JP5397774B2 - Lens barrel, imaging device, and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  In one form, the present invention retracts and stores at least a part of a plurality of lens groups each composed of one or more lenses, and in another form, the lens group is extended to a predetermined position for use. The present invention relates to a lens barrel that uses a collapsible structure, and in particular, a lens barrel that is suitable for thinning when storing a lens in a zoom lens that can change the focal length by relatively moving at least some of the plurality of lens groups. The present invention relates to an imaging device and an electronic device.

In an imaging optical system of an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, at least a lens barrel other than the time of shooting is taken along with the progress of high performance of a photographing lens such as a zoom lens capable of changing a focal length and downsizing according to user requirements. There is an increasing use of a so-called collapsible photographic lens, a part of which is housed in the body casing of the imaging device. That is, the lens barrel in this type of imaging optical system constitutes a photographic lens by a plurality of lens groups each including one or more lenses, and in one form, at least a part of the plurality of lens groups is retracted and stored. In another embodiment, a collapsible structure is used in which the portion is extended to a predetermined position. In a zoom lens or the like, the focal length is changed by relatively moving at least a part of the plurality of lens groups.
Furthermore, it is important to reduce the thickness dimension of the lens barrel portion in the retracted state to the limit due to the demand for further thinning, not just miniaturization.
In order to reduce the thickness in the retracted state, various methods have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2007-33481), Patent Document 2 (JP 2004-118101), and Patent Document 3 ( JP-A-11-4371) and the like.

  That is, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-33481) shows that the optical element is retracted outside the optical axis during storage to reduce the thickness dimension in the retracted storage state. Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-118101) shows that the optical filter is retracted outside the optical axis during storage to reduce the thickness dimension in the retracted storage state. Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-4371) discloses that the imaging unit is retracted outside the optical axis to reduce the thickness dimension in the retracted state.

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-33481), since a part of the lens group is retracted outside the optical axis in the lens barrel, the radial dimension perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens barrel has a size. It gets bigger. Further, in the configuration of Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-118101), since only the optical filter is retracted outside the optical axis in the lens barrel, the amount of reduction in thickness is small, and Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-118101). As in 2007-33481), the radial dimension perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens barrel increases. In the configuration of Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-4371), an FPC (flexible) is connected to the imaging unit to transmit and receive input / output signals in order to retract the imaging unit including the imaging device to the outside of the optical axis. Processing of electrical components such as a printed wiring board becomes complicated.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and effectively reduces the size in the direction along the optical axis when retracted with a simple configuration without increasing the radial size of the lens barrel. An object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel, an imaging device, and an electronic apparatus that are obtained.
That is, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the size of the lens barrel in the direction along the optical axis with a simple configuration without increasing the size of the lens barrel in the radial direction. To provide a lens barrel.

The object of claim 2 of the present invention is to reduce the size in the direction along the optical axis particularly when retracted, and without imposing a load on the operation of the moving means of the retractable lens group during imaging, An object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel capable of improving the position accuracy of the retractable lens group and improving the image quality of the image pickup.
An object of claim 3 of the present invention is to reduce the size in the direction along the optical axis particularly when retracted, and to effectively improve the positioning accuracy of the optical filter on the optical axis during imaging. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lens barrel that can improve the above.
The object of claim 4 of the present invention is to effectively reduce the dimension in the direction along the optical axis when retracted, and to effectively position the optical filter on the optical axis at the time of imaging with a very simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lens barrel that can improve the image quality of images.
The object of claim 5 of the present invention is to reduce the size in the direction along the optical axis especially when retracted, and to detect abnormal operations of the retractable lens and the optical filter effectively with a simple configuration, It is an object of the present invention to provide a lens barrel that makes it possible to give an appropriate warning.

An object of claim 6 of the present invention is a lens mirror that can regulate the position of the optical filter when inserting the optical filter onto the optical axis, improve the positioning accuracy of the optical filter, and improve the image quality of the image. To provide a torso.
An object of claim 7 of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel that realizes at least one of light shielding and dust prevention suitable for the filter and its vicinity, and can improve the image pickup image quality. .
The object of claim 8 of the present invention is to clean the front surface of the image pickup device effectively, particularly when the filter is retracted from the optical axis and inserted on the optical axis, and dust on the image pickup device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lens barrel that can prevent image sticking and improve image pickup image quality.
An object of claim 9 of the present invention is to effectively clean at least one surface of the optical filter with a simple configuration, when the filter is retracted from the optical axis and when inserted into the optical axis. An object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel capable of preventing the adhesion of dust and the like and improving the image pickup image quality.
An object of claim 10 of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel that can further reduce the dimension in the direction along the optical axis when retracted.

The object of the eleventh aspect of the present invention is to reduce the size of the lens barrel in the imaging lens barrel in the radial direction, with a simple configuration and in the direction along the optical axis when retracted. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can be remarkably reduced in size.
The object of claim 12 of the present invention is, in particular, a simple configuration without increasing the radial dimension of the lens barrel in the lens barrel for the imaging function, and the dimension along the optical axis when retracted. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that can significantly reduce the size of the device.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a lens barrel according to the present invention described in claim 1 is provided.
A plurality of lens groups each consisting of one or more lenses;
A plurality of lens holding members that hold the plurality of lens groups for each lens group;
Lens group driving means for moving the plurality of lens groups via the plurality of lens holding members;
An image sensor for converting an optical image formed by the plurality of lens groups into electronic image information;
An optical filter for optically filtering a light beam incident on the image sensor;
A lens barrel having a fixed frame for holding these parts,
The lens group driving means includes
Driving the plurality of lens groups between a retracted state in which at least a part of the plurality of lens groups is retracted and a photographing state moved to the objective side;
In the retracted state, at least one lens group is retracted outside the inner diameter of the lens barrel as a retractable lens group.
A retractable lens moving member that holds and moves the retractable lens group and retracts;
A filter retracting member that holds the optical filter so as to be retractable,
At least one of the retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member has an engaging means for engaging the retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member, and the retracting lens moving member is When retracting the retracting lens group from the optical axis, the engaging means engages the filter retracting member to retract the optical filter from the optical axis, and at least one of the remaining lens groups in the vacant space. It is characterized by accommodating the part.

A lens barrel according to a second aspect of the present invention is the lens barrel according to the first aspect,
The retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member engaging means are engaged when the retracting lens moving member approaches the image sensor along the optical axis and retracts when the retracting lens moving member is retracted, and couples both to start. In some cases, when the retractable lens moving member is inserted at a position on the optical axis, the coupling between both is released.
A lens barrel according to a third aspect of the present invention is the lens barrel according to the first or second aspect,
It further includes an urging member that constantly urges the filter retracting member in the direction of insertion on the optical axis.
A lens barrel according to the present invention described in claim 4 is the lens barrel of claim 3,
The urging member is a torsion spring.
The lens barrel according to the present invention described in claim 5 is the lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Position detecting means for detecting the positions of the retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member is provided on the fixed frame.

A lens barrel according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the lens barrel according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
A position restricting means is provided for restricting the position of the filter retracting member on the optical axis when the filter retracting member is inserted on the optical axis.
A lens barrel according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the lens barrel according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,
In addition to the optical filter, the filter retracting member holds at least one of a light shielding member and a dustproof member.
A lens barrel according to the present invention described in claim 8 is the lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The filter retracting member is a flocked paper that cleans the front surface of the image sensor when inserted into the optical axis and when retracted from the optical axis, at least part of the periphery of the optical filter on the side facing the image sensor An imaging element cleaning member such as the above is provided.

A lens barrel according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the lens barrel according to any one of the first to eighth aspects,
A flocked paper that cleans the imaging surface side of the optical filter when the filter retracting member enters the optical axis and retracts from the optical axis at least at the periphery of the light receiving surface of the image pickup device and its vicinity. And a filter cleaning member.
A lens barrel according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the lens barrel according to any one of the first to seventh aspects,
The filter retracting member further holds the image sensor and electronic components attached thereto.
An imaging apparatus according to the present invention described in claim 11 is provided.
The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is provided as an imaging optical system.
An electronic device according to the present invention described in claim 12 is
An imaging function is provided, and the lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is provided as an imaging optical system.

According to the present invention, a lens barrel capable of effectively reducing the size in the direction along the optical axis when retracted, with a simple configuration, without increasing the radial size of the lens barrel, An imaging device and an electronic device can be provided.
That is, according to the lens barrel of claim 1 of the present invention,
A plurality of lens groups each consisting of one or more lenses;
A plurality of lens holding members that hold the plurality of lens groups for each lens group;
Lens group driving means for moving the plurality of lens groups via the plurality of lens holding members;
An image sensor for converting an optical image formed by the plurality of lens groups into electronic image information;
An optical filter for optically filtering a light beam incident on the image sensor;
A lens barrel having a fixed frame for holding these parts,
The lens group driving means includes
Driving the plurality of lens groups between a retracted state in which at least a part of the plurality of lens groups is retracted and a photographing state moved to the objective side;
In the retracted state, at least one lens group is retracted outside the inner diameter of the lens barrel as a retractable lens group.
A retractable lens moving member that holds and moves the retractable lens group and retracts;
A filter retracting member that holds the optical filter so as to be retractable,
At least one of the retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member has an engaging means for engaging the retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member, and the retracting lens moving member is When retracting the retracting lens group from the optical axis, the engaging means engages the filter retracting member to retract the optical filter from the optical axis, and at least one of the remaining lens groups in the vacant space. By housing the part
Without increasing the radial dimension of the lens barrel, the dimension in the direction along the optical axis when retracted can be significantly reduced with a simple configuration.

According to the lens barrel of claim 2 of the present invention, in the lens barrel of claim 1,
The retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member engaging means are engaged when the retracting lens moving member approaches the image sensor along the optical axis and retracts when the retracting lens moving member is retracted, and couples both to start. Sometimes, when the retractable lens moving member is inserted at a position on the optical axis, the coupling between both is released,
In particular, the size in the direction along the optical axis when retracted is reduced, and the position of the retractable lens group is not affected by the movement of the retractable lens group during imaging. Can be improved.
According to the lens barrel of claim 3 of the present invention, in the lens barrel of claim 1 or claim 2,
By further including a biasing member that constantly biases the filter retracting member in the direction of insertion on the optical axis,
In particular, it is possible to reduce the dimension in the direction along the optical axis when retracted and to effectively improve the positioning accuracy of the optical filter on the optical axis at the time of imaging, thereby improving the image quality.

According to the lens barrel of claim 4 of the present invention, in the lens barrel of claim 3,
The biasing member is a torsion spring,
In particular, the size in the direction along the optical axis when retracted is reduced, and the positioning accuracy of the optical filter on the optical axis at the time of imaging is effectively improved with a very simple configuration, and the image quality of the image is improved. Is possible.
According to the lens barrel of claim 5 of the present invention, in the lens barrel of any one of claims 1 to 4,
By providing the fixed frame with position detecting means for detecting the position of the retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member,
In particular, it is possible to reduce the size along the optical axis when retracted and to detect abnormal operations of the retractable lens and optical filter effectively with a simple configuration and to give an appropriate warning to the user. It becomes possible.
According to the lens barrel of claim 6 of the present invention, in the lens barrel of any one of claims 1 to 5,
By providing a position restricting means for restricting the position of the filter retracting member on the optical axis when the filter retracting member is inserted on the optical axis,
In particular, it is possible to restrict the position of the optical filter when the optical filter is inserted on the optical axis, increase the positioning accuracy of the optical filter, and improve the imaging quality.

According to the lens barrel of claim 7 of the present invention, in the lens barrel of any one of claims 1 to 6,
In addition to the optical filter, the filter retracting member holds at least one of a light shielding member and a dustproof member,
In particular, it is possible to achieve at least one of light shielding and dust prevention appropriate for the filter and its vicinity, and improve the image quality of the image.
According to the lens barrel of claim 8 of the present invention, in the lens barrel of any one of claims 1 to 7,
The filter retracting member is a flocked paper that cleans the front surface of the image sensor when inserted into the optical axis and when retracted from the optical axis, at least part of the periphery of the optical filter on the side facing the image sensor By providing an imaging element cleaning member such as
In particular, with a simple configuration, the front surface of the image sensor is effectively cleaned when the filter is retracted from the optical axis and inserted on the optical axis, and dust and the like are prevented from adhering to the image sensor. It becomes possible to improve.

According to the lens barrel of claim 9 of the present invention, in the lens barrel of any one of claims 1 to 8,
A flocked paper that cleans the imaging surface side of the optical filter when the filter retracting member enters the optical axis and retracts from the optical axis at least at the periphery of the light receiving surface of the image pickup device and its vicinity. By further providing a filter cleaning member such as
In particular, with a simple configuration, when the filter is retracted from the optical axis and inserted into the optical axis, at least one surface of the optical filter is effectively cleaned, and dust and the like are prevented from adhering to the optical filter. Can be improved.
According to the lens barrel of claim 10 of the present invention, in the lens barrel of any one of claims 1 to 7,
The filter retracting member further holds the image sensor and the electronic components attached thereto,
In particular, it is possible to further reduce the dimension along the optical axis when retracted.

According to the imaging device of claim 11 of the present invention,
By including the lens barrel of any one of claims 1 to 10 as an imaging optical system,
In particular, without increasing the radial dimension of the lens barrel in the imaging lens barrel, the dimensions in the direction along the optical axis when retracted can be significantly reduced with a simple configuration.
According to the electronic device of claim 12 of the present invention,
By having an imaging function and including the lens barrel of any one of claims 1 to 10 as an imaging optical system,
In particular, without increasing the radial dimension of the lens barrel in the lens barrel for the imaging function, the dimensions in the direction along the optical axis when retracted can be significantly reduced with a simple configuration. .

1 shows a longitudinal section along an optical axis in a photographing state of a core unit, which is a main part of a digital camera including a lens barrel configured as a zoom lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a peripheral portion thereof. (A) is a longitudinal sectional view in the wide-angle state, and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view in the telephoto state. It is the perspective view which looked at the core unit of FIG. 1 in the retracted storage state from diagonally forward. It is the perspective view which looked at the core unit of FIG. 1 in the imaging | photography state from diagonally forward. It is a disassembled perspective view which mainly decomposes | disassembles and shows the lens-barrel part of the core unit of FIG. 1 shows a detailed arrangement configuration of the fourth group lens system (retractable lens group), the optical filter, the holding drive system thereof, and the portion related to the imaging element in the core unit of FIG. 1 in the photographing state, (a) The perspective view which looked at the said part from diagonally forward, and (b) are the side views which looked at the said part from the side. FIG. 6 shows a detailed arrangement of the fourth lens group system, the optical filter, the holding drive system thereof, and the portion related to the imaging element in the core unit of FIG. 1 immediately before retraction and immediately before shooting preparation; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the part as viewed obliquely from the front, (b) is a side view of the part as viewed from the side, and (a) is a fourth group lens system holding drive system and optical filter holding viewed from the back. It is a partial detail drawing of the interlocking | linkage part with a drive system. 1 shows a detailed arrangement configuration of a part relating to the fourth group lens system, the optical filter, and their holding and driving system and the image pickup element in the core unit of FIG. 1 in the retracted and housed state. The perspective view seen from diagonally forward, and (b) are the side views which looked at the said part from the side. It is the rear view which looked at the core unit of FIG. 1 in the retracted retracted storage state from the inner back side. A lens barrel according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a fourth group lens system of a core unit in a retracted retracted state of a digital camera as an imaging apparatus incorporating the lens barrel as an imaging optical system. (Retractable lens group), the arrangement configuration of the parts related to the optical filter and their holding drive system and the image sensor, (a) is a front view of the part viewed from the front, and (b) It is the side view which looked at the part from the side. FIG. 10 is a side view of the fourth group lens system, the optical filter, the holding drive system, and the portion related to the image pickup device in FIG. 9 in a state immediately before shooting preparation and immediately before retraction, as viewed from the side. FIG. 10 is a side view of the fourth group lens system, the optical filter, the holding drive system thereof, and the portion related to the image pickup device in FIG.

Hereinafter, based on an embodiment of the present invention, a lens barrel according to the present invention and a digital camera which is an imaging apparatus of the present invention using the same as an imaging optical system will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 8 show a configuration of a main part of a digital camera as an imaging apparatus incorporating the lens barrel and the lens barrel according to the first embodiment of the present invention as an imaging optical system.
FIG. 1 is a so-called core unit (referred to as a camera unit or a lens unit) which is a main part of a digital camera including a lens barrel configured as a zoom lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention and its peripheral portion. (A) is a longitudinal sectional view along the optical axis in the photographing state, (a) is a longitudinal sectional view in the wide-angle state, and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view in the telephoto state. 2 is a perspective view of the core unit of FIG. 1 in the retracted state as seen from the diagonally front side (subject side), FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the core unit in FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view mainly showing an exploded lens barrel portion of the core unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows a detailed arrangement configuration of the fourth lens group, which is the retracting lens group in the core unit of FIG. 1 in the photographing state, the optical filter, the holding drive system, and the portion related to the imaging element, (A) is the perspective view which looked at the said part from diagonally forward, and (b) is the side view which looked at the said part from the side.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed arrangement of the fourth lens group, which is the retracting lens group of the core unit of FIG. 1 in the state immediately before retraction and immediately before shooting preparation, the optical filter, and their holding drive system and the portion related to the image sensor. The structure is shown, (a) is the perspective view which looked at the said part from diagonally forward, (b) is the side view which looked at the said part from the side, and the 4th group seen from the back of (a) It is a partial detail drawing of the interlocking | linkage part of a lens system holding | maintenance drive system and an optical filter holding | maintenance drive system. FIG. 7 shows a detailed arrangement configuration of the fourth lens group, which is the retracting lens group in the core unit of FIG. 1 in the retracted and retracted state, the optical filter, the holding drive system, and the portion related to the image sensor. (A) is the perspective view which looked at the said part from diagonally forward, (b) is the side view which looked at the said part from the side. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the core unit of FIG. 1 viewed from the inner back side in the retracted retracted and retracted state.
The core unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 includes a first group lens system 1, a second group lens system 2, a third group lens system 3, a fourth group lens system 4, an optical filter 5, an image sensor 6, and a shutter / aperture. Unit 7, first group lens holding frame 11, lens barrel 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, fixed frame 17, lens barrier 18, second group lens holding frame 21, third group lens holding frame 31, retracting lens Moving member (fourth group lens holding frame) 41, torsion springs 42 and 52, countershaft 43, filter retracting member (filter holding frame) 51, fourth group focus lens drive motor 53, gears 54 and 55, lead screw 56, A female screw member 57 and a main shaft 58 are provided.

  In this case, the lens barrel of the core unit is used as an imaging optical system of a digital camera that is an imaging device, and is normally used as a shooting state. In this photographing state, the first group lens system 1, the second group lens system 2, the third group lens system 3, the fourth group lens system 4, the optical filter 5, and the imaging are sequentially performed from the object side, that is, the subject side. Elements 6 are arranged on the optical axis. The plurality of lens groups, that is, the first group lens system 1, the second group lens system 2, the third group lens system 3, and the fourth group lens system 4 are each composed of one or more lenses, and have a variable focal length, for example, zoom The lens is configured, and the first group lens system 1 to the third group lens system 3 are moved on the optical axis to change the focal length, that is, a magnification operation. The fourth group lens system 4 is a focusing lens for focus adjustment. In the state where the first group lens system 1 to the third group lens system 3 have a required focal length, the fourth group lens system 4 is moved to the optical axis. The movement is performed by moving the focus up, that is, the focusing operation.

  The lens barrels 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are barrels such as a rotary barrel, a liner, a cam barrel and a straight barrel, and these rotary barrels, liners, cam barrels and straight barrels, etc. Are appropriately combined, and the first group lens system 1 and the second group lens system 2 are moved as necessary in relation to the fixed frame 17. Various combinations of the rotary cylinder, liner, cam cylinder, straight cylinder, and the like in the lens barrels 12 to 16 are conceivable. In the present invention, the combination configuration is not limited. Although not shown in detail, the third group lens system 3 moves in conjunction with the first group lens system 1 and the second group lens system 2 via an appropriate drive system. The lens barrier 18 has an opening / closing window, and further protects the object surface of the lens on the most object (subject) side of the first group lens system 1 in order to protect the object (subject) further than the first group lens system 1. The opening / closing window is opened when the optical system is used, such as when photographing, and is closed when the photographing system is not being photographed, such as when the optical system is not used. The shutter / aperture unit 7 is provided between the second group lens system 2 and the third group lens system 3, for example.

The first group lens system 1 to the third group lens system 3 are zooming lenses, and are moved by a driving source (not shown) for each group and in relation to each other via a required driving mechanism. Although the distance is changed, the fourth group lens system 4 which is a focusing lens is driven almost independently by a single drive motor 53. That is, as shown in detail in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the lead screw 56 is rotated by the drive motor 53 via the plurality of gears 54 and 55. A female screw member 57 that is prevented from rotating by an appropriate rotation restricting mechanism and is movable only in the axial direction of the lead screw 56 is screwed to the lead screw 56, and the female screw member 57 is rotated by the rotation of the lead screw 56. The lead screw 56 can be moved back and forth along the axial direction.
The female screw member 57 is engaged with a retractable lens moving member 41 which is a retractable lens holding frame for holding the fourth group lens system 4 as a retractable lens group at one end, and the retractable lens moving member 41 and the first lens member 57 are interposed therebetween. The fourth group lens system 4 is moved. The retractable lens moving member 41 is held by a main shaft 58 inserted through the sleeve portion at the other end so as to be movable back and forth in the direction along the main shaft 58 and rotatable about the main shaft 58. Is engaged with the female screw member 57 at the cam portion formed on the outer periphery thereof. When the fourth group lens system 4 is in a photographing state located on the optical axis, the state is as shown in FIG. 5, and the female screw member 57 is driven forward and backward by forward / reverse rotation of the lead screw 56 by the drive motor 53. Along with this, the fourth group lens system 4 which is a focusing lens is moved forward / backward on the optical axis to perform a focusing operation.

On the other hand, when retracting, the drive motor 53 is reversely rotated to retract the female screw member 57 to a state as shown in FIG. 6, and the retractable lens is centered on the main shaft 58 by the cam formed on the rotation base of the retractable lens moving member 41. The moving member 41 is rotated, and the fourth group lens system 4 is retracted from the optical path near the optical axis and stored in a state as shown in FIG. The auxiliary shaft 43 is a positioning guide for accurately positioning the fourth group lens system 4 as the retracting lens group on the optical axis, and the retracting lens moving member 41 is attached to the upper side of the optical axis by the torsion spring 42. Thus, the position of the fourth group lens system 4 is stabilized on the optical axis by coming into contact with the auxiliary shaft 43, and the rotation of the retractable lens moving member 41 around the main shaft 58 during the above-described storage is performed. This is performed against the urging force of the torsion spring 42.
Further, when shifting from the retracted and stored state as shown in FIG. 7 when not in use or during storage to the photographing state as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drive motor 53 is rotated forward to rotate the female screw member 57. The retraction lens moving member 41 is rotated about the main shaft 58 by the urging force of the torsion spring 42 described above by changing the restriction position by the cam formed on the rotation base of the retraction lens moving member 41. The fourth group lens system 4 is allowed to enter on the optical axis in the optical path.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 7, an optical filter 5 is disposed between the fourth group lens system 4 and the image sensor 6, and the fourth group lens system 4 is retracted. The optical filter 5 is held by a lens moving member 41, and is held by a filter retracting member 51 that is a filter holding frame. The filter retracting member 51 commonly uses the auxiliary shaft 43 for positioning the retracting lens moving member 41 on the optical axis side, and is biased upward by the torsion spring 52 to contact the auxiliary shaft 43. Thus, the position of the optical filter 5 is stabilized on the optical axis, but it cannot move back and forth on the optical axis.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, in the photographing state, the fourth group lens system 4, the optical filter 5, and the image sensor 6 are held apart from each other by a predetermined interval or more. When the operation is started, the retracting lens moving member 41 moves back on the optical axis and substantially overlaps with the filter retracting member 51 with a predetermined slight gap as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in detail in FIG. 6C, the engagement connecting portion 41 a formed to protrude from the back surface of the intermediate portion of the retractable lens moving member 41 is engaged with the intermediate portion of the filter retracting member 51. It becomes. When the storing operation is further continued, the retractable lens moving member 41 is moved against the urging force of the torsion spring 42 by the action of the female screw member 57 and the cam formed on the rotation base of the retractable lens moving member 41. The fourth group lens system 4 is rotated about the optical axis 58 to retract from the optical axis to the outside of the optical path, particularly outside the inner diameter of the lens barrel. At this time, the filter retracting member 51 is engaged by the engagement connecting portion 41a. Also, the retraction lens moving member 41 is integrally rotated around the main shaft 58 and retreated outside the optical path, particularly outside the inner diameter of the lens barrel, resulting in a retraction and storage state as shown in FIG.

In this way, the optical filter 5 together with the fourth group lens system 4 is retracted to the retracted storage position outside the optical path, particularly outside the inner diameter of the lens barrel, so that the optical filter 5 is occupied on the optical axis. Therefore, the remaining first group lens system 1 to third group lens system 3 can be retracted and retracted to the position where the optical filter 5 was located. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the retracted retracted and retracted state in which the optical filter 5 is retracted to the retracted and retracted position together with the fourth group lens system 4 is viewed from the inner back side.
When the digital camera is started up, the retractable lens holding frame 41 is connected to the female screw member 57 and the cam formed on the rotation base of the retractable lens moving member 41 in accordance with the transition from the housed state to the photographing state. By the action and the action of the torsion spring 42, the fourth group lens system 4 is inserted on the optical axis by being rotated about the main shaft 58 from the state of FIG. The optical filter 5 is inserted on the optical axis by being rotated by following the retractable lens holding frame 41 by the action of the above. In this way, when the retractable lens moving member 41 and the filter retracting member 51 are in contact with the auxiliary shaft 43 and the fourth group lens system 4 and the optical filter 5 are positioned on the optical axis, Since the engagement of the retracting lens moving member 41 by the engagement connecting portion 41a is released and the filter retracting member 51 cannot move in the direction along the optical axis, the retracting lens moving member 41 is thereafter extended on the optical axis. However, the filter retracting member 51 remains in place.

As described above, by retracting the remaining lens group to the position where the fourth group lens system 4 and the optical filter 5 are disposed and retracting and retracting, the dimension in the optical axis direction during storage can be reduced. In addition, an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera can be thinned.
Note that whether or not the retracting lens moving member 41 and the filter retracting member 51 are in the photographing position and the retracting and storing position, respectively, is determined by arranging a position detector such as the photo interrupter PI shown in FIGS. The retractable lens moving member 41 and the filter retracting member 51 are detected to be in the photographing position and retracted storage position, respectively.
As in the fourth group lens system 4, the third group lens system 3 may also be retracted to the retracted storage position outside the optical path, particularly outside the inner diameter of the lens barrel. In that case, the remaining first group lens system 1 and second group lens system 2 can be retracted and retracted to the position where the optical filter 5 was located, and the dimensions of the optical axis direction at the time of storage can be reduced. It is possible to further reduce the size, that is, to further reduce the thickness of the imaging device such as a digital camera.

9 to 11 show a configuration of a main part of a digital camera as an imaging apparatus incorporating the lens barrel according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the lens barrel as an imaging optical system. In the lens barrel according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 and a digital camera incorporating the lens barrel as an imaging optical system, at least a part of the periphery of the light receiving surface of the image sensor 6 and its vicinity. In addition, a filter cleaning member such as flocking paper is provided so that the image forming surface side of the optical filter 5 is cleaned when the filter retracting member 51 enters and retreats from the optical axis.
FIG. 9 shows a retracted state of the core unit in the retracted retracted state of the lens barrel according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the retracted retractable state of the digital camera as the imaging apparatus incorporating the lens barrel as the imaging optical system. FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of a part relating to a fourth group lens system, which is a lens group, an optical filter, a holding drive system thereof, and an image sensor, (a) is a front view of the part as viewed from the front, and (b) ) Is a side view of the portion as viewed from the side. FIG. 10 is a side view of the fourth group lens system, the optical filter, the holding drive system, and the portion related to the image pickup device in FIG. It is. FIG. 11 is a side view of the fourth group lens system, the optical filter, the holding drive system thereof, and the portion related to the image sensor in FIG. .

9 to 11, the image pickup device 6 and the retractable lens moving member 41 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 in the fourth group lens system, the optical filter, and their holding drive system and the image pickup device. In addition to the auxiliary shaft 43, the filter retracting member 51, the fourth group focus lens driving motor 53, the lead screw 56, the female screw member 57, and the main shaft 58, a filter cleaning member is further provided.
That is, as shown in FIG. 9, a filter cleaning member 61 such as flocking paper is disposed corresponding to at least a part of the periphery of the light receiving surface of the image sensor 6, for example, a portion through which the optical filter 5 passes.
By doing so, the optical filter 5 enters the optical axis from the housed state shown in FIG. 9 through the state immediately before photographing shown in FIG. 10 to the photographing state shown in FIG. 11 and the photographing shown in FIG. The filter cleaning member 61 cleans the imaging surface side of the optical filter 5 in the process in which the optical filter 5 in the state reaches the storage state shown in FIG.
Further, the filter retracting member 51 cleans the front surface of the image sensor 6 at least part of the periphery of the optical filter 5 facing the image sensor 6 when inserted into the optical axis and when retracted from the optical axis. You may make it provide imaging element cleaning members, such as flocking paper.

Furthermore, the above-described lens barrel may be provided as an imaging optical system to constitute a digital camera or other imaging device. Even in this way, the size in the direction along the optical axis when retracted can be significantly reduced with a simple configuration without increasing the radial dimension of the lens barrel in the imaging lens barrel. .
In addition, a lens barrel as described above may be provided as an imaging optical system in an electronic apparatus such as a portable information terminal device having an imaging function. Even in such a case, the size in the direction along the optical axis when retracted is remarkably reduced with a simple configuration without increasing the radial dimension of the lens barrel in the lens barrel for the imaging function. be able to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st group lens system 2 2nd group lens system 3 3rd group lens system 4 4th group lens system 5 Optical filter 6 Image pick-up element 7 Shutter / aperture unit 11 1st group lens holding frame 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Lens barrel 17 Fixed frame 18 Lens barrier 21 Second group lens holding frame 31 Third group lens holding frame 41, retracting lens moving member (fourth group lens holding frame)
42, 52 Torsion spring 43 Counter shaft 51 Filter retracting member (filter holding frame)
53 Group 4 focus lens drive motor 54, 55 Gear 56 Lead screw 57 Female screw member 58 Main shaft 61 Filter cleaning member (flocked paper, etc.)
PI photo interrupter

JP 2007-33481 A JP 2004-118101 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-4371

Claims (12)

A plurality of lens groups each consisting of one or more lenses;
A plurality of lens holding members that hold the plurality of lens groups for each lens group;
Lens group driving means for moving the plurality of lens groups via the plurality of lens holding members;
An image sensor for converting an optical image formed by the plurality of lens groups into electronic image information;
An optical filter for optically filtering a light beam incident on the image sensor;
A lens barrel having a fixed frame for holding these parts,
The lens group driving means includes
Driving the plurality of lens groups between a retracted state in which at least a part of the plurality of lens groups is retracted and a photographing state moved to the objective side;
In the retracted state, at least one lens group is retracted outside the inner diameter of the lens barrel as a retractable lens group.
A retractable lens moving member that holds and moves the retractable lens group and retracts;
A filter retracting member that holds the optical filter so as to be retractable,
At least one of the retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member has an engaging means for engaging the retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member, and the retracting lens moving member is When retracting the retracting lens group from the optical axis, the engaging means engages the filter retracting member to retract the optical filter from the optical axis, and at least one of the remaining lens groups in the vacant space. A lens barrel characterized by accommodating the part.   The retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member engaging means are engaged when the retracting lens moving member approaches the image sensor along the optical axis and retracts when the retracting lens moving member is retracted, and couples both to start. 2. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the lens barrel is a means for releasing the coupling between the retractable lens moving member and the retraction lens moving member when the member is inserted at a position on the optical axis.   The lens barrel according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member that constantly biases the filter retracting member in a direction in which the filter retracting member is inserted on the optical axis.   The lens barrel according to claim 3, wherein the biasing member is a torsion spring.   5. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein position detection means for detecting positions of the retracting lens moving member and the filter retracting member is provided on the fixed frame. 6.   6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position restricting unit that restricts a position of the filter retracting member on the optical axis when the filter retracting member is inserted on the optical axis. The lens barrel described in 1.   The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filter retracting member holds at least one of a light shielding member and a dustproof member in addition to the optical filter.   The filter retracting member is a flocked paper that cleans the front surface of the image sensor when inserted into the optical axis and when retracted from the optical axis, at least part of the periphery of the optical filter on the side facing the image sensor The lens barrel according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging element cleaning member such as an image sensor cleaning member.   A flocked paper that cleans the imaging surface side of the optical filter when the filter retracting member enters the optical axis and retracts from the optical axis at least at the periphery of the light receiving surface of the image pickup device and its vicinity. The lens barrel according to claim 1, further comprising a filter cleaning member such as.   The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the filter retracting member further holds the imaging element and electronic components attached thereto.   An imaging apparatus comprising the lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 10 as an imaging optical system.   An electronic apparatus having an imaging function and comprising the lens barrel according to claim 1 as an imaging optical system.

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