JP2012163884A - Operating mechanism and electronic apparatus provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operating mechanism reducing an unnecessary collision sound when operating the operating mechanism.SOLUTION: An operating mechanism comprises: a fixing member 22 fixed to a housing; a self-returning control lever 21 that is disposed on the fixing member 22, is capable of being operated toward a rotational direction with respect to the fixing member 22 by a finger of a user and self-returns to a position before operation when the user releases his or her finger from the self-returning control lever 21; and braking means 23 that is pressed with respect to the self-returning control lever 21 so that frictional force with respect to the self-returning control lever 21 is increased when the self-returning control lever 21 is positioned in the vicinity of the position before the operation during a self-returning of the self-returning control lever 21 to the position before the operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation mechanism such as a zoom ring or an electronic apparatus including the operation mechanism.

  As a conventional operation mechanism, there is an operation mechanism described in Patent Document 1 or the like. This operation mechanism is mainly provided in electronic devices such as a digital still camera and a video camera, and enables a zoom operation.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the conventional operation mechanism 700 includes a restriction projection 1216 provided on the back surface of an operation unit in which arms 1242 and 1243 provided on the torsion spring 124 are rotated by a user, They are hooked facing each other so as to sandwich a regulating portion 1225 provided on the back surface of the mounting portion fixed to the housing side of the imaging device. Since the torsion spring 124 is formed so that the arm portions 1242 and 1243 open in the opened state, the arm portions 1242 and 1243 always apply loads to both sides of the restricting projection 1216 and the restricting portion 1225. As a result, the operation unit can automatically return itself.

JP 2009-175593 A

  However, in such a conventional operation mechanism, when the user releases his / her finger after zooming the operation unit, the torsion spring 124 for automatic return comes into contact with the restriction unit 1225 and generates a hitting sound. There was a problem that there is a possibility of making it. In recent years, digital cameras that can shoot not only still images but also movies have become the mainstream, and if unnecessary sounds are generated by zooming etc. during movie shooting, such unnecessary sounds are also generated. It will be recorded.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation mechanism that reduces unnecessary hitting sound during operation in order to solve the above problems.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the operation mechanism of the present invention is provided on a fixing member fixed to the housing and the fixing member, and can be operated in a rotation direction with respect to the fixing member by a user's finger. Friction force against the self-returning lever when the finger is released and when the self-returning lever is located near the pre-operation position when the self-returning lever is self-returning to the pre-operation position. Braking means pressed against the self-return operation lever.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the operation mechanism which reduces an unnecessary hit sound at the time of operation can be provided.

The perspective view of an imaging device provided with the operation mechanism concerning this Embodiment Configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus including an operation mechanism according to the present embodiment The disassembled perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the operation mechanism concerning this Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the operation mechanism concerning this Embodiment. Top view of the operation mechanism according to the present embodiment Sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. Bottom view of the operation mechanism according to the present embodiment The bottom view at the time of operation of the operation mechanism concerning this embodiment The bottom perspective view of the operation unit according to the present embodiment Bottom view of mounting portion according to this embodiment Sectional drawing explaining the conventional operation mechanism

(1. Embodiment 1)
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic, and the ratio of each dimension may be different from the actual one. Accordingly, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

  In the following embodiments, an imaging apparatus will be described as an example of an electronic device including an operation mechanism. In the following description, the direction toward the subject is “front”, the direction opposite to the subject is “rear”, the vertical upper direction is “upward”, based on an imaging device in a normal posture (hereinafter also referred to as landscape orientation). The vertically downward direction is expressed as “downward”, the right direction when facing the subject as “right”, and the left direction when facing the subject as “right”.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus 1 including an operation mechanism 2 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the imaging apparatus 1 including the operation mechanism 2 in the present embodiment. 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of the operation mechanism 2 in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a top view of the operation mechanism 2 in the present embodiment. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7A and 7B are bottom views of the operation mechanism 2 in the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the operation unit in the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the mounting portion in the present embodiment.

(1-1. Configuration of Imaging Device 1)
The operation mechanism 2 of the present embodiment is configured to be provided in the imaging apparatus 1 such as a digital still camera. The operation mechanism 2 is provided on the upper surface of the imaging device 1 and is configured to be rotatable. In addition, after receiving a turning operation from the user, the operation unit 21 is configured to return to the self-return position 219 by an urging force. And when this operation mechanism 2 receives the rotation operation from a user, it changes the zoom magnification of the imaging device 1 according to the said rotation operation. A conventional technique can be used as a method of changing the zoom magnification according to the rotation operation to the operation mechanism 2. For example, the controller 8 controls the zoom lens driving unit 11 based on an operation signal from the operation mechanism 2 to the controller 8, and the zoom lens driving unit 11 drives the zoom lens of the lens system 3 or the controller 8. There is a method in which the controller 8 controls the image processing circuit 6 based on an operation signal for the image processing circuit 6 to enable electronic zooming.

  In addition to the operation mechanism 2, the imaging device 1 includes a lens system 3 including a zoom lens, an imaging element 4 such as a CCD image sensor, an AD converter 5, and an image that performs image processing on digitized image data. A processing circuit 6, a buffer memory 7, a controller 8 as control means, a liquid crystal monitor 9, a flash memory 10, a zoom lens driving unit 11 for driving a zoom lens based on the control of the controller 8, and a memory card 13 And a detachable card slot 12. Since these components have the same configuration as that of the prior art, description thereof is omitted.

(1-2. Configuration of operation mechanism 2)
Next, the configuration of the operation mechanism 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. The operation mechanism 2 includes an operation part 21, an attachment part 22, a retaining part 23, an urging part 24, a pressing part 25 provided inside the operation part 21, and a space between the pressing part 25 and the attachment part 22. An elastic part 26 to be sandwiched; an elastic part 28 to be sandwiched between the attachment part 22 and the retaining part 23; and a switch part 27 that is in contact with the pressing part 25 or the operation part 21 and outputs an operation signal to the controller 8. (FIGS. 3 and 4). Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the operation mechanism in the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the operation unit 21 is configured by performing chromium plating on plastic such as ABS. The operation unit 21 includes a base 211 configured in a substantially ring shape, shaft portions 212a, b, and c, engagement claws 213a, b, and c, a finger hook 214 provided on the outer periphery of the base 211, and an attachment. The inner sleeve 215 inserted inside the outer sleeve 222 of the portion 22, the restricting protrusion 216 for restricting the biasing portion 24, the contact protrusion 217 for moving the operation direction detecting portion 273 of the zoom switch 272, and the pressing portion 25 And a pressing installation unit 218 to be attached (FIG. 8). The base body 211 has a substantially ring shape in a plane (horizontal plane) perpendicular to the vertical direction.

  The finger hook 214 is provided in front of the upper surface of the base body 211, and a user's finger (for example, a forefinger) is hooked so that the user can easily rotate.

  The inner sleeve 215 is provided with a plurality of contacts provided on the lower surface of the base body 211 and provided on the same circumference smaller than the outer periphery of the base body 211. As a result, the inner sleeve 215 is inserted inside the outer sleeve 222 of the attachment portion 22, and the operation portion 21 smoothly rotates along the circumferential direction of the substantially ring shape of the base body 211 with the vertical direction as the rotation axis. It is made to be able to. In the following description, the circumferential direction (or rotating direction) of the operation unit 21 refers to the circumferential direction of the substantially ring shape of the base body 211, and the radial direction of the operation unit 21 refers to the substantially ring shape of the base body 211. The rotation axis of the operation unit 21 refers to the central axis (that is, the vertical direction) around which the operation unit 21 (substantially ring shape of the base body 211) rotates.

  The shaft portions 212a, 212b, and 212c are configured to protrude downward from positions that divide the lower surface of the base body 211 (inner sleeve 215) into three equal parts. In particular, the shaft portion 212 c is provided behind the lower surface of the base body 211. The shaft portions 212a, b, and c are inserted in the through holes 221a, b, and c of the mounting portion 22 and are circumferentially along the guide portions 2212a, b, and c of the through holes 221a, b, and c. (Fig. 7A). As a result, the operation unit 21 can be partially rotated.

  The engaging claws 213a, b, c are provided at the tips of the shaft portions 212a, b, c, and are configured wider than the shaft portions 212a, b, c. In this embodiment, the engaging claws 213a, b, and c are provided so as to protrude outward in the radial direction, and are configured to be wider than the shaft portions 212a, b, and c.

  The restricting protrusion 216 is provided so as to protrude further downward from the shaft portion 212c, and is configured in a substantially T shape. Then, the arm portions 242 and 243 of the urging portion 24 are hooked on the left side surface 216a and the right side surface 216b of the leg of the restriction projection 216, so that the restriction projection 216 can regulate the arm portions 242 and 243 of the urging portion 24. I am doing so. When the arm portions 242 and 243 of the urging portion 24 are hooked on the restricting protrusion 216, if the arm portions 242 and 243 of the urging portion 24 are similarly hooked on the restricting portion 225 of the mounting portion 22, The part 21 can be self-recovered. Details of this will be described later.

  The contact protrusion 217 protrudes further downward from the shaft portion 212b and includes two protruding members. The operation direction detection unit 273 of the zoom switch 272 is sandwiched between the two projecting members, and the operation direction detection unit 273 of the zoom switch 272 is moved in two directions based on the rotation of the operation unit 21. .

  The pressing installation unit 218 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the operation unit 21 and is configured by cutting out the operation unit 21. Thereby, the pressing portion 25 can be attached.

  Next, the attachment portion 22 is made of a plastic such as polycarbonate or ABS, and is provided on the upper surface of the imaging device 1. The attachment portion 22 is engaged with the through holes 221a, b, c, the outer sleeve 222, the insertion hole 223 through which the pressing protrusion 252 of the pressing portion 25 is inserted, and the ring portion 241 of the biasing portion 24. A joint portion 224, a restriction portion 225 for restricting the arm portions 242 and 243 of the biasing portion 24, an opening placement portion 226 for placing the opening portion 233 of the retaining portion 23 at a position corresponding to the finger hook 214 of the operation portion 21, An attachment support portion 227 for instructing the attachment direction of the front and back sides of the retaining portion 23 and an engaging portion 228 for retaining the opening to the outside of the opening end portion 232 of the retaining portion 23 are configured (FIG. 9). ).

  The through holes 221 a, b, and c are provided corresponding to the number of the shaft portions 212 a, b, and c of the operation portion 21, and are arranged so as to draw a substantially ring shape on the outer peripheral side of the attachment portion 22. The through holes 221a, b, and c are configured to have at least notches 2211a, b, and c. That is, in the present embodiment, the through holes 221a, b, c have notches 2211a, b, c and guide portions 2212a, b, c. In the present embodiment, each of the through holes 221a, b, and c has a guide portion, but one of these may not be provided with a guide portion.

  The notches 2211a, b, and c are configured to be wider than the engaging claws 213a, b, and c of the operation unit 21 so that the shafts 212a, b, and c can be inserted into the through holes without bending. It is a thing. Here, the notches 2211a, b, c of the present embodiment are inserted into the through holes 221a, b, c without bending the shafts 212a, b, c. A hole is formed from the vicinity of the center side to the vicinity of the outer side of the engagement claws 213a, b, and c than the inner side position.

  The guide portions 2212a, b, c are narrower than the engaging claws 213a, b, c of the operation portion 21, and wider than the shaft portions 212a, b, c of the operation portion 21, and the shaft portion 212a. , B, and c are movable along the guide portions 2212a, b, and c. That is, after the engaging claws 213a, b, c of the operation portion 21 and the shaft portions 212a, b, c are inserted into the through holes 221a, b, c, the shaft portions 212a, b are inserted into the guide portions 2212a, b, c. When c is moved, the operation portion 21 can be partially rotated without being detached from the attachment portion 22.

  The outer sleeve 222 is provided on the upper surface of the attachment portion 22 and, together with the inner sleeve 215 of the operation portion 21, allows the operation portion 21 to be smoothly rotated.

  The insertion hole 223 is provided in the vicinity of the center of the attachment portion 22 and constitutes a circular hole. As a result, the pressing protrusion 252 of the pressing portion 25 can be inserted.

  The engaging portion 224 is provided on the lower surface of the mounting portion 22 so as to protrude to the periphery of the insertion hole 223 and is configured to engage the ring portion 241 of the biasing portion 24.

  The restricting portion 225 is provided on the bottom surface of the attachment portion 22 and on the back side of the imaging device 1 between the insertion hole 223 and the through holes 221a, b, and c, and is configured in a substantially T shape. As a result, the arm portions 242 and 243 of the urging portion 24 are hooked on the left side surface 225a and the right side surface 225b of the leg of the restricting portion 225, and the arm portions 242 and 243 of the urging portion 24 are similarly restricted by the restricting protrusions of the operation portion 21. When hooked by 216, the operation unit 21 can self-recover.

  The opening placement portion 226 is provided on the lower surface of the mounting portion 22 and on the front side of the imaging device 1, and has a protrusion that protrudes so that the opening 233 of the retaining portion 23 is placed on the front side of the imaging device 1. Is. That is, the position where the finger hook 214 of the operation part 21 after the self-return comes and the position where the opening 233 of the retaining part 23 is arranged are made to exist at the same position in the circumferential direction.

  The L-shaped portion 236 of the retaining portion 23 is provided on the outer peripheral side from the viewing surface 235 that is the lower surface side of the retaining portion 23, and indicates the mounting direction of the front and back of the retaining portion 23, and compresses the elastic portion 28. It is made to let you. The compression of the elastic part 28 will be described later.

  The reason for instructing the mounting direction of the retaining portion 23 in this way is to enable the operation portion 21 to rotate smoothly. Since the material of the retaining portion 23 is plastic, burrs are generated in the retaining portion 23. That is, depending on the mold for molding the retaining portion 23, burrs are generated on one of the front surface and the back surface of the retaining portion 23. For this reason, when the engaging claws 213a, b, and c of the operation portion 21 are engaged with the surface of the retaining portion 23 where the burr is generated, the smooth rotation of the operation portion 21 is hindered. Therefore, by instructing the mounting direction of the retaining portion, it is possible to prevent the engaging claw of the operating portion from being engaged with the surface of the retaining portion where the burr has occurred, and to enable the operating portion to rotate smoothly. ing.

  The locking portion 228 is provided on the lower surface of the attachment portion 22 and in the vicinity of the opening placement portion 226, and is configured to protrude downward from the retaining attachment position 229. As a result, the locking portion 228 can lock the open end 232 of the retaining portion 23. Then, the opening of the retaining portion 23 to the outside is prevented, and the retaining portion 23 is prevented from being detached from the attachment portion 22 and the operation portion 21.

  Further, the retaining portion 23 is made of a plastic such as polyacetal and is formed in a C-ring shape. Then, the installation surface 234 of the retaining portion 23 is installed at the retaining attachment position 229 (including a part of the notches 2211a, b, and c) of the attachment portion 22, and the visual recognition surface 235 of the retaining portion 23 is engaged with the operation portion 21. Engage by engaging with the claws 213a, b, c. In other words, the retaining portion 23 is configured so that the mounting portion 22 and the engaging claws 213a, b, and c are at least provided in the state where the notch portions 2211a, b, and c are provided with the operating portion 21 attached to the mounting portion 22. It is provided between them, and serves as a spacer between the operation portion 21 and the attachment portion 22. Accordingly, when the operation portion 21 is attached to the attachment portion 22 and the retaining portion 23 is attached to the operation portion 21 and the attachment portion 22, the retaining portion 23 is engaged with the engaging claws 213a, b at the notches 2211a, b, c. , C can be covered. Therefore, the engaging claws 213a, 213b, 213c can be prevented from losing the operation portion 21 from the attachment portion 22 by losing a portion that passes when the engagement claws 213a, 213b, 213c are detached from the attachment portion. In addition to the above, an opening end 232 that protrudes toward the outer peripheral side in the C-ring-shaped opening 233 is provided.

  The retaining portion 23 is preferably made of polyacetal. This is because polyacetal is tensile, has high bending strength, is tough and has excellent elasticity, has a low friction coefficient, and is excellent in wear resistance. That is, in the present embodiment, after the operating portion 21 is attached to the attachment portion 22, the retaining portion 23 needs to be engaged with the engaging claws 213a, b, and c. At this time, the retaining portion 23 is hooked on the engaging claws 213a, b, and c by the opening end 232 being pulled outward. Further, after the retaining portion 23 is hooked on the engaging claws 213a, b, and c of the operation portion 21, if the operation portion 21 is rotated, the lower surface (viewing surface) of the retaining portion 23 and the engaging claws 213a of the operation portion 21 are operated. , B, c are slid. Therefore, the retaining portion 23 is preferably made of polyacetal because it needs elasticity that can withstand pulling and the like and wear resistance. Needless to say, the retaining portion is not limited to being made of polyacetal.

  The urging portion 24 is made of metal and has a torsion spring shape. The urging portion 24 includes a ring portion 241 that can be attached to the engagement portion 224 of the attachment portion 22, and an arm portion (left arm portion 242 and right arm) that is hooked on the restriction portion 225 of the attachment portion 22 and the restriction protrusion 216 of the operation portion 21. Part 243). The ring portion 241 is engaged with the engagement portion 224 of the attachment portion 22 so as to be engaged therewith. The arm portions 242 and 243 are hooked on the restriction portion 225 and the restriction protrusion 216 as follows. First, the left arm portion 242 is hooked on the right side surface 225b of the restriction portion 225 and the right side surface 216b of the restriction protrusion 216. Next, the right arm portion 243 is hooked on the left side surface 225 a of the restricting portion 225 and the left side surface 216 a of the restricting protrusion 216. Thereby, the operation unit 21 can be self-recovered.

  The pressing unit 25 is configured by performing chrome plating on plastic such as ABS. The pressing portion 25 is formed in a substantially columnar shape, and includes a mounting protrusion 251 and a pressing protrusion 252 on the outer periphery. Accordingly, the pressing portion 25 is inserted from below the operation portion 21, the attachment protrusion 251 is fitted to the pressing installation portion 218 of the operation portion 21, the pressing portion 25 is attached to the operation portion 21, and is movable up and down. ing.

  The elastic part 26 is made of metal and has a compression spring shape. The elastic portion 26 is attached to the pressing protrusion 252 and is provided between the pressing portion 25 and the attachment portion 22. As a result, the pressing unit 25 returns to the installation position of the operation unit 21. 3 and 4, the elastic portion 26 is schematically drawn in a cylindrical shape.

  The switch unit 27 includes a shutter switch 271 and a zoom switch 272. The switch unit 27 outputs a user operation on the switch unit 27 to the controller 8 as an operation signal. As a result, the controller 8 that has received the operation signal performs various controls.

  The shutter switch 271 is a two-step switch that detects the downward pressing when the pressing protrusion 252 of the pressing portion 25 is brought into contact therewith. That is, the shutter switch 271 can detect half-press and full-press from the user.

  The zoom switch 272 detects an operation in two directions by the operation direction detection unit 273. The operation direction detection unit 273 is sandwiched between the contact protrusions 217 of the operation unit 21 and detects the rotation direction of the operation unit 21. Accordingly, the zoom switch 272 can detect a zoom operation to the telephoto (T) and wide angle (W) with the self-return position 219 interposed therebetween.

  The elastic portion 28 is constituted by a cushion such as urethane and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The elastic portion 28 is installed on the lower surface of the attachment support portion 227 and is provided in a state of being sandwiched between the attachment portion 22 and the retaining portion 23. The elastic part 28 is thicker than between the attachment part 22 and the retaining part 23 and is attached in a compressed state. By attaching in a compressed state, the elastic portion 28 always generates a reaction force of a compressive load. The reaction force of the compressive load of the elastic portion 28 applies a load downward to the L-shaped 236 of the retaining portion 23. Further, the downward load of the L-shaped 236 applies a downward load to the operation portion 21 via the engaging claw 213c and the restricting projection 216. The elastic portion 28, the L-shape 236, and the engaging claw 213c are arranged so as to have the same phase in the vertical direction (the same position in the circumferential direction) in the self-returning state of the operation portion 21. Thereby, the reaction force of the compressive load of the elastic portion 28 can transmit the maximum load to the operation portion 21 in the self-returning state via the L-shaped 236 and the engaging claw 213c (FIG. 6).

(1-3. Assembly of operation mechanism 2)
Next, a method for assembling the operation mechanism 2 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the pressing unit 25 is attached to the operation unit 21. At this time, the attachment protrusion 251 of the pressing part 25 is attached so as to be fitted to the pressing installation part 218 of the operation part 21. Further, the elastic portion 26 is attached to the pressing protrusion 252 of the pressing portion 25.

  Next, the assembled operation part 21, pressing part 25, and elastic part 26 are attached to the attachment part 22. At this time, the engaging claws 213a, b, c of the operation unit 21 are inserted into the notches 2211a, b, c of the through holes 221a, b, c of the attachment unit 22. In this case, it is installed so that the finger grip 214 of the operation unit 21 comes to the front side of the imaging device 1. That is, attachment is performed such that the position of the restriction protrusion 216 of the operation portion 21 and the restriction portion 225 of the attachment portion 22 are arranged in the vicinity. If necessary, the shaft portions 221a, b, and c of the operation portion 21 are moved from the notches 2211a, b, and c to the guide portions 2212a, b, and c. If it does in this way, since it can prevent that the operation part 21 slips out from the attachment part 22, attachment of the retaining part 23 becomes easy.

  Then, the retaining portion 23 and the elastic portion 28 are attached to the assembled operation portion 21 and attachment portion 22 or the like. First, the elastic portion 28 is placed on the attachment support portion 227, and attachment is performed so that the elastic portion 28 is compressed by the retaining portion 23. The retaining portion 23 is attached so that the opening 233 of the retaining portion 23 and the opening installation portion 226 are aligned. At this time, the opening end 232 of the retaining portion 23 may be widened outward so that the visual recognition surface 235 of the retaining portion 23 is hooked on the engaging claws 213a, b, and c of the operation portion 21. Further, after the retaining portion 23 is attached to the operation portion 21 and the attaching portion 22, the retaining portion 23 is separated from the attaching portion 22 due to the relationship between the opening end 232 of the retaining portion 23 and the locking portion 228 of the attaching portion 22. It is hard to come off.

  Further, the urging portion 24 is attached to the assembled attachment portion 22, the operation portion 21, the retaining portion 23, and the like. First, the ring portion 241 of the urging portion 24 is hooked on the engaging portion 224 of the attachment portion 22. Then, the arm portions 242 and 243 of the urging portion 24 are attached to the restriction portion 225 of the attachment portion 22 and the restriction protrusion 216 of the operation portion 21. Specifically, the left arm portion 242 is hooked on the right side surface 225b of the restricting portion 225 and the right side surface 216b of the restricting protrusion 216. On the other hand, the right arm portion 243 is hooked on the left side surface 225 a of the restricting portion 225 and the left side surface 216 a of the restricting protrusion 216.

  Finally, the switch unit 27 is sandwiched between the shutter switch 271 and the pressing projection 252 of the pressing unit 25, and the operation direction detection unit 273 of the zoom switch 272 is sandwiched by the contact projection 217 of the operating unit 21. To install.

  Thereby, the assembly of the operation mechanism 2 in the present embodiment is completed.

(1-4. Operation of operation mechanism 2)
Here, the operation of the imaging apparatus 1 when the user uses the operation mechanism 2 of the imaging apparatus 1 will be described. The operation unit 21 of the operation mechanism 2 enables a zoom operation to telephoto (T) and wide angle (W) with the self-return position 219 interposed therebetween (FIG. 5). That is, when the user rotates the operation unit 21 with his / her finger in the T direction, the zoom lens is zoomed to the telephoto side. Further, when the user rotates the operation unit 21 with a finger in the W direction, the zoom lens is zoomed to the wide angle side. Then, after the user rotates the operation unit 21 with his / her finger in the T or W direction, when the finger is released, the operation unit 21 is urged toward the self-return position 219 and returns to the original position.

  In the conventional operation mechanism, when returning to the self-return position, a collision sound is generated in which the arm portions 242 and 243 of the urging portion 24 collide with the restricting portions 225a and 225b of the mounting portion 22. This collision sound is recorded as an unnecessary sound during moving image shooting. In the present embodiment, the elastic portion 28 applies a reaction force of a compressive load downward to the retaining portion 23 and the operation portion 21. The reaction force of the downward compressive load serves to increase the frictional force when the retaining portion 23 and the operation portion 21 are rotated. When the operation portion 21 is rotated by the urging force of the urging portion 24 to return to the self-return position, the frictional force in the rotation direction between the visual recognition surface 235 of the retaining portion 23 and the engaging claw 213c of the operation portion 21 is , It becomes a reaction force against the load in the rotational direction of the urging portion 24. The reaction force in the rotation direction reduces the load in the rotation direction and makes it possible to reduce the collision between the urging portion 24 and the attachment portion 22. That is, as the operation unit 21 approaches the self-return position, the frictional force between the retaining portion 23 and the operation unit 21 increases, and the rotational speed for returning to the self-return position decreases. The speed at the time of collision is lower than that of the conventional operation mechanism. And softening the collision will reduce the collision sound.

  Since the L-shape 236 and the engaging claw 213c are arranged in the same phase in the rotation direction in the self-returning state, the elastic portion 28 applies a maximum compressive load near the installation surface 237 on the L-order shape 236. When the operation unit 21 is rotated with the finger in the T or W direction (FIG. 7B), the engaging claw 213c is out of phase with the installation surface 237, and the compression load is reduced in that case. That is, the frictional force due to the compressive load is the maximum near the self-returning position, and the rotating operation is reduced only before the collision. By reducing the turning operation only before this collision, the turning of the operation unit 21 with the finger in the T or W direction makes it possible to feel the same operation feeling as in the prior art and to reduce unnecessary sounds. Yes.

  The pressing unit 21 of the operation mechanism 2 detects half-pressing and full-pressing. That is, when the user presses down the pressing unit 21 with a forefinger with a force equal to or less than a certain value, the pressing unit 21 detects a half press. Further, when the user presses the pressing portion 21 with a force equal to or greater than a certain value, full pressing is detected. The pressing unit that detects the half press and the full press outputs an operation signal to the controller 8, and the controller 8 performs various controls according to the half press and the full press.

(2. Other embodiments)
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the retaining portion is formed in a C-ring shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, as long as it can cover at least a part of the notch portion of the through hole.

  Moreover, although the operation part, the attachment part, and the retaining part are made of a plastic material, the present invention is not limited to this, and metal or the like can be used. The elastic part is also made of a cushion material, but a metal spring can also be used.

  The present invention can be applied to an operation mechanism provided in an electronic apparatus such as an imaging apparatus. More specifically, it can be applied to a zoom ring or the like in a digital still camera or a video camera.

2 Operation mechanism 21 Operation part 22 Mounting part 23 Stopping part 24 Energizing part 25 Pushing part 25 Depressing part 28 Elastic part 211 Base body 212a, b, c Shaft part 213a, b, c Engaging claw 214 Finger hook 219 Self-reset position 221a, b, c Through hole 226 Opening arrangement part 227 Mounting support part 228 Locking part 229 Stopping attachment position 2211a, b, c Notch part 2212a, b, c Guide part 231 Protrusion part 232 Opening end part 233 Opening part 234 Installation surface 235 Viewing surface

Claims (5)

A fixing member fixed to the housing;
A self-return operation lever that is provided on the fixing member and can be operated in a rotating direction with respect to the fixing member by a user's finger and is self-returned to a position before the operation when the finger is released;
When the self-returning operation lever is self-returning to the pre-operation position, the frictional force against the self-returning operation lever is increased when the self-returning operation lever is positioned in the vicinity of the pre-operation position. Braking means to be pressed;
Operation mechanism with The operation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the braking means is pressed against the self-returning operation lever in a direction parallel to a central axis in which the self-returning operation lever rotates. A fixing member fixed to the housing;
A self-returning operation lever provided on the fixing member, capable of being operated in a linear direction with respect to the fixing member by a user's finger and self-returning to a position before the operation when the finger is released;
When the self-returning operation lever is self-returning to the pre-operation position, the frictional force against the self-returning operation lever is increased when the self-returning operation lever is positioned in the vicinity of the pre-operation position. Braking means to be pressed;
Operation mechanism with The operation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the braking unit is pressed against the self-return operation lever in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the self-return operation lever is operated. An electronic device comprising the operation mechanism according to claim 1.