JP2014197240A - Lens barrel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens barrel able to smoothly operate the drive of a movable lens relative to a cylindrical body with less force.SOLUTION: The lens barrel includes: a barrel body 10 having the cylindrical body 2 holding the movable lens and an output ring 4; and a lens drive operating member 5 for operating the drive of the movable lens. The lens drive operating member 5 includes: a lens operation ring 8 connected to the movable lens 31; and two connection levers 9 connected to the lens operation ring 8 and the output ring 4 respectively. The lens operation ring 8 is disposed so as to be rotatable around the axis of the cylindrical body 2 and immovable in the direction of the axis, and operates the drive of the movable lens 31 in the direction of the axis when the cylindrical body 2 is rotated. Also, the connection levers 9 are respectively disposed so as to maintain a predetermined distance from each other along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens barrel of a camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a lens barrel of a camera that can switch between an autofocus operation and a manual focus operation without any operation. For example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. This is a lens barrel body having a cylindrical body, a movable lens movably held in the cylindrical body, and a roller that is rotatably provided in the barrel body and is rolled in a state of being clamped with a constant urging force. A rolling roller holding member (output ring) holding a moving roller, and a single rod-shaped lens holder driving member (lens driving operation member) coupled to each of the movable lens and the output ring to drive the movable lens. The cam screw provided in the movable lens is inserted into the notch provided in the lens holder driving member via the cam groove provided in the cylindrical body. Then, by rotating the output ring by the operation of a motor provided in the lens barrel body or by manual operation, the lens holder driving member is interlocked accordingly, and the cam screw inserted into the notch is pressed during the movement. By moving the cam groove, the movable lens can be driven in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical body.

JP-A-6-11636

  However, in the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the rotational force of the output ring is transmitted to the movable lens by one rod-shaped lens holder driving member, there are many forces other than the rotational force on the output ring. The rolling roller's pressing state that rolls while being held with a constant urging force becomes unstable and the transmission efficiency is reduced, and the driving loss when driving the movable lens is large. On the other hand, there is a problem that a large force is required for driving operation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel capable of smoothly driving a movable lens with a small force with respect to a cylindrical body.

  In order to solve the above problems, a lens barrel according to an aspect of the present invention includes a barrel main body having a barrel, a movable lens that is held in the barrel so as to be movable in an axial direction, and rotated to the barrel main body. An output ring provided freely, and a lens driving operation member connected to each of the movable lens and the output ring, and the output ring is operated by an operation of a motor provided in the lens barrel body or a manual operation. The lens driving operation member is a lens barrel that drives the movable lens in the axial direction by rotating, and the lens driving operation member includes a cylindrical lens operation ring coupled to the movable lens. And at least two connecting members connected to the lens operating ring and the output ring, respectively, and the motor is disposed between the lens operating ring and the output ring. In the ring rotation, the movable lens can be driven in the axial direction when rotating with respect to the cylindrical body, and the connecting members are arranged so as to have a predetermined distance from each other along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. It is provided.

According to this configuration, the rotational force of the output ring is efficiently applied to the lens operating ring with little force other than the force in the rotational direction by at least two connecting members disposed along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. In addition to being able to transmit well, there is no drag other than the rotation direction on the output ring, and the lens operating ring can be smoothly rotated. Then, when the lens operation ring is rotated, the movable lens is driven to operate, and the movable lens can be smoothly driven by reducing the driving loss when driving the movable lens. Further, since the movable lens is driven by the rotatable lens operation ring, it is not necessary to provide a cam groove or the like in the cylinder as in the prior art, and the rigidity and accuracy of the cylinder can be improved. Furthermore, since the movable lens can be displaced only in the axial direction (optical axis direction) without rotating, the optical performance is stabilized. The connecting member and the lens operation ring may be integrated or separate.

  In addition, since the motor is installed between the lens operation ring and the output ring, the motor is disposed in the vicinity of the output ring, the member connecting the motor and the output ring can be made small, and the entire lens barrel can be made compact. Can be

  In another aspect, in the above-described lens barrel, an auto input ring connected to the motor and arranged to rotate around the axis of the cylinder, and the axis of the cylinder by the manual operation A manual input ring arranged so as to be able to rotate, and the output ring holds a rolling roller sandwiched between the automatic input ring and the manual input ring. In addition, when the rolling roller rolls with the rotation of the input ring for auto by the operation of the motor or with the rotation of the manual input ring by the manual operation, the rolling roller and the rolling roller It is comprised so that it can rotate around the axis | shaft of a cylinder.

  According to this configuration, when the rotational force is transmitted from the auto input ring or the manual input ring to the output ring by rolling of the rolling roller, no force other than the rotation direction is applied to the output ring. The pressing state is stable and the transmission efficiency can be maintained well.

  In another aspect, in the lens barrel described above, the motor is configured to include an output shaft, and the lens operation ring in the axial direction of the cylindrical body on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical body. It is installed between the output rings.

  According to this configuration, the motor can be disposed in the vicinity of the output ring, the member for connecting the two can be reduced, and the entire lens barrel can be reduced in size.

  In another aspect, in the above-described lens barrel, the lens barrel body further includes a control unit that is connected to the motor and controls the motor, and the control unit is configured such that the motor on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder body. It is installed in the circumferential direction side.

  According to this configuration, the electrical connection between the motor and the control unit can be facilitated, and can be easily manufactured at low cost, and the entire lens barrel can be reduced in size.

  In another aspect, in the above-described lens barrel, each of the connecting members is movable in the circumferential direction by a predetermined range on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical body when the output ring rotates, and the motor and the control unit are The connecting member is disposed in a non-movable region where the connecting member is not movable on the outer circumferential side of the cylindrical body.

  According to this configuration, the electrical connection between the motor and the control unit can be further facilitated, the arrangement space between the motor and the control unit can be reduced as much as possible, and the entire lens barrel can be further downsized.

In another aspect, in the above-described lens barrel, each of the connecting members is provided at a first piece extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical body and a first end of the first piece. The second piece has a T-shape, and the first end and the second end of the second piece are respectively fixed to the outer periphery of the lens operating ring, and the second end of the first piece. Further, an engaging portion that is rotatably engaged with the output ring is provided.

  According to this configuration, the connecting member can be attached to the lens operation ring in a stable state without rattling. Further, if the second piece is fixed to the lens operation ring while the engaging portion is engaged with the output ring, the dimensional error at the time of manufacturing the connecting member and the lens operation ring is absorbed. And can be easily attached. In addition, after being attached to the lens operation ring, it is possible to prevent the lens operation ring and the output ring from being over-constrained, and when the rotation is transmitted from the output ring to the lens operation ring, the driving loss is suppressed and the lens is operated with a small torque The operation ring can be rotated.

  Further, for example, if the end face (end face in the optical axis direction) of the second piece is positioned by a positioning portion provided in the lens operation ring to restrict the position and inclination of the connecting member in the optical axis direction, it is attached more accurately. Thus, play in the rotational direction and driving loss can be suppressed. In particular, the effect can be remarkably obtained by making the second piece long.

  In another aspect, in the lens barrel described above, the cylindrical body includes a long groove formed along an axial direction thereof, the movable lens includes a projecting piece that moves in the long groove, and the lens operation is performed. The ring includes a cam groove for moving the protruding piece so that the protruding piece can move in the long groove when the lens operation ring is rotated, and at least one second piece of the connecting member is It is arranged so as to straddle a part of the cam groove.

  According to this configuration, since at least one second piece of the connecting member is disposed so as to straddle a part of the cam groove, the cam groove becomes an obstacle to the second piece of the connecting member. Without being fixed to the lens operating ring, the axial length of the lens operating ring can be shortened, and the entire lens barrel can be reduced in size.

  In another aspect, in the lens barrel described above, the lens operation ring is held on the outer periphery of the cylinder.

  According to this configuration, since the connecting member can be disposed on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder and it is not necessary to cut out the cylinder, the rigidity, accuracy, and cost are excellent, and the assemblability can be improved. Furthermore, since the lens operation ring is held on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body, the diameter can be increased as compared with the case where the lens operation ring is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical body. When the cam groove for operating the projecting piece is provided, the cam pressure angle of the projecting piece with respect to the cam groove can be set small, and the driving torque can be reduced. Further, it is not necessary to provide a cutout for operating the interlocking member in the cylinder, and it is possible to ensure accuracy and rigidity and to manufacture at a low cost.

  In another aspect, in the above-described lens barrel, a first gear is provided on the output shaft of the motor, and the barrel main body is a ring that is coupled to the motor and the output ring so as to be interlocked with each other. The auto input ring is further provided on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical body so as to be rotatable about the axis of the cylindrical body, and is capable of meshing with the first gear. And a second gear formed over the entire circumference.

  According to this configuration, the rotational force of the motor can be efficiently transmitted to the auto input ring in a space-saving manner.

  The lens barrel of the present invention can smoothly drive the movable lens with a small force with respect to the cylinder.

It is a perspective view of the principal part of the lens-barrel of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state where a manual operation ring is removed from the lens barrel of FIG. 1. It is a disassembled perspective view of the principal part of a lens barrel. It is sectional drawing of the lens-barrel of FIG. It is an expanded view of the principal part of a lens barrel.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a lens barrel according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state where a manual operation ring is removed from the lens barrel of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a lens barrel. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the main part of the lens barrel. In addition, the X direction in FIGS. 1-5 is demonstrated as a front side.

  The lens barrel 1 of this embodiment includes a barrel main body 10 and a lens driving operation member 5 that drives and operates a movable lens 31 provided in the barrel main body 10. The lens barrel body 10 includes a cylindrical tube 2, an autofocus operation unit, a manual focus operation unit, lenses 31 and 32 held by the tube 2, and an output ring 4.

  A cylindrical cover 21 (shown in FIG. 4 and omitted in FIGS. 1 to 3) is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical body 2, and the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical body 2 is covered by the cover 21. It has been broken.

  The autofocus operation unit includes a motor 61, a control unit 62, and an auto input ring 63. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the motor 61 is composed of a bar-shaped ultrasonic motor having a stator 61a, a rotor 61b that is frictionally driven by the stator 61a, and an output shaft 61c that rotates as the rotor 61b is driven. Has been. The output shaft 61c includes a first gear 61d at the tip.

  The motor 61 configured as described above is installed in the motor installation portion 61e provided on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder 2 so that the output shaft 61c extends along the axial direction of the cylinder 2, and is attached to the cylinder 2. It is attached.

  For example, the control unit 62 is connected to the motor 61 so as to be energized to control the motor 61. The control unit 62 is disposed on the control installation unit 62a provided on the outer circumferential side of the cylinder 2 on the circumferential side of the motor installation unit 61e so as to be adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the motor 61. It is attached to the body 2. 1, 2, and 5, only the board of the control unit 62 is shown, and electronic components arranged on the board are omitted.

  In this way, the motor 61 and the control unit 62 are disposed close to each other and adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 2, so that electrical connection between them can be easily performed.

  The input ring 63 for auto is comprised from the cylindrical thing. In this embodiment, the auto input ring 63 includes a cylinder main body 63a and a gear ring 63b. The tube body 63a is provided with a flange 63c. The flange 63c includes a first roller rolling portion 63d on the front side of which a rolling roller 42b described later rolls.

  The gear ring 63b includes a second gear 63e that meshes with the first gear 61d of the output shaft 61c over the entire outer periphery. The gear ring 63b is mounted on the rear side of the cylinder body 63a so that the outer periphery of the cylinder body 63a is fitted into the inner periphery thereof.

  The auto input ring 63 configured as described above is received on the outer periphery of the cylinder 2 by an auto input ring receiving member 64 provided on the cylinder 2 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the cylinder 2. It is arranged.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, three auto input ring receiving members 64 are provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 2. The auto input ring receiving members 64 in this embodiment are each composed of a ball bearing, and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 2.

  The end face of the cylinder main body 63 a of the auto input ring 63 is received so as to abut on the auto input ring receiving member 64. Thereby, the auto input ring 63 is positioned in the axial direction (optical axis direction) with respect to the cylinder 2 by the auto input ring receiving member 64 and can be smoothly rotated with respect to the cylinder 2 at that position. It is said that. Note that the input ring receiving member 64 for auto is not limited to a form constituted by a ball bearing, but can be constituted by a pin or the like, and can be changed as appropriate.

  In this state, the second gear 63e and the first gear 61d of the auto input ring 63 are engaged with each other, and the auto input ring 63 rotates on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 2 as the first gear 61d rotates. It is like that. A reduction gear that meshes between the first gear and the second gear may be provided, and the reduction ratio may be arbitrarily set.

  In this embodiment, the auto input ring 63 is composed of the cylinder main body 63a and the gear main body 63a which is a separate body from the cylinder main body 63a. Can change.

  However, if the auto input ring 63 is composed of the cylinder main body 63a and the gear ring 63b as described above, the cylinder main body 63a carries out axial engagement including contact with a rolling roller 42b described later, Since only the gear connection is performed by the gear ring 63b, the accuracy of assembling the two parts is not required. Furthermore, if the cylinder main body 63a is formed of a metal member and the gear ring 63b is formed of a molded member, a small size, low cost and high accuracy can be obtained. This is advantageous.

  The manual focus operation unit includes a manual input ring 71 and a manual operation ring 72 as a manual drive operation member for operating the manual input ring 71. The manual input ring 71 is formed of a ring plate-like one, and includes a second roller rolling portion 71a on which a rolling roller 42b described later rolls on the rear surface. The manual input ring 71 is disposed on the front side of the auto input ring 63 in the axial direction of the cylinder 2 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the cylinder 2.

  The manual operation ring 72 is formed of a cylindrical shape, and includes an operation portion 72a formed of an integrally formed flange on the inner peripheral side. This operation part 72a is comprised from a ring-plate-shaped thing, and operates the manual input ring 71 via the biasing member 11 mentioned later from the manual input ring 71 from the front side.

  Next, the lens 3 will be described. The lens 3 of this embodiment includes a movable lens 31 that is movable with respect to the cylindrical body 2 and a fixed lens 32 that is not movable with respect to the cylindrical body 2.

  The movable lens 31 is composed of one lens or a plurality of lens groups. The movable lens 31 is held by a lens holding member 31a. The lens holding member 31a includes a cylindrical protrusion 31b.

  The lens holding member 31a is slidably fitted into the lens sliding groove 22 (long groove) provided along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 2 so that the protruding piece 31b is slidably inserted into the cylindrical body 2. It is held on the inner circumference. Thereby, the movable lens 31 is movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 2. In this state, the optical axis and the axis of the cylindrical body 2 coincide with each other, and the auto input ring 63 and the manual input ring 71 rotate around the optical axis around the optical axis.

  In this embodiment, the fixed lens 32 is held on the inner periphery of the cylindrical body 2 so as to be disposed on both the front and rear sides of the movable lens 31.

  The movable lens may be composed of a plurality of lenses that perform different operations. Moreover, the thing which does not provide the fixed lens 32 may be sufficient, and it can change suitably. Further, the number of the projecting pieces 31b and the lens sliding grooves 22 is not particularly limited, and may be constituted by one set, but a plurality of sets are preferably provided. More preferably, there are three sets each.

  Next, the output ring 4 will be described. The output ring 4 is composed of a cylindrical one. The output ring 4 is provided with at least three (three in this embodiment) interlocking members 42 held by the output ring 4.

  The interlocking member 42 interlocks the output ring 4 and the auto input ring 63 and interlocks the output ring 4 and the manual input ring 71. Each of the interlocking members 42 includes a roller shaft 42a, And a rolling roller 42b. Each rolling roller 42b is rotatably supported by the roller shaft 42a.

  Further, the roller shaft 42a that supports the rolling roller 42b is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the output ring 4 and the axial direction thereof is orthogonal to the axis of the cylindrical body 2 (perpendicular to the optical axis). Thus, it is attached to the output ring 4. Further, in this state, the rolling roller 42b protrudes in the axial direction from each of the front and rear end surfaces of the output ring 4 in the axial direction. Further, the three interlocking members 42 attached to the output ring 4 in this way are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the output ring 4.

  The output ring 4 configured as described above has an output ring 4 around the axis of the cylindrical body 2 with respect to the cylindrical body 2 between the auto input ring 63 and the manual input ring 71 in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 2. It arrange | positions at the outer peripheral side of the cylinder 2 so that it may rotate freely (around an optical axis).

  In this state, the rolling roller 42 b is disposed between the first roller rolling portion 63 d of the auto input ring 63 and the second roller rolling portion 71 a of the manual input ring 71, and the urging member 11 is sandwiched between the two in a pressurized state.

  More specifically, an urging member 11 made of a corrugated ring spring is provided between the operation portion 72a of the manual operation ring 72 and the manual input ring 71, and this urging member 11 allows manual input. The ring 71 is urged toward the flange 63c of the auto input ring 63 on the rear side.

  Due to this urging force, the second roller rolling portion 71a of the manual input ring 71 presses the rolling roller 42b, and the pressing roller causes the rolling roller 42b to press the first roller rolling portion 63d of the auto input ring 63. Is pressed. Thereby, the rolling roller 42b is clamped by the 1st roller rolling part 63d and the 2nd roller rolling part 71a in the state which applied the fixed urging | biasing force. The auto input ring 63 pressed by the rolling roller 42b is maintained in a state of being received by the auto input ring receiving member 64.

  Next, the lens driving operation member 5 will be described. The lens driving operation member 5 includes a cylindrical lens operation ring 8 connected to the movable lens, and a connection lever 9 as two connection members connected to the lens operation ring 8 and the output ring 4. Yes.

  The lens operation ring 8 is provided with two types of grooves, that is, three circumferential grooves 81 and three cam grooves 82. The circumferential groove 81 is for making the lens operation ring 8 rotatable around the axis of the cylindrical body 2 (around the optical axis) and immovable in the axial direction, and is provided at three positions in the circumferential direction on the rear side of the lens operation ring 8. Each circumferential groove 81 is constituted by a long hole-shaped member formed with a predetermined length along the circumferential direction.

  The cam grooves 82 are for driving the movable lens 31 in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 2 when the lens operation ring 8 is rotated. The cam grooves 82 are arranged at three locations in the vicinity of the circumferential grooves 81. Is formed at a predetermined length from between the two circumferential grooves 81, 81 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction at a predetermined angle with respect to the axial direction and the circumferential direction. It is composed of elongated elongated holes.

  The lens operating ring 8 is rotatably fitted on the outer peripheral side of the rear side of the cylindrical body 2, and the sliding piece 23 provided in the cylindrical body 2 is fitted in each of the circumferential grooves 81 so as to be relatively movable. Furthermore, the tip of the protruding piece 31b that has entered the lens sliding groove 22 is movably fitted in each of the cam grooves 82.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lens operating ring 8 of this embodiment is provided with a brush-type contact piece 83 for detecting the position of the cylindrical body 2, and the brush operating type when the lens operating ring 8 is rotated with respect to the cylindrical body 2. The contact piece 83 slides on the printed circuit board 24 provided on the cylindrical body 2.

  The printed circuit board 24 is connected to the control unit 62, and the control unit 62 controls the motor 61 based on the detected position information of the lens operating ring 8 with respect to the cylinder 2.

  In this embodiment, the lens operating ring 8 and the cylinder 2 are further provided with a pulse generator (not shown) so that finer control can be performed. By providing a detection device such as the brush-type contact piece 83 or a pulse generator on the lens operation ring 8 held with high accuracy by the cylindrical body 2, more accurate control can be performed.

  Each of the connecting levers 9 includes a long first piece 91 and a long second piece 92. The second piece 92 is integrally connected to the rear end (first end) of the first piece 91 so that the longitudinal direction thereof is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first piece 91. The two pieces 92 are made of a T-shaped metal thin plate.

  An engagement groove 91a as an engagement portion is provided at the front end (second end) of the first piece 91. The engagement groove 91 a is formed with a predetermined width and length from the front end surface of the first piece 91. A cylindrical engagement piece 43 provided on the output ring 4 is fitted into the engagement groove 91a, so that the front end of the first piece 91 is rotatably engaged with the output ring 4. It has become.

  The lens driving operation member and the output ring connected in this manner can be connected without backlash only in the rotational direction, and no restraining force is generated in the axial direction.

Fixing portions for fixing the second piece 92 to the lens operation ring 8 are provided at both ends (first end and second end) in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the fixing portion is configured by a bolt insertion hole 92 a through which the bolt 93 is passed.

  The connecting levers 9 configured in this way are arranged at equal intervals on the outer peripheral side of the lens operation ring 8 and the output ring 4 at a pitch of 180 ° in the circumferential direction. In addition, the rear end surface 92 b opposite to the output ring side of the second piece 92 is positioned in contact with the connecting member positioning portion 84 provided in the lens driving ring 8. Thereby, it is possible to regulate the tilt together with the positioning in the optical axis direction, to attach with high accuracy, and to suppress the rotation direction play and the driving loss.

  In this state, the longitudinal direction of the first piece 91 of each connecting lever 9 extends along the axial direction of the lens operation ring 8 and the output ring 4, and the engagement of the output ring 4 with the engagement groove 91a. The joining piece 43 is fitted and the output ring 4 and the connecting lever 9 are engaged.

  Further, a bolt 93 is passed through the bolt insertion hole 92a of the second piece 92 of each connecting lever 9, and the bolt 93 is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) provided in the lens operating ring 8, thereby The lens operating ring 8 and the connecting lever 9 are fixed.

  Further, the second piece 92 of the one connecting lever 9 is disposed so as to straddle part of the cam groove 82. As a result, the second piece 92 of the connecting lever 9 can be fixed to the lens operation ring 8 without the cam groove 82 interfering, the axial length of the lens operation ring 8 can be shortened, and the entire lens barrel can be made compact. Can be

  The connection lever 9 connected to the lens operation ring 8 and the output ring 4 in this way is connected to one of the connection levers 9 with the rotation of the lens operation ring 8 and the output ring 4 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. (What appears on the lower side in FIG. 1) moves from the position near the motor 62 in the counterclockwise direction on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical body 2, and the other connecting lever 9 (which appears on the upper side in FIG. 1). The range up to the position near the control unit 63 is movable. The motor 62 and the control unit 63 are installed in a non-movable region where the connecting lever 9 is not movable on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical body 2 and are disposed so as not to obstruct the movement of the connecting lever 9.

  When the connection lever 9 is attached to the output ring 4 and the lens operation ring 8, the bolt insertion hole 92 a of the second piece 92 of the connection lever 9 is fixed to the lens operation ring 8 by the bolt 93, and then the first piece 91. The engaging piece 43 of the output ring 4 may be inserted into the engaging groove 91a, but the engaging piece 43 of the output ring 4 is first inserted into the engaging groove 91a, and then the bolt of the second piece 92 is inserted. The insertion hole 92 a is fixed to the lens operation ring 8 with a bolt 93.

  Accordingly, the bolt insertion hole 92a and the screw hole of the lens operation ring 8 can be aligned and attached regardless of the manufacturing error of each member, the dimensional tolerance at the time of manufacturing, and the like, which is preferable. . Since the bolt insertion hole 92a of the second piece 92 can be fixed to the lens operation ring 8 by the bolt 93 after the engagement piece 43 of the output ring 4 is inserted into the engagement groove 91a, the output ring 4 and the lens operation ring 8 Can be performed after assembling to the cylindrical body 2, and can be easily assembled.

  Further, the connecting member and the lens operation ring are not limited to those in the form of being formed separately, but may be integrated and can be changed as appropriate. In the case where the connecting member and the lens operation ring are integrated, it is preferable that the connecting member and the lens operation ring are formed from an integrally formed molding member.

Next, the operation of the lens barrel 10 configured as described above will be described. When the movable lens 31 is moved by the autofocus operation unit, an autofocus switch (not shown) is turned on and operated. Thus, a voltage is applied to the motor 61 according to the control of the control unit 62, and accordingly, the rotor 61b rotates and the output shaft 61c rotates.

  As the output shaft 61c rotates, the auto input ring 63 meshed with the first gear 61d of the output shaft 61c rotates. Further, along with this rotation, the rolling roller 42b rolls on the first roller rolling portion 63d. At that time, the rolling roller 42 b is held between the first roller rolling portion 63 d and the second roller rolling portion 71 a of the manual input ring 71, and the manual input ring 71 is biased by the biasing member 11. Therefore, the rolling roller 42b revolves around the cylindrical body 2 while rotating, whereby the output ring 4 holding the rolling roller 42b rotates.

  Then, by the rotation of the output ring 4, the two connecting levers 9 are rotated around the axis of the cylinder, and the lens operation ring 8 is rotated. At this time, the two connecting levers 9 arranged at a pitch of 180 ° in the circumferential direction can efficiently transmit the rotational force of the output ring 4 to the lens operating ring 8 to rotate the lens operating ring 8.

  Further, by the rotation of the lens operating ring 8, the projecting piece 31b that has entered the lens sliding groove 22 of the cylindrical body 2 and the cam groove 82 of the lens operating ring 8 moves through these grooves 22, 82, thereby making it movable. The lens 31 moves in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 2.

  On the other hand, the manual operation ring 72 is manually rotated from this state. As a result, the manual input ring 71 rotates, and the rolling roller 42b rolls on the second roller rolling portion 71a. At that time, since the input ring 63 for auto that sandwiches the rolling roller 42b with the second roller rolling portion 71a cannot be rotated by meshing with the motor 61, the rolling roller 42b rotates around the cylindrical body 2 while rotating. Revolves and the entire output ring 4 rotates. Thereafter, as described above, the movable lever 31 can be driven in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 2 by rotating the lens operating ring 8 by rotating the connecting lever 9.

  By configuring as described above, the rotational force of the output ring is efficiently applied to the lens operating ring by the at least two connecting members disposed along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body without applying a force other than the rotational direction. Can be transmitted and rotated. Since the movable lens is driven during the rotation of the lens operation ring, it is possible to smoothly drive the movable lens with less driving loss when driving the movable lens. In addition, since the movable lens is driven by a rotatable lens operation ring, it is not necessary to rotate the movable lens and to provide a spiral notch as in the prior art, and the rigidity and accuracy of the cylinder can be improved. .

  In addition, by installing the motor on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder and between the lens operation ring and the output ring in the axial direction, the motor can be disposed at a position close to the output ring, and the two are connected. A member can be made small and the whole lens barrel can be miniaturized.

  In addition, by installing the control unit on the circumferential side of the motor on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder, the electrical connection between the motor and the control unit can be facilitated and can be easily manufactured at low cost, and the entire lens barrel can be manufactured. Can be downsized.

  In addition, by installing the motor and the control unit in the circumferential direction side of the connecting member on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder and the connecting member is not movable, the electrical connection between the motor and the control unit is further improved. In addition to making it easier, the arrangement space between the motor and the control unit can be minimized, and the entire lens barrel can be further reduced in size.

Further, the connecting member is a T-shaped member having a long first piece extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical body and a second piece extending orthogonally to the first piece. By configuring, the connecting member can be attached to the lens operation ring in a stable state without rattling. In addition, if the second piece is fixed to the lens operation ring in a state where the engaging portion of the first piece is engaged with the output ring, a dimensional error at the time of manufacturing the connecting member and the lens operation ring is absorbed. And can be easily attached. In addition, after being attached to the lens operation ring, there is almost no backlash in the rotational direction, and it is possible to prevent the lens operation ring and the output ring from being over-constrained. The lens operating ring can be rotated with a small rotational torque while suppressing driving loss.

  In addition, by configuring the lens operation ring to be held on the outer periphery of the cylinder, the diameter can be increased compared to the case where the lens operation ring is arranged on the inner periphery side of the cylinder, for example, the lens operation ring is movable to the lens operation ring When a cam groove for moving the lens protrusion is provided, the cam pressure angle of the protrusion relative to the cam groove can be set small, and the drive torque can be reduced.

  In addition, the auto input ring is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder so as to be rotatable around the axis, and the second gear is formed over the entire circumference so as to be able to mesh with the first gear. With this, the rotational force of the motor can be efficiently transmitted to the auto input ring in a small space.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the connection lever 9 is comprised from two, you may comprise from three or more and can change suitably. Further, the mutual positional relationship of the connecting levers 9 is not limited to the configuration in which the connecting levers 9 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction as in the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the rod-shaped ultrasonic motor was used as a motor, it is not restricted to the thing of this form, For example, a DC motor can also be used as a motor and can change suitably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lens barrel 2 Cylindrical body 4 Output ring 5 Lens drive operation member 8 Lens operation ring 9 Connecting lever 10 Lens body 31 Movable lens 42b Rolling roller 63 Auto input ring 63d 1st roller rolling part 71 Manual input ring 71a Second roller rolling part

Claims (9)

A barrel main body having a cylindrical body, a movable lens held in the cylindrical body so as to be movable in an axial direction, an output ring rotatably provided on the barrel main body, and each of the movable lens and the output ring A lens driving operation member connected thereto, and the output ring is rotated by an operation of a motor provided in the lens barrel body or a manual operation so that the lens driving operation member moves the movable lens in the axial direction. A lens barrel for driving operation,
The lens driving operation member includes a cylindrical lens operation ring connected to the movable lens, and at least two connection members connected to the lens operation ring and the output ring, respectively.
The motor is installed between the lens operation ring and the output ring,
The lens operating ring is operable to drive the movable lens in the axial direction when rotating with respect to the cylindrical body,
Each of the connecting members is disposed so as to have a predetermined distance along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. An auto input ring connected to the motor and arranged to rotate about the axis of the cylinder, and a manual input arranged to be rotated about the axis of the cylinder by the manual operation A ring, and
The output ring holds a rolling roller that is slidably held between the auto input ring and the manual input ring, and the rolling roller rotates the auto input ring by the operation of the motor. In addition, or when rolling with the rotation of the manual input ring by the manual operation, it is configured to be able to rotate around the axis of the cylindrical body together with the rolling roller. The lens barrel according to claim 1.   The motor includes an output shaft, and is disposed between the lens operation ring and the output ring in the axial direction of the cylinder on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder. The lens barrel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The lens barrel body further includes a control unit that is connected to the motor and controls the motor,
The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit is installed on a circumferential direction side of the motor on an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical body. Each of the connecting members is movable by a predetermined range in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical body when the output ring rotates,
The said motor and the said control part are the circumferential direction sides of the said connection member in the outer peripheral side of the said cylinder, Comprising: The said connection member is installed in the non-movable area | region which does not move. The lens barrel according to any one of 4. Each of the connecting members is composed of a T-shaped member having a first piece extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical body and a second piece provided at a first end of the first piece. And
The first end and the second end of the second piece are respectively fixed to the outer periphery of the lens operating ring,
The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an engagement portion that is rotatably engaged with the output ring is provided at a second end of the first piece. . The cylinder includes a long groove formed along an axial direction thereof,
The movable lens includes a projecting piece that moves in the long groove,
The lens operation ring includes a cam groove for moving the protrusion so that the protrusion can move in the long groove when the lens operation ring rotates.
The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein at least one second piece of the connecting member is disposed so as to straddle part of the cam groove. .   The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the lens operating ring is held on an outer periphery of the cylindrical body. A first gear is provided on the output shaft of the motor,
The lens barrel body further includes a ring-shaped auto input ring connected to the motor and the output ring so as to be interlocked with each other,
The auto input ring is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder so as to be rotatable about the axis of the cylinder, and is formed over the entire circumference so as to be able to mesh with the first gear. The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a second gear.

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