U.S. patent application number 13/592355 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-13 for lens barrel and imaging device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Panasonic Corporation. Invention is credited to Shinichi IWASAKI, Tetsuya Uno.
Application Number | 20120314310 13/592355 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43497402 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120314310 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IWASAKI; Shinichi ; et
al. |
December 13, 2012 |
LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE
Abstract
The lens barrel includes a flexible wire, a first supporting
frame and a second supporting frame. The flexible wire has a first
end with at least one terminal, a second end with at least one
terminal and a bent portion disposed between the first and second
ends. The bent portion includes a plurality of part overlapping
each other. The first supporting frame supports the first end. The
second supporting frame is movably disposed in a first direction
with respect to the first supporting frame and supports the bent
portion.
Inventors: |
IWASAKI; Shinichi; (Osaka,
JP) ; Uno; Tetsuya; (Osaka, JP) |
Assignee: |
Panasonic Corporation
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
43497402 |
Appl. No.: |
13/592355 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12837512 |
Jul 16, 2010 |
8275255 |
|
|
13592355 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
359/822 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 7/102 20130101;
G03B 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/822 |
International
Class: |
G02B 7/02 20060101
G02B007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 24, 2009 |
JP |
2009-172703 |
Claims
1. A lens barrel comprising: a flexible wire including a first end
with at least one terminal, a second end with at least one terminal
and a bent portion disposed between the first and second ends, the
bent portion including a plurality of parts overlapping each other;
a first supporting frame configured to support the first end; and a
second supporting frame configured to support the bent portion, the
second supporting frame being movably disposed in a first direction
with respect to the first supporting frame and includes a first
support portion and a second support portion facing the first
support portion, the bent portion being disposed between and
pressed against the first and second support portions via the
resiliency of the bent portion caused by bending the bent
portion.
2. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the second support
portion is disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the
first direction and facing the first support portion.
3. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the second support
portion is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the first
support portion and forms the outer peripheral part of the second
supporting frame.
4. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the second
supporting frame has a first limiter arranged to come in contact
with the bent portion in the first direction.
5. The lens barrel according to claim 4, wherein the first limiter
connects the first support portion to the second support
portion.
6. The lens barrel according to claim 5, wherein the first support
portion and the second support portion extend from the first
limiter in the first direction.
7. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the flexible wire
further includes a second intermediate portion disposed between the
bent portion and the second end, and the second supporting frame
further includes a second limiter arranged to come in contact with
the second intermediate portion in the first direction.
8. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein an end of the
second support portion has a cut-out in the first direction.
9. The lens barrel according to claim 8, wherein the flexible wire
further includes a band-shaped first intermediate portion disposed
between the bent portion and the first end, and the position of the
cut-out corresponds to the first intermediate portion.
10. The lens barrel according to claim 9, wherein the cut-out is
wider than the first intermediate portion.
11. The lens barrel according to claim 9, wherein the second
support portion has a position display part that indicates a
reference position for the first intermediate portion along the
width direction of the first intermediate portion.
12. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the length of the
second support portion is smaller in the first direction than the
first support portion.
13. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the first support
portion has a first support face parallel to the first direction
and the second support portion has a second support face parallel
to the first direction, and the bent portion is disposed between
the first support face and the second support face.
14. The lens barrel according to claim 13, wherein the first
support face is a plane parallel to the first direction, and the
second support face is a plane parallel to the first direction.
15. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the second
supporting frame supports the second end of the flexible wire.
16. An imaging device comprising the lens barrel according to claim
1.
17. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the flexible wire
further includes a plurality of printed wires.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/837,512, filed on Jul. 16, 2010. The
entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/837,512 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), 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. A telescoping lens barrel, with
which the lens barrel is stowed in the camera body when not being
used for imaging, has been used as this type of lens barrel.
SUMMARY
[0006] One aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a lens
barrel that includes a flexible wire, a first supporting frame and
a second supporting frame. The flexible wire has a first end with
at least one terminal, a second end with at least one terminal and
a bent portion disposed between the first and second ends. The bent
portion includes a plurality of parts overlapping each other. The
first supporting frame supports the first end. The second
supporting frame is movably disposed in a first direction with
respect to the first supporting frame and supports the bent
portion.
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 rectilinear frame
and a second lens frame;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a developed view of flexible wire;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an oblique view of flexible wire;
[0015] FIG. 8 is an oblique view of the second lens frame;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a detail enlargement of FIG. 8;
[0017] FIG. 10 is an oblique view of the second lens frame;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a detail enlargement of FIG. 10;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the second lens frame;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a detail enlargement of FIG. 12;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the flexible wire and the second
lens frame; and
[0022] FIG. 15 is a detail enlargement of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0023] 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.
[0024] Configuration of Digital Camera
[0025] 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.
[0026] Overall Configuration of Lens Barrel
[0027] 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).
[0028] 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 in which the second supporting frame moves with
respect to the first supporting frame.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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).
[0031] 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.
[0032] Detailed Configuration of Lens Barrel
[0033] The lens barrel 100 will now be described in detail.
[0034] 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
frame 230 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.
[0035] 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).
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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 0. Control signals from a
controller (not shown) are transmitted via flexible wire 190 to the
shutter unit 180, the shake correcting mechanism 185, and the stop
mechanism.
[0039] Detailed Configuration of Flexible Wiring
[0040] The flexible wire 190 will now be described in detail. As
shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the flexible wire 190 is a film-like member
on which an plurality of wires are printed and is disposed inside
the moving lens barrel 120 and the fixed lens barrel 110. As shown
in FIG. 6, the flexible wire 190 has a first end 190b (an example
of a first end), a second end 190a (an example of a second end), a
first intermediate portion 193 (an example of a first intermediate
portion), a second intermediate portion 194 (an example of a second
intermediate portion), and a bent portion 195 (an example of a bent
portion).
[0041] The first end 190b includes a plurality of terminals 191.
The terminals 191 of the first end 190b are connected to terminals
disposed at the fixed lens barrel 110. It could also be said that
the first end 190b is supported by the fixed lens barrel 110.
[0042] The second end 190a includes a plurality of terminals 192.
The terminals 192 of the second end 190a are connected to a
plurality of terminals disposed at the second lens frame 130b. That
is, it could also be said that the second end 190a is supported by
the second lens frame 130b.
[0043] The first intermediate portion 193 is disposed between the
first end 190b and the bent portion 195. The first intermediate
portion 193 has a first relay portion 193a, a mounting portion 275,
and a second relay portion 193b. The mounting portion 275 functions
as a relay end disposed between the first end 190b and the second
end 190a and is supported by the rectilinear frame 170. The first
relay portion 193a is a band-shaped portion extending straight
ahead and is disposed between the first end 190b and a curved part
270. The second relay portion 193b is a band-shaped portion
extending straight ahead, and is disposed between the curved part
270 and the bent portion 195.
[0044] The mounting portion 275 has the curved part 270 and a
reinforcing member 280. The curved part 270 is a portion that is
curved in a U shape, and links the first relay portion 193a and the
second relay portion 193b. The reinforcing member 280 is fixed to
the curved part 270. The curved part 270 is inserted along with the
reinforcing member 280 into a slit (not shown) formed in the
rectilinear frame 170. A plurality of holes 281 (see FIG. 6) are
formed in the reinforcing member 280. For example, a plurality of
protrusions (not shown) formed on the rectilinear frame 170 are
fitted into the holes 281. This makes it less likely that the
reinforcing member 280 will fall out of the rectilinear frame 170
in the optical axis direction.
[0045] The length from the first end 190b to the second end 190a
(more precisely, the length of the first relay portion 193a and the
second relay portion 193b) is set to be long enough not to affect
the movement of the second lens frame 130b and the rectilinear
frame 170. As shown in FIG. 3, when the second lens frame 130b is
the farthest away from the fixed lens barrel 110, the flexible wire
190 is lightly taut. As shown in FIG. 4, when the second lens frame
130b has moved closer to the fixed lens barrel 110, the flexible
wire 190 is slack. In the retracted state shown in FIG. 4, the
first relay portion 193a goes back and forth between the second
moving lens barrel 120b and the master flange 240 and between the
third moving lens barrel 120c and the master flange 240. Further,
the second relay portion 193b goes back and forth between the first
lens frame 130a and the master flange 240.
[0046] The bent portion 195 is formed such that the band-shaped
portion is bent over on itself a number of times, and has plurality
of part overlapping each other. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6
and 7, the flexible wire 190 is bent at a first bending line F1, a
second bending line F2, and a third bending line F3. In this
embodiment, the bent portion 195 is formed by bending three
band-shaped portions over each other. As will be described below,
the bent portion 195 is supported by the second lens frame
130b.
[0047] Detailed Configuration of Second Lens Frame
[0048] The second lens frame 130b uses the resiliency of the bent
portion 195 to support the bent portion 195. The term "resilience"
here is the force with which the bent portion 195 tries to unfold
and return to its original state and is mainly a force generated by
the flexible wire 190. For example, when the flexible wire 190 is
in a free state, a force H shown in FIG. 7 is generated in the bent
portion 195 by the elastic force of the flexible wire 190.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 15, the second lens frame 130b has a
main body 202, a storage wall 201 (an example of a second support
portion), a limiting wall 204 (an example of a first limiter), and
a limiting protrusion 203 (an example of a second limiter). The
second lens frame 130b is integrally molded from a resin or the
like.
[0050] The main body 202 constitutes the main part of the second
lens frame 130b, and supports the shutter unit 180 and the shake
correcting mechanism 185. Most of the outer peripheral part of the
main body 202 is formed substantially in an arc shape around the
optical axis L, but part of it is formed in a flat shape. More
specifically, the main body 202 has a base portion 205 (an example
of a first support portion) formed in a flat shape.
[0051] The base portion 205 is provided to support the bent portion
195 of the flexible wire 190, and is disposed along the
circumferential direction of the second lens frame 130b. The base
portion 205 extends in the optical axis direction from the main
body 202. It could also be said that the base portion 205 extends
in the optical axis direction from the limiting wall 204. The base
portion 205 has a base face 205f (an example of a first support
face) disposed parallel to the optical axis direction. The base
face 205f is a plane that is parallel to the optical axis
direction.
[0052] The storage wall 201 is provided to support the bent portion
195 of the flexible wire 190, and is formed to cover part of the
base portion 205. More specifically, the storage wall 201 has a
first storage wall 201a (an example of a first support portion) and
a second storage wall 201b (an example of a first support portion).
The first storage wall 201a and the second storage wall 201b are
disposed facing the base portion 205 in the radial direction of the
second lens frame 130b (an example of a second direction
perpendicular to the optical axis direction). The first storage
wall 201a and the second storage wall 201b are disposed aligned
with each other and with a gap in between in the circumferential
direction of the second lens frame 130b.
[0053] The first storage wall 201a extends in the optical axis
direction from a first limiting wall 204a (discussed below) of the
limiting wall 204, and the second storage wall 201b extends in the
optical axis direction from a second limiting wall 204b of the
limiting wall 204. The bent portion 195 is inserted between the
base portion 205 and the storage wall 201. More specifically, the
bent portion 195 is inserted between the base portion 205 and the
first storage wall 201a, and is also inserted between the base
portion 205 and the second storage wall 201b.
[0054] More precisely, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the first
storage wall 201a has a first plane 201g (an example of a second
support face) disposed parallel to the optical axis direction, and
the second storage wall 201b has a second plane 201h (an example of
a second support face) disposed parallel to the optical axis
direction. The first plane 201g and the second plane 201h are
disposed facing the base face 205f. The first plane 201g and the
second plane 201h are planes parallel to the optical axis
direction, and are disposed substantially parallel to the base face
205f. The bent portion 195 is inserted between the base face 205f
and the first plane 201g, and is also inserted between the base
face 205f and the second plane 201h.
[0055] The storage wall 201 has a cut-out 201e formed at the end in
the optical axis direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the cut-out 201e
is disposed at a position corresponding to the first intermediate
portion 193. The width H1 of the cut-out 201 e is greater than the
width H2 of the first intermediate portion 193. In this embodiment,
the first storage wall 201a and the second storage wall 201b are
completely separate portions, but define the cut-out 201e when the
storage wall 201 is considered to be an integral member. Since the
cut-out 201e is formed in the storage wall 201, the storage wall
201 has a portion that is shorter in the optical axis direction
than the base portion 205. In this embodiment, the second storage
wall 201b and part of the first storage wall 201a are shorter in
the optical axis direction than the base portion 205.
[0056] Furthermore, the storage wall 201 has a first position
display part 201c (an example of a position display part) and a
second position display part 201d (an example of a position display
part) that indicate a reference position in the width direction of
the first intermediate portion 193. The first position display part
201c is formed at the first storage wall 201a, and the second
position display part 201d is formed at the second storage wall
201b. In this embodiment, the first position display part 201c and
the second position display part 201d are recesses that are
recessed in the optical axis direction. During assembly, the bent
portion 195 is inserted between the base portion 205 and the
storage wall 201 so that the first intermediate portion 193 is
disposed between the first position display part 201c and the
second position display part 201d. Thus providing an indicator of
the position of the first intermediate portion 193 makes it easier
to dispose the first intermediate portion 193 at the specified
position of the second lens frame 130b, and prevents damage to the
first intermediate portion 193 by twisting or the like.
[0057] The first position display part 201c and the second position
display part 201d may also have a different shape, such as that of
a protrusion or a slit. Also, as long as the position of the first
intermediate portion 193 can be identified, only either the first
position display part 201c or the second position display part 201d
may be used.
[0058] The limiting wall 204 is disposed to be contactable with the
bent portion 195 in the optical axis direction. The limiting wall
204 has the first limiting wall 204a (an example of a first
limiter) and the second limiting wall 204b (an example of a second
limiter). The first limiting wall 204a links the base portion 205
and the first storage wall 201a, and the second limiting wall 204b
links the base portion 205 and the second storage wall 201b. The
first limiting wall 204a protrudes outward in the radial direction
from the base portion 205, and the first storage wall 201a extends
in the optical axis direction from the first limiting wall 204a.
Similarly, the second limiting wall 204b protrudes outward in the
radial direction from the base portion 205, and the second storage
wall 201b extends in the optical axis direction from the second
limiting wall 204b.
[0059] The limiting protrusion 203 is disposed to be contactable
with the second intermediate portion 194 in the optical axis
direction. More specifically, the limiting protrusion 203 is a
protrusion disposed adjacent to a storage component 200 and
protrudes outward in the radial direction from the main body 202.
The position of the limiting protrusion 203 in the optical axis
direction differs from the positions of the first limiting wall
204a and the second limiting wall 204b in the optical axis
direction. More specifically, whereas the first limiting wall 204a
and the second limiting wall 204b are disposed to the front of the
main body 202 (on the subject side), the limiting protrusion 203 is
disposed to the rear of the main body 202 (on the opposite side
from the subject). The distance between the limiting wall 204 and
the limiting protrusion 203 in the optical axis direction is set to
be about the same as the width of the second intermediate portion
194. Also, the position of the limiting protrusion 203 in the
circumferential direction differs from the positions of the first
limiting wall 204a and the second limiting wall 204b in the
circumferential direction. More specifically, when viewed in the
optical axis direction, the limiting protrusion 203 is disposed to
the side of the limiting wall 204. The second intermediate portion
194 and the bent portion 195 of the flexible wire 190 are supported
in the optical axis direction between the limiting wall 204 and the
limiting protrusion 203.
[0060] The bent portion 195 is inserted in the storage component
200 in the optical axis direction, and the second intermediate
portion 194 is hooked onto the limiting protrusion 203. More
precisely, the bent portion 195 is inserted from the rear into the
storage component 200. With this constitution, it is easier to
ensure a wide range of movement for the second lens frame 130b and
the rectilinear frame 170. Similarly, the curved part 270 is
inserted from the rear into the slit of the rectilinear frame 170.
With this constitution, it is easier to ensure a wide range of
movement for the second lens frame 130b and the rectilinear frame
170.
[0061] Operation of Lens Barrel
[0062] The operation of the lens barrel 100 will be described
through reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. As shown in FIG. 2, at the wide
angle end the first to third moving lens barrels 120a to 120c are
deployed from the fixed lens barrel 110. As shown in FIG. 3, at the
telephoto end the first to third moving lens barrels 120a to 120c
are deployed the farthest out. At this point, the rectilinear frame
170 is farthest away from the fixed lens barrel 110, and the second
lens frame 130b is also farthest away from the fixed lens barrel
110. Therefore, the first relay portion 193a and the second relay
portion 193b of the flexible wire 190 are in their tautest
state.
[0063] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4, when the lens barrel 100 is
not being used for imaging (that is, when it is retracted), the
first to third moving lens barrels 120a to 120c are stowed in the
fixed lens barrel 110. Here, the rectilinear frame 170 approaches
the master flange 240 of the fixed lens barrel 110, and the second
lens frame 130b approaches the master flange 240 of the fixed lens
barrel 110. Accordingly, the first relay portion 193a and the
second relay portion 193b of the flexible wire 190 are in a
slackened state.
[0064] Features of Lens Barrel
[0065] The features of the lens barrel 100 described above will now
be discussed.
[0066] (1) With the lens barrel 100, the second lens frame 130b
uses the resiliency of the bent portion 195 to support the bent
portion 195. More specifically, since the bent portion 195 is
inserted between the base portion 205 and the storage wall 201, the
resiliency of the bent portion 195 causes the bent portion 195 to
be pressed against the base portion 205 and the storage wall 201.
With this constitution, it is less likely that the mounting state
of the flexible wire 190 with respect to the second lens frame 130b
will change as a result of environmental changes or elapsed time.
Also, in some cases the bent portion 195 can be supported by the
second lens frame 130b without the use of tape or another such
fixing member, so the mounting state of the flexible wire 190 with
respect to the second lens frame 130b will not be affected by
changes over time.
[0067] Thus, with the lens barrel 100, the flexible wire 190 can be
easily attached and removed, and stability of the mounting state
can be improved.
[0068] (2) The storage wall 201 is disposed facing the base portion
205 in the radial direction (an example of the second direction) of
the second lens frame 130b. The storage wall 201 is disposed
farther to the outer peripheral side than the base portion 205 and
forms the outer peripheral part of the second lens frame 130b.
Therefore, in a state in which the bent portion 195 is inserted
between the storage wall 201 and the base portion 205, the bent
portion 195 is protected by the storage wall 201. With this
constitution, even if another member should move near the outer
peripheral side of the second lens frame 130b, the storage wall 201
will minimize direct contact between the bent portion 195 and the
other member, and thus minimize damage to the flexible wire
190.
[0069] (3) Since the bent portion 195 is disposed to be contactable
with the limiting wall 204 in the optical axis direction, the
position of the bent portion 195 in the optical axis direction with
respect to the second lens frame 130b is stable. Consequently, the
position of the flexible wire 190 with respect to the second lens
frame 130b is stable regardless of any movement of the second lens
frame 130b.
[0070] Also, since the limiting wall 204 links the base portion 205
and the storage wall 201, the storage component 200 formed by the
storage wall 201 and the limiting wall 204 is stronger, while the
position of the bent portion 195 in the optical axis direction can
be stabilized.
[0071] Furthermore, since the limiting protrusion 203 is disposed
to be contactable with the second intermediate portion 194 in the
optical axis direction, the position of the second intermediate
portion 194 in the optical axis direction is stable. Consequently,
the position of the flexible wire 190 with respect to the second
lens frame 130b is stable regardless of any movement of the second
lens frame 130b.
[0072] (4) Since the storage wall 201 has the cut-out 201e, a wide
range of movement of the first intermediate portion 193 around the
bent portion 195 can be ensured. Consequently, when the second lens
frame 130b moves in the optical axis direction, the pulling force
exerted on the first intermediate portion 193 pulled out from the
bent portion 195 can be lessened.
[0073] (5) Since the storage wall 201 has the first position
display part 201c and the second position display part 201d, when
the bent portion 195 is inserted between the base portion 205 and
the storage wall 201, the position of the bent portion 195 or the
first intermediate portion 193 can be determined on the basis of
the first position display part 201c or the second position display
part 201d. This makes assembly of the lens barrel 100 easier.
[0074] (6) Since the bent portion 195 is inserted between the base
face 205f and a second support face 201f, a larger contact surface
area can be ensured between the bent portion 195 and the second
lens frame 130b, and the orientation and position of the bent
portion 195 with respect to the second lens frame 130b tend to be
more stable.
[0075] (7) Since the second end 190a of the flexible wire 190 is
supported by the second lens frame 130b, the portion from the
second end 190a to the bent portion 195 (that is, the second
intermediate portion 194) is supported by the second lens frame
130b. Therefore, the orientation and position of the bent portion
195 with respect to the second lens frame 130b tend to be more
stable.
[0076] Other Embodiments
[0077] Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to what
was given above, and various improvements and changes are possible
without departing from the gist of the 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.
[0078] (1) The configuration of the flexible wire 190 is not
limited to that in the above embodiment. For example, the first end
190b may include at least one terminal, and the second end may
include at least one terminal.
[0079] Also, in the above embodiment the bent portion 195 was
formed by three overlapping band-shaped portions of the flexible
wire 190, but the bent portion 195 may have two or more overlapping
portions.
[0080] The flexible wire 190 has the curved part 270, but the
curved part 270 may be omitted. In this case, the first end 190b
and the bent portion 195 are linked by the first relay portion
193a.
[0081] (2) The bent portion 195 is inserted into the storage
component 200 from the optical axis direction (an example of the
first direction), but the insertion direction of the bent portion
195 is not limited to the optical axis direction.
[0082] (3) The storage component 200 is provided to the second lens
frame 130b, but the storage component 200 may instead be provided
to the first moving lens barrel 120a, the second moving lens barrel
120b, or the third moving lens barrel 120c. Also, the second end
190a and the bent portion 195 are supported by the same support
frame, but may instead be supported by individual support
frames.
[0083] 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 implies the existence of
other unclaimed or unmentioned components, sections, members or
parts of the device to carry out a 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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