JPH04349414A - Power driving device for zoom lens - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability by moving an operation ring in a lens barrel direction so that a lens is switched to power zooming or power focusing and turning the operation ring in a corresponding direction so that the power zooming or the power focusing may be executed. CONSTITUTION:An operation ring 26 is constituted so as to freely move in a peripheral direction and an optical axis direction, and the turning and the movement of the operation ring 26 in the optical direction are detected by a mode detection means 11. When the means 11 detects the movement of the operation ring 26 in the optical axis direction, or every time the means 11 detects it, a mode is switched to a mode in which the power focusing is executed from a mode in which the power zooming is executed. When the means 11 detects the turning of the operation ring 26, a turning angle detection means 12 outputs the speed signal of the power zooming or the power focusing corresponding to the detection of the mode. A control means 15 outputs a specified control signal to a power zooming means 16 or a power focusing means 17, and the power zooming or the power focusing is executed at a specified speed in a direction corresponding to the turning direction of the operation ring 26.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power drive device for a zoom lens, and more particularly to a power drive device that improves the operability of power zoom and power focus.

0002

[Prior Art] Cameras whose motors are driven by the photographer's operations to zoom (power zoom) and focus (power focus) are usually equipped with two push buttons. By pressing one of the push buttons, the variable magnification lens is driven to the wide-angle side or the telephoto side, and in the case of focusing, the lens is extended or retracted to obtain the desired subject distance. However, when the camera is held in a vertical position, the push button type has poor operability because the push button is fixed on the outer periphery of the lens barrel.

0003

[Problem to be solved by the invention] Therefore, when the rotating ring (hereinafter referred to as the operating ring) provided on the lens barrel is rotated,
There is a camera that detects the rotational direction of the operating ring at this time and drives a lens with a motor in a direction corresponding to the rotational direction. When there is only one operation ring, it is necessary to perform a mode selection operation using another switch in advance in order to decide whether to perform power zoom or power focus. Therefore, if you try to adjust the focus while zooming,
The problem was that it required mode selection at each step, making it extremely difficult to operate. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power drive device for a zoom lens with excellent operability.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention is a power drive device for a zoom lens that performs power zooming and power focusing by operating a single operating ring fitted into a lens barrel, the operating ring being inserted into the lens barrel. The device is configured to be freely rotatable in the circumferential direction and movable in the optical axis direction, and includes means for detecting rotation of the operating ring and movement in the optical axis direction, and the means detects the movement of the operating ring in the optical axis direction. is detected, or every time it is detected, the power zoom mode is switched to the power focus mode. It is characterized by power zooming or power focusing based on speed.

[0005]

[Operation] According to the above configuration, if the operation ring in the normal position is rotated as it is, in that case, for example, the power zoom mode is set, and the power zoom is performed at a predetermined speed in the direction corresponding to the detected rotation direction. However, if the operating ring is pulled toward the lens barrel, for example toward the front, the above means will
When the power zoom mode is switched to the power focus mode and the operating ring is then rotated, power focusing is performed at a predetermined speed in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the power drive unit of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a fixed barrel in the lens barrel that is attached to the camera body, and 2 indicates a cylindrical operation ring that is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the fixed barrel 1 and moves in the optical axis direction and circumferential direction of the fixed barrel 1. - Can be rotated freely. 1A
is an engagement groove formed in the portion of the fixed cylinder 1 where the operating ring 2 is located, and has an "H" shape as shown in FIG. 2A is a projection piece formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operating ring 2, and by engaging with the engagement groove 1A, the operating ring 2 can be rotated and moved in an H-shape. Reference numeral 3 denotes a spring that biases the operating ring 2 forward (towards the subject). 4 is a return spring which will be described later.

FIG. 3 shows a side sectional view taken along the line LL' in FIG. 1. Four locking pieces 2B1 to 2B4 (not shown in FIG. 1) are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operation ring 2, and four locking pieces 2B1 to 2B4 are formed on the fixed cylinder 1 in correspondence with the positions of the locking pieces 2B1 to 2B4. Notch recesses 1B1 to 1B4 (not shown in FIG. 1) are carved. L-shaped metal fittings 5 to 8 that are slidable in the circumferential direction of the fixed cylinder 1 are provided in the notched recesses 1B1 to 1B4. At this time, the metal fittings 5 and 7 are arranged at symmetrical positions (that is, having an angle of 180°) centering on the optical axis, and the fittings 6 and 8 are also arranged at symmetrical positions centering on the optical axis. . Further, the return spring 4 is stretched between the two adjacent metal fittings 5 and 6, and 7 and 8 so as to form a pair, and the bent portions 5A to 8A of each of the metal fittings 5 to 8 are connected to the locking pieces 2B1 to 2B4. engage by hooking them on each.

With this configuration, when the operating ring 2 is rotated in the directions C and D shown by the arrows, the pair of metal fittings 5 and 6,
7 and 8, one is locked in the notch recess 1B, but the other moves in the notch recess 1B as it is dragged by the movement of the locking piece 2B against the restoring spring 4. When the user releases his or her hand, the operating ring 2 returns to its normal position. In this case, 5A generated by the restoring force of the return spring 4
Couple of (2B1) and 7A (2B3), 6A (2B2)
Since the return is caused by the couple of 8A (2B4) and 8A (2B4), the return is smooth. In this steady state, the projection piece 2A of the operation ring 2 is positioned on the groove c of the engagement groove 1A in FIG. If you make it stronger,
No matter where the protrusion piece 2A is located within the engagement groove 1A, it will naturally return to the position Q0 shown in FIG. 2 when the user releases the protrusion piece 2A. Hereinafter, this position Q0 will be referred to as the neutral position, and this will be expressed as "the operating ring 2 returns to the neutral position".

FIG. 4 shows a developed view of the fixed cylinder 1 and the operating ring 2 shown in FIG. 2, taken along lines AA' and BB' in the figure. A common electrode Y0 and individual electrodes Y1 to Y4 are formed on the surface of a predetermined portion of the fixed cylinder 1, and contacts P1 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operating ring 2 to correspond to the positions of these electrodes. , P1' are provided, and these contacts are interconnected by a crossover wire U on the outer surface of the operating ring 2. Operation ring 2
The contact P1 is in contact with the common electrode Y0 no matter where the protrusion piece 2A is in the engagement groove 1A, and the protrusion piece 2A is in the engagement groove 1A at Q1 (or Q1'), Q2 (or Q2).
'), Q3 (or Q3'), Q4 (or Q4'), the other contact P1' is Y1, Y2, respectively.
, Y3, and Y4. Therefore, by detecting the electrodes Y1 to Y4 that are electrically connected to the common electrode Y0, it is possible to know in which direction and to what degree the operating ring has rotated. Similarly, the operation ring 2 which was in the neutral position
Move it toward the front of the camera body (toward the right in Figure 2),
When the projection piece 2A moves from the position Q0 to Q0', the electrodes Y5 and Y6 formed on a predetermined part of the surface of the fixed cylinder 1 are connected via the contacts P2 and P2' provided on the inner peripheral surface of the operating ring 2. It is designed to cause a short circuit.

FIG. 5 shows a control block diagram applied to the operating ring configured as described above. Reference numerals 1 and 2 are the above-mentioned fixed barrel and operation ring, and 11 is a mode detection means for detecting whether the mode is power zoom or power focus based on the conduction state between the electrodes Y5 and Y6. Reference numeral 12 denotes a rotation angle detection means for detecting how much rotation in which direction the electrodes Y0 to Y4 have been rotated based on the conduction state, and the speed of power zoom or power focus is determined in accordance with the mode detection by the mode detection means. Output a signal. 13 is means for switching between power zoom and manual zoom; 14
is a manual zoom means that functions during manual zoom. A control means 15 outputs a predetermined control signal to the power zoom means 16 or the power focus means 17 in order to perform power zoom or power focus during power zoom based on the speed of the power zoom or power focus. 18 is a means for detecting whether the mode is power focus or autofocus from the state of a changeover switch (not shown) provided on the fixed barrel 1 side, and 19 is a means for detecting focus in autofocus mode. 20 is a control means for sending a predetermined control signal to the autofocus means 21 based on the detected focus.

Next, the operation of the apparatus having the above configuration will be explained. As mentioned above, in the steady state, the protruding piece 2A of the operating ring 2 is
The engagement groove 1A is at the neutral position Q0. At this time, electrode Y
5. Since Y6 is not short-circuited via the contacts P2 and P2', the mode detection means 11 determines that it is the power zoom mode. Next, when the operation ring 2 is rotated, the projection piece 2A moves along the groove a (FIG. 2) in the engagement groove 1A, and now, for example, when the projection piece 2A is located at position Q2, the contact Common electrode Y0 and electrode Y2 via P1 and P1'
conducts. The rotation angle detection means 12 sends the zoom speed corresponding to this rotation angle and the zoom direction (in this case, the telephoto side) to the control means 15 from the rotation direction, so that the power zoom means 16 is driven. Further, when the protruding piece 2A is moved to the position Q1, the common electrode Y0 and the electrode Y1 are electrically connected, and in this case, the lens is zoomed toward the telephoto side at high speed according to the rotation angle at this time. . If the operating ring 2 is rotated in the opposite direction, the zoom will be performed toward the wide-angle side at a speed corresponding to the rotation angle.

Now, when the operating ring 2 in the neutral position is pulled forward, the protruding piece 2 moves along the groove c of the engagement groove 1A and comes to the position Q0'. At this time, as mentioned above, the electrode Y5
Since conduction occurs between Y6 and Y6, the mode detection means 11 determines that the mode is the power focus mode, and if the operation ring 2 is rotated in this state, the protruding piece 2A is inserted into the groove b of the engagement groove 1A (Fig. 2). move along. In this case as well, the rotation angle detection device 12
The rotation angle and rotation direction are detected, and information as to whether the focus direction is on the near side or on the far side is sent to the power focusing means 17 based on the focus speed and rotation direction corresponding to the rotation angle. .

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention. The engagement groove 1A' is the "H"-shaped engagement groove 1 in FIG.
It has a "T" shape with only groove b removed from A. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the electrodes Y5 and Y6 are the same as those in FIG. 4, but since the protruding piece 2A only rotates along the groove a of the engagement groove 1A', the common electrode Y0' , the lengths of the electrodes Y1' to Y4' in the cylindrical direction are shorter than those shown in FIG. The control block diagram for this is also almost the same as FIG. 5. In terms of operation, if the operating ring 2 in the neutral position is rotated as it is, it will function as a power zoom mode, while if the operating ring 2 is pulled toward you and electrodes Y5 and Y6 are once short-circuited, it will be determined to be a power focus mode. is,
Thereafter, when the projection piece 2A is moved along the groove a, the control means 15 performs power focusing.

[0014]

Effects of the Invention As explained above, in the present invention, when the operation ring is moved toward the lens barrel, switching from power zoom to power focus, for example, and then rotating the operation ring, the rotation of the operation ring can be changed. Since the set power zoom or power focus is performed in the direction corresponding to the direction, mode switching can be done easily and quickly.
Improves the operability of zoom lenses.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

[Fig. 1] A sectional view of an operating ring and a fixed barrel showing an embodiment of a power drive device in a zoom lens of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Diagram showing the fixed cylinder and operating ring in Figure 1

[Figure 3] Side sectional view taken in the direction of line LL' in Figure 1

[Figure 4] Developed view of the fixed cylinder and operating ring in Figure 2

[Figure 5
] Control block diagram applied to the power drive device in Figure 1

[Fig. 6] A diagram showing another embodiment of the fixed cylinder and operation ring in Fig. 1.

[Figure 7] Developed view of the fixed cylinder and operating ring in Figure 6

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Fixed tube 1A Engagement groove 1B Notch recess 2 Operation ring 2A Projection piece 2B Locking piece 3 Spring 4 Return spring 5 Metal fittings 6 Metal fittings 7 Metal fittings 8 Metal fittings 11 Mode detection means 12 Rotation angle detection means Y electrode P Contact

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A power drive device for a zoom lens that performs power zooming and power focusing by operating a single operating ring fitted into a lens barrel, the operating ring being rotated in the circumferential direction and the optical axis and a means for detecting rotation of the operating ring and movement in the optical axis direction, and when the means detects movement of the operating ring in the optical axis direction, or when the means detects movement of the operating ring in the optical axis direction. When the means detects the rotation of the operating ring, the power zoom or power focus is switched from the power zoom mode to the power focus mode at a predetermined speed in the direction corresponding to the rotation direction. A power drive device for a zoom lens characterized by performing the following. 2. The power drive device for a zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined speed corresponds to a rotation angle of an operating ring.