JP2001194573A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera which is thinned and whose strength is improved so that the resolving performance of a lens is stably and accurately maintained. SOLUTION: By rotating a driving gear 9, a cam barrel 10 is rotated through a gear to be driven 101. In a collapsible area, 1st and 2nd guiding pins 201 and 202 engaged in the 1st and the 2nd cam grooves 102 and 103 of the cam barrel 10 are guided and movably fit in 1st and 2nd straight advance guiding grooves 112a and 113a extended in an optical axis direction so as to move a zoom lens in the optical axis direction, whereby the zoom lens is initially extended before photographing and housed in a camera main body after photographing. In a focal distance variable area, the pins 201 and 202 are movably fit and guided in 1st and 2nd rotating guiding grooves 112b and 113b extended in a direction where they cross with the optical axis so as to move the zoom lens by the rotation around the optical axis, whereby the zoom action of the zoom lens is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a camera provided with a zoom lens having a plurality of lens groups.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a compact camera provided with a lens shutter type zoom lens, a zoom lens barrel having a built-in zoom lens is used when the camera is not used, in order to make the camera thinner and smaller. Many products having a retractable region for further housing in the camera body than the variable focal length region described above so that the lens tip does not protrude from the camera body have been commercialized. In most of such cameras, a mechanism for shifting the zoom lens from the variable focal length area to the retracted area is configured as an extension of the zoom mechanism.

[0003]

As described above, in most conventional cameras with built-in retractable zoom lenses, a mechanism for moving the zoom lens from the variable focal length area to the retractable area is configured as an extension of the zoom mechanism. Therefore, each lens barrel constituting the zoom lens has a long stroke corresponding to the collapsed area, and the size of the movable cylinder and the like arranged in each barrel in the optical axis direction is long. Therefore, there is a problem that the size of the entire zoom lens barrel in the optical axis direction is long, and it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the camera. In addition, the notch in the direction of the optical axis due to a cam groove or the like provided on the circumference of each lens barrel is long, so that the strength of the zoom barrel itself is weak, and therefore the resolution performance of the lens is stable and high. There is also a problem that it is difficult to maintain accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a camera which can be made thinner and has higher strength so that the resolution performance of a lens can be maintained stably and with high accuracy.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera including a zoom lens having a plurality of lens groups, wherein the zoom lens forms an image of a subject on a predetermined image forming plane. In the above, the zoom lens is moved within the focal length variable area of the zoom lens by rotation about the optical axis, and the zoom lens is moved within the focal length variable area by the movement in the optical axis direction. A variable power member having a guided portion to be moved in the collapsible region further moved to the camera body side, and extending along the optical axis direction and engaging with the guided portion of the variable power member, and guiding the guided portion to A straight-ahead guide that guides in the collapsed area;
A rotation guide portion extending at one end continuously to the optical axis in a direction intersecting the optical axis and engaging with the guided portion of the variable power member to guide the guided portion within the variable focal length region; A guide member fixed to the camera body, and a drive transmission member that transmits a driving force to the variable power member by rotating in a state where movement in the optical axis direction is prohibited. It is characterized by having.

In the camera of the present invention, in the collapsing area, the guided portion is guided by the linear guide extending in the optical axis direction, and the zoom lens moves in the optical axis direction. And storage in the camera body after shooting. In the variable focal length region, the guided portion is guided by a rotation guide portion extending in a direction intersecting the optical axis, and the zoom lens moves by rotation around the optical axis, thereby performing a zoom operation of the zoom lens. Therefore, the dimension of the lens barrel in the optical axis direction in the variable focal length region is reduced, and the conventional mechanism for shifting the zoom lens from the variable focal length region to the collapsed region is configured as an extension of the zoom mechanism. Compared with a camera, the entire zoom lens barrel can be thinner, and the camera can be made thinner. Also, the notch in the optical axis direction due to a cam groove or the like provided on the circumference of the member constituting the lens barrel can be shortened, and the strength of the lens barrel itself increases, and the resolution performance of the lens is stable and high. Accuracy can be maintained.

Here, the variable power member has two guided portions, a first guided portion and a second guided portion, as the guided portions, and the guide member is connected to the guiding portion. A first guide portion including a first straight guide portion and a first rotation guide portion for guiding the first guided portion in the collapsible region and the focal length variable region, respectively, and the second guide portion. A second linear guide portion and a second guide portion including a second rotary guide portion for guiding the guided portions in the collapsible region and the focal length variable region, respectively. The first guide section and the second guide section place the first guided section in a state in which the first guided section is loosely fitted to the first rotation guide section in the variable focal length area, and The rotation guide portion guides the second guided portion, and the collapsible region In the above, it is advantageous that the second guided portion is loosely fitted to the second straight guiding portion, and the first straight guiding portion guides the first guided portion. It is a target.

With this configuration, in order to increase the dimensional accuracy of the guide portion, the dimensional accuracy of the linear guide portion extending in the optical axis direction of one of the two guide portions and the other one are improved.
In the case where the dimensional accuracy of the rotary guide portion extending in the direction intersecting the optical axis of the two guide portions only needs to be increased separately, the dimensional accuracy of the linear guide portion and the dimensional accuracy of the rotary guide portion in one guide portion are both increased. Compared with, high-precision dimensions can be easily obtained. Further, since the two guided portions are engaged with the two guide portions, the strength of the zoom lens barrel is further increased.

Further, the drive transmission member is a cylindrical member surrounding the optical axis, and is engaged with the guided portion, and the guided portion is rotated by rotation of the drive transmission member. When the guided portion is guided by the rotation guide portion of the guide portion, the guided portion rotates around the optical axis and the guided portion is guided by the straight guide portion of the guide portion. At times, it is preferable that the guided portion has a drive guide portion that is driven to move in the optical axis direction.

When the drive transmitting member has the drive guide portion driven as described above, both the movement in the optical axis direction and the rotation around the optical axis can be transmitted to the variable power member.

Further, the variable power member may have a driven portion for receiving a driving force separately from the guided portion, and the drive transmitting member may drive the guided portion. This is a preferred embodiment.

With this configuration, the variable power member can be rotated around the optical axis and moved in the optical axis direction by the rotation of the drive transmission member itself.

A drive source for rotating the drive transmission member is provided. The drive source includes a state in which the guided portion is guided by the straight traveling guide portion and a state in which the guided portion is guided by the rotation guide portion. It is also a preferred embodiment that the drive over the state of being closed is performed continuously.

As described above, if a drive source is provided for continuously driving the state in which the guided portion is guided by the linear guide portion and the guided portion is guided by the rotary guide portion, the focus from the collapsing region to the focus position The zoom lens can be smoothly moved over the variable distance region.

Further, the variable power member may be extended from the camera body by rotation of the drive transmission member in one direction and retracted toward the camera body by rotation of the drive transmission member in another direction. .

With this configuration, the zooming member can be extended from the camera main body or retracted into the camera main body by one driving source, and the configuration is simplified.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera equipped with a zoom lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a collapsed state in which a zoom lens barrel supporting the zoom lens is housed in a camera body. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the camera shown in FIG. 1 in a maximum extended state in which the zoom lens barrel is extended at a maximum.

At the center of the front of the camera 1, there is provided a zoom lens barrel 2 having a zoom lens therein. The zoom lens barrel 2 incorporates a zoom lens driving mechanism. A flash light emission window 8, a finder objective window 7, an AF light emission window 5a, an AF light reception window 5b, and an AE light reception window 6 are arranged in the upper front part of the camera 1. Also,
On the upper surface of the camera 1, a shutter button 4 is arranged. Further, a built-in battery 400 (see FIG. 7) for controlling the entire camera 1 is mounted on the camera 1.

A zoom operation lever is disposed on the back of the camera 1 (not shown). When one of the zoom operation levers is pushed, the zoom lens barrel 2 is shown in FIG. When moving from the retracted state toward the maximum extended state shown in FIG. 2 and pressing the other of the zoom operation levers, the zoom lens barrel 2 is moved from the maximum extended state shown in FIG. 2 to the collapsed state shown in FIG. Move towards.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the zoom lens barrel of the camera shown in FIGS.

The zoom lens barrel 2 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a drive gear 9 that can be driven in forward and reverse directions. The drive gear 9 is provided with an electric motor 418 (see FIG. 7).
Driven by The electric motor 418 receives electric power from the above-described internal battery 400 and drives in the forward and reverse directions. The electric motor 418 and the drive gear 9 are connected by a gear train (not shown).

The zoom lens barrel 2 has a retractable rotary barrel 20.
And a fixed cylinder 11 in which the collapsed rotary cylinder 20 is stored, and a cam cylinder 10 in which the fixed cylinder 11 is stored.

The collapsible rotary barrel 20 corresponds to an example of the variable power member according to the present invention. The collapsible rotary barrel 20 rotates the zoom lens by rotation about the optical axis within the focal length variable area of the zoom lens. By moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction, the zoom lens is moved in the collapsible area in which the zoom lens has moved further toward the camera body than in the focal length variable area. In addition, the collapsed rotary cylinder 2
0 is the first guide pin 201 (first guided portion) and the second guide pin 201
And a guide pin 202 (a second guided portion) for receiving the driving force and receiving the first and second guide pins.
The second guide pins 201 and 202 are guided to rotate around the optical axis and move in the optical axis direction. The first and second guide pins 201 and 202 have the same diameter, and are erected on the outer wall of the retractable rotary cylinder 20.
The collapsible rotary cylinder 20 has cam grooves 203 and 204 on the inner wall of the collapsible rotary cylinder 20 in which a front group movable cam pin 221 and a rear group movable cam pin 293 described later are engaged.

The fixed cylinder 11 is an example of the guide member according to the present invention. The fixed cylinder 11 has a fixed portion 111 and a cylindrical portion 115. The fixed cylinder 11 includes a fixed portion 11
1 and is fixed to the camera body. Cylindrical part 115
The first and second guide portions 112 and 113 are provided on the circumference of.

The first guide portion 112 extends in the optical axis direction and engages with the first guide pin 201 of the retractable rotary barrel 20 to guide the first guide pin 201 in the retracted area. One end of the guide groove 112a and one end of the first straight guide groove 112a extend continuously in a direction intersecting the optical axis, and engage with the first guide pin 201 of the collapsible rotary cylinder 20 to engage with the first guide pin. The first rotation guide groove 112b guides the motor 201 in the variable focal length region.

The second guide portion 113 extends in the optical axis direction and engages with the second guide pin 202 of the retractable rotary barrel 20 to guide the second guide pin 202 in the retracted area.
And the second straight guide groove 113a.
The one end extends continuously in the direction intersecting with the optical axis at the tip of a, and engages with the second guide pin 202 of the collapsible rotary cylinder 20 so that the second
Guide pin 202 in the variable focal length area
And a rotation guide groove 113b.

The width A1 of the first linear guide groove 112a and the width B2 of the second rotary guide groove 113b are the same, and the width A2 of the first rotary guide groove 112b and the second linear guide groove 112b are the same. The width B1 of the guide groove 113a is
Is larger than the width dimension A1 of the straight guide groove 112a and the width dimension B2 of the second rotation guide groove 113b. Therefore, the first
The second guide portions 112 and 113 connect the first guide pin 201 to the first rotation guide groove 11 in the focal length variable region.
2b, the second rotation guide groove 113b guides the second guide pin 202, and the second guide pin 202 is moved to the second straight guide groove 1 in the collapsed area.
The first straight guide groove 112a guides the first guide pin 201 while the first guide pin 201 is loosely fitted in the first guide pin 201a.

The cam cylinder 10 is an example of a drive transmission member according to the present invention. The cam cylinder 10 is a cylindrical member surrounding the optical axis, and includes a driven gear 101 meshed with the drive gear 9. , And the first and second cam grooves 102 and 103 (the drive guide portion according to the present invention). First and second cam grooves 10
The first and second guide pins 20 and 103 are provided via first and second guide portions 112 and 113 provided on the fixed cylinder 11.
1, 202, the guide pins 201, 202
Are guided to the first and second straight guide grooves 112a and 113a,
When loosely fitted, move straight in the optical axis direction,
When loosely fitted and guided in the second rotation guide grooves 112b and 113b, the driving force is transmitted to the collapsible rotary cylinder 20 by rotating the optical disc around the optical axis.

The cam cylinder 10 is driven to rotate by an electric motor 418 (see FIG. 7) via a drive gear 9. The drive motor 418 includes first and second guide pins 201 and 20.
While the retractable rotary barrel 20 is linearly guided in the optical axis direction while the retractable rotary cylinder 20 is guided by the first and second linear guide grooves 112a and 113a.
The cam cylinder 10 is driven continuously. Thus, the cam cylinder 1
By constantly driving 0, in the retracted area, the zoom lens barrel 2 can be smoothly moved out before photographing and stored in the camera body after photographing. The retractable rotary barrel 20 is extended from the camera body by rotation in one direction of the cam barrel 10 (A 'direction shown in FIG. 3), and collapses toward the camera body by rotation of the cam barrel 10 in the other direction.

In the retracted state in which the zoom lens barrel 2 is stored in the camera body, the first and second guide pins 201 and 202 are provided.
Are in contact with the wall portion 112c of the first guide portion 112, the wall portion 113c of the second guide portion 113, and the wall portion 102a of the first cam groove 102 and the wall portion 103a of the second cam groove 103. Is in contact with Here, when the driving gear 9 is driven in the direction A shown in FIG.
1 to rotate the cam cylinder 10 in the direction A 'shown in FIG. Then, the first guide pin 201 is guided by the first straight guide groove 112a, and the second guide pin 20 is moved.
2 is loosely fitted in the second rectilinear guide groove 113a, whereby the retractable rotary cylinder 20 moves linearly relative to the cam cylinder 10 in the optical axis direction. This straight movement is performed until the first and second guide pins 201 and 202 come into contact with the wall portions 112d and 113d of the first and second guide portions 112 and 113. In this manner, the driving in the collapsing area is performed, and the initial extension before photographing is performed.

The first and second guide pins 201 and 202 are connected to the wall portions 112d and 11 of the first and second guide portions 112 and 113, respectively.
3d, i.e., when the vehicle goes beyond the collapsed area, the second
Guide pin 202 is guided in the second rotation guide groove 113b, and the first guide pin 201 is loosely fitted in the first rotation guide groove 113b, whereby the collapsible rotary cylinder 20 is moved around the optical axis. To rotate. Thus, the zoom operation in the focal length variable area is performed. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the camera shown in FIG. 1 in a collapsed state in which the zoom lens barrel is housed in the camera body.

The first and second guide pins 201 and 202 described with reference to FIG.
113; Since the first and second cam grooves 102 and 103 are arranged adjacent to each other, they are separately shown in the upper and lower parts of FIG. 4 for convenience.

The cam grooves 102, 1 provided in the cam cylinder 10
03, the first and second guide pins 20 of the retractable rotary barrel 20
1, 202 are engaged via first and second rectilinear guide grooves 112a, 113a provided in the fixed cylinder 11, and the collapsible rotary cylinder 20 moves straight in the optical axis direction with the rotation of the cam cylinder 10. It moves and is paid out.

The fitting rotation part 205 of the retractable rotary cylinder 20 includes
The engagement flange 231 of the straight key ring 23 is fitted. A straight key groove 114 (see FIG. 5) is provided on the inner wall of the fixed cylinder 11, and the straight key 232 of the key ring 23 is fitted in the straight key groove 114. For this reason, the key ring 23 goes straight along with the collapsible rotary cylinder 20 in the optical axis direction, but is prevented from rotating around the optical axis. In addition, a straight key groove 2 is provided on the inner wall of the key ring 23.
A straight key 294 of the rear group unit 29 is fitted into the straight key groove 233. Therefore, the rear unit 29 also moves straight in the optical axis direction, but is prevented from rotating around the optical axis.

A rear group moving cam pin 293 is erected on the outer wall of the rear group supporting frame 292 of the rear group unit 29, and then the group moving cam pin 293 is engaged with the cam groove 204 of the retractable rotary cylinder 20. For this reason, the rear group unit 29 moves in accordance with a predetermined path pattern of the cam groove 204 of the retractable rotary barrel 20 with the rotation of the retractable rotary barrel 20 in the optical axis direction.

The front group moving barrel 22 includes a front group unit 2 having a front group lens unit 251 and a front group support frame 252.
5 and a shutter unit 28 are attached. Further, a slit-shaped linear keyway 222 linearly extending in the optical axis direction is provided on the inner wall of the front group moving cylinder 22.
A straight key 295 is provided upright on the outer wall of the rear group support frame 292 of the rear group unit 29, and the straight key 295 is engaged with the straight key groove 222 of the front group moving cylinder 22. For this reason,
The front group moving cylinder 22 is a collapsible rotating cylinder 20 in the optical axis direction.
However, the rotation around the optical axis is prevented, and the cam barrel 10 is moved straight forward with the rotation of the cam barrel 10 to be fed out. Further, on the outer wall of the front group moving cylinder 22, a collapsed rotating cylinder 2 is provided.
0 is provided with a front group moving cam pin 221 engaged with the cam groove 203 provided on the front side. For this reason, the front group unit 25 moves in accordance with a predetermined path pattern of the cam groove 203 of the retractable rotary barrel 20 with the rotation of the retractable rotary barrel 20 in the optical axis direction.

A lens name plate 2 is provided on the front surface of the
7 is attached. The front cover 3 is shown in the upper part of the retractable rotary cylinder 20 in FIG.

Here, the power of the camera 1 is turned on. Then, the electric motor 418 (see FIG. 7) rotates in the forward direction, and the driving gear 9 rotates by the driving force. Since the driving gear 9 meshes with the driven gear 101 of the cam cylinder 10, the cam cylinder 10 moves forward while rotating around the optical axis in accordance with the first and second cam grooves 102, 103.

The first and second guide pins 201 and 202 are
At the beginning of the rotation drive of the cam barrel 10, the wall portions 112 of the first and second guide portions 112 and 113 formed on the fixed barrel 11.
c, 113c and engages with the first and second cam grooves 102, 103, and the first and second guide pins 201, 202 with the start of the rotation drive of the cam cylinder 10.
Is guided by the first and second straight guide grooves 112a and 113a, is loosely fitted, and moves straight to move to the wall portion 112.
c, 113c, opposite wall portions 112d, 11
Head to 3d. The first and second guide pins 20
Until 1,202 contacts the wall portions 112d, 113d, the retractable rotary cylinder 20 does not rotate around the optical axis, but only moves forward. In this way, the drive in the collapsed area is performed, and the zoom lens barrel 2 is extended from the camera body to the initial position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the camera shown in FIG. 1 showing an initial extended state in which the zoom lens barrel is extended from the camera body.

In the drive in the collapsed area, the collapsed rotary cylinder 2
Since the driving around the optical axis of 0 is not performed, the front group moving cam pin 221 and the rear group moving cam pin 293 engaged with the cam grooves 203 and 204 of the collapsible rotary cylinder 20 have the same cam grooves 203 and 204. The movement along the path pattern is not performed, so that the collapsible rotary cylinder 20 and the entire lens barrel mechanism component connected to the collapsible rotary cylinder 20 are not changed without changing the relative relationship between the front group unit 25 and the rear group unit 29. It is guided by the second straight guide grooves 112a and 113a and is fed out. Here, the first and second guide pins 201 and 202 reach predetermined positions of the wall portions 112d and 113d, and are retracted.
The lens barrel position is detected (not shown) by a well-known method to detect that the lens barrel 0 and the entire lens barrel mechanism component connected to the lens barrel have been fed by a predetermined amount, and the supply of power to the electric motor 418 is stopped to perform the initial feeding. Stop the operation and maintain the standby state for the next operation.

Next, the zoom operation lever is operated to the tele side. Then, power is again supplied to the electric motor 418, and a zoom operation toward the telephoto side is performed.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the camera shown in FIG. 1 is zoomed to the telephoto side.

In this zoom operation, the driving gear 9 further rotates, and the cam cylinder 10
Further rotation about the optical axis is performed according to the second cam grooves 102 and 103. Then, the first and second guide pins 201 and 202 that are in contact with the walls 112d and 113d are loosely fitted and guided in the first and second rotation guide grooves 112b and 113b, respectively, and are retracted. The tube 20 now rotates around the optical axis. Then, the front group moving cam pin 221 formed on the outer wall of the rectilinear moving cylinder 22 moves linearly in the optical axis direction along the path pattern of the cam groove 203 provided on the retractable rotating cylinder 20. Further, the rear group moving cam pin 293 formed on the outer wall of the rear group support frame 292 moves straight in the optical axis direction along the path pattern of the cam groove 204 provided in the collapsed rotary cylinder 20. In this way, the front group unit 25 and the rear group unit 29 move straight in the optical axis direction while changing the relative distance from each other, whereby the zoom operation of the zoom lens barrel 2 toward the telephoto side is performed.

On the other hand, when the zoom operation lever is operated to the wide side after the zoom operation to the tele side is performed, the zoom operation to the wide side is performed. In the zoom operation on the wide side, the driving gear 9 rotates in the reverse direction, and its rotational driving force is transmitted to the cam cylinder 10 via the driven gear 101, and the cam cylinder 10 rotates in the opposite direction about the optical axis. The first and second guide pins 201 and 202 are loosely fitted into the first and second rotation guide grooves 112b and 113b, guided and moved toward the wall portions 112d and 113d, so as to be wide from the tele side. The front group unit 25 and the rear group unit 29 move in the optical axis direction while changing the relative distance to each other via the operation in the direction opposite to the above, thereby moving the zoom lens barrel 2 toward the wide side. A zoom operation is performed.

Here, after the zoom operation is completed, the shutter button is pressed. Then, before the shutter is released and opened / closed, the distance to the subject is measured by the active type autofocus device mounted on the camera 1, and the control provided by the AF signal representing the measured distance is performed. Focus adjustment is performed by adjusting the relative position of the front lens unit 251 in the optical axis direction with respect to the rear lens unit 291 according to the signal.

As described above, the camera 1 of the first embodiment is
In the retracted area, the first and second guide pins 201 and 202 have first and second straight guide grooves 112a and 112 extending in the optical axis direction.
The zoom lens is guided by 13a and loosely fitted, and moves in the optical axis direction, so that the zoom lens is initially extended before photographing and stored in the camera body after photographing. In the variable focal length region, the first and second guide pins 201 and 202 are loosely fitted and guided in the first and second rotation guide grooves 112b and 113b extending in a direction intersecting the optical axis and zoomed. The lens moves by the rotation around the optical axis, and the zoom operation of the zoom lens is performed. Therefore, in comparison with a conventional camera in which the mechanism for shifting the zoom lens from the variable focal length region to the collapsing region is configured as an extension of the zoom mechanism, the size of the zoom lens barrel 2 in the optical axis direction in the variable focal length region is reduced. Is reduced, the entire zoom lens barrel 2 can be made thinner, and the camera 1 can be made thinner.
Further, the length of the first and second rectilinear guide grooves 112a and 113a provided on the circumference of the fixed cylinder 11 and extending in the optical axis direction may be shortened, so that the strength of the zoom lens barrel 2 itself is increased and the solution of the lens is increased. Image performance can be maintained stably and with high accuracy.

Further, in the first embodiment, the first and second guide portions 112 and 113 have the first guide pin 201 loosely fitted in the first rotation guide groove 112b within the variable focal length region. And the second rotation guide groove 113
b guides the second guide pin 202, and in the collapsing area, moves the second guide pin 202 to the second straight guide groove 113a.
And the first straight guide groove 11
2a guides the first guide pin 201, so as to enhance both the dimensional accuracy of the rotation guide portion extending in the direction intersecting the optical axis and the dimensional accuracy of the linear guide portion extending in the optical axis direction of one guide portion. And the dimensional accuracy of the second rotation guide groove 113b for guiding the second guide pin 202 of the second guide portion 113, and the first guide pin 20 of the first guide portion 112.
The dimensional accuracy of the first linear guide groove 112a for guiding the first linear guide groove 112a may be separately increased, and a high-accuracy dimension can be easily obtained. Further, since the two guide pins 201 and 2020 are engaged with the two guide portions 112 and 113, the strength of the zoom lens barrel 2 is further enhanced.

FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram of the camera of the first embodiment.

A built-in battery 400 is mounted on the camera 1, and power from the built-in battery 400 is directly supplied to the driver IC 401 and is also stabilized by the regulator 402 and supplied to the CPU 403.
The output voltage of the regulator 402 is
Monitored at 04. The reset circuit 404 plays a role of stopping the operation of the CPU 403 in order to prevent the camera 1 from running out of control when the output voltage of the regulator 402 drops to the minimum voltage at which the CPU 403 can operate normally. .

The CPU 403 has an EEPR in which various programs and data executed by the CPU 403 are stored.
OM 405, battery check circuit 406 for monitoring remaining capacity of built-in battery 400, liquid crystal display panel (LCD) in finder for performing various displays in finder
407, a display LED 408, an AF (autofocus) light emitting LED 409, a zoom operation switch 410 that is turned on and off in response to an operation of a zoom operation lever provided on the back of the camera 1, and a flash circuit 411. The CPU 403 receives instructions and information or performs control according to the connection destination. Further, a crystal oscillator 420 for generating a basic clock required for the operation of the CPU 403 is also connected to the CPU 403. Further, the CPU 403 includes
The driver IC 401 described above is also connected. The driver IC 401 drives the electric motors 413, 417, and 418 in response to an instruction from the CPU 403. Further, the driver IC 401 is also connected to a shutter sensor 414 for detecting the timing when the shutter starts to open, an AE light receiving sensor 415 for detecting the brightness of the object scene, and an AF light receiving sensor 416 for measuring a distance to a subject.

Here, the driver IC 401 has a built-in shutter drive driver for driving an electric motor 413 for opening and closing the shutter, and this shutter drive driver receives an instruction from the CPU 403 and operates the electric motor for opening and closing the shutter. 413, the shutter sensor 414
The shutter is opened and closed from the timing of opening the shutter detected by the AE to the timing corresponding to the information on the brightness of the object scene detected by the AE light receiving sensor 415. By doing so, one frame of shooting is performed.

The driver IC 401 includes a film feed driver for driving an electric motor 417 for feeding a film, and an electric motor 418 for performing a zoom operation and a focus operation in the zoom lens barrel 2. A zoom / focus operation driver is built-in.

The film feed driver drives the electric motor 417 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 403.
When the photographing of one frame is completed, the photographic film is wound up by one frame, and when the photographing to the last frame is completed, the photographic film is rewound into a film patrone (not shown).

In the zoom operation, the zoom / focus operation driver turns on and off the zoom operation switch 410 according to the operation of the zoom operation lever.
In response to an instruction from the CPU 403 resulting from the detection at 403, the electric motor 418 is driven in the forward direction to move the zoom lens barrel 11 to the telephoto side, or the electric motor 418 is driven in the reverse direction to move the zoom lens barrel 11 Operate to the wide side.
On the other hand, in the focusing operation, the AF light receiving sensor 41
The electric motor 418 is driven in the reverse direction according to the distance measurement result of No. 6 to perform a focus operation for focus adjustment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a power-on program started when the power of the camera is turned on.

This program is executed by the CPU 40 shown in FIG.
3 is executed. When the power of the camera 1 is turned on, in step S11, the electric motor 418 shown in FIG. 7 is driven in the forward direction, and the driving force of the electric motor 418 is transmitted to the drive gear 9, whereby the drive gear 9 is driven forward. After rotation, the state is shifted from the retracted state shown in FIG. 4 to the initial extended state shown in FIG. 5, and this routine is ended.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the zoom operation program.

When a zoom operation is instructed by operating the zoom operation switch 410 (see FIG. 7), in step S21, the electric motor 418 is further driven in the forward direction, and the driving force of the electric motor 418 is driven. The zoom operation is transmitted to the gear 9 and the routine ends. As a result, the state is shifted from the above-mentioned extended state shown in FIG. 5 to the zoom state shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a shutter button on program which is started when the shutter button of the camera is pressed.

When the shutter button of the camera 1 is pressed,
Along with the photometric operation for measuring the brightness of the subject to be photographed, the distance to the subject is measured by the autofocus device, and the focusing operation in step S31 is performed. In this focusing operation, the electric motor 418 is driven in the reverse direction based on the control signal provided by the AF signal representing the measured distance, whereby the drive gear 9 is rotated in the reverse direction to move the cam barrel 10 to the optical axis. By reverse rotation to the center, the focus adjustment is performed by adjusting the relative position of the rear lens unit 291 and the front lens unit 251 in the optical axis direction.

Next, in step S32, it is determined whether or not to perform strobe light emission based on the amount of light obtained by the photometric operation. If it is determined that it is not necessary to perform strobe light emission, the shutter is opened and closed to execute step S32. Proceed to S33.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the strobe light needs to be emitted, a series of operations of opening the shutter to emit the strobe light and closing the shutter are performed, and the process proceeds to step S33. In step S33, in preparation for the next photographing operation, the electric motor 418 is driven in the forward direction to rotate the drive gear 9 in the forward direction to determine the relative position of the rear lens unit 291 and the front lens unit 251 in the optical axis direction. Return to the state before shooting. Also, the electric motor 417 is driven to wind up the photographic film by one frame, and this routine ends.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a power-off program started when an operation of turning off the power of the camera is performed.

When the operation of turning off the power of the camera 1 is performed, in step S41, the electric motor 418 is driven in the reverse direction, and this driving force is transmitted to the driving gear 9, and
The reverse rotation of the drive gear 9 causes the zoom lens barrel 2 to rotate.
To the retracted state shown in FIG. 4, and this routine ends. Thereafter, the power of the camera 1 is turned off.

In the first embodiment, two guide pins 2
01 and 202 and two guide portions 112 and 113, the zoom lens is moved straight in the direction of the optical axis in the retracted area, and is moved around the optical axis in the focal length area. With one guide pin and one guide part, the zoom lens may be moved straight in the optical axis direction in the retracted area and may be moved around the optical axis in the focal length area.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a zoom lens barrel of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The zoom lens barrel 200 shown in FIG. 12 is provided with a retractable rotary barrel 21, a fixed barrel 12, a cylindrical gear 15 (corresponding to a drive transmission member according to the present invention), and a drive gear 14. .

The retractable rotary cylinder 21 includes first and second guide pins 212 and 213 erected on the outer wall of the retractable rotary cylinder 21.
(Corresponding to the guided portion in the present invention). The collapsible rotary cylinder 21 is provided with first and second guide pins 212 and 21.
3 has a driven gear 211 that receives transmission of driving force. Further, the retractable rotary cylinder 21 is provided with the retractable rotary cylinder 2.
1 have cam grooves 214 and 215 on the inner wall.

The fixed tube 12 has a fixed portion 121 and a cylindrical portion 1.
25 are provided. The fixed cylinder 12 includes a fixed portion 121.
And is fixed to the camera body through. On the circumference of the cylindrical portion 125, a first guide portion 112 including a first straight guide groove 112a and a first rotation guide groove 112b,
Straight guide groove 113a and second rotation guide groove 113b
A second guide portion 113 is provided. These first and second guide portions 112 and 113 are the same as those shown in FIG. Also,
The cylindrical section 125 is provided with a gear storage section 122, and the cylindrical gear 15 is stored in the gear storage section 122.

The cylindrical gear 15 drives the first and second guide pins 212 and 213. The cylindrical gear 15 has a flat gear 151 and a helical gear 152. The spur gear portion 151 meshes with the drive gear 14. Further, the helical gear portion 152 meshes with the driven gear 211.

In the retracted state in which the zoom lens barrel 200 is housed in the camera body, the first and second guide pins 212 and 2
13 is in contact with the wall 112c of the first guide 112 and the wall 113c of the second guide 113. Here, the drive gear 14 is driven in the direction A shown in FIG. Then
The driving force is transmitted to the spur gear 151 of the cylindrical gear 15, and the helical gear 152 together with the spur gear 151.
Rotates in the direction opposite to the direction A. Helical gear section 152
Are meshed with the driven gear 211 of the retractable rotary cylinder 21, so that the retractable rotary cylinder 2
One also rotates. Then, the first guide pin 212 is guided in the first straight guide groove 112a, and the second guide pin 213 is loosely fitted in the first straight guide groove 113a. Go straight ahead. This linear movement is caused by the first and second guide pins 212 and 213 being moved by the wall portions 112 d and 1 of the first and second guide portions 112 and 113.
The process is performed until it comes into contact with 13d. In this manner, the driving in the collapsing area is performed, and the initial extension before photographing is performed.

The first and second guide pins 212 and 213 are connected to the walls 112d and 11 of the first and second guides 112 and 113, respectively.
At the point in time when the second guide pin 213 is guided by the second rotation guide groove 113b and the first guide pin 212 is loosely inserted into the first rotation guide groove 112b at a point in time when the second guide pin 213 is moved beyond the collapsed area in contact with 3d. The collapsible rotary cylinder 20 is now rotated about the optical axis. Thus, the zoom operation in the focal length variable area is performed. Hereinafter, FIG.
3 will be described.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the camera according to the second embodiment, showing an initial extended state in which the zoom lens barrel is extended from the camera body.

Note that the camera 1 of the first embodiment described above
The same components as those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different points will be described.

In the drive in the collapsed area, the collapsed rotary cylinder 2
Since the first unit is not driven around the optical axis, the collapsible rotary cylinder 21 and the entire lens barrel mechanism components connected thereto are extended without changing the relative relationship between the front group unit 25 and the rear group unit 29. Here, the first and second guide pins 21
When 2,213 reaches the walls 112d and 113d,
The lens barrel position is detected (not shown) by a known method, the supply of power to the electric motor 418 is stopped, the initial feeding operation is stopped, and a standby state for the next operation is maintained.

Next, the zoom operation lever is operated to the tele side. Then, power is again supplied to the electric motor 418, and a zoom operation toward the telephoto side is performed.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a state in which the zoom operation to the telephoto side of the camera of the second embodiment is performed.

In this zooming operation, the driving gear 14 further rotates, and the helical gear 152
Rotates further. Since the helical gear portion 152 meshes with the driven gear 211 of the retractable rotary cylinder 21, the retractable rotary cylinder 21 further rotates with the rotation of the helical gear portion 152. Then, the first and second guide pins 201 and 202 that are in contact with the wall portions 112d and 113d are turned to the first and second guide pins, respectively.
The retractable rotary cylinder 21 is now rotated around the optical axis while being loosely fitted and guided in the second rotation guide grooves 112b and 113b. Then, the front group moving cam pin 221 formed on the outer wall of the rectilinear moving cylinder 22 moves straight in the optical axis direction along the path pattern of the cam groove 214 provided in the retractable rotating cylinder 21. Further, the rear group moving cam pin 293 formed on the outer wall of the rear group support frame 292 moves straight in the optical axis direction along the path pattern of the cam groove 215 provided in the collapsed rotary cylinder 21. In this way, the front group unit 25 and the rear group unit 29 move straight in the optical axis direction while changing the relative distance from each other, whereby the zoom operation of the zoom lens barrel 200 toward the tele side is performed.

On the other hand, when the zoom operation lever is operated to the wide side after the zoom operation to the tele side is performed, the zoom operation to the wide side is performed. In the zoom operation on the wide side, the driving gear 14 rotates in the reverse direction, and the rotational driving force is transmitted through the spur gear 151 to the helical gear 15.
2 and the collapsible rotary cylinder 21 rotates in the opposite direction about the optical axis, whereby the first and second guide pins 212 and 213 are loosely fitted in the first and second rotary guide grooves 112b and 113b. The front group unit 25 and the rear group unit 29 change their relative distances from the tele side to the wide side through the operation in the opposite direction from the tele side to the wide side by being guided along with the walls 112d and 113d. While moving straight in the optical axis direction, the zoom operation of the zoom lens barrel 200 toward the wide side is performed.

Thereafter, the shutter button is pressed, and a photograph is taken in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the cylindrical gear 15 rotates by itself, the collapsible rotary cylinder 21 is moved through the driven gear 211 of the collapsible rotary cylinder 21 in the optical axis direction in the collapsible region. And rotates around the optical axis in the focal length region. Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the size of the zoom lens barrel 200 in the optical axis direction in the variable focal length region is reduced, and the entire zoom lens barrel 200 can be made thinner. Is achieved. Further, the first and second rectilinear grooves 112a and 113a provided on the circumference of the fixed barrel 12 and extending in the optical axis direction are also short, so that the strength of the zoom lens barrel 200 itself is increased and the resolution performance of the lens is stabilized. And it can be maintained with high accuracy. Further, since the two guide pins 212 and 213 are engaged with the two guide portions 112 and 113, dimensional accuracy and strength are further enhanced.

[0084]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a camera that can be reduced in thickness and increased in strength to maintain the resolution performance of the lens stably and with high accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera equipped with a zoom lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a collapsed state in which a zoom lens barrel supporting the zoom lens is housed in a camera body.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera shown in FIG. 1, showing a maximum extension state in which a zoom lens barrel is extended maximum.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a zoom lens barrel of the camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the camera shown in FIG. 1, showing a zoom lens barrel retracted in a camera body.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the camera shown in FIG. 1, showing an initial extended state in which a zoom lens barrel is extended from a camera body.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a zoom operation toward a tele side of the camera shown in FIG. 1 is performed.

FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram of the camera of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a power-on program started when the power of the camera is turned on.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a zoom operation program.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a shutter button on program started when a shutter button of the camera is pressed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a power-off program started when an operation of turning off the power of the camera is performed.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a zoom lens barrel of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an initial extended state of the camera according to the second embodiment in which the zoom lens barrel is extended from the camera body.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a zoom operation toward a tele side of the camera according to the second embodiment is performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 2,200 Zoom lens barrel 3 Front cover 4 Shutter button 5a AF light emission window 5b AF light reception window 6 AE light reception window 7 Finder objective window 8 Strobe light emission window 9,14 Driving gear 10 Cam cylinder 11,12 Fixed cylinder 13, 16 Body 15 Cylindrical Gear 20, 21 Collapse Rotating Tube 22 Front Group Moving Tube 23 Key Ring 24 Straight Moving Tube 25 Front Group Unit 27 Lens Nameplate 28 Shutter Unit 29 Rear Group Unit 101, 211 Driven Gear 102 First Cam Groove 102a, 102b , 103a, 103b, 112c,
112d, 112e, 113c, 113d, 113e
Wall 103 Second cam groove 111, 121 Fixed part 112 First guide part 112a First straight guide groove 112b First rotation guide groove 113 Second guide part 113a Second straight guide groove 113b Second rotation guide groove 114, 222, 233 Straight key groove 115, 125 Cylindrical part 122 Gear storage part 151 Flat gear part 152 Helical gear part 201, 212 First guide pin 202, 213 Second guide pin 203, 204, 214, 215 Cam groove 205, 216 Fitting Coupling part 221 Front group moving cam pin 231 Engagement flange part 232,294,295 Straight key 251 Front group lens unit 252 Front group supporting frame 291 Rear group lens unit 292 Rear group supporting frame 293 Rear group moving cam pin 400 Built-in battery 401 Driver IC 402 Regulator 403 CPU 404 Reset circuit 405 EEPROM 406 Battery check 407 Liquid crystal display panel (LCD) in viewfinder 408 Display LED 409 AF (autofocus) light emitting LED 410 Zoom operation switch 411 Strobe circuit 413, 417, 418 Electric motor 414 Shutter sensor 415 AE light receiving sensor 416 AF light receiving sensor 420 Crystal oscillator

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoji Naka 3-11-46 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama F-term in Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H044 BD07 BD09 BD10 BD19 DA02 DB02 DC04 DC11 DD03 DD08 DD17 DD18 2H101 BB10

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A camera, comprising: a zoom lens having a plurality of lens groups, wherein the zoom lens forms an image of a subject on a predetermined image forming plane. The zoom lens is moved within the focal length variable area, and is moved in the optical axis direction, so that the zoom lens is moved within the collapsed area where the zoom lens has moved further toward the camera body than within the focal length variable area. A variable power member having a guided portion; a linear guide portion extending in the optical axis direction and engaging with the guided portion of the variable power member to guide the guided portion in the collapsible region;
A rotation guide portion that extends in a direction intersecting the optical axis with one end continuously to the tip of the linear guide portion, engages with the guided portion of the variable power member, and guides the guided portion within the variable focal length region. A guide member fixed to the camera body, and a drive transmission member that transmits a driving force to the variable power member by rotating in a state where movement in the optical axis direction is prohibited. A camera characterized in that: 2. The variable magnification member as the guided portion,
A first guided portion and a second guided portion, the guide member having the first guided portion as the guide portion in the collapsible region and the focal point, respectively; A first guide portion including a first straight guide portion and a first rotary guide portion for guiding in the variable distance region, and the second guided portion are respectively disposed in the collapsible region and the focal length variable region. A second guide portion comprising a second linear guide portion and a second rotary guide portion for guiding, the first guide portion and the second guide portion being provided with the focal length In the variable region, the first guided portion is placed in a state of being loosely fitted to the first rotating guide portion, and the second rotating guiding portion guides the second guided portion, and In the area, the second guided portion is connected to the second straight guide portion. Wherein together put fitted state first according to claim 1, wherein the camera, characterized in that rectilinear guide part is intended for guiding the first guided portion. 3. The drive transmission member is a cylindrical member surrounding an optical axis, and is engaged with the guided portion, and moves the guided portion with the rotation of the drive transmission member. When the guided portion is guided by the rotation guide portion of the guide portion, the guided portion rotates around the optical axis and the guided portion is guided by the straight guide portion of the guide portion. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a drive guide section for driving the guided section to move in the optical axis direction. 4. The power-changing member has a driven portion that receives a driving force separately from the guided portion, and the drive transmission member drives the guided portion. The camera according to claim 1, wherein: 5. A drive source for rotating the drive transmission member, wherein the drive source is in a state where the guided portion is guided by the linear guide portion and the guided portion is guided by the rotation guide portion. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera continuously drives the camera in a state where the camera is in a closed state. 6. The variable power member is extended from the camera body by rotation of the drive transmission member in one direction, and retracts toward the camera body by rotation of the drive transmission member in another direction. The camera according to claim 1, wherein