JP2013083775A - Zoom lens barrel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens barrel in which switching between manual operation and electric driving is achieved with a simple mechanism.SOLUTION: The lens barrel includes: a first movable frame 33 driven to move in an optical axis direction; a first motor 41 for driving the first movable frame in the optical axis direction; an external rotating operation ring 24 movable to first and second positions on the optical axis by an external operation; first driving means which is mechanically connected to the first motor and driven by the first motor or the rotation of the external rotating operation ring to drive the first movable frame; second driving means which is capable of being mechanically connected to or disconnected from the first driving means and drives the first movable frame by the rotation of the external rotating operation ring through the first driving means when being connected to the first driving means; detection means 26d, 61y for detecting the rotation of the external rotating operation ring about the optical axis when the external rotating operation ring is positioned at the first position; and control means 28x for driving the first motor upon receiving an output from the detection means when the external rotating operation ring is positioned at the first position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a zoom lens barrel, and more particularly to a zoom lens barrel provided with a drive mechanism capable of switching between manual operation drive and electric drive.

  Conventionally, a lens barrel applied to a camera or the like for acquiring an image includes a focus adjustment mechanism configured to be able to switch between a manual focus operation by manual operation and an autofocus operation using electric drive. Various things are disclosed and put into practical use by, for example, JP-A-2005-208633.

  On the other hand, in recent cameras, etc., it is configured to be able to record sound simultaneously with a captured image, or to be able to record and record a moving image with sound recording in addition to still image shooting and recording operation. Is popular.

  When a moving image is shot, for example, when a moving image is shot using, for example, a camera capable of shooting a still image and a moving image, such as a conventional camera in such a form, a shooting operation is always performed. However, there are cases where it is desired to perform various operations such as zooming and focusing even during such a photographing operation.

  For example, zooming during moving image shooting is demanded to be displaced at a constant speed in a quiet state, and it is convenient to use electric zooming.

  On the other hand, at the time of still image shooting, various operations such as zooming and focusing are desired to be arbitrarily set quickly by manual operation.

  Also, in the lens driving mechanism employed in the conventional lens barrel, for example, a stepping motor is used as a driving motor for moving a plurality of lenses in the optical axis direction, which is advantageous for noise reduction. In addition, a close-coupled type lens movement mechanism that can easily configure the mechanism is often used.

JP 2005-208633 A

  However, the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-208633 describes the focus adjustment mechanism in detail, and further switches between manual focus operation and autofocus operation seamlessly without switching operation. It is intended to realize a configuration that can do this. Therefore, there is a problem that the mechanism itself becomes complicated.

  On the other hand, in a conventional interchangeable lens camera that can shoot still images and moving images, it is possible to perform zooming operation using electric drive and to perform zooming by manual operation by performing switching operation. Those equipped with a lens driving mechanism configured so as to be operable are not put into practical use.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is an interchangeable zoom lens barrel adopting a direct-acting lens moving mechanism, for example, zooming operation, focusing To provide a zoom lens barrel that can surely realize manual operation by manual operation during operation, etc., and realizes switching between manual operation and electric drive by a simple mechanism.

  In order to achieve the above object, a zoom lens barrel according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first moving frame that is driven to move in an optical axis direction in the zoom lens barrel, and the first moving frame that includes the light beam. A first motor for driving in the axial direction, an external rotation operation ring that can be moved to a first position and a second position on the optical axis by an external operation, and mechanically connected to the first motor First driving means for driving the first moving frame driven by the rotation of the first motor or the external rotating operation ring, and mechanical connection or non-connection with the first driving means. A second driving means for driving the first moving frame via the first driving means by rotation of the external rotating operation ring at the time of the connection; and the external rotating operation. When the ring is in the first position, the optical axis of the external rotation operation ring Detecting means for detecting the rotation of the head and control means for driving the first motor in response to an output from the detecting means when the external rotation operating ring is in the first position. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, an interchangeable zoom lens barrel adopting a direct-acting lens moving mechanism, which can realize manual operation by manual operation reliably, for example, during zooming operation, focusing operation, etc. Therefore, it is possible to provide a zoom lens barrel that realizes switching between manual operation and electric drive by a simple mechanism.

1 is an external perspective view showing a zoom lens barrel according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an exterior unit extracted from the components of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a lens barrel unit extracted from the components of the zoom lens barrel shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which mainly shows a 3 group frame moving mechanism among the internal structures of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. Sectional drawing which mainly shows a 4 group frame moving mechanism among the internal structures of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. The top view which shows the structure of a slide member and a gear box mainly among the internal structures of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. 1, and shows arrangement | positioning of each structural member at the time of an electric zoom mode. The top view which shows the structure of a slide member and a gear box among the internal structures of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. 1 mainly, and shows arrangement | positioning of each structural member at the time of manual zoom mode. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing only a part (friction structure) of a gear box configuration among internal components of the zoom lens barrel in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main part showing only a part (friction structure part) of a gear box configuration among internal components of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. 1; Sectional drawing which mainly shows the structure of the connection part of a zoom ring and a slide member among the internal structures of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. 1, and shows arrangement | positioning of each structural member at the time of an electric zoom mode. The principal part expanded sectional view which follows [12]-[12] of FIG. Sectional drawing which mainly shows the structure of the connection part of a zoom ring and a slide member among the internal structures of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. 1, and shows arrangement | positioning of each structural member at the time of manual zoom mode. The principal part expanded sectional view which follows the [14]-[14] line of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part mainly showing an enlarged arrangement portion of a zoom mode position detecting means in the internal structure of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. 1; The figure which shows an example of the some electrical contact pattern of the flexible printed circuit board which comprises a part of zoom mode position detection means and zoom ring position detection means in the zoom lens barrel of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the [18]-[18] line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the [19]-[19] line | wire of FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line [20]-[20] in FIG. 18, showing the configuration of the third group frame position detection means in the internal structure of the zoom lens barrel in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of 4 group frame position detection means among the internal structures of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the positional relationship of the zoom ring at the time of an electric zoom mode and an electric zoom interlocking | linkage member among the internal structures of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the positional relationship of the zoom ring at the time of manual zoom mode and an electric zoom interlocking | linkage member among the internal structures of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure when the zoom lens barrel of FIG. 1 is in an electric zoom mode; Sectional drawing which follows the [25]-[25] line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the [25]-[25] line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the [27]-[27] line of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a zoom ring and an electric zoom interlocking member among the internal structure of the zoom lens barrel of FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating a schematic configuration of an arrangement portion of a zoom ring and an operation member in the zoom lens barrel of FIG. The principal part expanded sectional view which shows schematic structure of the state which changed the setting from the state of FIG. 29 to manual zoom mode, FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a schematic configuration of a disposition portion of a zoom ring and an operation member in the zoom lens barrel of FIG. 1, and a diagram showing an electric zoom mode setting state in a second usage pattern; The principal part expanded sectional view which shows schematic structure of the state which changed the setting from the state of FIG. 31 to macro mode, The principal part expanded sectional view which shows schematic structure of the state which changed the setting from the state of FIG. 32 to manual zoom mode, FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing an outline of electrical components in the zoom lens barrel of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a subroutine for zoom operation processing in the zoom lens barrel of FIG. 1; The flowchart which shows the outline of the subroutine of an electric zoom process among the zoom operation processes of FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an outline of a manual zoom processing subroutine in the zoom operation processing of FIG.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
In one embodiment of the present invention, for example, an optical image formed by an optical lens is photoelectrically converted using a solid-state imaging device, and an image signal obtained thereby is converted into digital image data representing a still image or a moving image, thus A digital camera configured to record the generated digital data on a recording medium and to reproduce and display a still image or a moving image on a display device based on the digital image data recorded on the recording medium (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera). The zoom lens barrel for replacement (hereinafter simply referred to as a lens barrel) applied in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the optical axis of the photographing optical system in the lens barrel is denoted by reference symbol O. Further, in the direction along the optical axis O, the subject side at the position facing the front surface of the lens barrel is referred to as the front side, and the mount side serving as the mounting surface of the lens barrel with the camera is referred to as the rear side. And

  Moreover, in each drawing used for the following description, each component may be shown with a different scale in order to make each component large enough to be recognized on the drawing. Therefore, according to the present invention, the number of constituent elements, the shape of the constituent elements, the ratio of the constituent element sizes, and the relative positional relationship of the constituent elements described in these drawings are limited to the illustrated embodiments. It is not a thing.

  First, a schematic configuration of the lens barrel of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a lens barrel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens barrel of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the exterior unit in the lens barrel of FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lens barrel unit in the lens barrel of FIG.

  The lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment is mainly configured by constituent units such as an exterior unit 2, a barrel unit 3 and a front decorative frame 4 as mainly shown in FIG. FIG. 1 shows a state in which these constituent units are assembled.

  As shown mainly in FIG. 3, the exterior unit 2 includes a focus ring 21, a main frame 22, a gear box 23, a zoom ring 24, a slide member 25, an electric zoom interlocking member 26, and an exterior ring 27. The lens barrel main substrate 28, a lens mount sub-assembly 29, and the like are mainly configured.

  Among these, the focus ring 21, the zoom ring 24, and the exterior ring 27 are mainly arranged on the outermost part when the lens barrel 1 is assembled (the state shown in FIG. 1), and constitute an operation unit. It is a member.

  The focus ring 21 is formed in a substantially annular shape, and is an operation input member used when the user manually performs a focus adjustment operation by manually rotating the optical axis O around the optical axis O in the forward and reverse directions. It is a structural member that functions as: The focus ring 21 is disposed at a position near the front end on the outer peripheral side of the main frame 22 so as to be rotatable forward and backward with the optical axis O as a rotation center.

  On the inner peripheral surface of the focus ring 21, a comb-like portion 21a is formed over the entire circumference around the optical axis. Corresponding to this, on the side of the main frame 22, a position detection sensor 22a made of a photo interrupter (PI) or the like is disposed at a portion facing the comb tooth-shaped portion 21a. For example, two position detection sensors 22 a are arranged on the inner periphery of the main frame 22. The comb teeth 21a and the position detection sensor 22a constitute detection means for detecting the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the focus ring 21.

  Similarly, the zoom ring 24 is formed in a substantially annular shape, and an operation input when a user performs a manual zooming operation by rotating the optical ring O around the optical axis O by a manual operation (in manual zoom mode). An external rotation operation ring configured to function as a member and to function as an operation input member that gives a zooming instruction by a rotation operation within a predetermined range in the electric zoom mode. Further, the zoom ring 24 is switched between modes when switching between the electric zoom mode, the manual zoom mode, and the macro mode by the user sliding and moving in the direction along the optical axis O by a manual operation. It also functions as a member.

  Similarly, the outer ring 27 is formed in a substantially annular shape, and is fixedly arranged with respect to a lens mount section set 29 described later. The exterior ring 27 includes a plurality of operation members 27a that are operated when a user performs a manual pressing operation from the outside, for example, when switching a focus-related operation mode or switching between a zoom mode and a macro mode (this book). In the embodiment, two are provided.

  The main frame 22 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape in its basic form, and is composed of components such as the exterior component members (21, 24, 27) and mechanism members (23, 25, 26, etc.) described later. Is a basic constituent member in the exterior unit 2 for holding and fixing other constituent members (22a, etc.) etc.

  On the outer peripheral side of the main frame 22, a focus ring 21, a zoom ring 24, and an exterior ring 27 are arranged in this order from the front side. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, etc., a front decorative frame 4 is disposed at the foremost end of the main frame 22. The front decorative frame 4 allows the light beam to enter a photographing optical system (described later) in the lens barrel 1 when the lens barrel 1 is assembled (the state shown in FIG. 1). The front cover member is provided to cover the internal component of the lens barrel 1 so as not to be exposed from the front. Therefore, the front decorative frame 4 is formed in a substantially annular shape. A first lens group 31a that constitutes a part of the photographing optical system of the lens barrel 1 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the front decorative frame 4 so as to transmit a light beam. Further, the front decorative frame 4 is disposed so as to cover the front surface of the outer peripheral edge of the first lens group 31a (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  The main frame 22 holds components such as a gear box 23, a slide member 25, and an electric zoom interlocking member 26.

  Among these, the gear box 23 and the slide member 25 are interposed between the zoom ring 24 and the third group frame moving mechanism (details will be described later: see reference numerals 41, 41a to 41d, 45, etc. in FIG. 5) to zoom in. This is a structural member that interlocks with the operation input of the ring 24 (sliding operation in the optical axis direction). The gear box 23 and the slide member 25 move in the same direction in conjunction with the slide movement operation of the zoom ring 24 in the optical axis O direction. Further, in the manual zoom mode, the gear box 23 and the slide member 25 transmit the rotational driving force by the rotational operation input around the optical axis O of the zoom ring 24 to the third group frame moving mechanism via the gear box 23. It becomes a part of the driving force transmission switching mechanism for this purpose. On the other hand, the gear box 23 and the slide member 25 are components having a function of blocking a driving force transmission path between the zoom ring 24 and the third group frame moving mechanism in the electric zoom mode (details will be described later).

  The gear box 23 and the slide member 25 are configured to move in conjunction with the zoom ring 24. The gear box 23 has a plurality of gears (drive gear, intermediate gear, etc.) that are rotated by receiving an operation input from the outside by the zoom ring 24.

  In the zoom ring 24, one of a plurality of drive gears constituting the gear box 23 meshes with a motor gear 41d (screw gear) described later, and rotates a screw 41b (screw member) described later to be described later. A first state (manual zoom mode) in which the third lens frame 33 that is a moving frame is driven in the direction of the optical axis O, and a second state in which one of the plurality of drive gears does not mesh with the motor gear 41d (screw gear). It has a function as an external rotation operation ring for switching to a state (electric zoom mode).

  Further, the electric zoom interlocking member 26 operates in conjunction with a rotation operation input around the optical axis O of the zoom ring 24 in the electric zoom mode to detect the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the zoom ring 24. It is the component which comprises a part of means. It should be noted that the electric zoom interlocking member 26 is configured so as not to operate when the manual zoom mode is released and the interlocking with the zoom ring 24 is released.

  In addition, the further detailed structure of each said structural member (23, 25, 26) hold | maintained at this frame 22 is mentioned later.

  The lens barrel main board 28 includes a control circuit 28x (see FIG. 34 described later) and a motor driver circuit 28y (described later) formed of a plurality of electrical components such as a CPU for performing electrical control of the lens barrel 1 and the like. 34), etc.) and the like. When the lens barrel 1 is attached to a corresponding camera (not shown), the control circuit 28x of the lens barrel main board 28 is connected to the control circuit (not shown) on the camera side. Perform various controls by communicating.

  The lens mount sub-assembly 29 is provided on the side of the lens barrel 1 configured to ensure mechanical and electrical connection with a camera (not shown) to which the lens barrel 1 is applied. It is a connecting member. The lens mount unit set 29 has a communication electrical contact (not shown) for communication with the control circuit on the camera side.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lens barrel unit 3 includes a first lens frame 31 that fixes and holds the first lens group 31a, a second lens frame 32 that fixes and holds the second lens group 32a, and a third lens group 33a. A third lens frame 33 that holds and holds the fourth lens group 34a, a fifth lens frame 35 that holds and holds the fifth lens group 35a, a front cover ring 36, Mainly composed of a front fixed frame 37, a fixed frame 38, and the like.

  The first lens group 31 a is a fixed lens group that is fixed to the most distal portion of the lens barrel 1. The first lens group 31a is fixedly held by a first lens frame 31 having an annular shape. The first lens frame 31 is fixed to the front end portion of the front fixed frame 37 with the front cover ring 36 interposed therebetween.

  The second lens group 32a is a lens group that mainly contributes to a focus adjustment operation (focusing). The second lens group 32 a is fixedly held by the second lens frame 32. The second lens frame 32 is movable in the direction along the optical axis O by a suspension shaft 32b supported at both ends with respect to the internal fixing portion of the front fixed frame 37 and disposed parallel to the optical axis. (See FIG. 6).

  A plurality of focusing motors 43 are disposed at a predetermined portion on the outer peripheral side of the second lens frame 32. As the focusing motor 43, for example, a linear actuator such as a voice coil motor is applied. When the focusing motor 43 is driven and controlled at a predetermined timing, the second lens frame 32 moves in the direction along the optical axis O, and focusing is performed.

  The third lens group 33a and the fourth lens group 34a are lens groups that mainly contribute to zooming (zooming operation). The third lens group 33a is fixedly held by the third lens frame 33 (first lens holding frame). The fourth lens group 34a is fixedly held by the fourth lens frame 34 (second lens holding frame). The third lens frame 33 and the fourth lens frame 34 are arranged in the front side fixed frame 37 and the fixed frame 38 so as to be individually movable in the direction along the optical axis O. It is a frame.

  The third lens frame 33 is a first moving frame that is arranged to be movable in the direction along the optical axis O by the third group main shaft 33b. Further, the rotation of the third lens frame 33 around the third group main shaft 33b is restricted by the rotation stop shaft 33c. Similarly, the fourth lens frame 34 is a second moving frame disposed so as to be movable in the direction along the optical axis O by the fourth group main shaft 34b. Further, the rotation of the fourth lens frame 33 around the optical axis O is restricted by the rotation stop shaft 33c.

  The third group main shaft 33b, the fourth group main shaft 34b, and the rotation stop shaft 33c are fixedly supported in parallel to the optical axis, with the front end side being an internal fixing portion of the front fixing frame 37 and the rear end side being an internal fixing portion of the fixing frame 38. Has been. The third lens frame 33 holds an aperture blade 44a, an aperture drive motor 44, and the like that constitute an aperture mechanism.

The front fixed frame 37 and the fixed frame 38 are formed so that the basic shape becomes a substantially cylindrical shape by being connected in the direction along the optical axis O. From the state in which the fixed frames 37 and 38 are connected to each other. This component is a basic component of the lens barrel unit 3. The connecting structure of both the fixed frames 37, 38 supports the second, third, and fourth lens frames 32, 33, 34 therein so as to be movable in the direction along the optical axis O, and the third lens frame 33 is supported. A third group frame moving mechanism for moving in the optical axis O direction (details will be described later: a third group motor 41 and its driving mechanism: see FIG. 5) and a fourth group frame moving mechanism for moving the fourth lens frame 34 in the optical axis O direction (details) The fourth group motor 42 and its driving mechanism (see FIG. 6) are fixedly held.
The detailed configuration of the third group frame moving mechanism and the fourth group frame moving mechanism for moving each of the third lens frame 33 and the fourth lens frame 34 in the direction along the optical axis O will be described later.

  The fifth lens group 35 a is a fixed lens group that is fixed to the rearmost end portion of the lens barrel 1. The fifth lens group 35a is fixedly held by a fifth lens frame 35 having an annular shape. The fifth lens frame 35 is fixed to the rear end portion of the fixed frame 38.

  When the lens barrel 1 is in an assembled state, each lens group has a first lens group 31a, a second lens group 32a, a third lens group 33a, a fourth lens group 34a, and a fifth lens group 35a from the front. Are arranged side by side so that the optical axes coincide with each other. In the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment, photographing is performed with the five lens groups of the first lens group 31a, the second lens group 32a, the third lens group 33a, the fourth lens group 34a, and the fifth lens group 35a. An optical system is configured.

  Next, a third group frame moving mechanism and a fourth group frame moving mechanism for moving each of the third lens frame 33 and the fourth lens frame 34 in the direction along the optical axis O are mainly shown in FIGS. 6 will be described in detail below.

  First, the configuration of the third group frame moving mechanism will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the third group frame moving mechanism is a driving motor for driving the third lens frame 33 (first moving frame) in the direction along the optical axis O, and is a first motor composed of a stepping motor. It is a mechanism unit comprised including the 3 group motor 41 which is.

  The third group motor 41 is fixed to a portion of the front fixed frame 37 near the inner front end. The rotation axis of the third group motor 41 extends rearward along the optical axis O. The third group motor 41 is provided with a bracket 41a that is fixed around the rotation shaft. The bracket 41a has an arm portion that is one surface of the third group motor 41 and extends rearward along the optical axis O from a surface (motor end portion) on which the rotation shaft extends. As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet metal working member has a cross section formed in a channel shape.

  A predetermined portion near the tip of the rotation shaft of the third group motor 41 is pivotally supported by a support portion provided at the tip of the arm portion of the bracket 41a. A screw 41b is formed on the rotation shaft of the third group motor 41 in parallel with the optical axis O in a region from the motor end (base end) to the support portion by the bracket 41a. The screw 41b is a screw member that rotates as the third group motor 41 (stepping motor) rotates.

  In addition, a shaft portion 41 c formed by extending the screw 41 b is provided at the tip end portion of the rotation shaft of the third group motor 41. The shaft portion 41c is formed so as to protrude rearward from a shaft support portion by the bracket 41a. A motor gear 41d, which is a pinion gear, is fixed to a portion near the tip of the shaft portion 41c. That is, the motor gear 41d is a gear (screw gear) that is provided at the end of the screw 41b (screw member) and rotates as the screw 41b (screw member) rotates.

  On the other hand, a third group nut 45 (first screwing member) having a female screw is screwed into the screw 41b. The third group nut 45 is restricted in rotation by a fixing portion (not shown) of the fixed frame 38, and is movable in the direction along the optical axis O as the screw 41b rotates. When the third group nut 45 moves in the direction along the optical axis O, the third group nut 45 presses a part of the third lens frame 33 when the third group nut 45 moves. Is moved in the direction of the optical axis.

  In other words, the third group nut 45 is maintained in a non-rotating state, is screwed with the screw 41b (screw member), and is along the optical axis O along with the rotation of the screw 41b (screw member). And a nut member that moves the third lens frame 33 (first moving frame) in the direction along the optical axis O.

  The screw 41b provided on the output shaft of the third group motor 41 (first motor), the third group nut 45 screwed into the screw 41b and restricted in rotation, and the motor gear 41d (pinion) provided on the screw 41b. The component composed of the gear) is referred to as first drive means.

  This first driving means is mechanically connected to the third group motor 41 (first motor) and is rotated by rotation of the third group motor 41 (first motor) or the zoom ring 24 (external rotation operation ring). When driven, the third lens frame 33 (first moving frame) is driven.

  Further, an inner gear 24a (internal gear) included in the zoom ring 24 (external rotation operation ring), a motor gear 41d (pinion gear), and a gear (spur gear portion 236) that meshes with the motor gear 41d and can rotate the motor gear 41d. ) Is referred to as second driving means.

  In the second driving means, when the zoom ring 24 is at a position (second position) corresponding to the manual zoom mode, the inner gear 24a of the zoom ring 24 that is rotationally driven by the manual driving force meshes with the spur gear 236. The spur gear 236 drives the motor gear 41d.

  The second driving means is configured to be mechanically connected to or disconnected from the first driving means, and is in a mechanically connected state to the first driving means (that is, a gear box). 23, when the spur gear portion 236 and the motor gear 41d are engaged with each other), the third group lens frame 33 (the first grouping frame 33) is connected via the first driving means by the rotation of the zoom ring 24 (the external rotation operation ring). Drive frame).

  On the other hand, the third lens frame 33 is expanded and contracted in the direction along the optical axis O, and is coiled by a coil spring 33f (see FIG. 4) suspended between the third lens frame 33 and a fourth lens frame 34 described later. The four lens frames 34 are spring-biased.

  With this configuration, the third group nut 45 is always in contact with the nut abutting portion 33 d (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the third lens frame 33. The nut abutting portion 33d is formed in a hook shape, and the screw 41b is inserted through a substantially central portion of the hook shape.

  With the above configuration, when the rotation shaft of the third group motor 41 is rotated in the forward / reverse direction, the third group nut 45 screwed into the screw 41b is placed on the optical axis O on the screw 41b. Move back and forth along the direction. As the third group nut 45 moves back and forth, the third lens frame 33 moves in the same direction as the third group nut 45 in the direction along the optical axis O independently of the other lens frames. Configured to get. The action at this time is an action in the electric zoom mode (details will be described later).

  When the third group motor 41 is not energized, the motor gear 41d is rotated with a rotational torque larger than the detent torque of the third group motor 41 (static torque when the motor coil is not excited). The screw 41b can be rotated in the same direction. As a result, the third group nut 45 screwed into the screw 41b moves back and forth in the direction along the optical axis O on the screw 41b, and the third lens frame 33 moves in the direction along the optical axis O. It is configured so that it can be moved independently from the other lens frames in the same direction as the third group nut 45. The action at this time is an action in the manual zoom mode (details will be described later).

  Next, the configuration of the fourth group frame moving mechanism will be described in detail. The fourth group frame moving mechanism is a drive source for moving the fourth lens frame 34 (second moving frame) in the direction along the optical axis O (parallel to the optical axis O) as shown in FIG. This is a mechanism unit including a fourth group motor 42 which is a second motor composed of a stepping motor.

  The fourth group motor 42 is fixed to a portion near the inner front end of the fixed frame 38. The rotation axis of the fourth group motor 42 extends rearward along the optical axis O (in parallel with the optical axis O). Similarly to the structure around the third group motor 41 described above, the fourth group motor 42 is provided with a bracket 42a that pivotally supports the vicinity of the tip of the rotation shaft. The bracket 42a has an arm portion which is one surface of the fourth group motor 42 and extends rearward from the surface on which the rotation shaft extends, and the cross section thereof is a channel as shown in FIG. It is the sheet metal processing member formed in a shape.

  The distal end portion of the rotation shaft of the fourth group motor 42 is pivotally supported by the support portion on the distal end side of the bracket 42a. The rotating shaft of the fourth group motor 42 is formed with a screw 42b in a region from the base end portion to the shaft support portion by the bracket 42a (that is, substantially the entire region from the base end to the tip end of the rotating shaft). .

  A fourth group nut 46 having a female screw is screwed into the screw 42b. The fourth group nut 46 is restricted by a fixing portion (not shown) of the fixed frame 38, and is movable in the direction along the optical axis O as the screw 42b rotates.

  On the other hand, the fourth lens frame 34 expands and contracts in the direction along the optical axis O and is attached to the third lens frame 33 by the coil spring 33f suspended between the fourth lens frame 34 and the third lens frame 33. It is biased against the spring.

  With this configuration, the fourth group nut 46 is always in contact with the nut abutting portion 34d (see FIG. 6) of the fourth lens frame 34. The nut abutting portion 34d is formed in a hook shape similarly to the nut abutting portion 33d, and the screw 42b is inserted through the substantially central portion of the hook shape.

  With the configuration described above, when the rotation shaft of the fourth group motor 42 is rotated in the forward / reverse direction, the fourth group nut 46 screwed into the screw 42b is placed on the optical axis O on the screw 42b. Move back and forth along the direction. By moving the fourth group nut 46 back and forth, the fourth lens frame 34 can move independently of the other lens frames in the direction along the optical axis O in the same direction as the fourth group nut 46. It is configured.

  The fourth lens frame 34 is controlled to be driven in a predetermined movement direction with a predetermined movement amount in conjunction with the movement of the third lens frame 33. That is, the moving direction and moving amount of the fourth lens frame 34 are set by driving and controlling the fourth group motor 42 in accordance with the moving direction and moving amount of the third lens frame 33. Accordingly, the fourth lens frame 34 is always moved by the driving force of the fourth group motor 42 in both the electric zoom mode and the manual zoom mode.

  Next, the configuration of the gear box 23, the slide member 25, and the electric zoom interlocking member 26 among the above-described constituent members held by the main frame 22 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

First, the slide member 25 is one of the constituent members that operate in conjunction with the operation input (the slide operation in the optical axis direction and the rotation operation around the optical axis) of the zoom ring 24 as described above. When the slide member 25 acts in conjunction with the zoom ring 24, the slide member 25 functions as follows. That is, the slide member 25 is
(1) A click mechanism that functions as positioning means for positioning the zoom ring 24 in the optical axis O direction when the zoom ring 24 is slid in the direction along the optical axis O (details will be described later: FIGS. 11 to 14). For example).
The slide member 25 is
(2) When the zoom ring 24 slides in the direction along the optical axis O and slides in the same direction, the driving force between the zoom ring 24 and the third group frame moving mechanism is linked to the gear box 23. It functions as a part of zoom mode switching means for switching or switching between the electric zoom mode and the manual zoom mode by connecting or blocking the transmission path (for details, see FIGS. 7, 8, 12, 14 and so on). ).
The slide member 25 is
(3) The zoom ring 24 functions as a part of a zoom mode position detecting means for detecting the position of the zoom ring 24 in the direction along the optical axis O (for details, refer to FIGS.

  The slide member 25 can move in the same direction as the zoom ring 24 without restricting the rotation of the zoom ring 24 around the optical axis O and following the sliding movement of the zoom ring 24 in the optical axis O direction. It is configured as follows. The slide member 25 is formed in a thin plate shape so as to have a curved surface shape along the outer peripheral surface of the main frame 22, and is made of, for example, a mold member. A plurality of the slide members 25 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the main frame 22 with a predetermined interval (three in this embodiment with an angle of 120 degrees around the optical axis O).

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 11, 13, etc., a concave circumferential groove 25 a along the circumferential direction is formed in a portion near the tip on the outer peripheral surface of the slide member 25. An inner gear 24a, which is an internal gear projecting inwardly on the inner peripheral surface near the rear end of the zoom ring 24, is fitted in the circumferential groove 25a. Therefore, even if the zoom ring 24 rotates, the inner gear 24a rotates along the circumferential groove 25a, so that the rotation of the zoom ring 24 around the optical axis O is not restricted.

  The slide member 25 further includes a rectangular convex portion 25e along the optical axis O direction on the surface on the main frame 22 side, and the rectangular convex portion 25e extends along the optical axis direction O direction of the main frame 22. The groove is slidably fitted. Thereby, the zoom ring 24 moves in the optical axis direction O and the slide member 25 also moves in the optical axis O direction.

  On the other hand, when the zoom ring 24 slides in a direction along the optical axis O, the slide member 25 also slides in the same direction because the inner gear 24a and the circumferential groove 25a are fitted. In other words, the slide member 25 is configured to follow the slide movement of the zoom ring 24 without restricting the rotation of the zoom ring 24.

  The slide member 25 formed in this way is a click mechanism that performs positioning so that the zoom ring 24 is always disposed at a predetermined position when the zoom ring 24 slides in the direction along the optical axis O. Part of. This click mechanism is a structure for realizing the function of item (1) among the functions of the slide member 25 described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 12, 14, etc., the slide member 25 is formed with the rectangular convex portion 25 e that extends in the direction along the optical axis O and protrudes toward the inner peripheral surface. A plurality of (in the present embodiment, at least three) are arranged on the side surface of the rectangular convex portion 25e so as to be uneven in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel 1 and arranged in the direction along the optical axis O. ) Click groove 25b is formed.

  On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the main frame 22, a concave hole portion 22b (see FIGS. 12 and 14) is formed in a fixing portion that is disposed to face the click groove 25b. In this concave hole portion 22b, an extensible click spring 252 is housed in a compressed state, and the click ball 251 has a concave shape so that the click spring 252 does not protrude outward due to its own elastic force. It is stored and arranged near the opening of the hole 22b. The click ball 251 is disposed at a position where a part of the click ball 251 protrudes outward from the opening of the concave hole 22b. In this case, the opening of the recessed hole 22 b is formed to have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the click ball 251 so that the click ball 251 does not jump out due to the elastic force of the click spring 252. Thereby, the click ball 251 is always pressed toward the opening of the concave hole 22b by the elastic force of the click spring 252, and the top of the click ball 251 is one of the plurality of click grooves 25b. It is always in contact with one.

  With this configuration, when the zoom ring 24 is slid in the direction along the optical axis O, the slide member 25 is moved in the same direction in conjunction with this, so the click ball 251 is placed on the groove inner surface of the click groove 25b. While abutting, the inside of the recessed hole 22b protrudes and sunk. When the click ball 251 is fitted into the click groove 25b, the click ball 251 is pressed into the click groove 25b with a predetermined amount of force due to the elastic force of the click spring 252. As a result, the sliding movement of the slide member 25 and the zoom ring 24 in the direction along the optical axis O is restricted by a predetermined amount of force by the click spring 252. Therefore, the slide member 25 and the zoom ring 24 are always positioned at a predetermined arbitrary position.

  In a normal case, the click ball 251 is in a state of being fitted into any of the plurality of click grooves 25b. If the user slides the zoom ring 24 in the direction along the optical axis O in this state, the slide member 25 slides in the same direction following the movement of the zoom ring 24 in the direction along the optical axis O. Moving. Then, the site | part in which the several click groove | channel 25b in the slide member 25 was formed also moves to the same direction. At this time, the click ball 251 is pushed by the slope portion of the click groove 25b, and the click spring 252 is compressed. Thereby, the click ball 251 is pushed into the concave hole portion 22b. When the click ball 251 climbs over the top of the click groove 25b and starts to be fitted into the adjacent click groove 25b, the click spring 252 is extended by its own elastic force and presses the click ball 251 into the adjacent click groove 25b. It works to insert. As described above, the click ball 251 is held in a state of being fitted into one of the plurality of click grooves 25 b by the elastic force of the click spring 252. Thereby, the click mechanism is positioned in the direction along the optical axis O of the slide member 25 and the zoom ring 24.

  In the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment, the position when the zoom ring 24 is slid forward most is the predetermined position in the macro mode (temporarily referred to as the Mc position). Further, the position when the zoom ring 24 is slid by one click backward from the predetermined position (Mc position) in the macro mode is the predetermined position in the electric zoom mode (referred to as the EZ position). This position is referred to as a zoom neutral position or a first position.) The position when the zoom ring 24 is slid by one click from the predetermined position (EZ position) in the electric zoom mode is the predetermined position in the manual zoom mode (referred to as the MZ position). This position is also referred to as the second position).

Next, the configuration for realizing the function of the above item (2) among the functions of the slide member 25 will be described in detail.
As described above, when the zoom ring 24 is slid in the direction along the optical axis O, the slide member 25 moves in the same direction. The slide member 25 is configured such that the gear box 23 is further driven.

  In other words, the gear box 23 has a plurality of intermediate gears that are interposed between the zoom ring 24 and the motor gear 41d and transmit the driving force generated by the rotation operation input from the zoom ring 24 to the motor gear 41d.

  When the gear box 23 is in the manual zoom mode (first state), the gear box 23 is an inner tooth portion (an inner gear 24a described later) of the zoom ring 24 and a drive gear (one gear of the gear box 23). And a clutch means for releasing the engagement between the two (24a, 236) when in the electric zoom mode (second state).

  That is, between the slide member 25 and the gear box 23, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, etc., the contractile coil spring 23b is suspended. That is, one end of the coil spring 23 b is hung on the spring hook portion 25 c of the slide member 25, and the other end is hung on the spring hook portion 234 a of the gear box 23. Thereby, the slide member 25 and the gear box 23 are always attracted and brought into contact with each other by the elastic force of the coil spring 23b, and are usually integrated.

  On the other hand, as described above, the slide member 25 is positioned at one of the plurality of predetermined positions in the optical axis direction by a predetermined amount of force generated by the elastic force of the click spring 252 by the click mechanism. The click force by the click spring 252 of the click mechanism is set to be greater than the elastic force of the coil spring 23b. Therefore, the slide member 25 is set so that the positioning by the click mechanism is maintained against the force of the coil spring 23b, and the relative arrangement interval between the slide member 25 and the gear box 23 is always constant. Has been.

  With such a configuration, when the slide member 25 moves in the same direction as the zoom ring 24 slides in the direction along the optical axis O, the gear box 23 also interlocks with the elastic force of the coil spring 23b. It is designed to move in the direction. At this time, the gear box 23 slides in the same direction so that the gear mechanism in the gear box 23 is engaged and disengaged. Thus, the gear box 23 functions as a clutch means for engaging and disengaging the driving force transmission path between the zoom ring 24 and the motor gear 41d.

  In other words, by moving the zoom ring 24 back and forth by sliding in the direction along the optical axis O, the driving force transmission path between the zoom ring 24 and the third group frame moving mechanism (described later) is linked or blocked. In this way, the zoom mode can be switched.

  Here, details of the internal configuration of the gear box 23 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, 12, 14, and the like.

  The gear box 23 includes a first gear part set including a shaft gear part 231, a spur gear part 232, and a first gear shaft 233, a shaft gear part 235, a spur gear part 236, a pressing spring 237, and a spring receiving washer 238. , A second gear shaft 239, a second gear portion set including a shaft main body 23a having a friction transmission portion 23aa, a support body 234, and the like.

  The support body 234 is formed in a predetermined form by a sheet metal bending member or the like, and is a constituent part that becomes a main body of the present gear box 23. The support 234 pivotally supports the first gear part set and the second gear part set.

  In the first gear part set, the shaft-like gear part 231 and the spur gear part 232 are integrally and coaxially fixed by the first gear shaft 233. The first gear shaft 233 is pivotally supported with respect to a fixed portion of the support 234 so as to be rotatable. At the same time, both ends of the first gear shaft 233 are rotatably supported with respect to the fixed portion of the main frame 22. Therefore, the first gear unit itself is in a fixed position with respect to the main frame 22. At the same time, the support body 234 of the gear box 23 is disposed so as to be movable in the sliding direction of the zoom ring 24 (direction along the optical axis O) with the first gear shaft 233 of the first gear unit set as a support shaft. .

  The shaft main body 23a is a component that forms the main body of the second gear unit set. The shaft body 23a includes a long shaft portion 23ab made of a relatively long hollow cylindrical member parallel to the optical axis direction, a disk-shaped friction transmission portion 23aa, and a hollow cylinder relatively short with respect to the long shaft portion 23ab. And a short shaft portion 23ac made of a member.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a shaft gear portion 235 is fixed to the outer periphery of the long shaft portion 23ab. A spur gear portion 236 is fitted and disposed in the short shaft portion 23ac so as to be movable and rotatable in the long axis direction. The friction transmission portion 23aa is interposed between the long shaft portion 23ab and the short shaft portion 23ac. The diameter of the short shaft portion 23ac is set to be smaller than the diameter of the friction transmission portion 23aa.

  The shaft main body 23a is formed in a form in which the constituent parts are integrally connected so that the central axis of the friction transmission part 23aa and the central axes of the long shaft part 23ab and the short shaft part 23ac substantially coincide with each other. Has been.

  The shaft body 23a thus configured is formed with a through hole 23d penetrating the long shaft portion 23ab, the friction transmission portion 23aa, and the short shaft portion 23ac as shown in FIG. A second gear shaft 239 is inserted through the through hole 23d as shown in FIGS. Both ends of the second gear shaft 239 are pivotally supported with respect to the fixed portion of the main frame 22.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the spur gear portion 236 is provided with a circumferential groove 236 a in a radially intermediate portion of one surface. One end of a coil-shaped pressing spring 237 is inserted into the circumferential groove 236a.

  On the other hand, a circumferential groove 23c is formed on the outer peripheral surface near one end of the short shaft portion 23ac. The spring receiving washer 238 is fitted into the circumferential groove 23c so as to be movable within a predetermined range in the axial direction of the short shaft portion 23ac. Therefore, the circumferential groove 23c has a groove width that allows the spring receiving washer 238 to move within a predetermined range in the axial direction of the short shaft portion 23ac in a state where the spring receiving washer 238 is fitted. Is formed. The spring receiving washer 238 is formed of a substantially disk-shaped thin plate member, and a hole 238a through which the short shaft portion 23ac can be inserted is formed at a substantially central portion thereof.

  In addition, after the short shaft portion 23ac is inserted into the hole 238a of the spring receiving washer 238, the spring receiving washer 238 can be fitted into the circumferential groove 23c in the circumferential groove 23c and the hole 238a of the spring receiving washer 238. The spring receiving washer 238 has a retaining structure for keeping the spring receiving washer 238 in the circumferential groove 23c and preventing the spring receiving washer 238 from coming out of the short shaft portion 23ac. Since the specific structure of the retaining structure is not a part directly related to the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted, and in the present embodiment, a conventionally well-known technique (disc-like shape with respect to a shaft member) is generally used. It is assumed that a technology relating to a member retaining structure is applied.

  With such a configuration, the pressing spring 237 is interposed between the spring receiving washer 238 and the spur gear portion 236. At this time, one end surface of the pressing spring 237 is inserted into the circumferential groove 236a of the spur gear portion 236, and the other end surface of the pressing spring 237 is held by the spring receiving washer 238. In this state, the pressing spring 237 is slightly compressed.

  Accordingly, in the second gear portion set, the spur gear portion 236 is inserted and arranged in a state of being movable in the axial direction of the short shaft portion 23ac, and the spur gear portion 236 is interposed via the pressing spring 237. The spring receiving washer 238 is pressed toward the friction transmission portion 23aa. With such a configuration, the second gear portion set is configured such that the shaft gear portion 235 and the spur gear portion 236 are integrated via the shaft main body 23a, whereby both the gear portions 235 and 236 are formed. Are configured to rotate in the same direction on the same axis. At the same time, for example, when an overload greater than the urging force of the pressing spring 237 is applied to the shaft gear portion 235, a slip occurs between the shaft gear portion 235 and the spur gear portion 236. Therefore, the spur gear portion 236 is configured to be independently rotated while being driven while sliding with respect to the rotation of the shaft-shaped gear portion 235 and the shaft main body 23a. Thus, the gear box 23 is configured to function as a so-called slip clutch mechanism.

  When the gear box 23 configured in this manner is assembled to the main frame 22 of the lens barrel 1, the zoom ring 24 is provided on the shaft gear 231 of the first gear unit of the gear box 23. The inner gear 24a is engaged.

  Accordingly, when the zoom ring 24 is rotated around the optical axis O, the shaft gear 231 of the first gear unit set rotates in conjunction with this, and the spur gear unit of the first gear unit set is rotated. 232 also rotates in the same direction.

  The spur gear portion 232 of the first gear portion set is engaged with the shaft gear portion 235 of the second gear portion set. Therefore, when the spur gear portion 232 of the first gear portion set rotates as described above, the shaft gear portion 235 of the second gear portion set that meshes with the spur gear portion 232 rotates, and at the same time, the second gear portion 232 rotates. The spur gear portion 236 of the gear portion set also rotates in the same direction.

  At this time, if the zoom ring 24 is disposed at a position corresponding to the manual zoom mode (the state shown in FIG. 8), the spur gear portion 236 of the second gear portion set is engaged with the motor gear 41d. Therefore, in this state, the operation input in the rotation direction of the zoom ring 24 is configured to rotate the motor gear 41d via the first gear portion set and the second gear portion set of the gear box 23. With this configuration, the driving force generated by the rotation operation input of the zoom ring 24 is transmitted to the third group frame moving mechanism via the gear box 23, so that manual zooming can be performed.

  Thus, in the manual zoom mode, the third lens frame 33 is configured to move in the direction along the optical axis O by rotating the zoom ring 24 around the optical axis O in the forward and reverse directions. Yes. In this configuration, for example, if the zoom ring 24 is continuously rotated in one direction, the third group nut 45 eventually reaches one end of the screw 41b and cannot move further. In such a situation, if the zoom ring 24 is further rotated in the same direction, an overload is applied on the driving force transmission path from the zoom ring 24 to the screw 41b via the gear box 23. As a result, there is a risk of damage due to this.

  However, in the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment, since the gear box 23 is provided with the slip clutch mechanism as described above, even if an overload due to the rotation operation input of the zoom ring 24 is applied to the gear box 23, Slip is generated between the shaft gear portion 235 and the spur gear portion 236 by the action of the slip clutch mechanism. As a result, the overload can be reduced, and the rotation operation input of the zoom ring 24 can be continued while avoiding the possibility of damage to components such as the gear box 23.

  On the other hand, if the zoom ring 24 is disposed at a position corresponding to the electric zoom mode (the state shown in FIG. 7), the spur gear portion 236 of the second gear portion set is released from the meshing state with the motor gear 41d. Is in a state of being. In other words, the driving force transmission path between the zoom ring 24 and the third group frame moving mechanism is in a blocked state. Therefore, in this state, the spur gear portion 236 of the second gear portion set only idles. That is, since the driving force by the rotation operation input of the zoom ring 24 is not transmitted to the third group frame moving mechanism, the rotation operation of the zoom ring 24 is performed when the lens barrel 1 is set to the electric zoom mode. Even if this is done, manual zooming is not performed.

  By the way, in the present lens barrel 1, as described above, the zoom mode 24 is switched between the electric zoom mode and the manual zoom mode by performing a sliding movement operation of the zoom ring 24 in the direction along the optical axis O. To do.

  Here, in the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment, the driving force transmission path among the zoom ring 24, the gear box 23, and the third group moving mechanism, the action when connecting the driving force transmission path, and the blocking are performed. The operation will be briefly described below with reference to FIGS.

  7 and 8 show a state in which the outer ring 27 is omitted from the assembled state of the lens barrel 1 in order to show the internal structure of the lens barrel 1. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the lens barrel is set to the electric zoom mode. FIG. 8 shows a state where the lens barrel is set to the manual zoom mode.

  For example, when the zoom ring 24 is in the state where the electric zoom mode is set (the state shown in FIG. 7), the user moves the zoom ring 24 along the optical axis O (the arrow X direction in FIGS. 7 and 8). Assume that a slide movement operation is performed in the direction of arrow X2 in FIG.

  Then, by the slide movement operation of the zoom ring 24, the slide member 25 is also moved in the same direction, and the support body 234 and the second gear part set in the gear box 23 are also moved in the same direction. At this time, the first gear portion group is not moved because it is in a fixed position with respect to the main frame 22.

  And by these series of actions, the spur gear portion 236 of the second gear portion set meshes with the motor gear 41d. As a result, the driving force transmission path among the zoom ring 24, the gear box 23, and the third group moving mechanism in the lens barrel 1 is linked, and the manual zoom mode is set (transition to the state shown in FIG. 8). .

  Thus, when the zoom ring 24 slides in the arrow X2 direction, the spur gear portion 236 of the second gear portion set moves in the same direction, and when meshing with the motor gear 41d, both gears (236, 41d) are It does not always mesh smoothly.

  Therefore, in the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment, the zoom box 24 and the slide member 25 are slid in the direction along the optical axis O in a state where the zoom ring 24 and the slide member 25 are connected, whereas the gear box 23 is connected to the support 234. It is driven in the same direction via a coil spring 23b suspended between the slide member 25 and the slide member 25.

  Therefore, with such a configuration, the slide member 25 moves in the same direction following the slide movement of the zoom ring 24 in the optical axis direction (the direction of the arrow X2). 234 and the second gear part set slide in the same direction (arrow X2 direction), the spur gear part 236 of the second gear part set comes into contact with the motor gear 41d, and the meshing of both gears 236 and 41d is between the teeth. If the zoom ring 24 does not mesh smoothly due to interference, the zoom ring 24 continues to move in the same direction, but the coil spring 23b extends to prevent the support body 234 and the second gear part set from sliding. At this time, the slide member 25 and the support body 234 (that is, the gear box 23) that have been moved in the contact state are temporarily separated. This separation prevents damage due to interference between teeth. When the relative positional relationship between the spur gear portion 236 and the motor gear 41d changes and the gears 236 and 41d can be engaged with each other, the support body 234 and the second gear 236 are biased by the biasing force in the contraction direction of the coil spring 23b. The gear set is pulled toward the slide member 25. Thereby, both the gears 236 and 41d are brought into a meshing state.

  To switch from this state, that is, the state in which the zoom ring 24 is set to the manual zoom mode (the state of FIG. 8) to the electric zoom mode, the user moves the zoom ring 24 along the optical axis O (FIG. 7, FIG. 7). The slide movement operation is performed in the direction of arrow X1 in FIG. 8 and in the direction of arrow X1 in FIG.

  By the slide movement operation of the zoom ring 24, the slide member 25 moves in the same direction, and further, the support body 234 and the second gear unit set in the gear box 23 also move in the same direction. Also at this time, the first gear portion group does not move because it is in a fixed position with respect to the main frame 22 as in the case described above.

By this series of actions, the meshing state between the spur gear portion 236 of the second gear portion set and the motor gear 41d is released. As a result, the driving force transmission path among the zoom ring 24, the gear box 23, and the third group moving mechanism in the lens barrel 1 is blocked, and the electric zoom mode is set (returns to the state of FIG. 7).
As described above, the spur gear portion 236 of the second gear portion set and the motor gear 41d are meshed only when the lens barrel 1 is in the manual zoom mode (the state shown in FIG. 8).

Next, the configuration (zoom mode position detecting means) for realizing the function of item (3) above among the functions of the slide member 25 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 15, the slide member 25 is formed by a plurality of plate spring-like metal members (conductive members) or the like that protrude toward the inner surface, that is, the outer peripheral surface side of the main frame 22. A contact member 25d for detecting the zoom mode position in the optical axis direction is fixed. In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, an example in which three contact members 25d are arranged is shown.

  Part of the zoom mode position detecting means is formed in a predetermined part on the outer peripheral surface (fixed portion) on the main frame 22 side, which is a part facing the plurality of contact members 25d, and the plurality of contact members A part of the flexible printed board 61 provided with a plurality of electrical contact portions corresponding to 25d on the mounting surface is fixed. Of the electrical contact portions of the flexible printed circuit board 61, the electrical contact portions related to the zoom mode position detecting means are provided in the region 61x shown in FIG. 16, and are the electrical contact portions denoted by reference numerals 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d. .

  With this configuration, when the slide member 25 moves in the same direction in conjunction with the movement of the zoom ring 24 in the optical axis O direction and stops at a predetermined position by the action of the click mechanism, the plurality of slide members 25 are The tip contact portion of the contact member 25d contacts a predetermined portion of the plurality of electrical contact portions (61a, 61b, 61c, 61d) on the flexible printed circuit board 61. Thereby, the position of the zoom ring 24 in the optical axis O direction can be detected. Then, the detection result is transmitted to the control circuit 28x (FIG. 34) of the lens barrel main board 28, and the control circuit 28x receiving the detection result indicates the zoom mode setting state of the lens barrel 1 as follows. Control to switch to one of the electric zoom mode, manual zoom mode, and macro mode is performed.

  Thus, the zoom ring 24 is formed by the plurality of contact members 25d of the slide member 25 and the plurality of electrical contact portions 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d of the region 61x of the flexible printed circuit board 61 fixed to the main frame 22 side. A slide encoder that functions as a zoom mode position detecting unit that realizes a function of detecting a position in a direction along the optical axis O is configured.

  In other words, the slide member 25 having the plurality of contact members 25d is disposed at a predetermined portion of the plurality of electrical contact portions 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d of the flexible printed circuit board 61 fixed to the main frame 22 side. It functions as a part of a zoom mode position detecting unit that detects the position of the zoom ring 24 in the direction along the optical axis O in contact.

  An example of the plurality of electrical contact patterns of the flexible printed circuit board 61 constituting a part of the zoom mode position detecting means is shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, the arrangement of the slide member 25 and the plurality of contact members 25d provided on the flexible printed board 61 is conceptually indicated by a virtual line (two-dot chain line).

  In the flexible printed circuit board 61 shown in FIG. 16, the example provided with the four electrical contact parts 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d is shown. It is assumed that the flexible printed circuit board 61 is fixed on the outer peripheral surface of the main frame 22. In that case, the contact member 25d moves in the arrow X direction (direction along the optical axis O) shown in FIG. In the direction along the arrow X, the direction of the arrow X1 is the front of the lens barrel 1, and the direction of the arrow X2 is the rear of the lens barrel 1.

  Accordingly, the plurality of contact members 25d of the slide member 25 are configured to slide in the direction indicated by the arrow X with respect to the mounting surface of the flexible printed circuit board 61 fixed to the main frame 22.

  Then, for example, when all of the plurality of contact members 25d are arranged within a predetermined range including the line indicated by reference numeral Mc in FIG. 16, it is detected that the contact member 25d is in a position corresponding to the macro mode. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, one contact member 25d is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61a, the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61c, and the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61b. Is detected at a position corresponding to the macro mode.

  Further, when any of the plurality of contact members 25d is disposed within a predetermined range including a line indicated by EZ in FIG. 16, it is detected that the position corresponds to the electric zoom mode. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, one of the contact members 25d is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61a, the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61c, and one of the other contact members 25d is When it is not in contact with any of the electrical contact portions, it is detected that it is in a position corresponding to the electric zoom mode.

  Further, when any of the plurality of contact members 25d is disposed within a predetermined range including a line indicated by a symbol MZ in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, one of the contact members 25d is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61a, the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61c, and the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61d. When it is in the position, it is detected that it is at a position corresponding to the manual zoom mode.

  In the present lens barrel 1, the zoom lens frame is used to detect the position of the lens groups (the third lens group 33a and the fourth lens group 34a) that mainly contribute to zooming (zooming operation) in the optical axis direction. Position detecting means is provided.

  First, in the present lens barrel 1, in order to detect the absolute position of the third lens frame 33 (third lens group 33a) in the optical axis direction, it is a third group frame position detecting means and a resistance type linear encoder. As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the potentiometer 62 is disposed at a predetermined portion on the outer surface side of the fixed frame 38. As shown in FIG. 20, the potentiometer 62 has a shaft-shaped knob portion 62 a provided from the outside to the inside of the fixed frame 38 that engages with a part of the third lens frame 33. The shaft-shaped knob portion 62a is configured to move in the same direction following the movement of the third lens frame 33 along the optical axis O. With this configuration, the potentiometer 62 detects the absolute position of the third lens frame 33 in the optical axis direction.

  On the other hand, the fourth lens frame 34 is controlled to move according to the movement of the third lens frame 33. That is, movement control is performed to move the position of the fourth lens frame 34 to a predetermined position corresponding to the position of the third lens frame 33. Therefore, in order to set the position of the fourth lens frame 34 (fourth lens group 34a), as shown in FIG. 21, a photo interrupter 63, which is a fourth group frame position detecting means, is provided on the inner surface side of the fixed frame 38. It is arrange | positioned in this part. The photo interrupter 63 is initialized (reset) when a camera (not shown) to which the lens barrel 1 is attached is turned on, for example. Then, the control circuit 28x (FIG. 34) of the lens barrel main substrate 28 performs pulse management of the fourth group motor 42 (stepping motor), so that the fourth lens frame 34 corresponds to the position of the third lens frame 33. Control to move to a predetermined position is performed.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 22 to 27, the detailed configuration of the components interlocked with the zoom ring 24 when the zoom ring 24 is rotated, that is, when the zooming operation is performed, is mainly described. This will be described below with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

  In the present lens barrel 1, in the manual zoom mode, manual zooming can be performed by rotating the zoom ring 24. At that time, as described above, the driving force by the rotation operation input of the zoom ring 24 is transmitted to the third group frame moving mechanism via the gear box 23. In response to this driving force, the third lens frame 33 moves forward and backward in the direction of the optical axis O. The fourth lens frame 34 is controlled to move via a motor in accordance with the position where the third lens frame 33 has moved.

  As described above, in the present lens barrel 1, in the manual zoom mode, the third lens frame is based on mechanical displacement (rotation amount and rotation direction by the rotation operation of the zoom ring 24) due to manual operation of the zoom ring 24. The position of 33 in the optical axis direction is set, and the position of the fourth lens frame 34 is set through electrical control based on the position information of the third lens frame 33.

  That is, in the present lens barrel 1, in the manual zoom mode, the user manually sets the operation amount and the operation direction (the rotation amount and the rotation direction) of the zoom ring 24 at the second position. Thus, zooming is performed by mechanically setting the position of the third lens frame 33.

  On the other hand, in the lens barrel 1, in the electric zoom mode, the user rotates the zoom ring 24 within the predetermined range at the first position so that the drive control of the third group motor 41 is performed. It is configured.

  In the present lens barrel 1, when the electric zoom mode is set, that is, the zoom ring 24 is disposed at the first position corresponding to the electric zoom mode (the state shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 22). In some cases, when a rotation operation input of the zoom ring 24 is performed, an electric zoom interlocking member 26 or the like that detects the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the zoom ring 24 (the rotation position of the zoom ring 24) is received. . The electric zoom interlocking member 26 is a constituent member arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the main frame 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 22 to 27 and the like, the electric zoom interlocking member 26 is mainly configured by an engaged member 26a, a rotation restricting member (26ba, 26bb), a coil spring 26c, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the engaged member 26 a has a curved surface or a ridge line portion (not shown) that substantially coincides with a part of the outer peripheral curved surface of the main frame 22 and can slide on the outer peripheral curved surface. When the zoom ring 24 is arranged at a position corresponding to the electric zoom mode, the zoom ring 24 has a comb-like portion 26aa that meshes with the inner peripheral comb-like portion 24b of the zoom ring 24. ing.

  Corresponding to this, the zoom ring 24 is formed in the middle part on the inner peripheral surface over substantially the same circumference, and is comb-shaped in a direction along the optical axis O and forward. A plurality of comb-like portions 24b formed in the above are formed.

  On the other hand, in the schematic diagram of FIG. 28, for the sake of explanation, the configuration of the electric zoom interlocking member 26 in the electric zoom mode is simplified, and each member shape is illustrated as a linear shape.

  With such a configuration, when the zoom ring 24 is set to the electric zoom mode, as shown in FIG. 22, the inner peripheral comb-like portion 24 b of the zoom ring 24 and the engaged member of the electric zoom interlocking member 26. The comb-tooth-shaped part 26aa of 26a meshes.

  Further, the zoom ring 24 is slid in the direction along the optical axis O and in the direction of the arrow X1 shown in FIG. 22 from the state where the zoom ring 24 is set to the electric zoom mode (see FIG. 22). When the manual zoom mode is set, as shown in FIG. 23, the inner comb-like portion 24b and the comb-like portion 26aa are arranged at positions separated from each other so that the meshing state of both is released. It is configured.

  Further, the zoom ring 24 is slid in the direction along the optical axis O and in the direction of the arrow X2 shown in FIG. 23 from the state where the zoom ring 24 is set to the manual zoom mode (see FIG. 23). When the electric zoom mode is set, the state shown in FIG. 22, that is, the inner peripheral comb-like portion 24b and the comb-like portion 26aa are brought into the meshing state again.

Note that the state shown in FIG. 28 shows a state in which the inner comb-like portion 24b meshes with the comb-like portion 26aa.
25, the electric zoom interlocking member 26 is in a position rotated in the direction of the arrow R2 in FIG. 25 (indicated end position in the wide direction side), and the electric zoom interlocking member 26 in FIG. Two modes are shown simultaneously: a state in the position rotated in the R1 direction (indicated end position in the tele direction).
In FIG. 27, the state in which the electric zoom interlocking member 26 is in the wide end position (reference numeral 26W), the neutral position (reference numeral 26C), and the tele end position (reference numeral 26T) is shown simultaneously on the drawing.

  On the other hand, the electric zoom interlocking member 26 mounts two rotation restricting members (26ba, 26bb) for restricting the amount of rotation of the zoom ring 24 within a predetermined range so as to be relatively displaceable and slidable. As shown in FIG. 28, the rotation restricting member 26ba restricts a rotation range in one direction around the optical axis O of the zoom ring 24 (for example, in the direction of arrow R1 in FIG. 28), and is another rotating wrinkle restricting member. 26bb regulates the rotation range in the other direction (for example, the direction of arrow R2 in FIG. 28).

  The two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb are housed in two concave groove portions 22da and 22db that extend in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the main frame 22, respectively. The two concave portions 22da and 22db are formed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction with the locking wall portions 22ca and 22cb being fixed portions forming a part of the main frame 22 interposed therebetween. The two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb accommodated in the two concave portions 22da and 22db are connected to each other by a coil spring 26c made of, for example, an elastic elastic member.

  Further, the rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb are respectively provided with rectangular recesses 26bah and 26bbh that are recessed in the radial direction around the optical axis. The convex portions 26ay and 26ax that are convex in the radial direction of the engaged member 26a are fitted into the concave portions 26bah and 26bbh, respectively. The convex portion 26ay can be loosely fitted in the direction around the optical axis in the concave portion 26bah, and the convex portion 26ax can be loosely fitted in the direction around the optical axis in the concave portion 26bbh.

  The two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb are engaged with the engaged member 26a at a portion described below, thereby following the rotation (movement) of the engaged member 26a. Thus, it is configured to be able to rotate (move) in the same direction.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 28, one of the two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb has one end 26bx of one engagement protrusion 26ax of the engaged member 26a. Abut. Further, the other rotation regulating member 26bb has one end portion 26by abutting against the other engaging protrusion 26ay of the engaged member 26a.

  With such a configuration, the two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb are housed in the two concave portions 22da and 22db, respectively, and are in balance with each other by the elastic force of the coil spring 26c. In this state, the locking wall portion 22c of the main frame 22 is sandwiched between the two rotation restricting members 26b. Accordingly, the two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb are in a state where one end of each of the rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb is in contact with the corresponding locking wall portion 22c (see FIG. 28). The two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb are engaged with the two concave portions 22da and 22db so as to be movable in the long side directions.

  The operation of the electric zoom interlocking member 26 configured as described above will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the state shown in FIG. 28, the inner comb-like portion 24 b of the zoom ring 24 and the comb-like portion 26 aa of the electric zoom interlocking member 26 are engaged with each other, and the zoom ring 24 is rotated. It is assumed that no load is applied in the moving direction (the zoom ring 24 is in the neutral position; see also the reference numeral 26C in FIG. 27).

  In a state where the zoom ring 24 is in the neutral position of the zoom (in the middle of the telephoto end and the wide end of the zoom) in the electric zoom mode state, the user applies a load to the zoom ring 24 in the direction of the arrow R1 in FIG. Suppose that a turning operation is performed. As a result, the zoom ring 24 rotates (moves) in the direction of the arrow R1 in FIG. As a result, the engaged member 26a also rotates (moves) in the same R1 direction due to the engagement of the comb-like portion 24b and the comb-like portion 26aa. Further, since the one engagement protrusion 26ax of the engaged member 26a and the one end portion 26bx of the one rotation restricting member 26ba are in contact with each other, the engaged member 26a is subjected to the elastic force of the coil spring 26c. Accordingly, one rotation restricting member 26ba is moved in the R1 direction. Thereby, one rotation control member 26ba follows the R1 direction. At this time, the movement range of the one rotation restricting member 26ba is restricted by the concave portion 22da. That is, the movement range of the one rotation restricting member 26ba is a range until the one end portion 26bx comes into contact with the one fixed wall 22fa of the main frame 22. The position of the zoom ring 24 when the one end portion 26bx is in contact with one fixed wall 22fa of the main frame 22 is, for example, a tele end position. The tele end position means a position closest to the long focal point on the long focal point (tele) side in the focal length range (zooming range) that can be set in the lens barrel 1 (reference 26T in FIG. 27 also). reference).

  Further, when one rotation restricting member 26ba moves in the same R1 direction against the elastic force of the coil spring 26c, the other rotation restricting member 26bb comes into contact with the locking wall portion 22cb of the main frame 22. The movement is restricted. Accordingly, at this time, the other rotation restricting member 26bb is maintained in an immobile state.

  In this state, when the user releases the load of the zoom ring 24 in the arrow R1 direction, one rotation restricting member 26ba is rotated (moved) in the arrow R2 direction in FIG. 28 by the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 26c. ) Thereby, one rotation control member 26ba rotates (moves) the engaged member 26a in the R2 direction. Then, the zoom ring 24 also rotates (moves) in the R2 direction. The two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb are finally attracted by the elastic force of the coil spring 26c in the two concave portions 22da and 22db, and the two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb are respectively engaged with the locking wall portion 22Ca. , 22Cb is brought into a balanced state. As a result, the zoom ring 24 returns to a predetermined neutral position, and the state is maintained.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that, from the state shown in FIG. 28 (the neutral position of the zoom ring 24), the user performs a turning operation to apply a load in the direction of the arrow R2 in FIG. As a result, the zoom ring 24 rotates (moves) in the direction of arrow R2 in FIG. Accordingly, the engaged member 26a also rotates (moves) in the same R2 direction. Further, since the other engagement protrusion 26ay of the engaged member 26a and one end 26by of the other rotation restricting member 26bb are in contact with each other, the engaged member 26a is made to have an elastic force of the coil spring 26c. Accordingly, the other rotation restricting member 26bb is moved in the R2 direction. Thereby, the other rotation restricting member 26bb is driven in the same R2 direction. At this time, the movement range of the other rotation restricting member 26bb is restricted by the concave portion 22db. That is, the movement range of the other rotation restricting member 26bb is a range until the one end portion 26by comes into contact with the other fixed wall 22fb of the main frame 22. Note that the position of the zoom ring 24 when the one end 26by is in contact with the other fixed wall 22fb of the main frame 22 is, for example, the wide end position. The wide end position means the position closest to the short focus on the short focus (wide) side in the focal length range (zooming range) that can be set in the lens barrel 1 (reference numeral 26W in FIG. 27 also). reference).

  Further, when the other rotation restricting member 26bb moves in the R2 direction against the elastic force of the coil spring 26c, the one rotation restricting member 26ba comes into contact with the locking wall portion 22ca of the main frame 22. The movement is restricted. Therefore, at this time, one rotation restricting member 26ba is maintained in an immobile state.

  In this state, when the user releases the load of the zoom ring 24 in the direction of the arrow R2, the other rotation restricting member 26bb is rotated (moved) in the direction of the arrow R1 in FIG. 28 by the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 26c. ) Thereby, the other rotation regulating member 26bb rotates (moves) the engaged member 26a in the same R1 direction. Then, the zoom ring 24 also rotates (moves) in the same R1 direction. The two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb are finally attracted by the elastic force of the coil spring 26c in the two concave portions 22da and 22db, and the two rotation restricting members 26ba and 26bb are respectively engaged with the locking wall portion 22Ca. , 22Cb is brought into a balanced state. As a result, the zoom ring 24 returns to a predetermined neutral position, and the state is maintained.

Further, the lens barrel 1 has zoom ring position detecting means for detecting the rotation position (rotation direction and rotation amount) of the zoom ring 24 around the optical axis O of the zoom ring 24.
That is, as shown in FIG. 27, the electric zoom interlocking member 26 is formed by a plurality of plate spring-like metal members (conductive members) or the like that project toward the outer peripheral surface side of the main frame 22. A contact member 26d constituting a part of the zoom ring position detecting means for detecting the position in the rotation direction is fixed. In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 16 (imaginary line), three contact members 26d are provided.

  A plurality of electrical contact portions corresponding to the plurality of contact members 26d are mounted on a predetermined portion on the outer peripheral surface (fixed portion) on the main frame 22 side, facing the plurality of contact members 26d. A part of the flexible printed circuit board 61 provided above is fixed. As described above, the flexible printed circuit board 61 constitutes a part of the zoom mode position detecting means and also constitutes a part of the zoom ring position detecting means.

  Of the electrical contact portions of the flexible printed circuit board 61, the electrical contact portion related to the zoom ring position detecting means is provided in a region 61y shown in FIG. 16, and is an electrical contact portion indicated by reference numerals 61e, 61f, 61g, 61h.

  With this configuration, when the electric zoom interlocking member 26 rotates in the same direction in conjunction with the rotation of the zoom ring 24 around the optical axis O, the tip contact portions of the plurality of contact members 26d of the electric zoom interlocking member 26 are It contacts a predetermined part of the plurality of electrical contact portions (61e, 61f, 61g, 61h) on the flexible printed circuit board 61. In this case, the combination of the contact between the plurality of contact members 26d and the plurality of electrical contact portions 61e, 61f, 61g, 61h differs depending on the position of the zoom ring 24, and therefore the rotation around the optical axis O of the zoom ring 24 is different. The position in the moving direction can be detected.

  With the above configuration, the plurality of contact members 26d of the electric zoom interlocking member 26 and the plurality of electrical contact portions 61e, 61f, 61g, 61h of the region 61y of the flexible printed circuit board 61 fixed to the main frame 22 side, A slide encoder that functions as zoom ring position detecting means for detecting the position of the zoom ring 24 around the optical axis O in the rotation direction and realizing the function of detecting the rotation position of the zoom ring 24 is configured.

  In other words, the electric zoom interlocking member 26 having the plurality of contact members 26d is a predetermined one of the plurality of electrical contact portions 61e, 61f, 61g, 61h of the flexible printed circuit board 61 fixed to the main frame 22 side. It functions as a part of the zoom ring position detecting means for detecting the position of the zoom ring 24 in the rotation direction around the optical axis O in contact with the part.

  Then, the position information of the zoom ring 24 detected as described above is transmitted to the control circuit 28x (FIG. 34) of the lens barrel main substrate 28, and the control circuit 28x receiving this information receives 3 Each of the group motor 41 and the fourth group motor 42 is drive-controlled to execute drive control such as a zooming direction and a zooming speed during an electric zooming operation.

  For example, FIG. 16 shows an example of the plurality of electrical contact patterns of the flexible printed circuit board 61 constituting a part of the zoom ring position detecting means. In FIG. 16, the arrangement of the electric zoom interlocking member 26 and the plurality of contact members 26d provided for the flexible printed board 61 is conceptually indicated by a virtual line (two-dot chain line).

  The contact member 26d moves with respect to the flexible printed circuit board 61 in the direction of the arrow R shown in FIG. 16 (the rotation direction around the optical axis O). Further, when the zoom ring 24 is in the neutral position in the direction along the arrow R, when the zoom ring 24 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R1, zooming from the neutral position to the long focal length side is performed. When rotating in the R2 direction, zooming from the neutral position to the short focal length side is performed.

  With this configuration, when the zoom ring 24 rotates around the optical axis O, the plurality of contact members 26d of the electric zoom interlocking member 26 with respect to the mounting surface of the flexible printed circuit board 61 fixed to the main frame 22 are It is configured to slide in the direction of arrow R in the figure.

  Then, for example, when all of the plurality of contact members 26d are positioned within a predetermined range including the line indicated by the symbol C in FIG. 16, the focus is substantially in the middle of the zooming range that can be set in the lens barrel 1. It is detected that the position corresponds to the distance. Note that the position indicated by the symbol C in FIG. 16 is the zooming neutral position. The zooming neutral position is an intermediate focal length set in advance for each lens barrel as a product. In this state (the state in which the contact member 26d is in the zooming neutral position (reference numeral C in FIG. 16)), as described above, the zoom ring 24 is neutralized by the action of the elastic force of the coil spring 26c of the electric zoom interlocking member 26. Corresponds to the position.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, one of the contact members 26d is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61e, the other one is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61h, and one of the other contact members 26d is When the zoom ring 24 is not in contact with the electrical contact portion, the zoom ring 24 is detected as a position corresponding to the zooming neutral position.

  Further, when the zoom ring 24 is in the zooming neutral position, it is rotated by the rotation operation of the user, and the plurality of contact members 26d are moved in the direction of the arrow R1 in FIG. Are disposed within a predetermined range including any of the lines indicated by reference numerals TL, TM, and TH in FIG. 16, the zooming range that can be set in the lens barrel 1 is longer than the zooming neutral position. It is detected that the zoom ring 24 is rotated toward the focal length side (in the direction of the arrow R1) (detection of the rotation direction). It should be noted that the magnitude of the rotation angle of the zoom ring 24 can be detected by detecting the positions of the symbols TL, TM, and TH. Here, the rotation angle of the zoom ring 24 is set so as to correspond to the order of the positions TL, TM, and TH as the rotation operation is increased (detection of the relative rotation amount). Note that the rotation angle of the zoom ring 24 in the electric zoom mode is set, for example, to an angle of about ± 10 degrees to 15 degrees.

  For example, when all of the plurality of contact members 26d are positioned within a predetermined range including a line indicated by reference numeral TL, the zoom ring 24 moves from the zooming neutral position (reference numeral C) toward the long focal length side (arrow R1). It is detected that the rotation angle is small and the rotation angle is small. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, when one of the contact members 26d is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61e, the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61f, and the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61h. The zoom ring 24 is detected to be rotated at a “small” angle toward the long focal length side (in the direction of the arrow R1). At this time, the control circuit 28x (FIG. 34) performs control to drive-control zooming in the long focal direction by low-speed driving.

  When any of the plurality of contact members 26d is positioned within a predetermined range including a line indicated by the symbol TM, the zoom ring 24 moves from the zooming neutral position (reference C) toward the long focal length side (arrow R1). It is detected that the rotation angle is in the middle. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, one of the contact members 26d is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61e, the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61f, and another contact member 26d is in contact with any of the electrical contact portions. When the zoom ring 24 is not in the state, it is detected that the rotation angle of the zoom ring 24 is turned at the “medium” angle toward the long focal length side (in the direction of the arrow R1). At this time, the control circuit 28x (FIG. 34) performs control to control the zooming in the long focal direction by the medium speed drive at a higher speed than the “low speed drive”.

  Further, when any of the plurality of contact members 26d is positioned within a predetermined range including a line indicated by reference symbol TH, the zoom ring 24 is directed from the zooming neutral position (reference symbol C) toward the long focal length side (arrow R1). It is detected that the rotation angle is large and the rotation angle is large. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, when one of the contact members 26d is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61e, the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61f, and the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61g. The zoom ring 24 is detected to be rotated at a “large” angle toward the long focal length side (in the direction of the arrow R1). At this time, the control circuit 28x (FIG. 34) performs control for controlling the zooming in the long focal direction by high-speed driving at a higher speed than the “medium-speed driving”.

  On the other hand, the plurality of contact members 26d are slid in the direction of the arrow R2 in FIG. When all of 26d are arranged within a predetermined range including any of the lines indicated by reference numerals WL, WM, and WH in FIG. 16, the zooming position within the settable zooming range of the lens barrel 1 is more than the zooming neutral position. It is detected that the zoom ring 24 is rotated toward the short focal length side (in the direction of the arrow R2) (detection of the rotation direction). It should be noted that the size of the rotation angle of the zoom ring 24 can be detected by detecting the positions of the symbols WL, WM, and WH. Here, the rotation angle of the zoom ring 24 is set so as to correspond to the respective positions of the symbols WL, WM, and WH as the rotation operation is increased (detection of relative rotation amount).

  For example, when all of the plurality of contact members 26d are positioned within a predetermined range including a line indicated by reference numeral WL, the zoom ring 24 moves from the zooming neutral position (reference C) toward the short focal length side (arrow R2). It is detected that the rotation angle is “small”. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, when one of the contact members 26d is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61e, the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61g, and the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61h. The zoom ring 24 is detected to be rotated at a “small” angle toward the short focal length side (in the direction of the arrow R2). At this time, the control circuit 28x (FIG. 34) performs control to control the zooming in the short focus direction by "low speed driving".

  When any of the plurality of contact members 26d is positioned within a predetermined range including a line indicated by reference numeral WM, the zoom ring 24 moves from the zooming neutral position (reference numeral C) toward the short focal length side (arrow R2). It is detected that the rotation angle is “medium”. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, one contact member 26d is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61e, the other is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61g, and another contact member 26d is in contact with any electrical contact portion. When the zoom ring 24 is not in the state, it is detected that the rotation angle of the zoom ring 24 is rotated at the “medium” angle toward the short focal length side. At this time, the control circuit 28x (FIG. 34) performs control to control the zooming in the short focus direction at a higher speed “medium speed drive” than the “low speed drive”.

  Further, when any of the plurality of contact members 26d is positioned within a predetermined range including a line indicated by reference symbol WH, the zoom ring 24 is directed from the zooming neutral position (reference symbol C) toward the short focal length side (arrow R2). It is detected that the rotation angle is “large”. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, one of the contact members 26d is in contact with the electrical contact portion 61e, and the other two contact members 26d are not in contact with any electrical contact portion. At this time, it is detected that the rotation angle of the zoom ring 24 is rotated by the “large” angle toward the short focal length side. At this time, the control circuit 28x (FIG. 34) performs control to control the zooming in the short focus direction at a higher speed "high speed driving" than the above "medium speed driving".

  As described above, in the present lens barrel 1, each mode of the electric zoom mode, the manual zoom mode, and the macro mode is performed when the user slides the zoom ring 24 in the direction along the optical axis O by manual operation. It is possible to perform a switching operation between them. Accordingly, for example, if the zoom ring 24 is inadvertently slid while using a camera (not shown) equipped with the lens barrel 1, the setting is switched to a different setting against the user's intended use. Will end up.

  Therefore, in the present lens barrel 1, when each zoom mode or macro mode is set, the movement of the zoom ring 24 in the optical axis direction is restricted or allowed according to each setting mode, and each zoom mode and Zoom operation switching means for switching between macro modes is provided.

  In the lens barrel 1, the zoom operation switching means is one of the operation members 27 a provided on the exterior ring 27 of the exterior unit 2 and the optical axis direction of the zoom ring 24 in conjunction with the pressing operation of the operation member 27 a. The zoom ring locking member 64 that restricts or allows the movement of the zoom ring locking member 64 and the locking member holding portion 22e that holds the zoom ring locking member 64 are mainly configured.

  In the lens barrel 1, two operation members 27a are provided as described above. Of these two operation members 27a, one is an operation member that performs a focus-related operation mode switching operation, and the other is an operation member included in the zoom operation switching means. Since the present invention relates to a configuration particularly related to the zoom operation, in the following description, only the operation member 27a as a part of the zoom operation switching means will be described in detail, and the other operation members 27a will not be described. Omitted.

  FIGS. 29 to 33 are enlarged cross-sectional views showing the main parts of the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment, in which the cross section of the part where the zoom ring 24 and the operation member 27a are disposed is enlarged. In each of these drawings, only the zoom ring 24, the operation member 27a, and members related thereto are shown, and the other members are not shown in order to simplify the configuration of the part.

  Of these, FIGS. 29 and 30 show the arrangement of each member in a normal use mode (a mode in which the electric zoom mode and the manual zoom mode are switched to each other) set by the zoom operation switching means. FIG. FIG. 30 shows a state where the electric zoom mode is set, and FIG. 30 shows a state where the manual zoom mode is set. 29 and 30, the operation member 27a of the zoom operation switching means is not pushed.

  FIGS. 31 and 32 show the arrangement of members in a second usage mode (a mode in which the motorized zoom mode and the macro mode are switched to each other) set by the zoom operation switching means. FIG. FIG. 32 shows a state where the zoom mode is set, and FIG. 32 shows a state where the macro mode is set. 30 and 31, the operation member 27a of the zoom operation switching means is being pushed.

  FIG. 33 shows each member arrangement in the third usage mode (a mode in which the manual zoom mode and the macro mode are switched to each other) set by the zoom operation switching means, and FIG. 33 shows the manual zoom mode. Indicates the set state. In the state of FIG. 33, the operation member 27a of the zoom operation switching means has been returned.

  The operation member 27a is an operation member provided on the exterior ring 27 and the main frame 22 of the exterior unit 2 as described above. The operating member 27a is a pressing type operating member in which the user performs a pressing operation with a finger or the like from the outside. In the present lens barrel 1, the pressing direction of the operation member 27a is, for example, an arrow W direction shown in FIG. 29 and the like, that is, a direction orthogonal to the optical axis O. The operating member 27a is always urged outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 27.

  The zoom ring locking member 64 is configured to move in the same direction as the pressing direction of the operating member 27a in conjunction with the pressing operation of the operating member 27a. The zoom ring locking member 64 is held by a locking member holding portion 22e formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface near the rear end of the main frame 22. The zoom ring locking member 64 is housed and held in the locking member holding portion 22e so as to be movable in the same direction as the pressing direction of the operation member 27a. The zoom ring locking member 64 is constantly biased from the locking member holding portion 22e toward the outside by a biasing member 64c such as a coil spring.

  In other words, the zoom ring locking member 64 is movably disposed so as to protrude and retract with respect to the movement path of the slide member 25 that slides in the same direction together with the zoom ring 24. That is, the zoom ring locking member 64 protrudes in the movement path of the slide member 25 and locks the slide movement of the slide member 25, and retracts from the movement path of the slide member 25 to slide the slide member 25. It is movable between a retreat position that allows movement.

  In the present lens barrel 1, the zoom ring 24 is disposed at the zoom neutral position corresponding to the electric zoom mode (this state is referred to as a normal state), and the operation member 27 a is pressed. In the absence, as shown in FIG. 29, the zoom ring locking member 64 is disposed at the locking position protruding on the slide movement path of the slide member 25.

  In this state, at the locking point indicated by reference numeral P2 in FIG. 29, the second locked portion 25y near the rear end of the slide member 25 and the locking portion 64b near the rear end of the zoom ring locking member 64 are mutually connected. By abutting, the slide movement of the zoom ring 24 and the slide member 25 in the direction of the arrow X1 in FIG. 29 is locked. Thereby, switching from the electric zoom mode to the macro mode is locked.

  On the other hand, from the state shown in FIG. 29 (electric zoom mode state), the zoom ring 24 and the slide member 25 are slid in the direction of arrow X2 in FIG. 29 to switch to the state shown in FIG. 30 (manual zoom mode state). Is allowed. Further, in this state, the first locked portion 25x near the front end of the slide member 25 and the lock portion 64a near the front end of the zoom ring locking member 64 are mutually connected at the locking point indicated by reference numeral P1 in FIG. By abutting, the sliding movement of the zoom ring 24 and the slide member 25 in the direction of the arrow X2 in FIG. 30 is locked. Thereby, the zoom ring 24 and the slide member 25 are further prevented from moving backward from the manual zoom mode.

  Thus, in the state shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the zoom ring locking member 64 locks the movement of the slide member 25 in the direction of switching to the macro mode among the sliding movements of the slide member 25, so that the normal use, that is, the electric zoom. The mode and the manual zoom mode can be switched arbitrarily. At the same time, since switching to the macro mode, which is different from the normal use mode, is in a locked state, it is not inadvertently performed against the user's intention. .

  Next, in the state shown in FIG. 29 described above, while the operation member 27a is pressed in the direction of arrow W and the state is maintained, the zoom ring locking member 64 is moved to the slide member 25 as shown in FIG. Move to the retracted position retracted from the slide movement path. Thereby, at the locking point P2 shown in FIG. 31, the locking portion 64b of the zoom ring locking member 64 is retracted from the slide movement path of the slide member 25, so that the second locked portion 25y of the slide member 25 is moved. The locked state is released. Therefore, the zoom ring 24 and the slide member 25 can be slid in the direction of the arrow X1 in FIG. 31, and can be arranged at positions corresponding to the macro mode shown in FIG.

  When the state shown in FIG. 32 (macro mode state) is reached, the third locked portion 25w formed in the middle of the slide member 25 contacts the locking portion 64a of the zoom ring locking member 64. As a result, the sliding movement of the sliding member 25 in the direction of the arrow X1 is stopped. Thereby, the movement of the zoom ring 24 and the slide member 25 in the arrow X1 direction is further restricted from the position corresponding to the macro mode.

  When the macro mode state is set in this way, the comb-like portion 24b of the zoom ring 24 has a comb-tooth engaged portion 22g (formed at a position near the tip on the outer peripheral surface of the main frame 22). (See FIG. 3). By this meshing, the zoom ring 24 is configured to be restricted from rotating around the optical axis O. This is because the lens barrel 1 adopts a specification configuration in which the zooming operation is restricted and the focal length is fixedly set when the macro mode is set.

  Then, when the zoom ring 24 is slid in the arrow X2 direction from the state shown in FIG. 32 (macro mode state), the first locked portion 25x of the slide member 25 has the zoom ring locking member 64. It can move to a position corresponding to the manual zoom mode shown in FIG. 33 until it comes into contact with the locking portion 64a, that is, past the position corresponding to the electric zoom mode which is the zoom neutral position. By the sliding movement of the slide member 25, the second locked portion 25y of the slide member 25 is disposed at a position away from the locking portion 64b of the zoom ring locking member 64, so that the zoom ring locking member 64 is The urging force of the urging member 64c returns to the protruding position. Thus, when the macro mode is shifted to the manual zoom mode, the zoom ring locking member 64 is in a state of restricting the sliding movement of the slide member 25 in the arrow X1 direction.

  The outline of the electrical components in the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above is as shown in the block diagram of FIG. FIG. 34 shows only the components related to the zooming operation among the electrical components in the lens barrel 1, and the illustration of the other components not related to the present invention is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 34, the electrical control in the lens barrel 1 is centralized by a control circuit 28x mounted on the lens barrel main board 28. A motor driver 28 y is provided in the lens barrel main substrate 28. The motor driver 28y is under the control of the control circuit 28x, and controls the driving of the third group motor 41, the fourth group motor 42, etc., which are drive sources contributing to zooming.

  Further, the control circuit 28x detects the positions of the third lens frame 33 and the fourth lens frame 34 that respectively hold the lens groups (third lens group 33a and fourth lens group 34a) that contribute to zooming. The detecting means (potentiometer 62) and the fourth group frame position detecting means (photo interrupter 63) are electrically connected.

  The control circuit 28x is also electrically connected to the zoom mode position detecting means (25d, 61x) and the zoom ring position detecting means (26d, 61y) for detecting the position of the zoom ring 24 in the optical axis direction and the rotational direction, respectively. ing.

  With such a configuration, the control circuit 28x, for example, based on the detection results from the zoom position detection means and the zoom ring position detection means, the zoom mode setting state by the zoom ring 24, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the zoom ring 24, etc. Is detected. Based on the detection result, operation control corresponding to each zoom mode is executed.

  In short, the control circuit 28x is configured to operate the third group motor in conjunction with the rotation of the zoom ring 24 when the zoom ring 24 (external rotation operation ring) is in the electric zoom mode (second state; first position). 41 (stepping motor) and control means for driving and controlling the fourth group motor 42. The control circuit 28x moves in the optical axis direction in conjunction with the rotation of the zoom ring 24 when the zoom ring 24 (external rotation operation ring) is in the manual zoom mode (first state; second position). This is a control means for driving and controlling the fourth group motor 42 in accordance with the position detection result of the third lens frame 33.

  For example, when it is detected by the zoom position detection means that the electric zoom mode is set, the motor driver 28y is turned on when the zoom ring 24 is rotated based on the detection result from the zoom ring position detection means. The third group motor 41 is driven and controlled, and the fourth group motor 42 is driven and controlled via the motor driver 28y based on the detection result of the third group frame position detecting means (62). Then, electric zooming control is performed such that drive stop control of the fourth group motor 42 is performed based on the detection result of the fourth group frame position detecting means (63).

  Next, in the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment, the operation when performing zooming will be briefly described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing an outline of a subroutine of zoom operation processing in the present lens barrel 1. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an outline of a subroutine of electric zoom processing in the zoom operation processing of FIG. FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an outline of a subroutine for manual zoom processing in the zoom operation processing of FIG.

First, an outline of zoom operation processing in the lens barrel 1 will be described.
In a state where the lens barrel 1 is mounted on a corresponding camera (not shown), it is assumed that the operation state of the camera is a power-on state and a photographing standby state. When the zoom ring 24 is rotated by the user in this state, the lens barrel 1 detects this rotation operation in a photographing main routine (main sequence) (not shown). The execution of the zoom operation processing subroutine of FIG. 35 is started.

  In step S11 of FIG. 35, the control circuit 28x receives the signal from the zoom mode position detecting means (the contact member 25d of the slide member 25, the electric contact portion of the area 61x of the flexible printed circuit board 61) and the light of the zoom ring 24. Position detection in the direction along the axis O is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S12, the control circuit 28x checks whether or not the zoom ring 24 is set to the electric zoom mode based on the detection result in step S11 described above. If it is detected that the zoom ring 24 is set to the electric zoom mode, the process proceeds to the next step S13. If it is detected that the zoom ring 24 is set to a mode other than the electric zoom mode, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S13, the control circuit 28x executes an electric zoom process corresponding to the electric zoom mode. Thereafter, the process returns to the original process of the main sequence (return). Details of the electric zoom process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S14, the control circuit 28x refers to the detection result in step S11 described above and checks whether or not the zoom ring 24 is set to the manual zoom mode. If it is detected that the zoom ring 24 is set to the manual zoom mode, the process proceeds to the next step S15. When it is detected that the zoom ring 24 is not set to the manual zoom mode, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S15, the control circuit 28x executes a manual zoom process corresponding to the manual zoom mode. Thereafter, the process returns to the original process of the main sequence (return). Details of this manual zoom processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S16, the control circuit 28x executes a macro process corresponding to the macro mode. Thereafter, the process returns to the original process of the main sequence (return). Since this macro processing is not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, the details of the process of step S13 in FIG. 35 described above, that is, the electric zoom process will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step S21, the control circuit 28x receives a signal from the zoom ring position detecting means (the contact member 26d of the electric zoom interlocking member 26, the electric contact portion of the area 61y of the flexible printed circuit board 61) and the light of the zoom ring 24 Position detection in the rotation direction around the axis O is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S22, the control circuit 28x determines whether or not the zoom ring 24 is set to the short focus position (wide position; see WLs WM and WH in FIG. 16) based on the detection result in step S21 described above. Confirm that. If it is detected that the zoom ring 24 is set to the short focus position (wide position), the process proceeds to the next step S23. If it is detected that the zoom ring 24 is located at a position other than the short focus position (see symbols TL, TM, and TH in FIG. 16), the process proceeds to the next step S24.

  In step S23, the control circuit 28x controls the drive of the third group motor 41 via the motor driver 28y, and executes a process of driving the third lens frame 33 in one direction (the direction in which the short focus is set). The driving amount, driving speed, and the like at this time are controlled according to the position detection result of the zoom ring 24 described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S24, the control circuit 28x controls the drive of the third group motor 41 via the motor driver 28y, and executes the process of driving the third lens frame 33 in the other direction (the direction in which the long focal point is set). To do. The driving amount, driving speed, and the like at this time are controlled according to the position detection result of the zoom ring 24 described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the control circuit 28x receives the output signal from the potentiometer 62 (third group frame position detecting means) and detects the position of the third lens frame 33 in the optical axis direction. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S26, the control circuit 28x applies a necessary pulse to the fourth group motor 42 through the motor driver 28y at a speed corresponding to the contact position between the contact member 26d and the electrical contact portions 61e, 61f, 61g, 61h, The fourth group motor 42 is driven and controlled, and the fourth lens frame 34 is driven to a position corresponding to the position information of the third lens frame 33 acquired in the process of step S25 described above. Thereafter, the process returns to the original process of the main sequence (return). At this time, if the zoom ring 24 is still rotationally displaced, the process returns to this subroutine.

  On the other hand, the details of the process in step S15 in FIG. 35 described above, that is, the manual zoom process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the case of manual zooming, the zoom ring 24 can be manually rotated by an arbitrary amount. Therefore, the screw 41b is rotated by the inner gear 24a of the zoom ring 24 via the gear box 23, and the third lens frame 33 is moved in the optical axis direction. Move to. In this state, first, in step S31, the control circuit 28x receives an output signal from the potentiometer 62 (third group frame position detecting means), and the position of the third lens frame 33 moved by manual operation in the optical axis direction. Is detected. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, the control circuit 28x drives and controls the fourth group motor 42 via the motor driver 28y, and the control circuit 28x performs the second control to the position corresponding to the position information of the third lens frame 33 acquired in the process of step S31. The four lens frame 34 is driven. Thereafter, the process returns to the original process of the main sequence (return).

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, a manual operation by manual operation can be reliably realized during zooming operation, and a lens barrel that realizes switching between manual operation and electric drive by a simple mechanism is provided. Can be provided.

  That is, the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment has a mode (first state) in which manual zoom operation can be performed by moving the zoom ring 24 (external rotation operation ring) in the optical axis direction, and zoom by electric drive. The mode (second state) in which the operation can be performed can be switched.

  In this case, when the zoom ring 24 is at a position (second position) corresponding to the manual zoom mode, the driving force from the outside by the manual rotation operation of the zoom ring 24 moves the third group frame via the gear box 23. Is transmitted to the mechanism. At this time, the driving force by the manual rotation operation of the zoom ring 24 can rotate the screw 41b in the same direction by rotating the motor gear 41d with a rotational torque greater than the detent torque of the third group motor 41. Then, the rotation of the screw 41b moves the third group nut 45 in the optical axis direction, and the third group nut 45 can move the third lens frame 33 in the optical axis direction. Then, the control circuit 28x (control means) moves the fourth lens frame 34 in the optical axis direction by drivingly controlling the fourth group motor 42 in accordance with the moving amount and moving direction of the third lens frame 33. Thereby, zooming by manual operation can be performed.

  On the other hand, when the zoom ring 24 is at a position (first position) corresponding to the electric zoom mode, the meshing between the gear box 23 and the motor gear 41d is released, so that the zoom ring 24 and the third group frame moving mechanism are not connected. The driving force transmission path is cut off. Therefore, the driving force from the outside by the manual rotation operation of the zoom ring 24 is not transmitted to the third group frame moving mechanism. In this state, the control circuit 28x (control means) moves the third lens frame 33 and the fourth lens frame 34 in the optical axis direction by drivingly controlling the third group motor 41 and the fourth group motor 42. Thus, electric zooming can be performed. In addition, in the electric zoom mode, the zooming speed and the zooming direction can be controlled by rotating the zoom ring 24 within a range of a predetermined rotation angle.

  In the above-described embodiment, the zoom ring 24, which is an operation member for zooming, is described as an example of the configuration of the external rotation operation ring. However, the configuration of the present invention is based on this configuration. There is no limit.

  For example, as another configuration example of the external rotation operation ring, it can be easily applied to a focus ring that is an operation member for performing focusing. In that case, a function for easily switching between manual focusing and electric focusing can be realized.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications can of course be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if several constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the above-described embodiment, if the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved and the effect of the invention can be obtained, this constituent requirement is deleted. The configured structure can be extracted as an invention.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a photographing apparatus such as a camera for photographing a still image and a moving image, but also in an apparatus having a plurality of operation means, for example, an operation means switching capable of switching between manual operation and electric drive. It can be widely applied to devices equipped with a mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lens barrel, 2 ... Exterior unit, 3 ... Lens barrel unit, 4 ... Front decoration frame, 21 ... Focus ring, 22 ... Main frame, 22a ... Position detection sensor, 23 ... Gear box, 24 ... Zoom ring, 24a ... inner gear, 25 ... slide member, 25a ... circumferential groove, 25b ... click groove, 25d ... contact member, 26 ... electric zoom interlocking member, 27 ... exterior ring, 27a ... operation member, 28 ... lens barrel main substrate, 28x ... control circuit, 28y ... motor driver circuit, 29 ... lens mount unit set, 31 ... first lens frame, 31a ... first lens group, 32 ... second lens frame, 32a ... second lens group, 33 ... third Lens frame 33a ... third lens group 34 ... fourth lens frame 34a ... fourth lens group 35 ... fifth lens frame 35a ... fifth lens group 36 ... front cover ring 37 ... front fixed frame , 38 ... Fixed frame, 41 ... 3 group motor, 41a ... bracket, 41b ... screw member, 41d ... motor gear, 42 ... 4 group motor, 43 ... focusing motor, 45 ... 3 group nut, 46 ... 4 group nut, 61 ... flexible printed circuit board , 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, 61f, 61g, 61h ... Electric contact part, 62 ... Potentiometer, 63 ... Photo interrupter, 236 ... Spur gear part, 251 ... Click ball, 252 ... Click spring

Claims (5)

In the zoom lens barrel,
A first moving frame that is driven to move in the direction of the optical axis;
A first motor for driving the first moving frame in the optical axis direction;
An external rotation operation ring movable to a first position and a second position on the optical axis by an external operation;
First driving means mechanically connected to the first motor and driven by rotation of the first motor or the external rotation operation ring to drive the first moving frame;
The first driving means can be mechanically connected to or disconnected from the first driving means, and at the time of the connection, the first moving frame is driven via the first driving means by the rotation of the external rotation operation ring. Second driving means for
Detection means for detecting rotation of the external rotation operation ring around the optical axis when the external rotation operation ring is in the first position;
Control means for driving the first motor in response to an output from the detection means when the external rotation operation ring is in the first position;
A zoom lens barrel characterized by comprising: A second motor;
A second moving frame driven in the optical axis direction by the second motor;
Further comprising
The control means receives the output from the detection means and drives the first motor and the second motor when the external rotation operation ring is in the first position,
2. The zoom lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein when the external rotation operation ring is in the second position and the external rotation operation ring is rotating, only the second motor is driven. 3. . The first driving means includes a screw provided on the output shaft of the first motor, a nut screwed into the screw and restricted in rotation, and a pinion gear provided on the screw,
The zoom lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the nut presses the second moving frame.   The second driving means is rotationally driven by a manual driving force from an internal gear included in the external rotation operation ring, and meshes with the pinion gear when the external rotation operation ring is in the second position. The zoom lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the zoom lens barrel includes a gear capable of rotationally driving the pinion gear.   The zoom lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gear of the second drive means drives the pinion gear at a higher speed.

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