JP2010156870A - Lens barrel and photographic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently hold a plurality of lens groups to straight advance, without having to use a dedicated straight advance regulation part. <P>SOLUTION: In the lens barrel including three lens parts 1, 3 and 5, and lens-holding parts 2, 4 and 6 therefor, a first cam barrel part 7, equipped with cam grooves at an inner periphery part and an outer periphery part is provided, and the second lens-holding part 4 and a third lens-holding part 6 are arranged on the inner periphery of the first cam barrel part 7. The third lens-holding part 6 is held, in such a state that it can advance straight by a second cam barrel part 8 arranged on the outer periphery of the first cam barrel part. Then, the second lens-holding part 4 is held, in such a state that it can straight advance by the third lens-holding part 6, and the first lens holding part 2 arranged on the outer periphery of the first cam barrel part 7 is held, in such a state that it can straight advance by the second lens-holding part 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens barrel provided in a film camera, a digital camera, or the like, and a photographing apparatus provided with the lens barrel.

  Conventionally, a film camera using a silver salt film has been widely used, but in recent years, a digital camera capable of taking image data into a memory without using a film has been rapidly spread. Among these digital cameras, there is known a digital camera including a zoom mechanism that moves a plurality of optical lenses along the optical axis direction to change a photographing magnification. It is disclosed.

  In a zoom lens barrel, for example, a plurality of lens holding portions that respectively hold a plurality of lenses are moved along the optical axis direction by a cam ring, and the rotation restricting portion restricts movement of the lens holding portion in the rotation direction. Yes. With this configuration, the optical lens can be moved to a designated position.

  In recent years, the increase in magnification has been rapidly progressing, and accordingly, the number of lens groups has increased, and the camera has a tendency to increase in size due to an increase in the total length of the feeding. In addition, there is a strong demand for thin cameras, and it is required to make the outer casing as thin as possible during storage. To reduce the thickness of the camera, a design method can be considered in which the dimensions in the optical axis direction are shortened for each lens barrel and connected in a multistage configuration. However, there are many ways to arrange multiple cams without crossing each other. This is generally difficult to achieve.

Various methods for solving such problems have been proposed.
For example, in the zoom lens barrel disclosed in Patent Document 2, at least two first and second lens groups that move in the optical axis direction, a fixed barrel, an intermediate barrel unit, a forward barrel, and a movable barrel are provided. Prepare. Here, the intermediate cylinder unit is configured to advance and retreat in the optical axis direction with respect to the fixed cylinder, and the advance cylinder advances and retracts in the optical axis direction with respect to the intermediate cylinder unit and holds the first lens group. To do. The movable cylinder advances and retreats in the optical axis direction with respect to the intermediate cylinder unit, and holds the second lens group.

  The intermediate cylinder unit includes a rotating cylinder and first and second straight cylinders. The rotating cylinder rotates about the optical axis, and first and second cams are formed on the outer surface and the inner surface of the cylinder, respectively. The first rectilinear cylinder moves straight along the optical axis direction and is disposed outside the rotating cylinder. Further, the second rectilinear cylinder goes straight along the optical axis direction and is arranged inside the rotating cylinder. The intermediate cylinder unit moves in the axial direction when the rotating cylinder rotates.

  The above-described advance cylinder has a first cam follower that engages with the first cam of the rotary cylinder, and the rotation is restricted by the first linear cylinder and is guided in the axial direction. The movable cylinder has a second cam follower that engages with the second cam of the rotary cylinder, and the rotation is regulated by the second linear cylinder and guided in the axial direction.

As described above, in the device configurations shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a rectilinear cylinder for restricting rectilinear advance with respect to the lens group is provided. Therefore, when a straight cylinder is provided, there is a problem that the apparatus is increased in size in the outer circumferential direction. As an example in which such a straight cylinder is abolished, a configuration example disclosed in Patent Document 3 can be given. That is, in this configuration, a cam cylinder having cam grooves of the first lens group, the second lens group, and the third lens group is provided on the inner side. For the third lens group, the linear movement is taken from the fixed cylinder on the outer peripheral side, the second lens group is made to move straight from the third lens group, and the first lens group is made to move straight from the second lens group. I'm taking it.
JP 2001-324663 A Japanese Patent No. 3842687 JP 09-2111292 A

By the way, in the structure shown in the said patent document 2, it becomes a problem that the said intermediate | middle cylinder unit is provided with several linear advance control part. That is, since the above-described two members, the first rectilinear barrel and the second rectilinear barrel, are required, the diameter of the lens barrel increases, and the entire apparatus may be increased in size.
In order to prevent such problems, it is necessary to take measures such as reducing the wall thickness. However, considering the viewpoint of the strength of the lens barrel and the fluidity of the molding material, there is a limit to such prescription.

In Patent Document 3, since all the cam grooves are provided in the inner peripheral portion of one cam cylinder, there is a restriction on the arrangement of the cam grooves. For example, with respect to the third lens group, light is applied to the cam cylinder. There is no movement in the axial direction, and it has a bayonet shape. That is, the cam cylinder and the third lens group itself advance and retract in the optical axis direction substantially integrally.
In recent years, miniaturization of cameras has progressed, and market needs are concentrated on small cameras. Therefore, it is required to have a configuration of a high-power zoom lens barrel without increasing the size of the apparatus. However, the movement trajectory of the lens group requires a degree of freedom, and if there is a restriction inherent in the configuration shown in Patent Document 3, there is a possibility that the optical arrangement may be hindered.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a lens barrel according to the present invention includes a plurality of lens means, a plurality of lens holding means for holding the lens means, and a first cam cylinder means and a second cam cylinder means. The lens holding means is moved in the direction of the optical axis of the lens barrel by cam groove means formed on the inner periphery of the first cam cylinder means, and on the outer periphery of the first cam cylinder means. Another lens holding means is moved in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel by the formed cam groove means, and the second cam cylinder means is arranged on the outer periphery of the first cam cylinder means, and the second cam cylinder means The first cam cylinder means is configured to move in the optical axis direction by cam groove means formed in the inner peripheral portion. In the present invention, the lens holding means and the second cam cylinder means arranged on the inner periphery of the first cam cylinder means are respectively provided with a linearly-adjusting restricting means and a rectilinear advance restricting means corresponding to each other. By providing, the movement direction of the lens holding means is restricted to a direction parallel to the optical axis direction, and the lens holding means disposed on the outer periphery of the first cam cylinder means and the first cam cylinder means The lens holding means disposed on the circumference is provided with a corresponding straight travel restricting means and a straight travel restricting means corresponding to each other, thereby moving the lens holding means disposed on the outer periphery of the first cam cylinder means. The direction is restricted to a direction parallel to the optical axis direction.

  For example, in an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a lens barrel having a three-group structure, a plurality of lens means are driven in the optical axis direction at the inner and outer peripheral parts of a first cam ring as the first cam cylinder means. Each cam groove is provided. That is, the first lens holding means can be moved by the cam groove on the outer peripheral portion, and the second lens holding means and the third lens holding means can be moved in the optical axis direction by using the cam groove on the inner peripheral portion. At this time, the cam groove formed on the outer peripheral portion of the first cam ring is not restricted by the cam groove formed on the inner peripheral portion. A second cam ring is disposed on the outer periphery of the first cam ring as second cam cylinder means for moving the first cam ring in the optical axis direction. On the inner circumference of the second cam ring, a linear advance restricting means for the third lens holding means arranged on the inner circumference of the first cam ring is arranged, so that the third lens holding means can be moved straight by the second cam ring. Keep in state. Then, the third lens holding means holds the second lens holding means in a straight advanceable state, and the second lens holding means holds the first lens holding means in a straight advanceable state.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the accuracy error during straight travel for each lens holding means and the lens group held by them, and to eliminate the dedicated straight travel restricting means and to increase the outer diameter of the lens barrel. The resulting increase in the size of the device can be prevented.
In the above configuration, it is preferable that the first cam barrel means is provided with a retracting means for retracting the rectilinear advance restricting means when the lens barrel is extended and / or when the lens barrel is retracted. Thereby, when the said linear advance control means approachs into a retracting means, the increase in the thickness in an optical axis direction can be prevented. Further, in the above configuration, by providing the cam cylinder protection means on the outer periphery of the cam cylinder means, the internal mechanism can be protected from the entry of dust from the outside and the impact.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by taking the illustrated photographing apparatus as an example.
1 to 5 show a configuration example of a lens barrel according to the present embodiment. The lens portions 1, 3, and 5 are held by separate lens holding portions 2, 4, and 6, respectively, and each lens holding portion uses a cam mechanism and a straight travel restriction mechanism along the optical axis direction of the lens barrel. And can be driven straight. Prior to a specific description of the structure relating to the lens barrel, an overall image of an imaging apparatus including the lens barrel will be described below.

  6 to 10 show a digital camera as a device provided with a photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A zoom mechanism capable of changing the shooting magnification is applied to the digital camera 12 shown in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view illustrating a state where the power supply to the digital camera 12 is cut off. FIG. 7 is an external perspective view illustrating a state where the digital camera 12 is powered on. 8 shows a top view of the digital camera 12, FIG. 9 shows a rear view of the digital camera 12, and FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the digital camera 12. FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of a main part of the digital camera 12.

  On the front surface of the digital camera 12 of the present embodiment, an auxiliary light unit 16 that assists the light source when performing photometry and distance measurement, a finder 17 for determining the composition of the subject, and a strobe 18 are provided. A photographing lens barrel portion 2 (collectively referred to as a first lens holding portion 2 to be described later) is configured as photographing means. As shown in FIG. 8, a release button 13, a zoom switch 14, and a power switch button 15 are arranged on the upper surface of the camera body. As shown in FIG. 10, a tripod mounting portion 27 and a card battery cover 28 are disposed on the bottom surface of the camera body, and a memory card drive (42) and a battery insertion portion to be described later are covered inside the cover. (Not shown) is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, operation buttons 21 to 26 are arranged on the back of the camera body, and the user can switch various functions by using these buttons. A display 20 made up of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is arranged as an image display unit, and a finder eyepiece unit 19 is arranged at the upper right. The user can use the operation buttons 21 to 26 to select an operation mode of the digital camera 12, such as a shooting mode, a playback mode, and a moving image shooting mode.

The display 20 displays image data stored in a memory (40), which will be described later, and image data read from a memory card on the screen. Further, when the user selects the above mode, a plurality of pieces of shooting data can be reduced and displayed on the display 20.
The control unit includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 46, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 45, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 47. Various components such as the release button 13, the operation buttons 21 to 26, the display 20, the memory 40, and the memory card drive 42 are connected to the control unit via the bus 44.

  A zoom motor drive unit 29, a focus motor drive unit 31, a shutter drive unit 32, and an aperture drive unit 35 are connected to the drive circuit 43 connected to the control unit via the bus 44, and these drive the imaging optical system. Parts. That is, each drive control is performed according to the control signal sent from the control unit to the drive circuit 43. The drive circuit 43 is connected to an image sensor 37 using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or the like, and a strobe 18. Light emission control is performed. The ROM 45 stores a program for controlling each functional component described above. The RAM 47 stores data necessary for each control program.

  In the above apparatus configuration, when the user operates the power switch button 15 to turn on the power, the CPU 46 reads a necessary control program from the ROM 45 and starts an initial operation according to the program. That is, the control unit including the CPU 46 moves the photographing lens barrel, which will be described in detail later, to a predetermined photographing possible region, and then activates the photographing function to shift to the photographing standby state.

  Thereafter, when the user presses the release button 13 to take a picture, the image sensor 37 detects the brightness of the subject, and the control unit determines the aperture value and shutter speed based on the photometric value, and the strobe 18 is moved. Determine whether to emit light. In addition, the user can select in advance whether the strobe 18 is forced to emit light by using the operation button 21 or not. Next, distance measurement is performed by a distance measurement unit (not shown), and the distance to the subject is measured. The control unit drives the focus motor drive unit 31 via the bus 44 and the drive circuit 43 to move the focus unit 30 to a predetermined focus position. Next, the control unit controls the shutter drive unit 32 via the bus 44 and the drive circuit 43 to open and close the shutter unit 33. In this way, a desired image can be taken into the image sensor 37.

Charges corresponding to the amount of incident light are accumulated in the image sensor 37 based on the exposure control value, and the charges are output as an image signal to the subsequent analog signal processing unit 36. The analog signal processing unit 36 and the subsequent circuit units constitute an image signal processing unit.
The analog signal processing unit 36 performs predetermined analog processing on the captured image data, and outputs the processing result to the A / D conversion unit 38 at the subsequent stage. The A / D converter 38 converts the captured analog data into digital data. This digital data is sent to the digital signal processing unit 39, where the digital data is processed. Finally, the digital data is stored in the memory 40.

The data once stored in the memory 40 is sent to the compression / decompression unit 41 according to the operation of the operation button 22. Here, the data subjected to the compression processing according to the format such as JPEG or TIFF is output to the memory card drive 42 and then stored in the memory card.
In the case of a digital camera that does not have the memory 40, the digital data processed by the digital signal processing unit 39 is output to the compression / decompression unit 41 so that the compressed data is transferred to the memory card drive 42 via the memory card drive 42. Will be remembered.

The image data stored in the memory 40 or the image data stored in the memory card is subjected to expansion processing by the compression / expansion unit 41, and the image data can be displayed on the display 20 via the bus 44. The user can view the image on the display 20. For example, when the user determines that the image is unnecessary, the corresponding image data can be erased by operating the operation button 23.
When the user operates the zoom switch 14 disposed on the upper surface of the camera body, the control unit receives the operation command and controls the zoom motor drive unit 29 via the drive circuit 43, whereby the photographic lens barrel 2 is operated. Can be moved in the optical axis direction. In addition, when the user operates the zoom switch 14 on the stored image displayed on the display 20, so-called digital zoom such as enlarged display and reduced display can be performed.

Next, the configuration of the taking lens barrel 2 provided in the digital camera 12 according to the present embodiment and the configuration of each lens group provided therein will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the lens barrel when the camera is in a shooting state. The first lens holding unit 2 holds the first lens unit 1, and the second lens holding unit 4 holds the second lens unit 3. Further, the third lens unit 5 is held by the third lens holding unit 6. Each lens unit is constituted by a single lens or a lens group. The first lens portion 1 is disposed on the outer periphery of the first cam cylinder portion 7 having a plurality of cam grooves, and the second lens holding portion 4 and the third lens holding portion 6 are provided on the inner periphery of the first cam cylinder portion 7. Has been placed.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lens barrel as seen from the back, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the second lens holding portion 4 and the third lens holding portion 6. 4 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the first lens holding part 2 and the second lens holding part 4, and FIG. 5 shows the first cam cylinder part 7, the second lens holding part 4, and the third lens holding part 6. It is the perspective view which showed the relationship.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a first cam groove portion 7 c is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the first cam cylinder portion 7. When the first follower 2b (see FIG. 4) integrally provided with the first lens holder 2 engages and follows the first cam groove 7c, the first lens holder 2 becomes the lens barrel. It moves forward and backward along the optical axis direction, that is, moves back and forth.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a second cam groove portion 7 a and a third cam groove portion 7 b are formed on the inner periphery of the first cam cylinder portion 7. In other words, the second follower 4c (see FIG. 3) provided in the second lens holding part 4 engages and follows the second cam groove 7a, and the third lens holder 7b follows the third cam groove 7b. The third follower 6c (see FIG. 3) included in 6 engages and follows. Thus, the second lens holding unit 4 and the third lens holding unit 6 move back and forth along the optical axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, the first follower 2b and the first cam groove 7c are arranged at six positions with an angular interval of 60 ° around the optical axis. Further, the second follower 4c, the second cam groove 7a, the third follower 6c, and the third cam groove 7b are respectively arranged at three positions with an angular interval of 120 ° around the optical axis.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first cam cylinder portion 7 includes a follower portion 7e. In this example, the follower portion 7e provided on the outer peripheral portion of the first cam tube portion 7 serves as a plurality of protrusions around the optical axis. Are arranged at predetermined angular intervals. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a second cam cylinder portion 8 as a fixed cylinder is disposed on the outer periphery of the first cam cylinder portion 7. A cam groove portion 8a corresponding to the follow-up portion 7e of the first cam cylinder portion 7 is provided on the inner periphery, and the follow-up portion 7e of the first cam cylinder portion 7 engages and follows this cam groove portion 8a. A cam cylinder drive unit 9 is disposed on the outer periphery of the second cam cylinder unit 8, and the first cam cylinder unit 7 itself is rotated by the rotation of the first cam cylinder unit 7 by the rotational force of the cam cylinder drive unit 9. Move back and forth along the optical axis direction. The cam barrel drive unit 9 rotates by transmitting the rotational force of the zoom motor drive unit 29 through a gear coupling mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inner periphery of the second cam cylinder portion 8 is provided with a straight movement restricting portion 8 b for the third lens holding portion 6, and this portion is provided in the third lens holding portion 6. It has a role as a rectilinear guide for guiding the rectilinear restricting portion 6a. The straight travel regulation unit and the straight travel regulation unit operate in pairs with each other. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rectilinear restricting portion 8 b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second cam cylinder portion 8 as a groove extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the straight travel restricting portion 6 a is formed as a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the flange portion of the third lens holding portion 6.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the third lens holding portion 6 is provided with a straight advance restriction portion 6 b with respect to the second lens holding portion 4, and this portion is a straight advance provided in the second lens holding portion 4. It has a role as a rectilinear guide for guiding the restricting portion 4b. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the straight movement restricting portion 4 b is formed as a notch in the second lens holding portion 4, and the straight movement restricting portion 6 b having a shape to be inserted into this is held by the third lens holding portion. Part 6 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second lens holding portion 4 is provided with a straight movement restricting portion 4 a with respect to the first lens holding portion 2, and this portion is a straight movement restriction provided in the first lens holding portion 2. It has a role as a straight traveling guide part for guiding the part 2a. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the rectilinear advance restricting portion 4 a protrudes from the one end portion of the second lens holding portion 4 toward the outer peripheral direction and is arranged at an angular interval of approximately 120 ° around the optical axis. It is formed as a protruding part. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a straight travel restricting portion 2 a extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis is formed in the first lens holding portion 2 as a groove corresponding to these.

  As described above, each holding portion and the cam tube portion are connected to each other, so that the second lens tube portion 8 holds the third lens holding portion 6 in a state where the third lens holding portion 6 can advance straight. Further, the second lens holding portion 4 is held by the third lens holding portion 6 so as to be able to go straight. Further, the first lens holding unit 2 is held by the second lens holding unit 4 in a state in which the first lens holding unit 2 can advance straight. That is, without using a dedicated straight movement restricting member as in the prior art configuration, the rotational direction of all the lens groups is regulated in the straight movement direction along the optical axis by the rotational force of the cam barrel drive unit 9. It can be moved back and forth along the optical axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a lens barrel cover portion 10 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the cam barrel driving portion 9, and the cam barrel driving portion 9 is held by the portion and the entire barrel is protected. Further, a cam tube protecting portion 11 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the first cam tube portion 7 so that the first cam tube portion 7 is concealed so that it cannot be seen from the outside when the lens barrel is extended. Protect.

  Since the second lens holding part 4 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the first cam cylinder part 7 and the first lens holding part 1 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the first cam cylinder part 7, the first lens holding part 2 is arranged. It is necessary to devise the arrangement of the straight travel restricting portion 4a. That is, no problem arises as long as the rectilinear restricting portion 4a is always in front of the first cam cylinder portion 7 in the optical axis direction. However, when the straight movement restricting portion 4a is disposed in front of the first cam tube portion 7 in the optical axis direction when the photographic lens barrel is stored, the optical axis direction of the photographic lens barrel is accordingly increased. The thickness at will increase.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the first cam cylinder portion 7 is provided with a retracting portion 7d (refer to a notch) of the rectilinear restricting portion 4a, and the rectilinear restricting portion 4a is inserted into the retracting portion 7d when the photographing lens barrel is stored. It is desirable to be in an accepted state. As a result, the straight movement restricting portion 4a does not protrude forward in the optical axis direction than the first cam tube portion 7, and the thickness of the taking lens barrel can be reduced.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart exemplifying the flow from the time when the power is turned on to the time when the photographing is finished, regarding the operation of the digital camera as the photographing apparatus including the lens barrel mechanism of the present invention.
First, after the user turns on the power of the photographing apparatus in step S1201, in the next step S1202, the CPU 46 sends a command to the zoom motor drive unit 29 to rotate the lens barrel drive motor CW (clockwise). Thereafter, a predetermined operation is performed under the control of the CPU 46, and after confirming that the photographing lens barrel unit 2 has moved to the photographing position in step S1203, the operation of the unit is stopped. At this time, the state of the lens barrel changes from the state shown in FIG. 6 to the state shown in FIG.

  In step S1204, after the user presses the release button 13 to turn on the switch, the photometry unit performs photometry in step S1205 to obtain luminance information of the subject. In next step S1206, the control unit determines whether or not the obtained luminance information is higher than a predetermined luminance. As a result, when the obtained luminance is higher than the predetermined luminance, the process proceeds to step S1207, and the diaphragm unit 34 is caused to enter the direction approaching the optical axis under the control of the CPU 46, thereby changing the amount of incident light. On the other hand, when the obtained luminance is lower than the predetermined luminance, the operation control of the diaphragm unit 34 is not performed, and the portion is retracted in a direction away from the optical axis.

  Thereafter, in step S1208, the focus unit 30 is operated and moved to a position where the subject is in focus. In step S1209, the image pickup device 37 starts capturing an image at the position. In the next step S1210, the shutter unit 33 is moved from the open state to the closed state to reduce the amount of incident light. In the next step S1211, the image capture is completed. In subsequent step S1212, the diaphragm unit 34 is retracted away from the optical axis, and in the next step S1213, the focus unit 30 is moved to the initial position, thereby completing a series of operations.

  According to the configuration described above, it is not necessary to use a dedicated straight-line restricting portion, and straight-line restriction is performed between a plurality of lens holders. Therefore, it is possible to improve straight-run performance and reduce component costs. In addition, since there is no need to arrange a ring-like straight-line restricting portion, the diameter of the photographic lens barrel is reduced, so that the photographic apparatus can be made smaller.

It is sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of extension of the lens-barrel in one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the lens-barrel in one Embodiment of this invention from back. It is a perspective view showing the relation between the 2nd lens holding part and the 3rd lens holding part of the lens barrel in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the relation between the 1st lens holding part and the 2nd lens holding part of the lens barrel in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the cam cylinder and lens holding | maintenance part of a lens barrel in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the power-supply-cutoff state of the imaging device which has a lens barrel in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the power-on state of the imaging device which has a lens barrel in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the imaging device which has a lens barrel in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a rear view of the imaging device which has a lens barrel in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a bottom view of the imaging device which has a lens barrel in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part about the structural example of the digital camera as an imaging device which has a lens-barrel in one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing from a power-on time to a photographing end time for a digital camera as a photographing device having a lens barrel in an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st lens part 2 1st lens holding | maintenance part 2a Straight travel restriction | regulation part 2b 1st tracking part 3 2nd lens part 4 2nd lens holding | maintenance part 4a Straight travel restriction | regulation part 4b Straight travel restriction part 4c 2nd tracking part 5 3rd lens Part 6 third lens holding part 6a rectilinear regulation part 6b rectilinear regulation part 6c third follower part 7 first cam cylinder part 7a second cam groove part 7b third cam groove part 7c first cam groove part 7d retracting part 7e follower part 8 2 Cam barrel portion 8a Cam groove portion 8b Straight travel regulating portion 9 Cam barrel drive portion 10 Lens barrel cover portion 11 Cam barrel protection portion 12 Imaging device (digital camera)

Claims (5)

A lens barrel having a plurality of lens means and a plurality of lens holding means for holding the lens means, and a first cam cylinder means and a second cam cylinder means,
The lens holding means is moved in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel by cam groove means formed on the inner periphery of the first cam cylinder means, and the cam groove means formed on the outer periphery of the first cam cylinder means. Furthermore, another lens holding means is moved in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel,
The second cam cylinder means is disposed on the outer periphery of the first cam cylinder means, and the first cam cylinder means is moved in the optical axis direction by cam groove means formed on the inner periphery of the second cam cylinder means. Configured as
The lens holding means and the second cam cylinder means arranged on the inner periphery of the first cam cylinder means are respectively provided with a linearly-advancing restricting means and a rectilinear advance restricting means corresponding to each other, whereby the lens Restricting the moving direction of the holding means to a direction parallel to the optical axis direction;
The lens holding means arranged on the outer periphery of the first cam cylinder means and the lens holding means arranged on the inner circumference of the first cam cylinder means correspond to each other in a straight travel restriction means and a straight movement restriction means corresponding to each other. The lens barrel is characterized in that the moving direction of the lens holding means disposed on the outer periphery of the first cam cylinder means is regulated in a direction parallel to the optical axis direction. The plurality of lens means includes first lens means, second lens means, and third lens means, and the plurality of lens holding means includes first lens holding means for holding the first lens means, and the first lens means. A second lens holding means for holding two lens means and a third lens holding means for holding the third lens means;
The inner periphery of the first cam cylinder means is provided with second cam groove means and third cam groove means for moving the second lens holding means and the third lens holding means in the optical axis direction, respectively. The outer periphery of the first cam cylinder means is provided with first cam groove means for moving the first lens holding means in the optical axis direction, and the first cam cylinder means is provided on the inner periphery of the second cam cylinder means. A cam groove means for moving the lens in the optical axis direction,
The third lens holding means is provided with a straight travel restricting means, and a straight travel restricting means corresponding to the straight travel restricting means is provided on the inner periphery of the second cam cylinder means,
The second lens holding means is provided with a straight movement restricting means, and a straight movement restricting means corresponding to the straight movement restriction means is provided in the third lens holding means,
2. The lens mirror according to claim 1, wherein the first lens holding means is provided with a straight movement restricting means, and a straight advance restriction means corresponding to the straight movement restricting means is provided in the second lens holding means. Tube.   3. The lens barrel according to claim 2, wherein the first cam barrel means includes a retracting means for retracting the linear advance restriction means.   The lens barrel according to claim 2 or 3, wherein cam barrel protection means is disposed on an outer periphery of the first cam barrel means.   An imaging apparatus comprising the lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images