surface of the exterior ring 109 along the circumferential direction of the exterior ring 109 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis O. The bottom surface of the recess 109a is called the exterior ring surface 112. An exterior ring through hole 111 is provided at approximately the center of the exterior ring surface 112.

The operation knob 113 of the changeover switch 110 is disposed in the recess 109a. A shaft 114 is provided on the back surface of the operation knob 113. The shaft 114 of the operation knob 113 passes through the exterior ring through hole 111 and is fastened to a first biasing member 115 and a second biasing member 116 disposed on the back surface side of the exterior ring 109. That is, the first biasing member 115 and the second biasing member 116 are fixed integrally to the operation knob 113 as an operation member. In addition, a printed circuit board member 117 is provided on the inner peripheral portion (back surface side) of the exterior ring 109 as an exterior member.

The first urging member 115 is a brush part made of a leaf spring. The first urging member 115 is fastened to the shaft portion 114 that penetrates the outer ring through hole 111, and slides along the circumferential direction of the outer ring 109 together with the operation knob portion 113. The first urging member 115 is formed with a first surface 115a, a first extension portion 118 that extends from the first surface 115a in the circumferential direction of the outer ring 109, and a second extension portion 119 that extends from the first extension portion 118 in the optical axis direction. A urging portion 120 is formed that extends from the second extension portion 119 in the circumferential direction of the outer ring 109 toward the shaft portion 114. A brush 120a is formed at the end of the urging portion 120 opposite the second extension portion 119. The brush 120a is urged by the urging portion 120 and contacts the printed circuit board member 117. That is, the first biasing member 115 is provided on the inner periphery of the exterior member and biased against the printed circuit board member 117. The printed circuit board member 117 is provided with signal patterns 117a, 117b, and 117c. The brush 120a of the first biasing member 115 slides on the signal patterns 117a, 117b, and 117c, and the signal pattern it comes into contact with switches, causing the changeover switch 110 to select the mode of the operating ring 108. Note that if four or more modes are to be switched, the number of signal patterns can be increased to a number corresponding to the modes.

Figure 4 is a diagram explaining the positional deviation between the brush 120a and the signal pattern. Figure 4 (A) shows the positional relationship between the brush 120a and the signal pattern in this embodiment. Figure 4 (B) shows the positional relationship between the brush and the signal pattern when the contact part between the brush and the printed circuit board member is separated from the shaft part. As shown in Figure 4 (A), in this embodiment, the brush 120a contacts the signal pattern of the printed circuit board member 117 near the shaft part 114. When the contact part 125 between the brush 120a and the printed circuit board member 117 is separated from the shaft part 114, as shown in Figure 4 (B), the deviation when a rotational deviation occurs becomes large by the circumferential length from the shaft part 114 to the contact part 125. If the circumferential length from the shaft part 114 to the contact part 125 is L and the angle of the rotational deviation is θ, the deviation between the brush 120a and the printed circuit board member 117 in the optical axis O direction is L x tan θ.

Therefore, by arranging the contact portion 125 of the brush 120a and the printed circuit board member 117 at a position overlapping the shaft portion 114 when viewed from the optical axis O direction (when the switch is viewed along the optical axis), it is possible to make L as small as possible. In other words, the first biasing member 115 biases the printed circuit board member 117 at a position overlapping the shaft portion 114, which is the mounting portion of the first biasing member 115 of the operation knob portion 113, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the operation direction of the operation knob portion 113. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion including the contact portion 125 and the shaft portion 114 according to this embodiment. The contact portion 125 may be arranged within the range of the width of the shaft portion 114 when viewed from the optical axis O direction. This makes it possible to reduce the positional deviation between the brush 120a and the signal pattern even when an assembly error of the first biasing member 115 or a rotational deviation of the operation knob portion 113 occurs. As a result, it is possible to reduce the width of each signal pattern and the width of the printed circuit board member 117 in the optical axis direction, making it possible to make the interchangeable lens 100 thinner. Note that it is preferable to position the contact portion 125 closer to the central axis of the shaft portion 114 (here, the central axis 126 of the screw) when viewed from the optical axis O direction, as this can reduce rotational deviation. Also, it is possible to minimize rotational deviation by positioning the contact portion 125 at a position that overlaps with the central axis of the shaft portion 114 when viewed from the optical axis O direction.

Furthermore, it is even more preferable that the first biasing member 115 has high electrical conductivity, for example by being gold-plated, to improve electrical conductivity to the signal pattern.

Returning to FIG. 3, the second urging member 116 is composed of a leaf spring. That is, the second urging member 116 is separate from the first urging member 115, and is provided on the inner periphery of the exterior member and urged against the exterior member. The second urging member 116 is fastened to a shaft portion 114 that penetrates the exterior ring through hole 111, and slides along the circumferential direction of the exterior ring 109 together with the operation knob portion 113. The second urging member 116 is formed with a second surface 116a, a first urging portion 121 extending from the second surface 116a in the circumferential direction of the exterior ring 109, and a second urging portion 122 extending in the opposite direction to the first urging portion 121. That is, the second urging member 116 has a first urging portion 121 extending in the operating direction of the operating member, and a second urging portion 122. In addition, the first and second biasing portions extend in opposite directions from the attachment portion of the second biasing member 116 of the operation knob portion 113 in the operation direction. The first and second biasing portions 121 and 122 are biased against the back surface of the exterior ring 109, and bias the operation knob portion 113 in a direction (radial direction) toward the optical axis O.

As a result, the second biasing member 116 holds the operation knob 113 slidably on the exterior ring surface 112. An inclined portion 121a is formed at the tip of the first biasing portion 121. The inclined portion 121a is biased against an exterior ring side inclined portion 123 formed by multiple projections and recesses formed on the back side of the exterior ring 109. When the operation knob 113 slides, the inclined portion 121a rides over the convex portion of the exterior ring side inclined portion 123 and fits into the concave portion, generating a clicking sensation when the changeover switch 110 is operated. In addition, by aligning the position where the inclined portion 121a fits into the concave portion of the exterior ring side inclined portion 123 with the position of the brush 120a and the signal pattern for each mode, it is possible to switch to any operation ring 108 mode at the stop position of the operation knob 113.

The second biasing portion 122 is formed with a vibration prevention portion 124 (vibration suppression portion) for suppressing the operation knob portion 113 from shaking and tilting when the operation knob portion 113 is slid. In addition, the second biasing portion 122 biases the exterior ring 109, and the biasing force of the first biasing portion 121 prevents the operation knob portion 113 from floating on the outer periphery side of the exterior ring 109. By arranging the first biasing portion 121 and the second biasing portion 122 so that they each extend in the circumferential direction of the exterior ring 109, it is possible to make the interchangeable lens 100 thinner in the direction of the optical axis O compared to when they are arranged in parallel with the operation direction of the operation knob portion 113.

It is preferable that the first and second biasing members 115 and 116 are made of different materials. Furthermore, it is more preferable to use a material with a larger Young's modulus for the second biasing member 116 than for the first biasing member 115, since this makes it possible to generate a spring load without increasing the size. This makes it possible to prevent the operation knob 113 from moving unintentionally and generate a spring load that gives the user a clicking sensation when switching.

According to this embodiment, the switching detection configuration using a flexible printed circuit board and brush eliminates the need for switching components such as a switch element and flex space for mounting the switch components. In addition, the engagement space between the acted portion of the switch element and the slide member is no longer necessary, making it possible to reduce the space required by the switch configuration in the thickness direction. In addition, by using different materials for the brush portion for detection and the spring portion for generating the switching load, it is possible to generate a load that prevents inadvertent switching without affecting the biasing pressure of the brush. This makes it possible to reduce the overall length dimension of the interchangeable lens while ensuring the switching load.

As shown in FIG. 6, the interchangeable lens 100 equipped with the above-mentioned changeover switch 110 can be attached to a camera body 200 that holds an image sensor 210 that receives light from the interchangeable lens 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an imaging device 300. The interchangeable lens 100 and camera body 200 shown in FIG. 6 are collectively referred to as the imaging device 300. Here, the interchangeable lens 100 is detachable from the camera body 200, but the above-mentioned changeover switch 110 can also be applied to an imaging device in which the lens barrel cannot be detached from the camera body.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible as long as they provide the same function, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the first biasing member 115 and the second biasing member 116 are fastened to the shaft portion 114 by screws, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be fixed by, for example, thermal caulking, adhesive bonding, welding, etc.

The first urging member 115 may not have the second extending portion 119 and may extend in the circumferential direction of the exterior ring 109 in the same manner as the first urging portion 121 or the second urging portion 122 of the second urging member 116. In that case, the printed circuit board member 117 is disposed circumferentially forward of the urging portion of the first urging portion 121 or the second urging portion 122 with the exterior ring 109. As a result, the first urging member 115, the second urging member 116, and the printed circuit board member 117 may be disposed at the same position (overlapping position in the optical axis O direction) in the circumferential direction of the exterior ring 109. The first urging member 115 and the second urging member 116 may be made of the same material and have different thicknesses to increase the urging force of one of them. It is also possible to make the first urging member 115 and the second urging member 116 different materials and have different thicknesses to increase the urging force of one of them.

In the above embodiment, a lens device or imaging device equipped with the changeover switch 110 has been described, but the changeover switch 110 can also be applied to other electric/electronic devices, such as a robot vacuum cleaner.

The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration.
(Configuration 1)
An exterior member;
an operating member provided on an outer periphery of the exterior member so as to be slidable in a circumferential direction of the exterior member;
A printed circuit board member provided on an inner periphery of the exterior member;
a first biasing member provided on an inner periphery of the exterior member and biased against the printed circuit board member;
a second biasing member that is separate from the first biasing member and is provided on an inner periphery of the exterior member and biased against the exterior member,
the second biasing member has a first biasing portion and a second biasing portion extending in an operating direction of the operating member,
A switch device, wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member are fixed integrally to the operating member.

(Configuration 2)
2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second biasing members are made of different materials.

(Configuration 3)
The switch device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the first biasing member biases the printed circuit board member at a position overlapping with an attachment portion of the operating member of the first biasing member in a direction perpendicular to the operating direction of the operating member.

(Configuration 4)
The switch device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the first biasing member biases the printed circuit board member at a position overlapping a central axis of an attachment portion of the operating member of the first biasing member in a direction perpendicular to the operating direction of the operating member.

(Configuration 5)
5. The switch device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein at least three modes are switched by operating the operating member.

(Configuration 6)
6. The switch device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the second biasing member has a larger Young's modulus than the first biasing member.

(Configuration 7)
7. The switch device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the first biasing member has a higher electrical conductivity than the second biasing member.

(Configuration 8)
The switch device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the second biasing member has a vibration suppressing portion that suppresses vibration in an in-plane direction of the operating member in a direction perpendicular to the operating direction.

(Configuration 9)
The switch device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the first biasing portion and the second biasing portion extend in opposite directions from each other in the operation direction from an attachment portion of the second biasing member of the operating member.

(Configuration 10)
10. The switch device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member have different thicknesses.

(Configuration 11)
11. A lens device comprising the switch device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10 and at least one imaging optical system.

(Configuration 12)
An operating ring that can be rotated in a circumferential direction is provided,
12. The lens device according to configuration 11, wherein the switch device switches between functions operated by the operation ring.

(Configuration 13)
13. The lens device according to claim 11 or 12,
an image sensor that receives an image formed by the lens device.

100 Interchangeable lens 110 Changeover switch 111 Exterior ring through hole 112 Exterior ring surface 114 Shaft portion 115 First urging member 115a First surface 116 Second urging member 116a Second surface 117 Printed circuit board member 117a, 117b, 117c Signal pattern 118 First extension portion 119 Second extension portion 120 First urging portion 120a Brush 121 Second urging portion 121a Inclined portion 122 Third urging portion 123 Exterior ring side inclined portion 124 Prevention portion 125 Contact portion 126 Central axis 200 Camera body 210 Imaging element 300 Imaging device

Claims (13)

An exterior member;
an operating member provided on an outer periphery of the exterior member so as to be slidable in a circumferential direction of the exterior member;
A printed circuit board member provided on an inner periphery of the exterior member;
a first biasing member provided on an inner periphery of the exterior member and biased against the printed circuit board member;
a second biasing member that is separate from the first biasing member and is provided on an inner periphery of the exterior member and biased against the exterior member,
the second biasing member has a first biasing portion and a second biasing portion extending in an operating direction of the operating member,
A switch device, wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member are fixed integrally to the operating member. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second biasing members are made of different materials. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first biasing member biases the printed circuit board member at a position that overlaps with the mounting portion of the first biasing member of the operating member when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the operating direction of the operating member. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first biasing member biases the printed circuit board member at a position that overlaps with the vicinity of the central axis of the mounting portion of the first biasing member of the operating member when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the operating direction of the operating member. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least three modes are switched by operating the operating member. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second biasing member has a greater Young's modulus than the first biasing member. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first biasing member has a higher electrical conductivity than the second biasing member. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second biasing member has a vibration suppression portion that suppresses vibration of the operating member in a direction perpendicular to the operating direction. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first biasing portion and the second biasing portion extend in opposite directions from the attachment portion of the second biasing member of the operating member in the operating direction. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second biasing members have different thicknesses. A lens device comprising the switch device according to claim 1 and at least one imaging optical system. An operating ring that can be rotated in a circumferential direction is provided,
The lens device according to claim 11, wherein the switch device switches between functions operated by the operation ring. A lens device according to claim 11;
an image sensor that receives an image formed by the lens device.