U.S. patent application number 13/572715 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for lens barrel and imaging device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Panasonic Corporation. Invention is credited to Atsushi HASEGAWA, Tetsuya UNO.
Application Number | 20120307383 13/572715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43497401 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120307383 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HASEGAWA; Atsushi ; et
al. |
December 6, 2012 |
LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE
Abstract
The lens barrel includes a first supporting frame, an optical
element, a second supporting frame, and a guide shaft. The first
supporting frame has a first base portion and a first seat portion
that projects in a first direction from the first base portion. The
second supporting frame supports the optical element and has a
first bearing portion. The guide shaft is coupled to the first seat
portion and inserted into the first bearing portion. The first seat
portion is disposed within the circumference of the guide shaft
when viewed in the first direction.
Inventors: |
HASEGAWA; Atsushi; (Osaka,
JP) ; UNO; Tetsuya; (Osaka, JP) |
Assignee: |
Panasonic Corporation
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
43497401 |
Appl. No.: |
13/572715 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12835748 |
Jul 14, 2010 |
8265471 |
|
|
13572715 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/823 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 7/102 20130101;
Y10T 403/33 20150115; G03B 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/823 |
International
Class: |
G02B 7/02 20060101
G02B007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 24, 2009 |
JP |
2009-172702 |
Claims
1. A lens barrel comprising: a first frame having a substantially
cylindrical shape and a first axis, the first frame including a
first groove portion and a second groove portion, the first groove
portion having a closed end portion and an opened end portion and
extends along the circumferential direction of the inner periphery
of the first frame, the second groove portion being disposed
transverse to the first groove portion and substantially parallel
to the first axis; a second frame including a first protruding
portion configured to engage the first groove portion, the second
frame being configured to rotate relative to the first frame about
the first axis and being forwardly and rearwardly immovable
relative to the first frame along the first axis; and a third frame
including a second protruding portion configured to pass across the
first groove portion and engage the second groove portion, the
third frame being forwardly and rearwardly movable relative to the
first frame along the first axis, the length of the closed end
portion along the first axis being shorter than the length of the
opened end portion along the first axis.
2. The lens barrel according to claim 1, the first groove portion
having an intermediate portion that gradually changes between the
closed end portion and the opened end portion, the length of the
intermediate portion extends between opposing surfaces of the first
groove portion along the first axis.
3. The lens barrel according to claim 1, the length of the closed
end portion along the first axis is shorter than a length of the
second protruding portion along the first axis.
4. The lens barrel according to claim 1, the first groove portion
and the first protruding portion are configured to support a
bayonet mount, the second groove portion is a straight groove, and
the second protruding portion is a straight protruding portion
configured to engage the straight groove.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/835,748, filed on Jul. 14, 2010. The entire
disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/835,748 is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The technology disclosed herein relates to an imaging device
and a lens barrel used with the imaging device.
[0004] 2.Background Information
[0005] Imaging devices that make use of a CCD (charge coupled
device) sensor, a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor)
sensor, or another such imaging sensor have become extremely
popular in recent years. Examples of such imaging devices include
digital still cameras and digital video cameras. These imaging
devices are generally equipped with a lens barrel for forming an
optical image of a subject on an imaging element. The type of lens
barrel generally used is a telescoping lens barrel, which is
usually stored inside the camera body when not being used to form
an optical image of the subject.
SUMMARY
[0006] One aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a lens
barrel that comprises a first supporting frame, a second supporting
frame, and a guide shaft. The first supporting frame includes a
first base portion and a first seat portion that projects from the
first base portion in a first direction. The second supporting
frame is configured to support an optical element and includes a
first bearing portion. The guide shaft is coupled to the first seat
portion and inserted into the first bearing portion. When viewed in
the first direction, the first seat portion is disposed within the
outer circumference of the guide shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of
this original disclosure:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a digital camera;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross section of a lens barrel (wide angle
end);
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross section of a lens barrel (telephoto
end);
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross section of a lens barrel (when
retracted);
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exploded oblique view of a master flange and a
third lens group unit;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross section of a master flange and a third
lens group unit;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a cross section of a guide shaft and its
surroundings;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross section along the VIII-VIII line in FIG.
7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross section along the IX-IX line in FIG.
7;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross section of a guide shaft and its
surroundings (another embodiment); and
[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross section of a guide shaft and its
surroundings (another embodiment).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to
the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments
are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of
limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0020] The phrase "within the range of the outer shape of the guide
shaft" means "within the outline of the guide shaft when viewed in
the first direction". The phrase "the first base portion is
disposed within the range of the outer shape of the guide shaft"
encompasses that the outer shape of the first base portion
coincides with the outer shape of the guide shaft.
[0021] Configuration of Digital Camera
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a lens barrel 100 (an example of a lens
barrel) is mounted on a digital camera 1 (an example of an imaging
device). Examples of imaging devices include digital still camera
and digital video cameras that make use of an imaging element.
Examples of imaging elements include CCD image sensors and CMOS
image sensors.
[0023] Overall Configuration of Lens Barrel
[0024] The overall configuration of the lens barrel 100 will be
described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the lens barrel 100 comprises
an optical system O, a fixed lens barrel 110 (an example of a first
supporting frame), a moving lens barrel 120 disposed inside the
fixed lens barrel 110, and a CCD unit 260 (an example of an imaging
element).
[0025] The optical system O has a first lens group 140a, a second
lens group 140b, and a third lens group 140c. The optical system O
also an optical axis L defined by these lens groups. A direction
parallel to the optical axis L will hereinafter also be called the
optical axis direction. The optical axis direction is an example of
a first direction.
[0026] The first to third lens groups 140a to 140c each is made up
of a plurality of lenses. However, the first to third lens groups
140a to 140c may instead each is made up of a single lens. The
first lens group 140a is a lens group for taking in an optical
image of a subject. The second lens group 140b is used for zoom
adjustment. The third lens group 140c is used for focus adjustment.
The zoom and focus are adjusted by changing the spacing between the
first to third lens groups 140a to 140c.
[0027] The moving lens barrel 120 is deployed forward (toward the
subject) with respect to the fixed lens barrel 110, and stowed
inside the fixed lens barrel 110. More specifically, the moving
lens barrel 120 has a first moving lens barrel 120a, a second
moving lens barrel 120b, a third moving lens barrel 120c, and a
second lens frame 130b (an example of a second supporting
frame).
[0028] The second moving lens barrel 120b is disposed inside the
third moving lens barrel 120c, and the first moving lens barrel
120a is disposed inside the second moving lens barrel 120b. During
imaging, the second moving lens barrel 120b is deployed with
respect to the third moving lens barrel 120c, and the first moving
lens barrel 120a is deployed with respect to the second moving lens
barrel 120b. During retraction, the second moving lens barrel 120b
is stowed in the third moving lens barrel 120c, and the first
moving lens barrel 120a is stowed in the second moving lens barrel
120b. Thus, the first to third moving lens barrels 120a to 120c are
deployed forward with respect to the fixed lens barrel 110, or are
stowed in the fixed lens barrel 110. When the first to third moving
lens barrels 120a to 120c have been deployed forward, the first
moving lens barrel 120a is deployed at the very front.
[0029] Detailed Configuration of Lens Barrel
[0030] The lens barrel 100 will now be described in detail.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the fixed lens barrel 110 has a
cylindrical fixing frame 230 and a master flange 240 that is fixed
to this fixing frame 230. The third moving lens barrel 120c is
disposed inside the fixing frame 230 to be movable in the optical
axis direction. A third lens frame 130c is supported by the fixing
lens barrel 110 to be movable in the optical axis direction. The
CCD unit 260 (an example of an imaging element) and an IR-filtering
glass 250 for blocking out infrared rays are disposed at a central
part of the master flange 240.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first moving lens barrel 120a
has a first lens frame 130a and a barrier unit 150 for protecting
the first lens group 140a. The first lens group 140a is fixed to
the first lens frame 130a. The barrier unit 150 is disposed on the
front (on the subject side) of the first lens frame 130a. The
barrier unit 150 has a plurality of barrier blades 150a. During
imaging, the barrier blades 150a open and allow light to be
incident on the first lens group 140a (see FIGS. 2 and 3, for
example). At other times (that is, when the lens barrel is
retracted), the barrier blades 150a close, and the first lens group
140a is protected by the barrier blades 150a (see FIG. 4, for
example).
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second moving lens barrel 120b
has a cylindrical camera cam frame 160 and a cylindrical
rectilinear frame 170 disposed inside the camera cam frame 160. The
first moving lens barrel 120a is disposed inside the rectilinear
frame 170 movably in the optical axis direction. The first moving
lens barrel 120a and the second lens frame 130b are supported by
the second moving lens barrel 120b movably in the optical axis
direction. More specifically, a cam groove is formed in the inner
peripheral face of the camera cam frame 160. This cam groove guides
the first lens frame 130a and the second lens frame 130b in the
optical axis direction. As a result, the first lens group 140a and
the second lens group 140b move in the optical axis direction
according to the shape of the cam groove. A rectilinear groove is
formed in the rectilinear frame 170. This rectilinear frame 170
causes the first lens group 140a and the second lens group 140b to
move in the optical axis direction without rotating with respect to
the fixed lens barrel 110.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the third moving lens barrel 120c
has a cylindrical drive frame 210 and a cam through-frame 220
disposed inside the drive frame 210. The second moving lens barrel
120b is disposed inside the cam through-frame 220 movably in the
optical axis direction.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a shutter unit 180, a shake
correcting mechanism 185, and a stop mechanism (not shown) are
attached, for example, to the second lens frame 130b. The shutter
unit 180 has a shutter 180a disposed to the rear of the second lens
group 140b. The shake correcting mechanism 185 supports the second
lens group 140b movably within a plane perpendicular to the optical
axis L. It could also be said that the second lens group 140b is
supported by the second lens frame 130b. The stop mechanism adjusts
the aperture of the optical system O. Control signals from a
controller (not shown) are transmitted via flexible wiring 190 to
the shutter unit 180, the shake correcting mechanism 185, and the
stop mechanism.
[0036] Detailed Configuration of Third Lens Group Unit
[0037] The detailed configuration of the third lens group unit 500
will now be described through reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
[0038] The third lens group unit 500 has a third lens group 140c
(an example of an optical element) and a third lens frame 130c. The
third lens group 140c is a lens used for focal adjustment, and is
fixed to the third lens frame 130c. The third lens group unit 500
is supported by the fixed lens barrel 110 movably in the optical
axis direction. More specifically, the fixed lens barrel 110 has a
master flange 240, a fixing frame 230, and a guide shaft 186. A
stepping motor 502 for driving the third lens group 140c in the
optical axis direction is fixed to the master flange 240.
[0039] The third lens frame 130c is supported by the fixed lens
barrel 110 movably in the optical axis direction. The third lens
frame 130c has a main body 131 and a guide portion 501.
[0040] The main body 131 supports the third lens group 140c. The
third lens group 140c is fixed to the main body 131.
[0041] The guide portion 501 is disposed slidably with the guide
shaft 186 (an example of a guide shaft; discussed below), and is
fixed to the main body 131. In this embodiment, the guide portion
501 and the main body 131 are integrally molded from a resin or the
like.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, the guide portion 501 is a substantially
cylindrical member, and the guide shaft 186 is inserted into the
guide portion 501. The guide portion 501 has a first bearing
portion 501a (an example of a first bearing portion), a second
bearing portion 501b (an example of a second bearing portion), and
an intermediate portion 501e.
[0043] The first bearing portion 501a is a substantially tubular
portion, and is disposed integrally and movably in the optical axis
direction with the main body 131. The first bearing portion 501a
has a first sliding hole 501c (an example of a first sliding hole)
disposed slidably with the guide shaft 186. The guide shaft 186 is
inserted into the first sliding hole 501c. The size H1 of the first
bearing portion 501a in the optical axis direction (the size of the
first sliding hole 501c in the optical axis direction) is set to be
greater than the size H2 of a first seat portion 506b (discussed
below) in the optical axis direction.
[0044] The second bearing portion 501b is a substantially
cylindrical member, and is disposed integrally and movably in the
optical axis direction with the main body 131 and the first bearing
portion 501a. The second bearing portion 501b has a second sliding
hole 501d (an example of a second sliding hole) disposed slidably
with the guide shaft 186. The guide shaft 186 is inserted into the
second sliding hole 501d. The size H3 of the second bearing portion
501b in the optical axis direction (the size of the second sliding
hole 501d in the optical axis direction) is set to be greater than
the size H4 of a second seat portion 507b in the optical axis
direction.
[0045] The second bearing portion 501b is disposed at a position
closer to the second seat portion 507b than the first bearing
portion 501a. The first bearing portion 501a and the second bearing
portion 501b are disposed spaced apart in the optical axis
direction, and are linked by the intermediate portion 501e. The
inside diameter of the first bearing portion 501a and the second
bearing portion 501b is smaller than the inside diameter of the
intermediate portion 501e, so the intermediate portion 501e does
not slide with the guide shaft 186.
[0046] The master flange 240 has a plate portion 241 (an example of
a first base portion) and the first seat portion 506b (an example
of a first seat portion). The plate portion 241 and the first seat
portion 506b are integrally molded from a resin or the like. The
first seat portion 506b protrudes in the optical axis direction
from the plate portion 241. More precisely, the first seat portion
506b protrudes from a first limiting face 506c of the plate portion
241 toward the second seat portion 507b. A first support hole 506a
(an example of a first support hole) is formed in the first seat
portion 506b and the plate portion 241. In this embodiment, the
first support hole 506a passes through the first seat portion 506b
and the plate portion 241 in the optical axis direction. Since the
first support hole 506a is formed in the first seat portion 506b,
the first seat portion 506b has a hollow cylindrical shape.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the master flange 240 has a
spring guide 504. A spring 505 is mounted to the spring guide 504.
The third lens frame 130c is constantly pushed in a direction Al by
the spring 505. The third lens frame 130c comes into contact with a
drive member 502a mounted to the rotary shaft of the stepping motor
502. The third lens frame 130c is pressed against the drive member
502a by the spring 505. When the stepping motor 502 drives the
drive member 502a in the optical axis direction, the third lens
frame 130c moves along with the drive member 502a in the optical
axis direction with respect to the master flange 240.
[0048] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7, the fixing frame 230 has an
annular portion 231 (an example of a second base portion) and the
second seat portion 507b (an example of a second seat portion). The
annular portion 231 and the second seat portion 507b are integrally
molded from a resin or the like. The annular portion 231 is
disposed spaced apart from the master flange 240 in the optical
axis direction. A space in which the third lens frame 130c moves is
formed between the annular portion 231 and the plate portion
241.
[0049] The second seat portion 507b protrudes in the optical axis
direction from the annular portion 231. More specifically, the
second seat portion 507b protrudes from the annular portion 231
(more precisely, from a second limiting face 507c of the annular
portion 231) toward the first seat portion 506b in the optical axis
direction, and is disposed spaced apart from the first seat portion
506b in the optical axis direction. A second support hole 507a is
formed in the second seat portion 507b and the annular portion 231.
In this embodiment, the second support hole 507a goes through the
second seat portion 507b and the annular portion 231 in the optical
axis direction. Since the second support hole 507a is formed in the
second seat portion 507b, the second seat portion 507b has a hollow
cylindrical shape.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the guide shaft 186 is a member for
guiding the third lens frame 130c in the optical axis direction,
and is fixed to the fixing frame 230 and the master flange 240. The
guide shaft 186 is inserted into the guide portion 501 (the first
bearing portion 501a and the second bearing portion 501b). The
guide shaft 186 is made of metal, for example.
[0051] The two ends of the guide shaft 186 are fixed to the first
seat portion 506b and the second seat portion 507b, respectively.
The guide shaft 186 has a shaft main body 186a (an example of a
shaft main body), a first fixed portion 186b (an example of a first
fixed portion), and a second fixed portion 186c (an example of a
second fixed portion).
[0052] The shaft main body 186a is a solid cylindrical portion
extending in a slender shape in the optical axis direction, and is
disposed between the first seat portion 506b and the second seat
portion 507b. The shaft main body 186a has a first end 186d and a
second end 186e. The first end 186d comes into contact with the
first seat portion 506b in the optical axis direction. The second
end 186e comes into contact with the second seat portion 507b in
the optical axis direction. The shaft main body 186a is inserted
into the first bearing portion 501a and the second bearing portion
501b, and is disposed slidably with the first bearing portion 501a
and the second bearing portion 501b.
[0053] The first fixed portion 186b protrudes in the optical axis
direction from the first end 186d, and is a solid cylindrical
portion that is more slender than the shaft main body 186a. The
first fixed portion 186b is inserted into the first support hole
506a, and is press-fitted and fixed to the first seat portion 506b.
The size J1 of the first fixed portion 186b in the optical axis
direction is substantially the same as the size J2 of the first
support hole 506a in the optical axis direction.
[0054] The second fixed portion 186c protrudes in the optical axis
direction from the second end 186e of the shaft main body 186a, and
is a solid cylindrical portion that is more slender than the shaft
main body 186a. The second fixed portion 186c is inserted into the
second support hole 507a, and is press-fitted and fixed to the
second seat portion 507b. The size J3 of the second fixed portion
186c in the optical axis direction is substantially the same as the
size J4 of the second support hole 507a in the optical axis
direction.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the outside diameter D1 of the
first seat portion 506b (an example of the maximum outer size of
the first seat portion) is smaller than the outside diameter D2 of
the shaft main body 186a (an example of the maximum outer size of
the shaft main body). Since the center line C1 of the shaft main
body 186a substantially coincides with the center line C2 of the
first seat portion 506b, the first seat portion 506b is disposed
within the range of the outer shape of the shaft main body 186a
when viewed from the optical axis direction, as shown in FIG. 8. In
other words, when viewed from the optical axis direction, the first
seat portion 506b does not stick out beyond of the range of the
outer shape of the shaft main body 186a. Therefore, when the first
bearing portion 501a approaches the master flange 240, the first
seat portion 506b does not interfere with the first bearing portion
501 a, and the first bearing portion 501a can move not only in the
region on the outer peripheral side of the shaft main body 186a,
but also in the region on the outer peripheral side of the first
seat portion 506a.
[0056] Similarly, the outside diameter D3 of the second seat
portion 507b (an example of the maximum outer size of the second
seat portion) is smaller than the outside diameter D2 of the shaft
main body 186a. Since the center line C1 of the shaft main body
186a substantially coincides with the center line C3 of the second
seat portion 507b, the second seat portion 507b is disposed within
the range of the outer shape of the shaft main body 186a when
viewed from the optical axis direction, as shown in FIG. 9. In
other words, when viewed from the optical axis direction, the
second seat portion 507b does not stick out beyond of the range of
the outer shape of the shaft main body 186a. Therefore, when the
second bearing portion 501b approaches the fixing frame 230, the
second seat portion 507b does not interfere with the second bearing
portion 501b, and the second bearing portion 501b can move not only
in the region on the outer peripheral side of the shaft main body
186a, but also in the region on the outer peripheral side of the
second seat portion 507b.
[0057] Thus, the guide portion 501 of the third lens frame 130c is
movable in the optical axis direction within the region from the
first limiting face 506c of the master flange 240 to the second
limiting face 507c of the fixing frame 230.
Features of Lens Barrel
[0058] (1) As described above, with the lens barrel 100, since the
first seat portion 506b is disposed within the range of the outer
shape of the shaft main body 186a when viewed from the optical axis
direction, the first bearing portion 501a is movable to the region
on the outer peripheral side of the first seat portion 506b.
Therefore, a wide movable range can be ensured for the third lens
frame 130c, while still reducing the size of the lens barrel
100.
[0059] Similarly, since the second seat portion 507b is disposed
within the range of the outer shape of the shaft main body 186a
when viewed from the optical axis direction, the second bearing
portion 501b can move to the region on the outer peripheral side of
the second seat portion 507b. Therefore, a wide movable range can
be ensured for the third lens frame 130c while also reducing the
size of the lens barrel 100.
[0060] (2) Since the outside diameter D1 of the first seat portion
506b is smaller than the outside diameter D2 of the shaft main body
186a, even if there should be size error in the shaft main body
186a and the first seat portion 506b, the first seat portion 506b
can still be disposed properly within the range of the outer shape
of the shaft main body 186a. Also, since the outside diameter D3 of
the first seat portion 506b is smaller than the outside diameter D2
of the shaft main body 186a, even if there should be size error in
the shaft main body 186a and the second seat portion 507b, the
second seat portion 507b can still be disposed properly within the
range of the outer shape of the shaft main body 186a.
[0061] (3) Since the first fixed portion 186b of the guide shaft
186 is inserted into the first support hole 506a, it is easier to
fix the guide shaft 186 to the first seat portion 506b, and the
fixing strength of the guide shaft 186 can be increased. Also,
since the first support hole 506a passes through the first seat
portion 506b and the plate portion 241 in the optical axis
direction, the length of the first fixed portion 186b can be set
longer, and the fixing strength of the guide shaft 186 can be
further increased.
[0062] Similarly, since the second fixed portion 186c of the guide
shaft 186 is inserted into the second support hole 507a, it is
easier to fix the guide shaft 186 to the second seat portion 507b,
and the fixing strength of the guide shaft 186 can be increased.
Also, since the second support hole 507a passes through the second
seat portion 507b and the annular portion 231 in the optical axis
direction, the length of the second fixed portion 186c can be set
longer, and the fixing strength of the guide shaft 186 can be
further increased.
[0063] (4) Since the size H1 of the first bearing portion 501a in
the optical axis direction (the size of the first sliding hole 501c
in the optical axis direction) is greater than the size H2 of the
first seat portion 506b in the optical axis direction, even if the
first bearing portion 501 a moves in the optical axis direction and
reaches the outer peripheral side of the first seat portion 506b, a
state can still be maintained in which part of the first bearing
portion 501a is able to slide with the shaft main body 186a.
Therefore, the first bearing portion 501a can be prevented from
fitting into the first seat portion 506b and catching on the shaft
main body 186a.
[0064] Similarly, since the size H3 of the second bearing portion
501b in the optical axis direction (the size of the second sliding
hole 501d in the optical axis direction) is greater than the size
H4 of the second seat portion 507b in the optical axis direction,
even if the second bearing portion 501b moves in the optical axis
direction and reaches the outer peripheral side of the second seat
portion 507b, a state can still be maintained in which part of the
second bearing portion 501b is able to slide with the shaft main
body 186a. Therefore, the 510b can be prevented from fitting into
the second seat portion 507b and catching on the shaft main body
186a.
[0065] (5) Since the third lens frame 130c has the first bearing
portion 501a and the second bearing portion 501b that are disposed
away from it in the optical axis direction, looseness between the
guide portion 501 and the guide shaft 186 can be suppressed, and
the drive state of the third lens frame 130c can be stabilized.
Other Embodiments
[0066] Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the
above embodiment, and various modifications and changes are
possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.
Also, the above embodiment is fundamentally a preferred example,
and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, or
its applications, or the range of its applications.
[0067] Any components having substantially the same function as in
the above embodiment are numbered the same, and will not be
described again in detail.
[0068] (1) In the above embodiment, as long as the first seat
portion 506b is disposed within the range of the outer shape of the
shaft main body 186a when viewed from the optical axis direction,
the shape of the first seat portion 506b is not limited to the
shape discussed above. For example, the outside diameter D1 of the
first seat portion 506b may be the same as the outside diameter D2
of the shaft main body 186a. Also, the shape of the first seat
portion 506b need not be that of a circular cylinder, and may just
be substantially tubular. Therefore, part of the outer periphery of
the first seat portion 506b may be cut along a plane, or the outer
shape of the first seat portion 506b may be polyhedral. The phrase
"the first seat portion is disposed within the range of the outer
shape of the shaft main body when viewed from the optical axis
direction" as used here also encompasses a state in which the outer
shape of the first seat portion coincides with the outer shape of
the shaft main body.
[0069] Similarly, as long as the second seat portion 507b is
disposed within the range of the outer shape of the shaft main body
186a when viewed from the optical axis direction, the shape of the
second seat portion 507b is not limited to the shape discussed
above. For example, the outside diameter D3 of the second seat
portion 507b may be the same as the outside diameter D2 of the
shaft main body 186a. Also, the shape of the second seat portion
507b need not be that of a circular cylinder, and may just be
substantially tubular. Therefore, part of the outer periphery of
the second seat portion 507b may be cut along a plane, or the outer
shape of the second seat portion 507b may be polyhedral. The phrase
"the second seat portion is disposed within the range of the outer
shape of the shaft main body when viewed from the optical axis
direction" as used here also encompasses a state in which the outer
shape of the second seat portion coincides with the outer shape of
the shaft main body.
[0070] (2) The guide shaft 186 need not have the first fixed
portion 186b or the second fixed portion 186c. For example, the
guide shaft 186 may be constituted by the shaft main body 186a
alone. In this case, the first end 186d of the shaft main body 186a
is fixed by adhesive bonding or the like to the first seat portion
506b, and the second end 186e of the shaft main body 186a is fixed
by adhesive bonding or the like to the second seat portion 507b. In
this case, the first support hole 506a and the second support hole
507a can be omitted.
[0071] (3) In the above embodiment, the two ends of the guide shaft
186 are fixed to the first seat portion 506b and the second seat
portion 507b, respectively, but the guide shaft 186 may be
supported by just the first seat portion 506b or the second seat
portion 507b, rather than both.
[0072] (4) The first support hole 506a passes through the first
seat portion 506b and the plate portion 241, but the first support
hole 506a need not be a through-hole. For example, the first
support hole 506a may be formed by just the first seat portion
506b.
[0073] Similarly, the second support hole 507a passes through the
second seat portion 507b and the annular portion 231, but the
second support hole 507a need not be a through-hole. For example,
the second support hole 507a may be formed by just the second seat
portion 507b.
[0074] (5) In the above embodiment, a lens barrel was described in
which a focus lens was used as an example of an optical element,
but the above teachings can also be applied to a zoom lens frame or
another such lens frame that is disposed movably in a particular
direction.
[0075] (6) In the above embodiment, the movable range of the third
lens frame 130c was expanded by reducing the outside diameter of
the first seat portion 506b and the second seat portion 507b, but
as shown in FIG. 10, the same effect as in the above embodiment can
also be obtained when a recess in which the guide portion 501 is
fitted is provided to the master flange 240 or the fixing frame
230.
[0076] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the master flange
240 has a first recessed portion 242. A first support hole 243 is
formed inside the first recessed portion 242. The first fixed
portion 186b of the guide shaft 186 is press-fitted into the first
support hole 243. The first recessed portion 242 is formed around
the periphery of the first support hole 243, and is recessed in the
optical axis direction. A first bottom face 242a is formed in the
first recessed portion 242, and a first reference face 242b is
formed farther to the outside than the first recessed portion 242.
The first bottom face 242a is disposed at a position that is
farther away from the first bearing portion 501a in the optical
axis direction than the first reference face 242b. The first
bearing portion 501 a of the guide portion 501 can go into the
first recessed portion 242. More precisely, a first end face 501m
of the first bearing portion 501a can move closer to the first
bottom face 242a than the first reference face 242b.
[0077] The fixing frame 230 has a second recessed portion 232. A
second support hole 233 is formed in the second recessed portion
232. The second fixed portion 186c of the guide shaft 186 is
press-fitted into the second support hole 233. The second recessed
portion 232 is formed around the periphery of the second support
hole 233, and is recessed in the optical axis direction. A second
bottom face 232a is formed in the second recessed portion 232, and
a second reference face 232b is formed farther to the outside than
the second recessed portion 232. The second bottom face 232a is
disposed at a position that is farther away from the second bearing
portion 501b in the optical axis direction than the second
reference face 232b. The second bearing portion 501b of the guide
portion 501 can go into the second recessed portion 232. More
precisely, a second end face 501n of the second bearing portion
501b can move closer to the second bottom face 232a than the second
reference face 232b.
[0078] The same effect as with the above embodiment can also be
obtained with this constitution.
[0079] (7) Also, a support hole may be formed in the guide shaft
186. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the guide shaft 186
has only the shaft main body 186a, and does not have the first
fixed portion 186b or the second fixed portion 186c. A first fixing
hole 186f is formed in the first end 186d of the shaft main body
186a. A second fixing hole 186g is formed in the second end 186e of
the shaft main body 186a.
[0080] Meanwhile, the master flange 240 has a first protrusion 245
that protrudes from the plate portion 241 in the optical axis
direction. The first protrusion 245 is press-fitted to the first
fixing hole 186f. The master flange 240 does not have the first
seat portion 506b, and the first limiting face 506c of the plate
portion 241 comes into contact with the first end 186d in the
optical axis direction.
[0081] The fixing frame 230 has a second protrusion 235 that
protrudes from the annular portion 231. The second protrusion 235
is press-fitted into the second fixing hole 186g. The fixing frame
230 does not have the second seat portion 507b, and the second
limiting face 507c of the annular portion 231 comes into contact
with the second end 186e in the optical axis direction.
[0082] The same effect as with the above embodiment can also be
obtained with this constitution.
[0083] (8) The fixed lens barrel 110 is described in the above
embodiment as an example of the first supporting frame, but the
first supporting frame is not limited to the fixed lens barrel 110.
For example, the first supporting frame can be made up of a
plurality of members such as the fixed lens barrel 110, and also
can be integrally formed as a one-piece unitary member. Also, the
first supporting frame can include not only the fixed lens barrel
110 but also other members fixed to the fixed lens barrel 110. For
example, the fixed lens barrel 110 can include the first base
portion and the first seat portion, and the other member fixed to
the fixed lens barrel 110 can include the second base portion and
the second seat portion.
General Interpretation of Terms
[0084] In understanding the scope of the present disclosure, the
term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended
to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated
features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but
do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements,
components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also
applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms,
"including", "having" and their derivatives. Also, the terms
"part," "section," "portion," "member" or "element" when used in
the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a
plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe the above
embodiment(s), the following directional terms "forward",
"rearward", "above", "downward", "vertical", "horizontal", "below"
and "transverse" as well as any other similar directional terms
refer to those directions of an imaging device equipped with the
lens barrel. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the
present invention should be interpreted relative to an imaging
device equipped with the lens barrel.
[0085] The term "configured" as used herein to describe a
component, section or part of a device includes hardware and/or
software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the
desired function.
[0086] The terms of degree such as "substantially", "about" and
"approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of
deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not
significantly changed.
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