JP6942979B2 - Lens barrel - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lens barrel.

A photographing device such as a digital camera is provided with a replaceable lens barrel for holding an optical system such as a photographing lens. A specific configuration of this type of lens barrel is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

The lens barrel 1 described in Patent Document 1 includes a lens barrel body 10, a movable lens 31 held so as to be movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the lens barrel body 10, and a movable member 8 connected to the movable lens 31. A drive ring 4 rotatably provided on the lens barrel main body 10 and a pair of connecting members 9 for connecting the movable member 8 to the drive ring 4 are provided. When the drive ring 4 is rotated manually or by a motor, the movable member 8 rotates via the connecting member 9. The rotation of the movable member 8 causes the movable lens 31 to move in the optical axis direction. In the above description of the lens barrel 1 described in Patent Document 1, the names of the members have been changed from the contents described in Patent Document 1 for convenience of explanation.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-197240

In the lens barrel 1 exemplified in Patent Document 1, each of the pair of connecting members 9 has a shape in which one end is fixed to the movable member 8 and the other end protrudes toward the drive ring 4. Then, the other end of each connecting member 9 engages with the groove of the protrusion 43 formed on the drive ring 4. As a result, the connecting member 9 is fixed to the protrusion 43 in both the circumferential direction and the radial direction with respect to the optical axis direction. Therefore, when the drive ring 4 and the movable member 8 are misaligned with each other, or when the drive ring 4 or the movable member 8 is eccentric from the optical axis due to a manufacturing error or an assembly error, the drive ring There is a risk that it becomes difficult to connect the 4 and the movable member 8 by the connecting member 9, and that the driving force is not smoothly transmitted from the drive ring 4 to the movable member 8. Further, when the rotation center axis of the movable member 8 is tilted with respect to the rotation center axis of the drive ring 4, when the drive ring 4 is rotated, a compressive force or tension is applied to the connection member 9, and the connection member 9 is applied. , The engagement portion between the connecting member 9 and the drive ring 4, the fixing portion of the connecting member 9 to the movable member 8, and the like may be damaged.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel that is easy to assemble and can smoothly transmit a driving force to a movable lens. be.

The lens barrel according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged with a main body, a drive member rotatably provided around the optical axis with respect to the main body, and a drive member in the optical axis direction. A movable member that can rotate around the optical axis. Further, the drive member has a first connecting member having one end fixed to the drive member in the optical axis direction and extending from one end toward the movable member, and the movable member comes into contact with the other end of the first connecting member. The movable member has one contact portion, one end in the optical axis direction is fixed to the movable member, and the movable member has a second connecting member extending from one end toward the driving member, and the driving member is a second connecting member. It has a second contact portion that contacts the other end.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a lens barrel that is easy to assemble and can smoothly transmit a driving force to a movable lens.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a lens barrel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lens barrel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lens barrel according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure in the vicinity of the engaging portion between the movable member and the first connecting member according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a diagram showing a structure in the vicinity of the engaging portion between the drive ring and the second connecting member. be. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing only the drive ring, the movable member, the first connecting member, and the second connecting member among the lens barrels according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a method of connecting the first connecting member and the movable portion according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a method of connecting the first connecting member and the movable portion according to another modification of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a method of connecting the second connecting member and the drive ring according to another modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a lens barrel 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lens barrel 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a lens barrel used in a shooting optical system of a digital single-lens reflex camera, which is a form of a shooting device. The lens barrel 1 is not limited to a barrel for a digital single-lens reflex camera, but is a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, a compact digital camera, a video camera, a camcorder, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a PHS (Personal Handy phone System), and the like. It may be a lens barrel used in another photographing device such as a smartphone, a feature phone, or a game machine, or a lens barrel used in a projection optical system such as a projector.

[Structure of lens barrel 1]
The lens barrel 1 includes a main body 10, an annular drive ring 20 that can rotate around the optical axis AX, a tubular movable member 30 that can rotate around the optical axis AX, a straight-ahead guide member 40, and a photographing lens L. I have. The photographing lens L includes a fixed lens L1 fixed to the main body 10 and a movable lens L2 movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the main body 10. The photographing lens L may include a fixed lens or a movable lens other than the fixed lens L1 and the movable lens L2. Hereinafter, the direction in which the fixed lens L1 is provided among the photographing lenses L is defined as the front, and the direction in which the movable lens L2 is provided is defined as the rear, which is parallel to the optical axis direction.

A cylindrical exterior portion 100 is arranged in front of the lens barrel 1. An optical member 101 is attached to the front of the exterior portion 100. The optical member 101 is, for example, a cover glass for protecting the photographing lens L or an optical filter for changing the spectrum of light incident on the photographing lens L. A cylindrical exterior portion 102 is arranged behind the lens barrel 1. The movable member 30 and the straight guide member 40 are arranged inside the exterior portion 102.

2 (a) and 2 (b) show a perspective view of the lens barrel 1. FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the lens barrel 1. In FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to facilitate the explanation of the configuration, the description of some members such as the fixed lens L1, the exterior parts 100 and 102, the optical member 101, and the operation part 70 (described later) is omitted. Further, in FIG. 3, the description of the cam follower 90 (described later) and the movable lens L2 is omitted.

Both the main body 10 and the straight guide member 40 have a cylindrical shape. The main body 10 and the straight guide member 40 are arranged side by side in the optical axis direction and connected to each other. The main body 10 and the straight guide member 40 are connected by, for example, screwing or adhesive fixing. The main body 10 and the straight guide member 40 may be integrally formed.

The fixed lens L1 is a lens group having one or a plurality of lenses. The fixed lens L1 is fitted and fixed inside the main body 10. The movable lens L2 is a lens group having a plurality of lenses, and has a movable lens L2-1 and a movable lens L2-2. At least a part of the movable lens L2 is housed inside the straight guide member 40 and can move in the optical axis direction with respect to the straight guide member 40.

The drive ring 20 is fitted to the main body 10 along the outer peripheral surface of the main body 10. The drive ring 20 is rotatable about the optical axis AX with respect to the main body 10. The drive ring 20 has one or more rolling rollers 21 whose rotation center axis is in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis AX (the axial direction parallel to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX and passing through the optical axis AX). .. The drive ring 20 is sandwiched in the front-rear direction by two annular rotating plates 50A and 50B. Both of the two rotating plates 50A and 50B are arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 10 and can rotate around the optical axis AX.

An annular motor (driving means) 60 is fitted to the main body 10 so as to be along the outer peripheral surface of the main body 10. The motor 60 is arranged behind the rotary plate 50A and rotationally drives the rotary plate 50A around the optical axis AX. For the motor 60, for example, an annular ultrasonic motor is used. The motor 60 is not limited to the annular ultrasonic motor as long as the rotary plate 50A can be rotationally driven. For example, as the motor 60, an ultrasonic motor capable of moving straight, a DC motor, a brushless DC motor, a stepping motor, or the like is used. Further, the output portion of the motor 60 does not have to be in direct contact with the rotary plate 50A, and the output from the motor 60 is converted into a driving force for rotating the rotary plate 50A between the motor 60 and the rotary plate 50A. (For example, a gear, a cam mechanism, etc.) may be provided.

Further, a cylindrical operation portion 70 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 10. The inner peripheral surface of the operation unit 70 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary plate 50B, and when the operation unit 70 is rotated by a user operation, the rotary plate 50B rotates around the optical axis AX.

An elastic member 61 such as a leaf spring or a coil spring is arranged behind the motor 60. The motor 60 is pressed against the rotating plate 50A by the elastic force of the elastic member 61. Further, the elastic force causes the rotary plate 50A to press the drive ring 20 toward the rotary plate 50B. As a result, the rolling roller 21 of the drive ring 20 is held in a pressed state by the front surface of the rotating plate 50A and the rear surface of the rotating plate 50B. When the rotary plate 50A is rotationally driven by the motor 60, or when the rotary plate 50B is manually rotated via the operation unit 70, the rolling roller 21 is located on the front surface of the rotary plate 50A and behind the rotary plate 50B. Roll on the surface of. The drive ring 20 rotates around the optical axis AX according to the rolling of the rolling roller 21. In the present embodiment, since the rolling roller 21 is sandwiched between the rotating plate 50A and the rotating plate 50B in a pressed state, the frictional force between the rolling roller 21 and the rotating plate 50A and the rotating plate 50B is generated. The size is increased, and the driving force is smoothly transmitted from the rotating plate 50A or the rotating plate 50B to the driving ring 20.

The drive ring 20 is connected to the movable member 30 by a pair of connecting members 80. Therefore, when the drive ring 20 rotates around the optical axis AX, the movable member 30 rotates around the optical axis AX accordingly. The method of connecting the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 and the configuration of the connecting member 80 will be described later.

The straight guide member 40 is fitted to the movable member 30 so as to enter the inside of the movable member 30. The movable member 30 is rotatable about the optical axis AX with respect to the straight guide member 40. Further, the movable member 30 and the straight guide member 40 are provided with engaging portions 31 and 41 that engage with each other in the optical axis direction, respectively. When the engaging portion 31 of the movable member 30 and the engaging portion 41 of the straight guide member 40 come into contact with each other in the optical axis direction, the movable member 30 is restricted from moving in the optical axis direction with respect to the straight guide member 40. NS. For the engagement between the movable member 30 and the straight guide member 40, for example, a bayonet is used.

One or more spiral cam grooves 32 are formed on the peripheral surface of the movable member 30. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, three cam grooves 32 are provided. Each cam groove 32 is formed so as to penetrate the wall surface of the movable member 30. Further, the same number of straight grooves 42 as the cam grooves 32 are formed on the peripheral surface of the straight guide member 40. Each straight groove 42 has an elongated shape in the optical axis direction. Further, each straight groove 42 is formed so as to penetrate the wall surface of the straight guide member 40.

The outer peripheral portion of the movable lens L2 is provided with the same number of cam followers 90 as the cam grooves 32. The cam follower 90 is a roller whose rotation center axis is in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis AX (the axial direction parallel to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX and passing through the optical axis AX). Each cam follower 90 is arranged in the straight groove 42 of the straight guide member 40 and the cam groove 32 of the movable member 30.

When the movable member 30 rotates around the optical axis AX, the cam follower 90 moves along the cam groove 32. The cam follower 90 comes into contact with the wall surface of the straight groove 42 in the circumferential direction, so that the movement in the circumferential direction is restricted. On the other hand, the cam groove 32 has a spiral shape inclined with respect to the circumferential direction and the optical axis direction. Therefore, when the movable member 30 having the cam groove 32 rotates, the cam follower 90 moves in the optical axis direction while the movement in the circumferential direction is restricted by the straight groove 42. The movable lens L2 moves in the optical axis direction in response to the movement of the cam follower 90.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the drive ring 20 is rotationally driven by the motor 60 or manually, the driving force applied to the drive ring 20 is transmitted to the movable member 30 via the connecting member 80. The rotary motion of the movable member 30 is converted into a linear motion in a direction parallel to the optical axis AX by the cam groove 32 and the cam follower 90. As a result, the driving force in the rotational direction applied to the movable member 30 is transmitted to the movable lens L2 as the driving force in the optical axis direction, and the movable lens L2 moves in the optical axis direction. By moving the movable lens L2, the magnification, focus position, etc. of the photographing lens L can be changed.

[Structure of connecting member 80]
Next, the configuration of the connecting member 80 and the method of connecting the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 in the present embodiment will be described.

Of the pair of connecting members 80, one (first connecting member 81) is fixed to the drive ring 20, and the other (second connecting member 82) is fixed to the movable member 30. Both the first connecting member 81 and the second connecting member 82 have a long plate shape in the optical axis direction. Further, the first connecting member 81 and the second connecting member 82 are arranged so as to face each other with the optical axis AX interposed therebetween. In other words, the first connecting member 81 and the second connecting member 82 are arranged around the optical axis AX at a distance of approximately 180 degrees.

The front end 81A of the first connecting member 81 is fixed to the drive ring 20. The first connecting member 81 and the drive ring 20 may be fixed so as not to move to each other, and as a fixing method, for example, screwing or adhesion is used. Further, the first connecting member 81 and the drive ring 20 may be integrally molded. The first connecting member 81 has a plate shape extending rearward from a fixed portion with the drive ring 20.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a structure in the vicinity of the engagement portion between the movable member 30 and the first connecting member 81. The movable member 30 is formed with an engaging groove 33 that abuts and engages with the rear end portion (held portion) 81B of the first connecting member 81. The engaging groove 33 has a pair of wall surfaces (contact surfaces) 33B parallel to surfaces orthogonal to the circumferential direction. The radial depth of the engaging groove 33 is larger than the radial thickness of the rear end portion 81B. Further, the width of the engaging groove 33 in the circumferential direction is slightly smaller than the width of the rear end portion 81B in the circumferential direction, and the rear end portion 81B can be inserted into the engaging groove 33. When the rear end portion 81B is inserted into the engaging groove 33, the side end surface of the rear end portion 81B in the circumferential direction is sandwiched by the contact surface 33B of the engaging groove 33. As a result, the rear end portion 81B and the engaging groove 33 come into contact with each other in both directions different from each other in the circumferential direction. Further, in a state where the rear end portion 81B is inserted into the engaging groove 33, a gap 33A is provided in both directions in the radial direction of the rear end portion 81B in the engaging groove 33. Therefore, even if the rear end portion 81B moves in the radial direction, the engagement between the rear end portion 81B and the engagement groove 33 is maintained as long as the amount of movement is smaller than the size of the gap 33A.

The rear end 82A of the second connecting member 82 is fixed to the movable member 30. The second connecting member 82 and the movable member 30 may be fixed so as not to move to each other, and as the fixing method, for example, screwing or adhesion is used. Further, the second connecting member 82 and the movable member 30 may be integrally molded. The second connecting member 82 has a plate shape extending rearward from the fixed portion with the movable member 30. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a structure in the vicinity of the engagement portion between the drive ring 20 and the second connecting member 82. As shown in FIG. 4B, the front end portion 82B of the second connecting member 82 has a U shape. A notch 82B1 penetrating in the radial direction is formed in a U shape. The notch 82B1 has a pair of wall surfaces (contact surfaces) 82C parallel to surfaces orthogonal to the circumferential direction.

The drive ring 20 is formed with an engaging projection (held portion) 23 that abuts and engages with the U-shaped front end portion 82B. The engaging projection 23 has a columnar shape, and the height in the radial direction is larger than the thickness in the radial direction of the front end portion 82B. Further, the width (diameter) of the engaging protrusion 23 in the circumferential direction is slightly smaller than the width of the notch 82B1 of the front end portion 82B in the circumferential direction, and the engaging protrusion 23 can be inserted into the notch 82B1. When the engaging protrusion 23 is inserted into the notch 82B1, the side end faces of the engaging protrusion 23 in the circumferential direction are sandwiched by the pair of contact surfaces 82C of the notch 82B1. As a result, the front end portion 82B and the engaging projection 23 come into contact with each other in both directions different from each other in the circumferential direction. Further, in a state where the engaging protrusion 23 is inserted into the notch 82B1, the front end portion 82B is arranged near the center of the engaging protrusion 23 in the radial direction. Therefore, there are regions 23A that are not engaged with the notch 82B1 in both radial directions of the engaging protrusions 23. Therefore, even if the front end portion 82B moves in the radial direction, the engagement between the front end portion 82B and the engaging protrusion 23 is maintained as long as the amount of movement is smaller than the height of the region 23A.

In this way, the front end 81A of the first connecting member 81 is fixed to the drive ring 20, but the rear end 81B is in contact with the movable member 30 (engagement groove 33) only in the circumferential direction. There is. Further, in the second connecting member 82, the rear end portion 82A is fixed to the movable member 30, but the front end portion 82B is in contact with the drive ring 20 (engagement protrusion 23) only in the circumferential direction. In other words, the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 are in contact with each other via the first connecting member 81 and the second connecting member 82 in both directions different from each other in the circumferential direction, and are not in contact with each other in the radial direction. With this configuration, the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment can be easily assembled as compared with the conventional lens barrel.

[Explanation of conventional lens barrel]
The conventional lens barrel has a problem that the drive ring and the movable member cannot be easily connected. For example, in the lens barrel described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-197240), when assembling the lens barrel, first, one end (the first) of a connecting member (connecting lever 9) long in the optical axis direction is used. The engagement groove 91a) of one piece 91 is engaged with the protrusion (engagement piece 43) of the drive ring (output ring 4). Next, with the connecting member engaged with the protrusion, the other end (second piece 92) of the connecting member is fixed to the movable member (lens operating ring 8) by screwing. Therefore, the connecting member and the drive ring are engaged in an unstable state until the connecting member is fixed to the movable member. The assembling worker needs to fix the connecting member to the movable member while holding the connecting member so as not to be displaced with respect to the drive ring. Therefore, the assembling procedure described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the assembling work becomes complicated and a problem that the productivity is low.

Further, in the procedure for assembling the lens barrel described in Patent Document 1, the connecting member can rotate about the engaging portion with respect to the drive ring in a state where the connecting member is not fixed to the movable member. Further, in the lens barrel described in Patent Document 1, even if the connecting member is located at a position deviated from the design, the connecting member can be fixed to the movable member by aligning the movable member with the position of the connecting member. Therefore, in the lens barrel described in Patent Document 1, even if there is no error in the dimensions of each member, the connecting member can be fixed in a misaligned state, so that the assembly of the lens barrel is completed. In, there is a possibility that a positional deviation occurs between the members.

Further, in the lens barrel described in Patent Document 1, if the connecting member is fixed to the movable member before being engaged with the drive ring, the drive ring and the movable member may not be connected. Specifically, in the lens barrel described in Patent Document 1, a groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion (engagement piece 43) of the drive ring so that the connecting member is fitted as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. It is formed. Therefore, in order to engage the connecting member with the protrusion, the position of the connecting member and the position of the groove of the protrusion must match. Therefore, if the connecting member is fixed to the movable member at a position deviated from the design, the position of the connecting member and the position of the groove of the protrusion cannot be matched, and the drive ring and the movable member may not be connected. There is.

Further, in the lens barrel described in Patent Document 1, the connecting member is engaged with the protrusion of the drive ring so as not to move in both the circumferential direction and the radial direction with respect to the optical axis direction. Therefore, if the drive ring is rotated while the drive ring or the movable member is eccentric from the optical axis due to a state in which an axis shift occurs between the drive ring and the movable member, a manufacturing error, or an assembly error, A compressive force or tension is applied to the connecting member, and there is a risk that the connecting member, the engaging portion between the connecting member and the drive ring, the fixing portion of the connecting member to the movable member, and the like may be damaged.

[Explanation of Assembling the Lens Lens Cylinder 1 According to the Present Embodiment]
FIG. 5 shows only the drive ring 20, the movable member 30, the first connecting member 81, and the second connecting member 82 of the lens barrel 1 of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, when the lens barrel 1 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 3, the front end portion 81A of the first connecting member 81 is fixed to the drive ring 20, and the rear end portion 82A of the second connecting member 82 is movable. It is fixed to the member 30. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rear end portion 81B of the first connecting member 81 is engaged with the engaging groove 33 of the movable member 30, and the front end portion 82B of the second connecting member 82 is a drive ring. By engaging with the engaging projection 23 of 20, the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 can be easily connected.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first connecting member 81 is fixed to the driving ring 20 and the second connecting member 82 is fixed to the movable member 30 before connecting the driving ring 20 and the movable member 30. As a result, when connecting the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30, it is not necessary to hold the connecting members 81 and 82, and the lens barrel 1 assembly work becomes easy.

Further, in the present embodiment, there is a manufacturing error in the dimensions and shapes of the drive ring 20, the movable member 30, the connecting members 81, 82, etc., or an axial deviation occurs between the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30. Even if there is an error in the shape or position of each member, such as when the drive ring 20 or the movable member 30 is eccentric, it becomes difficult to transmit the driving force from the drive ring 20 to the movable member 30. In addition, the lens barrel 1 can be easily assembled while preventing damage to each member.

For example, when the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 are misaligned, or when the drive ring 20 or the movable member 30 is eccentric, at least one of the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 is the central axis of rotation. Does not coincide with the optical axis AX and is displaced in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis AX. However, the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 in the present embodiment are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction via the connecting members 81 and 82, but are not in contact with each other in the radial direction. The relative position in the direction can be moved. As a result, even when the central axes of the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 are radially deviated from the optical axis AX, the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 can be easily moved by changing their relative positions in the radial direction. It becomes possible to connect. Further, the relative positions of the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 in the radial direction can be moved even when the lens barrel 1 is assembled. Therefore, even if the drive ring 20 rotates in a state where the axis shift occurs between the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30, the connecting members 81 and 82 move in the radial direction to connect the connecting members 81 and 82. The load applied to the fixing points of the members 81 and 82 is reduced, and it is possible to prevent the members and the fixing points of the members from being damaged.

When the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 are misaligned, for example, the drive ring 20 is misaligned in the direction parallel to the radial direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 5, and the movable member 30 is displaced. The axis is deviated in the direction indicated by the arrow A'opposite to the arrow A. The first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30, and the second connecting member 82 and the drive ring 20 can be engaged with each other in a state where the shaft is displaced in the radial direction. Therefore, even if the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 are displaced in the directions indicated by the arrows A and A', respectively, the lens barrel 1 including the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 can be easily assembled. Can be done. Further, since the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction via the connecting members 81 and 82, the driving force for rotating the drive ring 20 around the optical axis AX is applied to the movable member 30 and the movable lens. It can be smoothly transmitted to L2.

Further, in FIG. 5, even if the rotation center axis O'of the movable member 30 is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow B with respect to the rotation center axis O of the drive ring 20, the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 The second connecting member 82 and the drive ring 20 can be engaged with each other. Further, also in this case, since the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction via the connecting members 81 and 82, the driving force can be smoothly transmitted.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the engaging projection 23 of the drive ring 20 has a columnar shape having a central axis in the radial direction. Therefore, the engaging projection 23 and the front end portion 82B of the second connecting member 82 are in contact with each other by a line parallel to the radial direction instead of a surface, and the engaging projection 23 and the front end portion 82B are in a plane orthogonal to the radial direction. It is relatively rotatable. This direction of rotation is indicated by an arrow C in FIG. As a result, when the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 are misaligned, or when the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 are eccentric, the drive ring 20 and the second connecting member 82 are relatively connected to each other. By rotating the drive ring 20, the movable member 30 can be easily connected.

Further, in the present embodiment, not only when the position shift between the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 as shown by arrows A, A', B, and C in FIG. 5 occurs, but also other cases. Even when the members are misaligned, the lens barrel 1 can be easily assembled and the driving force can be smoothly transmitted. For example, when the first connecting member 81 is fixed to the drive ring 20 at a position or angle deviated from the design, or when the second connecting member 82 deviates from the design with respect to the movable member 30. Even when they are fixed at an angle, they can be connected by relatively moving or rotating the position of the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30. Further, even when the first connecting member 81 and the second connecting member 82 are distorted or twisted, the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 can be easily connected.

Further, in the present embodiment, the rear end portion 81B of the first connecting member 81 is not in contact with the movable member 30 (engagement groove 33) in the optical axis direction. Further, the front end portion 82B of the second connecting member 82 is not in contact with the drive ring 20 (engagement projection 23) in the optical axis direction. In other words, the relative positions of the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 in the optical axis direction are not fixed. Therefore, the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 can be easily moved or rotated relative to each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, an annular ultrasonic motor is used for the motor 60 that rotationally drives the drive ring 20. The ultrasonic motor includes a piezoelectric element, a stator, and a rotor. When the piezoelectric element is deformed by applying a voltage, the deformation causes the stator to be deformed. At this time, the surface of the stator in contact with the rotor is deformed so as to draw an elliptical orbit. The rotor moves due to the deformation of the stator. As described above, in the ultrasonic motor, the rotor is rotationally driven while the piezoelectric element and the stator are deformed, so that the central axis of rotation of the ultrasonic motor may be eccentric. Since the ultrasonic motor is pressed against the drive ring 20 via the rotary plate 50A and is in contact with the drive ring 20, the drive ring 20 may also eccentrically rotate due to the eccentric rotational motion of the ultrasonic motor. However, in the present embodiment, since the drive ring 20 and the movable member 30 are not in contact with each other in the radial direction, even if the drive ring 20 is eccentric and rotates, the movable member 30 is prevented from being eccentric. can do.

The above is the description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a content obtained by appropriately combining an embodiment or the like or a self-explanatory embodiment or the like which is exemplified in the specification.

[Modification example]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the rear end portion 81B is inserted into the engaging groove 33, a gap 33A is provided in both directions of the rear end portion 81B in the engaging groove 33 in the radial direction. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this configuration. The gap 33A may be provided in only one of the radial directions. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 4A, the rear end portion 81B is in contact with the movable member 30 (bottom surface of the engaging groove 33) at the other end in the radial direction. In this way, when the gap 33A is provided only in one of the radial directions, the rear end portion 81B is provided with respect to the movable member 30 while the engagement between the rear end portion 81B and the engagement groove 33 is maintained. It can move in at least one direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the state where the engaging protrusion 23 is inserted into the notch 82B1, there are regions 23A that are not engaged with the notch 82B1 in both radial directions of the engaging protrusion 23. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this configuration. Region 23A may be present in only one of the radial directions. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 4B, the front end portion 82B is in contact with the drive ring 20 (the base portion of the engagement projection 23) on the other side in the radial direction. As described above, when the region 23A exists in only one of the radial directions, the front end portion 82B moves in at least one direction with respect to the drive ring 20 while the engagement between the front end portion 82B and the notch portion 82B1 is maintained. It is possible.

Further, the same method as the connection method between the second connection member 82 and the drive ring 20 may be applied to the connection method between the first connection member 81 and the movable member 30. In this case, the rear end portion 81B of the first connecting member 81 has a U shape like the front end portion 82B of the second connecting member 82. Further, the movable member 30 is formed with a columnar engaging projection 23 that engages with the U-shaped rear end portion 81B. When the U-shaped rear end portion 81B engages with the engaging projection 23 of the movable member 30, the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 come into contact with each other in the circumferential direction.

Further, as the method of connecting the second connecting member 82 and the drive ring 20, the same method as the method of connecting the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 may be applied. In this case, the front end portion 82B of the second connecting member 82 has a plate shape like the rear end portion 81B of the first connecting member 81. Further, the drive ring 20 is formed with an engaging groove 33 that engages with the plate-shaped front end portion 82B. When the plate-shaped front end portion 82B engages with the engaging groove 33 of the drive ring 20, the second connecting member 82 and the drive ring 20 come into contact with each other in the circumferential direction.

Further, the method of connecting the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 and the method of connecting the second connecting member 82 and the drive ring 20 are not limited to the methods shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

6 (a) to 6 (c) show a method of connecting the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 in the modified example of the present embodiment. The connection method shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C may be applied to the connection method between the second connection member 82 and the drive ring 20. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c), the plate-shaped rear end portion 81B of the first connecting member 81 engages with the engaging groove 33 of the movable member 30. It is common with the connection method shown in a). However, in the configuration shown in FIG. 6A, a portion of the lateral end surface of the rear end portion 81B in the circumferential direction, which is inserted into the engaging groove 33, is formed on a convex curved surface. This convex curved surface is formed so as to project in the circumferential direction when viewed from a direction parallel to the radial direction. When the rear end portion 81B is inserted into the engaging groove 33, the convex curved surface of the rear end portion 81B and the peripheral wall surface of the engaging groove 33 come into contact with each other by a line parallel to the radial direction. Therefore, the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 are relatively rotatable in a plane orthogonal to the radial direction. By relatively rotating the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30, the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 can be easily connected, and the driving force can be smoothly transferred from the drive ring 20 to the movable member 30. It can be voltageed.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6B, unlike the configuration shown in FIG. 6A, the wall surface (contact surface 33B) in the circumferential direction of the engaging groove 33 is formed as a convex curved surface. Also in this configuration, the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 are relatively rotatable in a plane orthogonal to the radial direction.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6 (c), the side end surface of the rear end portion 81B is formed into a convex curved surface as in the configuration shown in FIG. 6 (a). This convex curved surface is formed so as to project in the circumferential direction when viewed from a direction parallel to the optical axis AX. When the rear end portion 81B is inserted into the engaging groove 33, the convex curved surface of the rear end portion 81B and the peripheral wall surface of the engaging groove 33 come into contact with each other by a line parallel to the optical axis direction. Therefore, the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 can rotate relatively in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis AX.

7 (a) and 7 (b) show a method of connecting the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 in another modification of the present embodiment. The connection method shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be applied to the connection method between the second connection member 82 and the drive ring 20. 7 (a) and 7 (b) show the configuration shown in FIG. 4 (a) in that the rear end portion 81B of the first connecting member 81 engages with the engaging groove 33 of the movable member 30. It is common with the connection method shown. However, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7A, the rear end portion 81B does not have a plate shape as shown in FIG. 4A, but has a columnar shape having a central axis parallel to the optical axis AX. Therefore, when the rear end portion 81B is inserted into the engaging groove 33, the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion 81B and the wall surface in the circumferential direction of the engaging groove 33 come into contact with each other by a line parallel to the optical axis direction. As a result, the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 can rotate relatively in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis AX.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7B, unlike the configuration shown in FIG. 7A, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion 81B that is inserted into the engaging groove 33 is formed on a spherical surface. .. Therefore, when the rear end portion 81B is inserted into the engaging groove 33, the spherical surface of the rear end portion 81B and the wall surface in the circumferential direction of the engaging groove 33 come into contact with each other at a point. As a result, the first connecting member 81 and the movable member 30 can rotate relatively in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis AX and in a plane orthogonal to the radial direction.

FIG. 8 shows a method of connecting the second connecting member 82 and the driving ring 20 in another modified example of the present embodiment. The connection method shown in FIG. 8 may be applied to the connection method between the first connection member 81 and the movable member 30. The configuration shown in FIG. 8 is common to the connection method shown in FIG. 4B in that the front end portion 82B of the second connecting member 82 engages with the engaging projection 23 of the drive ring 20. However, in this modification, the front end portion 82B of the second connecting member 82 has an O-shape instead of a U-shape. A through hole 82B2 penetrating in the radial direction is formed in the O-shaped front end portion 82B. By inserting the engaging protrusion 23 into the through hole 2B2, the outer peripheral surface of the engaging protrusion 23 and the inner wall surface (contact surface) of the through hole 82B2 are brought into contact with each other by a line parallel to the radial direction. As a result, the engaging projection 23 and the front end portion 82B are relatively rotatable in a plane orthogonal to the radial direction.

1 Lens barrel 10 Main body 20 Drive ring 30 Movable member 40 Straight guide member 50A, 50B Rotating plate 60 Motor 61 Elastic member 70 Operation part 80 Connection member 81 First connection member 82 Second connection member 90 Cam follower 100 Exterior part 101 Optical Member 102 Exterior part L Photographing lens L1 Fixed lens L2 Movable lens

Claims (8)

With the main body
A drive member rotatably provided around the optical axis with respect to the main body,
A movable member that is arranged at a distance from the driving member in the optical axis direction and that can rotate around the optical axis.
An optical member that can move in the optical axis direction by the rotational movement of the movable member,
With
The drive member has a first connecting member having one end fixed to the drive member in the optical axis direction and extending from the one end toward the movable member.
The movable member has a first contact portion that contacts the other end of the first connecting member.
The movable member has a second connecting member having one end fixed to the movable member in the optical axis direction and extending from the one end toward the driving member.
The driving member has a second contact portion that contacts the other end of the second connecting member.
The first contact portion abuts on the other end of the first connecting member in both directions different from each other in the circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis, and the other of the first connecting member in at least one direction in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis. Not in contact with the edge
The second contact portion abuts on the other end of the second connecting member in both directions different from each other in the circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis, and the other of the second connecting member in at least one direction in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis. Not in contact with the edge,
Lens barrel. The first connecting member and the second connecting member are arranged so as to face each other with the optical axis interposed therebetween.
The lens barrel according to claim 1. The other end of the first connecting member is not in contact with the movable member in both directions different from each other in the radial direction.
The other end of the second connecting member is not in contact with the driving member in both different radial directions.
The lens barrel according to claim 1 or 2. Of the other end of the first connecting member and the first contact portion, one is a first sandwiching portion having a pair of first contact surfaces, and the other is a first covering portion sandwiched by the first sandwiching portion. It is a holding part,
The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Of the other end of the second connecting member and the second contacting portion, one is a second sandwiching portion having a pair of second contact surfaces, and the other is a second covering portion sandwiched by the second sandwiching portion. It is a holding part,
The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Further provided with a driving means for rotating the driving member,
The first connecting member and the second connecting member connect the driving member and the movable member at positions outside the driving means in a radial direction with respect to the optical axis, respectively.
The lens barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The driving means is an annular ultrasonic motor.
The lens barrel according to claim 6. A first rotating body that can be rotated around the optical axis by the driving means,
A second rotating body that can be manually rotated around the optical axis,
Further prepare
The driving member has a rolling roller rotatably sandwiched between the first rotating body and the second rotating body in a direction parallel to the optical axis.
The rotation of the first rotating body or the second rotating body causes the rolling roller to roll, and the rolling of the rolling roller causes the driving member to rotate around the optical axis.
The lens barrel according to claim 6 or 7.

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