JP2008003258A - Lens barrel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens barrel capable of generating torques when rotating an operation ring, with a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: Regarding the lens barrel where a lens moving operation or an iris adjusting operation is performed by rotating the operation ring fitted in the outer peripheral part of a fixed cylinder, a pressure pin as another body of the operation ring is fitted to the operation ring, and the pressure pin includes a leading end part that projects over the inner peripheral surface of the operation ring by a prescribed amount so as to press the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder. Since the leading end part of the pressure pin presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder, the torques are generated when rotating the operation ring. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens barrel, and more particularly to a lens barrel that performs zooming and focusing by moving a lens frame inserted in a fixed barrel back and forth by rotating an operation ring.

  In a lens barrel that performs zooming and focusing by rotating the operating ring inserted in the outer periphery of the fixed cylinder to move the lens frame inserted in the inner peripheral part of the fixed cylinder back and forth, the operating ring is inadvertently In order not to rotate, the operation ring is provided with resistance. Conventionally, the resistance applied to the operation ring is such that the operation ring fitted in the fixed cylinder is urged in the optical axis direction by a corrugated spring or an O-ring, and the operation ring is applied to a step portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder. It is given by pressing.

In addition, a claw portion that elastically deforms in the radial direction is formed on the inner peripheral portion (or outer peripheral portion) of the zoom ring, and by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder (or the inner peripheral surface of the cam cylinder) with this claw portion, It has also been proposed to provide resistance to the operation ring (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-91811 A JP 2001-91812 A

  However, if resistance is given to the operation ring by using a corrugated spring or an O-ring as in the prior art, there is a drawback that the lens barrel becomes large. Further, if the claw portion is provided as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the structure of the mold such as the operation ring becomes complicated, or dust or the like enters the lens barrel due to an increase in the gap. Cause problems.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel or the like that can generate torque when rotating an operation ring with a simple configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the lens barrel that performs lens movement or iris adjustment by rotating the operation ring inserted in the outer peripheral portion of the fixed cylinder, the operation ring is separate from the operation ring. A pressing pin is mounted, and the pressing pin includes a tip portion that protrudes a predetermined amount from the inner peripheral surface of the operation ring and presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder, and the tip portion of the pressing pin is Torque is generated when the operation ring is rotated by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, by attaching a pressing pin separate from the operating ring to the operating ring, the tip of the pressing pin presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder. That is, it is possible to generate torque when rotating the operation ring with an extremely simple configuration.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the pressing pin is fixed to the operation ring.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, since the pressing pin is fixed to the operation ring, it is possible to make the torque constant when rotating the operation ring.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the pressing pin is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction, and further, the tip end portion of the pressing pin has the inner circumference. An elastic member that biases in a direction protruding from the surface is provided.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the pressing pin is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction and is urged by the elastic member, it is possible to further increase the torque when rotating the operation ring. It becomes possible.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the knob main body in which an inner space for accommodating the pressing pin and the elastic member is formed, and a fixing portion fixed to the operation ring are provided. An operation knob is further provided, and an opening is formed in the fixing portion so as to communicate a tip surface of the fixing portion with an internal space of the knob main body. A tip portion of the pressing pin is inserted into the opening and is inserted into the opening. A predetermined amount protrudes from the front end surface and presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by attaching an operation knob separate from the operation ring to the operation ring, the tip of the pressing pin of the operation knob presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder. That is, it is possible to generate torque when rotating the operation ring with an extremely simple configuration.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the operation ring is formed with an opening penetrating from an outer peripheral surface to an inner peripheral surface, and the operation knob is configured so that the fixed portion is the operation portion. It is fixed to the operation ring by being screwed into the opening of the ring.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the distal end portion of the pressing pin of the operation knob is fixed to the fixed cylinder by screwing the operation knob separate from the operation ring into the opening formed in the operation ring. Press the outer peripheral surface. That is, it is possible to attach the operation knob very easily, and it is possible to generate torque when rotating the operation ring with a very simple configuration. In addition, since the operation ring and the operation knob are separate and are configured to be attached to the operation ring later, the mold structure of the operation ring and the like does not become complicated. In addition, the lens barrel can be reduced in size. Furthermore, since the operation knob is attached to the opening of the operation ring and closes the opening, dust or the like does not enter the lens barrel from the opening.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the fixing portion is screwed to the end on the inner peripheral surface of the opening formed in the operation ring, the tip of the fixing portion is A screw groove having a length that does not contact the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder is formed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to grasp that torque is generated when the operation ring is rotated by screwing the operation knob to the end.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the fixing portion is screwed to the end on the inner peripheral surface of the opening formed in the operation ring, the tip of the fixing portion is A screw groove having a length contacting the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder is formed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to grasp that the rotation of the operation ring is locked by screwing the operation knob to the end. Further, by screwing the operation knob halfway, torque can be generated when the operation ring is rotated.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising torque adjusting means for adjusting the torque.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the torque generated when the operation ring is rotated.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the upper end surface of the inner space of the knob body is opened, and the torque adjusting means is screwed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner space of the knob body. The screw member includes a screw member, and the elastic member is expanded and contracted to adjust the torque by adjusting a screwing amount of the screw member.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the elastic member can be expanded and contracted by adjusting the screwing amount of the screw member, and thereby the torque generated when the operation ring is rotated can be adjusted.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a torque generating device that is attached to an operation ring fitted in an outer peripheral portion of a fixed cylinder and generates torque when the operation ring is rotated. A knob main body in which an internal space for accommodating the pressing pin and the elastic member is formed, and an operation knob including a fixing portion fixed to the operation ring, and the distal end of the fixing portion and the knob main body An opening that communicates with the internal space is formed, and the pressing pin includes a distal end portion that is inserted into the opening and protrudes a predetermined amount from the distal end of the fixed portion and presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder, and the elastic pin The member is characterized in that the pressing pin is urged in a direction in which a tip portion protrudes from a tip of the fixed portion.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the tip of the pressing pin of the operation knob presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder by attaching a torque generating device separate from the operation ring to the operation ring. . That is, it is possible to generate torque when rotating the operation ring with an extremely simple configuration.

  The invention described in claim 11 is the invention described in claim 10, further comprising torque adjusting means for adjusting the torque.

  According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to adjust the torque generated when the operation ring is rotated.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, an upper end surface of the inner space of the knob body is opened, and the torque adjusting means is screwed on an inner peripheral surface of the inner space of the knob body. The screw member includes a screw member, and the elastic member is expanded and contracted to adjust the torque by adjusting a screwing amount of the screw member.

  By adjusting the screwing amount of the screw member, the elastic member can be expanded and contracted, whereby the torque generated when the operation ring is rotated can be adjusted.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lens barrel or the like that can generate torque when rotating the operation ring with a simple configuration.

  A lens barrel that is an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a lens barrel 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a lens barrel 10 is a lens barrel for a surveillance camera, and includes a fixed barrel 20, a focus ring 30 (corresponding to the operation ring of the present invention), an operation knob 40 (a torque generating device of the present invention). ), A focus lens 50, a zoom lens 60, a zoom ring 70, a camera device 80, and the like.

  A focus ring 30 is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the fixed cylinder 20. A cam groove 31 extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the focus ring 30, and a vertical groove 21 (through hole extending in the optical axis direction) formed in the fixed cylinder 20 is formed in the cam groove 31. A pin 52 (two pins are illustrated in the figure) provided on the lens frame 51 that holds the focus lens 50 is inserted through two vertical grooves). Therefore, when the focus ring 30 is rotated, the focus lens 50 moves forward or backward along the vertical groove 21 (that is, in the optical axis direction).

  The rotation amount of the focus ring 30 is regulated so as to be rotated by a preset angle θ. For example, when a convex part (not shown) is provided on the focus ring 30 and the focus ring 30 is rotated in one direction, the convex part comes into contact with an engaging member (not shown) and further in that direction. When the focus ring 30 is prevented from rotating and the focus ring 30 is rotated in the reverse direction, it is conceivable that the convex portion comes into contact with the engaging member to prevent further rotation in that direction. By regulating the amount of rotation of the focus ring 30 in this way, the focus lens 50 reciprocates between one end (mechanical end (MOD)) and the other end (mechanical end (INf)) of the optical lens stroke. It is like that.

  A separate operation knob 40 from the focus ring 30 is attached to the focus ring 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation knob 40 includes a substantially cylindrical knob body 41, a pressing pin 42 accommodated in the inner space 41a of the knob body 41, a spring 43 (corresponding to the elastic member of the present invention), a knob body. A fixed portion 44 having a smaller diameter than that of the cylinder 41 and a torque adjusting knob 45 and the like are provided.

  The focus ring 30 has an opening 32 penetrating the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface thereof. The operation knob 40 is fixed to the focus ring 30 by screwing a fixing portion 44 provided on the lower surface of the knob body 41 into the opening 32. The fixed portion 44 is formed with an opening 44 b that communicates the tip end surface 44 a with the internal space 41 a of the knob body 41. A pressing pin 42 is inserted into the opening 44 b, and a tip portion 42 a protrudes a predetermined amount from the tip surface 44 a of the fixed portion 44 to press the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 20.

  A groove 22 (extending in the circumferential direction) in which the tip end portion 42 a of the pressing pin 42 is located is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the focus ring 30. It is also possible to regulate the amount of rotation of the focus ring 30 by setting the groove 22 to a certain length. The tip of the pressing pin 42 is rounded so as to make point contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 20. Thereby, the slidability when the focus ring 30 is rotated is improved.

  A flange portion 42b is provided substantially at the center of the pressing pin 42, and a spring 43 is interposed between the flange portion 42b and the torque adjustment knob 45 that is screwed into the upper inner peripheral surface of the knob body 41 internal space 41a. Is provided. By the action of the spring 43, the pressing pin 42 is urged in a direction in which the tip end portion 42 a protrudes from the tip end surface 44 a of the fixing portion 44. Further, the torque at the time of rotating the focus ring 30 can be adjusted by adjusting the screwing amount of the torque adjusting knob 45 to extend and contract the spring 43. It is conceivable that the knob main body 41 and the fixing portion 44 are integrally formed of a metal material, and the pressing pin 42 is formed of a material (plastic or the like) having good sliding properties. Alternatively, only the tip portion 42a of the pressing pin 42 may be formed of a material with good sliding property (plastic or the like), and the other portion may be a metal material.

  The operation knob 40 described above is used as a member that is held and operated by hand so that the operator can easily turn the focus ring when adjusting the focus.

  In addition, the lens barrel 10 has a configuration required to function as a general lens device, such as a zoom lens 70 and a zoom ring 70 that moves the zoom lens 60 forward or backward in the optical axis direction. . As shown in FIG. 1, a camera device 80 including a solid-state imaging element 82 such as a CCD whose imaging surface is covered with a cover glass 81 can be attached to the lens barrel 10.

  Next, the operation of mounting the operation knob 40 on the lens barrel 10 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  First, the knob body 41 of the operation knob 40 is gripped, and the fixing portion 44 is screwed into the opening 32 from the outer peripheral surface side of the focus ring 30. When the fixing portion 44 is screwed to the end, as shown in FIG. 3, the tip end portion 42 a of the pressing pin 42 protruding from the tip end surface 44 a of the fixing portion 44 presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 20. That is, on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 32 of the focus ring 30, a screw groove having a length that prevents the front end surface of the fixed portion 44 from coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 20 when the fixed portion 44 is screwed to the end is formed. ing. Accordingly, it is possible to grasp that torque is generated by screwing the operation knob 40 to the end.

  The pressing pin 42 is urged by the action of the spring 43 in the direction in which the distal end portion 42 a protrudes from the distal end surface 44 a of the fixed portion 44, and thus presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 20 with a constant force.

  Therefore, when the knob body 41 of the operation knob 40 is gripped and the focus ring 30 is rotated in a certain direction, torque is generated. In other words, the operation knob 40 functions as a knob when the focus ring 30 is rotated and exhibits a function of generating torque. The torque can be increased or decreased by adjusting the screwing amount of the torque adjustment knob 45 and extending or contracting the spring 43.

  As described above, according to the lens barrel 10 of the present embodiment, the operation knob 40 that is separate from the focus ring 30 is screwed into the opening 32 formed in the focus ring 30, thereby the operation knob. The front end portion 42 a of the 40 pressing pins 42 presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 20. That is, it is possible to attach the operation knob 40 very easily, and it is possible to generate torque when the focus ring 30 is rotated with a very simple configuration.

  Further, since the focus ring 30 and the operation knob 40 are separate bodies and are configured to be mounted on the focus ring 30 later, the mold structure of the focus ring 30 and the like does not become complicated. In addition, the lens barrel 10 can be reduced in size. Further, since the operation knob 40 is attached to the opening 32 of the focus ring 30 and closes the opening 32, dust or the like does not enter the lens barrel 10 from the opening 32.

  Next, a modified example will be described.

  In the above embodiment, when the fixing portion 44 is screwed to the end, as shown in FIG. 3, the distal end portion 42 a of the pressing pin 42 protruding a predetermined amount from the distal end surface 44 a of the fixing portion 44 presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 20. To do. That is, on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 32 of the focus ring 30, a screw groove having a length that prevents the front end surface of the fixed portion 44 from coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 20 when the fixed portion 44 is screwed to the end is formed. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, when the fixing portion 44 is screwed to the end, as shown in FIG. 4, the distal end surface 44 a of the fixing portion 44 may press the outer peripheral surface of the fixing cylinder 20 to lock the rotation of the focus ring 30. That is, a groove having a length such that the distal end surface of the fixing portion 44 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 20 when the fixing portion 44 is screwed to the end is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 32 of the focus ring 30. Good. In this way, it is possible to grasp that the rotation of the focus ring is locked by screwing the operation knob 40 to the end. Further, by screwing the operation knob 40 halfway, it is possible to generate torque when the focus ring is rotated.

  In the above embodiment, the fixing portion 44 of the operation knob 40 has been described as being screwed into the opening 32 of the focus ring 30, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the fixing portion 44 of the operation knob 40 may be fixed to the opening 32 of the focus ring 30 by other means such as an adhesive.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pressing pin 42 and the spring 43 are described as separate bodies, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressing pin 42 and the spring 43 may be integrally formed of plastic or the like. In this way, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the torque adjustment knob 45 is provided, and the torque when rotating the focus ring 30 can be adjusted by adjusting the screwing amount of the torque adjustment knob 45 and expanding and contracting the spring 43. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, if torque adjustment is not performed, the torque adjustment knob 45 may be omitted as shown in FIG. In this case, the upper surface of the knob body 41 is closed. In this way, the number of parts can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the operation knob 40 is described to generate torque when the focus ring 30 is rotated, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, only the pressing pin 42 may be screwed into the opening 32 of the focus ring 30, and the distal end portion 42 a of the pressing pin 42 may press the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 20. . Also by this, torque can be generated when the focus ring 30 is rotated. The pressing pin 42 may be fixed to the opening 32 of the focus ring 30 by other means such as an adhesive. In this way, it is possible to make the torque when rotating the focus ring 30 constant.

  In the above embodiment, the operation ring of the present invention is described as being the focus ring 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation ring may be a ring such as the zoom ring 70 or the iris ring.

  In the above embodiment, the torque adjustment and the lock of the focus ring 30 are described as being performed by the single operation knob 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the torque adjustment may be performed by the operation knob 40, and the lock of the focus ring 30 may be performed by another operation knob 40 (or an equivalent structure).

  The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these descriptions. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the lens barrel which is one Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a perspective view mainly illustrating a configuration of an operation knob 40. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the torque generation by the operation knob. It is a figure for demonstrating the lock by the operation knob. It is a figure for demonstrating a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating a modification.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Lens barrel, 20 ... Fixed cylinder, 21 ... Vertical groove, 30 ... Focus ring, 31 ... Cam groove, 40 ... Operation knob, 50 ... Focus lens, 60 ... Variable magnification lens, 70 ... Zoom ring, 80 ... Camera apparatus

Claims (12)

In a lens barrel that performs lens movement or iris adjustment by rotating an operation ring inserted in the outer periphery of the fixed cylinder,
The operation ring is equipped with a pressing pin separate from the operation ring,
The pressing pin includes a tip that protrudes a predetermined amount from the inner peripheral surface of the operation ring and presses the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder,
A lens barrel characterized in that torque is generated when the operation ring is rotated by a tip portion of the pressing pin pressing an outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder.   The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the pressing pin is fixed to the operation ring. The pressing pin is supported so as to be movable in its axial direction,
The lens barrel according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member that urges the pressing pin in a direction in which a tip portion protrudes from the inner peripheral surface. An operation knob including a knob main body in which an internal space for accommodating the pressing pin and the elastic member is formed, and a fixing portion fixed to the operation ring;
The fixing portion is formed with an opening that communicates the distal end surface with the internal space of the knob body.
4. The lens barrel according to claim 3, wherein a distal end portion of the pressing pin is inserted into the opening and protrudes a predetermined amount from the distal end surface of the fixed portion to press the outer peripheral surface of the fixed tube. An opening penetrating from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface is formed in the operation ring,
The lens barrel according to claim 4, wherein the operation knob is fixed to the operation ring when the fixing portion is screwed into an opening of the operation ring.   On the inner peripheral surface of the opening formed in the operation ring, there is formed a screw groove having such a length that the tip of the fixing portion does not contact the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder when the fixing portion is screwed to the end. The lens barrel according to claim 5, wherein the lens barrel is provided.   On the inner peripheral surface of the opening formed in the operation ring, there is formed a screw groove having such a length that the tip of the fixed portion comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder when the fixed portion is screwed to the end. 6. The lens barrel according to claim 5, wherein the lens barrel is provided.   The lens barrel according to claim 3, further comprising torque adjusting means for adjusting the torque. The upper end surface of the inner space of the knob body is opened,
The torque adjusting means includes a screw member that is screwed into an inner peripheral surface of the inner space of the knob body.
The lens barrel according to claim 8, wherein the torque is adjusted by extending and contracting the elastic member by adjusting a screwing amount of the screw member. In a torque generator that is attached to an operation ring that is fitted in the outer peripheral portion of the fixed cylinder and generates torque when the operation ring is rotated,
An operation knob including a pressing pin, an elastic member, a knob body in which an internal space for accommodating the pressing pin and the elastic member is formed, and a fixing portion fixed to the operation ring;
The fixing portion is formed with an opening communicating the tip and the inner space of the knob body.
The pressing pin includes a distal end portion that is inserted into the opening and protrudes a predetermined amount from the distal end of the fixed portion to press the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder,
The elastic member urges the pressing pin in a direction in which a tip portion protrudes from a tip of the fixed portion.   The load torque generating apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising torque adjusting means for adjusting the torque. The upper end surface of the inner space of the knob body is opened,
The torque adjusting means includes a screw member that is screwed into an inner peripheral surface of the inner space of the knob body.
The load torque generator according to claim 11, wherein the torque is adjusted by extending and contracting the elastic member by adjusting a screwing amount of the screw member.

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