ADAPTER DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
5 [00011
This technique relates to an adapter device and an
electronic device, and enables a connector to perform
insertion and detachment operation in a stable manner.
10 BACKGROUND ART
[00021
Conventionally, an electronic device is provided
with a detachable adapter device to, e.g., expand and
change a function. For example, as indicated in Patent
15 Document 1, in a video camera device having a dockable
structure, a camera main body udit and an adapter unit (a
A
camera adapter, a videotape recorder, various other kinds
of peripheral devices) are detachable in terms of
electrical and mechanical manner at the front and the
20 back in the optical axis direction.
CITATION LIST
PATENT DOCUMENT
[00031
25 Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 2011-228769
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
30 [0004]
When an adapter device is attached to and detached
from a main body device, and force is applied to the
connector in a direction different from the insertion and
detachment direction, the connector may be damaged or
contact failure and the like may occur. For example, the
5 adapter-side connector is engaged with the main body-side
connector when an adapter-side connector is provided on
an adapter-side attachment surface of the adapter device,
a main body-side connector is provided on a main bodyside
attachment surface of the main body device, and the
10 adapter device is attached to the main body device.
Accordingly, one side of the adapter-side attachment
surface is fastened to the main body device, and with a
pivot operation using the fastened one side as the pivot
axis, the adapter-side connector can be engaged with the
15 main body-side connector. However, since the adapterside
connector is pivoted around the fastened on$ side
i
serving as the pivot axis, insertion and detachment are
performed with an inclination with respect to the
insertion and detachment direction of the main body-side
20 connector.
[00051
When a user slides the adapter device as the
position of the mounting surface to cause the adapter
device to be engaged with the connector, a large force is
25 required during insertion and detachment of the connector,
and therefore, it is not easy to insert or detach the
adapter device by applying a uniform force to the
connector.
[00061
3 0 For this reason, in the case where insertion and
detachment are performed with an inclination with respect
to the insertion and detachment direction or in the case
where uneven force is applied to the connector, the
connector may be damaged or deformed, or contact failure
and the like may occur, and this reduces the reliability
5 of the connection portion.
[0007]
Therefore, it is an object of this technique to
provide an adapter device and an electronic device
capable of performing insertion and detachment operation
10 of a connector in a stable manner.
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS
[0008]
A first aspect of this technique lies in an adapter
15 device ir~cluding: an attachment stage on which a
fastening unit fastened to a main body device is provided 4
d
on an attachment surface in advance; a main body unit
provided with a connector; and a movement direction
conversion unit configured to receive an operation force,
20 convert a movement in an operation direction into an
insertion and detachment direction of the connector, and
move forward and backward the main body unit in the
insertion and detachment direction of the connector with
respect to the attachment stage in accordance with the
25 operation force.
[0009]
In this technique, in the attachment stage of the
adapter device, the fastening unit fastened to the main
body device is provided on the attachment surface in
30 advance. Alternatively, the main body unit of the
adapter device is provided with a connector. Further,
the adapter device is provided with a movement direction
conversion unit using, for example, a first link
mechanism configured to convert a movement in an
operation direction into a movement in a surface
5 direction and a second link mechanism configured to
convert a movement in the surface direction into a
movement in an insertion and detachment direction of the
connector, and converts the movement in the operation
direction into the insertion and detachment direction of
10 the connector, and moves forward and backward the main
body unit in the insertion and detachment direction of
the connector with respect to the attachment stage in
accordance with the operation force. The first link
mechanism includes, for example, an operation lever
15 configured to receive an operation force and rotate, a
driving shaft configured to move in accordance with a
rotation operation of the operation lever, and a slider
configured to be moved in a surface direction in
accordance with the rotation operation of the operation
20 lever by the driving shaft. The second link mechanism
includes a slider having an inclined surface inclined
with respect to the surface direction and attached to the
main body unit in a movable manner in the surface
direction, and a direction conversion unit formed on the
25 attachment stage and having an inclined surface inclined
with respect to the insertion and detachment direction,
wherein the inclined surface of the slider slides on the
inclined surface in accordance with a movement in the
surface direction of the slider, so that the main body
30 unit is moved in the insertion and detachment direction
with respect to the attachment stage. Further, a second
fastening unit fastened t o the main body device i n
accordance with a movement i n the connector i n s e r t i o n
direction of the main body unit is provided on, f o r
example, the s l i d e r attached movably i n the surface
5 d i r e c t i o n according t o the operation force with respect
t o the main body u n i t . A f i r s t fastening u n i t , which is
the fastening unit provided in advance on the attachment
surface, and the second fastening unit, which is provided
on t h e s l i d e r , are formed i n a hook shape, and the f i r s t
10 fastening unit and the second fastening unit are fastened
t o the main body device i n directions opposite t o each
other.
[00101
In the adapter device, a r e s t r i c t i o n u n i t
15 r e s t r i c t i n g a movement i n a d i r e c t i o n d i f f e r e n t from the
fastening d i r e c t i o n of the fastening unit by engaging
with the main body device is provided on the attachment
surface. Further, the main body unit is provided with a
connector i n s e r t i o n guide protruding i n the i n s e r t i o n
20 d i r e c t i o n with respect to the connector on the basis of a
position of the connector, and the connector insertion
guide is protruding from the attachment surface of the
attachment stage i n accordance with the main body unit
moving i n the i n s e r t i o n d i r e c t i o n of the connector.
25 [ O O l l l
A holding mechanism configured t o hold the
operation lever receiving an operation force a t a
connector i n s e r t i o n completion position, and a cancel
mechanism configured t o receive an operation force and
30 cancel a holding s t a t e a t the connector insertion
conlpletion position are provided. This operation lever
is urged in a connector detachment and disconnection
operation direction, and when the operation lever is in
the connector insertion completion position, the holding
mechanism fastens the fastening unit provided on the
5 operation lever, holds the operation lever at the
connector insertion completion position, and the cancel
mechanism receives an operation force and cancels the
fastening state of the fastening unit provided on the
operation lever.
10 [0012]
A second aspect of this technique lies in an
electronic device including a main body device and an
adapter device attached to the main body device and
electrically connected to the main body device via a
15 conrlectur, wherein the adapter device includes: an
attachment stage on which a fastening unit fastened to
the main body device is provided on an attachment surface
in advance; a main body unit provided with the connector
used for electrical connection with the main body device;
20 and a movement direction conversion unit configured to
receive an operation force with an operation lever,
convert a movement in an operation direction into an
insertion and detachment direction of the connector, and
move forward and backward the main body unit in the
25 insertion and detachment direction of the connector with
respect to the attachment stage in accordance with the
operation force, wherein the movement direction
conversion unit receives an operation force for moving,
in a non-protruding direction, the operation lever
30 protruding vlith respect to the main body device during
attachment to the main body device and converts a
movement in the operation direction into an insertion
direction of the connector, and the movement direction
conversion unit receives an operation force for moving,
in a protruding direction, the operation lever in a non-
5 protruding state and converts the movement in the
operation direction into the detachment and disconnection
direction of the connector.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
10 [0013]
According to this technique, the attachment stage
of the adapter device is fastened to the main body device
by the fastening unit provided on the attachment surface
of the attachment stage. The main body unit of the
15 adapter device is provided with the connector, and the
1 movement direction conversion unit receives an operation
4
force and converts the movement in the operation
direction into the insertion and detachment direction of
the connector to move forward and backward the main body
20 unit in the insertion and detachment direction of the
connector with respect to the attachment stage in
accordance with the operation force. Therefore, since
the attachment stage is fastened to the main body device,
the connector provided on the main body unit moves in the
25 insertion and detachment direction in accordance with the
operation force, and the insertion and detachment
operation of the connector can be performed in a stable
manner. The effects described in this specification are
examples, are the effects are not limited thereto. In
30 addition, there may be additional effects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of
an external view of an adapter device.
5 Figs. 2 ( A ) and 2 ( B ) show a front view and a side
view of the adapter device.
Fig. 3 is a front view of a housing.
Fig. 4 is a front view of the cover unit.
Fig. 5 is a front view of an attachment stage where
10 a movement direction conversion unit is provided.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a back surface
side of the attachment stage where the movement direction
conversion unit is provided.
Figs. 7 ( A ) to 7 ( C ) are a back view and side views
1 5 of the attachrner~L stage where the movement direction
condersion unit is provided.
i
Figs. 8 ( A ) to 8 ( C ) are a back view and side views
of the attachment stage before a slider is attached.
Figs. 9(A) to 9(C) are a back view and side views
20 of the slider.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of
an attachment surface of an adapter device of a main body
device.
Figs. 11 (A) to 11 (D) are figures for explaj-ning
25 operation when the adapter device is fastened to the main
body device and operation of the operation lever is
started.
Figs. 12(A) to 12 (D) are figures for explaining
operation in a case where the lever operation in the
30 collapsed state is further performed.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the adapter device
when a lever operation is performed from the standing
s t a t e t o the collapsed s t a t e .
Figs. 1 4 ( A ) t o 1 4 ( D ) are figures f o r explaining
operation i n a case where the operation lever is caused
5 t o be i n an inclined s t a t e .
Figs. 15(A) t o 15(D) are figures f o r explaining
operation i n a case where the adapter device is detached
from the main body device.
Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of
10 an external view of an image-capturing device using the
adapter device (a case where the adapter device is
applied t o a battery pack connection device).
Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing an example of
an external view of an image-capturing device using the
15 adapter device (a case where the adapter device is
applied t o a record!ing and playback device).
d
Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing a back
surface of an image-capturing device main body u n i t .
Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a s t a t e where
20 the battery pack connection device is connected to the
back surface of the image-capturing device main body u n i t .
Figs. 20 (A) t o 20 (E) are figures showing an example
of an external view of the battery pack connection device.
Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a s t a t e where
25 the recording and playback device is attached t o the back
surface of a body u n i t .
Figs. 22(A) t o 22(E) are figures showing an example
of an external view of the recording and playback device.
Figs. 23(A) t o 23(E) show an example of an external
30 view of a battery pack.
Fig. 24 is a figure schematically showing an
example of a circuit configuration of an image-capturing
device.
Fig. 25 is a figure schematically showing an
example of a circuit configuration of a battery pack
5 connection device and a battery pack.
Fig. 26 is a figure schematically showing an
example of a circuit configuration of a recording and
playback device.
10 MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0015]
Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present
technique will be explained. It should be noted that the
explanation will be given in the following order.
15 1. Configuration of adapter device
2. Attachment and detachment(operation of adapter
i.
device
3. Electronic device using adapter device
[0016]
20
An adapter device includes an attachment stage, a
main body unit, and a movement direction conversion unit.
On the attachment stage, a fastening unit fastened to the
main body device is provided in advance on the attachment
25 surface. The main body unit is provided with a connector.
The movement direction conversion unit receives an
operation force, and converts the movement in the
operation direction into the insertion and detachment
direction of the connector, and moves forward and
30 backward the main body unit in the insertion and
detachment direction of the connector with respect to the
attachment stage i n accordance with the operation force.
[00171
Hereinafter, i n an embodiment of the present
technique, a configuration f o r moving forward and
5 backward the main body unit i n accordance with an
operation force in the i n s e r t i o n and detachment d i r e c t i o n
of the connector with respect t o the attachment stage
fastened t o the main body device i n accordance with the
rotation operation of an operation lever w i l l be
10 explained as an example.
[00181
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of
an external view of the adapter device. Figs. 2(A) and
2(B) show a front view and a side view of the adapter
15 device. Fig. 2(A) is a f r o n t view, and Fig. 2(B) is a
side view. In the explanation below, a surkace side
d
attached t o the main body device w i l l be denoted as a
f r o n t surface (forward) .
[00191
20 An adapter device 10 includes an attachment stage
20, a housing 50 corresponding t o the main body u n i t , and
a cover unit 60 covering an opening portion a t the side
of the main body device when the attachment stage 20 is
attached t o the housing 50.
25 [OOZO]
The attachment stage 20 includes fastening units
221 on an attachment surface 21 facing the attachment
surface of the main body device t o be engaged with the
main body device. For example, the fastening unit 221
30 includes a hook u n i t 221f engaged with an engagement
depression portion provided i n the main body device, and
the hook unit 221f is provided to project forward from
the attachment surface 21 and with a predetermined
interval in the vertical direction at both side end
portions of the attachment stage 20.
5 [0021]
The attachment stage 20 is provided with an
insertion hole 25 through which a connector insertion
guide 56 provided on the housing 50 is inserted.
[0022]
10 The housing 50 is provided with a connector 55 and
the connector insertion guide 56 provided in a frame
shape to project in the connector insertion direction
with respect to the connector 55 on the basis of the
position of the connector 55. The cover unit 60 is fixed
15 to the housing 50 with screws ar~d the like. Further,
with the housing 50 and the cover unit 60, the attachment 1
i
stage 20 is held in a movable manner in the insertion and
detachment direction of the connector by inserting the
connector insertion guide 56 into the insertion hole 25
20 of the attachment stage 20. Further, the housing 50
accommodates a movement direction conversion unit for
converting the movement in the operation direction
applied to the operation lever 41 into a movement in the
insertion and detachment direction of the connector of
25 the housing 50 with respect to the attachment stage 20.
In addition, the housing 50 may be configured to include
an electric circuit connected to the terminal of the
connector 55 to perform various kinds of operations and
include a connection cable, a connection substrate, and
30 the like for connection between the terminal of the
connector 55 and an external connection terminal and the
like provided on the housing 50.
LO0231
In Figs. 1, 2(A), and 2(B), a hook unit 32lf, a
lock cancel operation lever 45, and a restriction
5 projection portion 641 are shown, but the details thereof
will be explained later.
[00241
Fig. 3 shows a front view of a housing. As
explained above, the connector 55 and the connector
10 insertion guide 56 are attached to the housing 50. The
housing 50 is provided with support shafts 510 for
supporting the slider 30 is formed at positions
corresponding to supported holes 311 of the slider 30
(see Figs. $(A) to 8 ( C ) ) explained later, and at a distal
15 end of the support shaft 510, a sliding pin 511 having a
diameter less than that of the support shaft 510 is
provided. In the slider 30, the sliding pins 511 are
inserted into the supported holes 311, and the slider 30
is held so as to be able to slide only in the
20 longitudinal direction of the supported hole 311 by using
the support shafts 510 and slider reception units 636,
637 of the cover unit 60 explained later. At the side
ends of the housing 50, screw holes 531 for attaching the
cover unit 60 are formed.
25 [0025]
Fig. 4 shows a front vier.? of the cover unit. The
cover unit 60 is formed to cover the opening portion of
the housing 50 at the side of the main body device when
the attachment stage 20 is attached to the housing 50.
30 The cover unit 60 is formed with insertion holes 631 at
the positions of the screw holes 531 of the housing 50.
An opening portion 635 into which the attachment stage 20
is fit is formed at the central portion of the cover unit
60. At the side end of the opening portion 635, the
slider reception units 636, 637 are formed to protrude
5 therefrom. Further, the surface of the cover unit 60
facing the main body device is formed with a restriction
unit for restricting the movement of the adapter device
in a direction substantially parallel to the attachment
surface (hereinafter simply referred to as "surface
10 direction"). The embodiment shows an example rihere the
restriction projection portions 641 are provided in the
adapter device as the restriction units, and restriction
depression portions 741 engaged with the restriction
projection portions 641 are provided in the main body
15 device.
(00261
Fig. 5 shows an example of a front view of an
attachment stage where a movement direction conversion
unit is provided. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a
20 back surface side of the attachment stage where the
movement direction conversion unit is provided. Figs.
7(A) to 7 ( C ) show a back view and side views of the
attachment stage where the movement direction conversion
unit is provided.
25 (00271
The movement direction conversion unit includes,
for example, a first link mechanism configured to receive
an operation force and convert a movement in an operation
direction into a movement in a surface direction and a
30 second link mechanism configured to convert the movement
in the surface direction into a movement in an insertion
and detachment direction of a connector. In Figs. 5 to
7 ( C ) , the operation lever 41 receives an operation force,
and the movement of the operation lever 41 is converted
into the movement in the surface direction of the slider
5 30. Further, a configuration is shown for example, in
which, on the attachment stage 20, the movement in the
surface direction of the slider 30 is converted into the
movement in the insertion and detachment direction of the
connector. More specifically, a configuration will be
10 shown for example, in which the movement in the surface
direction is converted into the movement in the insertion
and detachment direction of the connector by the sliding
operation between the fastening unit 221 and the
fastening unit 222 corresponding to the first fastening
15 unit and the inclined surface of a fastening unit 321
corresponding to the second fastening unit provided on
the slider 30.
[0028]
Figs. 8 (A) to 8 (C) show a back view and side views
20 of the attachment stage before the slider is attached. A
rotation shaft 23 for rotatably holding the operation
lever 41 is formed on the back surface side of the
attachment stage 20. A rotation shaft 26 for rotatably
holding the lock cancel operation lever 45 is iormed on
25 the back surface side of the attachment stage 20.
[0029]
At the back surface side of the attachment stage 20,
an urging member for urging the lock cancel operation
lever 45, e.g., a coil spring 46, is provided in order to
30 hold the operation lever 41 in a collapsed state.
Further, at the back surface side of the attachment stage
20, a rotation restriction unit 28 for restricting
rotation of the lock cancel operation lever 45 urged by
the coil spring 46 and a spring holding unit 27 for
holding the coil spring 46 are provided. A flange
5 portion 29 is formed at the rear end side of the upper
side end portion and the lower side end portion of the
attachment stage 20, and in a case where the attachment
stage 20 is provided between the housing 50 and the cover
unit 60, the flange portion 29 of the attachment stage 20
10 is fastened to the inner surface of the cover unit 60,
and the movement of the attachment stage 20 in the
forward direction is restricted.
[0030]
At one end of the operation lever 41, an operation
15 unit 411 is provided, and at the other end thereof, a
shaft hole 412 is provided. The rotation shaft 23 of the
attachment stage 20 is inserted into the shaft hole 412
of the operation lever 41, and the operation lever 41 is
rotatably supported. At the other end of the operation
20 lever 41, a slider driving shaft 413 is provided at the
position away from the shaft hole 412 in the diameter
direction, and the position of the slider driving shaft
413 is configured to be moved in accordance with the
rotation operation of the operation lever 41.
25 [0031]
The operation lever 41 is urged by the urging
member in the standing direction. For example, a torsion
coil spring 42 is used as an urging member, and one end
of the torsion coil spring 42 is fixed at the rotation
30 shaft 23, and the other end thereof is fastened to the
slider driving shaft 413, and the operation lever 41 is
urged by the torsion coil spring 42 in the standing
direction. When the operation lever 41 is in the
collapsed state, a lever fastening unit 415 formed in a
hook shape at one end side of the operation lever 41 is
5 fastened to the lock cancel operation lever 45, and the
operation lever 41 is held in the collapsed state.
[00321
At one end of the lock cancel operation lever 45,
an operation unit 451 is provided, and at the other end
10 thereof, a shaft hole 452 is provided. The rotation
shaft 26 of the attachment stage 20 is inserted into the
shaft hole 452 of the lock cancel operation lever 45, and
the lock cancel operation lever 45 is rotatably supported.
A spring holding unit 453 is provided between the
15 operation unit 451 and the shaft hole 452. The coil
i spring 46 is engaged and provided between this spring
i
holding unit 453 and the spring holding unit 27 formed on
the attachment stage 20, so that the operation unit 451
of the lock cancel operation lever 45 is urged to rotate
20 in the direction of the operation lever 41. The lock
cancel operation lever 45 comes into contact with the
rotation restriction unit 28 formed on the attachment
stage 20, and the rotation operation of the lock cancel
operation lever 45 is restricted. At the lower portion
25 of the operation unit 451, a fastening piece 455 fastened
to the lever fastening unit 415 of the lock cancel
operation lever 45 is formed.
[00331
With the operation lever 41 and the lock cancel
30 operation lever 45 thus configured, when the operation
lever 41 is operated and rotates in a direction opposite
t.o the. urging direction to come closer to thc collapsed
state, the side end of the operation lever 41 comes into
contact with the lock cancel operation lever 45.
Thereafter, when the operation lever 41 rotates, the lock
5 cancel operation lever 45 is rotated in a direction
opposite to the urging direction by the operation lever
41. Further, when the operation lever 41 is rotated and
the lever fastening unit 415 is at the position of the
fastening piece 455 of the lock cancel operation lever 45,
10 then the lock cancel operation lever 45 rotates in the
urging direction, and the lever fastening unit 415 of the
operation lever 41 is fastened to the fastening piece 455
of the lock cancel operation lever 45. More specifically,
the operation lever 41 is fixed in the collapsed state by
15 the lock cancel operation lever 45. When operation is
performed to move the operation unit 451 of the lock
d
cancel operation lever 45 in a direction opposite to the
urging direction, then the fastening state between the
lever fastening unit 415 of the operation lever 41 and
20 the fastening piece 455 of the lock cancel operation
lever 45 is cancelled. Therefore, the lock cancel
operation lever 45 operates as a holding mechanism
configured to hold the operation lever 41 at the
connector insertion completion position and a cancel
25 mechanism configured to receive an operation force and
cancel the holding state at the connector insertion
completion position. Since the operation lever 41 is
urged in a connector detachment and disconnection
operation direction (an operation direction in which the
30 connector 55 is detached from the connector of the main
body device) by the torsion coil spring 42, the fastening
state between the lever fastening unit 415 and the
fastening piece 455 is cancelled, and the operation lever
41 rotates in the standing direction.
100341
5 As described above, the fastening unit 221 of the
attachment stage 20 is formed to protrude from the
attachment surface 21 to the front side (to the side of
the main body device). Further, the fastening unit 221
has a side end protrusion portion protruding from the
10 side end of the attachment stage 20. The inclined
surface 221s sliding on the inclined surface 321s of the
fastening unit 321 formed on the side plate portion 32 of
the slider 30 and performing conversion into the movement
direction and a holding surface 221p continuous to the
15 rear end side of the inclined surface 221s are formed on
the back surface side oflthe side end protrusion portion.
A
In the fastening unit 221, a hook unit 221f is formed at
the lower end of the protrusion portion protruding from
the attachment surface 21 to the front side.
20 [00351
At the rear side of the side end of the attachment
stage 20, a fastening unit 222 for movably holding the
side plate portion 32 of the slider 30 is formed in a
protruding manner at a predetermined position vrith
25 respect to the fastening unit 221. At the front surface
side of the fastening unit 222, a holding surface 222p
for holding the side plate portion 32 of the slider 30
and an inclined surface 222s continuous to the lower end
side of the holding surface 222p are formed. This
30 inclined surface 222s slides on the inclined surface 322s
of the fastening unit 321 formed on the side plate
portion 32 of the s l i d e r 30, so t h a t the movement
d i r e c t i o n i s converted.
roo361
The fastening unit 221 and the fastening unit 222
5 are used as a p a i r , so t h a t t h e s i d e p l a t e portion 32 of
the s l i d e r 30 is movably sandwiched by the fastening unit
221 and the fastening unit 222. Further, t h e i n c l i n e d
surfaces of the fastening unit 221 and the fastening unit
222 and the i n c l i n e d surface of the fastening u n i t 321
10 provided on the side p l a t e portion 32 of the s l i d e r 30
are caused to s l i d e on each other, so t h a t the movement
of the s l i d e r 30 i n the surface direction is converted
into the movement of the connector in t h e i n s e r t i o n and
detachment d i r e c t i o n .
15 [00371
Figs. 9(A) t o 9 ( C ) are a back vied and side views
d
of the s l i d e r . The base body unit 31 of the s l i d e r 30 is
formed with supported holes 311 so that the s l i d i n g pin
511 provided a t the d i s t a l end of the support s h a f t 510
20 formed on the housing 50 is inserted i n t o the supported
hole 311. The base body unit 31 is formed with a driving
shaft hole 312 into which the s l i d e r driving s h a f t 413
provided on the operation lever 4 1 i s inserted.
[00381
25 The s l i d e r 30 is used i n such a s t a t e t h a t the
s l i d i n g pin 511 is i n s e r t e d i n t o the supported hole 311,
and the s l i d e r driving shaft 413 is inserted i n t o the
d r i v i n g s h a f t hole 312. In t h i s case, when the operation
lever 4 1 receives u s e r ' s operation force and r o t a t e s
30 about the rotation s h a f t 23, the position of the s l i d e r
driving shaft 413 moves i n accordance with the r o t a t i o n
operation of the operation lever 41, and the slider 30
moves in the longitudinal direction of the supported hole
311.
[00391
5 More specifically, the operation lever 41 and the
slider 30 constitute the first link mechanism for
converting the movement in the operation direction into
the movement in the surface direction, and when user's
operation force on the operation lever 41 is received,
10 the slider 30 is moved in the longitudinal direction of
the supported hole 311.
[00401
On the right and left side plate portions 32 of the
slider 30, fastening units 321 are formed. The fastening
15 unit 321 is iormed with the inclined surface for
converting the movement in the surface direction into the
4
movement in the insertion and detachment direction of the
connector. More specifically, the inclined surface 321s
is formed at the front side of the fastening unit 321
20 provided on the side plate portion 32, and the inclined
surface 322s is formed at the rear side of the side plate
portion 32. At an end portion at the front side of the
inclined surface 321s, a holding surface 321p continuous
to thc inclined surface 321s is formed in a straight
25 manner in the surface direction. At an end portion of
the holding surface 321p, a hook unit 321f is formed. At
an end portion at the front side of the inclined surface
322s, a holding surface 322p continuous to the inclined
surface 322s is formed in a straight manner in the
30 surface direction. Further, at an end portion side of
the holding surface 322p, a fastening end 323 is provided
in the vertical direction with respect to the holding
surface 322p. The other end of the inclined surfaces
321s, 322s is configured to be continuous to flat
surfaces 324, 325 in the surface direction.
5 [0041]
In the slider 30, the side plate portion 32 is
movably sandwiched by the fastening unit 221 and the
fastening unit 222 provided on the attachment stage 20
and used as a pair. More specifically, the inclined
10 surface 321s of the fastening unit 321 slides on the
inclined surface 221s of the fastening unit 221, and the
inclined surface 321s of the fastening unit 321 slides on
the inclined surface 221s of the fastening unit 221, so
that the slider 30 is movably attached to the attachment
15 stage 20. At this occasion, the slider driving shaft 413
of the operation lever 41 is inserted into the driving
shaft hole 312 provided on the base body unit 31 of the
slider 30.
[0042]
20 As described above, when the slider 30 is moved in
the longitudinal direction of the supported hole 311
while the slider is attached to the attachment stage 20,
the inclined surface 321s of the fastening unit 321
slides on the inclined surface 221s of the fastening unit
25 221. In accordance with the sliding operation of this
inclined surface, the interval between the attachment
stage 20 and the slider 30 is changed.
[0043]
More specifically, the fastening unit 221, 222 of
30 the attachment stages 20 and the side plate portion 32 of
the slider 30 constitute the second link mechanism for
converting the linear motion in the surface direction
into the linear motion in a direction perpendicular to
the surface direction. With this second link mechanism,
the housing 50 moves, with respect to the attachment
5 stage 20, in the insertion and detachment direction of
the connector in accordance with the movement of the
slider 30 in the surface direction.
[a0441
Therefore, with the second link mechanism and the
10 first link mechanism explained previously, user's
operation force applied to the operation lever 41 is
received, and the housing 50 attached with the connector
can be moved in the connector insertion and detachment
direction.
15 [00451
<2. Attachment and detachment operation of adapter
device>
Subsequently, the attachment and detachment
operation of the adapter device will be explained. Fig.
20 10 is a perspective vier.? showing an example of an
attachment surface of an adapter device of the main body
device. An attachment surface 71 is formed with
fastening depression portions 711 at positions facing the
fastening units 221 forlned on the attachlner~t stage 20 of
25 the adapter device 10 and the hook units 321f provided on
the fastening unit 321 of the slider 30. At the end
portions of the fastening depression portion 711, a hook
hole 71la fastened with the hook unit 221f formed on the
fastening unit 221 and a hook hole 711b fastened with the
30 hook unit 321f formed on the fastening unit 321 are
provided. It should be noted that the main body device
may be an electronic device connected to the adapter
device via the connector, and may be a video camera
device and the like having a dockable structure, or may
be an information processing device, a terminal device,
5 or the like.
[00461
In the attachment surface 71 of the main body
device 70, an insertion port 76 into which the connector
insertion guide 56 of the adapter device 10 is inserted
10 is provided. The insertion port 76 is provided at a
position facing the connector insertion guide 56 of the
adapter device 10 in such a state that the hook unit 221f
of the adapter device 10 is inserted into the hook hole
711a of the main body device 70 and the adapter device 10
15 is fastened to the main body device 70. The insertion
port 76 is provided with a connector 75 coupled with the
connector 55 of the adapter device 10.
LOO471
Further, the attachment surface 71 of the main body
20 device 70 is provided with a restriction depression
portion 741 engaging with the restriction projection
portion 641 at the position corresponding to the
restriction projection portion 641 provided on the cover
unit 60 of the adapter device 10 when the adapter device
25 10 is in the attachment position.
[00481
When the adapter device 10 is attached to the main
body device 70, the operation lever 41 is in the standing
state (see Fig. 1, Figs. 2 (A) and 2 ( B ) , Figs. 7 (A) to
30 7(C)). When the operation lever 41 is in the standing
state, the holding surface 321p of the fastening unit 321
provided on the slider 30 (see Figs. 9(A) to 9(C)) is at
the position of the holding surface 221p of the fastening
unit 221 of the attachment stage 20 (see Figs. 8 (A) to
8(C)), and the housing 50 is held at the position away
5 from the attachment stage 20 to the back side. As
described above, since the housing 50 is at the position
away to the back side, the connector insertion guide 56
is not protruding from the attachment surface 21 of the
attachment stage 20. It should be noted that the slider
10 30 is such that the sliding pin 511 comes into contact
with the end portion of the supported hole and/or the
fastening end 323 comes into contact with the fastening
unit 222, so that the movement range of a direction (the
direction opposite to an arrow MB direction explained
15 later) is limited.
[00491
The user moves the operation lever 41 of the
adapter device 10 into the standing state, the hook unit
221f of the fastening unit 221 provided on the attachment
20 stage 20 is fastened to the hook hole 711a of the
fastening depression portion 711 in the main body device
70. As described above, the hook unit 221f is fastened
to the hook hole 711a, and accordingly, with respect to
the main body device 70, the attaclmtent stage 20 of the
25 adapter device 10 j~s restricted in such a manner that the
movement of the attachment stage 20 of the adapter device
10 in a direction perpendicular to the attachment surface
21 is restricted, and more specifically, the movement of
the attachment stage 20 of the adapter device 10 in an
30 insertion and detachment direction of the connector is
[0050]
Figs. 11 (A) to 11 (D) are figures for explaining
operation when the adapter device is fastened to the main
body device and operation of the operation lever is
started. Fig. 11(A) is a front vieri of the adapter
device. Fig. 11(B) is a side view of the adapter device.
Fig. 11(C) is a back view of the attachment stage. Fig.
ll(D) is a side view of the attachment stage. In Fig.
11(B), a broken line shorgs the position of the main body
device 70.
[0051]
When the operation lever 41 is rotated in an arrow
MA direction (collapsed direction) while the attachment
stage 20 of the adapter device 10 is fastened to the main
body device 70, the slider driving shaft 413 is moved in
accordance with the lever operation, and as shown in Fig.
11(C), the slider 30 moves in an arrow MB direction.
More specifically, with the first link mechanism
explained above, the movement of the operation lever 41
is converted into the movement of the slider 30 in the
surface direction. When the slider 30 is moved in the
arrow MB direction, the inclined surfaces 321s, 322s of
the fastening unit 321 slide on the inclined surface 221s
of the fastening unit 221 and the inclined surface 222s
of the fastening unit 222, and the slider 30 moves in an
arrow MC direction as shown in Fig. 11 (D) . More
specifically, with the second link mechanism explained
above, the movement of the slider 30 in the surface
direction is converted into the movement in the connector
insertion direction. In this case, the cover unit 60 is
fixed to the housing 50, and the slider 30 is held
movably only i n the hole d i r e c t i o n of the supported holes
311 with respect t o the housing 50 by the support s h a f t s
510 of the housing 50 and the s l i d e r reception u n i t s 636,
637 of the cover unit 60. Therefore, when the s l i d e r 30
5 moves i n the arrow MC d i r e c t i o n , the housing 50 also
moves i n the arrow MC d i r e c t i o n , and the connector 55 and
the connector insertion guide 56 fixed to the housing 50
also move i n the arrow MC d i r e c t i o n , and more
s p e c i f i c a l l y , the connector 55 and the connector
10 i n s e r t i o n guide 56 fixed t o the housing 50 also move i n
the connector i n s e r t i o n d i r e c t i o n . It should be noted
t h a t , the d i s t a l end of the connector insertion guide
before the housing 50 moves is denoted as a position PA,
and the attachment surface 71 of the main body device 70
15 is denoted as a posiLion PB.
[0052]
d
As described above, when the operation lever 41 is
rotated i n the collapsed d i r e c t i o n while the attachment
stage 20 of the adapter device 10 is fastened to the main
20 body device 70, the housing 50 moves i n the d i r e c t i o n of
the main body device 70 i n accordance with the lever
operation. Therefore, the connector 55 and the connector
i n s e r t i o n guide 56 fixed t o the housing 50 are moved i n
the connector insertion d i r e c t i o n .
25 [a0531
Figs. 12(A) t o 12(D) are figures for explaining
operation i n a case where the lever operation i n the
collapsed s t a t e is f u r t h e r performed. Fig. 12(A) is a
f r o n t vie!.! of the adapter device. Fig. 12 (B) is a side
30 view of the adapter device. Fig. 12 (C) is a back view of
the attachment stage. Fig. 12(D) is a side view of the
attachment stage. Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of
the adapter device when a lever operation is performed
from the standing state to the collapsed state.
100541
5 When the operation lever 41 is operated in a
direction of the collapsed state, the inclined surfaces
321s, 322s of the fastening unit 321 slide on the
inclined surface 221s of the fastening unit 221 and the
inclined surface 222s of the fastening unit 222, and the
10 slider 30 moves in the direction of the attachment stage
20 as described above. Thereafter, the inclined surfaces
321s, 322s of the fastening unit 321 pass the inclined
surfaces 221s, 222s of the fastening unit 221, and when
the flat surfaces 324, 325 are at the positions of the
15 holding surfaces 221p, 222p of the fasterlirlg unit 221,
the movement in the direktion of the attachment stage 20
d
of the slider 30 is stopped. More specifically, the
interval from the holding surface 321p to the flat
surface 324 in the attachment surface direction is the
20 moving distance of the slider 30 in the attachment
surface direction. For this reason, the housing 50 is
moved in the connector insertion direction with respect
to the attachment stage 20 by the moving distance, and
the connector insertion guide 56 is in a state of
25 protruding from the attachment surfac? 21 as shown in Fig.
13.
[0055]
The hook unit 221f of the fastening unit 221
provided on the attachment stage 20 of the adapter device
30 10 is fastened to the hook hole 711a of the fastening
depression portion 711 of the main body device 70, and
the movement of t h e attachment s t a g e 20 i n the i n s e r t i o n
and detachment d i r e c t i o n of t h e connector is r e s t r i c t e d
with r e s p e c t t o t h e main body device 70. In t h i s case,
when t h e connector i n s e r t i o n guide 56 p r o t r u d e s from t h e
5 attachment s u r f a c e 21 of t h e attachment s t a g e 20, t h e
connector i n s e r t i o n guide 56 is i n s e r t e d i n t o the
i n s e r t i o n p o r t 76 provided i n t h e attachment s u r f a c e 71
of t h e main body device 70. Therefore, t h e p o s i t i o n PA
a t t h e d i s t a l end of t h e connector i n s e r t i o n guide 56 is
10 a t a p o s i t i o n of t h e main body device 70 which is inner
than t h e p o s i t i o n PB of the attachment s u r f a c e 71 of t h e
main body device 70. As described above, t h e connector
i n s e r t i o n guide 56 is i n s e r t e d from i n s e r t i o n p o r t 76
provided i n t h e attachment s u r f a c e 71 of t h e main body
15 device 70, so t h a t t h e connector 55 of t h e adapter device
10 and t h e connector 75 of t h e main bod$ device 70 a r e
d
configured t o be a t c o r r e c t p o s i t i o n s , and f u r t h e r , t h e
housing 50 is moved i n the connector i n s e r t i o n d i r e c t i o n .
Therefore, t h e connector 55 is a c c u r a t e l y moved i n the
20 connector i n s e r t i o n d i r e c t i o n t o be coupled with t h e
connector 75. Since t h e f a s t e n i n g u n i t 221 and t h e
f a s t e n i n g u n i t 321 a r e provided at the upper and lower
s i d e s of t h e s i d e end p o r t i o n s of the attachment stage 20,
a s u b s t a n t i a l l y uniform force is applied t o the housing
25 50 i n a d i r e c t i o n perpendicular t o the attachment s u r f a c e
21. Therefore, by applying s u b s t a n t i a l l y uniform force
t o t h e connector 55 of t h e adapter device 10 i n t h e
connector i n s e r t i o n d i r e c t i o n , t h e connector 55 can be
coupled with t h e connector 75 of t h e main body device 70.
30 [00561
When t h e housing 50 moves i n t h e connector
insertion direction, the restriction projection portion
641 provided on the cover unit 60 is engaged with the
restriction depression portion 741 provided on the
attachment surface 71 of the main body device 70.
5 Therefore, even when a force in the surface direction is
applied to the adapter device 10 attached to the main
body device 70, the movement of the adapter device 10 in
the surface direction can be restricted.
[00571
10 Figs. 14(A) to 14(D) are figures for explaining
operation in a case where the operation lever is caused
to be in an inclined state. Fig. 14(A) shows a front
view of the adapter device. Fig. 14 (B) shows a side view
of the adapter device. Fig. 14(C) shows a back view of
15 the attachment stage. Fig. 14(D) shovs a side view of
the attachment stage. 1
d
[00581
When the operation lever 41 is operated in the
arrow MA direction to be in the collapsed state, the
20 slider driving shaft 413 moves in accordance with the
lever operation, and the slider 30 is moved in the arrow
MB direction. In this case, the slider 30 changes from
the operation in which the inclined surface 322s slides
on the inclined surface 222s of the fastening unit 222 to
25 an operation in which the flat surface 324 slides on the
holding surface 222p of the fastening unit 222. More
specifically, the movement in the connector insertion
direction is finished, and the connector is at the
connector insertion completion position. With the slider
30 30, the flat surface 324 slides on the holding surface
222p of the fastening unit 222, and the hook unit 321f
moves in the direction of the hook hole 711b of the
fastening depression portion 711 of the main body device
70. Therefore, the hook unit 321f can be fastened to the
main body device 70. When the slider 30 moves in the
5 arrori MB direction, the slider 30 is held not only by the
slider reception unit 636 but also by the slider
reception unit 637. Therefore, the slider 30 can be held
by the housing 50 and the cover unit 60 in a more
reliable manner. As shovln in Fig. 14 (111, the slider 30
10 comes into contact with the end portions of the slider
reception units 636, 637, so that the movement range in
the other thereof (the arrow MB direction) is restricted.
[00591
When the operation lever 41 is in the collapsed
15 state, the lever idstening unit 415 provided on the
operation lever 41 is fastened to the fastening piece 455 1
d
of the lock cancel operation lever 45, so that the
operation lever 41 is fixed so as not to be in the
standing state. At this occasion, the hook unit 321f is
20 in a state of being inserted into the hook hole 711a of
the fastening depression portion 711 of the main body
device 70. More specifically, the adapter device 10 is
such that the hook unit 221f is inserted into the hook
hole 711a of the fastening depression portion 711 of the
25 main body device 70, and the hook unlt 321f is in a state
of being inserted into the hook hole 711b. More
specifically, the hook unit 221f and the hook unit 321f
are in such state that the hook unit 221f and the hook
unit 321f are inserted into the hook holes in the
30 directions opposite to each other, and the adapter device
10 can be reliably attached to the main body device 70.
[00601
Subsequently, a case where the adapter device 10 is
detached from the main body device 70 w i l l be explained.
Figs. 15 (A) t o 15 ( D ) are figures f o r explaining operation
5 i n a case where the adapter device is detached from the
main body device. Fig. 15(A) shows a front view of the
adapter device. Fig. 15(B) shows a side viel,~o f the
adapter device. Fig. 15(C) shoris a back view of the
attachment stage. Fig. 15(D) shows a side view of the
10 attachment stage.
[00611
When the adapter device 10 is detached from the
main body device 70, the lock cancel operation lever 45
is rotated i n the arrow MD d i r e c t i o n which is a d i r e c t i o n
15 opposite t o t h e d i r e c t i o n of the operation lever 4 1 .
When the lock cancel operation lever 45 is rotated i n the
arrow MD d i r e c t i o n , t h e fastening s t a t e between the lever
fastening unit 415 of the operation lever 41 and the
fastening piece 455 of the lock cancel operation lever 45
20 is cancelled. The operation lever 41 is urged i n the
standing direction by the torsion c o i l spring 42.
Therefore, when t h e fastening s t a t e of the operation
lever 41 with the lock cancel operation lever 45 is
cancelled, the operation lever 4 1 is rotated i n an arrow
25 ME d i r e c t i o n from the collapsed s t a t e by the urging force
of t h e t o r s i o n c o i l spring 42. Therefore, with the
r o t a t i o n operation of the operation lever 4 1 i n the arrow
ME d i r e c t i o n , the s l i d e r 30 moves i n the arrori MF
d i r e c t i o n , and the hook unit 321f is detached from the
30 hook hole 711b of the fastening depression portion 711 of
the main body device 70.
[0062j
Thereafter, when the operation lever 41 is further
rotated in the arrow ME direction, the slider 30 moves in
the arrow MF direction. At this occasion, the inclined
5 surfaces 321s, 322s of the fastening unit 321 slide on
the inclined surface 221s of the fastening unit 221 and
the inclined surface 222s of the fastening unit 222, and
the slider 30 moves in a direction perpendicular to the
attachment surface 21 and away from the attachment
10 surface 21. As described above, the slider 30 is
restricted from moving in a direction perpendicular to
the attachment surface 21 (the connector insertion and
detachment direction). Therefore, the slider 30 as well
as the housing 50 move in a direction away from the
15 attachment surface 21 in a direction perpendicular
thereto, and the connector 55 fixed to the housing 50
also moves away from the attachment surface 21 in a
direction perpendicular thereto. More specifically, the
movement of the slider 30 in the straight line direction
20 is converted into the movement of the connector 55 in
detachment and disconnection direction. Since the
fastening units 221 and the fastening units 321 are
provided at the upper and lover portions of the side end
portions of the attachment stage 20, a substantially
25 uniform force is applied to the housing 50 in a direction
perpendicular to the attachment surface 21 but in a
direction opposite to the direction during the adapter
attachment. Therefore, by applying a substantially
uniform force to the connector 55 of the adapter device
30 10 in the connector detachment and disconnection
direction, the connector 55 of the adapter device 10 is
detached from the connector 75 of the main body device 70.
[0063]
As described above, according to the adapter device
of the present technique, during the insertion and
5 detachment of the connector, the force applied to the
connector can be made into the substantially uniform
force in the insertion and detachment direction.
Therefore, the connector is not inserted or detached with
an inclination with respect to the insertion and
10 detachment direction, and any uneven force is not applied
to the connector, and therefore, the reliability of the
connection portion can be enhanced by preventing damage,
deformation, contact failure, and the like of the
connector.
15 LO0641
Further, when the connector is attached, the
fastening units provided on the adapter device 10 are
inserted into the engagement holes of the main body
device, and the fastening unit is in such a state that
20 the hook units of vhich insertion directions are opposite
to each other are inserted into the engagement holes.
Therefore, the adapter device 10 can be reliably
prevented from dropping from the main body device 70.
(00651
25 In the above embodiment explained above, for
example, a configuration in which the housing having the
connector is move forward and backward in the insertion
and detachment direction of the connector in accordance
with the rotation operation of the operation lever has
30 been shown, but the user's operation direction is not
limited to the above embodiment. For example, a movement
direction conversion unit may be configured to convert
user's slide operation in the main body device direction
or a direction for inserting the hook unit 221f into the
hook hole 711a into a movement of the connector in the
5 insertion and detachment direction. More specifically,
when the movement direction conversion unit is
constituted by the first link mechanism and the second
link mechanism, the first link mechanism converts the
user's slide operation in the main body device direction
10 or the direction for inserting the hook unit 221f into
the hook hole 711a into a movement in the surface
direction. In this case, when the hook unit 221f is
inserted into the hook hole 711a, and the adapter device
is fastened to the main body device, for example, the
15 movement is converted into the movement in the surface
i direction in the direction opposite to the insertion
1
direction of the hook unit 221f as described above. As
described above, the second link mechanism may convert
the movement in the surface direction into the movement
20 in the connector insertion and detachment direction.
[00661
<3.Electronic device using adapter device>
Subsequently, a case where an electronic device
using an adapter device, for example, an adapter device
25 is used in an image-capturing device, will be explained.
roo671
Figs. 16 and 17 are perspective views showing an
example of an external view of an image-capturing device
using an adapter device. Fig. 16 shows a case where the
30 adapter device is applied to a battery pack connection
device. Fig. 17 shows a case where the adapter device is
applied to a recording and playback device.
[00681
In an image-capturing device 80, a lens unit 82 and
the like are detachably attached to a front surface of an
5 image-capturing device main body unit 81 (corresponding
to the main body device of the electronic device). A
user interface unit 8124, a display unit 8125, a
recording medium insertion port 8140, and the like are
provided at a left side surface of the image-capturing
10 device main body unit 81. The user interface unit 8124
includes a switch, a button, a dial, and the like for
performing selection, operation setting, and the like of
various kinds of functions of image-capturing devices.
The display unit 8125 displays the setting state, the
15 operation state, alld the like of the image-capturing
device] A recording medium 91 used for image recording
A
and the like is inserted into the recording medium
insertion port 8140.
[00691
20 As shown in Fig. 16, the back surface of the imagecapturing
device main body unit 81 can be connected to a
battery pack 85 via a battery pack connection device 83.
As shown in Fig. 17, the back surface of the imagecapturing
device main body unit 81 can be connected to a
25 recording and playback device 84, and the battery pack 85
can also be connected via the recording and playback
device 84.
[00701
Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the back
30 surface of the image-capturing device main body unit.
The back surface 81b of the image-capturing device main
body unit 81 is configured in the same manner as the
attachment surface of the adapter device as shown in Fig.
10, and is formed with the fastening depression portion
711. The end portion of the fastening depression portion
5 711 is provided with the hook holes 711a, 711b. The back
surface 81b is provided with the restriction depression
portion 741 and the insertion port 76, and the insertion
port 76 is provided with the connector 75. Further, the
back surface 81b is provided with a power supply input
10 connector 8133.
[00711
Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a state where
the battery pack connection device is connected to the
back surface of the image-capturing device main body unit.
15 Fig. 20(A) to 20(E) sllovr an example of an external view
of the battery pack cohnection device. Fig. 20(A) shows
4
a surface of the battery pack connection device 83 facing
the back surface 81b of the image-capturing device main
body unit 81 (hereinafter referred to as a "main body
20 attachment surface") . Fig. 20 (B) shows a right side
surface of the battery pack connection device 83 (a side
at the right side surface of the image-capturing device
main body unit when it is attached to the image-capturing
device main body unit 81). Fig. 20(C) s11o1.ra~ left side
25 surface of the battery pack connection device 83 (a side
at the left side surface of the image-capturing device
main body unit when it is attached to the image-capturing
device main body unit 81). Fig. 20(D) shows a battery
pack attachment surface which is a surface opposite to
30 the main body attachment surface in the battery pack
connection device 83. Fig. 20(E) shows an upper surface
of the battery pack connection device 83.
LO0721
As shown in Fig. 20(A), the main body attachment
surface of the battery pack connection device 83 is
5 configured in the same manner as the attachment surface
side of the adapter device explained above (see Figs.
2(A) and 2 ( B ) ) . As shown in Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 ( C ) , the
battery pack attachment surface of the battery pack
connection device 83 is provided with a battery pack
10 attachment unit 8321, a battery pack connector 8325, and
position determination guides 8326. Further, as sho~r in
Fig. 20(C), a protrusion portion is provided at each of
the right and left side surfaces of the battery pack
connection device 83. One of the protrusion portions is
15 provided v~itil a power supply input connector 8313, and
the other of the protrusion portions ds provided with a
d
power supply output connector 8314.
[0073]
The battery pack attachment unit 8321 is formed
20 with a holding depression portion 8321a substantially in
a V shape. The holding depression portion 8321a has, for
example, a cross section in a trapezoid, and an opening
side is formed to be narrower than the side of the
battery pack connection device. One of the end portions
25 of a release lever 8322 is an operation unit 8322a
operated by the user, and the other of the end portions
is a fastening claw 8322b protruding from the inner side
surface of the holding depression portion 8321a. The
release lever 8322 is urged in a direction in which the
30 fastening claw 832213 protrudes from the side surface of
the holding depression portion 8321a (for example, a
direction in which it protrudes from the left side
surface of the battery pack connection device 83). The
release lever 8322 is configured such that when a user
and the like operate the operation unit 8322a in a
5 direction opposite to the urging force direction, the
fastening claw 8322b protruding from the side surface of
the holding depression portion 8321a moves in a direction
opposite to the protruding direction.
LOO741
10 The battery pack connector 8325 is provided at a
position corresponding to the connection terminal of the
battery pack 85 when a position determination groove 8526
of the battery pack 85 is engaged with the position
determination guide 8326 of the battery pack attachment
15 unit 8321.
LO0751 1
A
The position determination guide 8326 is formed to
protrude from the battery pack attachment surface in the
connector insertion direction of the battery pack
20 connector 8325 so as to restrict the battery pack 85 to a
predetermined position when the battery pack 85 is
attached to the battery pack connection device 83.
[0076]
The power supply input connector 8313 and the porier
25 supply output connector 8314 are provided at protrusion
portions on right and left side surfaces. Therefore,
even when the battery pack 85 is connected to the battery
pack connection device 83, the power supply input
connector 8313 and the power supply output connector 8314
30 can be used.
[0077]
Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a state where
the recording and playback device is attached to the back
surface of the image-capturing device main body unit.
Figs. 22 (A) to 22 (E) show an example of an external view
5 of the recording and playback device. Fig. 22(A) shows a
surface of the recording and playback device 84 facing
the back surface 81b of the image-capturing device main
body unit 81 (hereinafter referred to as a "main body
attachment surface"). Fig. 22(B) shows a right side
10 surface of the recording and playback device 84 (a side
at the right side surface of the image-capturing device
main body unit when it is attached to the image-capturing
device main body unit 81). Fig. 22(C) shows a left side
surface of the recording and playback device 84 (a side
15 at the left side surface of the image-capturing device
main body unit when it is attached to the image-capturing
device main body unit 81). Fig. 22(D) shows a battery
pack attachment surface which is a surface opposite to
the main body attachment surface in the recording and
20 playback device 84. Fig. 22(E) shows an upper surface of
the recording and playback device 84.
[00781
As shown in Fig. 22(A), the main body attachment
surface of the recording and playback device 84 is
25 configured in the same manner as the attachment surface
side of the adapter device explained above (see Figs.
2 (A) and 2 (B) ) . As shown in Fig. 21 and Fig. 22 (C) , the
battery pack attachment surface of the recording and
playback device 84 is provided with a battery pack
30 attachment unit 8421, a battery pack connector 8425, and
position determination guides 8426. Further, as show in
Fig. 22(C), a right side surface of the recording and
playback device 84 is provided with a power supply input
connector 8413, a power supply output connector 8414, and
a signal output terminal 8415.
5 [0079]
The battery pack attachment unit 8421 is formed
with a holding depression portion 8421a substantially in
a V shape. The holding depression portion 8421a has, for
example, a cross section in a trapezoid, and an opening
10 side is formed to be narrower than the side of the
recording and playback device. One of the end portions
of a release lever 8422 is an operation unit 8422a
operated by the user, and the other of the end portions
is a fastening claw 8422b protruding from the inner side
15 suriace of the holding depression portion 8421a. The
release lever 8422 is urged in such a manner that the
fastening claw 8422b protrudes from the side surface of
the holding depression portion 8421a. The release lever
8422 is urged in a direction in which the fastening claw
20 842233 protrudes from the side surface of the holding
depression portion 8421a (for example, a direction in
which it protrudes from the left side surface of the
recording and playback device 84). The release lever
8422 is configured sucll that when a user and the like
25 operates the operation unit 8422a in a direction opposite
to the urging force direction, the fastening claw 8422b
protruding from the side surface of the holding
depression portion 8421a moves in a direction opposite to
the protruding direction.
30 [0080]
The battery pack connector 8425 is provided at a
position corresponding to the connection terminal of the
battery pack 85 when the position determination groove
8526 of the battery pack 85 is engaged with the position
determination guide 8426 of the battery pack attachment
5 unit 8421.
[0081]
The position determination guide 8426 is formed to
protrude from the battery pack attachment surface in the
connector insertion direction of the battery pack
10 connector 8425 so as to restrict the battery pack 85 to a
predetermined position when the battery pack 85 is
attached to the recording and playback device 84.
[0082]
The power supply input connector 8413, the power
15 supply output connector 8414, arid Lhe signal output
terminal 8415 are provided on the side surface of the
recording and playback device 84. Therefore, even when
the battery pack 85 is connected to the recording and
playback device 84, the power supply input connector 8413,
20 the power supply output connector 8414, and the signal
output terminal 8415 can be used.
roo831
On the upper surface of the recording and playback
device 84, an insertion port open/close lid 8427 covering
25 a recording rnedj~un insertion port (not shown) is provided.
The insertion port open/close lid 8427 is provided vrith
an operation lever 8428, and with the operation lever
8428, for example, the insertion port open/close lid 8427
can be fixed in the closed state. When the user uses the
30 recording and playback device 84, the insertion port
open/close lid 8427 is caused to be in an open state, and
the user inserts a recording medium 92 into the insertion
port. Thereafter, the user causes the insertion port
open/close lid 8427 to be in the closed state, and the
recording medium 92 is recorded and played back. When
5 the user operates the operation lever 8428 and causes the
insertion port open/close lid 8427 to be in the open
state, the user can retrieve the recording medium 92
inserted therein.
[a0841
10 Figs. 23 (A) to 23 (E) shori an example of an external
view of a battery pack. Fig. 23(A) shows an attachment
surface of the battery pack 85 facing the battery pack
attachment surface of the battery pack connection device
83 or the recording and playback device 84. Fig. 23(B)
15 shoris a right side surface oi Lhe battery pack 85 (a side
at the right side surface of the image-capturing device
main body unit when it is attached to the image-capturing
device main body unit 81). Fig. 23(C) shows a left side
surface of the battery pack 85 (a side at the left side
20 surface of the image-capturing device main body unit when
it is attached to the image-capturing device main body
unit 81). Fig. 23(D) shows a back surface of the battery
pack 85. Fig. 22(E) shoris a lorier surface of the battery
pack 85.
25 [00851
As shown in Fig. 23(A), the attachment surface of
the battery pack 85 is provided with a fastening
projection portion 8521, a connection terminal unit 8525,
and a position determination groove 8526.
30 [0086]
The fastening projection portion 8521 is
substantially in a character shape corresponding to the
holding depression portion 8321a of the battery pack
attachment unit 8321 of the battery pack connection
device 83 or the holding depression portion 8421a of the
5 battery pack attachment unit 8421 of the recording and
playback device 84. The fastening projection portion
8521 has, for example, a cross section in a trapezoid,
and a distal end side is formed to be wider than the side
of the battery pack. The side surface of the fastening
10 projection portion 8521 is provided with a fastening claw
holding unit 8522b into which the fastening claw 8322b
(8422b) of the release lever 8322 (8422) is inserted.
Therefore, when the fastening projection portion 8521 is
inserted into the holding depression portion 8321a
1 (8421a), Lhe battery pack 85 is restricted from moving in
1 a direction perpendicular to the attachment surface. The
d
fastening claw 8322b (842233) of the release lever 8322
(8422) is inserted into the fastening claw holding unit
8522b, the battery pack 85 is fixed with the battery pack
20 connection device 83 or the recording and playback device
84 in an integrated state.
[00871
The connection terminal unit 8525 includes a
terminal for providing electric power froln the battery
25 pack 85 to the image-capturing device main body unit and
the like, a terminal for, e.g., performing communication
with regard to the charge and discharge operation and the
like of the battery pack, and the like.
[00881
30 The position determination grooves 8526 are formed
in an insertion and detachment direction of the
connection terminal unit 8525 for the connector extending
from the lower end of the battery pack 85. The interval
and the groove width of the position determination
grooves 8526 are formed in association with the position
5 determination guides 8326 (8426). Therefore, when the
battery pack 85 is slid so that the position
determination guides 8326 (8226) slide on the position
determination grooves 8526, the connection terminal unit
8525 can be correctly inserted into and detached from the
10 connector.
[00891
Subsequently, a circuit configuration of an imagecapturing
device main body unit will be explained. Fig.
24 schematically shoris an example of a circuit
15 configuration of a11 ilndye-capturing device main body unit.
The imagk-capturing device main body unit 81 includes an
i
image-capturing unit 8111, a RATV data writing unit 8112,
a debayer processing unit 8113, a
sensitizing/desensitizing and gain adjustment and color
20 space conversion unit 8114, an input device transform
(IDT) processing unit 8115, a color correction unit 8116,
an onput device transform (ODT) processing unit 8117, a
codec unit 8118, and a data processing unit 8119. The
image-capturing device main body unit 81 includes an
25 effective marker composing unit 8121, a meta data
obtaining unit 8122, an input and output unit 8123, a
user interface unit 8124, a display unit 8125, a control
unit 8130, and a power supply unit 8135. Further, the
image-capturing device main body unit 81 includes a power
30 supply input connector 8133 and a connector 75.
[00901
The image-capturing device may be constituted by a
computer system including a central processing unit (CPU),
a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a
storage, and the like, not shown. In this case, by
5 causing the CPU to execute a program stored in a memory,
a storage, and the like, the computer system is caused to
operate as the RAW file writing unit 8112, the debayer
processing unit 8113, the sensitizing/desensitizing and
gain adjustment and color space conversion unit 8114, the
10 IDT processing unit 8115, the color correction unit 8116,
the ODT processing unit 8117, the codec unit 8118, the
data processing unit 8119, the effective marker composing
unit 8121, the meta data obtaining unit 8122, and the
like.
15 [0091]
The image-capturidg unit 8111 is constituted by
i
using an image-capturing device such as a complementary
metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and a charge coupled
device (CCD), and generates RAW data of a captured image.
20 [0092]
The RAW data writing unit 8112 performs gain
adjustment on RAW data obtained by the image-capturing
unit 8111 on the basis of exposure index of photo meter
(EI) and processing for converting RAK data obtained by
25 the image-capturing unit 8111 into predetermined color
space. The RAW data writing unit 8112 outputs the
processed RAW data to the input and output unit 8123.
The debayer processing unit 8113 performs color
interpolation and the like on RAW data obtained by the
30 image-capturing unit 8111, and generates an RGB image
(image data).
[00931
The sensitizing/desensitizing and gain adjustment
and color space conversion unit 8114 performs sensitizing
processing, desensitizing processing, and the like on
5 image data obtained by the debayer processing unit 8113.
The sensitizing/desensitizing and gain adjustment and
color space conversion unit 8114 performs gain adjustment
on image data having been subjected to the sensitizing
processing and desensitizing processing on the basis of
10 meta data obtained by the meta data obtaining unit 8122.
The sensitizing/desensitizing and gain adjustment and
color space conversion unit 8114 performs gain adjustment
on the basis of, for example, white balance and imager
sensitivity (IS0 Sensitivity) and exposure index of photo
15 meter (EI), and converts image data in a color space of
the image-capturing unit 8111 into imdge data in a
A
standard color space.
[00941
The IDT processing unit 8115 converts image data
20 which is output by the sensitizing/desensitizing and gain
adjustment and color space conversion unit 8114 into
values for color adjustment using ASC-CDL on the basis of
meta data obtained by the meta data obtaining unit 8122.
The IDT processing unit 8115 performs conversion on the
25 basis of, for example, capture garmna equation and gamma
for CDL.
[00951
The color correction unit 8116 performs color
correction by applying ASC-CDL obtained by the meta data
30 obtaining unit 8122 to image data converted by the IDT
processing unit 8115.
[00961
The ODT processing unit 8117 converts the color
space of the image data of which colors have been
corrected by the color correction unit 8116 into the
5 color space of a monitor connected to the image-capturing
device 80, and outputs the image data to the monitor.
I00971
The codec unit 8118 performs encoding processing of
image data, for example, encoding processing
10 corresponding to specifications such as MPEG-2, H.264/AVC,
H.265/HEVC, and the like, and outputs the image data to
the data processing unit 8119. In addition, decoding
processing of the encoded data read from the recording
medium 91 by the data processing unit 8119 is performed.
15 For example, the codec unit 8118 performs encoding
processing of image data processed by the color 1
4
correction unit 8116, and outputs the image data to the
data processing unit 8119, and performs decoding
processing of the encoded data read from the recording
20 medium 91, and outputs the data to the ODT processing
unit 8117. Alternatively, the codec unit 8118 may also
be configured to perform encoding processing of image
data processed by the IDT processing unit 8115, and
output the image data to the data processing unit 8119,
25 and perform decoding processing of the encoded data read
from the recording medium 91, and output the data to the
color correction unit 8116. Still alternatively, the
codec unit 8118 may also be configured to perform, e.g.,
other encoding processing of image data.
30 [OD981
The data processing unit 8119 performs processing
for recording encoded data and the like provided from the
codec unit 8118 to the recording medium 91. The data
processing unit 8119 performs processing for reading
encoded data and the like recorded in the recording
5 medium 91, and outputting the encoded data to the codec
unit 8118.
LOO991
The recording medium 91 uses, for example, a memory
card and the like, and records encoded data and the like
10 provided from the data processing unit 8119. The
recording medium 91 is provided detachably with respect
to the image-capturing device main body unit 81.
[01001
The effective marker composing unit 8121 combines
15 the graphics of effective markers obtained by the meta
data obtaining unit 8122 with image data which is output i
d
from the sensitizing/desensitizing and gain adjustment
and color space conversion unit 8114. The effective
marker composing unit 8121 outputs the combined image
20 data to a view finder (not shown).
[01011
The meta data obtaining unit 8122 obtains, as meta
data, capture gamma equation, white balance, the values
of black/gray/r.~hiteo f RAW data, garnrna for CDL, and the
25 like. The meta data obtaining unit 8122 provides the
obtained meta data to the image-capturing unit 8111, the
sensitizing/desensitizing and gain adjustment and color
space conversion unit 8114, the IDT processing unit 8115,
the color correction unit 8116, and the like. The meta
30 data obtaining unit 8122 obtains EI, effective marker,
and ASC-CDL, and provides them to the
sensitizing/desensitizing and gain adjustment and color
space conversion unit 8114, the effective marker
composing unit 8121, the color correction unit 8116, and
the like.
s [0102]
The meta data obtaining unit 8122 includes an EI
obtaining unit (illumination obtaining unit) for
obtaining EI. The EI obtaining unit (not shown) is made
by using an illuminometer, and obtains a measured value
10 transmitted by wires or wirelessly from the illuminometer
in real time, and converts the measured value into a
value of exposure index of photo.meter (EI) which is an
exposure index value. The meta data obtaining unit 8122
receives effective marker and ASC-CDL which are input by
15 a photographer, a direclor, and the like by using the
user interface unit 8124.
LO1031
The input and output unit 8123 associates the R A W
data obtained by the image-capturing unit 8111 and the
20 meta data obtained by the meta data obtaining unit 8122
with each other, and outputs them to a subsequent stage
via the connector 7 5 . The input and output unit 8123
outputs the RAW data provided from a subsequent stage via
the connector 75 to the debayer processing unit 8113, and
25 outputs the meta data to the meta data obtaining unit
8122.
[0104]
As described above, the user interface unit 8124 is
constituted by a switch, a button, a dial, and the like
30 for performing selection, operation setting, and the like
of various kinds of functions of image-capturing devices,
and outputs an operation signal according to the user
operation to the control unit 8130.
[0105]
The display unit 8125 displays the setting state,
5 the operation state, and the like of the image-capturing
device on the basis of a control signal given by the
control unit 8130.
[0106]
The control unit 8130 generates a control signal on
10 the basis of an operation signal provided from the user
interface unit 8124, and provides the control signal to
each unit, so that each unit is controlled to cause the
image-capturing device 80 to perform operation and
setting according to user operation.
15 [0107]
The power supply unit 8135 makes the electric power
provided via the connector 75 or the power supply input
connector 8133 into desired power supply voltages, and
provides the electric powers to the units.
20 [0108]
Subsequently, the circuit configuration of the
battery pack connection device 83 or the recording and
playback device 84 to which the adapter device is applied
\.rill be explained. The battery pack connection device 83
25 or the recording and playback device 84 is provided with
an external connection connector. When the battery pack
connection device 83 or the recording and playback device
84 is attached to the image-capturing device main body
unit 81, and an external connection connector provided on
30 the back surface 81b of the image-capturing device main
body unit 81 cannot be used, the external connection
connector provided on the battery pack connection device
83 or the recording and playback device 84 can be used
instead. When the battery pack connection device 83 or
the recording and playback device 84 is attached to the
5 image-capturing device main body unit 81, the external
connection connector provided on the battery pack
connection device 83 or the recording and playback device
84 is used, so that an external device that can be
connected to the image-capturing device main body unit 81
10 can be expanded.
[01091
Fig. 25 is a figure schematically showing an
example of a circuit configuration of a battery pack
connection device and a battery pack. The battery pack
15 connection device 83 connects the image-capturing device
main body unit 81 of the image-capturing device 80 and
the battery pack 85. As described above, the battery
pack connection device 83 is provided with a connector 55,
a power supply input connector 8313, a power supply
20 output connector 8314, and a battery pack connector 8325.
The battery pack connection device 83 includes a power
supply unit 8301.
[01101
The connector 55 is a connector connected to the
25 connector 75 of the image-capturing device main body unit
81. The power supply input connector 8313 is a connector
for providing electric power from the external power
supply device to the image-capturing device main body
unit 81. The power supply output connector 8314 is a
30 connector for providing electric power to an external
device. The battery pack connector 8325 is a connector
for e l e c t r i c a l l y connecting with the battery pack 85.
[Olll]
The power supply unit 8301 s e l e c t s any one of the
e l e c t r i c powers provided from the power supply input
connector 8313 o r t h e battery pack 85, and outputs the
e l e c t r i c power from the connector 55 and the power supply
output connector 8314. As described above, the power
supply unit 8301 outputs the e l e c t r i c power, which is
provided from the power supply input connector 8313, via
the connector 55. Therefore, even when the battery pack
connection device 83 is provided on the back surface 81b
of the image-capturing device main body unit 81, and the
power supply input connector 8133 cannot be used, the
power supply input connector 8313 provided on the battery
pack conrleclion device 83 can be used instead.
[01121
The battery pack 85 includes a secondary b a t t e r y
8501 and a charge and discharge control unit 8502. The
secondary battery 8501 uses a secondary battery such a s a
lithium i o n battery. The charge and discharge control
unit 8502 p r o t e c t s t h e secondary battery 8501 from over
charging and over discharging. The charge and discharge
control unit 8502 controls charging of the secondary
battery 8501 so that the secondary battery 8501 is
charged appropriately. The battery pack 85 provides
e l e c t r i c power via the connection terminal unit 8525 t o
the external device.
[0113]
Fig. 26 is a figure schematically showing an
example of a c i r c u i t configuration of a recording and
playback device. The recording and playback device 84
records and plays an image s i g n a l and t h e l i k e generated
by t h e image-capturing device main body u n i t 81 of t h e
image-capturing device 80, and connects t h e imagecapturing
device main body u n i t 81 and t h e b a t t e r y pack
5 85.
[0114]
A s described above, t h e recording and playback
device 84 includes a connector 55, a power supply i n p u t
connector 8413, a power supply output connector 8414, a
10 s i g n a l o u t p u t t e r m i n a l 8415, and a b a t t e r y pack connector
8425. The recording and playback device 84 includes an
e q u a l i z e r 8401, d r i v e r s 8402, 8407, a d a t a processing
u n i t 8403, a c o n t r o l u n i t 8405, a power supply u n i t 8406,
and a recording medium 92.
15 [0115]
The connector 55 is a connector connected t o the
A
connector 75 of t h e image-capturing device main body u n i t
81. The power supply input connector 8413 is a connector
f o r providing e l e c t r i c power from t h e e x t e r n a l power
20 supply device t o t h e image-capturing device main body
u n i t 81. The power supply o u t p u t connector 8414 is a
connector f o r providing e l e c t r i c power t o an e x t e r n a l
device. The s i g n a l output terminal 8415 is a terminal
f o r o u t p u t t i n g an image s i g n a l and the l i k e t o the
25 e x t e r n a l d e v i c e . The b a t t e r y pack connector 8425 is a
connector f o r e l e c t r i c a l l y connecting with t h e b a t t e r y
pack 85.
[0116]
The e q u a l i z e r 8401 performs adjustment o f t h e
30 c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s change i n t h e transmission on a s i g n a l of
d a t a provided from t h e i n p u t and output u n i t 8123 of t h e
image-capturing device main body unit 81, and outputs the
signal to the data processing unit 8403.
[0117]
The driver 8402 outputs the data provided from the
5 data processing unit 8403 to the input and output unit
8123 of the image-capturing device main body unit 81.
[0118]
The data processing unit 8403 performs processing
for recording RAW data and meta data, which are data
10 signals provided from the input and output unit 8123 of
the image-capturing device main body unit 81, to the
recording medium 92. The data processing unit 8403
performs processing for reading RAW data and meta data
recorded in the recording medium 92, and outputting the
15 RAW data and the meta data via Lhe driver 8402 to the
input and output unit 8123 of the image-capturing device
A
main body unit 81. Further, the data processing unit
8403 outputs the RAW data, the meta data, and the like
via the driver 8407 to the external device.
20 [0119]
The recording medium 92 uses, for example, a memory
card and the like, and records the RAW data and the meta
data provided from the data processing unit 8403. The
recording medium 92 is provided in the recording and
25 playback device 84 in a detachable manner.
[01201
The driver 8407 outputs the RAW data and the like
provided from the data processing unit 8403 to the
external device via the signal output terminal 8415, so
30 that, for example, the external device can perform
monitoring and the like of captured images.
[01211
The control unit 8405 communicates with the control
unit 8130 of the image-capturing device main body unit 81,
and controls each unit so as t o cause the recording and
5 playback device 84 t o perform operation according t o user
operation.
LO1221
The power supply unit 8406 s e l e c t s any one of the
e l e c t r i c powers provided from the power supply input
10 connector 8413 and the battery pack 85, and outputs the
e l e c t r i c power via the connector 55 and the power supply
output connector 8414. The power supply u n i t 8406 makes
the e l e c t r i c power provided v i a t h e power supply input
connector 8413 or the battery pack 85 i n t o desired power
15 supply voltages, and provides the e l e c t r i c powers t o the
units. As described above, the por(ler supply unit 8406
1
outputs the e l e c t r i c poxier provided from the power supply
input connector 8413 via the connector 55. Therefore,
even when the recording and playback device 84 is
20 provided on the back surface 81b of the image-capturing
device main body unit 81, and the power supply input
connector 8133 cannot be used, the power supply input
connector 8413 provided on the recording and playback
device 84 can be used instead.
25 [01231
The recording and playback device 84 is provided
with the signal output terminal 8415, and when the
recording and playback device 84 is connected with the
image-capturing device main body unit 81, a signal and
30 the l i k e generated by the image-capturing device main
body unit 8 1 can be output from t h e s i g n a l output
terminal 8415. Therefore, an external device that can be
connected to the image-capturing device main body unit 81
can be expanded. For example, the image-capturing device
main body unit 81 is provided with a signal output
5 terminal for outputting image data and the like having
been subjected to various kinds of camera signal
processing, and the signal output terminal 8415 outputs
the RAW data before the camera signal processing. In
this configuration, an external device using RAW data can
10 be connected, and the external device that can be
connected to the image-capturing device main body unit 81
can be expanded.
[0124]
In an electronic device using such adapter device,
15 when the adapter device is attached to the main body
device, an operation force for moving an operatiori lever
d
protruding with respect to the main body device in a nonprotruding
direction is received, and the movement in the
operation direction is converted into the insertion
20 direction of the connector. When the adapter device is
detached, an operation force for moving the operation
lever in the non-protruding state into the protruding
direction is received, and the movement in the operation
direction is converted into the detachment and
25 djsconnection direction of the connector.
[0125]
For example, in the battery pack connection device
83 or the recording and playback device 84 to which the
adapter device is applied, the operation lever 41 is in
30 the standing state to be at a position protruding v~ith
respect to the upper surface of the housing of the imagecapturing
device main body unit 81 before attachment to
the image-capturing device main body unit 81. When the
battery pack connection device 83 or the recording and
playback device 84 is attached to the image-capturing
5 device main body unit 81, an operation force for changing
the operation lever 4 1 from the standing state to the
collapsed state is received, and the movement in the
operation direction is converted into the insertion
direction of the connector. The operation lever 41
10 changes to the collapsed state, and it is at a position
not protruding with respect to the upper surface of the
housing of the image-capturing device main body unit 81.
When the battery pack connection device 83 or the
recording and playback device 84 are detached from the
15 image-capturinq device mairk body unit 81, an operation
force for changing the operation lever 41 from the 1
d
collapsed state into the standing state is received, and
the movement in the operation direction is converted into
the detachment and disconnection direction of the
20 connector.
LO1261
When the battery pack connection device 83 or the
recording and the playback device 84 is configured as
described above, the operation lever 41 protrudes with
25 respect to the upper surface of the housing of the imagecapturing
device main body unit 81 to be in the standing
state when the battery pack connection device 83 or the
recording and the playback device 84 is attached to the
image-capturing device main body unit 81, and therefore,
30 the lever operation can be easily done. When the battery
pack connection device 83 or the recording and playback
device 84 is attached t o the image-capturing device main
body unit 81, the operation lever 4 1 is i n the collapsed
s t a t e , and is a t a p o s i t i o n n o t protruding with respect
t o the upper surface of the housing of the image-
5 capturing device main body unit 81. Therefore, t h i s can
prevent the operation lever 4 1 from being operated by
mistake while the image-capturing device 80 is used.
[0127]
When the operation lever 4 1 is operated from the
10 standing s t a t e t o the collapsed s t a t e , t h e force applied
t o the connector 75 of the image-capturing device main
body unit 81 and the connector 55 of the battery pack
connection device 83 or the recording and playback device
84 can be made into a s u b s t a n t i a l l y uniform force i n the
15 i n s e r t i o n and detacllment d i r e c t i o n . Therefore, the
connector is not inserted or detached with an i n c l i n a t i o n
with respect t o t h e i n s e r t i o n and detachment d i r e c t i o n ,
and any uneven force is not applied t o the connector.
Therefore, the connector of the image-capturing device
20 main body unit 81 and the battery pack connection device
83 or the recording and playback device 84 is prevented
from being damaged, deformed, contact f a i l u r e , and the
l i k e .
[0128]
25 Further, when the connector i s connected, the
fastening unit provided on the battery pack connection
device 83 or the recording and playback device 84 is
inserted i n t o the engagement hole of the image-capturing
device main body unit 81, and i n the fastening u n i t s , the
30 hook u n i t s of which i n s e r t i o n directions are opposite t o
each other are i n a s t a t e of being inserted i n t o the
engagement holes. Therefore, the battery pack connection
device 83 or the recording and playback device 84 can be
reliably prevented from dropping from the image-capturing
device main body unit 81.
5 [0129]
When the battery pack connection device 83 or the
recording and playback device 84 is attached, the power
supply input connector 8133 provided at the back surface
side of the image-capturing device main body unit 81 may
10 not be used. In this case, the power supply input
connector 8313 provided on the battery pack connection
device 83 and the power supply input connector 8413
provided on the recording and playback device 84 can be
used instead, and therefore, this can prevent the
15 conveniellce from being reduced. The recording and
playback device 84 is provided with a signal output
terminal for connection with an external device, and when
this signal output terminal is used, an external device
that can be connected to the image-capturing device main
20 body unit 81 can be expanded.
[013O]
It should be noted that the electronic device is
not limited to the image-capturing device, and may be a
device such as an information processing device for
25 processing various kinds of information. The operation
lever 41 is not necessarily provided on the upper surface.
Alternatively, the operation lever 41 may be provided on
a side surface, a lower surface, or a back surface.
[Ol31]
3 0 Further, in the above embodiment, a configuration
for moving forward and backward the housing provided with
the connector in the insertion and detachment direction
of the connector in accordance with the rotation
operation of the operation lever has been shown for
example, but the operation direction of the user is not
5 limited to the above embodiment. For example, the
movement direction conversion unit may be configured to
convert user's slide operation in the main body device
direction and a direction for inserting the hook unit
221f into the hook hole 711a into a movement in the
10 insertion and detachment direction of the connector.
More specifically, when a movement direction conversion
unit is constituted by a first link mechanism and a
second link mechanism, the first link mechanism converts
the user's slide operation in the main body device
15 direction and a direction for inserting the hook unit
221f into the hook hole 711a into a movement in the
surface direction. In this case, when the hook unit 221f
is inserted into the hook hole 111a and the adapter
device is fastened to the main body device, for example,
20 as described above, the movement is converted into the
movement in the surface direction in a direction opposite
to the insertion direction of the hook unit 221f. As
described above, the second link mechanism may convert
the movement in the surface direction into a movement in
25 the insertion and detachment direction of the connector.
[0132]
Further, the present technique is not to be
interpreted by being limited to the embodiment of the
technique explained above. The embodiment of this
30 technique discloses the present technique in the form of
an example, and it is evident that a person skilled in
the art could modify or use an alternative in the
embodiment without deviating from the gist of the present
technique. More specifically, claims should be taken
into consideration when determining the gist of the
5 present technique.
[0133]
It should be noted that the adapter device
according to the present technique may be configured as
follor,ls.
10 (1)
An adapter device including:
an attachment stage on which a fastening unit
fastened to a main body device is provided on an
attachment surface in advance;
15 a main body unit provided with a connector; and
/ a movement direction conversion unit configured to
i
receive an operation force, convert a movement in an
operation direction into an insertion and detachment
direction of the connector, and move forward and backward
20 the main body unit in the insertion and detachment
direction of the connector with respect to the attachment
stage in accordance with the operation force.
(21
The adapter device according to (I), wherein the
25 movement direction conversion unit includes a first link
mechanism configured to convert the movement in the
operation direction into a movement in a surface
direction, and a second link mechanism configured to
convert the movement in the surface direction into the
30 movement in the insertion and detachment direction of the
connector.
( 3 )
The adapter device according t o (21, wherein the
f i r s t link mechanism includes:
an operation lever configured to r o t a t e upon
5 receiving the operation force;
a driving shaft configured to move i n accordance
with a rotation operation of the operation lever; and
a s l i d e r configured t o be moved i n the surface
direction i n accordance with t h e r o t a t i o n operation of
10 the operation lever by t h e d r i v i n g s h a f t .
( 4 )
The adapter device according to ( 2 ) or ( 3 ) , wherein
the second l i n k mechanism includes a s l i d e r having an
i n c l i n e d surface inclined with respect t o the surface
15 direction and attached t o the main body unit i n a movable
manned i n t h e surface direction; and
i
a direction conversion unit formed on the
attachment stage and having an i n c l i n e d surface inclined
with respect t o the i n s e r t i o n and detachment d i r e c t i o n ,
20 wherein the i n c l i n e d surface of the s l i d e r s l i d e s on the
i n c l i n e d surface i n accordance with a movement i n the
surface direction of the s l i d e r , so t h a t the main body
unit is moved in the i n s e r t i o n and detachment d i r e c t i o n
with respect to the attachment stage.
25 (5)
The adapter device according to any of (1) t o ( 4 )
provided with a second fastening unit fastened t o the
main body device i n accordance with a movement i n the
connector insertion d i r e c t i o n of the main body u n i t .
30 ( 6 )
The adapter device according t o ( 5 ) , wherein the
slider attached movably in the surface direction
according to the operation force with respect to the main
body unit is provided with the second fastening unit.
(7)
5 The adapter device according to ( 6 ) , wherein the
first fastening unit, which is the fastening unit
provided in advance on the attachment surface, and the
second fastening unit are formed in a hook shape, and the
first fastening unit and the second fastening unit are
10 fastened to the main body device in directions opposite
to each other.
( 8 )
The adapter device according to any of (1) to (7),
wherein a restriction unit restricting a movement in a
15 direction different froln ihe fastening direction of the
fastening unit by engdging with the main body device is
d
provided on the attachment surface.
(91
The adapter device according to any of (1) to ( 8 ) ,
20 wherein the main body unit is provided with a connector
insertion guide protruding in the insertion direction
with respect to the connector on the basis of a position
of the connector, and
the connector insertion guide is protruding fro111
25 the attachment surface of the attachment stage in
accordance with the main body unit moving in the
insertion direction of the connector.
(10)
The adapter device according to any of (1) to (9)
30 including:
a holding mechanism configured to hold an operation
lever receiving the operation force at a connector
insertion completion position; and
a cancel mechanism configured to receive an
operation force and cancel a holding state at the
5 connector insertion completion position.
(11)
The adapter device according to (lo), wherein the
operation lever is urged in a connector detachment and
disconnection operation direction,
10 when the operation lever is in a state of the
connector insertion completion position, the holding
mechanism fastens the fastening unit provided on the
operation lever, holds the operation lever at the
connector insertion completion position, and
15 the cailcel r~lechdrlism receives an operation force
and cahcels the fastening state of the fastening unit
i
provided on the operation lever.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
20 [0134]
In the adapter device and the electronic device
according to this technique, the attachment stage is
fastened to the main body device by the fastening unit
provided on the attachment surface of the attachment
25 stage. The main body unit is provided v~j~tht he connector,
and the movement direction conversion unit receives the
operation force and converts the movement in the
operation direction into the insertion and detachment
direction of the connector, and moves forward and
30 backward the main body unit in the insertion and
detachment direction of the connector with respect to the
attachment stage in accordance with the operation force.
As described above, since the attachment stage is
fastened to the main body device, the connector provided
on the main body unit moves in the insertion and
5 detachment direction in accordance with the operation
force, so that the insertion and detachment operation of
the connector can be performed in a stable manner.
Therefore, this technique is suitable for an adapter
device detachably attached to an electronic device via a
10 connector such as a video camera device having a dockable
structure.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[01351
15 10 Adapter device
20 Attachment stage!
d
21, 71 Attachment surface
23, 26 Rotation shaft
2 5 Insertion hole
20 27 Spring holding unit
28 Rotation restriction unit
29 Flange portion
30 Slider
31 Base body unit
25 32 Side plate portion
4 1 Operation lever
42 Torsion coil spring
45 Lock cancel operation lever
46 Coil spring
30 50 Housing
55, 75 Connector
56 Connector insertion guide
6 0 Cover unit
70 Main body device
7 6 Insertion port
5 80 Image-capturing device
8 1 Image-capturing device main body unit
81b Back surface
8 2 Lens unit
83 Battery pack connection device
10 84 Recording and playback device
85 Battery pack
91, 92 Recording medium
221, 222, 321 Fastening unit
221f, 321f Hook unit
15 221p, 222p, 321p, 322p Holding surface
221s, 222s, 321s, 322s Inclined surfAce
i
311 Supported hole
312 Driving shaft hole
323 Fastening end
20 324, 325 Flat surface
411, 451 Operation unit
412, 452 Shaft hole
413 Slider driving shaft
415 Lever fastening unit
25 453 Spring holding unit
455 Fastening piece
510 Support shaft
511 Sliding pin
531 Screw hole
30 631 Insertion hole
635 Opening portion
636, 637 Slider reception unit
641 Restriction projection portion
711 Fastening depression portion
711a, 711b Hook hole
5 741 Restriction depression portion
8111 Image-capturing unit
8112 RAW data processing unit
8113 Debayer processing unit
8114 Sensitizing/desensitizing and gain adjustment and
10 color space conversion unit
8115 IDT processing unit
8116 Color correction unit
8117 ODT processing unit
8118 Codec unit
15 8119 Data processing unit
8121 Effective marker composing unit
8122 Meta data obtaining unit
8123 Input and output unit
8124 User interface unit
20 8125 Display unit
8130 Control unit
8133, 8313, 8413 Power supply input connector
8135, 8301, 8406 Power supply unit
8140 Recording medium insertion port
25 8314, 8414 Power supply output connector
8321, 8421 Battery pack attachment unit
8321a, 8421a Holding depression portion
8322, 8422 Release lever
8322a, 8422a Operation unit
30 8322b, 842213 Fastening claw
8325, 8425 Battery pack connector
8326, 8426 Position determination guide
8401 Equalizer
8402, 8407 Driver
8403 Data processing unit
5 8405 Control unit
8415 Signal output terminal
8427 Insertion port open/close lid
8428 Operation lever
8501 Secondary battery
10 8502 Charge and discharge control unit
8521 Fastening projection portion
8522b Fastening claw holding unit
8525 Connection terminal unit
8526 Position determination groove

CLAIMS
1. An adapter device comprising:
an attachment stage on which a fastening unit
5 fastened to a main body device is provided on an
attachment surface in advance;
a main body unit provided with a connector; and
a movement direction conversion unit configured to
receive an operation force, convert a movement in an
10 operation direction into an insertion and detachment
direction of the connector, and move forward and backward
the main body unit in the insertion and detachment
direction of the connector with respect to the attachment
stage in accordance with the operation force.
15
2. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein
the movement direction conversion unit includes a first
link mechanism configured to convert the movement in the
operation direction into a movement in a surface
20 direction, and a second link mechanism configured to
convert the movement in the surface direction into the
movement in the insertion and detachment direction of the
connector.
25 3. The adapter device according to claim 2, wherein
the first link mechanism includes:
an operation lever configured to rotate upon
receiving the operation force;
a driving shaft configured to move in accordance
30 with a rotation operation of the operation lever; and
a slider configured to be moved in the surface
direction in accordance with the rotation operation of
the operation lever by the driving shaft.
4. The adapter device according to claim 2, wherein
5 the second link mechanism includes a slider having an
inclined surface inclined with respect to the surface
direction and attached to the main body unit in a movable
manner in the surface direction; and
a direction conversion unit formed on the
10 attachment stage and having an inclined surface inclined
with respect to the insertion and detachment direction,
wherein the inclined surface of the slider slides on the
inclined surface in accordance with a movement in the
surface direction of the slider, so that the main body
15 unit is i~~uveidr i the insertion and detachment direction
with respect to the attachment stage.
5. The adapter device according to claim 1 provided
with a second fastening unit fastened to the main body
20 device in accordance with a movement in the connector
insertion direction of the main body unit.
6. The adapter device according to claim 5, wherein
the slider attached movably in the surface direction
25 according to the operation force 1,rith respect to the main
body unit is provided with the second fastening unit.
7. The adapter device according to claim 6, wherein
the first fastening unit, which is the fastening unit
30 provided in advance on the attachment surface, and the
second fastening unit are formed in a hook shape, and the
first fastening unit and the second fastening unit ar,e
fastened to the main body device in directions opposite
to each other.
5 8. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein a
restriction unit restricting a movement in a direction
different from the fastening direction of the fastening
unit by engaging with the main body device is provided on
the attachment surface.
10
9. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein
the main body unit is provided with a connector insertion
guide protruding in the insertion direction with respect
to the connector on the basis of a position of the
15 connector, and
the connector insertion guide is protruding from
the attachment surface of the attachment stage in
accordance with the main body unit moving in the
insertion direction of the connector.
2 0
10. ' The adapter device according to claim 1,
comprising :
a holding mechanism configured to hold an operation
lever receiving the operation force at a connector
25 insertion completion position; and
a cancel mechanism configured to receive an
operation force and cancel a holding state at the
connector insertion completion position.
30 11. The adapter device according to claim 10, wherein
the operation lever is urged in a connector detachment
and disconnection operation direction,
when the operation lever is in a state of the
connector insertion completion position, the holding
mechanism fastens the fastening unit provided on the
5 operation lever, holds the operation lever at the
connector insertion completion position, and
the cancel mechanism receives an operation force
and cancels the fastening state of the fastening unit
provided on the operation lever.
10
12. An electronic device comprising a main body device
and an adapter device attached to the main body device
and electrically connected to the main body device via a
connector,
15 wherein the adapter device includes:
an attachment stage on which a fastening unit
fastened to the main body device is provided on an
attachment surface in advance;
a main body unit provided with the connector used
20 for electrical connection with the main body device; and
a movement direction conversion unit configured to
receive an operation force with an operation lever,
convert a movement in an operation direction into an
insert,i.on and detachment directj~on of the connector, and
25 move forward and backward the main body unit in the
insertion and detachment direction of the connector with
respect to the attachment stage in accordance with the
operation force,
wherein the movement direction conversion unit
30 receives an operation force for moving, in a nonprotruding
direction, the operation lever protruding with
respect to the main body device during attachment to the
main body device and converts a movement in the operation
direction into an insertion direction of the connector,
and the movement direction conversion unit receives an
5 operation force for moving, in a protruding direction,
the operation lever in a non-protruding state and
converts the movement in the operation direction into the
detachment and disconnection direction of the connector.
Sd
10 13. The electronic device according to claim 12,
wherein an adapter device attachment surface of the main
body device and the adapter device are provided with
external connection connectors for connection with an
external device, and
15 when the adapter device is connected via the
1 condector with the main body device, the external
I A
connection connector provided on the adapter device is
usable instead of the external connection connector of
the adapter device attachment surface of the main body
20 device.
14. The electronic device according to claim 12,
wherein the adapter device is provided with an external
connection connector for connection with an external
25 device, and
when the adapter device is connected via the
copnector with the main body device, the external device
capable of connecting to the main body device is expanded
by using the external connection connector.