JP7489267B2 - Lens barrel and camera device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lens barrel and a camera device, and in particular to a camera device equipped with a lens barrel that houses at least one lens and is extendable and retractable along the optical axis.

Conventionally, cameras equipped with lens barrels that can expand and contract in the optical axis direction by moving and rotating multiple barrels are known. A cam mechanism is generally used to move and rotate the barrels in such lens barrels, and one known cam mechanism used in lens barrels is one in which a cam groove is formed in the peripheral wall of an outer barrel, and an operating pin extending from an inner barrel is moved along this cam groove to control the movement and rotation of the inner barrel (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, when a cam groove is formed in the peripheral wall of the barrel, there is a possibility that light from outside the lens barrel (for example, sunlight, strobe light, or light from an LED inside the camera) may pass through this cam groove and enter the inside of the lens barrel. If such light enters the exposure section of the camera, it can adversely affect photography.

JP 2009-244613 A

The present invention was made in consideration of the problems with the conventional technology, and its first objective is to provide a lens barrel that has a structure that makes it difficult for light from outside the lens barrel to enter the interior of the lens barrel.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a camera device that can capture images with minimal effect from external light.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a lens barrel having a structure that makes it difficult for light from outside the lens barrel to enter the inside of the lens barrel is provided. This lens barrel is configured to accommodate at least one lens and to be extendable along the optical axis direction. The lens barrel includes an operation ring having an inner peripheral surface on which a first axial groove extending along the optical axis direction and a first circumferential groove extending along the circumferential direction are formed, a fixed barrel arranged radially inside the operation ring, a rotating barrel arranged radially inside the fixed barrel and having a second circumferential groove extending along the circumferential direction formed on its inner peripheral surface, and a linear motion barrel arranged radially inside the rotating barrel. A through cam groove is formed in the peripheral wall of the fixed barrel, which extends circumferentially from the rear end to the front end so that the position in the optical axis direction gradually changes forward, and a second axial groove extending along the optical axis direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fixed barrel. The fixed barrel has a first engagement piece that protrudes radially outward and engages with the first circumferential groove of the operation ring to be movable inside the first circumferential groove. The rotating barrel has an operating part that protrudes radially outward and engages with the first axial groove of the operation ring through the through cam groove of the fixed barrel to be movable inside the through cam groove and inside the first axial groove, and a light blocking part that blocks the through cam groove of the fixed barrel over its entire length when the operating part is located at the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel. The linear moving barrel has a slider protrusion that protrudes radially outward and engages with the second axial groove of the fixed barrel to be movable inside the second axial groove, and a second engagement piece that protrudes radially outward and engages with the second circumferential groove of the rotating barrel to be movable inside the second circumferential groove.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a camera device is provided that allows shooting with minimal influence from external light. This camera device includes a rear cover, a front cover, the lens barrel described above, and a frame that is arranged in a space formed by the rear cover and the front cover. The lens barrel is fixed to the frame. The operation ring has a protruding portion that protrudes radially outward. The front cover has a stopper that abuts against the protruding portion of the operation ring to restrict rotation of the operation ring when the operating portion of the rotating barrel is positioned at the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the camera device of FIG. 1 with the lens barrel extended forward and the front cover removed. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the camera device in FIG. 1 in a collapsed state. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the camera device of FIG. 1 in a photographing state. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an operation ring, a fixed barrel, a first rotary barrel, and a first linearly moving barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a second rotating barrel, a second linear motion barrel, and a movable lens barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. FIG. 7A is a side view diagrammatically illustrating the operation ring of FIG. 5 . FIG. 7B is a side view that typically shows the fixed barrel of FIG. 7C is a side view that typically shows the first rotating cylinder in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 7D is a side view diagrammatically showing the first linear motion cylinder of FIG. 5 . 7E is a side view diagrammatically showing the second rotating cylinder of FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 7F is a side view that typically shows the second linear motion cylinder of FIG. 5 . 8 is a rear view of the operation ring of the camera device of FIG. 1 in the collapsed state. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a front cover of the camera device of FIG. FIG. 10 is a rear view showing a schematic relationship between the front cover and the operation ring of the lens barrel in the camera device shown in FIG. 1 in the collapsed state. FIG. 11 is a rear view showing a schematic relationship between the front cover and the operation ring of the lens barrel when the camera device in FIG. 1 is turned on and ready to take pictures. FIG. 12 is a rear view showing a schematic relationship between the front cover and the operation ring of the lens barrel in the camera device shown in FIG. 1 in a shooting state. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a part of the lens barrel and the frame in the shooting state shown in FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the first linear motion cylinder of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the fixed barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in the middle of assembling the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state in the middle of assembling the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a state in the middle of assembling the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state in the middle of assembling the camera device of FIG. FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of assembling the camera device of FIG.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of a camera device according to the present invention with reference to Figs. 1 to 21. In Figs. 1 to 21, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals and duplicated descriptions are omitted. In Figs. 1 to 21, the scale and dimensions of each component may be exaggerated or some components may be omitted. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish components from each other and do not indicate a specific order or sequence.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a camera device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The camera device 1 according to this embodiment is a camera (instant camera) that uses photographic film that is automatically developed after shooting, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to devices other than instant cameras. For the sake of convenience, in this embodiment, the +X direction in Figure 1 will be referred to as "front" or "forward" and the -X direction will be referred to as "rear" or "backward".

As shown in FIG. 1, the camera device 1 comprises a front cover 2, a rear cover 3 attached to the rear of the front cover 2, and a lens barrel 4 housing a lens unit inside. A viewfinder window 5 is formed in the front cover 2, and a flash window 6 is disposed adjacent to this viewfinder window 5. A release button 7 is disposed on the -Z direction side of the viewfinder window 5. An ejection slit 8 is formed at the top of the front cover 2 and the rear cover 3, extending in the Y direction between the front cover 2 and the rear cover 3. The photographic film that has been developed after shooting is ejected from this ejection slit 8.

In this embodiment, the lens barrel 4 has a structure that allows it to expand and contract in the optical axis direction. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the lens barrel 4 is in its most contracted state in the optical axis direction (X direction). When the lens barrel 4 is in the state shown in FIG. 1, the camera device 1 is in a "retracted state." FIG. 2 shows the lens barrel 4 extended to its maximum extent in the optical axis direction P (X direction) and the front cover 2 removed. When the lens barrel 4 is in the state shown in FIG. 2, the camera device 1 is in a "shooting state."

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the camera device 1 in a retracted state, and Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the camera device 1 in a shooting state. In Figures 3 and 4, some components are shown in a simplified form to make it easier to understand. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a rectangular parallelepiped frame 80 is housed in the space formed between the front cover 2 and the rear cover 3. Photographic film and the like are housed inside this frame 80.

2 to 4, the lens barrel 4 includes an operation ring 10 that can be rotated by the user's hand, a fixed barrel 20 that is arranged radially inside the operation ring 10 and fixed to the frame body 80 by, for example, a screw 81 (see FIG. 2), a first rotating barrel 30 arranged radially inside the fixed barrel 20, a first linear barrel 40 arranged radially inside the first rotating barrel 30, a second rotating barrel 50 arranged radially inside the first linear barrel 40, a second linear barrel 60 arranged radially inside the second rotating barrel 50, and a movable lens barrel 70 arranged radially inside the second linear barrel 60. In this embodiment, a lens unit 73 including a pair of lenses 71 and 72 is housed inside the movable lens barrel 70. A barrier 74 that can be opened and closed is arranged in front of the lens unit 73. The number of lenses included in the lens barrel 4 is not limited to two.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the operating ring 10, fixed barrel 20, first rotating barrel 30, and first linear barrel 40 of the lens barrel 4, and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the second rotating barrel 50, second linear barrel 60, and movable lens barrel 70 of the lens barrel 4. The following describes these components that make up the lens barrel 4.

7A is a side view showing the operation ring 10. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7A, the inner peripheral surface of the operation ring 10 is formed with three axial grooves 11 (first axial grooves) extending from the rear edge of the operation ring 10 in the +X direction, three circumferential grooves 12 (first circumferential grooves) extending along the circumferential direction, and three connecting grooves 13 (second connecting grooves) extending from the rear edge of the operation ring 10 in the +X direction and connecting to the ends of the circumferential grooves 12. The three axial grooves 11, the three circumferential grooves 12, and the three connecting grooves 13 are each arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, each circumferential groove 12 is formed over an angle range of about 90 degrees around the axis. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer peripheral surface of the operation ring 10 is formed with unevenness 14 for preventing slipping.

Figure 8 is a schematic rear view of the operation ring 10. As shown in Figures 7A and 8, three recesses 15A, 15B, and 15C are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rear edge of the operation ring 10. In addition, a protrusion 16 that protrudes radially outward is provided on the rear edge of the operation ring 10. A recess 15D is also formed on this protrusion 16. As shown in Figure 7A, the protrusion 16 has an end face 17 that abuts against a stopper of the front cover 2, which will be described later, and an inclined surface 18 located on the +X direction side of the end face 17. The camera device 1 is provided with a contact sensor, optical sensor, and the like (not shown) that can detect the rotation angle of the operation ring 10.

Figure 7B is a side view showing the fixed barrel 20. As shown in Figures 5 and 7B, the fixed barrel 20 has three engagement pieces 21 (first engagement pieces) that protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface. These engagement pieces 21 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The width of the engagement pieces 21 of each fixed barrel 20 along the optical axis direction (X direction) (hereinafter referred to as the axial width) is slightly smaller than the axial width of the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10, and the engagement pieces 21 of the fixed barrel 20 are engaged with the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10 so as to be able to move circumferentially inside the circumferential groove 12. Due to the engagement between the engagement pieces 21 of the fixed barrel 20 and the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10, the operation ring 10 can rotate relative to the fixed barrel 20 without changing its axial position relative to the fixed barrel 20.

When assembling the operation ring 10 to the fixed barrel 20, the circumferential position of the engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 13 of the operation ring 10, and the operation ring 10 is moved in the -X direction from the front of the fixed barrel 20, so that the engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 can be moved in the axial direction (X direction) inside the communication groove 13 of the operation ring 10 to the end of the circumferential groove 12. In this state, the operation ring 10 can be rotated relative to the fixed barrel 20 to engage the engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 with the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10.

As shown in Figures 5 and 7B, the fixed barrel 20 has three through cam grooves 22 that extend through the peripheral wall. These through cam grooves 22 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each through cam groove 22 includes a rear end 22A, a front end 22B, and an intermediate portion 22C that connects the rear end 22A and the front end 22B. The intermediate portion 22C of the through cam groove 22 extends circumferentially from the rear end 22A toward the front end 22B such that its position in the X direction gradually changes forward.

A boss groove 27 having an axial width larger than the axial width of the through cam groove 22 is formed along the through cam groove 22 on the radially inner side of the through cam groove 22. The inner peripheral surface of the fixed barrel 20 is formed with three communication grooves 23 (first communication grooves) that extend from the rear edge of the fixed barrel 20 in the +X direction and connect to the rear end 22A of the through cam groove 22 and the boss groove 27, and three axial grooves 24 (second axial grooves) that extend from the rear edge of the fixed barrel 20 in the +X direction. The three communication grooves 23 and the three axial grooves 24 are each arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

7C is a side view showing the first rotating barrel 30. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7C, the first rotating barrel 30 includes a front barrel portion 36 and a rear barrel portion 37. The first rotating barrel 30 also has three cylindrical actuation pins 31 protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface. These actuation pins 31 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The actuation pins 31 are attached to boss portions 38 protruding radially outward near the front edge of the rear barrel portion 37. The outer diameter of the boss portions 38 is larger than the outer diameter of the actuation pins 31. The outer diameter of each actuation pin 31 is slightly smaller than the axial width of the through cam grooves 22 of the fixed barrel 20 and the circumferential width of the axial grooves 11 of the operation ring 10 (hereinafter referred to as the circumferential width), and each actuation pin 31 passes through the through cam grooves 22 of the fixed barrel 20 and engages with the axial grooves 11 of the operation ring 10. The outer diameter of the boss portion 38 is slightly smaller than the axial width of the boss groove 27 of the fixed barrel 20, and is smaller than the circumferential width of the communication groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20. This allows the boss portion 38 to move into the boss groove 27 through the communication groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20, and to move inside the boss groove 27. In the following, the operating pin 31 and the boss portion 38 may be collectively referred to as the "operating portion."

With this configuration, the actuation pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 can engage with the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20 to move along the through cam groove 22 inside the fixed barrel 20, and can also engage with the axial groove 11 of the operation ring 10 to move along the axial direction inside the axial groove 11 of the operation ring 10. When the user rotates the operation ring 10 relative to the fixed barrel 20 due to the engagement between the actuation pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 and the axial groove 11 of the operation ring 10, the first rotating barrel 30 rotates together with the operation ring 10 relative to the fixed barrel 20. At this time, due to the engagement between the actuation pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 and the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20, the first rotating barrel 30 moves in the optical axis direction relative to the fixed barrel 20 along the shape of the through cam groove 22 as the first rotating barrel 30 rotates. In this way, when the user rotates the operation ring 10 relative to the fixed barrel 20, the first rotating barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 and extends in the +X direction. When the operating pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 moves along the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20, the boss portion 38 of the first rotating barrel 30 moves inside the boss groove 27 of the fixed barrel 20.

The inner peripheral surface of the first rotating cylinder 30 is formed with three circumferential grooves 32 (second circumferential grooves) extending along the circumferential direction, three connecting grooves 33 extending from the rear end of the first rotating cylinder 30 in the +X direction to connect to the ends of the circumferential grooves 32, and three axial grooves 34 extending from the rear edge of the first rotating cylinder 30 in the +X direction. The first rotating cylinder 30 also has three engagement pieces 35 protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface. The three circumferential grooves 32, the three connecting grooves 33, the three axial grooves 34, and the three engagement pieces 35 are each arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

Figure 7D is a side view showing the first linear cylinder 40. As shown in Figures 5 and 7D, the first linear cylinder 40 has three engagement pieces 41 (second engagement pieces) protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface. These engagement pieces 41 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The axial width of each engagement piece 41 is slightly smaller than the axial width of the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30, and each engagement piece 41 engages with the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30. As a result, the engagement piece 41 of the first linear cylinder 40 can move circumferentially inside the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30. Due to the engagement between the engagement piece 41 of the first linear cylinder 40 and the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30, the first linear cylinder 40 can rotate relative to the first rotating cylinder 30 without changing its position in the X direction with respect to the first rotating cylinder 30.

The first linear cylinder 40 has six slider protrusions 42, 43 protruding radially outward from the rear edge. The slider protrusions 42 and 43 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The circumferential width of each slider protrusion 42 is slightly smaller than the circumferential width of the axial groove 24 of the fixed cylinder 20, and each slider protrusion 42 engages with the axial groove 24 of the fixed cylinder 20. This allows the slider protrusion 42 of the first linear cylinder 40 to move axially inside the axial groove 24. In addition, the circumferential width of each slider protrusion 43 is slightly smaller than the circumferential width of the communication groove 23 of the fixed cylinder 20, and each slider protrusion 43 of the first linear cylinder 40 engages with the communication groove 23 of the fixed cylinder 20. This allows the slider protrusion 43 to move axially inside the communication groove 23. In this way, the first linear cylinder 40 can move in the X direction without rotating relative to the fixed cylinder 20 due to the engagement between the slider protrusion 42 of the first linear cylinder 40 and the axial groove 24 of the fixed cylinder 20, and the engagement between the slider protrusion 43 of the first linear cylinder 40 and the communication groove 23 of the fixed cylinder 20.

The first linear cylinder 40 has three through cam grooves 44 that extend through the peripheral wall. These through cam grooves 44 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each through cam groove 44 includes a rear end 44A, a front end 44B, and an intermediate portion 44C that connects the rear end 44A and the front end 44B. The intermediate portion 44C of the through cam groove 22 extends circumferentially from the rear end 44A to the front end 44B such that its position in the X direction gradually changes forward.

The inner peripheral surface of the first linear cylinder 40 is formed with three communication grooves 45 that extend from the rear edge of the first linear cylinder 40 in the +X direction and connect to the rear end 44A of the through cam groove 44, and three axial grooves 46 that extend from the rear edge of the fixed cylinder 20 in the +X direction. The outer peripheral surface of the first linear cylinder 40 is formed with three circumferential grooves 47 that extend along the circumferential direction, and three communication grooves 48 that extend from the front edge of the first linear cylinder 40 in the -X direction and connect to the circumferential grooves 47. The three communication grooves 45, the three axial grooves 46, the three circumferential grooves 47, and the three communication grooves 48 are each disposed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

When the first linear cylinder 40 is assembled to the first rotating cylinder 30, the circumferential position of the engagement piece 41 of the first linear cylinder 40 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 33 of the first rotating cylinder 30. At this time, the circumferential position of the engagement piece 35 of the first rotating cylinder 30 coincides with the circumferential position of the communication groove 48 of the first linear cylinder 40. Then, by moving the first rotating cylinder 30 in the -X direction from the front of the first linear cylinder 40, the engagement piece 35 of the first rotating cylinder 30 can be moved in the axial direction (X direction) inside the communication groove 48 of the first linear cylinder 40 to the end of the circumferential groove 47. At this time, the engagement piece 41 of the first linear cylinder 40 moves to the end of the circumferential groove 32 through the communication groove 33 of the first rotating cylinder 30. In this state, by rotating the first rotating cylinder 30 relative to the first linear cylinder 40, the engagement piece 41 of the first linear cylinder 40 can be engaged with the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30, and the engagement piece 35 of the first rotating cylinder 30 can be engaged with the circumferential groove 47 of the first linear cylinder 40.

Figure 7E is a side view showing the second rotating barrel 50. As shown in Figures 6 and 7E, the second rotating barrel 50 has three cylindrical actuating pins 51 that protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface. These actuating pins 51 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of each actuating pin 51 is slightly smaller than the axial width of the through cam groove 44 of the first linear cylinder 40 and the circumferential width of the axial groove 34 of the first rotating barrel 30, and each actuating pin 51 passes through the through cam groove 44 of the first linear cylinder 40 and engages with the axial groove 34 of the first rotating barrel 30.

With this configuration, the operating pin 51 of the second rotating barrel 50 can move along the through cam groove 44 inside the first linear barrel 40 by engaging with the through cam groove 44 of the first linear barrel 40, and can move along the axial direction inside the axial groove 34 of the first rotating barrel 30 by engaging with the axial groove 34 of the first rotating barrel 30. When the first rotating barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 due to the engagement between the operating pin 51 of the second rotating barrel 50 and the axial groove 34 of the first rotating barrel 30, the second rotating barrel 50 rotates together with the first rotating barrel 30 relative to the fixed barrel 20. At this time, due to the engagement between the operating pin 51 of the second rotating barrel 50 and the through cam groove 44 of the first linear barrel 40, the second rotating barrel 50 moves in the optical axis direction (X direction) relative to the first linear barrel 40 along the shape of the through cam groove 44 as the second rotating barrel 50 rotates. In this way, when the first rotating barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 by user operation, the second rotating barrel 50 rotates relative to the first linear moving barrel 40 and extends in the +X direction.

The inner peripheral surface of the second rotating barrel 50 is formed with six cam grooves 52 and six connecting grooves 53 that extend in the +X direction from the rear edge of the second rotating barrel 50 and connect to the rear ends of the cam grooves 52. The six cam grooves 52 and the six connecting grooves 53 are each arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each cam groove 52 extends from the rear end to the front end along the circumferential direction such that its position in the X direction gradually changes forward. The second rotating barrel 50 also has three engagement pieces 54 that protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface. These engagement pieces 54 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

Figure 7F is a side view showing the second linear cylinder 60. As shown in Figures 6 and 7F, the second linear cylinder 60 has three engagement protrusions 61 protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface. These engagement protrusions 61 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The circumferential width of each engagement protrusion 61 is slightly smaller than the circumferential width of the axial groove 46 of the first linear cylinder 40, and each engagement protrusion 61 engages with the axial groove 46 of the first linear cylinder 40. As a result, the engagement protrusion 61 of the second linear cylinder 60 can move axially inside the axial groove 46 of the first linear cylinder 40. Due to the engagement between the engagement protrusion 61 of the second linear cylinder 60 and the axial groove 46 of the first linear cylinder 40, the second linear cylinder 60 can move in the X direction without rotating relative to the first linear cylinder 40.

The second linear cylinder 60 has six axial grooves 62 that extend from the rear edge in the +X direction while penetrating the peripheral wall. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the second linear cylinder 60 has three circumferential grooves 63 that extend along the circumferential direction, and three connecting grooves 64 that extend from the front edge of the second linear cylinder 60 in the -X direction and connect to the circumferential grooves 63. The six axial grooves 62, the three circumferential grooves 63, and the three connecting grooves 64 are each disposed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

When assembling the second linear cylinder 60 to the second rotating cylinder 50, the circumferential position of the engagement piece 54 of the second rotating cylinder 50 is aligned with the communication groove 64 of the second linear cylinder 60, and the second rotating cylinder 50 is moved in the -X direction from the front of the second linear cylinder 60, so that the engagement piece 54 of the second rotating cylinder 50 can be moved in the axial direction (X direction) inside the communication groove 64 of the second linear cylinder 60 to the end of the circumferential groove 63. In this state, the second rotating cylinder 50 can be rotated relative to the second linear cylinder 60 to engage the engagement piece 54 of the second rotating cylinder 50 with the circumferential groove 63 of the second linear cylinder 60.

As shown in FIG. 6, the movable lens barrel 70 has six cylindrical actuation pins 75 that protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface. These actuation pins 75 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of each actuation pin 75 is slightly smaller than the circumferential width of the axial groove 62 of the second linear cylinder 60 and the axial width of the cam groove 52 of the second rotating barrel 50, and each actuation pin 75 passes through the axial groove 62 of the second linear cylinder 60 and engages with the cam groove 52 of the second rotating barrel 50.

With this configuration, the actuation pin 75 of the movable lens barrel 70 is engaged with the cam groove 52 of the second rotating barrel 50 to move along the cam groove 52 inside the cam groove 52 of the second rotating barrel 50, and is engaged with the axial groove 62 of the second linear barrel 60 to move along the axial direction inside the axial groove 62 of the second linear barrel 60. The actuation pin 75 of the movable lens barrel 70 is engaged with the axial groove 62 of the second linear barrel 60, so that the movable lens barrel 70 rotates together with the second linear barrel 60. In addition, the actuation pin 75 of the movable lens barrel 70 is engaged with the cam groove 52 of the second rotating barrel 50, so that when the movable lens barrel 70 rotates relative to the second rotating barrel 50, the movable lens barrel 70 moves in the optical axis direction relative to the second rotating barrel 50 along the shape of the cam groove 52 of the second rotating barrel 50.

With the above configuration, when the user rotates the operating ring 10 relative to the fixed barrel 20 in the retracted state of the camera device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the first rotating barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 and extends in the +X direction, the second rotating barrel 50 rotates relative to the first rotating barrel 30 and extends in the +X direction, and further the movable lens barrel 70 rotates relative to the second rotating barrel 50 and extends in the +X direction.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the front cover 2. As shown in Figure 9, the front cover 2 has a main panel 91 with a circular opening 90 formed in approximately the center. Two support posts 92A, 92B extending in the -X direction are erected on this main panel 91, and latch members 93A, 93B that can rotate around the support posts 92A, 92B are attached to these support posts 92A, 92B. These latch members 93A, 93B have rollers 94A, 94B at their tips, and are biased in the counterclockwise direction in Figure 9 by, for example, torsion coil springs 95A, 95B. In addition, a stopper 96 extending in the -X direction is provided on the main panel 91 of the front cover 2.

When the camera device 1 is in the collapsed state, as shown in FIG. 1, all of the barrels 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 are housed inside the operation ring 10, and the axial positions of these barrels 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 are substantially the same. FIG. 10 is a rear view that shows a schematic relationship between the front cover 2 and the operation ring 10 in this state. As shown in FIG. 10, in the collapsed state, the roller 94A of the latch member 93A is fitted into the recess 15A of the operation ring 10 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 95A, so that the operation ring 10 does not rotate relative to the front cover 2 even when a small force is applied.

10 (hereinafter, this rotation direction is referred to as the extension rotation direction) with a force that exceeds the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 95A, the roller 94A of the latch member 93A comes out of the recess 15A of the operation ring 10 and slides on the outer circumferential surface of the operation ring 10. Then, as described above, as the operation ring 10 rotates, the first rotating barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 and extends in the +X direction, the second rotating barrel 50 rotates relative to the first rotating barrel 30 and extends in the +X direction, and the movable lens barrel 70 rotates relative to the second rotating barrel 50 and extends in the +X direction.

As the operation ring 10 continues to rotate, as shown in FIG. 11, the roller 94A of the latch member 93A eventually fits into the recess 15B of the operation ring 10, and the roller 94B of the latch member 93B fits into the recess 15D of the protrusion 16. This allows the user to feel a click as the operation ring 10 rotates. A sensor (not shown) installed inside the camera device 1 detects the operation ring 10 in this position, and the camera device 1 is powered on to enter a shooting state.

In the state shown in FIG. 11, the rollers 94A and 94B of the latch members 93A and 93B are fitted into the recesses 15B and 15D of the operation ring 10 by the biasing force of the torsion coil springs 95A and 95B, respectively, so that the operation ring 10 does not rotate relative to the front cover 2 by merely applying a small amount of force. If the user further rotates the operation ring 10 in the extension rotation direction with a force exceeding these biasing forces, the rollers 94A and 94B of the latch members 93A and 93B come out of the recesses 15B and 15D of the operation ring 10, respectively, and the roller 94A of the latch member 93A further slides on the outer circumferential surface of the operation ring 10. Then, as described above, with the rotation of the operation ring 10, the first rotating barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 and extends in the +X direction, the second rotating barrel 50 rotates relative to the first rotating barrel 30 and extends in the +X direction, and the movable lens barrel 70 rotates relative to the second rotating barrel 50 and extends in the +X direction.

As the operation ring 10 continues to rotate, as shown in FIG. 12, the roller 94A of the latch member 93A eventually fits into the recess 15C of the operation ring 10. This allows the user to feel a clicking sensation while rotating the operation ring 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the lens barrel 4 is extended to its maximum extent in the +X direction, entering the shooting state.

In this shooting state, as shown in FIG. 12, the stopper 96 of the front cover 2 abuts against the end face 17 (see FIGS. 7A and 8) of the protrusion 16 of the operation ring 10. Therefore, even if the user attempts to further rotate the operation ring 10 in the extension rotation direction, the end face 17 of the protrusion 16 of the operation ring 10 abuts against the stopper 96 of the front cover 2, so that further rotation of the operation ring 10 in the extension direction is restricted. In this way, in this embodiment, the rotation of the operation ring 10 can be restricted at a predetermined position by the stopper 96 of the front cover 2, so that the movement of the operating pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 can be limited to a predetermined position.

To change from the shooting state to the retracted state, rotate the operation ring 10 in the opposite direction to the extension rotation direction. As the operation ring 10 rotates, the movable lens barrel 70 rotates relative to the second rotating barrel 50 and moves in the -X direction, the second rotating barrel 50 rotates relative to the first rotating barrel 30 and moves in the -X direction, and the first rotating barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 and moves in the -X direction. This operation ultimately results in the retracted state shown in Figure 1.

Figure 13 is a plan view showing the lens barrel 4 excluding the operation ring 10 and the frame body 80 in the shooting state of the camera device 1 shown in Figure 4. As described above, when the camera device 1 is in the shooting state, the operating pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 is located at the front end 22B of the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20, but at this time, as shown in Figure 13, the rear cylinder part 37 of the first rotating barrel 30 extends from the front end 22B to the rear end 22A of the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20, blocking the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20 over its entire length. In other words, the rear cylinder part 37 of the first rotating barrel 30 functions as a light blocking part that blocks the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20 over its entire length when the operating pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 is located at the front end 22B of the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20. Such a light-shielding section prevents light from outside the lens barrel 4 (for example, sunlight, strobe light, light from an LED, etc.) from passing through the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20 and entering the inside of the lens barrel 4, preventing unnecessary light from entering the exposed area inside the frame 80 and adversely affecting photography.

Figure 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the first linear cylinder 40. As shown in Figure 14, the first linear cylinder 40 of this embodiment has a trailing edge flange portion 49 that extends radially outward. This trailing edge flange portion 49 includes a flange base portion 49A located in the front and an extension portion 49B that extends radially outward from the flange base portion 49A behind the flange base portion 49A (the -X direction side).

3 and 4, the rear edge flange portion 49 of the first linear cylinder 40 is located behind the rear cylinder portion 37 of the first rotating cylinder 30. As described above, the light entering from the outside of the lens barrel 4 through the through cam groove 22 of the fixed cylinder 20 is blocked by the rear cylinder portion 37 of the first rotating cylinder 30, but it is also possible that a part of the light leaks further rearward without being blocked by the rear cylinder portion 37. Even in such a case, since the rear edge flange portion 49 of the first linear cylinder 40 is located behind the rear cylinder portion 37 of the first rotating cylinder 30, the light leaking rearward from the rear cylinder portion 37 of the first rotating cylinder 30 can be blocked by the rear edge flange portion 49 of the first linear cylinder 40, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent light from the outside of the lens barrel 4 from entering the inside of the lens barrel 4.

Figure 15 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the fixed barrel 20. As shown in Figure 15, the fixed barrel 20 has a throttling portion 25 that juts out radially inward behind the rear end 22A of the through cam groove 22, and a rear tubular portion 26 that is rearward of the throttling portion 25 and has a larger inner diameter than the throttling portion 25. This forms a step S between the throttling portion 25 and the rear tubular portion 26.

16 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4. In the cross section shown in FIG. 16, the diaphragm portion 25 and rear tube portion 26 of the fixed tube 20 and the flange base portion 49A and extension portion 49B of the rear edge flange portion 49 of the first rotating tube 30 have complementary shapes. That is, in the state of FIG. 16 in which the operating pin 31 of the first rotating tube 30 is located at the front end portion 22B of the through cam groove 22 of the fixed tube 20, the flange base portion 49A of the rear edge flange portion 49 of the first rotating tube 30 faces the diaphragm portion 25 of the fixed tube 20 in the radial direction, and the extension portion 49B of the rear edge flange portion 49 of the first rotating tube 30 faces the rear tube portion 26 of the fixed tube 20 in the radial direction. And the extension portion 49B of the rear edge flange portion 49 of the first rotating tube 30 faces the diaphragm portion 25 of the fixed tube 20 in the optical axis direction (X direction).

With this configuration, the gap formed between the first rotating barrel 30 and the fixed barrel 20 bends from the inside to the outside as it moves from the front to the rear, so that even if light leaks rearward from the rear tube portion 37 of the first rotating barrel 30, such light is reflected or absorbed as it passes through this gap, making it difficult for it to enter the interior of the lens barrel 4. This more reliably prevents light from outside the lens barrel 4 from entering the interior of the lens barrel 4.

When assembling the lens barrel 4 described above, as described above, the second rotating barrel 50 is moved in the -X direction from the front of the second linear motion barrel 60, so that the engagement piece 54 of the second rotating barrel 50 is moved in the X direction inside the communication groove 64 of the second linear motion barrel 60 to the end of the circumferential groove 63. In this state, the second rotating barrel 50 is rotated relative to the second linear motion barrel 60, so that the engagement piece 54 of the second rotating barrel 50 and the circumferential groove 63 of the second linear motion barrel 60 are engaged.

Then, by rotating the second linear cylinder 60 relative to the second rotating cylinder 50, the circumferential position of the axial groove 62 of the second linear cylinder 60 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 53 of the second rotating cylinder 50. In this state, the movable lens cylinder 70 is accommodated radially inside the second linear cylinder 60 from the rear of the second linear cylinder 60 so that the operating pin 75 of the movable lens cylinder 70 is inserted into the axial groove 62 of the second linear cylinder 60 and the communication groove 53 of the second rotating cylinder 50. The second linear cylinder 60 and the second rotating cylinder in this state are collectively referred to as the "front cylinder part."

In addition, a first rotating cylinder 30 without the operating pin 31 attached is prepared, and the first rotating cylinder 30 is moved in the -X direction from the front of the first linear cylinder 40, so that the engagement piece 35 of the first rotating cylinder 30 moves in the X direction inside the communication groove 48 of the first linear cylinder 40 to the end of the circumferential groove 47. In this state, the first rotating cylinder 30 is rotated relative to the first linear cylinder 40, so that the engagement piece 41 of the first linear cylinder 40 engages with the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30, and the engagement piece 35 of the first rotating cylinder 30 engages with the circumferential groove 47 of the first linear cylinder 40. The first linear cylinder and the first rotating cylinder 30 in this state are collectively referred to as the "rear cylinder part."

Then, the first linear cylinder 40 is rotated relative to the first rotating cylinder 30 so that the circumferential position of the operating pin 51 of the second rotating cylinder 50 coincides with the circumferential position of the communication groove 45 of the first linear cylinder 40, and the circumferential position of the engagement protrusion 61 of the second linear cylinder 60 coincides with the circumferential position of the axial groove 46 of the first linear cylinder 40. In this state, the rear cylinder part is moved in the -X direction from the front of the front cylinder part, so that the front cylinder part is accommodated radially inside the rear cylinder part. The first rotating cylinder 30, first linear cylinder 40, second rotating cylinder 50, and second linear cylinder 60 in this state are collectively referred to as the "cylinder assembly." Figure 17 shows this cylinder assembly 100.

18, the circumferential position of the boss portion 38 of the first rotating barrel 30 of the barrel assembly 100 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20, and the barrel assembly 100 is accommodated from the rear of the fixed barrel 20 to the radially inner side of the fixed barrel 20 so that the boss portion 38 of the first rotating barrel 30 is inserted into the communication groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20. After the boss portion 38 of the first rotating barrel 30 is moved to the front end of the communication groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20, the barrel assembly 100 is rotated, and the boss portion 38 of the first rotating barrel 30 moves along the boss groove 27 of the fixed barrel 20, and a part of the boss portion 38 is visible through the through cam groove 22. In this state, it is possible to attach the operating pin 31 to the boss portion 38 from the radially outer side of the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the boss portion 38 is moved to the front end of the boss groove 27 corresponding to the front end 22B of the through cam groove 22, and then the operating pin 31 is attached to the boss portion 38. The operating pin 31 can be attached to the boss portion 38 by, for example, screwing or press-fitting. In this manner, in this embodiment, a part of the operating portion of the first rotating barrel 30 (the boss portion 38) can be introduced into the boss groove 27 through the communication groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20.

In this embodiment, the communication groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20 also functions as a second axial groove with which the slider protrusion 43 of the first linear motion barrel 40 engages, as described above. In this way, by using the communication groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20 as a second axial groove, the number of manufacturing steps for the fixed barrel 20 can be reduced, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Then, as shown in Figure 20, the fixed barrel 20 housing the barrel assembly 100 is fixed to the frame 80 using screws 81 or the like. To attach the operation ring 10 to this fixed barrel 20, as shown in Figure 20, the actuation pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 is moved to the end of the front end 22B of the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20, and the movable lens barrel 70, the second rotating barrel 50, and the first rotating barrel 30 are extended in the +X direction. This is for the reasons described below.

Angle θ ₁ shown in Fig. 8, i.e., the angle around the optical axis P between the axial groove 11 and the communication groove 13 of the operation ring 10, is equal to angle θ ₂ shown in Fig. 20, i.e., the angle around the optical axis P between the terminal end of the front end 22B of the cam through groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20 and the engagement piece 21. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 20, when the operation pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 is moved to the terminal end of the front end 22B of the cam through groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20, the operation pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 becomes insertable into the axial groove 11 of the operation ring 10, and the engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 becomes insertable into the communication groove 13 of the operation ring 10. In this state, by moving the operation ring 10 in the -X direction from the front of the fixed barrel 20, the engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 is moved in the X direction inside the communication groove 13 of the operation ring 10 to the end of the circumferential groove 12. Then, by rotating the operation ring 10 relative to the fixed barrel 20, the engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 and the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10 are engaged with each other. Fig. 2 shows such a state. In this manner, in this embodiment, the engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 can be introduced into the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10 through the communication groove 13 of the operation ring 10.

The front cover 2 is attached to the rear cover 3 in the state shown in FIG. 2. As described above, the main plate 91 of the front cover 2 is provided with a stopper 96 for restricting the rotation of the operation ring 10, and as shown in FIG. 21, this stopper 96 has an inclined surface 97. When the front cover 2 is attached to the rear cover 3, the inclined surface 97 of this stopper 96 is in contact with the inclined surface 18 of the protruding portion 16 of the operation ring 10, and when the front cover 2 is pushed in, the inclined surface 97 of the stopper 96 of the front cover 2 acts upward on the operation ring 10, causing the operation ring 10 to rotate. When the attachment of the front cover 2 to the rear cover 3 is completed, the end surface 17 of the protruding portion 16 of the operation ring 10 abuts against the stopper 96 of the front cover 2, that is, the shooting state shown in FIG. 12 is reached. In this way, in this embodiment, the operation ring 10 can be rotated to an appropriate position upon completion of the attachment of the front cover 2 to the rear cover 3.

In this embodiment, when the end face 17 of the protrusion 16 of the operating ring 10 mentioned above is in contact with the stopper 96 of the front cover 2, the operating pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 is positioned just before the terminal end of the front end 22B of the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20. In this way, in this embodiment, the movement of the operating pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 is limited to just before the terminal end of the front end 22B of the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the actuation pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 is located at the terminal end of the front end 22B of the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20, the operation ring 10 can be attached to the fixed barrel 20. Conversely, in this state, the operation ring 10 can be removed from the fixed barrel 20. However, as described above, the movement of the actuation pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 is limited to just before the terminal end of the front end 22B of the through cam groove 22 of the fixed barrel 20, so the operation ring 10 is prevented from falling off the fixed barrel 20.

The portion of the operating ring 10 that comes into contact with the inclined surface 97 of the stopper 96 of the front cover 2 does not necessarily have to be an inclined surface, but in order to allow the operating ring 10 to rotate smoothly, it is preferable that the portion that comes into contact with the inclined surface 97 of the stopper 96 of the front cover 2 be an inclined surface (inclined surface 18) as shown in FIG. 21.

In addition, the terms "forward," "backward," "upward," and other positional terms used in this specification are used in relation to the illustrated embodiment and may change depending on the relative positional relationship of the devices.

Though we have described preferred embodiments of the present invention, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and may be embodied in various different forms within the scope of its technical concept.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a lens barrel having a structure that makes it difficult for light from outside the lens barrel to enter the inside of the lens barrel is provided. This lens barrel is configured to accommodate at least one lens and to be extendable along the optical axis direction. The lens barrel includes an operation ring having an inner peripheral surface on which a first axial groove extending along the optical axis direction and a first circumferential groove extending along the circumferential direction are formed, a fixed barrel arranged radially inside the operation ring, a rotating barrel arranged radially inside the fixed barrel and having a second circumferential groove extending along the circumferential direction formed on its inner peripheral surface, and a linear motion barrel arranged radially inside the rotating barrel. A through cam groove is formed in the peripheral wall of the fixed barrel, which extends circumferentially from the rear end to the front end so that the position in the optical axis direction gradually changes forward, and a second axial groove extending along the optical axis direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fixed barrel. The fixed barrel has a first engagement piece that protrudes radially outward and engages with the first circumferential groove of the operation ring to be movable inside the first circumferential groove. The rotating barrel has an operating part that protrudes radially outward and engages with the first axial groove of the operation ring through the through cam groove of the fixed barrel to be movable inside the through cam groove and inside the first axial groove, and a light blocking part that blocks the through cam groove of the fixed barrel over its entire length when the operating part is located at the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel. The linear moving barrel has a slider protrusion that protrudes radially outward and engages with the second axial groove of the fixed barrel to be movable inside the second axial groove, and a second engagement piece that protrudes radially outward and engages with the second circumferential groove of the rotating barrel to be movable inside the second circumferential groove.

With this configuration, when the operating part of the rotating barrel is located at the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel, the light blocking part of the rotating barrel blocks the entire length of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel, preventing light from outside the lens barrel (for example, sunlight, strobe light, light from an LED, etc.) from entering the inside of the lens barrel through the through cam groove of the fixed barrel.

The linear barrel may have a rear edge flange portion that extends radially outward. This rear edge flange portion is located behind the light shielding portion of the rotating barrel. With this configuration, even if a portion of the light entering from outside the lens barrel through the through cam groove of the fixed barrel leaks rearward, the rear edge flange portion of the linear barrel is located behind the light shielding portion of the rotating barrel, so that the light leaking rearward from the light shielding portion of the rotating barrel can be blocked by the rear edge flange portion of the linear barrel. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent light from outside the lens barrel from entering the inside of the lens barrel.

The fixed barrel may have a throttling portion that protrudes radially inwardly behind the rear end of the through cam groove. The rear edge flange portion of the linear barrel may have an extension portion that extends radially outwardly so as to face the throttling portion of the fixed barrel in the optical axis direction when the operating portion of the rotating barrel is located at the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel. With this configuration, the gap formed between the rotating barrel and the fixed barrel bends from the inside to the outside from the front to the rear, so that even if there is light leaking backward from the light-shielding portion of the rotating barrel, such light is reflected or absorbed while passing through this gap, and is unlikely to enter the inside of the lens barrel. This more reliably prevents light from outside the lens barrel from entering the inside of the lens barrel.

A first connecting groove may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fixed barrel, extending from the rear edge of the fixed barrel in the optical axis direction and connecting to the rear end of the through cam groove. By forming such a first connecting groove, a part of the operating part of the rotating barrel can be introduced into the through cam groove through the first connecting groove of the fixed barrel.

The first connecting groove of the fixed barrel can also function as the second axial groove. By making the first connecting groove function as the second axial groove, the number of manufacturing steps for the fixed barrel can be reduced, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

A second connecting groove may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operation ring, extending from the rear edge of the operation ring in the optical axis direction and connecting to an end of the first circumferential groove. By forming such a second connecting groove, the first engagement piece of the fixed barrel can be introduced into the first circumferential groove of the operation ring through the second connecting groove of the operation ring.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a camera device is provided that allows shooting with minimal influence from external light. This camera device includes a rear cover, a front cover, the lens barrel described above, and a frame that is arranged in a space formed by the rear cover and the front cover. The lens barrel is fixed to the frame. The operation ring has a protruding portion that protrudes radially outward. The front cover has a stopper that abuts against the protruding portion of the operation ring to restrict rotation of the operation ring when the operating portion of the rotating barrel is positioned at the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel.

As described above, this type of camera device uses a lens barrel that has a structure that makes it difficult for light from outside the lens barrel to enter the interior of the lens barrel, making it possible to take pictures with little effect from external light. In addition, the rotation of the operating ring can be restricted to a specified position by the stopper on the front cover, so the movement of the operating part of the rotating barrel can be limited to a specified position.

The angle around the optical axis between the terminal end of the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel and the first engagement piece may be equal to the angle around the optical axis between the first axial groove and the second connecting groove of the operation ring. In this case, when the operating part of the rotating barrel is moved to the terminal end of the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel, the operating part of the rotating barrel can be inserted into the first axial groove of the operation ring, and the first engagement piece of the fixed barrel can be inserted into the second connecting groove of the operation ring. By inserting the operation ring into the fixed barrel in this state and rotating it, the first engagement piece of the fixed barrel can be engaged with the first circumferential groove of the operation ring.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a camera device is provided that allows shooting with minimal influence from external light. This camera includes a rear cover, a front cover, the lens barrel described above, and a frame that is arranged in a space formed by the rear cover and the front cover. The lens barrel is fixed to the frame. The operation ring has a protruding portion that protrudes radially outward. The front cover has a stopper that abuts against the protruding portion of the operation ring to restrict rotation of the operation ring when the operating portion of the rotating barrel is located in front of the terminal end of the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel.

As described above, such a camera device uses a lens barrel that has a structure that makes it difficult for light from outside the lens barrel to enter the inside of the lens barrel, so it is possible to take pictures with little effect from external light. In addition, the rotation of the operation ring can be restricted at a predetermined position by the stopper of the front cover, so the movement of the operating part of the rotating barrel can be limited to a predetermined position. In particular, the movement of the operating part of the rotating barrel is limited to just before the terminal end of the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel. As described above, when the operating part of the rotating barrel is located at the terminal end of the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel, the operating ring can be attached and detached from the fixed barrel, but since the movement of the operating part of the rotating barrel is limited to just before the terminal end of the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel, it is possible to prevent the operating ring from falling off the fixed barrel.

The stopper of the front cover may have an inclined surface that contacts the operation ring of the lens barrel fixed to the frame and rotates the operation ring when the front cover is attached to the rear cover. When the inclined surface of the stopper of the front cover contacts the operation ring, a force acts on the operation ring from the inclined surface of the stopper of the front cover as the front cover moves when attached, causing the operation ring to rotate. This makes it possible to rotate the operation ring to an appropriate position upon completion of attachment of the front cover.

The protruding portion of the operating ring may have an inclined surface that contacts the inclined surface of the stopper of the front cover. In this way, the inclined surface of the stopper of the front cover contacts the inclined surface of the protruding portion of the operating ring, allowing the operating ring to rotate smoothly.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 camera device 2 front cover 3 rear cover 4 lens barrel 10 operation ring 11 axial groove (first axial groove)
12 Circumferential groove (first circumferential groove)
13. Connecting groove (second connecting groove)
16 Protrusion 17 End surface 18 Inclined surface 20 First fixed barrel 21 Engagement piece (first engagement piece)
22 through cam groove 22A rear end portion 22B front end portion 22C middle portion 23 communication groove (first communication groove and second axial groove)
24 Axial groove (second axial groove)
25: throttle portion 26: rear cylinder portion 27: boss groove 30: first rotating cylinder 31: operating pin (operating portion)
32 Circumferential groove (second circumferential groove)
33 Communication groove 34 Axial groove 35 Engagement piece 36 Front tubular portion 37 Rear tubular portion 38 Boss portion 40 First linear motion cylinder 41 Engagement piece (second engagement piece)
Description of the Reference Signs 42, 43 Slider protrusion 44 Through cam groove 45 Communication groove 46 Axial groove 47 Circumferential groove 48 Communication groove 49 Rear edge flange portion 49A Flange base portion 49B Extension portion 50 Second rotating barrel 51 Actuating pin 52 Cam groove 53 Communication groove 54 Engagement piece 60 Second linear motion barrel 61 Engagement protrusion 62 Axial groove 63 Circumferential groove 64 Communication groove 70 Movable lens barrel 71, 72 Lens 73 Lens unit 75 Actuating pin 80 Frame body 81 Screw 91 Main face plate 93A, 93B Latch member 94A, 94B Roller 95A, 95B Torsion coil spring 96 Stopper 97 Inclined surface

Claims (11)

A lens barrel that houses at least one lens and is extendable and retractable along an optical axis direction,
an operation ring having an inner circumferential surface on which a first axial groove extending along the optical axis direction and a first circumferential groove extending along a circumferential direction are formed;
a fixed barrel disposed radially inward of the operation ring, the fixed barrel having a peripheral wall formed with a through cam groove extending circumferentially from a rear end to a front end such that a position of the optical axis direction gradually changes forward, and a second axial groove extending along the optical axis direction formed on an inner peripheral surface of the fixed barrel;
a rotating cylinder disposed radially inside the fixed cylinder and having a second circumferential groove formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof and extending along a circumferential direction;
a linear motion cylinder disposed radially inside the rotary cylinder,
the fixed cylinder has a first engagement piece that protrudes radially outward and engages with the first circumferential groove of the operation ring to be movable within the first circumferential groove,
The rotating cylinder is
an operating portion that protrudes radially outward and passes through the cam through groove of the fixed barrel to engage with the first axial groove of the operation ring and is movable within the cam through groove and the first axial groove;
a light blocking portion that blocks the cam through groove of the fixed barrel over an entire length when the operating portion is located at the front end portion of the cam through groove of the fixed barrel,
The linear motion cylinder is
a slider protrusion that protrudes radially outward and engages with the second axial groove of the fixed cylinder to be movable within the second axial groove;
a second engagement piece that protrudes radially outward and engages with the second circumferential groove of the rotary cylinder and is movable within the second circumferential groove;
Lens barrel. The lens barrel of claim 1, wherein the linear cylinder has a trailing edge flange portion that extends radially outward and is located behind the light-shielding portion of the rotating cylinder. the fixed barrel has a tapered portion that protrudes radially inwardly behind the rear end of the cam through groove,
the rear edge flange portion of the linear motion barrel has an extension portion that extends radially outward so as to face the throttle portion of the fixed barrel in the optical axis direction when the operating portion of the rotating barrel is located at the front end portion of the cam through groove of the fixed barrel,
The lens barrel according to claim 2 . The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a first connecting groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fixed barrel, the first connecting groove extending from the rear edge of the fixed barrel in the optical axis direction and connecting to the rear end of the through cam groove. The lens barrel according to claim 4, wherein the first connecting groove of the fixed barrel also functions as the second axial groove. The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a second connecting groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operation ring, extending from the rear edge of the operation ring in the optical axis direction and connecting to an end of the first circumferential groove. The lens barrel according to claim 6, wherein the angle about the optical axis between the terminal end of the front end of the through cam groove of the fixed barrel and the first engagement piece is equal to the angle about the optical axis between the first axial groove and the second connecting groove of the operation ring. A rear cover and
The front cover and
The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
a frame disposed in a space defined by the rear cover and the front cover, the frame having the lens barrel fixed thereto;
The operation ring has a protrusion protruding radially outward,
the front cover has a stopper that abuts against the protruding portion of the operation ring to restrict rotation of the operation ring when the actuating portion of the rotating barrel is positioned at the front end portion of the cam through-groove of the fixed barrel,
Camera equipment. A rear cover and
The front cover and
The lens barrel according to claim 7 ;
a frame disposed in a space defined by the rear cover and the front cover, the frame having the lens barrel fixed thereto;
The operation ring has a protrusion protruding radially outward,
the front cover has a stopper that abuts against the protruding portion of the operation ring to restrict rotation of the operation ring when the actuating portion of the rotating barrel is positioned in front of the terminal end of the front end portion of the cam through groove of the fixed barrel.
Camera equipment. The camera device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the stopper of the front cover has an inclined surface that contacts the operation ring of the lens barrel fixed to the frame and rotates the operation ring when the front cover is attached to the rear cover. The camera device according to claim 10, wherein the protruding portion of the operation ring has an inclined surface that contacts the inclined surface of the stopper of the front cover.

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