JP2023061696A - Optical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an optical instrument that can be further reduced in size.SOLUTION: A lens barrel 101 comprises: a straight advance barrel 117 that holds a first zoom group 111 and is movable in an optical axis direction; a zoom operation ring 103 that drives the straight advance barrel 117 in the optical axis direction; a stationary barrel 109 that rotatably holds the zoom operation ring 103; and a linear potentiometer 106 that is held by the stationary barrel 109 and detects the rotation angle of the zoom operation ring 103. The linear potentiometer 106 is arranged such that a displacement detection direction becomes substantially parallel to the optical axis direction. With the straight advance barrel 117 having moved to the most rear part, a rear end of the straight advance barrel 117 is located behind a rear end of the linear potentiometer 106.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

The present invention relates to optical equipment such as still cameras, video cameras, and lens barrels (interchangeable lenses).

There is a demand for miniaturization of optical equipment such as lens barrels of digital cameras and digital video cameras. In response to such a demand, Patent Document 1 discloses that in a lens barrel equipped with an image blur correction device, rolling balls and springs constituting the image blur correction device overlap in the radial direction (when viewed from the optical axis direction). It is disclosed a technique for realizing a short diameter of the lens barrel by arranging it so that it overlaps with the other. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200003 discloses a lens barrel that can be shortened in length by moving a cam barrel in the optical axis direction. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a collapsible lens barrel that can be shortened in overall length by making the rectilinear barrel movable in the optical axis direction while avoiding the position sensor.

JP 2018-105899 A JP 2018-13797 A JP 2014-215590 A

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to set the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member arranged on the outer periphery of the image blur correction device to the outside of the spring hook portion, which causes the lens barrel to increase. It prevents the shortening of the diameter.

In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the area occupied by the cam groove for moving the cam cylinder to the collapsed position in the optical axis direction is large, so the layout efficiency is lowered. On the other hand, if the area occupied by the cam grooves is narrowed to shorten the length of the lens barrel, the inclination of the cam grooves increases and the operability deteriorates.

In the technique described in Patent Document 3, since the multi-stage collapsible rectilinear barrel and the position sensor overlap in the radial direction of the lens barrel (overlapping when viewed from the optical axis direction), the lens cannot be collapsed to the limit of the interval. Therefore, it is not easy to achieve further shortening in the retracted state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an optical apparatus that can be further miniaturized.

An optical apparatus according to the present invention comprises a rectilinear barrel that holds an optical element and is movable in an optical axis direction, a first rotary operation ring that drives the rectilinear barrel in the optical axis direction, and the first rotary operation. a fixed cylinder that rotatably holds a ring; and a direct-acting displacement sensor that is held by the fixed cylinder and detects the rotation angle of the first rotary operation ring, wherein the linear-acting displacement sensor It is arranged so that the detection direction is substantially parallel to the direction of the optical axis, and the rear end of the rectilinear barrel is located behind the rear end of the linear displacement sensor when the rectilinear barrel is moved to the rearmost position. characterized by

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve further miniaturization of optical instruments.

1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing electrical and optical configurations of a digital camera; FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a digital camera with a lens barrel set at the wide-angle end; FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a digital camera with a lens barrel set at the telephoto end; FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a digital camera in which a lens barrel is set at the collapsed end; FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an image blur correction device and components in the vicinity thereof; 1A and 1B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of an image blur correction device and components in the vicinity thereof; FIG. 1A and 1B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of an image blur correction device and components in the vicinity thereof; FIG. FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view and a bottom cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the boundary between the zoom operation ring and the fixed barrel; FIG. 10 is a development view of a straight guide barrel and a zoom operation ring, and a diagram showing changes in rotational operation torque with respect to the phase of the zoom operation ring; FIG. 4 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the lens barrel at the telephoto end and the retracted end; FIG. 4 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the lens barrel at the collapsed end; FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the lens barrel at the collapsed end;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, a lens barrel of a digital camera will be taken up as an optical device according to the present invention.

FIG. 1A is an external perspective view showing the digital camera 1 according to the embodiment as seen from the front side. FIG. 1B is an external perspective view of the digital camera 1 as seen from the rear side. The digital camera 1 has a camera body 100 and a lens barrel 101 (interchangeable lens) detachable from the camera body 100 .

For convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1A, the XYZ directions that are orthogonal to each other are defined for the digital camera 1 . The direction (optical axis direction) in which the optical axis of the imaging optical system housed in the lens barrel 101 (hereinafter simply referred to as "optical axis") extends is defined as the Z direction. When the Z-axis is parallel to the horizontal direction, the axis orthogonal to the Z-axis in the horizontal plane is defined as the X-axis, and the axis orthogonal to the horizontal plane is defined as the Y-axis. The X direction is the width direction of the camera body 100 , the Y direction is the height direction of the camera body 100 , and the Z direction is the front-rear direction of the camera body 100 . In the following description, the direction of rotation about the X-axis (with the X-axis as the center of rotation) will be referred to as the pitch direction, and the direction of rotation about the Y-axis will be referred to as the yaw direction.

The camera body 100 is provided with a grip portion 2 for the user to grip the camera body 100 by hand on the left side as viewed from the front side (right side as viewed from the back side). A power supply operation unit 3 is arranged on the upper surface of the camera body 100 . When the user turns on the power operation unit 3 while the camera body 100 is in the power-off state, power supply starts inside the digital camera 1 and the power of the camera body 100 is turned on. When the power of the camera body 100 is turned on, the camera control section 12 (see FIG. 2) executes a predetermined program, and the digital camera 1 is ready for photographing. Conversely, when the user turns off the power operation unit 3 while the camera body 100 is in the power-on state, the camera body 100 is turned off.

A mode dial 4 , a release button 5 and an accessory shoe 6 are provided on the upper surface of the camera body 100 . The shooting mode can be switched by the user rotating the mode dial 4 . Shooting modes include a manual still image shooting mode that allows the user to set shooting conditions such as shutter speed and aperture value, an auto still image shooting mode that automatically obtains the appropriate amount of exposure, and a camera for shooting movies. There is a video shooting mode, etc. The camera control unit 12 performs shooting preparation operations such as autofocus and automatic exposure control in accordance with the half-press operation of the release button 5, and performs shooting in accordance with the full-press operation. An accessory such as an external strobe device can be attached to the accessory shoe 6 .

The lens barrel 101 is mechanically and electrically connected to the lens mount 7 provided on the camera body 100 via the camera mount 102 . The lens barrel 101 accommodates an imaging optical system that forms an image of the subject by forming an image of the light from the subject on the imaging element 16 (see FIG. 2). A zoom operation ring 103 (first rotary operation ring) and a control operation ring 118 (second rotary operation ring) are provided on the outer circumference of the lens barrel 101 so as to be rotatable about the optical axis by user operation. . When the zoom operation ring 103 is rotated, the lens group (see FIG. 2) forming the imaging optical system moves to a predetermined position corresponding to the angle of the zoom operation ring 103 . This allows the user to shoot at a desired angle of view. One parameter selected from focus, aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation, etc. can be assigned to the control operation ring 118, and the value of the assigned parameter can be changed by rotating the control operation ring 118. can be changed. The user can improve usability by setting desired parameters on the control operation ring 118 in accordance with his/her shooting style.

A rear operation unit 8 and a display unit 9 are provided on the rear surface of the camera body 100 . The back operation unit 8 includes a plurality of buttons and dials to which various functions are assigned. When the power of the camera body 100 is on and the still image or moving image shooting mode is set, the display unit 9 displays a through image of the subject being imaged by the image sensor 16 . Also, the display unit 9 displays shooting parameters indicating shooting conditions such as shutter speed and aperture value, and the user can set the shooting parameters to desired setting values by operating the rear operation unit 8 while viewing the display. can be changed. The rear operation unit 8 includes a playback button for instructing playback of recorded captured images. When the playback button is operated, the captured image or the like recorded in the storage section 13 (see FIG. 2) is played back and displayed on the display section 9 .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical and optical configuration of the digital camera 1. As shown in FIG. The camera body 100 includes a power supply section 10 that supplies power to the camera body 100 and the lens barrel 101 . The camera body 100 also has an operation unit 11 including a power supply operation unit 3, a mode dial 4, a release button 5, a rear operation unit 8, and a display unit 9 having a touch panel function. Overall system control of the digital camera 1 is performed by cooperation between the camera control section 12 provided in the camera body 100 and the lens control section 104 provided in the lens barrel 101 .

The camera control unit 12 reads and executes computer programs stored in the storage unit 13 . At this time, the camera control unit 12 communicates various control signals, data, and the like with the lens control unit 104 via the communication terminal of the electrical contact 105 provided on the camera mount 102 . The electrical contact 105 includes a power terminal that supplies power from the power supply section 10 to the lens barrel 101 .

The imaging optical system of the lens barrel 101 is composed of a plurality of optical elements. Specifically, the imaging optical system includes a zoom group that is connected to the zoom operation ring 103 and moves in the optical axis direction to change the angle of view, and an image blur correction device 250 that includes a shift lens 112 as a vibration reduction element. have. The image blur correction device 250 reduces image blur by shifting (moving (displacing)) the shift lens 112 in an arbitrary direction within the XY plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The imaging optical system also has an aperture group 301 that performs a light amount adjustment operation, and a focus group 114 that includes a focus lens that moves in the optical axis direction to perform focus adjustment. Further, the lens barrel 101 has an anti-vibration driver 201 that drives the image blur correction device 250 , an aperture driver 302 that drives the aperture group 301 , and a focus driver 401 that moves the focus group 114 .

The camera body 100 has a shutter unit 14 , a shutter driving section 15 , an imaging device 16 , an image processing section 17 and a camera control section 12 . The shutter unit 14 controls the amount of subject light that passes through the imaging optical system in the lens barrel 101 and forms an image on the imaging device 16 . The imaging device 16 photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject (subject image) formed on an imaging surface and outputs an imaging signal. The image processing unit 17 performs various image processing on the imaging signal to generate an image signal. Since the display unit 9 has already been described with reference to FIG. 1, the description thereof will be omitted.

The camera control unit 12 controls the focus driving unit 401 in accordance with a photographing preparation operation on the operation unit 11 (half-press operation of the release button 5, etc.). For example, when an autofocus operation is instructed, the focus detection unit 18 uses the image signal generated by the image processing unit 17 to determine the focus state of the subject image formed on the imaging device 16, and outputs the focus signal. It is generated and transmitted to the camera control section 12 . In parallel with this, the focus drive unit 401 transmits information about the current position of the focus group 114 to the camera control unit 12 . Then, the camera control unit 12 compares the focus state of the subject image and the current position of the focus group 114 to obtain the shift amount, calculates the focus drive amount from the calculated shift amount, and transmits the shift amount to the lens control unit 104 . The lens control unit 104 moves the focus group 114 to the target position in the optical axis direction via the focus driving unit 401 with the acquired focus driving amount. As a result, the focus shift of the subject image is corrected, and the subject is focused (focused).

The focus drive unit 401 includes a focus motor (not shown) and a photo interrupter (not shown) that detects the origin position of the focus group 114 . A stepping motor or the like can be used as the focus motor, but it is not limited to this, and a DC motor or an ultrasonic motor (vibration type actuator) having an encoder may be used. Also, instead of the photointerrupter, a photoreflector or a brush that contacts the conductive pattern to electrically detect a signal may be used.

The camera control unit 12 controls driving of the diaphragm group 301 and the shutter unit 14 via the diaphragm driving unit 302 and the shutter driving unit 15 according to the setting values of the diaphragm value and the shutter speed received through the operation unit 11 . For example, when an automatic exposure control operation is instructed, the camera control section 12 receives a luminance signal generated by the image processing section 17 and performs photometric calculation. Based on the obtained photometry calculation result, the camera control unit 12 controls the aperture driving unit 302 in response to a photographing instruction operation (full-press operation of the release button 5, etc.) on the operation unit 11 . In parallel with this, the camera control section 12 controls driving of the shutter unit 14 via the shutter driving section 15 to perform exposure processing for the imaging element 16 .

The camera body 100 has a pitch shake detection section 19 and a yaw shake detection section 20 as shake detection means capable of detecting image shake caused by a user's hand shake or the like. The pitch shake detector 19 and the yaw shake detector 20 detect image shake in the pitch and yaw directions using an angular velocity sensor (vibration gyro) and an angular acceleration sensor, respectively, and output a shake signal. The camera control unit 12 uses the shake signal acquired from the pitch shake detection unit 19 to calculate the shift position of the shift lens 112 in the Y direction, and uses the signal acquired from the yaw shake detection unit 20 to calculate the X shift position of the shift lens 112 . Calculate the shift position in the direction. The camera control unit 12 drives the image stabilization device 250 via the anti-vibration drive unit 201 according to the calculated shift positions in the pitch and yaw directions, and moves the shift lens 112 to the target positions in the X and Y directions. move. This reduces image blurring during exposure and during display of a through image.

The lens barrel 101 has a zoom detector 106 that detects the rotation angle of the zoom operation ring 103 . The zoom detection unit 106 is configured using, for example, a linear displacement sensor such as a resistive linear potentiometer, and detects the angle of the zoom operation ring 103 operated by the user as an absolute value. The angle of view information detected by the zoom detection unit 106 is transmitted to the lens control unit 104 and then reflected in various controls by the camera control unit 12 . Part of the information described above is recorded in the storage unit 13 or a recording medium (not shown) together with the captured image (image data).

Next, the positional relationship of the main components of the lens barrel 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 to 5 are side cross-sectional views (YZ cross-sectional views (cross-sectional views perpendicular to the X-axis)) of the digital camera 1, which are cross-sectional views including the optical axis. 3 shows the state in which the lens barrel 101 is set at the wide-angle end, FIG. 4 shows the state in which the lens barrel 101 is set at the telephoto end, and FIG. 5 shows the state in which the lens barrel 101 is set at the retracted end. is set to .

The imaging optical system of the lens barrel 101 employs a six-group configuration, and predetermined lens groups move to different predetermined positions in the optical axis direction at the wide-angle end and the telephoto end, and the incident light is captured by the image sensor 16. to form an image. The imaging optical system includes a first zoom group 111, a shift lens 112 (second zoom group), an aperture group 301, a third zoom group 113, a focus group 114 (fourth zoom group), and a fifth zoom group. 115 and a sixth zoom group 116 . Note that the configuration of the imaging optical system is not limited to the six-group configuration. Also, for example, the shift lens 112 and the focus group 114 may function as other zoom groups. Additionally, some lens groups may be fixed rather than movable.

The lens barrel 101 has a rectilinear guide barrel 107 and a cam barrel 108 . The rectilinear guide tube 107 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the cam tube 108 and held by the camera mount 102 via the fixed tube 109 . Cam grooves 107a (see FIG. 10) are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rectilinear guide tube 107 at equally divided positions. Further, on the rectilinear guide barrel 107, rectilinear guides are formed at equally divided positions to regulate the movement of the rectilinear barrel 117 holding the first zoom group 111 in the rotational direction and to guide the rectilinear movement in the direction of the optical axis. It is

The cam cylinder 108 is connected to the zoom operation ring 103 via a key (not shown). A cam follower 108a (see FIG. 10) is provided on the inner peripheral side of the cam barrel 108. When the zoom operation ring 103 is rotated, the cam barrel 108 is slidably fitted between the cam groove 107a and the cam follower 108a. As a result, it advances and retreats in the direction of the optical axis while rotating about the optical axis.

Further, cam grooves having trajectories of different angles in the rotation direction are formed at equally divided positions in the cam cylinder 108 . On the other hand, the rectilinear barrel 117 holding the first zoom group 111 has a plurality of rectilinear guide grooves slidably fitted into the rectilinear guide guides of the rectilinear guide barrel 107 and the cam grooves of the cam barrel 108 so as to be slidable. A plurality of mating cam followers are provided. When the zoom operation ring 103 is rotated, the cam barrel 108 rotates. Accordingly, the first zoom group 111 (straight-moving barrel 117) is in a state in which the cam follower of the straight-moving barrel 117 is engaged with the cam groove of the cam barrel 108, so that rotation about the optical axis is restricted. to advance or retreat in the direction of the optical axis.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the image blur correction device 250 and its neighboring components. The third zoom group 113 has a rectilinear guide 123 as a cam follower. A rectilinear guide groove 127 is provided inside the rectilinear guide tube 107 arranged on the inner peripheral side of the cam tube 108 . The rectilinear guide groove 127 engages with the rectilinear guide 123 to restrict rotation of the third zoom group 113 about the optical axis.

A diaphragm group 301 is provided in front of the third zoom group 113 , and an image blur correction device 250 is arranged in front of the diaphragm group 301 . The image blur correction device 250 has a base member 501 , a coil 502 , a shield case 503 , a ball 504 (rolling member), a shift member 506 , a magnet 507 , a yoke 508 , a spring 509 and an anti-floating member 510 .

The base member 501 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is connected to the third zoom group 113 . Therefore, the base member 501 is restricted from rotating about the optical axis. The coil 502 is attached to the base member 501 and connected to the lens control section 104 . The shield case 503 is attached to the base member 501 and covers the back side of the coil 502 . The object side (not shown) of the coil 502 (object side (front end side of the lens barrel 101)) is open and faces the magnet 507 in the optical axis direction (Z direction). Ball 504 is housed in base member 501 .

A shift member 506 is a holding member that holds the shift lens 112 and is in contact with the ball 504 . Magnet 507 is attached to shift member 506 and faces coil 502 in the optical axis direction. Yoke 508 is joined to magnet 507 .

On the outer periphery of the base member 501 on the objective side, there are three spring hooking portions 511 (see FIG. 7 as necessary) which are extending portions extending radially outward at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction. are installed in places. Similarly, the shift member 506 has three spring hooks 516 (refer to FIG. 7) at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the objective-side outer periphery. The three springs 509 are elastic tension springs with first and second hooks at their ends. A first hook of the spring 509 is engaged with the spring engaging portion 511 of the base member 501 and a second hook of the spring 509 is engaged with the spring engaging portion 516 of the shift member 506 . The three springs 509 are arranged such that the longitudinal direction of each spring 509 forms an angle of 75° with the optical axis (see FIG. 7 as necessary). As a result, the shift member 506 is biased against the base member 501 and placed in a position where the tensile force of the spring 509 is balanced.

In addition, the lens control unit 104 supplies current to the coil 502 so that the shift member 506 can be moved as a voice coil type actuator with respect to the base member 501 within the XY plane perpendicular to the optical axis. That is, image blur can be reduced by moving the shift lens 112 held by the shift member 506 within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

The floating stopper member 510 restricts the floating of the shift member 506 in the optical axis direction. As a result, inadvertent movement of the shift member 506 due to drop impact or the like is reduced.

FIG. 7A is a front view (viewed from the objective side) of the image blur correction device 250 and its nearby components. FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 7(a). Note that the anti-floating member 510 is not shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b).

As shown in FIG. 7( a ), the spring hooking portion 511 of the base member 501 is arranged so as to overlap the rectilinear guide 123 in the radial direction. Note that overlapping in the radial direction means overlapping when viewed from the optical axis direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the spring hooking portion 511 of the base member 501 is arranged in the rectilinear guide groove 127 . In this way, by setting the inner diameter of the rectilinear guide barrel 107 inside the spring hook portion 511 of the base member 501, the diameter of the lens barrel 101 is shortened around the optical axis.

Further, the spring hooking portion 511 of the base member 501 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the spring hooking portion 516 of the shift member 506 in the radial direction of the lens barrel 101 . The spring hook portion 516 of the shift member 506 extends from the shift member 506, and since the shift member 506 is movable within the XY plane perpendicular to the optical axis, the spring hook portion 516 is also within the XY plane of the shift member 506. moves in the XY plane with the movement in . Therefore, if the spring hooking portion 516 of the shift member 506 is arranged in the rectilinear guide groove 127 , the width of the rectilinear guide groove 127 must be set to a width that ensures the movement space of the spring hooking portion 516 .

On the other hand, since the base member 501 does not move in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis, the spring hooking portion 511 extending radially outward from the base member 501 also moves in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis. never move to Therefore, when the spring hooking portion 511 of the base member 501 is arranged in the rectilinear guide groove 127, it is not necessary to secure a space in consideration of the movement of the spring hooking portion 511 within the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. Therefore, when the spring hooking portion 511 of the base member 501 is arranged in the rectilinear guide groove 127, compared with the case where the spring hooking portion 516 of the shift member 506 is arranged in the rectilinear guide groove 127, the rectilinear guide It becomes possible to narrow the width of the groove 127 . As a result, it is possible to reduce the mechanical strength of the rectilinear guide tube 107 while minimizing its mechanical strength.

FIG. 8(a) is a front view of the image blur correction device 250 and its nearby components. FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. 8(a). Although the anti-floating member 510 is not shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, FIGS. 8A and 8B show the anti-floating member 510. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8( a ), the anti-floating member 510 is provided with an extended portion 520 extending from the anti-floating member 510 so as to cover the rectilinear guide groove 127 . The extending portion 520 is provided at a position overlapping the spring 509 and the spring hooking portion 511 of the base member 501 in the radial direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the extension 520 is arranged in the rectilinear guide groove 127, and the rectilinear guide 123 and the spring 509 and the spring hooking portion 511 of the base member 501 guide the optical axis. It is arranged so as to sandwich it in the direction. With this configuration, stray light reaching the image sensor 16 through the straight guide groove 127 and stray light reflected by the spring 509 and reaching the image sensor 16 can be reduced.

Next, a click mechanism provided on the zoom operation ring 103 will be described. 9A is a side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the boundary between the zoom operation ring 103 and the fixed barrel 109. FIG. FIG. 9B is a bottom cross-sectional view (ZX cross-sectional view) when viewed from the center of the optical axis. 9A and 9B both show the structure of the click mechanism 600 when the lens barrel 101 is in the vicinity of the wide-angle end. on the side.

The fixed barrel 109 holds the pin member 601 so that it can move straight along the optical axis. The side surface of the tip (object side) of the pin member 601 is tapered. Moreover, the pin member 601 has a sleeve shape, and a compression coil spring 602 as a biasing member is inserted therein. One end of the compression coil spring 602 is in contact with the fixed barrel 109 and receives a reaction force from the fixed barrel 109 to urge the pin member 601 toward the zoom operation ring 103 . On the other hand, the inner peripheral surface of the zoom operation ring 103 is provided with a tapered protrusion 103 a at a position where the radius from the optical axis is the same as the radius from the optical axis to the pin member 601 .

Therefore, when the zoom operation ring 103 is rotated, the tapered protrusion 103a and the tapered distal end of the pin member 601 come into contact with each other, generating a force to stop the rotation. When the zoom operation ring 103 is further rotated against this force, the pin member 601 moves in the optical axis direction along the projection 103a, and the tip of the pin member 601 climbs over the projection 103a. At that time, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 602 acts as a load on the rotation operation, and a click feeling is generated.

In the click mechanism 600, by changing the tapered protrusion 103a, the angle of the tapered tip of the pin member 601, and the urging force of the compression coil spring 602, the zoom operation ring 103 can be rotated. You can set the click feeling. By imparting a click feeling to the zoom operation ring 103 in this way, the user can easily recognize the phase boundary of the zoom operation ring 103 .

Next, the relationship between the phase of the rotation operation of the zoom operation ring 103 and the rotation operation torque will be described. FIG. 10 is a developed view of the rectilinear guide barrel 107 and the zoom operation ring 103, and a diagram showing changes in rotational operation torque with respect to the phase of the zoom operation ring 103. FIG. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis represents the phase of the zoom operation ring 103, and the movement of the zoom operation ring 103 and the cam cylinder 108 with respect to the phase is schematically shown. Although FIG. 10 shows the pin member 601 moving along with the rotation of the zoom operation ring 103 , the phase between the pin member 601 and the linear guide tube 107 is actually fixed by the fixed tube 109 .

The phase due to the rotation operation of the zoom operation ring 103 is divided into a shooting area from the telephoto end to the wide-angle end and a non-shooting area from the wide-angle end to the retracted end. The cam groove 107a of the rectilinear guide cylinder 107 extends parallel to the direction orthogonal to the optical axis over the entire imaging area. The cam groove 107a of the rectilinear guide barrel 107 has a first section I extending parallel to the direction orthogonal to the optical axis and a second section I having a predetermined inclination with respect to the direction orthogonal to the optical axis in the non-imaging area. has an interval II of The second section II is provided in the vicinity of the wide-angle end in the non-imaging area, and when the cam follower 108a passes through the second section II, the cam cylinder 108 advances and retreats in the optical axis direction. The amount of movement of the cam cylinder 108 in the optical axis direction at that time is determined by the inclination and phase of the second section II.

Incidentally, as described above, the cam cylinder 108 is connected to the zoom operation ring 103 . Therefore, as the zoom operation ring 103 is rotated, the cam barrel 108 advances and retreats in the optical axis direction while rotating about the optical axis according to the slidable engagement between the cam groove 107a and the cam follower 108a. Therefore, the position of the cam follower 108 a changes in synchronization with the phase of the zoom operation ring 103 .

The projection 103a of the zoom operation ring 103 is provided at the wide-angle end and the retracted end. The projection 103a at the wide-angle end rises from the wide-angle end toward the retracted end, and separates the photographing area together with a rotation locking portion (not shown) provided at the telephoto end. Two projecting portions 103a at the collapsed end are provided so as to face each other, one projecting in the direction from the collapsed end to the wide-angle end, and the other projecting in the opposite direction.

The movement of the pin member 601 in the optical axis direction is restricted by the fixed barrel 109 in the photographing area, and a gap is maintained between the tip of the pin member 601 and the flat surface of the zoom operation ring 103. be done. On the other hand, in the non-shooting area, the tip of the pin member 601 is always in contact with the flat surface of the zoom operation ring 103 .

Next, a change in rotational operation torque when the zoom operation ring 103 is rotated from the telephoto end toward the retracted end will be described. As described above, the zoom operation ring 103 and the pin member 601 are not in contact with each other in the photographing area. Since it extends parallel to the , almost no load is generated. Therefore, the rotational operation torque generated in the imaging area is extremely small.

At the wide-angle end, the pin member 601 abuts against the protrusion 103a and generates a load (a force for compressing the compression coil spring 602) to overcome the protrusion 103a, thereby generating a large rotational operation torque.

In the vicinity of the wide-angle end of the non-imaging area, a load is generated due to contact between the tip portion of the pin member 601 and the flat portion of the zoom operation ring 103, and a load is generated when the cam follower 108a passes through the second section II. Therefore, a relatively large rotational operation torque is generated. In the subsequent non-imaging area (first section I), a load is generated due to the contact between the tip of the pin member 601 and the flat surface of the zoom operation ring 103, but when the cam follower 108a passes through the first section I, load is almost non-existent. Therefore, the rotational operation torque in the first section I is smaller than the rotational operation torque in the second section II, but is larger than the rotational operation torque in the imaging region.

At the collapsed end, the tip of the pin member 601 is fitted between the two protrusions 103a provided to face each other, and the rotation of the zoom operation ring 103 is stopped. As a result, the phase of the zoom operation ring 103 is fixed at the collapsed end, and can be locked in the retracted state (collapsed state) during non-shooting.

In order to shorten the overall length of the lens barrel 101 at the collapsed end (stored state), the cam barrel 108 is largely moved in the optical axis direction, and the range of the second section II is made as small as possible. If the layout efficiency of the surrounding area is improved, the slope of the second section II becomes larger. As a result, a large rotational operation torque is generated near the wide-angle end of the non-imaging area. Therefore, the click feeling of the click mechanism 600 is set such that the rotational operation torque generated at the wide-angle end is greater than the rotational operation torque generated near the wide-angle end in the non-imaging area. This allows the user to accurately recognize the boundary between the shooting area and the non-shooting area when operating the zoom operation ring 103 .

When the zoom operation ring 103 is rotated from the retracted end toward the telephoto end, the load generated when the pin member 601 rides over the projection 103a generates a large rotational operation torque only at the retracted end. There is no large rotational operation torque in other phases. In addition, the user can recognize the boundary between the non-imaging area and the imaging area because the rotational operation torque increases near the wide-angle end in the non-imaging area and decreases in the imaging area. Thus, the user can operate the zoom operation ring 103 smoothly from the non-imaging area to the imaging area.

Next, the positional relationship between the rectilinear barrel 117 and the zoom detector 106 will be described. FIG. 11(a) is a partial side sectional view of the lens barrel 101 when the lens barrel 101 is at the telephoto end. FIG. 11B is a partial side cross-sectional view of the lens barrel 101 when the lens barrel 101 is at the collapsed end.

The first zoom group 111 is held by a rectilinear barrel 117, and the rectilinear barrel 117 is held by a rectilinear guide barrel 107 so as to be movable in the optical axis direction. The zoom operation ring 103 is held by a fixed barrel 109 so as to be rotatable about the optical axis by a rotary slide portion 103b. When the zoom operation ring 103 is rotated, the cam cylinder 108 connected to the zoom operation ring 103 rotates. At this time, since the cam groove (not shown) provided on the outer circumference of the cam barrel 108 and the cam follower of the rectilinear barrel 117 are engaged with each other, the rectilinear barrel 117 is linearly moved in the optical axis direction as the cam barrel 108 rotates. do.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that a linear potentiometer is used for the zoom detection unit 106 . Therefore, in the following description, the zoom detector 106 is called the linear potentiometer 106. FIG.

The linear potentiometer 106 is fixed to the fixed cylinder 109 with a screw or the like (not shown) so that the position detection direction is substantially parallel to the optical axis direction. The linear potentiometer 106 has a detection protrusion 106c movable in a direction parallel to the optical axis, and the signal output to the lens control section 104 changes according to the position of the detection protrusion 106c. The detection projection 106c is slidably fitted in a cam groove 103c provided on the inner circumference of the zoom operation ring 103, so that the rotation angle of the zoom operation ring 103 is the linear movement amount of the detection projection 106c. converted.

The linear potentiometer 106 is arranged outside the rectilinear barrel 117 in the radial direction of the lens barrel 101, and the linear potentiometer 106 and the rectilinear barrel 117 are in a positional relationship in which they do not overlap in the radial direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, at the telephoto end, the first zoom group 111 held by the rectilinear barrel 117 is moved to the most object side in the optical axis direction. That is, at the telephoto end, the rectilinear barrel 117 is moved to the most front side (object side), and in this state, the rear end 117 a of the rectilinear barrel 117 (the end on the image sensor 16 side in the optical axis direction) is the front end of the linear potentiometer 106 . It is positioned ahead of 106a. Further, as shown in FIG. 11(b), at the collapsed end, the first zoom group 111 moves closest to the image sensor 16 in the optical axis direction. That is, at the collapsed end, the rectilinear barrel 117 is moved to the rearmost position (toward the imaging element 16), and in this state, the rear end 117a of the rectilinear barrel 117 is located behind the rear end 106b of the linear potentiometer 106.

Therefore, since the amount of movement of rectilinear barrel 117 can be detected beyond the total length of linear potentiometer 106, the total length when collapsed can be shortened to the limit of the lens interval without being restricted by linear potentiometer 106. Further, since the linear potentiometer 106 and the rectilinear cylinder 117 do not overlap in the radial direction, the rectilinear cylinder 117 does not need to be cut. Therefore, the front ends of the fixed barrel 109 and the control operation ring 118 need only be positioned slightly ahead of the rear end 117a when the rectilinear barrel 117 is moved most toward the subject. As a result, since it is not necessary to extend the entire length of the fixed barrel 109, it is possible to further increase the amount of rearward movement of the rectilinear barrel 117 when retracted.

Next, the positional relationship between the control operation ring 118 and the rotation detection unit 701 that detects the amount and direction of rotation of the control operation ring 118 will be described. FIG. 12 is a partial side sectional view of the lens barrel 101 when the lens barrel 101 is at the collapsed end.

The control operation ring 118 is rotatably held on the fixed barrel 109 . A rotation detector 701 for detecting the amount and direction of rotation is provided on the inner diameter side of the control operation ring 118 . The rotation detecting portion 701 has, as a portion to be detected, a comb-like light shielding uneven portion 118 a laid so as to encircle the inner circumference of the control operation ring 118 . Further, the rotation detection unit 701 has two transmissive photointerrupters 701a as detection sensors that are held by the fixed barrel 109 and arranged so as to sandwich the light shielding uneven portion 118a in the optical axis direction. The photointerrupter 701a outputs a change in light received by the light receiving portion as a signal when the light shielding uneven portion 118a crosses between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and detects the amount of rotation of the control operation ring 118 from this output signal. At this time, the rotation direction of the control operation ring 118 can be detected by providing a phase difference between the pitch of the light shielding uneven portion 118a and the pitch of the two photointerrupters 701a.

FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the lens barrel 101 at the collapsed end. The two photointerrupters 701a of the rotation detector 701 and the linear potentiometer 106 are provided at different angles from the center of the optical axis with respect to the ZX plane including the optical axis. In addition, the rear ends of the two photointerrupters 701a are located behind the front end of the linear potentiometer 106 in the optical axis direction. In other words, the photointerrupter 701a and the linear potentiometer 106 are arranged at positions that partially overlap each other in the optical axis direction.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the linear potentiometer 106 is provided at a position overlapping the zoom operation ring 103 and the control operation ring 118 in the optical axis direction. In addition, the control operation ring 118 and the light shielding uneven portion 118a are arranged so as to cross the front end 106a of the linear potentiometer 106 in the rotational direction. some overlap.

By arranging the linear potentiometer 106 and the rotation detector 701 of the control operation ring 118 so that at least a part thereof overlaps in the optical axis direction, the total length of the fixed barrel 109 can be shortened. As a result, the position of the control operation ring 118 held by the fixed barrel 109 can be brought closer to the imaging element 16 side, and the amount of movement of the rectilinear barrel 117 toward the subject image side when retracted can be increased. In addition, since the linear potentiometer 106 and the light shielding concave/convex portion 118a do not overlap in the optical axis direction (they do not overlap when viewed in the radial direction), there is no need to widen the outer diameter of the lens barrel 101. FIG.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide the lens barrel 101 that is miniaturized (reduced diameter and length) without degrading operability. The configuration and each member of the lens barrel 101 are not limited as long as the above functions can be obtained. For example, instead of the spring 509 , an elastic member such as rubber may be used, or the coil 502 may be attached to the shift member 506 and the magnet 507 may be attached to the base member 501 . Further, a plate spring may be used instead of the compression coil spring 602, and the pin member 601 may be held by the fixed barrel 109 so as to be linearly movable outward from the center of the optical axis. Furthermore, the second section II may be provided in the vicinity of the collapsed end of the non-imaging area.

Although the present invention has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention can be applied to the present invention. included. Furthermore, each embodiment described above merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and it is also possible to combine each embodiment as appropriate.

Reference Signs List 1 digital camera 101 lens barrel 103 zoom operation ring 106 linear potentiometer 107 rectilinear guide barrel 108 cam barrel 109 fixed barrel 111 first zoom group 112 shift lens 117 rectilinear barrel 118 control operation ring 118a light shielding uneven portion 250 image blur correction device 501 Base member 506 Shift member 511 Spring hook 701 Rotation detector 701a Photointerrupter

Claims (10)

a rectilinear barrel capable of holding an optical element and moving in the optical axis direction;
a first rotary operation ring for driving the rectilinear barrel in the direction of the optical axis;
a fixed barrel that rotatably holds the first rotary operation ring;
a direct-acting displacement sensor that is held by the fixed cylinder and detects the rotation angle of the first rotary operation ring;
The linear displacement sensor is
arranged so that the position detection direction is substantially parallel to the optical axis direction,
An optical device, wherein a rear end of the straight-moving barrel is located behind a rear end of the linear displacement sensor when the straight-moving barrel is moved to the rearmost position. 2. The optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rear end of the rectilinear barrel is located forward of the front end of the linear displacement sensor when the rectilinear barrel is moved forward most. The linear displacement sensor has a detection protrusion that outputs a signal corresponding to the position in the optical axis direction,
The detection protrusion is slidably fitted into a cam groove provided on the inner circumference of the first rotary operation ring, and along the cam groove as the first rotary operation ring rotates, the detection projection moves along the cam groove. 3. The optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle of the first rotary operation ring is converted into a rectilinear movement amount in the optical axis direction by moving in the optical axis direction. 4. An optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said linear displacement sensor is a resistive linear potentiometer. comprising a second rotary operation ring rotatably held on the fixed barrel;
The linear displacement sensor has at least the first rotary operation ring and the second rotary operation ring both when viewed from the optical axis direction and when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction. 5. The optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical instrument is arranged so as to partially overlap. a detected part laid so as to go around the inner circumference of the second rotary operation ring;
a detection sensor that is held by the fixed cylinder and detects the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the second rotary operation ring by detecting the rotation of the detected part about the optical axis;
At least a portion of the detected portion overlaps with the linear displacement sensor when viewed from the optical axis direction,
6. An optical device according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said detection sensor overlaps said linear displacement sensor when viewed from a direction orthogonal to said optical axis direction. 7. An optical instrument according to claim 6, wherein said detection sensor is a photointerrupter. an image blur correction device;
a rectilinear guide barrel that holds the image blur correction device movably in the direction of the optical axis while restricting rotation about the optical axis, and guides the rectilinear barrel so as to be movable in the direction of the optical axis; with
The image blur correction device includes:
a base member having a substantially cylindrical shape;
a holding member that holds the lens;
a rolling member disposed between the base member and the holding member;
driving means for moving the holding member in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;
The base member has an extension portion extending radially outward from the outer periphery,
the rectilinear guide barrel has a rectilinear guide groove on its inner peripheral surface for guiding the image blur correction device in the optical axis direction;
8. An optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the extension portion is arranged in the rectilinear guide groove. an image blur correction device;
An optical apparatus comprising: a rectilinear guide barrel that holds the image blur correction device movably in the optical axis direction while restricting rotation about the optical axis,
The image blur correction device includes:
a base member having a substantially cylindrical shape;
a holding member that holds the lens;
a rolling member disposed between the base member and the holding member;
a tension spring that biases the holding member against the base member via the rolling member;
driving means for moving the holding member in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;
The base member has an extension portion extending radially outward from the outer periphery,
the rectilinear guide barrel has a rectilinear guide groove on its inner peripheral surface for guiding the image blur correction device in the optical axis direction;
An optical instrument, wherein the extending portion is arranged in the rectilinear guide groove. a tension spring that biases the holding member against the base member via the rolling member;
10. The optical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the extended portion is a spring hook portion that locks one end of the tension spring.

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