JP2010256748A - Lens barrel and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens barrel advantageous in terms of miniaturization and reduction of cost, and to provide an imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A driving part 24 that drives and rotates a distance operation ring 720 is arranged in an annular space S surrounded by an inner peripheral surface of a fixed holding ring 700 and an outer peripheral surface of the distance operation ring 220. A first stopper 762 provided in a fixed ring 710 and a second stopper 764 provided in the distance operation ring 720 are located in the annular space S in which the driving part 24 is arranged. Therefore, the first stopper 762 and the second stopper 764 are located at positions separate outward in a radial direction from a distance operation ring side helicoid part 720A on an inner peripheral surface of the distance operation ring 720 and a helicoid ring side helicoid part 730A on an outer peripheral surface of the helicoid ring 730. In other words, the first stopper 762 and the second stopper 764 are located at positions deviated from the extension in an optical axis L direction of the distance operation ring side helicoid part 720A and the helicoid ring side helicoid part 730A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens barrel and an imaging device.

As a lens barrel of an imaging apparatus, there is a lens barrel that extends a movable barrel that supports a movable lens in the optical axis direction of the movable lens with respect to a fixed barrel.
As such a lens barrel, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
In this lens barrel, the second helicoid part formed in the helicoid ring is screwed into the first helicoid part formed in the movable lens barrel, and the helicoid ring is rotated to move the movable lens barrel in the optical axis direction. Move.
Therefore, in the lens barrel described above, a one-stage helicoid structure is constituted by two helicoid portions, the first helicoid portion and the second helicoid portion.
In order to ensure a large extension amount of the movable lens, as shown in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to make the helicoid structure two or more stages.

JP-A-2-253210 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-145612

However, if the helicoid structure is multi-staged, the number of members forming each helicoid portion increases, so the space occupied by the helicoid structure in the radial direction of the lens barrel increases, and the number of parts increases. There was a disadvantage in reducing cost and cost.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel and an imaging apparatus that are advantageous in reducing size and cost.

In order to achieve the above object, a lens barrel of the present invention is fixed to a cylindrical fixed holding ring and a rear end that is one end in the axial direction of the fixed holding ring inside the fixed holding ring. A fixed ring extending in a ring plate shape centered on the axis on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the fixed holding ring, and the fixed holding ring inside the fixed holding ring in front of the fixed ring And a cylindrical shape in which a distance operation ring side helicoid part is formed on the inner peripheral surface and a distance operation ring side gear part is formed on the outer peripheral surface. A distance control ring and a helicoid ring side helicoid part which is supported by the fixed ring so as to be non-rotatable on the same axis as the fixed holding ring and capable of moving in the axial direction and screwed with the distance control ring side helicoid part on the outer peripheral surface A cylindrical helicoid ring formed on the inner periphery of the helicoid ring A movable lens frame that is mounted and supports a movable lens coaxially with the fixed holding ring to support the movable lens, an inner peripheral surface of the fixed holding ring, and an outer peripheral surface of the distance operation ring. A drive unit that is disposed in an annular space surrounded by a ring and that rotates the distance operation ring via the distance operation ring side gear unit, and a first projecting forward from the fixed ring and positioned in the annular space. A second stopper is provided on the distance operation ring so as to be positioned in the annular space. The second operation is lockable with the first stopper and is locked with the first stopper, thereby restricting a rotation range of the distance operation ring. And a stopper.
The image pickup apparatus of the present invention further includes a lens barrel that guides a subject image to an image pickup device, and the lens barrel includes a cylindrical fixed holding ring and an axial direction of the fixed holding ring inside the fixed holding ring. A fixed ring that is fixed near the rear end that is one end of the fixed holding ring and that extends in a ring plate shape centered on the axis on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the fixed holding ring, and forward of the fixed ring Inside the fixed holding ring, supported on the fixed holding ring coaxially with the fixed holding ring so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction, a distance operation ring side helicoid portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface, and a distance is provided on the outer peripheral surface. A cylindrical distance operation ring in which an operation ring side gear part is formed, and the distance operation ring side helicoid part on the outer peripheral surface supported by the fixed ring so as to be non-rotatable and axially movable coaxially with the fixed holding ring A cylindrical helicoid with a helicoid ring side helicoid part that is screwed with A movable lens frame that is attached to the inner periphery of the helicoid ring and that supports the movable lens by aligning the optical axis coaxially with the fixed holding ring inside the helicoid ring, and the fixed holding ring A driving portion that is disposed in an annular space surrounded by an inner peripheral surface of the distance operation ring and an outer peripheral surface of the distance operation ring, and that rotates the distance operation ring via the distance operation ring side gear portion; And a first stopper positioned in the annular space and provided in the distance operation ring so as to be positioned in the annular space, and engageable with the first stopper and latched with the first stopper. And a second stopper for regulating the rotation range of the distance operation ring.

Since the first stopper and the second stopper are located at a location excluding the drive unit in the annular space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the fixed holding ring and the outer peripheral surface of the distance operation ring, the distance in the optical axis direction The entire length of the operation ring side helicoid part and the helicoid ring side helicoid part can be secured large. As a result, a large extension amount of the movable lens can be secured.
Therefore, it is advantageous in shortening the total length of the distance operation ring and the helicoid ring in the optical axis direction.
Further, it is not necessary to make the helicoid structure multi-stage, which is advantageous in reducing the outer diameter of the lens barrel.
Therefore, it is advantageous in reducing the size and cost of the lens barrel.

1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an imaging apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an apparatus main body 10. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an apparatus main body 10. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an apparatus main body 10. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an apparatus main body 10. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an apparatus main body 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus 1 in which an interchangeable lens 2 is attached to an apparatus body 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows the standing state of the flash part. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a camera system 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the entire camera system 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the lens-barrel 2 in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the lens-barrel 2 in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the lens barrel 2. It is a top view of FIG. (A) is sectional drawing of the lens-barrel 2 in 2nd Embodiment, (B) is explanatory drawing of the attachment structure of the 1st stopper 762. FIG. FIG. 16 is a plan view of FIG. FIG. 16 is a plan view of FIG. It is sectional drawing of 2 A of lens barrels which have the movable lens groups 21 and 22 of a different specification from the lens barrel 2 of 1st Embodiment, and do not have the fixed lens 23. FIG. (A), (B), (C) is a perspective view which shows the modification of a movable 1st stopper.

(First embodiment)
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, a case where the imaging apparatus 1 is a single-lens reflex type will be described.
In the present embodiment, the case where the lens barrel 2 is an interchangeable lens that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 10 (camera body) will be described. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a single-lens reflex type imaging apparatus in which the lens barrel 2 is integrally provided in the camera body, or other imaging apparatus. In an imaging apparatus in which the lens barrel 2 is provided integrally with the camera body, a lens mount 780 described later is not provided at the rear end of the lens barrel 2.
In the present embodiment, the subject side is the front and the opposite is the rear in the front-back direction of the imaging apparatus 1, and the imaging apparatus 1 is viewed from the front in the left-right direction of the imaging apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 10 has a case 10A that forms an exterior.
A mount portion 301, a lens exchange button 302, and a grip portion 303 are provided on the front surface of the case 10A.
The mount portion 301 is provided at the approximate center of the front surface of the case 10A and is where the lens barrel 2 according to the present invention is attached.
The mount portion 301 is a part for mounting the lens barrel 2, and includes a plurality of contacts for electrical connection with the mounted lens barrel 2, a coupler for mechanical connection, and the like. Is provided.

  The lens exchange button 302 is disposed on the right side of the mount unit 301 and is a button that is pressed when the lens barrel 2 attached to the mount unit 301 is removed.

The grip portion 303 is a portion that bulges forward from the left front end portion of the front surface and is gripped by the user with a hand.
The grip portion 303 is a portion where the user grips the apparatus main body 10 at the time of photographing, and is provided with surface irregularities adapted to the finger shape in order to improve fitting properties.
A battery storage chamber 69A (FIG. 4) and a card storage chamber 67A (FIG. 6) are provided inside the grip portion 303.
A battery is housed in the battery housing chamber 69A as a power source for the camera, and a recording medium (for example, a memory card) for recording image data of a photographed image is detachably housed in the card housing chamber 67A. ing.
The grip unit 303 may be provided with a grip sensor for detecting whether or not the user has gripped the grip unit 303.

As shown in FIG. 3, a mode setting dial 305, a control value setting dial 306, and a shutter button 307 are provided on the upper surface of the case 10A.
The mode setting dial 305 is disposed on the upper left side, and the control value setting dial 306 is disposed on the upper right side.
The mode setting dial 305 and the control value setting dial 305 are made of a substantially disk-shaped member that can rotate in a plane substantially parallel to the upper surface of the case 10A.
A mode setting dial 305 is used to selectively select a mode or function installed in the apparatus main body 10.
These modes include various exposure modes such as an automatic exposure (AE) control mode, an autofocus (AF) control mode, a still image shooting mode for shooting a single still image, and a continuous shooting mode for continuous shooting. And a playback mode for playing back recorded images.
The control value setting dial 305 is used to set control values for various functions installed in the apparatus main body 10.

The shutter button 307 is disposed on the upper surface of the grip portion 303.
The shutter button 307 is a push switch that can be operated in a “half-pressed state” that is pressed halfway and further operated in a “full-pressed state”.
When the shutter button 307 is pressed halfway in the still image shooting mode, a preparation operation (preparation operation such as setting of an exposure control value or focus adjustment) for shooting a still image of the subject is executed.
When the shutter button 307 is fully pressed, a photographing operation (a series of operations for exposing an image sensor and performing predetermined image processing on an image signal obtained by the exposure and recording the image signal on a memory card or the like) is performed.

As shown in FIG. 2, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 311, a setting button group 312, a camera shake correction switch 313, a cross key 314, and a push button 315 are provided on the rear surface of the case 10 </ b> A.
Further, an optical viewfinder 316, an eye cup 321, a diopter adjustment dial 322, a main switch 317, an exposure correction button 323, and an AE lock button 324 are provided on the rear surface of the case 10A.

The LCD 311 includes a color liquid crystal panel, displays an image captured by the image sensor 101 (see FIG. 10 and the like), reproduces and displays a recorded image, and functions and modes mounted on the apparatus main body 10. The setting screen is displayed.
Note that an organic EL or a plasma display device may be used instead of the LCD 311.

The setting button group 312 is a button that is arranged on the left side of the LCD 311 and performs operations on various functions mounted on the apparatus main body 10.
The setting button group 312 includes, for example, a selection confirmation switch for confirming the content selected on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 311, a selection cancel switch, a menu display switch for switching the content of the menu screen, a display on / off switch, A display enlargement switch is included.

The camera shake correction switch 313 is a button that is disposed in the lower right part of the rear surface of the case 10A and provides an operation signal for executing a shake correction operation by the shake correction unit 200 described later.
This camera shake correction switch 313 is used when there is a possibility that the influence of “shake” such as camera shake may appear in a photographed image, such as handheld shooting, telephoto shooting, shooting in a dark portion, or shooting that requires long exposure. Is set to a state in which the shake correction operation of the imaging apparatus 10 can be performed.

The cross key 314 is arranged on the right side of the LCD 311.
The cross key 314 has an annular member having a plurality of pressing portions (triangle marks in the figure) arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction, and is not shown and provided corresponding to each pressing portion. The pressing operation of the pressing portion is detected by the contact (switch).
The push button 315 is disposed at the center of the cross key 314.
The cross key 314 and the push button 315 are used to input an instruction to change the photographing magnification (movement of the zoom lens in the wide direction or the tele direction) and to advance the recorded image to be reproduced on the LCD 311.
The cross key 314 and the push button 315 are used to input instructions such as setting of shooting conditions (aperture value, shutter speed, presence / absence of flash emission, etc.).

The optical viewfinder 316 is disposed above the LCD 311 and optically displays a range where a subject is photographed.
That is, the subject image from the lens barrel 2 is guided to the optical viewfinder 316, and the user can visually recognize the subject actually photographed by the image sensor 101 by looking into the optical viewfinder 316. it can.

The eye cup 321 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the optical viewfinder 316.
The eye cup 321 is configured by a “U” -shaped light shielding member that has light shielding properties and suppresses intrusion of external light into the optical viewfinder 316.

The diopter adjustment dial 322 is hidden behind the eye cup 321.
The diopter adjustment dial 322 is a dial for adjusting the diopter of the optical viewfinder 316.

  The main switch 317 is provided on the left side of the optical viewfinder 316 and is a two-contact slide switch that slides left and right. When the switch is set to the left, the power of the apparatus body 10 is turned on, and when the switch is set to the right, the power is turned off.

The exposure correction button 323 is disposed on the right side of the optical viewfinder 316 and is a button for manually adjusting an exposure value (aperture value or shutter speed).
The AE lock button 324 is disposed on the right side of the exposure correction button 323 and is a button for fixing the exposure.

As shown in FIG. 3, a flash unit 318 and a connection terminal unit 319 are provided on the optical viewfinder 316.
The flash unit 318 is configured as a pop-up type built-in flash, and rotates about a rotation axis Co (FIGS. 7 and 8), whereby the prone state Qa shown in FIG. 7 and the standing state Qb shown in FIG. Can be switched.
The connection terminal portion 319 is a place where an external flash or the like is attached.
3 and 7 show a state in which the terminal cap is attached to the connection terminal portion 319. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a tripod attachment portion 185 for attaching a tripod for fixing and supporting the apparatus main body 10 is provided on the lower surface of the case 10 </ b> A.

As shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1, a shake detection sensor 171 is mounted on the apparatus main body 10 at an appropriate position inside the case 10A.
The shake detection sensor 171 detects shake given to the imaging device 10 (camera body) due to hand shake or the like.
Here, a two-dimensional coordinate system is assumed in which the horizontal direction in FIG. 1 is the X axis (pitch direction) and the direction perpendicular to the X axis is the Y axis (yaw direction).
The shake detection sensor 171 includes a pitch direction sensor 171a that detects camera shake in the pitch direction, and a yaw direction sensor 171b that detects camera shake in the yaw direction.
The pitch direction sensor 171a and the yaw direction sensor 171b are composed of, for example, a gyro (angular velocity sensor) using a piezoelectric element, and detect the angular velocity of shake in each direction.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the case 10A, there are an image sensor 101, a finder unit 102 (finder optical system), a mirror unit 103, a focus detection unit 107, the above-described shake detection sensor 171, the shake correction unit 200, and a shutter unit. 40 etc. are provided.

The imaging element 101 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L on the optical axis L of the lens barrel 2 when the lens barrel 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 10.
As the image sensor 101, for example, a pixel in which a plurality of pixels configured with photodiodes are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix is used.
More specifically, for example, R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color filters having different spectral characteristics are arranged on the light receiving surface of each pixel at a ratio of 1: 2: 1. An arrayed CMOS color area sensor (CMOS type image sensor) is used.
The image sensor (imaging sensor) 101 converts an optical image of an object formed by an imaging optical system provided in the lens barrel 2 into analog electrical components of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components. Signals (image signals) are converted and output as R, G, and B color image signals.

On the optical axis L, a mirror unit 103 (reflecting plate) is disposed at a position where subject light is reflected toward the viewfinder unit 102.
The subject light that has passed through the lens barrel 2 is reflected upward by a mirror unit 103 (a main mirror 1031 described later), and forms an image on a focusing screen 104 (focus glass). Part of the subject light that has passed through the lens barrel 2 passes through the mirror unit 103.

The viewfinder unit 102 includes a pentaprism 105, an eyepiece lens 106, and an optical viewfinder 316.
The pentaprism 105 has a pentagonal cross section, and is a prism for converting an object light image incident from the lower surface thereof into an upright image by changing the top and bottom of the light image by internal reflection.
The eyepiece 106 guides the subject image that has been made upright by the pentaprism 105 to the outside of the optical viewfinder 316.
With such a configuration, the finder unit 102 functions as an optical finder for confirming the object field during shooting standby.

The mirror unit 103 includes a main mirror 1031 and a sub mirror 1032, and is provided on the rear surface side of the main mirror 1031 so that the sub mirror 1032 can be tilted toward the rear surface of the main mirror 1031.
Part of the subject light transmitted through the main mirror 1031 is reflected by the sub mirror 1032, and the reflected subject light enters the focus detection unit 107.

The mirror unit 103 is configured as a so-called quick return mirror. At the time of exposure, the mirror unit 103 jumps upwards as indicated by an arrow A with the rotation shaft 1033 as a rotation fulcrum, and stops at a position below the focusing screen 104.
At this time, the sub mirror 1032 rotates with respect to the rear surface of the main mirror 1031 as a fulcrum in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and when the mirror unit 103 stops at a position below the focusing screen 104, the main mirror 1032 It will be in the state folded so that it may become substantially parallel to 1031.
As a result, the subject light from the lens barrel 2 reaches the image sensor 101 without being blocked by the mirror 103, and the image sensor 101 is exposed.
When the exposure is completed, the mirror unit 103 returns to the original position (position shown in FIG. 9).

The focus detection unit 107 is configured as a so-called AF sensor including a distance measuring element that detects focus information of a subject.
The focus detection unit 107 is disposed at the bottom of the mirror unit 103 and detects the in-focus position by, for example, a known phase difference detection method.

The image sensor 101 is held by a shake correction unit 200 so as to be movable two-dimensionally on a plane orthogonal to the optical axis L.
Further, immediately before the image sensor 101 in the optical axis direction, a low-pass filter 108 for preventing the incidence of infrared rays (for IR cut) and for preventing the occurrence of pseudo color and color moire is disposed.
Further, a shutter unit 40 is disposed immediately before the low-pass filter 108.
The shutter unit 40 includes a curtain body that moves in the vertical direction, and constitutes a mechanical focal plane shutter that performs an optical path opening operation and an optical path blocking operation of subject light guided to the image sensor 101 along the optical axis L.

A frame body 120 (front frame) is disposed behind the mount portion 301 inside the case 10A (see the hatched portion in FIG. 9).
The frame body 120 is a rectangular tube body having a substantially square shape when viewed from the front, with its front and rear surface portions and an upper surface portion facing the pentaprism 105 (focal plate 104) opened, and is made of a metal having strength against distortion and the like. It is a rigid body.
A cylindrical mount receiving portion 121 is formed on the front surface of the frame body 120 in accordance with the shape of the mount portion 301, and a plurality of pieces are mounted from the front side in a state where the mount portion 301 is fitted to the mount receiving portion 121. Screwed with a screw 122.
The frame 120 has a mirror portion 103 disposed therein, and also serves as a holding member for the mirror portion 103.
The shutter unit 40 is supported by the frame body 120 in such a manner that the shutter unit 40 is sandwiched between the rear end portion of the frame body 120 and the shutter pressing plate 109 disposed on the rear side thereof.

Each of the above parts is connected (fixed) to each other by a chassis made of a metal material such as iron.
In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the above-described chassis includes a front chassis (not shown), a side chassis 183, and a bottom chassis 184.
These chassis serve as a support material that supports the components in the apparatus main body 10 described above.
The chassis are fixed with screws, and the connecting structure of the chassis and the frame 120 are fixed with screws, so that these members are integrated into a single structure.
The bottom chassis 184 is provided with the tripod mounting portion 185 described above.

The configuration of the shake correction unit 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The shake correction unit 200 includes an image sensor 101 and a low-pass filter 108, an image sensor holder 201, a slider 202, a heat sink 203, and an image sensor substrate 204.
Further, the shake correction unit 200 includes a yaw direction actuator 205, a pitch direction actuator (not shown), and a shake base plate 207.

The image sensor substrate 204 is a substantially rectangular substrate to which the image sensor 101 is attached, and is disposed on the rear surface of the heat sink 203.
However, attachment of the image sensor 101 to the image sensor substrate 204 is performed in a state in which the heat sink 203 is interposed between the image sensor 101 and the image sensor substrate 204.
Therefore, the heat sink 203 is disposed on the rear surface of the image sensor 101.
The heat radiating plate 203 is a plate-like body made of a predetermined metal material, and is for releasing heat generated by driving (photoelectric conversion) of the image sensor 101.

The image sensor holder 201 holds the image sensor 101 and the low-pass filter 108.
The image sensor holder 201 is a frame having a substantially rectangular cross section and is open at the front and rear. A low pass filter 108 is attached to the front of the frame, and the image sensor 101 is disposed at the rear of the low pass filter 108. ing.

The image pickup device 101 is attached to the image pickup device holder 201 by being screwed to the image pickup device holder 201 while being pressed against the image pickup device holder 201 together with the heat sink 203 by the image pickup device substrate 204.
The slider 202 holds the image sensor holder 201.
The shake base plate 207 forms a so-called base in the shake correction unit 200 for holding the slider 202 in a state where the image sensor holder 201 is held.

The yaw direction actuator 205 is provided at one end side in the vertical direction of the image sensor holder 201.
The pitch direction actuator is provided at one side of the image sensor holder 201 in the left-right direction.
Then, in accordance with the driving of the yaw direction actuator 205, the slider 202 and the image sensor holder 201 integrally slide in the left and right directions with respect to the shake base plate 207, thereby correcting the shake in the yaw direction of the image sensor 101. The
Further, in accordance with the driving of the pitch direction actuator, the image sensor holder 201 slides up and down with respect to the slider 202, so that the shake in the pitch direction of the image sensor 101 is corrected.

Next, the electrical configuration of the lens barrel 2 will be described.
The lens barrel 2 includes, in addition to a first movable lens group 21, a second movable lens group 22, a fixed lens 23, and a diaphragm 2702, which will be described later, a lens position detector 25, a lens controller 26, and a diaphragm drive mechanism 27. It is comprised including.
The first movable lens group 21 and the second movable lens group 22 are configured to be integrally movable in the optical axis direction. Therefore, the first movable lens group 21 and the second movable lens group 22 are a group of movable lenses. It constitutes a group.

The lens position detector 25 detects the amount of movement of the movable lens group during focus adjustment.
The lens position detection unit 25 includes, for example, an encoder plate in which a plurality of code patterns are formed at a predetermined pitch, and an encoder brush that moves integrally with the movable lens group while being in sliding contact with the encoder plate. (See FIG. 12).

The lens control unit 26 is a microcomputer having a built-in memory unit 261 including, for example, a ROM that stores a control program and a flash memory that stores data related to state information.
In addition, the lens control unit 26 includes a communication unit 262 that performs communication with the main control unit 62 of the case 10A.
More specifically, the lens control unit 26 communicates with the main control unit 62 of the case 10 </ b> A via a contact C <b> 10 provided on the apparatus main body 10 and a contact C <b> 11 provided on the lens barrel 2.
The communication unit 262 transmits state information data such as the focal length, exit pupil position, aperture value, focusing distance, and peripheral light amount state of the first movable lens group 21 and the second movable lens group 22 to the main control unit 62, for example. On the other hand, for example, the driving amount data of the lens groups 21 and 22 is received from the main control unit 62.
At the time of shooting, data such as focal length information and aperture value after completion of the AF operation are transmitted from the communication unit 262 to the main control unit 62.
The storage unit 261 stores the state information data of the movable lens group, for example, the driving amount data of the movable lens group transmitted from the main control unit 62, and the like.

  The aperture drive mechanism 27 receives the driving force from the aperture drive actuator 76M via the coupler 75 and changes the aperture diameter of the aperture 2702.

Next, the electrical configuration of the case 10A will be described.
The apparatus main body 10 includes the following configuration in addition to the imaging element (CMOS) 101 described above, the shake correction unit 200 that performs shake correction drive, and the shutter unit 40.
That is, the apparatus main body 10 includes an AFE (analog front end) 5, an image processing unit 61, an image memory 614, a main control unit 62, a flash circuit 63, an operation unit 64, a VRAM 65, a card I / F 66, a memory card 67, and a communication device. I / F68 is provided.
The apparatus body 10 includes a power supply circuit 69, a battery 69B, a focus drive control unit 71A and an AF actuator 71M, a mirror drive control unit 72A and a mirror drive actuator 72M, a shutter drive control unit 73A, and a shutter drive actuator 73M.
The apparatus body 10 also includes an aperture drive control unit 74A, an aperture drive actuator 74M, a position detection sensor unit (PS) 208, and a tripod detection sensor 185S.

  The image sensor 101 is composed of a CMOS color area sensor as described above, and the timing control circuit 51 described below starts (and ends) the exposure operation of the image sensor 101 and selects the output of each pixel included in the image sensor 101. The imaging operation such as readout of the pixel signal is controlled.

The AFE 5 gives a timing pulse for causing the image sensor 101 to perform a predetermined operation, performs predetermined signal processing on the image signal output from the image sensor 101, converts the image signal to a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the image processor 61. To do. More specifically, the image signal is a group of analog signals received by each pixel of the CMOS area sensor.
The AFE 5 includes a timing control circuit 51, a signal processing unit 52, an A / D conversion unit 53, and the like.

The timing control circuit 51 generates a predetermined timing pulse based on the reference clock output from the main control unit 62 and outputs it to the image sensor 101 to control the image capturing operation of the image sensor 101. More specifically, the timing pulse is a pulse for generating a vertical scanning pulse φVn, a horizontal scanning pulse φVm, a reset signal φVr, and the like.
Further, the operation of the signal processing unit 52 and the A / D conversion unit 53 is controlled by outputting predetermined timing pulses to the signal processing unit 52 and the A / D conversion unit 53, respectively.

The signal processing unit 52 performs predetermined analog signal processing on the analog image signal output from the image sensor 101.
The signal processing unit 52 includes a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, an AGC (auto gain control) circuit, a clamp circuit, and the like.
The A / D converter 53 converts the analog R, G, B image signal output from the signal processor 52 into a plurality of bits (for example, 12 bits) based on the timing pulse output from the timing control circuit 51. ) Is converted into a digital image signal.

The image processing unit 61 performs predetermined signal processing on the image data output from the AFE 5 to create an image file, and includes a black level correction circuit 611, a white balance control circuit 612, a gamma correction circuit 613, and the like. Has been.
The image data captured by the image processing unit 61 is temporarily written in the image memory 614 in synchronization with the reading of the image sensor 101. Thereafter, the image data written in the image memory 614 is accessed to access the image processing unit. Processing is performed in each of the 61 blocks.

The black level correction circuit 611 corrects the black level of each of the R, G, and B digital image signals A / D converted by the A / D conversion unit 53 to a reference black level.

The white balance correction circuit 612 performs level conversion (white balance (WB) adjustment) of a digital signal of each color component of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) based on a white reference corresponding to the light source. Is what you do.
That is, the white balance control circuit 612 identifies a portion that is originally estimated to be white from the luminance, saturation data, and the like in the photographic subject based on the WB adjustment data provided from the main control unit 62.
The white balance control circuit 612 obtains the average of the R, G, and B color components of the specified portion, the G / R ratio, and the G / B ratio, and performs level correction as the R and B correction gains. .

The gamma correction circuit 613 corrects the gradation characteristics of the image data subjected to WB adjustment.
Specifically, the gamma correction circuit 613 performs non-linear conversion and offset adjustment of the image data level using a gamma correction table set in advance for each color component.

The image memory 614 temporarily stores the image data output from the image processing unit 61 in the photographing mode, and is also used as a work area for performing predetermined processing on the image data by the main control unit 62. It is.
In the playback mode, the image data read from the memory card 67 is temporarily stored.

The main control unit 62 is composed of a microcomputer incorporating a storage unit such as a ROM that stores a control program or a flash memory that temporarily stores data, and controls the operation of each unit in the imaging apparatus 1. .
The main control unit 62 functionally includes an AF / AE control unit 621 and a shake correction control unit 622.
The main control unit 62 also has a function of controlling the shutter operation in the apparatus main body 10.

The AE / AF control unit 621 performs operation control necessary for automatic focus control (AF) and automatic exposure control (AE).
That is, for AF, focus adjustment processing by the phase difference detection method is performed using the output signal of the focus detection unit (phase difference AF module) 107 described above.
Then, a focusing control signal (AF control signal) is generated, and a driving unit 24 of the lens barrel 2 described later is operated via the focus driving control unit 71A to drive the movable lens group.
In addition, for AE, a calculation for obtaining an appropriate exposure amount (including shutter speed and the like) on the subject is performed based on luminance information of the subject detected by an AE sensor (not shown).

The shake correction control unit 622 calculates the shake direction and the shake amount based on the shake detection signal from the shake detection sensor 171 when the shake correction mode is executed.
Based on the calculated direction and shake amount, a shake correction control signal is generated and output to the shake correction unit 200, and the image sensor 101 is driven to shift in a direction in which hand shake is canceled.
For example, an example of performing servo control is given.
The shake correction control unit 622 integrates the angular velocity signal detected by the shake detection sensor 171 to obtain a shake amount (a shake angle θ) in each direction.
Then, the moving distance δ1 (δ1 = f · tan θ) of the image sensor 101 corresponding to the deflection angle θ is calculated according to the lens profile such as the focal length f of the lens barrel 2.
Then, the position information δ2 of the image sensor 101 is acquired from the position detection sensor unit 208, and a drive signal for driving the image sensor 101 is generated and given to the shake correction unit 200 so that δ1−δ2 = 0.

  The flash circuit 63 controls the light emission amount of the external flash connected to the flash unit 318 or the connection terminal unit 319 to the light emission amount set by the main control unit 62 in the flash photographing mode.

The operation unit 64 includes the above-described mode setting dial 305, control value setting dial 305, shutter button 307, setting button group 312, camera shake correction switch 313, cross key 314, push button 315, main switch 317, and the like.
The operation unit 64 is for inputting operation information to the main control unit 62.

The VRAM 65 has an image signal storage capacity corresponding to the number of pixels of the LCD 311 and is a buffer memory between the main control unit 62 and the LCD 311.
The card I / F 66 is an interface for enabling transmission / reception of signals between the memory card 67 and the main control unit 62.
The memory card 67 is a recording medium that stores image data generated by the main control unit 62.
The communication I / F 68 is an interface for enabling transmission of image data and the like to a personal computer and other external devices.

The power supply circuit 69 includes a constant voltage circuit, for example, and generates a voltage (for example, 5 V) for driving the entire imaging apparatus 1 such as a control unit such as the main control unit 62, the imaging element 101, and other various driving units. .
Note that energization control to the image sensor 101 is performed by a control signal supplied from the main control unit 62 to the power supply circuit 69. The battery 69B includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery, and is a power source that supplies power to the entire imaging apparatus 1.

The focus drive control unit 71A drives the lens barrel 2 described later, which is necessary for moving the focus lens 211 to the in-focus position based on the AF control signal supplied from the AF / AE control unit 621 of the main control unit 62. A drive signal supplied to the unit 24 is generated.
More specifically, the focus drive control unit 71A supplies a drive signal to the drive unit 24 of the lens barrel 2 via a contact C12 provided on the apparatus main body 10 and a contact C13 provided on the lens barrel 2. .

The mirror drive control unit 72A generates a drive signal for driving the mirror drive actuator 72M in accordance with the timing of the photographing operation.
The mirror drive actuator 72M is an actuator that rotates the mirror unit 103 (quick return mirror) to a horizontal posture or an inclined posture.

The shutter drive control unit 73A generates a drive control signal for the shutter drive actuator 73M based on a control signal given from the main control unit 62.
The shutter drive actuator 73M is an actuator that performs opening / closing drive of the shutter unit 40.

The diaphragm drive control unit 76A generates a drive control signal for the diaphragm drive actuator 76M based on the control signal given from the main control unit 62.
The aperture driving actuator 76M applies a driving force to the aperture driving mechanism 27 described later via the coupler 75.

The position detection sensor unit 208 detects the position of the image sensor 101 during shake correction driving or when the camera is activated.
The position detection sensor unit 208 includes a magnet unit that generates a magnetic force line, and a two-dimensional Hall sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field line output from the magnet unit.
With such a configuration, the position detection sensor unit 208 uses the two-dimensional Hall sensor to detect the position of the magnet unit that moves as the imaging element holder 201 moves up, down, left, and right with respect to the shake base plate 207. The position of the element 101 can be detected.

  The tripod detection sensor 185S includes a contact sensor having a contact portion, and electrically detects whether a tripod (support leg) is attached to the tripod attachment portion 185 provided on the bottom chassis 184 of the case 10A. It is a sensor.

Next, the lens barrel 2 which is the gist of the present invention will be described.
11 and 12 are cross-sectional views of the lens barrel 2 in the first embodiment, FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory view of the lens barrel 2, and FIG. 14 is a plan view of FIG. 14 corresponds to FIG. 11, and the BB line sectional view of FIG. 14 corresponds to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, the lens barrel 2 includes a fixed holding ring 700, a fixed ring 710, a distance operation ring 720, a helicoid ring 730, a first movable lens frame 740, and a second movable lens frame 750. The drive unit 24 and the stopper mechanism 760 are included.
The lens barrel 2 supports the first movable lens group 21, the second movable lens group 22, and the fixed lens 23, and the symbol L indicates the optical axis of these lenses.

The fixed holding ring 700 has a cylindrical shape.
A lens mount 780 is provided at the rear end of the fixed holding ring 700 so as to extend annularly on the same axis as the fixed holding ring 700.
The lens barrel 2 is detachably attached to the mount portion 301 of the apparatus main body 10 via the lens mount 780 with a conventionally known bayonet structure.

The fixed ring 710 is fixed inside the fixed holding ring 700 toward the rear end, which is one end of the fixed holding ring 700 in the axial direction.
The fixed ring 710 extends in a ring plate shape centering on the axis on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the fixed holding ring 700.

As shown in FIG. 12, the flange portion 702 of the fixed holding ring 700 and the fixed ring 710 are fastened to the lens mount 780 with a screw N1.
The fixed lens 23 is supported by the lens mount 780 through the fixed lens frame 790 so that the optical axis L coincides with the fixed holding ring 700 and cannot move in the optical axis direction.
The lens mount 780 is provided with the contacts C11 and C13 described above. When the lens barrel 2 is mounted on the mount 301, these contacts C11 and C13 are provided on the mount 301 of the apparatus main body 10. The contacts C10 and C12 are electrically connected.
Reference numeral 782 denotes an electrical board provided on the lens mount 780. The electrical board 782 constitutes the lens control unit 26 described above.

The distance operation ring 720 has a cylindrical shape, and is supported coaxially with the fixed holding ring 700 and rotatably inside the fixed holding ring 700 in front of the fixed ring 710 and immovable in the axial direction.
More specifically, the distance operation ring 720 includes a large diameter part 722, a small diameter part 724, and a flange part 726.
The large-diameter portion 722 is located at the front portion of the distance operation ring 720 and has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the fixed holding ring 700.
The small diameter portion 724 extends from the front portion to the rear portion of the distance operation ring 720 and has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the fixed holding ring 700. Therefore, the large diameter portion 722 is located on the radially outer side of the front portion of the small diameter portion 724.
The flange portion 726 has an annular plate shape centered on the axis of the fixed holding ring 700, and connects the rear end of the large diameter portion 722 and the intermediate portion of the small diameter portion 724.

A flange 728 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 722 includes a holding ring 800 attached to the front end of the fixed holding ring 700 and a flange 704 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the front portion of the fixed holding ring 700. And is sandwiched between. Accordingly, the distance operation ring 720 is supported by the fixed holding ring 700 so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction.
A distance operation ring side helicoid portion 720A is formed over the entire length of the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 724 in the axial direction.
A distance operation ring side gear portion 720 </ b> B is formed at a location near the fixed ring 710 on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 724.
The large-diameter portion 722 is provided so as to be exposed in front of the front portion of the fixed holding ring 700 and serves as an operation unit for rotating the distance operation ring 720.
Reference numeral 802 denotes a distance scale ring attached to an intermediate portion of the large diameter portion 722, and reference numeral 804 denotes a focus rubber ring (distance operation member) attached to the front end of the large diameter portion. , 804 constitute the operation unit.

The helicoid ring 730 is supported coaxially with the fixed holding ring 700 so as to be non-rotatable and movable in the axial direction on the fixed ring 710.
The helicoid ring 730 includes a cylindrical main body portion 732 centered on the axis of the fixed holding ring 700 and a bracket portion 734 provided at the rear portion of the main body portion 732.
A helicoid ring side helicoid portion 730A that is screwed with the distance operation ring side helicoid portion 720A is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 732 over the entire length in the axial direction of the helicoid ring 730.
A guide groove 736 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body 732 so as to extend in the axial direction, and a linear guide member 806 attached to the fixed ring 710 is engaged with the guide groove 736. As a result, the distance operation ring side helicoid portion 720A rotates, and the helicoid ring 730 moves linearly in the axial direction of the fixed holding ring 700 via the helicoid ring side helicoid portion 730A and the rectilinear guide member 806 without rotating.

The second movable lens group 22 is supported on the bracket portion 734 via the second movable lens frame 750 so that the optical axis L coincides with the fixed holding ring 700 coaxially.
Reference numeral 2704 denotes an aperture unit that is supported by the bracket portion 734 and holds the aperture 2702 in front of the second movable lens group 22 and changes the aperture diameter of the aperture 2702. Reference numeral 2706 denotes a drive lever that transmits the driving force applied from the diaphragm drive actuator 76M through the coupler 75 to the diaphragm unit 2704.
Therefore, the aperture unit 2704 changes the aperture diameter of the aperture 2702 by the driving force applied from the drive lever 2706.
The aperture drive mechanism 27 is configured by the aperture unit 2704 and the aperture drive lever 2706.

The first movable lens frame 740 supports the first movable lens group 21 by aligning the optical axis L coaxially with the fixed holding ring 700.
The first movable lens frame 740 is attached to the front end of the main body 732 of the helicoid ring 730 via the screw N2.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first movable lens frame 740 and the second movable lens frame 750 are attached to the inner periphery of the helicoid ring 730 and support the movable lens inside the helicoid ring 730. Is configured.
Reference numeral 808 denotes a connecting ring that closes a gap between the front outer peripheral surface of the first movable lens frame 740 and the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion of the distance operation ring 720.

The driving unit 24 drives the distance operation ring 720 to rotate.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the drive unit 24 includes a drive unit side gear unit 2402, a motor 2404, and a bracket 2406.
The drive unit side gear unit 2402 meshes with the distance operation ring side gear unit 720B.
The motor 2404 rotationally drives the drive unit side gear unit 2402 based on the drive signal supplied from the focus drive control unit 71A (FIG. 10). Therefore, the distance operation ring 720 is rotationally driven by the motor 2404 via the drive unit side gear part 2402 and the distance operation ring side gear part 720B.
The bracket 2406 supports the drive unit side gear unit 2402 and the motor 2404 and is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed holding ring 700.
The driving unit 24 is disposed in an annular space S surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the fixed holding ring 700 and the outer peripheral surface of the distance operation ring 720 in front of the fixed ring 710.
In the present embodiment, the drive unit 24 is disposed so as to occupy a part of the annular space S in the circumferential direction.

The stopper mechanism 760 regulates the rotation range of the distance operation ring 720.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the stopper mechanism 760 includes a first stopper 762 and a second stopper 764.
The first stopper 762 protrudes forward from the fixed ring 710 and is positioned in the annular space S.
The second stopper 764 is provided at the rear portion of the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 724 of the distance operation ring 720 so as to be positioned in the annular space S.
The second stopper 764 can be locked to the first stopper 762.
The first stopper 762 and the second stopper 764 are located at a position of the annular space S whose phase is shifted in the circumferential direction from the drive unit 24.
In the present embodiment, two first stoppers 762 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the fixed ring 710, and each first stopper 762 is formed integrally with the fixed ring 710.
One second stopper 764 is provided, and the second stopper 764 is formed integrally with the rear portion of the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 724.

Next, a method of using the lens barrel 2 will be described.
First, the case of the automatic focus control mode will be described.
When the automatic focus control mode is set by operating the mode setting dial 305 of the apparatus main body 10, the automatic focus control operation by the AF / AE control unit 621 is executed.
That is, the focus control signal (AF control signal) generated by the AF / AE control unit 621 is supplied to the focus drive control unit 71A, and thereby the focus drive control unit 71A supplies the drive signal to the drive unit 24.
The distance operation ring 720 is rotationally driven by the motor 2404 that has received the drive signal via the drive unit side gear unit 2402 and the distance operation ring side gear unit 720B.
The rotation of the distance operation ring 720 causes the helicoid ring 730 to move in the optical axis L direction via the distance operation ring side helicoid part 720A and the helicoid ring side helicoid part 730A as shown in FIG.
Therefore, focusing is performed by moving the first movable lens group 21 and the second movable lens group 22 along the optical axis L direction.

Here, the moving direction and the moving amount of the first movable lens group 21 and the second movable lens group 22 follow the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the motor 2404, respectively.
The one second stopper 764 engages with the two first stoppers 762 to restrict the rotation range of the distance operation ring 730, thereby the first movable lens group 21 and the second movable lens group 22. The movement range is regulated.
In other words, the first movable lens group 21 and the second movable lens group 22 are set to the closest positions by the second stopper 764 being locked to one first stopper 762.
Further, the second stopper 764 is engaged with the other first stopper 762, so that the first movable lens group 21 and the second movable lens group 22 are set to the infinity position.
Here, the angular position of the distance operation ring 730 when the second stopper 764 is locked to one of the first stoppers 762 is P1, and the distance operation when the second stopper 764 is locked to the other first stopper 762 The angular position of the ring 730 is P2.
Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the rotation range of the distance operation ring 730 becomes an angle θ0 from the angular positions P1 to P2.

Next, the case of the control mode when manual focus adjustment is performed will be described.
When the manual focus adjustment mode is set by operating an AF / MF changeover switch (not shown) provided on the fixed holding ring 700, the mechanical connection between the drive unit 24 and the distance operation ring 720 is released, and AF The auto focus control operation by the / AE control unit 621 is not executed.
Accordingly, the distance operation ring 720 can be manually rotated.
In this state, when the distance operation ring 720 is rotated in the forward / reverse direction, the first movable lens group 21 and the second movable lens group follow the rotation of the distance operation ring 720 in the same manner as in the automatic focus control mode. Focusing is performed by moving 22 along the optical axis L direction.
Also in this case, the one second stopper 764 is locked to the two first stoppers 762, so that the rotation range of the distance operation ring 730 is restricted to the angle θ0. 2 The movement range of the movable lens group 22 is restricted.

According to the present embodiment, the drive unit 24 that rotationally drives the distance operation ring 720 is disposed in the annular space S surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the fixed holding ring 700 and the outer peripheral surface of the distance operation ring 220.
And the 1st stopper 762 provided in the fixed ring 710 and the 2nd stopper 764 provided in the distance operation ring 720 were located in the cyclic | annular space S where the drive part 24 is arrange | positioned.
That is, the stopper 762 and the second stopper 764 are the drive unit in the annular space S in which the first stopper 762 and the second stopper 764 are surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the fixed holding ring 700 and the outer peripheral surface of the distance operation ring 220. Located in locations other than 24.
Therefore, the first stopper 762 and the second stopper 764 are radially outward from the distance operation ring side helicoid part 720A on the inner peripheral surface of the distance operation ring 720 and the helicoid ring side helicoid part 730A on the outer peripheral surface of the helicoid ring 730. It will be located in the place spaced apart.
In other words, the first stopper 762 and the second stopper 764 are located at locations deviating from the extension in the optical axis L direction of the distance operation ring side helicoid part 720A and the helicoid ring side helicoid part 730A.
Therefore, the overall length of the helicoid portions 720A and 730A in the direction of the optical axis L can be secured large. As a result, a large feeding amount of the movable lens groups 21 and 22 can be secured.
Therefore, the total length of the distance operation ring 720 and the helicoid ring 730 in the optical axis L direction is shortened, which is advantageous in reducing the size of the lens barrel.
Further, the helicoid structure may be a one-stage configuration of the helicoid portions 720A and 730A while ensuring a large amount of movement of the movable lens groups 21 and 22. Therefore, it is advantageous in reducing the number of parts and reducing the outer diameter of the lens barrel 2 as compared with the case where the helicoid structure has a multi-stage configuration of two or more stages.
Therefore, it is advantageous in reducing the size and cost of the lens barrel.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
15A is a cross-sectional view of the lens barrel 2 in the second embodiment, FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram of the mounting structure of the first stopper 762, and FIGS. 16 and 17 are plan views of FIG. It is. A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 16 corresponds to FIG.
In the following embodiments, the same or similar parts and members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the mounting position of the first stopper can be changed.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the fixed ring 710 is further adjusted in position in addition to the two fixed first stoppers 762 provided integrally with the fixed ring 710 as in the first embodiment. A possible movable first stopper 766 is provided.
The movable first stopper 766 is disposed between the two first stoppers 762 in the circumferential direction of the fixed ring 710.
The movable first stopper 766 has a block shape like the fixed first stopper 762.
The two screws N3 inserted through the block are screwed into the female screw (attachment hole) 712 of the fixed ring 710, so that the movable first stopper 766 is attached to the fixed ring 710.
The fixed ring 710 is provided with two sets of two female screws 712 corresponding to the two screws N3 at intervals in the circumferential direction of the fixed ring 710.
Similarly to the fixed first stopper 762, the movable first stopper 766 is also projected forward from the fixed ring 710, is positioned in the annular space S, and can be locked to the second stopper 764.
When the movable first stopper 766 is provided, the rotation range of the distance operation ring 730 is restricted by one of the two fixed first stoppers 762 and the movable first stopper 766.

That is, as shown in FIG. 16, when the movable first stopper 766 is attached to one of the two attachment holes 712 near the other fixed first stopper 762, a distance operation ring 730 is provided. The rotation range is an angle θ1.
This angle θ1 is equal to that in the case of the first embodiment because the movable first stopper 766 is positioned closer to one fixed first stopper 762 than the other fixed first stopper 762. The value is smaller than the angle θ0. Therefore, the amount of extension of the movable lens groups 21 and 22 is smaller than that in the first embodiment.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, when the movable first stopper 766 is attached to a set of attachment holes 712 near one fixed first stopper 762, the rotation range of the distance operation ring 730 is an angle. θ2.
This angle θ2 is a smaller value than the angle θ1, and therefore the amount of extension of the movable lens groups 21 and 22 is smaller than that in the case of FIG.

According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
Further, the amount of extension of the movable lens group can be set to a different value by an extremely simple operation of changing the mounting position of the movable first stopper 766.
Therefore, a plurality of types of lens barrels 2 can be easily manufactured by incorporating a plurality of types of movable lenses having different payout amounts.
That is, among the lens barrel 2, the fixed holding ring 700, the fixed ring 710, the distance operation ring 720, the helicoid ring 730, and the drive unit 24 are set as common components.
In these common parts, a movable lens having a different feeding amount and a movable lens frame for holding the movable lens are incorporated.
Thus, by sharing most parts of the lens barrel 2 with different specifications having movable lenses having different payout amounts, excluding the movable lenses, it is possible to reduce the mold cost for molding the parts. In addition, since the number of parts is reduced, the management cost can be reduced, which is advantageous in reducing the manufacturing cost of the lens barrel 2.
Note that one fixed first stopper 762 or two fixed first stoppers 762 may be movable like the movable first stopper 766. If the fixed first stopper 762 is movable, it is advantageous to share the parts of the lens barrel 2 having different specifications having movable lenses having different feeding amounts, and the manufacturing cost of the lens barrel 2 can be reduced. It is advantageous in planning.

The common use of parts of the lens barrel 2 having different specifications having movable lenses with different payout amounts will be described with reference to FIGS.
For example, FIG. 18 shows a lens barrel 2A that includes movable lens groups 21 and 22 having specifications different from those of the lens barrel 2 of the first embodiment and does not have a fixed lens 23.
In the lens barrel 2A, the amount by which the movable lens groups 21 and 22 are extended is smaller than that of the lens barrel 2 of the first embodiment.
That is, the lens barrel 2A shown in FIG. 18 is a medium telephoto type interchangeable lens and has a small extension amount.
Further, the lens barrel 2 shown in FIG. 13 is a macro type interchangeable lens, and the amount of extension is relatively large.
In this case, as described above, the fixed holding ring 700, the fixed ring 710, the distance operation ring 720, the helicoid ring 730, and the drive unit 24 are used as common components.
Then, the first movable lens group 21 and the second movable lens group 22 having different specifications, and the first movable lens frame 740 and the second movable lens frame 750 corresponding to these lens groups may be assembled to the distance operation ring 720. .
At this time, the movable first stopper 766 may be attached to the fixed ring 710 so that the rotation range of the distance operation ring 730 corresponding to the amount of extension of the movable lens groups 21 and 22 can be obtained.

Note that the configuration of the movable first stopper 766 is not limited to that shown in the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 19A, as the movable first stopper 768, a head 768A having a strength and shape sufficient to be locked to the second stopper 764, and a male screw portion 768B provided on the head 768A, You may use what is provided with.
Further, as shown in FIG. 19B, a movable first stopper 770 having a main body 772 formed by bending a sheet metal by pressing and a screw insertion hole 774 formed in the main body 772 is used. Also good. In this case, the first stopper 770 is attached to the fixed ring 710 by inserting the screw N4 through the screw insertion hole 774 and screwing into the attachment hole 712.
As shown in FIG. 19C, a movable first stopper 780 having a die-cast main body 782 and a screw insertion hole 784 formed in the main body 782 may be used. In this case, the first stopper 780 is attached to the stationary ring 710 by inserting the screw N4 through the screw insertion hole 784 and screwing into the attachment hole 712.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device, 2 ... Lens barrel, 10 ... Apparatus main body, 21 ... 1st movable lens group, 22 ... 2nd movable lens group, 24 ... Drive part, 700 ... Fixed holding ring, 710 ... fixed ring, 720 ... distance operation ring, 720A ... distance operation ring side helicoid part, 730 ... helicoid ring, 730A ... helicoid ring side helicoid part, 740 ... first movable lens frame, 750 ... Second movable lens frame, 762... First stopper, 764... Second stopper, S.

Claims (6)

A cylindrical fixed retaining ring;
An annular plate shape centered on the shaft center on a plane orthogonal to the shaft center of the fixed holding ring that is fixed inside the fixed holding ring toward the rear end that is one end in the axial direction of the fixed holding ring. A stationary ring extending to
Inside the fixed holding ring in front of the fixed ring, is supported by the fixed holding ring coaxially with the fixed holding ring so as to be rotatable and axially immovable, and a distance operation ring side helicoid portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface. A cylindrical distance operation ring formed with a distance operation ring side gear portion formed on the outer peripheral surface;
A cylindrical helicoid having a helicoid ring side helicoid portion that is supported by the fixed ring so as to be non-rotatable on the same axis as the fixed holding ring and movable in the axial direction and that is screwed to the helicoid portion on the outer periphery. Ring,
A movable lens frame that is attached to the inner periphery of the helicoid ring and supports the movable lens by matching the optical axis coaxially with the fixed holding ring inside the helicoid ring;
A drive unit that is disposed in an annular space surrounded by an inner peripheral surface of the fixed holding ring and an outer peripheral surface of the distance operation ring, and that drives the distance operation ring to rotate via the distance operation ring side gear unit;
A first stopper protruding forward from the stationary ring and positioned in the annular space;
A second stopper provided on the distance operation ring so as to be positioned in the annular space, and capable of being engaged with the first stopper and restricting the rotation range of the distance operation ring by being engaged with the first stopper;
A lens barrel comprising: The distance operation ring has a cylindrical small-diameter portion coaxial with the fixed holding ring, and a cylindrical large-diameter portion coaxial with the fixed holding ring on the radially outer side of the front portion of the small-diameter portion,
The annular space is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed holding ring and the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion of the small diameter portion,
The distance operation ring side helicoid part is formed over the entire length in the axial direction of the small diameter part on the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter part,
The large diameter portion is provided to be exposed forward of the front portion of the fixed holding ring and serves as an operation portion for rotating the distance operation ring.
The distance operation ring side gear portion is provided at a location near the fixed ring on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion,
The first stopper and the second stopper are located at a position of the annular space whose phase is shifted in the circumferential direction with respect to the drive unit.
The lens barrel according to claim 1. The drive unit supports and fixes the drive unit side gear unit that meshes with the distance operation ring side gear unit, a motor that rotationally drives the drive unit side gear unit, and the drive unit side gear unit and the motor. Including a bracket attached to the inner peripheral surface of the retaining ring,
The drive unit is arranged to occupy a part of the annular space in the circumferential direction.
The lens barrel according to claim 1. A plurality of mounting holes are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the stationary ring,
The first stopper is detachably attached to the attachment hole.
The lens barrel according to claim 1. A lens mount that is detachably attached to the mount portion of the apparatus main body of the imaging device is provided on the rear end of the fixed holding ring in an annular manner coaxially with the fixed holding ring.
The lens barrel according to claim 1. A lens barrel that guides the subject image to the image sensor;
The lens barrel is
A cylindrical fixed retaining ring;
An annular plate shape centered on the shaft center on a plane orthogonal to the shaft center of the fixed holding ring that is fixed inside the fixed holding ring toward the rear end that is one end in the axial direction of the fixed holding ring. A stationary ring extending to
Inside the fixed holding ring in front of the fixed ring, is supported by the fixed holding ring coaxially with the fixed holding ring so as to be rotatable and axially immovable, and a distance operation ring side helicoid portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface. A cylindrical distance operation ring formed with a distance operation ring side gear portion formed on the outer peripheral surface;
A cylindrical helicoid having a helicoid ring side helicoid portion that is supported by the fixed ring so as to be non-rotatable on the same axis as the fixed holding ring and movable in the axial direction and that is screwed to the helicoid portion on the outer periphery. Ring,
A movable lens frame that is attached to the inner periphery of the helicoid ring and supports the movable lens by matching the optical axis coaxially with the fixed holding ring inside the helicoid ring;
A drive unit that is disposed in an annular space surrounded by an inner peripheral surface of the fixed holding ring and an outer peripheral surface of the distance operation ring, and that drives the distance operation ring to rotate via the distance operation ring side gear unit;
A first stopper protruding forward from the stationary ring and positioned in the annular space;
A second stopper provided on the distance operation ring so as to be positioned in the annular space and capable of being engaged with the first stopper and restricting a rotation range of the distance operation ring by being engaged with the first stopper; Have
Imaging device.

Images