JP4408229B2 - Imaging device and lens barrel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus that captures subject light with an image sensor and generates an image signal, and a lens barrel that houses a photographing lens including a plurality of lens groups.

  In recent years, in addition to the conventional type of camera that takes a picture on a silver salt film, it is equipped with an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor and forms an image signal by forming an image of a subject on the image sensor. Digital cameras are spreading rapidly.

  This digital camera is also required to have portability as well as shooting performance. The focal length can be changed and a desired angle of view can be taken, and the taking lens is retracted in a thin body for convenient portability. It is being stored.

  The photographic lens with variable focal length is composed of three groups of front lens group, rear lens group, and focus lens in order from the front in the optical axis direction. The focal length is variable and the focus is adjusted by moving the focus lens. The type of photographic lens used is widely adopted. Further, usually, a light amount control member such as a shutter or a diaphragm is provided between the front group lens and the rear group lens or between the rear group lens and the focus lens.

  Conventionally, a reduction in thickness has been achieved by retracting such a distance between the lens and the shutter as much as possible. However, there is a limit to the reduction in thickness.

  In order to realize further thinning, it is considered that one of the photographing lenses is retracted so as to be removed from the optical axis and retracted itself. Whether it is possible to realize a thin profile, or what kind of advancing / retracting mechanism can be used to retract to a required position when retracting with a simple mechanism and correctly advance on the optical axis when extended, There are no proposals for that.

  Conventionally, in order to change the focal length, it is known that the rear group lens is arranged on the optical axis to be telephoto, and then the wide angle is obtained by removing the group lens from the optical axis (see Patent Document 1). This proposal is only for changing the focal length and does not contribute to the thinning of the camera.

Further, as a technique related to the present invention described later, there is a shutter using an electro-optical element such as a liquid crystal shutter using liquid crystal (see Patent Documents 2 and 3) and a PLZT shutter using a polarizing plate (see Patent Document 4). Are known.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-34769 JP-A-9-163240 JP 2001-61165 A JP-A-8-304875

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel having a configuration effective for thinning, and an imaging device including such a lens barrel.

The first imaging device of the imaging device of the present invention that achieves the above object is an imaging device that captures subject light and generates an image signal, in order from the front in the optical axis direction, the first lens group, A lens group, and a third lens group, which includes a photographic lens having a variable focal length, and a lens barrel that can be extended and retracted and adjusts the focal length when extended;
The lens barrel
A cylinder that rotates as it is extended and retracted;
While holding the second lens group and holding the second lens group, the second lens group is moved between the advance position on the photographic lens optical axis and the retracted position off the photographic lens optical axis. A second lens group holding frame biased in a direction to move and move the second lens group to the advanced position,
The second lens group holding frame receives the power from the rotation of the cylinder when retracted, and retracts the second lens group to the retracted position.

  In the case of a photographic lens with a variable focal length, or a photographic lens that can be extended and retracted, a rotating barrel is usually provided in the lens barrel that holds the photographic lens. The first photographing apparatus of the present invention uses the rotating cylinder as a power source to retract the second lens group when retracted, and thus uses a member originally provided in the lens barrel as a power source. Thus, the second lens group can be retracted with a simple mechanism.

Here, the first imaging apparatus includes a second lens group guide frame that moves in the optical axis direction along with extension and retraction, and determines a position of the second lens group in the optical axis direction. The lens group holding frame is pivotally supported by the second lens group guide frame,
The tube has a turning action portion that contacts the second lens group guide frame by turning when retracted and acts on turning of the second lens group holding frame;
It is preferable that the second lens group holding frame has an action receiving part that receives the action of the turning action part when retracted to turn the second lens group to the retracted position.

  In the case of a conventional camera that only moves the second lens group in the optical axis direction, a lens frame that determines the position of the second lens group in the optical axis direction is provided, and the lens frame is moved in the optical axis direction. However, here, this lens frame is divided into the second lens group guide frame and the second lens group holding frame, and the second lens group holding frame is rotated with respect to the second lens group guide frame. The second lens group supported by the second lens group holding frame is pivotally supported so as to turn. By doing so, the second lens group can be retracted to the above-described indented portion when retracted by a simple mechanism, and can be accurately advanced on the optical axis when extended.

  Here, it is preferable that the second lens group holding frame is configured to advance the second lens group on the optical axis of the photographing lens by being released from the pressing of the turning action portion when extended. .

  Further, the turning action part is a protrusion provided at the rear end in the optical axis direction of the tube, and the action receiving part is pushed by a side surface of the turning protrusion when retracted, thereby The lens group may be pivoted from the photographing lens optical axis and retracted to the retracted position.

  The first photographing apparatus further includes a light amount control member that moves integrally with the second lens group in the optical axis direction of the photographing lens and controls the amount of light of the subject that passes through the photographing lens. The member may be integrated with the second lens group so as to advance on the optical axis of the photographing lens when extended and retract to the retracted position when retracted.

A second imaging device of the imaging device of the present invention that achieves the above object is an imaging device that captures subject light and generates an image signal, in order from the front in the optical axis direction, the first lens group, A lens barrel that accommodates a variable focal length photographic lens consisting of two lens groups and three third lens groups, and that can be extended and retracted freely and adjusts the focal length when extended;
The lens barrel
While holding the second lens group and holding the second lens group, the second lens group is moved between the advanced position on the photographic lens optical axis and the retracted position off the photographic lens optical axis. A second lens group holding frame;
The second lens group holding frame is moved to move the second lens group onto the photographic lens optical axis when extended, and to a retracted position when retracted. To do.

  The second photographing apparatus of the present invention is provided with a drive source for moving the second lens group holding frame for holding the second lens group. When the dedicated drive source is provided in this way, the lens barrel is provided. This eliminates the need for complicated engagement with other members constituting the, and allows a simple configuration.

  The second imaging apparatus further includes a second lens group guide frame that moves in the optical axis direction along with extension and retraction, and determines a position of the second lens group in the optical axis direction. It is preferable that the group holding frame is pivotally supported by the second lens group guide frame.

  The second photographing apparatus also includes a light amount control member that moves integrally with the second lens group in the optical axis direction of the photographing lens and controls the amount of light of the subject that passes through the photographing lens. The control member may be integrated with the second lens group so as to advance on the optical axis of the photographing lens when extended and retract to a retracted position when retracted.

In addition, the first lens barrel of the lens barrel of the present invention that achieves the above object includes, in order from the front in the optical axis direction, the first lens group, the second lens group, and the third lens group. In a lens barrel that accommodates a three-group variable focal length photographic lens, and can be extended and retracted, and the focal length can be adjusted when extended.
A cylinder that rotates as it is extended and retracted;
While holding the second lens group and holding the second lens group, the second lens group is moved between the advance position on the photographic lens optical axis and the retracted position off the photographic lens optical axis. And a second lens group holding frame biased in a direction to advance the second lens group to the advanced position,
The second lens group holding frame includes a cylinder that receives power from the rotation of the cylinder when retracted and retracts the second lens group to a retracted position.

Here, the first lens barrel includes a second lens group guide frame that moves in the optical axis direction along with extension and retraction, and determines a position of the second lens group in the optical axis direction. The lens group holding frame is pivotally supported by the second lens group guide frame,
The tube has a turning action portion that contacts the second lens group guide frame by turning when retracted and acts on turning of the second lens group holding frame;
It is preferable that the second lens group holding frame has an action receiving part that receives the action of the turning action part when retracted to turn the second lens group to the retracted position.

  In the first lens barrel, when the second lens group holding frame is extended, the second lens group is advanced on the optical axis of the photographing lens by being released from the action of the turning action portion. It is preferable that it is characterized by the above.

Further, the turning action part is a protrusion provided at the rear end in the optical axis direction of the cylinder,
The action receiving portion may be configured to revolve the second lens group from the photographing lens optical axis and retract to the retracted position by being pushed by the side surface of the rotating projection when retracted. Good.

  The first lens barrel includes a light amount control member that moves integrally with the second lens group in the optical axis direction of the photographic lens and controls the amount of light of a subject that passes through the photographic lens. The light quantity control member is integrated with the second lens group so as to advance onto the optical axis of the photographing lens when extended and retract to the retracted position when retracted.

In addition, the second lens barrel of the lens barrel of the present invention that achieves the above object includes, in order from the front in the optical axis direction, the first lens group, the second lens group, and the third lens group. In a lens barrel that accommodates a three-group variable focal length photographic lens, and can be extended and retracted freely and adjust the focal length when extended, the second lens group is held and the second lens group is A second lens group holding frame that moves the second lens group between the advancing position on the photographic lens optical axis and the retracted position off the photographic lens optical axis while being held;
A drive source is provided that moves the second lens group holding frame to move the second lens group on the photographic lens optical axis when extended and retracts to the retracted position when retracted. And

  Here, the second lens barrel includes a second lens group guide frame that moves in the optical axis direction along with the extension and retraction, and determines the position of the second lens group in the optical axis direction. The lens group holding frame is preferably pivotally supported by the second lens group guide frame.

  The second lens barrel also includes a light amount control member that moves integrally with the second lens group in the optical axis direction of the photographing lens and controls the light amount of the subject that passes through the photographing lens. The control member may be integrated with the second lens group so as to advance on the photographic lens optical axis when extended and retract to a retracted position when retracted.

  The first lens barrel and the second lens barrel of the present invention may both be unit types such as interchangeable lenses, and an image pickup device is also integrated. It may be a thing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a lens barrel and a photographing apparatus effective for thinning are configured.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  1 and 2 are external perspective views of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a retracted state of a lens barrel 100 incorporating a zoom lens of the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the lens barrel 100 of the digital camera 1 is extended. It is shown.

  The lens barrel 100 of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 incorporates a photographing lens composed of three groups as will be described later, and the focus is obtained by moving these lens groups in the optical axis direction. The distance is adjusted, and the focus is adjusted by moving the third group focus lens in the optical axis direction.

  An auxiliary light emission window 12 and a viewfinder objective window 13 are arranged at the upper front of the digital camera 1 shown in FIGS. A shutter button 14 is disposed on the upper surface of the digital camera 1.

  A zoom operation switch is provided on the rear surface (not shown) of the digital camera 1. When one of the zoom operation switches is pressed, the lens barrel 100 is extended to the telephoto side while the button is being pressed, and the zoom operation switch is When the other is pressed, the lens barrel 100 moves to the wide-angle side while continuing to press.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing main components of the lens barrel in the extended state of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as viewed from the optical axis direction. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF ′ of FIG. 7, FIG. 4 is a view showing the cross-sectional line AA ′ on the same cross-sectional view as FIG. 3, and FIG. It is the figure which showed line DD '. Similarly, in order to avoid complications and incomprehension of the drawings, a diagram for explaining with a reference numeral and a diagram with a fault line are separated. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the telephoto end state with the longest focal length along the cross-sectional line AA ′ in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 shows the cross-sectional line FF ′ on the same cross-sectional view as FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the wide end with the shortest focal length along the sectional line AA ′ of FIG. 4. FIG. 9 is the state of the wide end along the sectional line DD ′ of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows these main components. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the main components when the lens barrel in the retracted state of the digital camera of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 is viewed from the optical axis direction. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the fault line EE ′, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the fault line BB ′ and the fault line CC ′ on the same sectional view as FIG. 10, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB ′ of FIG. 11, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cross-sectional line BB ′ of FIG. It is.

  The following description will be made mainly with reference to FIG. 6 and with reference to other drawings as necessary.

  The lens barrel 100 shown in FIGS. 3 to 14 accommodates a photographing lens 110 including three groups of a front lens group 111, a rear lens group 112, and a focus lens 113 in order from the front in the optical axis direction. ing. In this photographic lens 110, the focal length changes when the rear group lens 112 moves between the tele end shown in FIG. 6 and the wide end shown in FIG. 8, and the focus lens 113 moves in the optical axis direction. Thus, the focus adjustment is performed.

  At the front end of the internal space, an opening 102 through which the photographic lens 110 is viewed is formed. On the rear side, a wall member 103 fixed to the camera body or constituting a part of the camera body is disposed. The outline is defined by the wall member 103 and a plurality of cylinders described later.

  A CCD image sensor (hereinafter abbreviated as CCD) 120 is attached to the wall member 103 so as to protrude into the internal space 101. By disposing the CCD 120 at a position protruding into the internal space 101, a recessed portion 104 defined by the CCD 120 and the wall member 103 is formed on the side of the CCD 120.

  Further, a feed screw 131 is rotatably supported on the wall member 103, and a nut member 132 is screwed onto the feed screw 131, and the focus lens holding the focus lens 113 is engaged with the nut member 132. The holding frame 133 is fixed. The feed screw 131 is rotationally driven by a focus motor (not shown) provided on the camera body side, and the focus lens 113 is moved in the optical axis direction by the rotation of the feed screw 131, and the subject image focused on the front surface of the CCD 120. The position of the focus lens 113 is adjusted so that.

  A fixed cylinder 140 is fixed to the wall member 103, and a rotating cylinder 150 is provided inside the fixed cylinder 140. The rotary cylinder 150 is provided with a gear 151 meshed with a columnar gear 105 (see FIG. 3) on its outer periphery, and the columnar gear 105 is rotationally driven by a lens barrel drive motor (not shown). The rotating cylinder 150 rotates. A cam groove 141 is formed on the inner wall of the fixed cylinder 140, and a cam pin 152 fixed to the rotary cylinder 150 is fitted into the cam groove 141. When a rotational driving force is received through the optical axis, it moves forward or backward in the optical axis direction while rotating.

  In addition, a rotary cylinder side linear key ring 154 is provided inside the rotary cylinder 150 so as to be rotatable with respect to the rotary cylinder 150, but not relatively movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the rotary cylinder 150. Further, a key plate 155 is fixed to the rotary cylinder side rectilinear key ring 154, and the key plate 155 is fitted into a key groove 142 formed on the inner wall of the fixed cylinder 140 and extending in the optical axis direction. The rotary cylinder side linear key ring 154 is freely prevented from rotating in the optical axis direction with respect to the fixed cylinder 140. Therefore, when the rotary cylinder 150 moves in the optical axis direction while rotating, the rotary cylinder-side linear key ring 154 is not rotated because it is prevented from rotating with respect to the fixed cylinder 140, but in the optical axis direction, the rotary cylinder 150 is not rotated. Move with.

  A rotatable intermediate cylinder 160 is provided inside the rotary cylinder 150. A cam groove 156 is formed on the inner wall of the rotary cylinder 150, and a cam groove 157 is formed in the rotary cylinder side linear key ring 154 so as to penetrate the outer circumference and the inner circumference thereof. A cam pin 161 provided on the intermediate cylinder 160 is fitted into the cam groove 156 so as to penetrate the cam groove 157 of the rotary cylinder side linear key ring 154. Therefore, when the rotary cylinder 150 rotates and moves in the optical axis direction, the intermediate cylinder 160 also rotates in accordance with the shape of the cam groove of the rotary cylinder 150 and the rotary cylinder-side linear key ring 154, and further relative to the rotary cylinder 150. Move in the direction of the optical axis.

  An intermediate cylinder side straight key ring 164 is provided inside the intermediate cylinder 160. The rotary cylinder side rectilinear key ring 154 described above is formed with a rectilinear key 158, and the intermediate cylinder side rectilinear key ring 164 is fitted into the rectilinear key 158 of the rotary cylinder side rectilinear key ring 154. The intermediate cylinder side rectilinear key ring 164 is relatively rotatable with respect to the intermediate cylinder 160, while relative movement in the optical axis direction with respect to the intermediate cylinder 160 is prohibited. Therefore, when the intermediate cylinder 160 rotates and moves relative to the rotating cylinder 150 in the optical axis direction, the intermediate cylinder side rectilinear key ring 164 does not rotate, but the intermediate cylinder 160 moves in the optical axis direction. Moves straight in the direction of the optical axis.

  A cam groove 165 for guiding the rear group guide frame 170 is formed on the inner wall of the intermediate cylinder 160, and a cam pin 171 fixed to the rear group guide frame 170 is provided in the cam groove 165. The cylinder side straight key ring 164 is inserted in a state of being prevented from rotating. Therefore, when the intermediate cylinder 160 rotates, the rear group guide frame 170 moves straight in the optical axis direction according to the shape of the cam groove 165 on the inner wall of the intermediate cylinder 160.

  A shutter unit 179 is fixed to the rear group guide frame 170 in front of the optical axis direction. The shutter unit 179 includes a diaphragm member that controls the amount of subject light passing through the photographing lens 110 by controlling the aperture diameter, and a shutter that controls the amount of subject light passing through the imaging lens 110 by controlling the shutter speed. Both members are provided.

  Further, a rear group holding frame 172 that holds the rear group lens 112 is pivotally supported by the rotation shaft 173 with respect to the rear group guide frame 170 at the rear in the optical axis direction. The range of rotation of the rear group holding frame 172 is such that the rear group lens 112 held by the group holding frame 172 then moves to the optical axis of the photographing lens 110 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) and the side of the CCD 120. It is the range which turns between the retreat positions (refer FIG. 12) which enter into the hollow part 104 of this. A coil spring 174 is provided around the rotation shaft 173, and the rear group holding frame 172 is spring-biased by the coil spring 174 in a direction in which the rear group lens 112 rotates on the optical axis of the photographing lens 110. And is also urged in the direction of the optical axis.

  A mechanism for turning the rear group holding frame 172 to cause the rear group lens 112 to turn and retract to the retracted position set in the recessed portion 104 will be described later.

  The intermediate tube 160 is formed with another cam groove 166 for guiding the front group frame 180 holding the front group lens 111, and the cam pin 181 provided in the front group frame 180 is formed in the cam groove 166. Has entered. Further, the front group frame 180 is stopped by the intermediate cylinder side rectilinear key ring 164 so as to freely move in the optical axis direction. Therefore, when the intermediate cylinder 160 rotates, the front group frame 180 moves straight in the optical axis direction with respect to the intermediate cylinder 160 according to the shape of the cam groove 166.

  6, when the rotational driving force in the retracted direction is transmitted to the rotary cylinder 150 via the columnar gear 105 when the telephoto end is at the telephoto end of FIG. 6, the telephoto end of FIG. 12 is retracted to the state shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 through the state of the wide end, and conversely, when the retracted state is shown in FIGS. Then, the retracted state shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 is extended from the wide end state shown in FIG. 8 to the tele end state shown in FIG. 6 via the wide end state.

  When shooting, the zoom operation switch described above is operated to adjust the focal length between the tele end shown in FIG. 6 and the wide end shown in FIG. 8, thereby setting a desired shooting field angle. The focus lens 113 is focused to a position where the highest contrast can be obtained by contrast detection based on the image signal obtained by the CCD 120. Thereafter, when the shutter button is pressed, an image signal representing the subject at that time is generated by the CCD 120, subjected to appropriate image processing, and recorded.

  Next, a mechanism for turning the rear lens group 112 to the retracted position when retracted will be described.

  As described above, the rear group holding frame 172 that holds the rear group lens 112 is rotatably supported by the rear group guide frame 170 by the rotating shaft 173, and the rear group lens 112 is light of the photographing lens 110 by the coil spring 174. It is spring-biased in a direction located on the shaft. A lever member 175 shown in FIGS. 3 and 9 and the like is also rotatably supported by the rear group guide frame 170 by a rotation shaft 176. As shown in FIG. 3, the rear group holding frame 172 is provided with a fork-like engagement groove 178, and an engagement pin 177 provided at one end of the lever member 175 enters the engagement groove 178. It is out.

  Here, on the wall member 103 that defines the rear surface of the internal space 101 of the lens barrel 100, as shown in FIG. 9, the collapsing of the end 175a opposite to the direction in which the pin 177 of the lever member 175 is provided. A convex portion 205 having a shape protruding into the internal space 101 is formed in the direction movement locus, and a tapered surface 205 a is provided on the tip side of the convex portion 205. Accordingly, when the rotary cylinder 150 rotates in the retracted direction, the intermediate cylinder 160 and the rear group guide frame 170 cam-engaged with the intermediate cylinder 160 also move in the retracted direction, and the end portion 175a of the lever member 175 is a taper of the convex portion 205. When it hits the surface 205a and moves along the tapered surface 205a, the lever member 175 rotates from the rotational position shown in FIG. 3 to the rotational position shown in FIG. Then, since the pin 177 of the lever member 175 enters the fork-like engagement groove 178 of the rear group holding frame 172, the rear group holding frame 172 also rotates around the rotation shaft 173, and the rear group lens 112 Is retracted from the position on the optical axis shown in FIG. 3 to the retracted position shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the retreat position is a recessed portion 104 formed on the side of the CCD 120.

  When the retracted state shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 is moved in the feeding direction, the protrusion 205 protruding from the wall member 103 and the lever member 175 shown in FIG. 9 are disengaged from each other, and the rear group holding frame 172 is a coil spring. 10 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 10 to the state shown in FIG. 3, whereby the rear lens group 112 is turned from the retracted position shown in FIG. 10 to a position on the optical axis (see FIG. 3). To do.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, when the lens barrel is retracted, the rear group lens 112 is retracted to the recessed portion 104 on the side of the CCD 120 by causing the convex portion 205 of the wall member 103 to act on the lever member 175. In the case of a digital camera equipped with a conventional retracting and feeding mechanism in which the recessed portion 104 is retracted while being disposed on the optical axis without having a mechanism for retracting the photographing lens from the optical axis, it tends to become a dead space. However, in this embodiment, since the rear lens group 112 is removed from the optical axis and retracted in the recessed portion 104, the recessed portion 104 is effectively used, and a further reduction in thickness can be realized as compared with the prior art.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the digital camera shown in FIGS.

  The digital camera 1 includes the above-described photographing lens 110, shutter unit 179, and CCD image sensor 120. The subject image formed on the CCD image sensor 120 via the photographing lens 110 and the shutter unit 179 is converted into an analog image signal by the CCD image sensor 120. Here, the shutter unit 179 is for suppressing the occurrence of smear due to light when reading an analog signal from the CCD image sensor 120.

  Moreover, the auxiliary light emission part 130 is provided here, This auxiliary light emission part 130 light-emits auxiliary light at the time of low illumination. In addition, the auxiliary light emitting unit 130 can emit light when necessary other than low illuminance.

  The camera 1 also includes an analog signal processing unit 501, an A / D unit 502, a digital signal processing unit 503, a temporary memory 504, a compression / decompression unit 505, a built-in memory (or memory card) 506, An image monitor 507 and a drive circuit 508 are provided. The CCD image sensor 120 is driven at a timing generated by a timing generation circuit (not shown) in the drive circuit 508, and outputs an analog image signal. The drive circuit 508 also includes a drive circuit that drives the photographing lens 110, the shutter unit 179, the auxiliary light emitting unit 130, and the like. The analog image signal output from the CCD image sensor 120 is subjected to analog signal processing by the analog signal processing unit 501, A / D converted by the A / D unit 502, and digital signal processed by the digital signal processing unit 503. Data representing the digital signal processed signal is temporarily stored in temporary memory 504. The data stored in the temporary memory 504 is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 505 and recorded in the built-in memory (or memory card) 506. Depending on the shooting mode, the compression process may be omitted and the recording may be performed directly in the built-in memory 506. The data stored in the temporary memory 504 is read out to the image monitor 507, whereby an image of the subject is displayed on the image monitor 507.

  Further, the camera 1 is provided with a CPU 509 for controlling the entire camera 1, an operation switch group 510 including a zoom operation switch and the like, and a shutter button 14. By operating the operation switch group 510, Photographing is performed by setting a desired photographing state including setting a desired angle of view and pressing the shutter button 14.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In each embodiment described below, the appearance and schematic circuit configuration are substantially the same as the appearance (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and schematic circuit configuration (see FIG. 15) in the first embodiment described above. Even if there is a difference between them, the description of the characteristic part of the present invention is not necessary, so illustration and description thereof are omitted here, and only the configuration of the lens barrel will be described. Also, in the description of the lens barrel, the same reference numerals as those in the drawings (FIGS. 3 to 14) of the first embodiment are used for the same components as those of the first embodiment described above. Only the differences will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the main components when the lens barrel in the extended state of the digital camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the optical axis direction. FIG. FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the same sectional line as the sectional line FF ′ shown in FIG. 7, which is a diagram of the first embodiment described above, and FIG. 17 is a sectional line D on the same sectional view as FIG. 16. It is the figure which showed -D '. FIG. 18 is a diagram of the telephoto end having the longest focal length along the same sectional line as the sectional line AA ′ shown in FIG. 4 corresponding to FIG. 16 in FIG. FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the state of the wide end with the shortest focal length along the same tomographic line as in FIG. 18, and FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the wide end along the tomographic line DD ′ in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the main components of a state. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing main components of the digital camera according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 20 when the lens barrel in the retracted state is viewed from the optical axis direction. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along the same fault line as the fault line EE ′ shown in FIG. 13, which is a diagram of the first embodiment described above corresponding to FIG. 22. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure taken along the same fault line as the fault line CC ′ and fault line BB ′ shown in FIG. 11, which is the diagram of the first embodiment described above corresponding to FIG. 21; .

  In the case of this second embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 20 corresponding to FIG. 9 in the first embodiment described above, the convex portion 205 protruding from the wall member 103 shown in FIG. Is not provided.

  Instead, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, the rear end edge of the intermediate cylinder 160 is provided with a convex portion 160 a that protrudes rearward, and the one end 175 a of the lever member 175 is connected to the intermediate cylinder 160. It extends to a position where it engages with the convex portion 160a.

  At the time of collapsing, the intermediate tube 160 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 16 to the position shown in FIG. In the middle of the rotation, the side wall 160b of the convex portion 160a abuts on the end 175a of the lever member 175, and the lever member 175 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 16 to the state shown in FIG. The rear group lens 112 held by the group holding frame 172 rotates from the position on the optical axis shown in FIG. 16 to the retracted position shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when moving in the feeding direction from the retracted state shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the convex portion 160a of the intermediate cylinder 160 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 21 to the position shown in FIG. The engagement with the lever member 175 is released, and the rear group lens 112 is rotated from the retracted position to the position on the optical axis by the action of the coil spring 174.

  Even with such a mechanism, the rear lens group 112 can be removed from the optical axis and retracted to the recessed portion 104 as in the case of the first embodiment described above.

  Furthermore, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As in the case of the second embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing the main parts when the lens barrel in the extended state of the digital camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the optical axis direction. FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the same tomographic line as the tomographic line FF 'shown in FIG. 7 which is a figure of corresponding 1st Embodiment mentioned above. FIG. 25 is a view showing a tomographic line D-D ′ on the same sectional view as FIG. 24. Further, FIG. 26 shows a telephoto with the longest focal length along the same tomographic line as the tomographic line AA ′ shown in FIG. 4 corresponding to FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the end, FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the wide end with the shortest focal length along the same tomographic line as FIG. 26, and FIG. 28 is a wide view along the tomographic line DD ′ of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the main components of the state of an end. FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing the main parts of the digital camera of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 to 28 when the lens barrel in the retracted state is viewed from the optical axis direction. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along the same fault line as the fault line EE ′ shown in FIG. 13, which is a diagram of the first embodiment described above corresponding to FIG. 30, and FIG. 30 and FIG. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure taken along the same fault line as the fault line CC ′ and fault line BB ′ shown in FIG. 11 which is the diagram of the first embodiment described above corresponding to FIG. 29; .

  In the case of this third embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 28 corresponding to FIG. 9 in the first embodiment and FIG. 20 in the second embodiment, the protrusion 205 protruding from the wall member 103 in FIG. None of the protrusions 160a projecting to the rear end of the intermediate cylinder 160 are provided, and the lever member 175 that engages with them is not provided.

  In the third embodiment, instead, a stepping motor 190 and a drive gear 191 fixed to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 190 for transmitting the rotational driving force of the stepping motor 190 to the rear group holding frame 172 are provided. A transmission gear 192 for transmitting driving force, a receiving gear 193 fixed to the rear group holding frame 172, and a photo interrupter 194 for detecting that the rear group holding frame 172 is on the optical axis. It has been.

  In the rear group lens 112, the rotational driving force of the stepping motor 190 is transmitted to the rear group holding frame 172 via the driving gear 191, the transmission gear 192, and the receiving gear 193, and then the group holding frame 172 is rotated around the rotation shaft 173. By rotating, it rotates between a position on the optical axis and a retracted position. Also in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28, a coil spring 174 is provided around the rotation shaft 173, and the rear lens group 112 is stable at a position on the optical axis by the biasing force of the coil spring 174. Can stay in.

  As in the third embodiment, a driving source for turning the rear group lens 112 by rotating the rear group holding frame 172 may be provided separately from the retracting lens barrel and the driving source for feeding. Also in the case of the third embodiment, similarly to the case of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the rear group lens 112 can be removed from the optical axis and retracted to the recessed portion 104.

  FIG. 32 is a sectional view along the optical axis showing the telephoto end state of the longest focal length of the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 33 is the focus of the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment as in FIG. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view along the optical axis showing the retracted state of the digital camera of the fourth embodiment, which is the same as FIGS. 32 and 33, showing the state of the wide end with the shortest distance.

  FIGS. 32 to 34 are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 6, 8, and 12, respectively, in the first embodiment described above. The difference from the first embodiment described above is that the first embodiment described above. In the embodiment, instead of the shutter unit 179 being fixed to the rear group guide frame 170, the shutter unit 179 is fixed to the rear group holding frame 172 in the fourth embodiment shown here. The shutter unit 179 is fixed to the rear group holding frame and is disposed in front of the rear group lens 112. Here, the shutter unit 179 is of a type that controls the amount of light using an electro-optical element such as liquid crystal or PLZT (polarizing plate), and the shutter unit 179 is controlled by controlling the aperture diameter. Both an aperture for controlling the amount of light passing through and a shutter for controlling the amount of light passing therethrough by controlling the shutter speed are incorporated.

  Since the shutter unit 179 is fixed to the rear group holding frame 172 that holds the rear group lens 112, when retracted, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the lens advances along with the rear lens group 112 on the optical axis.

  The mechanism for retracting and retracting with advancement and advancement is the same as in the case of the first embodiment described above, and redundant illustration and description are omitted here.

  FIG. 35 is a sectional view along the optical axis showing the telephoto end state of the longest focal length of the digital camera of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36 is the focus of the digital camera of the fifth embodiment as in FIG. FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view along the optical axis showing the retracted state of the digital camera of the fifth embodiment, which is the same as FIGS. 35 and 36, showing the state of the wide end with the shortest distance.

  These FIGS. 35 to 37 are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 18, 19 and 22 in the second embodiment described above, respectively, and the difference from the second embodiment described above is the second embodiment described above. In the form, the shutter unit 179 is fixed to the rear group guide frame 170 as in the case of the first embodiment, whereas in the fifth embodiment shown here, the shutter unit 179 has the optical axis of the rear group lens 112. It is arranged at the rear side in the direction and fixed to the rear group holding frame 172. Here, as in the case of the fourth embodiment described above, the shutter unit 179 is of a type that controls the amount of light using an electro-optical element such as liquid crystal or PLZT. The shutter unit 179 has an aperture diameter. Both a diaphragm for controlling the amount of light passing therethrough by controlling the shutter and a shutter for controlling the amount of light passing therethrough by controlling the shutter speed are incorporated.

  Since this shutter unit 179 is fixed to the rear group holding frame 172 that holds the rear group lens 112, when retracted, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, the lens advances along with the rear lens group 112 on the optical axis.

  The mechanism of retracting and retracting with advancement and extension is the same as in the case of the second embodiment described above, and redundant illustration and description are omitted here.

  As described above, in the present invention, the rear unit lens and the shutter unit may be retracted and advanced together according to the collapse and extension.

  In the fourth and fifth embodiments, it has been described that the shutter unit 179 uses an electro-optical element such as liquid crystal or PLZT. However, the shutter unit retracted together with the rear lens group is not necessarily electro-optical. It is not necessary to use an element, and a mechanical shutter unit that mechanically controls the aperture diameter and shutter speed, or an iris shutter unit that advances and retracts an iris with a predetermined aperture on the optical axis may be used.

  Furthermore, although it has been described here that both a diaphragm and a shutter are provided, a unit that serves both as a diaphragm and a shutter may be provided. In this respect, the same applies to a shutter unit using an electro-optical element, and a unit that uses an electro-optical element and serves as both a diaphragm and a shutter may be provided.

  In the first to third embodiments, the shutter unit 179 remains on the optical axis without being retracted when retracted. In the description of the first to third embodiments, the structure of the shutter unit 179 has not been described. However, the shutter unit that remains on the optical axis when retracted may be a shutter unit that uses an electro-optical element, and is mechanical. It may be a shutter unit or an iris shutter unit. In the first, second, and third embodiments, the photographing lens includes three groups of a front lens group, a rear lens group, and a focus lens in order from the front in the optical axis direction, and the focal length is variable. Although the description has been given by taking as an example the type of taking lens that adjusts the focus by moving the focus lens at the rear end in the optical axis direction, the present invention is not limited to the case where the focus lens is located at the rear end, The present invention can be generally applied to a digital camera that includes a first, second, and third lens groups that are arranged and has a photographic lens of a type in which the focal length is variable and the focus is adjusted by moving the focus lens.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the description has been made with the digital camera for still image shooting in mind, but the digital camera for moving image shooting or the digital camera for both still image shooting and moving image shooting is also described. The present invention can be similarly applied.

  The present invention is not limited to a device configured as a digital camera, but can be widely applied to a wide range of imaging apparatuses such as a mobile phone and a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) having a camera function.

1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed the main components seeing the lens barrel in the extended state of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment of this invention from an optical axis direction. The figure which showed fault line A-A 'on the same sectional drawing as FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a fault line D-D ′ on the same sectional view as FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a tele end state with the longest focal length along the tomographic line A-A ′ of FIG. 4. It is the figure which showed the tomographic line F-F 'on the same sectional view as FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the wide end with the shortest focal length along the tomographic line A-A ′ of FIG. 4. It is sectional drawing which shows the main components of the state of a wide end along the tomographic line D-D 'of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed the main components seeing the lens barrel in the retracted state of the digital camera of the first embodiment from the optical axis direction. It is the figure which showed fault line B-B 'and fault line C-C' on the same sectional drawing as FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the tomographic line C-C 'of FIG. It is the figure which showed the tomographic line E-E 'on the same sectional drawing as FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the fault line B-B ′ of FIG. 11. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the digital camera shown in FIGS. It is the schematic diagram which showed the main components seeing the lens barrel in the extended state of the digital camera of the second embodiment of the present invention from the optical axis direction. It is the figure which showed the tomographic line D-D 'on the same sectional drawing as FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a tele end state with the longest focal length along the same cross-sectional line as the cross-sectional line A-A ′ shown in FIG. 4, which is a diagram of the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of the wide end of the shortest focal distance along the same tomographic line as FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the main components of the state of a wide end along the tomographic line D-D 'of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed the main components seeing the lens barrel in the retracted state from the optical axis direction of the digital camera of the second embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure cut along the same fault line as the fault line C-C 'shown in FIG. 11 which is a figure of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure cut along the same fault line as the fault line B-B 'shown in FIG. 11 which is a figure of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the main components seeing the lens barrel in the extended state of the digital camera of the third embodiment of the present invention from the optical axis direction. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a fault line D-D ′ on the same cross-sectional view as FIG. 24. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a tele end state with the longest focal length along the same cross-sectional line as the cross-sectional line A-A ′ shown in FIG. 4, which is a diagram of the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of the wide end of the shortest focal distance along the same tomographic line as FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the main components of the state of a wide end along the tomographic line D-D 'of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed the main components seeing the lens barrel in the retracted state from the optical axis direction of the digital camera of the third embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure cut along the same fault line as the fault line C-C 'shown in FIG. 11 which is a figure of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure cut along the same fault line as the fault line B-B 'shown in FIG. 11 which is a figure of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state of the tele end of the longest focal distance of the digital camera of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the wide end of the shortest focal distance of the digital camera of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the optical axis which shows the collapsed state of the digital camera of 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing in alignment with an optical axis which shows the state of the tele end of the longest focal distance of the digital camera of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of the wide end of the shortest focal distance of the digital camera of 5th Embodiment along an optical axis. It is sectional drawing which follows the optical axis which shows the collapsed state of the digital camera of 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 12 Auxiliary light emission window 13 Finder objective window 14 Shutter button 100 Lens barrel 101 Internal space 102 Opening 103 Wall member 104 Indentation part 105 Columnar gear 110 Shooting lens 111 Front group lens 112 Rear group lens 113 Focus lens 120 CCD image sensor 131 Feed screw 132 Nut member 133 Focus lens holding frame 140 Fixed cylinder 141 Cam groove 142 Key groove 150 Rotating cylinder 151 Gear 152 Cam pin 154 Fixed cylinder side rectilinear key ring 155 Key plate 156 Cam groove 157 Cam groove 160 Intermediate cylinder 160a Convex 160b Side wall 161 Cam pin 164 Intermediate cylinder side rectilinear key ring 165 Cam groove 166 Cam groove 170 Rear group guide frame 171 Cam pin 172 Rear group holding frame 173 Rotating shaft 174 Coil spring 175 Over member 175a end 176 rotating shaft 177 engages pin 178 engaging groove 179 shutter unit 180 before group frame 181 the cam pin 205 protruding portions 205a tapered surface

Claims (4)

In a photographing device that captures subject light and generates an image signal,
In order from the front in the optical axis direction, a photographic lens having a variable focal length consisting of three groups of a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group is accommodated, and can be extended and retracted freely. It has a lens barrel that adjusts the focal length,
The lens barrel is
A tube that has a protrusion at the rear end in the optical axis direction, extends, and rotates along with the collapse,
A second lens group guide frame that moves in the optical axis direction along with the retracting and retracting and determines the position of the second lens group in the optical axis direction;
The second lens group is held and supported by the second lens group guide frame so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis, and the second lens group is supported by the photographing lens. Holding the second lens group biased in a direction to move the second lens group to the advanced position while moving between the advanced position on the optical axis and the retracted position off the optical axis of the photographing lens Frame ,
A central portion is pivotally supported on the second lens group guide frame so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis, one end is engaged with the second lens group holding frame, and the other end is retracted. A lever member that pivots the second lens group from the optical axis of the photographing lens and retracts it to the retracted position by being pushed by a side surface of the protrusion provided at the rear end in the optical axis direction of the tube ; photographing apparatus characterized by comprising a.   A light amount control member that moves integrally with the second lens group in the optical axis direction of the photographing lens and controls a light amount of a subject that passes through the photographing lens, and the light amount control member includes the second lens group; 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus moves forward on the optical axis of the photographing lens when extended and retracts to the retracted position when retracted. In order from the front in the optical axis direction, a photographic lens having a variable focal length consisting of three groups of a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group is accommodated, and can be extended and retracted freely. In a lens barrel that adjusts the focal length,
A tube that has a protrusion at the rear end in the optical axis direction, extends, and rotates along with the collapse,
A second lens group guide frame that moves in the optical axis direction along with the retracting and retracting and determines the position of the second lens group in the optical axis direction;
The second lens group is held and supported by the second lens group guide frame so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis . The second lens group is supported by the photographic lens. Holding the second lens group biased in a direction to move the second lens group to the advanced position while moving between the advanced position on the optical axis and the retracted position off the optical axis of the photographing lens Frame ,
A central portion is pivotally supported on the second lens group guide frame so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis, one end is engaged with the second lens group holding frame, and the other end is retracted. A lever member that pivots the second lens group from the optical axis of the photographing lens and retracts it to the retracted position by being pushed by a side surface of the projection provided at the rear end in the optical axis direction of the tube ; A lens barrel characterized by comprising:   A light amount control member that moves integrally with the second lens group in the optical axis direction of the photographing lens and controls a light amount of a subject that passes through the photographing lens, and the light amount control member includes the second lens group; 4. The lens barrel according to claim 3, wherein the lens barrel advances into the optical axis of the photographing lens when extended and retracts to the retracted position when retracted.

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