JP2016118728A - Lens barrel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens barrel that enables a setting of a non-transmission state of a rotation with respect to a rotation barrel, while achieving a highly accurate operation less in a load change and a strength securement of components.SOLUTION: A lens barrel has first to third rotation barrels that sequentially rotate and extend with respect to a stationary barrel, and causes an optical axis direction position of an optical element support member to be changed via the third rotation barrel. Between the first rotation barrel and the second rotation barrel, and between the second rotation barrel and the third rotation barrel, rotation transmission control units are provided respectively such that when the lens barrel is put into a photographing state from a storage state, the lens barrel is put into a rotation non-transmission state where the rotation is not transmitted to the rotation barrel in a next stage until the rotation barrel in a former stage reaches a prescribed amount of rotation since the rotation barrel therein starts to rotate, and transmits the rotation when the rotation barrel reaches the prescribed amount of rotation, and therefore respective rotation non-transmission states are caused to occur after a time delay. Rotation direction positions of the second rotation barrel and the third rotation barrel in the rotation non-transmission state are determined by a holding unit provided separately from the rotation transmission control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens barrel.

  Many multistage pay-out lens barrels have a structure in which a rotational force is sequentially transmitted by a plurality of rotary barrels when the barrel is extended or retracted. In the lens barrel of Patent Document 1, a retractable optical element that can be inserted into and removed from the optical axis is supported inside one of the plurality of rotating tubes, and the lens barrel is stored from the shooting state. When the state is reached, the retracting optical element is moved to a retracted position off the optical axis. The retracting optical element at the retracted position and the other optical elements are arranged side by side in the radial direction with the optical axis as the center, thereby realizing a thin lens barrel in the optical axis direction in the retracted state.

  In this type of lens barrel, the insertion / removal member is placed at an appropriate timing in order to prevent problems such as the insertion / removal member holding the retracting optical element interfering with other members during the transition operation between the storage state and the photographing state. Need to be inserted and removed. In the lens barrel of Patent Document 1, the insertion / removal operation of the insertion / removal member is performed in accordance with the position change in the optical axis direction, and the insertion / removal member is positioned forward (object side) from the predetermined position in the optical axis direction. The retracting optical element is inserted on the optical axis, and the retracting optical element is moved to the retracting position when the insertion / removal member is positioned rearward (image side) from the predetermined position. Then, with respect to a specific rotating cylinder that controls the position of the insertion / removal member in the optical axis direction, the rotational force is transmitted in the initial stage of the feeding operation from the stowed state and the stage after the middle of the stowing operation from the shooting state. Is provided (not rotating the rotating cylinder). This specific rotating cylinder is a cam cylinder having a cam groove formed on the peripheral surface, and the position of the insertion / removal member in the optical axis direction is changed according to the locus of the cam groove. Move in the direction of the optical axis. A storage recess is formed in the cam cylinder, and a part of the insertion / removal member enters the storage recess when the retracting optical element is moved to the retracted position. By preventing the cam cylinder from rotating within a predetermined range from the stored state, optimization of the timing of the insertion / removal operation of the insertion / removal member and prevention of interference of the insertion / removal member with respect to the cam cylinder are realized.

JP 2006-53444 A

  When setting a non-rotating state in which rotation transmission is not performed with respect to the rotating cylinder in the lens barrel, it is desirable to avoid as much adverse effects as possible with respect to conditions such as operation accuracy, driving efficiency, size and strength of the member. It is. In particular, in a lens barrel having a large number of feeding stages, members such as a rotating cylinder and a linear guide ring constituting each feeding stage are small, so a long circumferential groove is formed as an idling mechanism for obtaining a non-rotating state. Then, it may be difficult to secure the strength of the member. In addition, if a lens barrel with a large number of feed stages is concentrated on a specific feed stage to provide an idling mechanism, the load fluctuation when switching from the rotation non-transmission state to the rotation transmission state is large, and high-precision operation is realized. It becomes difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is capable of setting a rotation non-transmission state with respect to a rotating cylinder while realizing high-precision operation with little load fluctuation and securing of component strength. It is an object to provide a pay-out type lens barrel.

  When the lens barrel according to the present invention is changed from the housed state to the photographing state, the first lens barrel that moves to the object side in the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system while rotating with respect to the fixed tube, A second rotating cylinder that moves to the object side in the optical axis direction with respect to the first rotating cylinder while rotating with the first rotating cylinder, and a state in which the shooting state is changed from the stored state Supporting a third rotating cylinder that moves toward the object side in the optical axis direction with respect to the second rotating cylinder while rotating with the second rotating cylinder, and an optical element constituting the imaging optical system, At least one optical element support member that changes the position in the optical axis direction with respect to the third rotating cylinder by the rotation of the rotating cylinder, and is provided between the first rotating cylinder and the second rotating cylinder. The first rotation cylinder starts rotating and reaches a predetermined amount of rotation. A first rotation non-transmitting state in which rotation is not transmitted to the second rotating cylinder until then, a first rotation transmission control unit for transmitting the rotation of the first rotating cylinder to the second rotating cylinder; Provided between the rotating cylinder and the third rotating cylinder, and when the shooting state is changed from the housed state, the first rotation non-transmitting state is completed and the second rotating cylinder starts to rotate to a predetermined rotation. A second rotation non-transmitting state in which rotation is not transmitted to the third rotating cylinder until the amount is reached, and then a second rotation transmission control unit that transmits the rotation of the second rotating cylinder to the third rotating cylinder; A first holding unit that is provided separately from the first rotation transmission control unit and determines the rotational direction position of the second rotating cylinder in the first rotation non-transmission state, and is provided separately from the second rotation transmission control unit And a second holding portion that determines the rotational direction position of the third rotating cylinder in the second non-rotating state. To.

  As a specific configuration, the first rotation transmission control unit is slidably inserted into the first link groove formed in the first rotary cylinder and the first link groove formed in the second rotary cylinder. And the first transmission protrusion. The second rotation transmission control unit includes a second link groove formed in the second rotary cylinder, and a second transmission formed in the third rotary cylinder and slidably inserted into the second link groove. Consists of protrusions. Each of the first linkage groove and the second linkage groove has a non-transmission groove portion extending in the rotation direction of the first rotation tube and the second rotation tube, and a rotation transmission groove portion extending in the optical axis direction, When the first transmission protrusion is located in the non-transmission groove portion of the first linkage groove, the first rotation non-transmission state is established, and when the second transmission projection is located in the non-transmission groove portion of the second linkage groove. The second rotation non-transmission state is entered.

  A first linear movement ring guided so as to be linearly movable in the optical axis direction and moving in the optical axis direction together with the first rotary cylinder, and an optical axis guided so as to be linearly movable in the optical axis direction and along with the second rotary cylinder A first guide groove including a second rectilinear moving ring that moves in the direction and an inclined portion that is formed in the first rectilinear moving ring and is inclined with respect to both the optical axis direction and the rotation direction of the first rotating cylinder. And a second guide groove that is formed in the second rectilinear moving ring and includes an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to both the optical axis direction and the rotation direction of the second rotary cylinder, and is formed in the second rotary cylinder. A first guide protrusion that is slidably inserted into the first guide groove, and a second guide protrusion that is formed in the third rotating cylinder and is slidably inserted into the second guide groove The first holding portion is constituted by the inclined portion of the first guide groove and the first guide projection, and the second guide The inclined portion and the second guide protrusions may constitute a second retaining portion.

  The lens barrel of the present invention can be used for any application in a state in which the second rotary barrel and the third rotary barrel do not rotate, but the following lens barrel is particularly applicable. Is preferred. The optical element support member is a moving ring that has a retractable optical element that can be inserted into and removed from the optical axis of the imaging optical system and is guided so as to move straight in the optical axis direction. The third rotary cylinder has a cam groove at least on the inner peripheral surface, and the moving ring has a cam follower that is slidably inserted into the cam groove. When the third rotary cylinder rotates, the cam follower is guided to the cam groove. Thus, the position of the moving ring in the optical axis direction with respect to the third rotating cylinder changes. The retracting optical element is supported by an insertion / removal member supported so as to be swingable about an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis with respect to the moving ring. The insertion / removal member is set in the insertion / removal direction by the insertion / removal operation means, and when the moving ring is positioned on the object side with respect to the predetermined position in the optical axis direction, the retraction optical element is removed from the optical axis by the insertion / removal operation means. When the insertion / removal member is positioned at the retraction position for retraction, and the moving ring is positioned on the image side with respect to the predetermined position in the optical axis direction, the insertion / removal operation means inserts the retraction optical element into the insertion position for insertion on the optical axis. Position the removal member.

  The present invention is more suitable in the case where an accommodation recess for allowing a part of the insertion / removal member to enter when the insertion / removal member moves to the retracted position is formed inside the third rotary cylinder.

  According to the lens barrel of the present invention, there is no rotation relative to the next-stage rotary cylinder between the first rotary cylinder and the second rotary cylinder and between the second rotary cylinder and the third rotary cylinder. By providing the rotation transmission control unit including the transmission state, it is possible to realize a highly accurate operation with little load fluctuation and securing of the strength of the parts.

It is sectional drawing of the accommodation state of the zoom lens barrel to which this invention is applied. It is a disassembled perspective view of a part of component of a zoom lens barrel. It is a disassembled perspective view of a part of component of a zoom lens barrel. It is a disassembled perspective view of a part of component of a zoom lens barrel. It is a disassembled perspective view of a part of component of a zoom lens barrel. It is a disassembled perspective view of a part of component of a zoom lens barrel. FIG. 6 is an upper half sectional view of a zoom lens barrel in a stored state. It is an upper half sectional view at the wide end of the zoom lens barrel. It is an upper half sectional view at the tele end of the zoom lens barrel. It is an expansion | deployment top view of a fixed cylinder. It is an expansion | deployment top view of a 1st rectilinear guide ring. It is an expansion | deployment top view of a 2nd rectilinear advance guide ring. It is a development top view showing the relation between the 1st straight guide ring and the 1st delivery cylinder, (A) is a stowed state, (B) is a delivery start state, (C) is a wide end, (D) is a tele end. It is a relationship. It is an expansion | deployment top view which shows the relationship between a 2nd rectilinear guide ring and a 2nd delivery cylinder, (A) is a stowed state, (B) is a delivery start state, (C) is a wide end, (D) is a tele end. It is a relationship. It is a perspective view which shows the cam cylinder and 2nd lens group frame in the accommodation state. It is the figure which looked at the cam cylinder and 2nd lens group frame in the accommodation state from the optical axis direction back. It is a perspective view which shows the cam cylinder and the 2nd lens group frame in the middle of the extension or accommodation operation | movement of a zoom lens barrel. It is the figure which looked at the cam cylinder and the 2nd lens group frame in the middle of the extension or accommodation operation of a zoom lens barrel from the optical axis direction back. It is a perspective view which shows the cam cylinder and 2nd lens group frame in an imaging | photography state. It is the figure which looked at the cam cylinder and 2nd lens group frame in imaging | photography state from the optical axis direction back. It is a perspective view which shows a part of back plate in the accommodation state, the 2nd lens group frame, and the retracting lever. It is a block diagram which shows notionally a part of electrical system of a zoom lens barrel.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The zoom lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment is attached to a camera body (not shown). In the shooting state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first lens group LG1 and the shutter S are sequentially arranged from the object (subject) side. The imaging optical system is configured by the optical elements of the second lens group (retractable optical element) LG2, the third lens group LG3, the optical filter 21 (for example, an infrared cut filter), and the imaging element 20. A protective glass 4 is provided in front of the first lens group LG1. In the following description, the object side in the direction along the optical axis O of the imaging optical system is referred to as the front, and the image side is referred to as the rear. The optical axis direction means a direction parallel to the optical axis O (a direction along the optical axis O).

  The zoom lens barrel 1 has a fixed tube 9 and a back plate 23 as fixed members, and the back plate 23 is fixed to the rear portion of the fixed tube 9. The optical filter 21 and the image sensor 20 are fixed to the back plate 23 in a unitized state with the packing 22 interposed therebetween (see FIG. 2).

  The third lens group LG3 is supported by the third lens group frame 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the third lens group frame 6 has a pair of support arm portions 6b and 6c protruding in the outer diameter direction from a lens support cylinder 6a in which the third lens group LG3 is inserted and fixed. The front and rear ends of the third group guide shaft 50 (FIG. 3) with the axis line in the optical axis direction are fixed to the fixed cylinder 9 and the back plate 23, and the third lens group frame 6 is the tip of one support arm 6b. A guide shaft 50 is inserted into a guide hole formed in the vicinity, and is supported through the guide shaft 50 so as to be able to move straight in the optical axis direction. By inserting a protrusion formed at the tip of the other support arm portion 6c of the third lens group frame 6 into a rotation restricting groove (not shown in the figure) formed inside the fixed cylinder 9 and extending in the optical axis direction. The rotation of the third lens group frame 6 is restricted. As shown in FIG. 3, a third group biasing spring 51 and a focus motor unit 25 are supported on the fixed cylinder 9. The focus motor unit 25 includes a focus motor 25a and a nut 25b that is moved in the optical axis direction by the driving force of the focus motor 25a. The third lens group frame 6 is urged forward in the optical axis direction by the third group urging spring 51 and is in contact with the nut 25b. When the focus motor 25a is driven to move the nut 25b in the optical axis direction, the third lens group frame 6 moves in the optical axis direction in accordance with a change in the position of the nut 25b.

  On the inner side of the fixed cylinder 9, in addition to the third lens group frame 6 driven by the focus motor unit 25, a multistage that operates in the optical axis direction with respect to the fixed cylinder 9 using a zoom motor unit 26 (FIG. 2). The feeding step portion is supported. As shown in FIG. 2, the zoom motor unit 26 includes a zoom motor 26a, a zoom gear 26b, and a gear box 26c. The zoom gear 26b rotates the output shaft of the zoom motor 26a via a gear train in the gear box 26c. To communicate. The zoom gear 26 b is a long gear whose axis is directed in the optical axis direction, and is supported by the fixed cylinder 9 and the back plate 23. The zoom motor 26 a and the gear box 26 c are fixed to the fixed cylinder 9.

  A motor flexible substrate 52 (FIG. 3) is connected to the focus motor 25a and the zoom motor 26a. The motor flexible substrate 52 is connected to a control unit 60 (FIG. 22) that controls the zoom lens barrel 1, and the control unit 60 controls driving of the focus motor 25a and the zoom motor 26a.

  A plurality of guide grooves 9 a and a plurality of rectilinear guide grooves 9 b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 9 at different positions in the circumferential direction. Three guide grooves 9a are provided, and one of them is shown in FIGS. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the guide groove 9a has a first horizontal portion 9a-1, a lead portion 9a-2, and a second horizontal portion 9a-3 in order from the rear in the optical axis direction. The first horizontal portion 9a-1 and the second horizontal portion 9a-3 are grooves extending in the circumferential direction around the optical axis O, and the lead portion 9a-2 is inclined with respect to both the optical axis direction and the circumferential direction. It is a spiral groove. The rectilinear guide groove 9b is a linear groove extending in the optical axis direction. At the rear end portion of the first horizontal portion 9a-1, an opening portion 9a-4 for opening the guide groove 9a to the rear end surface of the fixed cylinder 9 is formed.

  The fixed cylinder 9 is further formed with a flexible substrate introduction hole 9c. As shown in FIG. 10, the flexible substrate introduction hole 9c is located between the two rectilinear guide grooves 9b in the circumferential direction, and is located behind the second horizontal portion 9a-3 of the guide groove 9a in the optical axis direction. ing. A flat-shaped flexible substrate support portion 9d is formed behind the flexible substrate introduction hole 9c in the optical axis direction.

  A first feeding cylinder (first rotating cylinder) 10 is located inside the fixed cylinder 9. A peripheral gear 10a (see FIGS. 1 and 7 to 9) that meshes with the zoom gear 26b is formed on the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the rear end of the first feeding cylinder 10, and a plurality (three) of the peripheral gear 10a are directed toward the outer diameter direction. Guide protrusions 10b are provided with different positions in the circumferential direction. Each guide projection 10b is slidably inserted into the guide groove 9a of the fixed cylinder 9. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the guide protrusion 10b has a pair of circumferential surfaces 10b-1 extending in the circumferential direction around the optical axis O in the front and rear, and the lead portion 9a-2 of the guide groove 9a. A pair of lead surfaces 10b-2 that are inclined substantially in parallel with each other are provided on both sides in the circumferential direction. When the guide protrusion 10b is positioned on the first horizontal portion 9a-1 and the second horizontal portion 9a-3 of the guide groove 9a, the pair of circumferential surfaces 10b-1 are the first horizontal portion 9a-1 and the second horizontal portion 9a. The guide protrusion 10b is guided so as to be movable in the circumferential direction upon receiving guidance from a pair of opposing surfaces that constitute -3. That is, the first feeding cylinder 10 performs fixed position rotation that does not change the position in the optical axis direction with respect to the fixed cylinder 9. When the guide protrusion 10b is positioned in the lead portion 9a-2 of the guide groove 9a, the pair of lead surfaces 10b-2 receives guidance from the pair of opposing surfaces constituting the lead portion 9a-2, and the guide protrusion 10b is the lead portion. It is guided so as to be movable along 9a-2. That is, the first feeding cylinder 10 performs forward / backward rotation that changes the position in the optical axis direction with respect to the fixed cylinder 9. Each guide projection 10b is inserted into the corresponding guide groove 9a through the opening 9a-4 in the assembly process of the zoom lens barrel 1.

  A plurality of coupling grooves 10 c and a plurality of linkage grooves (first rotation transmission control unit, first linkage groove) 10 d are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first feeding cylinder 10. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the coupling grooves 10c are formed at two positions with different positions in the optical axis direction, and each coupling groove 10c is a groove portion extending in the circumferential direction. Three linkage grooves 10d are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction, and one of them is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 13, the linkage groove 10d has a bent shape having an introduction part 10d-1, a horizontal part (non-transmission groove part) 10d-2, and a rotation transmission part (rotation transmission groove part) 10d-3 in order from the rear in the optical axis direction. I am doing. The introduction part 10d-1 and the rotation transmission part 10d-3 are grooves extending in the optical axis direction, and the horizontal part 10d-2 is a groove extending in the circumferential direction around the optical axis O. The introduction portion 10d-1 is open at the rear end surface of the first feeding cylinder 10.

  A first rectilinear guide ring (first rectilinear moving ring) 11 is located inside the first feeding cylinder 10. As shown in FIG. 4, near the rear end of the first rectilinear guide ring 11, a plurality of rectilinear guide protrusions 11a projecting in the outer diameter direction are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. Each rectilinear guide protrusion 11 a is slidably inserted into the rectilinear guide groove 9 b of the fixed cylinder 9. The first rectilinear guide ring 11 is provided with a plurality of coupling projections 11b on the outer peripheral surface in front of the rectilinear guide projection 11a. Each coupling projection 11b slides with respect to the coupling groove 10c of the first feeding cylinder 10. It is inserted movably. The first rectilinear guide ring 11 is guided so as to be linearly movable in the optical axis direction by the relationship between the rectilinear guide protrusion 11a and the rectilinear guide groove 9b. The first rectilinear guide ring 11 is also coupled so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the first feeding cylinder 10 and to move together in the optical axis direction due to the relationship between the coupling protrusion 11b and the coupling groove 10c.

  A plurality of rectilinear guide grooves 11c extending in the optical axis direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first rectilinear guide ring 11 at different positions in the circumferential direction. The first rectilinear guide ring 11 is formed with a plurality of guide grooves (first guide grooves) 11d penetrating in the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 4, three guide grooves 11d are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the guide groove 11d includes a first lead portion (first holding portion, inclined portion) 11d-1, a second lead portion 11d-2, and a first lead in order from the rear in the optical axis direction. It has a horizontal portion 11d-3, a third lead portion 11d-4, and a second horizontal portion 11d-5. At the rear end portion of the first lead portion 11d-1, an opening portion 11d-6 that opens the guide groove 11d to the rear end surface of the first rectilinear guide ring 11 is formed. The first horizontal portion 11d-3 and the second horizontal portion 11d-5 are groove portions extending in the circumferential direction around the optical axis O, and the first lead portion 11d-1, the second lead portion 11d-2, and the third lead. The portion 11d-4 is a spiral groove portion that is inclined with respect to both the optical axis direction and the circumferential direction. The second lead portion 11d-2 and the third lead portion 11d-4 have substantially the same inclination angle, and only the first lead portion 11d-1 has a different inclination angle. Specifically, the first lead portion 11d-1 has a smaller inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction and a larger inclination angle with respect to the circumferential direction than the second lead portion 11d-2 and the third lead portion 11d-4.

  A second feeding cylinder (second rotating cylinder) 12 is positioned inside the first linear guide ring 11. In the vicinity of the rear end of the second feeding cylinder 12, a plurality of guide protrusions (first holding portions, first guide protrusions) 12a protruding in the outer diameter direction are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. Three guide protrusions 12a are provided, two of which appear in FIG. Each guide protrusion 12a is slidably inserted into the guide groove 11d of the first rectilinear guide ring 11. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the guide protrusion 12 a has a pair of circumferential surfaces 12 a-1 extending in the circumferential direction around the optical axis O, and the first guide groove 11 d has a first groove. A pair of lead surfaces 12a-2 inclined substantially parallel to the lead portion 11d-1, and a pair of lead surfaces 12a inclined substantially parallel to the second lead portion 11d-2 and the third lead portion 11d-4 of the guide groove 11d. -3 on both sides in the circumferential direction. When the guide protrusion 12a is positioned in the first horizontal portion 11d-3 and the second horizontal portion 11d-5 of the guide groove 11d as shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D, a pair of circumferential surfaces 12a-1 is provided. Is guided by a pair of opposing surfaces constituting the first horizontal portion 11d-3 and the second horizontal portion 11d-5, and the guide protrusion 12a is guided to be movable in the circumferential direction. That is, the second feeding cylinder 12 performs fixed position rotation that does not change the position in the optical axis direction with respect to the first rectilinear guide ring 11. When the guide protrusion 12a is positioned on the first lead portion 11d-1 of the guide groove 11d as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the pair of lead surfaces 12a-2 defines the first lead portion 11d-1. The guide projection 12a is guided so as to be movable along the first lead portion 11d-1 upon receiving guidance from a pair of opposing surfaces. That is, the second feeding cylinder 12 performs forward / backward rotation that changes the position in the optical axis direction with respect to the first rectilinear guide ring 11. Further, when the guide protrusion 12a is positioned on the second lead portion 11d-2 and the third lead portion 11d-4 of the guide groove 11d, the pair of lead surfaces 12a-3 are formed on the second lead portion 11d-2 and the third lead portion. The guide projection 12a is guided so as to be movable along the second lead portion 11d-2 and the third lead portion 11d-4 upon receiving guidance from a pair of opposing surfaces constituting 11d-4. That is, the second feeding cylinder 12 performs forward / backward rotation that changes the position in the optical axis direction with respect to the first rectilinear guide ring 11. Note that the guide protrusion 12a is guided by the second lead portion 11d-2 and the third lead portion 11d-4 by the change in the inclination angle (lead angle) of the guide groove 11d with respect to the rotation direction of the second feeding cylinder 12. However, when the guide protrusion 12a is guided to the first lead portion 11d-1, the amount of movement in the optical axis direction per unit rotation angle of the second feeding cylinder 12 becomes larger. Each guide protrusion 12a is inserted into the corresponding guide groove 11d through the opening 11d-6 in the assembly process of the zoom lens barrel 1.

  A rotation transmission projection (first rotation transmission control unit, first transmission projection) 12b projects from each guide projection 12a of the second feeding cylinder 12 toward the outer diameter direction. The same number of rotation transmission protrusions 12b as the guide protrusions 12a (two appearing in FIG. 4) are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction, and each rotation transmission protrusion 12b is provided on the first feeding cylinder 10. It is slidably located in the linkage groove 10d. Each rotation transmission protrusion 12b is inserted into the linkage groove 10d through the introduction part 10d-1 in the assembly process of the zoom lens barrel 1. When the rotation transmitting projection 12b is positioned at the horizontal portion 10d-2 of the linkage groove 10d as shown in FIG. 13A, the rotation of the first feeding cylinder 10 is not transmitted to the second feeding cylinder 12, and FIG. ) Or FIG. 13D, when the rotation transmitting projection 12b is positioned at the rotation transmitting portion 10d-3 of the linkage groove 10d, the rotation of the first feeding cylinder 10 is transmitted to the second feeding cylinder 12 and the first The feeding cylinder 10 and the second feeding cylinder 12 rotate together.

  A plurality of coupling grooves 12 c and a plurality of linkage grooves (second rotation transmission control unit, second linkage groove) 12 d are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second feeding cylinder 12. The coupling grooves 12c are formed at two positions with different positions in the optical axis direction, and each coupling groove 12c is a groove portion extending in the circumferential direction. Three linkage grooves 12d are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction, and one of them is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 14, the linkage groove 12d has an introduction part 12d-1, a horizontal part (non-transmission groove part) 12d-2, and a rotation transmission part (rotation transmission groove part) 12d-3 in order from the rear in the optical axis direction. Yes. The introduction part 12d-1 and the rotation transmission part 12d-3 are grooves extending in the optical axis direction, and the horizontal part 12d-2 is a groove extending in the circumferential direction around the optical axis O. The introduction portion 12d-1 is open to the rear end surface of the second feeding cylinder 12.

  A second rectilinear guide ring (second rectilinear moving ring) 13 is located inside the second feeding cylinder 12. As shown in FIG. 4, near the rear end of the second rectilinear guide ring 13, a plurality of rectilinear guide protrusions 13a projecting in the outer diameter direction are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. Each rectilinear guide protrusion 13 a is slidably inserted into the rectilinear guide groove 11 c of the first rectilinear guide ring 11. The second rectilinear guide ring 13 is provided with a plurality of coupling projections 13b on the outer peripheral surface in front of the rectilinear guide projection 13a, and each coupling projection 13b slides with respect to the coupling groove 12c of the second feeding cylinder 12. It is inserted movably. The second rectilinear guide ring 13 is guided so as to be linearly movable in the optical axis direction by the relationship between the rectilinear guide protrusion 13a and the rectilinear guide groove 11c. The second rectilinear guide ring 13 is also coupled so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the second feeding cylinder 12 and to move together in the optical axis direction due to the relationship between the coupling protrusion 13b and the coupling groove 12c.

  A plurality of rectilinear guide grooves 13 c extending in the optical axis direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second rectilinear guide ring 13 at different positions in the circumferential direction. The second rectilinear guide ring 13 is formed with a plurality of guide grooves (second guide grooves) 13d penetrating in the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 4, three guide grooves 13d are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the guide groove 13d has a lead portion (second holding portion, inclined portion) 13d-1 and a horizontal portion 13d-2 in order from the rear in the optical axis direction. At the rear end portion of the lead portion 13d-1, an opening portion 13d-3 that opens the guide groove 13d to the rear end surface of the second rectilinear guide ring 13 is formed. The lead portion 13d-1 is a spiral groove portion that is inclined with respect to both the optical axis direction and the circumferential direction, and the horizontal portion 13d-2 is a groove portion that extends in the circumferential direction around the optical axis O.

  The second straight guide ring 13 is further formed with a flexible board introduction hole 13e. As shown in FIG. 12, the flexible substrate introduction hole 13e is located between the two rectilinear guide grooves 13c in the circumferential direction, and is located behind the horizontal portion 13d-2 of the guide groove 13d in the optical axis direction. . A flat-shaped flexible substrate support portion 13f is formed at the rear portion of the flexible substrate introduction hole 13e. The plurality of coupling protrusions 13b are formed at positions that do not overlap the flexible substrate introduction hole 13e and the flexible substrate support portion 13f.

  A cam cylinder (third rotary cylinder) 17 is positioned inside the second linear guide ring 13. Near the rear end of the cam cylinder 17, a plurality of guide protrusions (second holding portions, second guide protrusions) 17 a protruding in the outer diameter direction are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. Three guide protrusions 17a are provided, two of which appear in FIG. Each guide protrusion 17a is slidably inserted into the guide groove 13d of the second rectilinear guide ring 13. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the guide protrusion 17a has a pair of circumferential surfaces 17a-1 extending in the circumferential direction centered on the optical axis O, and the lead portion 13d-1 of the guide groove 13d. And a pair of lead surfaces 17a-2 inclined substantially parallel to each other on both sides in the circumferential direction. When the guide protrusion 17a is positioned in the horizontal portion 13d-2 of the guide groove 13d, the pair of circumferential surfaces 17a-1 receives guidance from the pair of opposed surfaces constituting the horizontal portion 13d-2, and the guide protrusion 17a is rotated around the guide portion 17a. Guided to move in the direction. That is, the cam cylinder 17 rotates at a fixed position without changing the position in the optical axis direction with respect to the second rectilinear guide ring 13. When the guide protrusion 17a is positioned on the lead portion 13d-1 of the guide groove 13d as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the pair of lead surfaces 17a-2 forms a pair of lead portions 13d-1. Upon receiving guidance from the opposing surface, the guide protrusion 17a is guided so as to be movable along the lead portion 13d-1. That is, the cam cylinder 17 performs forward / backward rotation that changes the position in the optical axis direction with respect to the second rectilinear guide ring 13. Each guide protrusion 17a is inserted into the corresponding guide groove 13d through the opening 13d-3 in the assembly process of the zoom lens barrel 1.

  A rotation transmission projection (second rotation transmission control unit, second transmission projection) 17b protrudes further from each guide projection 17a of the cam cylinder 17 in the outer diameter direction. The rotation transmission projections 17b are provided in the same number as the guide projections 17a (two appearing in FIG. 4) with different positions in the circumferential direction, and each rotation transmission projection 17b is provided on the second feeding cylinder 12. It is slidably located in the linkage groove 12d. Each rotation transmission protrusion 17b is inserted into the linkage groove 12d through the introduction portion 12d-1 in the assembly process of the zoom lens barrel 1. When the rotation transmitting projection 17b is positioned at the horizontal portion 12d-2 of the linkage groove 12d as shown in FIG. 14 (A), the rotation of the second feeding cylinder 12 is not transmitted to the cam cylinder 17, and FIG. When the rotation transmitting projection 17b is positioned at the rotation transmitting portion 12d-3 of the linking groove 12d as shown in FIG. 14D, the rotation of the second feeding cylinder 12 is transmitted to the cam cylinder 17 and the second feeding cylinder 12 and The cam cylinder 17 rotates together.

  A coupling groove 17 c extending in the circumferential direction is formed inside the cam cylinder 17, and a coupling groove 17 d extending in the circumferential direction is formed outside the cam cylinder 17. A plurality of first-group cam grooves CG1 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam cylinder 17, and a plurality of second-group cam grooves CG2 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cam cylinder 17. Four first-group cam grooves CG1 are formed at different positions in the circumferential direction. Three groups of cam grooves CG2 for the second group are formed in different positions in the circumferential direction, and each group is constituted by three partial cam grooves that constitute different areas of the locus of the cam groove CG2 for the second group. Has been. The coupling groove 17c and the coupling groove 17d are formed in a region on the rear side in the optical axis direction that does not interfere with the first group cam groove CG1 and the second group cam groove CG2 in the cam cylinder 17.

  A third rectilinear guide ring 15 is located inside the cam cylinder 17. As shown in FIG. 5, near the rear end of the third rectilinear guide ring 15, a plurality of rectilinear guide protrusions 15a projecting in the outer diameter direction are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. Each rectilinear guide protrusion 15 a is slidably inserted into the rectilinear guide groove 13 c of the second rectilinear guide ring 13. The third rectilinear guide ring 15 is provided with a plurality of coupling projections 15b on the outer peripheral surface in front of the rectilinear guide projection 15a, and each coupling projection 15b is slidable with respect to the coupling groove 17c of the cam cylinder 17. Inserted into. The third rectilinear guide ring 15 is guided so as to be linearly movable in the optical axis direction by the relationship between the rectilinear guide protrusion 15a and the rectilinear guide groove 13c. The third rectilinear guide ring 15 is also coupled so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the cam cylinder 17 and to move together in the optical axis direction by the relationship between the coupling protrusion 15b and the coupling groove 17c. The third rectilinear guide ring 15 is formed with a pair of key protrusions 15c protruding forward in the optical axis direction. A rectilinear guide groove 15d extending in the optical axis direction is formed inside each key protrusion 15c (FIG. 5).

  A second group support ring (optical element support member, moving ring) 18 is further positioned inside the cam cylinder 17. The second group support ring 18 has a pair of key grooves 18a extending in the optical axis direction, and linear guide protrusions 18b are formed in the key grooves 18a (FIG. 5). The key protrusion 15c of the third rectilinear guide ring 15 is inserted into each key groove 18a, and the rectilinear guide protrusion 18b in the key groove 18a is slidably inserted into the rectilinear guide groove 15d of the key protrusion 15c. On the outer peripheral surface of the second group support ring 18, a plurality of cam followers CF <b> 2 that are slidably inserted into the second group cam groove CG <b> 2 of the cam cylinder 17 are provided. Three sets of cam followers CF2 are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 5, each set of cam followers CF2 includes three protrusions having different positions in the optical axis direction. The second group support ring 18 is guided so as to be linearly movable in the optical axis direction via the straight guide protrusion 18b and the straight guide groove 15d, and the position of the cam follower CF2 in the second group cam groove CG2 by the rotation of the cam cylinder 17 Changes, the second group support ring 18 moves relative to the cam cylinder 17 in the optical axis direction.

  The third feeding cylinder 14 is positioned at a radial position between the second rectilinear guide ring 13 and the cam cylinder 17. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of rectilinear guide protrusions 14 a protruding in the outer diameter direction are provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the third feeding cylinder 14 at different positions in the circumferential direction. Each rectilinear guide protrusion 14 a is slidably inserted into the rectilinear guide groove 13 c of the second rectilinear guide ring 13. A plurality of coupling projections 14 b projecting in the inner diameter direction are provided near the rear end of the third feeding cylinder 14, and each coupling projection 14 b is slidably inserted into the coupling groove 17 d of the cam cylinder 17. The third feeding cylinder 14 is guided so as to be linearly movable in the optical axis direction by the relationship between the rectilinear guide protrusion 14a and the rectilinear guide groove 13c. The third feeding cylinder 14 is also coupled so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the cam cylinder 17 and move together in the optical axis direction by the relationship between the coupling protrusion 14b and the coupling groove 17d. A plurality of rectilinear guide grooves 14c extending in the optical axis direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the third feeding cylinder 14 at different positions in the circumferential direction.

  A fourth feeding cylinder (optical element support member) 16 is positioned at a radial position between the third feeding cylinder 14 and the cam cylinder 17. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of rectilinear guide protrusions 16 a that protrude in the outer diameter direction are provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the fourth feeding cylinder 16 at different positions in the circumferential direction. Each rectilinear guide protrusion 16a is slidably inserted into the rectilinear guide groove 14c of the third feeding cylinder 14. A plurality of cam followers CF <b> 1 that are slidably inserted into the first group cam groove CG <b> 1 of the cam cylinder 17 project from the fourth feeding cylinder 16 toward the inner diameter direction. As shown in FIG. 6, four cam followers CF1 are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. The fourth feed cylinder 16 is guided through the rectilinear guide groove 14c and the rectilinear guide projection 16a so as to be movable in the optical axis direction, and the cam follower CF1 is positioned in the first group cam groove CG1 by the rotation of the cam cylinder 17. Changes, the fourth feeding cylinder 16 moves relative to the cam cylinder 17 in the optical axis direction.

  As can be seen from the above configuration, the zoom lens barrel 1 has four appearance cylinders (a first feeding cylinder 10, a second feeding cylinder 12, and a third feeding cylinder 14) that perform a feeding operation in stages with respect to the fixed barrel 9. , A fourth feed barrel 16) having a fourth feed barrel 16). The first feeding cylinder 10 and the first rectilinear guide ring 11 that move integrally in the optical axis direction with respect to the fixed cylinder 9 constitute a first feeding step portion, and the optical axis direction with respect to the first feeding step portion. The second feeding cylinder 12 and the second rectilinear guide ring 13 that move integrally with each other constitute a second feeding step portion, and the third feeding portion that moves integrally in the optical axis direction with respect to the second feeding step portion. The cylinder 14, the third rectilinear guide ring 15 and the cam cylinder 17 constitute a third feeding step portion, and the fourth feeding tube 16 which moves relative to the third feeding step portion in the optical axis direction is the fourth feeding step. Configure the step. The second group support ring 18 constitutes an inward moving portion that moves in the optical axis direction along a locus different from that of the fourth feeding cylinder 16 (fourth feeding step portion) inside the third feeding step portion.

  The first lens group LG1 is fixedly supported in a lens support tube 16b formed inside the fourth feed tube 16. The protective glass 4 is fixedly supported on the front end portion of the fourth feeding cylinder 16, and the protective glass 4 covers and protects the front of the first lens group LG1.

  Inside the second group support ring 18, a shutter block 7 having a shutter S is fixedly supported, and a second lens group LG2 is movably supported. The shutter block 7 incorporates a shutter actuator 7a (FIG. 22) that drives the shutter S to open and close. The shutter flexible substrate 8 extending from the shutter block 7 is connected to the control unit 60 (FIG. 22), and a control signal is sent to the shutter block 7 via the shutter flexible substrate 8. The shutter flexible substrate 8 extended from the shutter block 7 is inserted into the flexible substrate introduction hole 13e of the second linear guide ring 13 and folded back and supported by the flexible substrate support portion 13f, and further the flexible substrate of the fixed cylinder 9 It is inserted into the introduction hole 9c, folded back, supported by the flexible substrate support 9d, guided to the outside of the zoom lens barrel 1 through the flexible substrate introduction hole 9c, and connected to the control unit 60.

  A support structure of the second lens group LG2 in the second group support ring 18 will be described. A support frame 30 (FIG. 6) is fixed inside the second group support ring 18 at the rear of the shutter block 7 in the optical axis direction, and is shaken at a position in the optical axis direction between the shutter block 7 and the support frame 30. The frame 31 (FIG. 6) is supported. A plurality of guide balls 32 (FIG. 6) are sandwiched between the vibration isolation frame 31 and the support frame 30, and the vibration isolation frame 31 is along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis O with respect to the support frame 30. And is supported movably. The anti-vibration frame 31 is urged in a direction approaching the support frame 30 by a plurality of tension springs 33 (FIG. 6), and the clamping state of the guide ball 32 is maintained by the urging force of the tension springs 33. A pair of permanent magnets 34 (FIG. 6) is fixed to the vibration isolation frame 31, and a pair of coils 35 (FIG. 22) is provided on the shutter block 7 at positions facing the pair of permanent magnets 34. Each coil 35 is energized and controlled by the control unit 60 (FIG. 22) via the shutter flexible substrate 8. Each permanent magnet 34 and each coil 35 constitute a voice coil motor, and the vibration isolation frame 31 can be moved along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis O by a thrust generated when each coil 35 is energized.

  A support shaft 36 (FIG. 6) having an axis line in the optical axis direction is fixed to the vibration isolation frame 31, and the second lens group frame (insertion / removal member) is swingable (reciprocating) around the support shaft 36. 5 is supported. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 15 to 21, the second lens group frame 5 has a shaft hole 5b for inserting the support shaft 36 at one end of the support arm portion 5a, and the second lens group frame 5 at the other end of the support arm portion 5a. A lens support cylinder 5c into which the two lens group frame 5 is inserted is provided. The lens support cylinder 5b is provided with a positioning piece 5d protruding in a direction different from that of the support arm 5a. The support arm 5a is provided with a pressed protrusion 5e that protrudes rearward in the optical axis direction.

  The second lens group frame 5 has an insertion position (FIGS. 8, 9, 19, and 20) where the second lens group LG2 is inserted on the optical axis O, and the second lens group LG2 is separated from the optical axis O. It can be swung between the retracted position (FIGS. 1, 15, and 16) to be moved, and the positioning piece 5d is brought into contact with a stopper (not shown) provided on the vibration isolation frame 31. The insertion position is determined. The second lens group frame 5 is biased toward the insertion position (counterclockwise in FIGS. 16, 18, and 20) by a biasing spring (insertion / removal control means) 37 (FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 5, a penetrating portion 18 c that penetrates in the radial direction is formed in the second group support ring 18, and a storage recess 17 e is formed inside the cam cylinder 17. Since the second group support ring 18 is guided in a straight line in the optical axis direction, the penetrating portion 18c is always at a constant circumferential position. On the other hand, when the cam cylinder 17 rotates, the circumferential positional relationship (rotational direction position) of the storage recess 17e with respect to the through-hole 18c changes. Further, the relative relationship in the optical axis direction of the second group support ring 18 with respect to the cam cylinder 17 changes the positional relationship in the optical axis direction of the housing recess 17e with respect to the through portion 18c. In the retracted (collapsed) state of the zoom lens barrel 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the mutual positions of the storage recess 17e and the through portion 18c coincide with each other in the circumferential direction and the optical axis direction. The relationship 18c communicates in the radial direction of the zoom lens barrel 1. When the second lens group frame 5 moves to the retracted position in this state, a part of the lens support cylinder 5c enters the housing recess 17e through the through portion 18c (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

  A retraction lever (insertion / removal control means) 27 is supported on the second group support ring 18 so as to be swingable about a support shaft (not shown in the figure) whose axis is directed in the optical axis direction. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 15 to 21, the retracting lever 27 includes a shaft hole 27 a into which the support shaft is inserted, a pressed portion 27 b positioned in the vicinity of the shaft hole 27 a, and the vicinity of the tip away from the shaft hole 27 a. And a pressing portion 27c located at the center. There is a pressed protrusion 5e of the second lens group frame 5 on the locus of the pressing portion 27c when the retracting lever 27 is rotated, and the retracting lever 27 is pressed from the pressed protrusion 5e by the biasing spring 39 (FIG. 5). The portion 27c is biased toward the direction in which the portion 27c is separated (the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 16, 18, and 20). Although not shown, the second group support ring 18 is provided with a stopper for determining the moving end of the retracting lever 27 in the urging direction by the urging spring 39, which is counterclockwise than the position shown in FIG. The rotation of the retracting lever 27 in the direction is restricted by the stopper. The position of the retracting lever 27 regulated by this stopper is referred to as an insertion allowable position. At the insertion allowable position, the pressing portion 27c is separated from the pressed protrusion 5e of the second lens group frame 5 at the insertion position (see FIG. 20).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 21, a cam projection (insertion / removal control means) 38 projects from the side of the portion supporting the imaging device 20 and the optical filter 21 toward the front in the optical axis direction on the back plate 23. ing. A cam surface 38a is formed at the tip of the cam projection 38, and the cam surface of the cam projection 38 is moved when the second group support ring 18 moves to a predetermined position rearward in the optical axis direction with the retracting lever 27 in the insertion allowable position. 38 a comes into contact with the pressed portion 27 b of the retracting lever 27. When the second group support ring 18 is further moved rearward in the optical axis direction from this predetermined position, the retraction lever 27 is opposed to the urging force of the urging spring 39 by the inclination of the cam surface 38a (see FIGS. 16, 18, and 20). A component force to be pressed in the clockwise direction is generated. With this component force, the retracting lever 27 is rotated from the insertion allowable position, the pressing portion 27c is brought into contact with the pressed protrusion 5e, and the second lens group frame 5 is pressed from the inserting position toward the retracting position (FIG. 17, FIG. 18).

  When the second group support ring 18 moves a predetermined distance or more rearward in the optical axis direction, the pressed portion 27b rides on the side surface 38b of the cam projection 38 as shown in FIG. 21, and the retraction lever 27 is moved in the urging direction by the urging spring 39. The rotation is restricted. The position of the retraction lever 27 at this time is called a retraction holding position. When the retracting lever 27 is in the retracted holding position, the second lens group frame 5 is held in the retracted position.

  In the zoom lens barrel 1 having the above structure, when a feeding signal is input from the control unit 60 (FIG. 22) in the retracted (collapsed) state shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the zoom motor 26a is driven first. The four feeding steps described are drawn forward from the fixed tube 9 in the optical axis direction to enter the photographing state. When the zoom lens barrel 1 is extended from the housed state to the photographing state, first, the wide end state shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. In the photographing state, the zoom motor 26a is driven to move the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 along a predetermined locus in the optical axis direction, and between the wide end shown in FIG. 8 and the tele end shown in FIG. The focal length of the photographic optical system can be changed.

  The operation of the zoom lens barrel 1 will be described in more detail. 10 to 12, R, W, and T indicate the retracted state of the zoom lens barrel 1, and the positions (circumferential positions) of the guide protrusions 10b, 12a, and 17a at the wide end and the tele end, respectively. It is.

  1 and 7, the retracting lever 27 is held at the retracted holding position by the cam projection 38, and the second lens group frame 5 is held at the retracted position by the retracting lever 27 (FIGS. 15, 16, and 16). FIG. 21). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, in the retracted state, the third lens group LG3 and the third lens group LG3 are placed in the space on the optical axis O in the second group support ring 18 obtained by moving the second lens group frame 5 to the retracted position. The imaging element 20 has entered, and the zoom lens barrel 1 is thinned in the optical axis direction. The second lens group frame 5 held in the retracted position allows the lens support cylinder 5c to enter the through-hole 18c of the second-group support ring 18, and further the lens to the storage recess 17e of the cam cylinder 17 positioned outside the through-hole 18c. Part of the support cylinder 5c has entered (FIGS. 15 and 16). Thereby, the retreat space of the second lens group frame 5 can be obtained without increasing the diameter of the second group support ring 18 and the cam cylinder 17, and the zoom lens barrel 1 is prevented from being enlarged in the radial direction.

  When the zoom lens barrel 1 is extended from the retracted state, the zoom motor 26a is driven to transmit the rotational force from the zoom gear 26b to the peripheral gear 10a of the first extension cylinder 10. As shown in FIG. 10, in the housed state, the guide protrusion 10b of the first feeding cylinder 10 is located at the first horizontal portion 9a-1 of the guide groove 9a of the fixed cylinder 9 (the R position in FIG. 10), and the guide The circumferential surface 10b-1 of the protrusion 10b receives the guidance of the first horizontal portion 9a-1, so that the first feeding cylinder 10 rotates at a fixed position without changing the position in the optical axis direction. When the first feeding cylinder 10 rotates at a predetermined position, the guide projection 10b exits from the first horizontal portion 9a-1 of the guide groove 9a and enters the lead portion 9a-2, and the lead surface 10b- of the guide projection 10b. 2 receives the guidance of the lead portion 9a-2, the first feeding cylinder 10 moves forward in the optical axis direction while rotating with respect to the fixed cylinder 9 (performs forward rotation in the optical axis direction). The first rectilinear guide ring 11 changes the position in the optical axis direction together with the first feeding cylinder 10 without rotating. When the first feeding cylinder 10 is rotated by a predetermined amount, the guide projection 10b exits from the lead portion 9a-2 of the guide groove 9a and enters the second horizontal portion 9a-3, and the circumferential surface 10b-1 of the guide projection 10b. Is guided by the second horizontal portion 9a-3, so that the first feeding cylinder 10 rotates at a fixed position. When the zoom lens barrel 1 is extended to the wide end, the guide protrusion 10b is positioned at the second horizontal portion 9a-3 of the guide groove 9a (W position in FIG. 10).

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when the zoom lens barrel 1 is in the retracted state, the rotation transmitting protrusion 12b of the second feeding cylinder 12 is the horizontal portion 10d-2 of the linkage groove 10d of the first feeding cylinder 10. Is located. When the first feeding cylinder 10 rotates in the lens barrel feeding direction from the housed state (the rotation of the first feeding cylinder 10 in the lens barrel feeding direction is conceptually indicated by the arrow F1 in FIGS. 13B to 13D). ), While the rotation transmission projection 12b is positioned in the horizontal portion 10d-2 of the linkage groove 10d, the first feeding cylinder 10 is not transmitted from the first feeding cylinder 10 to the second feeding cylinder 12 without being transmitted. Rotate alone. When the first feeding cylinder 10 rotates by a predetermined amount alone, the rotation transmission projection 12b reaches the boundary between the horizontal portion 10d-2 and the rotation transmission portion 10d-3 as shown in FIG. 13B, and the rotation transmission portion 10d-3. , The rotational force in the direction of arrow F1 is transmitted to the rotation transmission protrusion 12b. That is, the second feeding cylinder 12 rotates together with the first feeding cylinder 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13A, when the zoom lens barrel 1 is in the retracted state, the guide protrusion 12a of the second feeding cylinder 12 is the first of the guide grooves 11d of the first rectilinear guide ring 11. It is located in the lead part 11d-1 (R position in FIG. 11). As described above, in the retracted state, the rotation transmitting projection 12b is positioned at the horizontal portion 10d-2 of the linking groove 10d, so that the second feeding cylinder 12 is not subject to the position restriction in the rotational direction by the first feeding cylinder 10, but the guide Since the protrusion 12a is positioned in the first lead portion 11d-1 of the guide groove 11d, the first linear guide ring 11 restricts the positional deviation in the rotational direction of the second feeding cylinder 12.

  When the second feeding cylinder 12 rotates together with the first feeding cylinder 10 after the above-described single rotation of the first feeding cylinder 10 in the feeding operation from the storage state, the lead surface 12a-2 of the guide protrusion 12a is guided by the guide surface 12a-2. By receiving the guidance of the first lead portion 11d-1 of the groove 11d, the second feeding cylinder 12 rotates with respect to the first feeding cylinder 10 and the first rectilinear guide ring 11 (that is, the first feeding step section). It moves forward in the optical axis direction (feeding out forward in the optical axis direction). Subsequently, the guide protrusion 12a enters the second lead portion 11d-2 from the first lead portion 11d-1, and the lead surface 12a-3 receives the guidance of the second lead portion 11d-2, whereby the second feeding cylinder 12 is moved. Continue to rotate. As a result of the second feeding cylinder 12 performing the feeding rotation with respect to the first feeding cylinder 10 and the first rectilinear guide ring 11 (first feeding step portion), as shown in FIG. Moves forward in the optical axis direction in the rotation transmitting portion 10d-3 of the linkage groove 10d of the first feeding cylinder 10 and moves away from the horizontal portion 10d-2. That is, the state where the second feeding cylinder 12 rotates together with the first feeding cylinder 10 is maintained. When the zoom lens barrel 1 is extended to the wide end, the guide protrusion 12a is positioned at the first horizontal portion 11d-3 of the guide groove 11d (W position in FIG. 11, FIG. 13C). The second rectilinear guide ring 13 changes its position in the optical axis direction together with the second feeding cylinder 12 without rotating.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, when the zoom lens barrel 1 is in the retracted state, the rotation transmission projection 17b of the cam barrel 17 is positioned in the horizontal portion 12d-2 of the linkage groove 12d of the second feeding barrel 12. doing. When the second feeding cylinder 12 rotates in the lens barrel feeding direction after the single rotation of the first feeding cylinder 10 described above from the stored state (the rotation of the second feeding cylinder 12 in the lens barrel feeding direction is shown in FIG. 14B). 14 (D) conceptually indicated by the arrow F2), while the rotation transmission projection 17b is positioned in the horizontal portion 12d-2 of the linkage groove 12d, the rotational force from the second feeding cylinder 12 to the cam cylinder 17 is reduced. The second feeding cylinder 12 rotates together with the first feeding cylinder 10 without transmission. When the second feeding cylinder 12 rotates by a predetermined amount, as shown in FIG. 14B, the rotation transmission projection 17b reaches the boundary between the horizontal portion 12d-2 and the rotation transmission portion 12d-3, and rotates from the rotation transmission portion 12d-3. The rotational force in the direction of the arrow F2 is transmitted to the transmission protrusion 17b. That is, the cam cylinder 17 rotates together with the first feeding cylinder 10 and the second feeding cylinder 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14A, when the zoom lens barrel 1 is in the retracted state, the guide protrusion 17a of the cam barrel 17 is formed in the lead portion 13d− of the guide groove 13d of the second rectilinear guide ring 13. 1 (R position in FIG. 12). As described above, since the rotation transmission projection 17b is positioned at the horizontal portion 12d-2 of the linkage groove 12d in the housed state, the cam cylinder 17 is subjected to position restrictions in the rotational direction by the first feeding cylinder 10 and the second feeding cylinder 12. Although the guide protrusion 17a is positioned in the guide groove 13d, the displacement of the cam cylinder 17 in the rotational direction is restricted by the second rectilinear guide ring 13.

  In the feeding operation from the storage state, the cam cylinder 17 is moved to the first feeding cylinder following the single rotation of the first feeding cylinder 10 and the subsequent interlocking rotation of the first feeding cylinder 10 and the second feeding cylinder 12 described above. 10 and the second feeding cylinder 12, the lead surface 17a-2 of the guide projection 17a receives the guidance of the lead portion 13d-1 of the guide groove 13d, so that the cam cylinder 17 is moved to the second feeding cylinder 12 and It moves forward in the optical axis direction while rotating with respect to the second straight guide ring 13 (that is, the second feeding step portion) (performs forward rotation in the optical axis direction). Then, as shown in FIG. 14C, the rotation transmitting projection 17b moves forward in the rotation transmitting portion 12d-3 of the linkage groove 12d of the second feeding cylinder 12 and moves away from the horizontal portion 12d-2. . That is, the state where the cam cylinder 17 rotates together with the first feeding cylinder 10 and the second feeding cylinder 12 is maintained. When the cam cylinder 17 is rotated by a predetermined amount, the guide projection 17a exits from the lead portion 13d-1 of the guide groove 13d and enters the horizontal portion 13d-2, and the circumferential surface 17a-1 of the guide projection 17a is the horizontal portion 13d. By receiving the guide of -2, the cam cylinder 17 rotates at a fixed position. When the zoom lens barrel 1 is extended to the wide end, the guide protrusion 17a is positioned at the horizontal portion 13d-2 of the guide groove 13d (W position in FIG. 12, FIG. 14C). The third feeding cylinder 14 and the third rectilinear guide ring 15 are not rotated but change the position in the optical axis direction together with the cam cylinder 17.

  When the cam cylinder 17 rotates in the feeding direction, the fourth feeding cylinder 16 in which the cam follower CF1 is inserted into the first group cam groove CG1 of the cam cylinder 17, and the cam follower CF2 is inserted into the second group cam groove CG2 of the cam cylinder 17. The second group support ring 18 moves relative to the cam cylinder 17 in the optical axis direction along the trajectories of the cam grooves CG1 and CG2.

  Summarizing the feeding operation from the retracted state (FIGS. 1 and 7) to the wide end (FIG. 8) in the zoom lens barrel 1, the first feeding cylinder 10 rotates forward relative to the fixed cylinder 9 in the optical axis direction. The first rectilinear guide ring 11 moves straight along with the first feeding cylinder 10 forward in the optical axis direction. The second feeding cylinder 12 receives a rotational force with a predetermined time difference (delay) from the start of rotation of the first feeding cylinder 10, and when the rotation starts, the first feeding cylinder 10 and the first rectilinear guide ring 11 (first feeding cylinder 11). It moves forward in the optical axis direction with respect to the step portion. The second rectilinear guide ring 13 moves straight along with the second feeding cylinder 12 forward in the optical axis direction. The cam cylinder 17 receives a rotational force with a predetermined time difference (delay) from the start of rotation of the second feeding cylinder 12, and when the cam cylinder 17 starts rotating, the second feeding cylinder 12 and the second rectilinear guide ring 13 (second feeding step section). ) To the front in the optical axis direction. The third feed cylinder 14 and the third rectilinear guide ring 15 move straight together with the cam cylinder 17 forward in the optical axis direction. When the cam cylinder 17 rotates, the fourth supply cylinder 16 moves relative to the cam cylinder 17 in the optical axis direction while receiving the linear advance guidance by the third supply cylinder 14, and the second group support ring 18 is moved to the third straight advance guide ring 15. It moves relative to the cam cylinder 17 in the optical axis direction while receiving the straight-ahead guide. The fourth extending cylinder 16 is in a state where the wide end is extended forward in the optical axis direction with respect to the cam cylinder 17 than in the housed state.

  The second group support ring 18 is positioned rearward in the optical axis direction with respect to the cam cylinder 17 at the wide end shown in FIG. 8 than in the housed state shown in FIGS. However, the forward feeding amount of the first feeding cylinder 10, the second feeding cylinder 12, and the cam cylinder 17 with respect to the fixed cylinder 9 from the storage state to the wide end is such that the second group support ring 18 with respect to the cam cylinder 17 Since the rearward movement amount is exceeded, the position of the second group support ring 18 with respect to the fixed cylinder 9 changes forward in the optical axis direction when the housed state becomes the wide end. By the forward movement of the second group support ring 18, the retracting lever 27 supported in the second group support ring 18 is separated from the cam projection 38, and the retracting lever 27 is inserted from the retracted holding position by the biasing force of the biasing spring 39. Rotate to an allowed position. The second lens group frame 5 released from the pressing by the retraction lever 27 is rotated from the retraction position to the insertion position by the urging force of the urging spring 37, and the second lens group LG2 is moved to the first lens group LG1 and the third lens group. It is inserted on the optical axis O between LG3 (behind the shutter S).

  In the photographing state, zooming operation can be performed in the zoom range from the wide end shown in FIG. 8 to the tele end shown in FIG. 9 by driving the zoom motor 26a. In the zoom range, the first feeding cylinder 10, the second feeding cylinder 12, and the cam cylinder 17 are always rotated without relative rotation. As shown in FIG. 10, since the guide protrusion 10b is located at the second horizontal portion 9a-3 of the guide groove 9a in the entire zoom range from the wide end (W) to the tele end (T), the first feeding cylinder 10 is A fixed position rotation is performed without moving relative to the fixed cylinder 9 in the optical axis direction. As shown in FIG. 12, since the guide projection 17a is positioned at the horizontal portion 13d-2 of the guide groove 13d in the entire zoom range from the wide end (W) to the tele end (T), the cam cylinder 17 is the second extension cylinder. 12 and the second rectilinear guide ring 13 are rotated in place without moving relative to each other in the optical axis direction. As shown in FIG. 11, for the second feeding cylinder 12, the guide protrusion 12a is positioned at the first horizontal portion 11d-3 of the guide groove 11d at the wide end (W), and the guide protrusion 12a is at the tele end (T). It is located at the second horizontal portion 11d-5 of the guide groove 11d. In the zoom range between the wide end and the tele end, the lead surface 12a-3 of the guide projection 12a moves under the guidance of a pair of opposing surfaces constituting the third lead portion 11d-4 of the guide groove 11d, and the second The feeding cylinder 12 also moves in the optical axis direction while rotating. Specifically, the second feeding cylinder 12 rotates while being fed forward in the optical axis direction from the wide end to the tele end. Due to the change in position of the second supply cylinder 12 in the optical axis direction and the change in position of the fourth supply cylinder 16 and the second group support ring 18 in the optical axis direction according to the trajectory of the cam grooves CG1 and CG2 of the cam cylinder 17. The optical axis direction positions of the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 in the zoom range change. As can be seen from the comparison between FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the distance between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 is large at the wide end, and the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 are both at the tele end. As well as moving forward in the optical axis direction, the distance between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 in the optical axis direction becomes small.

  In the photographing state, focusing can be performed by driving the focus motor 25a to move the third lens group LG3 in the optical axis direction. Further, in the shooting state, when the image blur correction mode is selected, the gyro sensor 53 (FIG. 22) detects the angular velocity of the shake applied to the zoom lens barrel 1, and suppresses the image blur based on the angular velocity information. Therefore, the driving amount of the second lens group LG2 is calculated by the control unit 60 (FIG. 22), and a current is passed through the coil 35. Then, the image stabilizing frame 31 is driven along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis O, and image blur is suppressed.

  When the zoom lens barrel 1 is moved from the photographing state to the retracted state, the zoom motor 26a is driven in the retracted direction (rotation drive in the opposite direction to that during the unwinding operation) to perform the extending operation from the retracted state described above. The reverse operation is performed. The first feeding cylinder 10 moves rearward in the optical axis direction while rotating with respect to the fixed cylinder 9 when the guide protrusion 10b receives the guidance of the lead portion 9a-2 of the guide groove 9a (see FIG. 10). The first rectilinear guide ring 11 moves rectilinearly together with the first feeding cylinder 10 toward the rear in the optical axis direction. The second feeding cylinder 12 rotates together with the first feeding cylinder 10 when the guide protrusion 12a receives the guidance of the first lead portion 11d-1 and the second lead portion 11d-2 of the guide groove 11d (see FIG. 11). However, it moves rearward in the optical axis direction with respect to the first feeding cylinder 10 and the first straight guide ring 11 (first feeding step portion). The cam cylinder 17 receives the guidance of the lead portion 13d-1 of the guide groove 13d by the guide protrusion 17a (see FIG. 12), and rotates along with the second extension cylinder 12 and the second extension cylinder 12 and the second rectilinear guide ring. 13 (second feeding step portion) moves rearward in the optical axis direction. The direction of rotation of the cam ring 17 when the zoom lens barrel 1 is stored is indicated by arrows in FIG.

  When the cam cylinder 17 moves a predetermined amount rearward in the optical axis direction, as shown in FIG. 14B, the rotation transmitting projection 17b reaches the boundary between the rotation transmitting portion 12d-3 and the horizontal portion 12d-2 of the linkage groove 12d. . From this state, when the second feeding cylinder 12 rotates in the storing direction (the direction opposite to the arrow F2 in FIG. 14B), the rotation transmitting projection 17b comes out of the rotation transmitting portion 12d-3 and enters the horizontal portion 12d-2. The rotation transmission from the second feeding cylinder 12 to the cam cylinder 17 is not performed. When the second feeding cylinder 12 moves a predetermined amount rearward in the optical axis direction, as shown in FIG. 13B, the rotation transmission projection 12b is formed between the rotation transmission portion 10d-3 and the horizontal portion 10d-2 of the linkage groove 10d. Reach the border. From this state, when the first feeding cylinder 10 rotates in the storage direction (the direction opposite to the arrow F1 in FIG. 13B), the rotation transmission projection 12b comes out of the rotation transmission portion 10d-3 and enters the horizontal portion 10d-2. The rotation transmission from the first feeding cylinder 10 to the second feeding cylinder 12 is not performed. As the order of the storing operation, first, rotation transmission from the second feeding cylinder 12 to the cam cylinder 17 is not performed (the rotation of the cam cylinder 17 is stopped), and from this state, the second feeding cylinder 12 is moved in the storing direction by a predetermined amount. When the rotation is performed, the rotation transmission from the first feeding cylinder 10 to the second feeding cylinder 12 is not performed (the rotation of the second feeding cylinder 12 stops).

  While the cam cylinder 17 is rotating in the retracting direction, the fourth feeding cylinder 16 and the second group support ring 18 move relative to the cam cylinder 17 along the trajectories of the first group cam groove CG1 and the second group cam groove CG2, respectively. To move relative to the optical axis. In the storing operation from the wide end, the fourth feeding cylinder 16 moves rearward in the optical axis direction with respect to the cam cylinder 17 to increase the amount of overlap with the cam cylinder 17, and the second group support ring 18 is connected to the cam cylinder 17. In contrast, the amount of overlap with the cam cylinder 17 is increased by moving forward in the optical axis direction. However, since the amount of movement of the cam cylinder 17 in the rearward direction of the optical axis is larger than the amount of movement of the second group support ring 18 relative to the cam cylinder 17, the second group support ring 18 gradually moves to the rear back plate 23. To approach.

  When the cam cylinder 17 moves rearward in the optical axis direction and the second group support ring 18 supported by the cam cylinder 17 approaches the back plate 23, the pressed portion of the retraction lever 27 supported in the second group support ring 18 27b comes into contact with the cam surface 38a of the cam projection 38, and a component force is applied to press the retracting lever 27 in a direction against the urging force of the urging spring 39 via the cam surface 38a. Then, the retracting lever 27 rotates from the insertion allowable position toward the retracting holding position, and the pressing portion 27c of the retracting lever 27 presses the pressed protrusion 5e of the second lens group frame 5, and the biasing spring 37 is attached. The second lens group frame 5 is rotated from the insertion position to the retracted position against the force.

  At the timing before the second lens group frame 5 reaches the retracted position, the rotation of the cam cylinder 17 is stopped. At this time, the housing concave portion 17e is in a positional relationship where it overlaps with the penetrating portion 18c of the second group support ring 18 in the radial direction. Passes through and enters the storage recess 17e (FIGS. 15 and 16).

  As a result of the storage operation described above, the amount of overlap in the optical axis direction of each cylindrical (annular) member that constitutes each feeding step portion of the zoom lens barrel 1 increases, and zooming is performed in the storage state shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. The thickness of the lens barrel 1 in the optical axis direction is minimized.

  When the zoom lens barrel 1 is extended from the retracted state, the second lens group LG2 advances forward in the optical axis direction relative to the third lens group LG3 in order to prevent interference between the second lens group frame 5 and other members. The second lens group frame 5 is held at the retracted position until the second lens group LG2 is moved further forward than the third lens group LG3, and then the second lens group frame 5 is moved from the retracted position to the insertion position. Rotate. As described above, since the second group support ring 18 first moves rearward in the optical axis direction with respect to the cam barrel 17 when the cam barrel 17 rotates in the feeding direction, the zoom lens barrel 1 is first moved out. When the cam cylinder 17 is rotated in the extending direction from the first lens group, the timing at which the second lens group LG2 reaches the front position in the optical axis direction exceeding the third lens group LG3 is delayed by the backward movement of the second group support ring 18. In other words, it is necessary to move the cam barrel 17 forward in the optical axis direction, and the zoom lens barrel 1 can be prevented from being compact and quickly started. Further, when the second lens group frame 5 is retracted, the lens support tube 5c enters the housing recess 17e of the cam tube 17, so that when the zoom lens barrel 1 performs the housing operation from the photographing state, the second lens group. When the cam cylinder 17 continues to rotate in the storage direction after the retraction operation of the frame 5, it is necessary to pay attention to the possibility that the lens support cylinder 5c and the cam cylinder 17 may interfere with each other.

  Therefore, in order to realize an appropriate operation without such problems, as described above, the first feeding cylinder 10 rotates in the initial stage of the feeding operation of the zoom lens barrel 1 and the stage after the middle of the storing operation. Also, a non-rotating transmission state (rotation stopped state of the cam cylinder 17) in which the cam cylinder 17 does not rotate is set. The cam cylinder 17 is a rotating cylinder that constitutes a third feeding step portion with respect to the fixed barrel 9 among the four feeding step portions constituting the zoom lens barrel 1, and is a rotating cylinder of the first feeding step portion. The rotation is transmitted through the first feeding cylinder 10 and the second feeding cylinder 12 which is the rotating cylinder of the second feeding stage. In the zoom lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment, the first rotation transmission control involved in the rotation transmission from the first feeding cylinder 10 to the second feeding cylinder 12 is a configuration for realizing the rotation stop state of the cam cylinder 17. And the second rotation transmission control unit involved in the rotation transmission from the second feeding cylinder 12 to the cam cylinder 17 include an idling section that does not transmit the rotation from the preceding rotation cylinder to the subsequent rotation cylinder. ing. The idling section is set by the horizontal portion 10d-2 of the linkage groove 10d in the first rotation transmission control unit, and is set by the horizontal portion 12d-2 of the linkage groove 12d in the second rotation transmission control unit.

  As a configuration different from the zoom lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment, an idling section is set only between the first feeding cylinder 10 and the second feeding cylinder 20, and the second feeding cylinder 20 and the cam cylinder 17 are always integrated. The first comparative example that is rotated in the first and second idle cylinders 20 is set only between the second cylinder 20 and the cam cylinder 17 so that the first cylinder 10 and the second cylinder 20 are always rotated integrally. Assume a second comparative example.

  In the first comparative example, in order to prevent interference between the second lens group frame 5 and other members when the lens barrel is extended, an operation of moving the second lens group LG2 forward in the optical axis direction from the third lens group LG3, It needs to be completed before the second feeding cylinder 20 starts to rotate. When the second lens group LG2 (second group support ring 18) moves forward in the optical axis direction when the second feeding cylinder 20 does not rotate, the first feeding step portion (with the first feeding cylinder 10 and the first feeding cylinder 10) moves forward. Since only the feeding operation of the first straight guide ring 11) is performed, the movement amount in the optical axis direction per unit rotation angle of the first feeding cylinder 10 must be increased. That is, the lead angle (the portion corresponding to the lead portion 9a-2 of the guide groove 9a in the illustrated embodiment) for feeding out the first feeding tube 10 with respect to the rotation direction of the first extending tube 10 in the illustrated embodiment. It is necessary to increase the inclination angle of the lead portion 9a-2. If the lead angle of the feeding guide portion is increased, the load applied when the first feeding cylinder 10 is rotated and fed increases, and the transmission efficiency of power using the zoom motor 26a as a drive source is deteriorated. In addition, when the second feeding cylinder 20 in the rotation stopped state is started after the second lens group LG2 is advanced forward from the third lens group LG3, the second feeding step portion is configured. Since not only the two-feed cylinder 20 but also the cam cylinder 17 that constitutes the third feed stage portion are simultaneously started to rotate, the load fluctuation becomes large and it is difficult to obtain high operation accuracy.

  In the second comparative example, the movement of the second lens group LG2 forward in the optical axis direction in a state where the cam cylinder 17 does not rotate is referred to as a first feeding step portion (the first feeding cylinder 10 and the first feeding cylinder 10). Since it can be distributed and carried out in the feeding operation of the rectilinear guide ring 11) and the feeding operation of the second feeding step portion (the second feeding cylinder 12 and the second rectilinear guide ring 13) with respect to the first feeding step portion. The lead angle of the feeding guide portion in each feeding step portion is suppressed to be smaller than that of the first comparative example. On the other hand, since the rotation angle of the second feeding cylinder 12 required until the rotation of the cam cylinder 17 becomes very large, a guide portion (in the first rectilinear guide ring 11 of the illustrated embodiment) that guides the rotation of the second feeding cylinder 12 is provided. It is necessary to form a long portion corresponding to the guide groove 11d, and it becomes difficult to ensure the strength of the first straight guide ring 11. Moreover, when the length of the guide part which occupies on the surrounding surface of the 1st rectilinear guide ring 11 increases, the surrounding area of the 1st rectilinear guide ring 11 may become large, and there exists a possibility that the whole lens-barrel may enlarge.

  On the other hand, in the zoom lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment, the idling sections are allocated and set between the respective feeding steps from the first feeding cylinder 10 through the second feeding cylinder 12 to the cam cylinder 17. Thus, there is no problem as in the first and second comparative examples. In other words, the cam cylinder 17 can be appropriately restricted at the time of unwinding and storage while being excellent in power transmission efficiency and small in load fluctuation, and ensuring the strength and miniaturization of parts.

  In the non-rotation transmission state from the first feeding cylinder 10 to the second feeding cylinder 12 and the non-rotation transmission state from the second feeding cylinder 12 to the cam cylinder 17, not only the rotation transmission is interrupted, but also the second It is necessary to stabilize the rotational position of the feeding cylinder 12 and the cam cylinder 17. Particularly, in the linkage groove 10d and the linkage groove 12d of the present embodiment, the introduction portion 10d-1 and the introduction portion 12d-1 are formed after the horizontal portion 10d-2 and the horizontal portion 12d-2, respectively, so that the rotation non-transmission state The rotational direction positions of the second feeding cylinder 12 and the cam cylinder 17 are unintentionally shifted, and the rotation transmission projection 12b and the rotation transmission projection 17b move to the introduction portion 10d-1 and the introduction portion 12d-1 to move to the linkage groove. The possibility of falling off from 10d and the linkage groove 12d must be considered. As long as the urging force in the optical axis direction acts on the second feeding cylinder 12 and the cam cylinder 17, the rotation transmitting projection 12b and the wall surface of the horizontal portion 10d-2 and the horizontal portion 12d-2 Since the force which presses the rotation transmission protrusion 17b acts, the rotation direction position of the 2nd delivery cylinder 12 or the cam cylinder 17 can be stabilized. For example, in a lens barrel having a lens barrier at its tip, there is known a lens barrel that imparts such an urging force in the optical axis direction by a spring that constitutes a lens barrier opening / closing operation mechanism. However, the zoom lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment is of a type that does not include a lens barrier (in which a protective glass 4 is provided instead), and the second feeding cylinder 12 and the cam cylinder 17 are positively moved in the optical axis direction. The structure is not energized. However, as can be seen from FIGS. 13A and 13B, in the rotation non-transmission state in which the rotation transmission projection 12b is positioned at the horizontal portion 10d-2, the guide projection 12a positioned at the base of the rotation transmission projection 12b is provided. By fitting in the first lead portion 11d-1 of the guide groove 11d, the positional deviation in the rotational direction of the second feeding cylinder 12 is prevented via the first linear guide ring 11. Further, as can be seen from FIGS. 14A and 14B, in the rotation non-transmission state in which the rotation transmission projection 17b is located at the horizontal portion 12d-2, the guide projection 17a located at the base of the rotation transmission projection 17b is provided. By fitting in the lead portion 13d-1 of the guide groove 13d, the cam cylinder 17 is prevented from being displaced in the rotational direction via the second rectilinear guide ring 13. Since the holding portion for preventing the positional deviation in the rotation direction uses the lead surface of the feeding mechanism that causes the second feeding cylinder 12 and the cam cylinder 17 to rotate and feed, the addition of members and the mechanism are complicated. It can be obtained with a simple configuration without accompanying.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, the zoom lens barrel 1 of the illustrated embodiment is of a type that causes the second lens group LG2 inserted / removed on the optical axis to perform an image blur correction operation, but the present invention does not have an image blur correction function. It can also be applied to a lens barrel. Specifically, a structure in which the support structure of the second lens group frame 5 by the vibration isolation frame 31 in the illustrated embodiment is omitted can be employed.

  The zoom lens barrel 1 of the illustrated embodiment is a four-stage feeding barrel having four-stage appearance cylinders from the first feeding barrel 10 to the fourth feeding barrel 16, but the application target of the present invention is a four-stage feeding barrel. The present invention is not limited to this, and any multistage feeding lens barrel having at least three rotating cylinders can be applied.

1 Zoom lens barrel 5 Second lens group frame (insertion / removal member)
5a Support arm portion 5b Shaft hole 5c Lens support tube 5d Positioning piece 5e Pressed protrusion 6 Third lens group frame 6a Lens support tube 6b Support arm portion 6c Support arm portion 7 Shutter block 7a Shutter actuator 8 Shutter flexible substrate 9 Fixed tube 9a Guide groove 9a-1 First horizontal part 9a-2 Lead part 9a-3 Second horizontal part 9a-4 Opening part 9b Straight guide groove 9c Flexible board introduction hole 9d Flexible board support part 10 First delivery cylinder (first Rotating cylinder)
10a circumferential gear 10b guide projection 10b-1 circumferential surface 10b-2 lead surface 10c coupling groove 10d linkage groove (first rotation transmission control unit, first linkage groove)
10d-1 Introduction part 10d-2 Horizontal part (non-transmission groove part)
10d-3 Rotation transmission part (Rotation transmission groove part)
11 First straight guide ring (first straight travel ring)
11a rectilinear guide protrusion 11b coupling protrusion 11c rectilinear guide groove 11d guide groove (first guide groove)
11d-1 first lead part (first holding part, inclined part)
11d-2 2nd lead part 11d-3 1st horizontal part 11d-4 3rd lead part 11d-5 2nd horizontal part 11d-6 Opening part 12 2nd delivery cylinder (2nd rotation cylinder)
12a Guide protrusion (first holding part, first guide protrusion)
12a-1 circumferential surface 12a-2 lead surface 12a-3 lead surface 12b rotation transmission protrusion (first rotation transmission control unit, first transmission protrusion)
12c coupling groove 12d linkage groove (second rotation transmission control unit, second linkage groove)
12d-1 introduction part 12d-2 horizontal part (non-transmission groove part)
12d-3 Rotation transmission part (Rotation transmission groove part)
13 Second straight guide ring (second straight travel ring)
13a rectilinear guide protrusion 13b coupling protrusion 13c rectilinear guide groove 13d guide groove (second guide groove)
13d-1 Lead part (second holding part, inclined part)
13d-2 Horizontal part 13d-3 Opening part 13e Flexible board introduction hole 13f Flexible board support part 14 3rd delivery cylinder 14a Rectilinear guide protrusion 14b Coupling projection 14c Rectilinear guide groove 15 3rd rectilinear guide ring 15a Rectilinear guide projection 15b Coupling projection 15c Key protrusion 15d Straight guide groove 16 Fourth feed cylinder (optical element support member)
16a Linear guide protrusion 16b Lens support cylinder 17 Cam cylinder (third rotary cylinder)
17a Guide protrusion (second holding part, second guide protrusion)
17a-1 circumferential surface 17a-2 lead surface 17b rotation transmission protrusion (second rotation transmission control unit, second transmission protrusion)
17c coupling groove 17d coupling groove 17e storage recess 18 second group support ring (optical element support member, moving ring)
18a Key groove 18b Straight guide protrusion 18c Through portion 20 Imaging element 21 Optical filter 22 Packing 23 Back plate 25 Focus motor unit 25a Focus motor 2
25b Nut 26 Zoom motor unit 26a Zoom motor 26b Zoom gear 26c Gear box 27 Retraction lever (insertion / removal control means)
27a Shaft hole 27b Pressed portion 27c Pressing portion 30 Support frame 31 Anti-vibration frame 32 Guide ball 33 Tension spring 34 Permanent magnet 35 Coil 36 Support shaft 37 Biasing spring (insertion / removal control means)
38 Cam projection (insertion / removal control means)
38a Cam surface 38b Side 39 Energizing spring 50 3rd group guide shaft 51 3rd group energizing spring 52 Flexible substrate for motor 53 Gyro sensor 60 Control part CF1 CF2 Cam follower CG1 1st group cam groove CG2 2nd group cam groove LG1 1st lens Group LG2 Second lens group (withdrawal optical element)
LG3 Third lens group O Optical axis S Shutter

Claims (6)

A first rotating cylinder that moves toward the object side in the direction of the optical axis of the imaging optical system while rotating with respect to the fixed cylinder when the imaging state is changed from the stored state;
A second rotating cylinder that moves to the object side in the optical axis direction with respect to the first rotating cylinder while rotating with the first rotating cylinder when the imaging state is changed from the housed state;
A third rotating cylinder that moves to the object side in the optical axis direction with respect to the second rotating cylinder while rotating with the second rotating cylinder when the imaging state is changed from the housed state;
At least one optical element support member that supports an optical element constituting the imaging optical system and changes a position in an optical axis direction with respect to the third rotating cylinder by rotation of the third rotating cylinder;
Provided between the first rotating cylinder and the second rotating cylinder, and when the imaging state is changed from the housed state, the first rotating cylinder starts to rotate and reaches a predetermined rotation amount. A first rotation transmission control unit that is in a first non-rotating state in which rotation is not transmitted to the second rotating cylinder and subsequently transmits the rotation of the first rotating cylinder to the second rotating cylinder;
Provided between the second rotating cylinder and the third rotating cylinder, and when the storage state is changed to the photographing state, the first rotation non-transmission state is terminated and the second rotating cylinder is A second rotation non-transmitting state in which rotation is not transmitted to the third rotating cylinder until the predetermined amount of rotation is reached after the rotation is started, and then the rotation of the second rotating cylinder is changed to the third rotating cylinder. A second rotation transmission control unit for transmitting to
A first holding unit which is provided separately from the first rotation transmission control unit and determines a rotational direction position of the second rotating cylinder in the first rotation non-transmission state; and the second rotation transmission control unit And a second holding portion that is provided separately from the second rotation non-transmission state and determines a rotational direction position of the third rotating cylinder;
A lens barrel comprising: The lens barrel according to claim 1,
The first rotation transmission control unit is slidably inserted into the first link groove formed in the first rotary groove and the first link groove formed in the second rotary cylinder. A first transmission protrusion;
The second rotation transmission control unit is slidably inserted into the second link groove formed in the second rotary cylinder and the second link groove formed in the third rotary cylinder. A second transmission protrusion,
The first linkage groove and the second linkage groove respectively include a non-transmission groove portion extending in the rotation direction of the first rotation tube and the second rotation tube, and a rotation transmission groove portion extending in the optical axis direction. Have
When the first transmission protrusion is positioned in the non-transmission groove portion of the first linkage groove, the first rotation non-transmission state is established, and the second transmission groove has the second non-transmission groove portion. A lens barrel that enters the second non-rotating transmission state when the transmission protrusion is positioned. The lens barrel according to claim 1 or 2,
A first rectilinear moving ring that is guided so as to be linearly movable in the optical axis direction and moves in the optical axis direction together with the first rotating cylinder;
A second rectilinear moving ring that is guided so as to be linearly movable in the optical axis direction and moves in the optical axis direction together with the second rotating cylinder;
A first guide groove formed on the first linearly moving ring and including an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to both the optical axis direction and the rotation direction of the first rotating cylinder;
A second guide groove formed on the second linearly moving ring and including an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to both the optical axis direction and the rotation direction of the second rotating cylinder;
A first guide protrusion formed on the second rotating cylinder and slidably inserted into the first guide groove; and a second guide groove formed on the third rotating cylinder. A second guide projection slidably inserted into the second guide projection;
Have
The inclined portion of the first guide groove and the first guide protrusion constitute the first holding portion, and the inclined portion of the second guide groove and the second guide protrusion are the second holding portion. A lens barrel constituting the holding unit. The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The optical element support member has a retractable optical element that can be inserted into and removed from the optical axis of the imaging optical system, and is a moving ring that is guided so as to move straight in the optical axis direction.
The third rotating cylinder has a cam groove at least on the inner peripheral surface,
The moving ring has a cam follower that is slidably inserted into the cam groove. When the third rotating cylinder rotates, the cam follower is guided by the cam groove and moves relative to the third rotating cylinder. Lens barrel whose position in the optical axis direction changes. The lens barrel according to claim 4, wherein
An insertion / removal member that supports the retracting optical element and is swingably supported around an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis with respect to the moving ring; and the moving ring from a predetermined position in the optical axis direction; Is also located on the object side, the insertion / removal member is positioned at a retraction position where the retraction optical element is retreated from the optical axis, and the moving ring is located on the image side from a predetermined position in the optical axis direction. Sometimes, an insertion / removal operation means for positioning the insertion / removal member at an insertion position for inserting the retracting optical element on the optical axis;
A lens barrel. 6. The lens barrel according to claim 5, wherein a housing recess for allowing a part of the insertion / removal member to enter when the insertion / removal member moves to the retracted position is formed inside the third rotating cylinder. Lens barrel.

Images