CN101027603A - Lens barrel, and imaging device, camera, and portatable apparatus with the lens barrel - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lens barrel and a thinner camera. Wherein, a lens barrel in which a bending optical system using a reflection member can be thinned has a lens barrier opening/closing mechanism with excellent operability. A lens barrel has an opening in which object light enters, a lens barrier for making the opening in an uncovering open state and an covering closed state, the lens groups for guiding object light, a reflection member for bending the object light at substantially right angle, and an imaging element for photoelectrically converting the object light and is constructed to perform magnification variation by moving a predetermined lens group of the lens groups in the direction of the optical axis. At least one of the lens groups is constructed so as to move as a screw-fitting member, screwed to a lead screw, moves. The screw-fitting member is movable to a position beyond a movable range of the lens group. The lens barrier is opened and closed when the screw-fitting member moves at a position beyond the movable range of the lens groups.

Description

Lens barrels and imaging devices equipped with lens barrels, cameras, and portable devices

technical field

The present invention relates to a lens baffle driving mechanism, which is arranged on the object light incident opening of the lens barrel, wherein the imaging optical system in the lens barrel bends the object light slightly at right angles and guides it to the imaging element.

Background technique

Known according to prior knowledge, the so-called digital camera is to carry out photoelectric conversion to the subject image by the imaging element, convert the photoelectrically converted signal into a digital signal, after performing predetermined processing, carry out electronic recording on the recording medium, wherein, in Reflective components are installed in the imaging optical system to bend the optical axis to a direction slightly parallel to the surface of the camera. In addition, a technology has been disclosed that disposes a lens barrier and opens or closes an object light entrance opening on the surface of a camera equipped with the curved optical system by moving the barrier between the cover position and the exposure position.

As a switch drive mechanism for a lens barrier of a camera equipped with such a curved optical system, it is known to use a cam barrel for zooming in the circumferential direction of the lens group around the optical axis, and to use a predetermined area in the rotation area of the cam barrel. For opening/closing the lens barrier.

In addition, it is disclosed that the operation dial provided on the surface of the camera is manually rotated, and the lens barrier coupled to the operation dial is rotated in conjunction with the rotation operation to open/close the opening (see, for example, Patent Document 1 ).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-111868 (FIGS. 6 to 10)

Contents of the invention

The problem to be solved by the invention

In the above-mentioned camera using the curved optical system, even if the curved optical system is a variable magnification system, the optical system does not protrude from the surface of the camera body, and the surface of the camera can be made flat.

However, in the rotation area of the cam cylinder for zooming in the lens group circumferential direction, the predetermined area is used as the opening/closing structure of the lens barrier, and the lens barrier can be opened by pressing an operating member such as a start button. This is better in terms of operability, but a cam barrel for zooming must be arranged around the optical axis outside the lens group that constitutes the optical system, resulting in a larger diameter of the lens barrel of the optical system , is not conducive to the thinning of the camera.

In addition, the opening and closing drive mechanism of the lens barrier described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is to manually rotate the operation dial arranged around the opening of the camera surface one by one. The issue of inferiority.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to make it possible to reduce the thickness of the curved optical system using the reflecting member, and at the same time, adopt the lens barrel of the lens barrier opening and closing mechanism with good operability and by providing the lens barrel, Thinner camera.

means of solving problems

The above objects are achieved by the following configurations.

Item 1 is a lens barrel, which includes: an opening for incident light from an object; a lens barrier for exposing the opening and a closed state for covering the opening; a plurality of lens groups that guide the subject light; a reflection member that bends the subject light at a slightly right angle; an imaging element that monitors the subject light guided by the plurality of lens groups and the reflection member The object light is photoelectrically converted; zooming is performed by moving a predetermined lens group among the plurality of lens groups in the direction of the optical axis, and it is characterized in that, among the predetermined lens groups moving in the direction of the optical axis, at least one lens group follows the The movement of the threaded part screwed on the lead screw moves, and the threaded part can move to a position exceeding the moving range of the one lens group, and the threaded part can move beyond the moving range of the one lens group The movement of the position, to open and close the lens barrier.

Item 2 is the lens barrel described in Item 1, wherein the lens barrier is energized by an energizing member in a direction in which the opening is exposed, and the lens barrier resists the opening through the screwing member. The direction of the biasing force of the biasing member moves to a state covering the opening.

Item 3 is the lens barrel described in Items 1 and 2, wherein the predetermined lens groups moving in the direction of the optical axis are biased by biasing members in directions away from each other.

Item 4 is the lens barrel described in any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein, among the plurality of lens groups, the lens group disposed between the reflection member and the imaging element is composed of 2 The root guide shafts define the positions in the vertical direction of the respective optical axes.

Item 5 is an imaging device comprising the lens barrel described in any one of Items 1 to 4.

Item 6 is a camera comprising the lens barrel described in any one of Items 1 to 4.

Item 7 is a portable device with a camera function, characterized in that it is provided with the lens barrel described in any one of items 1 to 4.

The effect of the invention

In the lens barrel of the present invention, the screwing part screwed to the lead screw moves, and the lens group moves with the screwing part to change the magnification, so that the screwing part can move to a position exceeding the moving range of the lens group , through the movement of the threaded part beyond the moving range of the lens group, the opening and closing of the lens barrier is carried out. Through the above-mentioned lens barrel of the present invention, the driving direction of each part can be made to be in a direction parallel to the optical axis, by This enables a thinner lens barrel structure, and the opening and closing of the lens barrier and zooming can be performed without providing a separate actuator, and a camera equipped with a low-cost and easy-to-operate lens barrel can be obtained.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 : A schematic diagram showing an example of the internal arrangement of main components of a camera equipped with a lens barrel according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 : A perspective view of a unit state of a lens barrel according to the present invention.

Fig. 3: A schematic cross-sectional view of the variable magnification possible bending imaging optical system contained in the lens barrel of the present invention.

Figure 4: Schematic diagram of the movement mechanism of the second lens group and the fourth lens group.

FIG. 5 : A schematic diagram of an example of the lens barrier opening and closing mechanism of the lens barrel according to the present invention.

Fig. 6: A schematic diagram of another example of the lens barrier opening and closing mechanism according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 1st lens group

2 Second lens group

3 The third lens group

4 The 4th lens group

5 optical filters

6 camera elements

9 shutter units

10 main cylinder A

11 main cylinder B

15 guide shaft

16 guide shaft

18 compression coil springs

20 1st motor

21 2nd motor

22 Screwed parts (nuts)

50 lens barrel

51 opening

60 lens baffle

62 Spring A

64 lens barrier driving part

67 Spring B

100 cameras

Detailed ways

The present invention will be described in detail through embodiments below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal arrangement of main components of a camera 100 equipped with a lens barrel according to the present invention. This figure is a perspective view of the camera 100 seen from the subject side.

As shown in Figure 1, the lens barrel 50 involved in the present invention is vertically arranged on the right side of the camera 100, and contains a curved imaging optical system capable of variable magnification inside, as shown in the figure, a lens opening for taking in the light beam of the subject is arranged. Section 51. And there is provided a lens barrier which manipulates the open state of exposing the lens opening portion 51 and the closed state of covering the lens opening portion 51 .

52 is a flash light-emitting window, and 53 is a reflector arranged behind the flash light-emitting window. The flash unit is composed of a xenon tube, a main capacitor, a circuit board, and the like. 54 is a card type image recording memory. 55 is a battery, which supplies power to each part of the camera. The memory 54 for image recording and the battery 55 can be inserted/detached from a cover portion not shown.

A jog button 56 is arranged on the top of the camera, and when one step is pressed, the camera performs imaging preparations, that is, a focusing operation and a light metering operation, and when two steps are pressed, the photographic exposure operation is performed. 57 is a main switch, which is a toggle switch for switching the camera action state and non-action state. When switched to the operating state by the main switch 57, the not-illustrated lens barrier is opened, and at the same time, each part starts to operate. In addition, when the main switch 57 is switched to the non-operating state, the lens barrier will be in the closed state, and at the same time, the operation of each part will be terminated.

The image display unit 58 is arranged on the back of the camera, which is composed of LCD or organic EL, and displays images and text information. In addition, operating members not shown in the figure, such as a zoom button for zooming up and zooming down, and a selection button for selecting a desired function from displayed functions, are provided.

In addition, between these main structural units, a circuit board (not shown) that connects each part and mounts various electronic components is disposed, and drives and controls each main structural unit.

In addition, there are also external output terminals, strap mounting parts, and tripods not shown in the figure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a unit state of the lens barrel 50 according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2 , a lens barrier 60 supported by a spindle 61 is disposed on the main barrel A10 near the lens opening 51 of the lens barrel 50 . The lens barrier 60 rotates around the pivot 61 in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, and acts as a switch between the exposed position and the covered position of the lens opening 51 . 6 is an imaging element, 20 is a 1st motor which moves another lens group, and 21 is a 2nd motor which moves another lens group. The first motor 20, the second motor 21, and the imaging element 6 are connected to a printed circuit board (not shown), and are controlled and driven respectively.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the variable magnification and bending imaging optical system contained in the lens barrel 50 of the present invention. This figure is cut along a plane including two optical axes before and after bending, and shows the state at wide angle.

As shown in Figure 3, OA is the optical axis before bending, and OB is the optical axis after bending. The outside of the lens barrel 50 is composed of a main barrel A10 and a main barrel B11.

1 is the first lens group, and the first lens group 1 includes: a lens 11, which is arranged toward the subject with OA as the optical axis; ; The lens 13 is arranged with the optical axis OB bent by the prism 12 as the optical axis. The first lens group 1 is a lens group fixed to the main barrel A10.

In front of the lens 11 constituting the first lens group (subject light incident side), a lens barrier 60 is arranged to control the open state of the exposure opening and the closed state of covering the opening. The lens barrier 60 rotates in contact with the rail 10r formed on the main barrel A10 to achieve the open state shown in the figure and the closed state covering the opening.

2 is the 2nd lens group, is contained in the 2nd lens group picture frame 2k. When zooming (hereinafter also referred to as zooming), the second lens group is a lens group that moves integrally with the second lens group frame 2k.

3 is the 3rd lens group, is contained in the 3rd lens group picture frame 3k. The third lens group mirror frame 3k is fixed by the main barrel A10, and the third lens group 3 is a lens group that does not move when zooming.

4 is the 4th lens group, is contained in the 4th lens group picture frame 4k. During zooming and focus adjustment (hereinafter referred to as focusing), the fourth lens group is a lens group that moves integrally with the fourth lens group mirror frame 4k.

5 is an optical filter, which is laminated with an infrared filter and an optical low-pass filter, and is assembled on the main tube A10. 6 is a camera element, which adopts a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor and a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. Sensing etc. The imaging element 6 is mounted on the mounting part 8 , and the mounting part 8 is mounted on the main barrel A10 together with the imaging element 6 . 7 is a flexible printed circuit board, connected to the imaging element 6, and then connected to other circuits in the camera. 9 is a shutter unit, which is the same as the third lens frame and is fixed to the main barrel A10.

Each of the second lens group 2 and the fourth lens group 4 zooms by moving only a set amount toward the direction in which the third lens group 3 approaches from the illustrated wide-angle state position. Then, the fourth lens group 4 further moves from the zoom-moved position to perform focusing.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a moving mechanism of the second lens group 2 and the fourth lens group 4 . FIG. 4 shows the state of the second lens group 2 and the fourth lens group 4 at the wide-angle position. In the following figures, in order to avoid duplication of descriptions, members with the same functions will be described with the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide shaft 15 is fitted so as to pass through the sleeve 2s integrally formed on the second lens group frame 2k and the sleeve 4s integrally formed on the fourth lens group frame 4k. Furthermore, the guide shaft 16 is arranged so as to engage with the rotation stopper 2m integrally formed on the second lens group frame 2k and the rotation stopper 4m integrally formed on the fourth lens group frame 4k. Accordingly, the second lens group frame 2k and the fourth lens group frame 4k can slide along the guide shafts 15 and 16 in the direction of the optical axis OB.

Also, it is preferable to form the sleeve 2s to extend to the side of the prism 12 as shown. In this way, under the full length of the original lens barrel, a more sufficient fitting length of the sleeve 2s can be ensured, and the second lens group frame 2k, that is, the second lens group 2 can be moved more smoothly.

In addition, the guide shafts 15 and 16 fit and pass through the shutter unit 9 and the third lens group frame 3k. In this way, the positioning of the 2nd lens group 2, the 3rd lens group 3, and the 4th lens group 4 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis can be performed by a pair of guide shafts, preventing the 3rd lens group 3 from being in the opposite direction to the 2nd lens group 2, the 4th lens group 4, etc. The state where the lens group 4 is displaced is located.

In addition, the second lens group frame 2k has a protrusion 2t formed on the sleeve 2s, and the fourth lens group frame 4k has a protrusion 4t formed on the sleeve 4s, and the protrusions 2t and 4t pass through as a power member. The compressed spring rolls 18 are in directions apart from each other. Arranged through the projections 2 t and 4 t is a shaft 17 which prevents the compression spring coil 18 from buckling.

20 is the first motor, and 21 is the second motor, both of which are stepping motors. The first motor 20 has a lead screw 20r, the second motor 21 has a lead screw 21r, and the lead screw 20r is screwed with a screw member (also called a nut) 22 that is screwed around the entire circumference in the direction of rotation. 21r is screwed with a screwing member (also called a nut) 24 that is screwed around the entire circumference in the direction of rotation. The nuts 22 and 24 are engaged with a rotation stopper (not shown), and are movable in the direction of the optical axis OB by rotation of the lead screw.

As shown in the figure, the nut 22 abuts against the protrusion 2t integrally formed on the second lens group frame 2k, so that the second lens group frame 2k stops against the force of the compressed spring roll 18, thereby fixing the second lens. The position of the group mirror frame 2k in the direction of the optical axis OB. Similarly, as shown in the figure, the nut 24 abuts against the protrusion 4t integrally formed on the fourth lens group frame 4k, so that the force of the fourth lens group frame 4k against the compression spring roll 18 is stopped, thereby determining the fourth The position of the lens group mirror frame 4k in the direction of the optical axis OB.

Thereby, by rotation of the lead screw 20r of the first motor 20, the nut 22 moves in the direction of the optical axis OB, and the second lens unit frame 2k can be moved to a desired position in the direction of the optical axis OB and stopped. Similarly, by rotation of the lead screw 21r of the second motor 21, the nut 24 moves in the direction of the optical axis OB, and the fourth lens unit frame 4k can be moved to a desired position in the direction of the optical axis OB and stopped. That is, by controlling the rotation direction and rotation amount of the first motor 20 and the second motor 21, the second lens group 2 and the fourth lens group 4 are moved independently for zooming, and the fourth lens group 4 is moved by the second motor 21. Move to focus.

That is, the nut 24 of the second motor 21 zooms by moving between the wide-angle position shown by the solid line and the telephoto position shown by the dotted line, and focuses by moving slightly back and forth between its positions.

In FIG. 4 , the positions of the first motor 20 and the second motor 21 are shifted to the outside of the lens barrel in order to facilitate understanding of the description, but they are preferably fixedly arranged in the main barrel A10. In addition, not shown in the figure, a position sensor for detecting the presence of the second lens group 2 and a position sensor for detecting the presence of the fourth lens group 4 are arranged. For example, a photo relay is used as a position sensor. The position sensor is used to judge whether the shielding parts respectively formed on the second lens group mirror frame 2k and the fourth lens group mirror frame 4k are between the light emitting and receiving systems of the respective position sensors or are not shielding the position of the light emitting and receiving systems of the position sensors, Based on the switching position from the shielding state to the non-shielding state, the rotation direction and rotation amount of each of the two stepping motors are controlled to control the position of the lens group.

Furthermore, in addition to the above, the nut 22 of the first motor 20 also performs opening and closing control of the lens barrier which will be described later. Next, the operation of the nut 22 will be described.

The nut 22 of the first motor 20 is set so that it can move to a position beyond the moving range of the second lens group 2 . When zooming, it moves between the wide-angle position shown by the solid line and the telephoto position shown by the dotted line (the range of Y to Z in the illustration), and can move to the position shown by the dotted line beyond this position (the range of X to Y in the illustration) . The range from X to Y in the illustration is a state where the second lens group mirror frame 2k is in contact with the stopper member 10s and stopped. The opening and closing operation of the lens barrier described later is performed by the movement of the nut 22 in the range of X to Y in the illustration.

5 is a schematic diagram of an example of a lens barrier opening and closing mechanism of the lens barrel according to the present invention. FIG. 5( a ) shows the opened state of the lens barrier 60 , and FIG. 5( b ) shows the closed state of the lens barrier 60 .

Figure 5(a) shows the opened state of the lens barrier 60, wherein the lens barrier 60 is biased in the opening direction by the spring A62, rotates around the fulcrum 61, and collides with the needle A63 formed on the main barrel A10. , stops in the state where the opening 51 is exposed.

64 is a lens barrier driving part. When the lens barrier driving member 64 moves to the right in the drawing from the illustrated state, the contact portion 64 t formed on the lens barrier driving member 64 engages with the needle B65 formed on the lens barrier 60 . In addition, the needle C66 formed on the lens barrier driving member 64 engages with the nut 22 screwed on the lead screw 20r of the first motor 20 at positions Y to X in the figure, and passes through the nut 22 from position Y to The movement of the position X moves the lens barrier driving member 64 from the illustrated state to the right in the illustration.

That is, when the nut 22 is on the left side of the Y position (the range Y to Z shown in FIG. 4 ), the nut 22 and the needle C66 are spaced apart, and the lens barrier is maintained in the opened state.

On the other hand, when the first motor 20 is driven to move the nut 22 from the Y position to the X position direction, the nut 22 engages with the needle C66 to move the lens barrier driving member 64 rightward in the figure. Thus, the contact portion 64t of the lens barrier driving member 64 pushes the needle B65 of the lens barrier 60 to rotate the lens barrier 60 against the force of the spring A62.

When the nut 22 is moved to the X position shown in FIG. 5( b ), the lens barrier 60 is in a state covering the opening, and if the first motor 20 is stopped in this state, the closed state is maintained.

The action from the closed state to the open state is to drive the first motor 20 to move the nut 22 from the X position to the Y position direction, whereby the lens barrier 60 is rotated due to the force of the spring A62, and reaches the position shown in Fig. 5(a). Open state shown.

That is, when it is mounted on a camera, if the ON main switch is in an operating state, the first motor 20 is driven to move the nut 22 from the X position to the Y position, thereby causing the lens barrier to move due to the force of the spring A62. 60 from the state shown in Figure 5 (b) to the open state shown in Figure 5 (a), and by making the nut 22 move from the Y position to the left of the illustration (the range of Y to Z in the illustration of Figure 4), Then it is possible to zoom from a wide-angle state. On the other hand, when the OFF main switch is in the non-operating state, the nut 22 is first moved to the Y position to return to the wide-angle state, and the nut 22 is moved from the Y position to the X position direction, thereby disengaging the In the state of the second lens group 2, the lens barrier 60 is rotated in the closing direction against the force of the spring A62, and the nut 22 is stopped at the X position, whereby the closed state of FIG. 5(b) can be achieved.

As mentioned above, the nut screwed on the lead screw is moved to drive the lens group to move for zooming, and the nut can be moved to a position beyond the moving range of the lens group, and the nut moves beyond the lens group The movement of the range position opens and closes the lens barrier. In this way, the driving direction of each part can be parallel to the optical axis after bending, so that a thin lens barrel can be formed, and the lens can be moved without adding a new transmission device. By opening and closing the shutter, it is possible to obtain a camera equipped with a low-cost lens barrel with good operability.

In addition, since the joint of the lens group frame and the nut is separated when the camera is not in operation, even if an impact such as falling is received, the impact will not affect the nut, lead screw, and motor, so a preventive structure can be obtained. Broken camera.

Furthermore, regarding the protrusion 4t and the nut 24 formed on the sleeve 4s of the fourth lens group lens frame 4k, it is preferable to move the nut 24 to a position exceeding the moving range of the fourth lens group 4 in the camera non-operating state. In this way, also when an impact such as falling is received, the impact does not affect the nut 24, the lead screw 21r, and the motor 21, and these components can be prevented from being damaged.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing another example of the lens barrier opening and closing mechanism according to the present invention. FIG. 6( a ) shows the opened state of the lens barrier 60 , and FIG. 6( b ) shows the closed state of the lens barrier 60 .

The difference between the lens barrier switch mechanism shown in FIG. 6 and the lens barrier switch mechanism shown in FIG. 5 is that the lens barrier driving part 64 is not directly engaged with the lens barrier 60 but engaged via a spring B67, which is different from that in FIG. 5 part of the description.

The spring B67 shown in Fig. 6 is a tension coil spring, its so-called spring coefficient is relatively high, and only a small amount of elongation just has the auxiliary force greater than that of the spring A62. The lens baffle 62 and The positional relationship of the lens barrier driving member 64 is set to a free length and no additional force is applied. Therefore, the lens barrier 60 is opened by the biasing force of the spring A62. On the other hand, the nut 22 moves to the X position shown in the figure. When the lens barrier driving part 64 reaches the state shown in FIG. 6( b), the spring B67 is stretched. Force the lens barrier 60 into the closed state. The mirror shutter 60 is stopped in the closed state by the pin D68 formed on the main barrel A. As shown in FIG.

With the above configuration, even if a foreign object or the like is caught in the operating region of the lens barrier 60, a lens barrier opening and closing mechanism that does not break can be obtained.

Moreover, the lens barrel of the present invention is applicable not only to a normal digital camera, but also to a camera built in a mobile phone or the like. The so-called camera of the present invention certainly includes a camera module built in a portable terminal or the like. In addition, here, the camera in which the lens barrels are arranged vertically has been described as an example, but of course the case where the lens barrels are arranged horizontally is also applicable.

Claims (7)

1. lens barrel, it comprises: peristome, it makes the incident of subject light; Lens barrier, it makes described peristome is open mode and the closed condition of described peristome for covering of exposing; A plurality of lens combination, it guides described subject light; Reflection part, it makes slightly right-angle bending of described subject light; Imaging apparatus, it carries out light-to-current inversion to the subject light by described a plurality of lens combination and the guiding of described reflection part; By being moved at optical axis direction, institute's fix-focus lens group in described a plurality of lens combination becomes doubly, it is characterized in that, in institute's fix-focus lens group that optical axis direction moves, at least one lens combination accompany or follow with the helical pitch screw rod on screw togather screw togather moving of parts and move, and the described parts that screw togather can move to the position that surpasses a described lens combination moving range, the moving of the position that surpasses a described lens combination moving range, come the described lens barrier of switch by the described parts that screw togather.

In the claim 1 record lens barrel, it is characterized in that, described lens barrier is paid gesture in the direction that described peristome is exposed by paying gesture (energizing) parts, move to the direction of paying force of described pair of gesture parts of resistance by the described parts that screw togather, arrive the state that covers described peristome.

3. the lens barrel of record in the claim 1 and 2 is characterized in that, the institute's fix-focus lens group that moves on optical axis direction is paid the direction that gesture is being sowed discord mutually by paying the gesture parts.

4. the lens barrel of putting down in writing in any one of claim 1～3 is characterized in that, in described a plurality of lens combination, is configured in the lens combination between described reflection part and the described imaging apparatus, makes location positioning on the optical axis vertical direction separately by 2 axis of guides.

5. a camera head is characterized in that, has the lens barrel of putting down in writing in any one of claim 1～4.

6. a camera is characterized in that, has the lens barrel of putting down in writing in any one of claim 1～4.

7. the utensil that carries that has camera function is characterized in that, has the lens barrel of putting down in writing in any one of claim 1～4.

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