JP5741236B2 - Lens barrel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens barrel.

  Conventionally, in a lens barrel, a washer (spacer) is provided to adjust the position of a bayonet of a lens and the position of an optical system (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The lens barrel includes a substrate on which a control unit is provided, and a flexible print (FPC) substrate extends from the substrate to the drive unit and the like.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-119247

  However, in many cases, the FPC is connected to a substrate and curved to extend along the optical axis. On the other hand, in recent years, the amount of wiring provided in the FPC has increased, and the bending rigidity of the FPC has increased. When the rigidity of the FPC is high as described above, the connector portion between the FPC and the board is lifted by the restoring force of the FPC, and the connector portion may be detached.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel in which disconnection of a connector portion between a control board and an FPC is prevented.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.
The invention according to claim 1 is disposed between the mount portion (20, 20 ′, 30) and the member (11) for holding the photographing optical system (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5), and the mount A washer (40, 40 ') for adjusting the position along the optical axis (OA) of the photographing optical system (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5) with respect to the part (20, 20', 30); A control board (60) disposed along a direction intersecting the optical axis (OA) and provided with a board-side connector part (71) on the washer (40, 40 ') side; A FPC side connector portion (72) to be inserted into the board side connector portion (71) is provided, and a first portion (17V) arranged along a direction intersecting the optical axis (OA), and the optical axis (OA) A second portion (17H) extending along the flexi A printed circuit board (17), and in a direction along the optical axis (OA), between the board-side connector part (71) of the control board (60) and the washer (40, 40 '). The lens barrel (10) is characterized in that the first portion (17V) of the flexible printed circuit board (17) is disposed on the lens barrel (10).
The invention according to claim 2 is the lens barrel (10) according to claim 1, wherein the washer (40, 40 ') has an annular shape and protrudes radially inward on the inner diameter side. The lens barrel (10) is characterized in that a portion (43) is provided and the protruding portion (43) faces the first portion (17V) of the flexible printed circuit board (17).
A third aspect of the present invention is the lens barrel (10) according to the second aspect, wherein the protrusion (43) presses the first portion (17V) of the flexible printed circuit board (17). A lens barrel (10) characterized by
The invention according to claim 4 is the lens barrel (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an elastic member (44) is provided on the flexible printed circuit board (17) side of the protrusion (43). A lens barrel (10) characterized by being attached.
Note that the configuration described with reference numerals may be modified as appropriate, and at least a part of the configuration may be replaced with another component.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lens barrel in which the connector portion between the control board and the FPC is prevented from coming off.

It is a schematic sectional drawing of the lens barrel to which one Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is an enlarged view of the lens mount part equivalent to the A section of FIG. It is a top view of a washer. It is the elements on larger scale of the mount ring part concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a top view of the washer concerning a 2nd embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings and the like.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lens barrel 10 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
Each drawing described below is provided with an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system for ease of explanation and understanding. In this coordinate system, a camera with the lens barrel 10 mounted on a camera body (not shown) is viewed from the photographer at a position where the photographer takes a horizontally long image with the optical axis OA horizontal (hereinafter referred to as a normal position). The direction toward the left side is the X-axis plus direction, the direction toward the upper side at the positive position is the Y-axis plus direction, and the direction toward the subject at the positive position is the Z-axis plus direction. In the following description, the direction parallel to the optical axis OA is referred to as “front-rear”, the subject side is referred to as “front side”, and the other end side is referred to as “back side”.

The lens barrel 10 is a so-called zoom lens capable of variably adjusting the focal length. However, the lens barrel 10 of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a single focus lens. The lens barrel 10 includes a lens mount portion 20 at an end portion on the back side, and the lens mount portion 20 is attached to the camera body by engaging the lens mount portion 20 with a body mount of a camera body (not shown). ing.
The lens barrel 10 includes a plurality of lens groups (first lens group L1, second lens group L2, and third lens) that form an imaging optical system inside a fixed cylinder 11 that constitutes the skeleton of the lens barrel 10. A group L3, a fourth lens group L4 and a fifth lens group L5), a lens control unit 13 and the like. In addition, an outer appearance cylinder 12 that forms an outer shape is attached to the outside of the fixed cylinder 11.

The lens groups L1 to L5 are respectively held by lens frames (first lens frame F1, second lens frame F2, third lens frame F3, fourth lens frame F4, and fifth lens frame F5).
Each of the lens frames F1 to F5 is provided so as to be movable in the direction of the optical axis OA with respect to the fixed cylinder 11, and is moved and driven in the direction of the optical axis OA by a link driving mechanism such as a cam groove and a cam pin (not shown). It has become. The movement driving of the lens frames F1 to F5 (lens groups L1 to L5) is performed by an operation member or a zoom motor (not shown). The combined focal length is changed by the movement of the lens groups L1 to L5.

The third lens unit L3 is held by the third lens frame F3 via a shake correction mechanism 14 that will not be described in detail, and is moved and driven by the shake correction mechanism 14 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis OA. It has become. An aperture unit 15 is provided on the back side of the third lens frame F3 that holds the third lens unit L3.
The fourth lens unit L4 is a focusing lens unit, and is driven to move in the optical axis OA direction (Z-axis direction) by a focusing drive motor (not shown).

  The lens mount unit 20 includes a mount ring 30, a washer (spacer) 40, a decorative ring 50, and the like at the base end portion on the back side of the fixed cylinder 11. A plurality of electrical contacts 16 are arranged on the lens mount 20 over a predetermined angular range in the circumferential direction. The electrical contact 16 is connected to a control board 60 disposed inside the fixed cylinder 11 adjacent to the lens mount unit 20. The lens mount unit 20 will be described in detail later.

The lens control unit 13 is configured by electronic components mounted on the control board 60.
The control board 60 is connected to driving elements such as the aperture unit 15, the blur correction mechanism 14, and a focusing drive motor (not shown) via a flexible printed board 17 (hereinafter referred to as FPC 17). That is, an FPC 17 connected to a driving element such as an aperture unit 15, a shake correction mechanism 14, and a focusing drive motor (not shown) is disposed along the inner periphery of the fixed cylinder 11, and its tip is controlled via a connector 25. It is connected to the substrate 60 (lens control unit 13).
The lens control unit 13 comprehensively controls each functional unit of the lens barrel 10 such as the aperture unit 15, the blur correction mechanism 14, and a focusing drive motor (not shown).

  The lens barrel 10 having the above-described configuration is connected to a camera body (not shown) via an electrical contact 16 of the lens mount unit 20 in a state where the lens barrel 10 is attached to the camera body (not shown). Is input and power is supplied. The lens control unit 13 controls and drives the aperture unit 15, the shake correction mechanism 14, and a focusing drive motor (not shown) based on control information input from the camera body.

Next, the lens mount unit 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in addition to FIG. 1 described above. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the lens mount portion 20 corresponding to the portion A in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the washer 40.
As described above, the lens mount unit 20 includes the mount ring 30, the washer 40, the decorative ring 50, and the like at the base end portion of the fixed cylinder 11.

  The end surface of the base end portion of the fixed cylinder 11 is a flat mount fixing surface 11A orthogonal to the optical axis OA, and the mount ring 30 is fixed to the mount fixing surface 11A via a washer 40. The fixed cylinder 11 is provided with a board mounting seat 11B projecting from the mount fixing surface 11A to the inner circumference on the front side by a predetermined amount, and the control board 60 is fixed to the board mounting seat 11B.

The control board 60 has a plate shape with a predetermined thickness and has a substantially circular plane shape. The control board 60 is illustrated on the back side of the board mounting seat 11B in the fixed cylinder 11 in a posture perpendicular to the optical axis OA. It is fastened with screws that do not. A female connector 71 is mounted on the front surface (rear surface) of the control board 60, and the male connector 72 of the FPC 17 is fitted and electrically connected to the female connector 71.
Here, the position of the back surface of the FPC 17 in the direction of the optical axis OA when the male connector 72 of the FPC 17 is fitted to the female connector 71 of the control board 60 is substantially equal to the mount fixing surface 11A (or a predetermined margin). Set to be located on the front side).

The FPC 17 is a strip-shaped member having a predetermined width in which a circuit pattern is formed on an insulating resin sheet having flexibility, and a male connector 72 that fits to the female connector 71 of the control board 60 at the base end. Has been implemented.
The FPC 17 is provided such that the vertical portion 17V is bent along the plate surface of the control board 60 from the horizontal portion 17H extending along the optical axis OA direction in the inner peripheral portion of the fixed cylinder 11.
The horizontal portion 17H passes through the insertion hole 11C formed in the substrate mounting seat 11B, and the vertical portion 17V is bent 90 ° from the horizontal portion 17H to the optical axis OA side on the back side of the substrate mounting seat 11B. It extends along the plate surface of the control board 60. The male connector 72 is disposed in the vertical portion 17V.
The male connector 72 of the FPC 17 is electrically connected to the female connector 71 of the control board 60.

The mount ring 30 has a short cylindrical engagement portion 32 projecting at a predetermined height on the outer peripheral side on the back side of an annular base ring portion 31 having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined inner and outer diameter.
The base ring portion 31 has a mounting surface 31A on the front side and a flange surface 31B on the back side. The flange surface 31B is a reference surface in the direction of the optical axis OA of the lens barrel 10.

  On the outer periphery of the end of the engaging portion 32, there are three engaging claws 33 protruding in the circumferential direction within a predetermined angular range, and the back surface and the flange surface 31B are defined by the body mount of the camera body. The predetermined interval is set. Further, a cover support portion 34 projects in an annular shape on the inner periphery of the engagement portion 32, and a decorative ring 50 is fixed on the back side thereof.

The mount ring 30 is fastened and fixed to the mount fixing surface 11 </ b> A of the fixed cylinder 11 by the base ring portion 31. A washer 40 is interposed between the mounting surface 31 </ b> A of the base ring portion 31 and the mount fixing surface 11 </ b> A of the fixed cylinder 11. That is, the mount ring 30 is positioned on the back side by the thickness of the washer 40 with respect to the mount fixing surface 11A of the fixed cylinder 11, and the image is held in the fixed cylinder 11 and inside by the thickness of the washer 40. The position of the mount ring 30 in the optical axis OA direction with respect to the optical system is defined.
The decorative ring 50 fixed to the cover support portion 34 has a function of blindfolding inside and shielding light.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the washer 40 is formed in a substantially annular shape with a predetermined thickness and substantially corresponding to the mounting surface 31A of the base ring portion 31 of the mount ring 30, as shown in FIG. . That is, the washer 40 has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to (slightly smaller than) the outer diameter of the mounting surface 31A, and an inner diameter that is set to be approximately equal to the inner diameter of the mounting surface 31A except for a pressing portion 22A described later.

  As described above, the washer 40 is fastened together with the mount ring 30 to be fastened to the mount fixing surface 11 </ b> A of the fixed cylinder 11. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the washer 40 is formed with three screw through holes 41 at intervals of 120 ° at positions corresponding to the fastening screws of the mount ring 30 and one positioning hole 42. ing. The washer 40 is positioned on the back surface of the mount fixing surface 11A by fitting a positioning hole 42 to a positioning pin (not shown) projecting from the mount fixing surface 11A, and the screw through hole 41 from the back side of the mount ring 30. The mounting ring 30 is fixed by fastening screws inserted through the mounting ring 30.

Here, a pressing portion 43 projects from the inner periphery of the washer 40 toward the inner periphery.
The pressing portion 43 is formed in a shape that is slightly larger than the planar shape of the male connector 72 at a position corresponding to the male connector 72 included in the FPC 17. Accordingly, the front surface of the pressing portion 43 is positioned on the back surface side of the female connector 71 in the FPC 17. As described above, the back surface of the FPC 17 is set to be substantially equal to the mount fixing surface 11A in a state where the male connector 72 of the FPC 17 is fitted to the female connector 71 of the control board 60. The front surface of the washer 40 is substantially flush with the back surface of the FPC 17.

  Such a pressing portion 43 is located on the back surface of the FPC 17 and restricts the movement to the back surface side, thereby preventing the male connector 72 in the FPC 17 from coming off from the female connector 71 on the control board 60. That is, the FPC 17 is bent in the vicinity of the male connector 72, and the elastic return force of the bent portion acts in a direction to remove the male connector 72 from the female connector 71 of the control board 60. This elastic return movement is prevented by the pressing portion 43 of the washer 40, and the connector 72 is prevented from falling off from the female connector 71.

  In addition, it is preferable that the position in the optical-axis OA direction of the back surface of the male connector 72 arrangement | positioning position in FPC17 and the front surface of the washer 40 (pressing part 43) corresponds. However, even if they are slightly separated from each other, it does not matter as long as the electrical connection between the male connector 72 and the female connector 71 is maintained. Further, the FPC 17 may be pressed as long as there is no problem with the control board 60.

  Furthermore, as described above, the thickness of the washer 40 affects the position of the mount ring 30 (flange surface 31B) in the optical axis OA direction with respect to the fixed cylinder 11 (that is, the optical system that holds the fixed cylinder 11). For this reason, a plurality of types of washers 40 having different thicknesses are prepared, and those having an appropriate thickness are selectively used, or a plurality of the washers 40 are stacked to adjust the thickness. In such a case, the pressing portion 43 is formed only on the washer 40 located on the foremost side (contacting the mount fixing surface 11A). However, from the viewpoint of strength, cost, and management, it is preferable to have the same shape (including the pressing portion 43).

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a washer 40 'according to a second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the lens mount portion 20 ′ according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a washer 40 ′ according to the second embodiment.
The configuration other than the shape of the washer 40 'is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The washer 40 ′ in the second embodiment includes a pressing member 44 on the front side of the pressing portion 43.
The pressing member 44 is formed in a planar shape substantially corresponding to the planar shape of the male connector 72 by a material having a predetermined elasticity such as rubber or urethane sponge. The pressing member 44 is attached by sticking or the like at a position corresponding to the male connector 72 included in the FPC 17.

  The height of the pressing member 44 is preferably set so that its front surface slightly presses the FPC 17 and elastically deforms. That is, a predetermined gap is set between the back surface of the FPC 17 where the male connector 72 is disposed and the front surface of the washer 40 (pressing portion 43), and the thickness of the pressing member 44 is set slightly thicker than the clearance. However, it may be within a range in which electrical connection between the male connector 72 and the female connector 71 is maintained even if they are slightly separated.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(1) The pressing portion 43 of the washer 40 is located on the back surface of the FPC 17 and restricts movement to the back surface side, and prevents the male connector 72 in the FPC 17 from coming off from the female connector 71 on the control board 60. Recently, the FPC 17 having a large number of circuits, a large thickness and width, and a high rigidity is often used. In such a case, a particularly great effect is obtained.

(2) The FPC 17 can prevent the male connector 72 from coming off the female connector 71 with a simple configuration without adding a new member, and can be configured at low cost.
(3) Since the washer 40 includes the pressing portion 43, the mounting posture can be easily grasped, and the assembly workability is improved.

(Deformation)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes as described below are possible, and these are also within the scope of the present invention.
(1) This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a zoom lens having five lens groups. However, the configuration of the optical system is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate.
(2) The shape of the pressing portion 43 in the washer 40 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. Is possible.

(3) The male-female relationship of the connector that electrically connects the control board 60 and the FPC 17 is not limited to the above embodiment and can be changed as appropriate.
In addition, although embodiment and a deformation | transformation form can also be used in combination as appropriate, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  10: Lens barrel, 11: Fixed cylinder, 11A: Mount fixing surface, 17: Flexible printed circuit board (FPC), 17V: Vertical portion, 17H: Horizontal portion, 20, 20 ': Lens mount portion, 30: Mount ring, 40: washer, 71: female connector, 72: male connector, L1: first lens group, L2: second lens group, L3: third lens group, L4: fourth lens group, L5: fifth lens group , OA: Optical axis

Claims (4)

A washer disposed between the mount portion and a member holding the photographing optical system, and for adjusting the position of the mount portion in the direction along the optical axis of the photographing optical system;
A control board that is disposed along the direction intersecting the optical axis, and that has a board-side connector portion on the washer side surface;
A flexible printed circuit board having a first part provided with an FPC-side connector part inserted into the board-side connector part and disposed along a direction intersecting the optical axis, and a second part extending along the optical axis; With
In the direction along the optical axis, the first portion of the flexible printed board is disposed between the board-side connector portion of the control board and the washer;
A lens barrel characterized by The lens barrel according to claim 1,
The washer has an annular shape, provided with a protruding portion protruding radially inward on the inner diameter side, the protruding portion facing the first portion of the flexible printed circuit board;
A lens barrel characterized by The lens barrel according to claim 2,
The protrusion is pressing the first portion of the flexible printed circuit board;
A lens barrel characterized by The lens barrel according to claim 2 or 3,
An elastic member is attached to the flexible printed circuit board side of the protrusion,
A lens barrel characterized by

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