JP7516752B2 - Interchangeable lenses, optical filters and templates - Google Patents

Description

This technology relates to the technical fields of interchangeable lenses having lens mounts, optical filters used in interchangeable lenses, and templates for cutting optical filters into a specified shape.

Some types of imaging devices, such as video cameras and still cameras, are equipped with interchangeable lenses that have functions such as zooming and focusing. These interchangeable lenses are provided with a circular lens mount that is detachable from a mount section provided on the imaging device (see Patent Document 1).

The lens mount is provided with a number of arc-shaped engagement protrusions that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction and protrude outward in the radial direction, and the mount section is provided with a number of arc-shaped mount engagement parts that are similarly spaced apart in the circumferential direction and protrude inward in the radial direction. For example, the interchangeable lens is rotated with each engagement protrusion inserted between the mount engagement parts, whereby each engagement protrusion engages with each mount engagement part, and the lens mount is coupled to the mount section and attached to the imaging device.

Interchangeable lenses have rectangular or circular light-transmitting holes formed on the inside of the lens mount, and light from the subject is captured through the lens and passes through the light-transmitting hole and enters the imaging element of the imaging device, thereby capturing an image of the subject.

A removable optical filter may be used with the above-mentioned interchangeable lenses. The optical filter is, for example, transparent or translucent, and is held inside the lens mount in a state where it covers the light transmission hole, and has the function of adjusting the image quality and the amount of light, etc. By attaching an optical filter to the interchangeable lens and taking pictures, it is possible to obtain a variety of images with different contrasts, brightness, etc.

A portion of the outer periphery of the optical filter is provided as a gripping portion that can be grasped with fingers or a jig such as tweezers, and the gripping portion is used to attach and detach the optical filter from the interchangeable lens.

In an interchangeable lens in which such an optical filter can be used, at least a first holding part and a second holding part are provided on opposite sides of the light transmission hole, and the outer surface located around the light transmission hole is formed as a holding surface. An insertion space into which a part of the optical filter is inserted is formed between the holding surface and the first holding part, and between the holding surface and the second holding part. The optical filter is attached to the interchangeable lens by being held by the holding surface while being pressed by the first holding part and the second holding part, with the ends located on opposite sides of the outer periphery being inserted into the respective insertion spaces.

Re-table No. 2017-134938

However, the gripping area of the optical filter is the part that is held by the user and is also prone to getting dirty or scratched, so it is not used to cover the light transmission hole, and is positioned on the outer periphery of the light transmission hole when the optical filter is held in the interchangeable lens.

On the other hand, in interchangeable lenses, in order to capture a sufficient amount of light from the subject, it is desirable to enlarge the light transmission hole formed inside the lens mount to increase the optical effective diameter, but since the diameter of the lens mount is determined according to the size of the mount part of the imaging device, the space inside the lens mount is formed as a space of a fixed size. Therefore, if the light transmission hole is enlarged, it becomes necessary to reduce the gripping margin of the optical filter held in the space inside the lens mount, which may result in a decrease in workability when attaching and detaching the optical filter to the interchangeable lens. In particular, since the space inside the lens mount is provided with a terminal part that is electrically connected to the contact part of the imaging device, it is necessary to form the optical filter in a size that does not interfere with the terminal part, and there are limitations on the size of the optical filter.

Conversely, if the grip of the optical filter is increased to improve the ease of attaching and detaching the optical filter to and from the interchangeable lens, the light transmission hole must be made smaller accordingly, which reduces the effective optical diameter and reduces the amount of light captured from the subject.

The interchangeable lens, optical filter, and template of this technology aim to improve the ease of attaching and detaching an optical filter to an interchangeable lens while ensuring a sufficient effective optical diameter.

First, an interchangeable lens according to the present technology includes a holder having a light transmission hole through which light from a subject captured via a lens is transmitted, a holding surface on which an optical filter covering the light transmission hole is detachably held, and a first holding portion and a second holding portion positioned on opposite sides of the light transmission hole, a lens mount to which the holder is attached and positioned on the outer periphery of the light transmission hole, and a terminal portion having a plurality of connection terminals positioned between the light transmission hole and the lens mount and aligned in a circumferential direction, and an insertion space into which a portion of the optical filter is inserted is formed by the holding surface and the first holding portion, and the holding surface and the second holding portion, respectively, and a first guide wall and a second guide wall that guide the optical filter when the optical filter is inserted into the insertion space are formed in the holder on opposite sides of the light transmission hole, and a distance from a center of the lens mount to the first guide wall and a front the distance from the center of the lens mount to the second guide wall is different, the terminal portion is positioned on the second guide wall side in the direction in which the first guide wall and the second guide wall separate and is positioned between the second holding portion and the lens mount, the distance from the center of the lens mount to the first guide wall is greater than the distance from the center of the lens mount to the second guide wall , the optical filter is provided with a gripping margin that is gripped when the optical filter is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, the width of the first guide wall in the insertion/removal direction of the optical filter into the insertion space is smaller than the width of the second guide wall, a portion of the holding surface adjacent to the first guide wall in the insertion/removal direction is formed as a gripping position where the gripping margin is located, and the optical filter is held on the holding surface with a gap formed between the gripping margin and the holding body .

As a result, when the optical filter is held on the holding surface, the distance from the center of the lens mount to the outer periphery of the optical filter on the side guided by the first guide wall is different from the distance from the center of the lens mount to the outer periphery of the optical filter on the side guided by the second guide wall, making it possible to provide a large gripping margin at the end of the optical filter on the first guide wall side or the second guide wall side that is farther from the center of the lens mount.

Secondly, in the interchangeable lens according to the present technology described above, it is desirable that the terminal portion is positioned on the second guide wall side in the direction in which the first guide wall and the second guide wall are separated, and that the distance from the center of the lens mount to the first guide wall is greater than the distance from the center of the lens mount to the second guide wall.

As a result, in the direction in which the first and second guide walls are separated, the distance from the lens mount to the second guide wall located on the terminal side is smaller than the distance from the lens mount to the first guide wall that is not located on the terminal side, making it possible to minimize the distance from the center of the lens mount to the terminal part.

Thirdly, in the interchangeable lens according to the present technology described above, it is desirable that the light transmission hole is formed in a shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction according to the shape of the imaging element, the first holding portion and the second holding portion are positioned apart in the lateral direction of the light transmission hole, and the optical filter is inserted into and removed from the insertion space in the longitudinal direction of the light transmission hole.

As a result, when the optical filter is inserted or removed from the insertion space, it moves relative to the first and second holding parts that are positioned apart in the short direction of the light transmission hole, making it possible to increase the length of the first and second holding parts in the insertion/removal direction.

Fourthly, in the interchangeable lens according to the present technology described above, it is desirable that the holding surface be inclined so as to approach the lens in the optical axis direction of the lens as it moves in the insertion direction of the optical filter into the insertion space.

This makes it possible to insert the optical filter into the insertion space from the side away from the lens in the optical axis direction.

Fifthly, in the interchangeable lens according to the present technology described above, the holder has a first portion and a second portion spaced apart in the circumferential direction between the first holding portion and the terminal portion, the lens mount is coupled by rotating to the mount portion of the imaging device, the second portion of the holder is positioned closer to the contact portion of the imaging device that is connected to the terminal portion before rotation than the first portion, the optical filter is inserted into the insertion space from the first portion side to the second portion side, and the holding surface is preferably inclined so as to approach the lens in the optical axis direction of the lens as it moves from the first portion to the second portion.

This makes it possible to increase the distance between the contact portion and the second portion in the optical axis direction before the lens mount is connected to the mount portion and before rotation.

Sixth, in the interchangeable lens according to the present technology described above, it is desirable that the holder is formed with a holding recess that opens on the opposite side to the lens in the optical axis direction and into which the optical filter is inserted.

As a result, the optical filter is held in the holder while inserted into the holding recess, making it less likely for the optical filter to fall off the holder when vibrations or the like occur.

Seventh, in the interchangeable lens according to the present technology described above, the optical filter is provided with a gripping portion that is gripped when the optical filter is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, the width of the first guide wall in the insertion/removal direction of the optical filter in the insertion space is made smaller than the width of the second guide wall, and the portion of the holding surface adjacent to the first guide wall in the insertion/removal direction is preferably formed as a gripping position where the gripping portion is located.

This makes it possible to grasp the gripping tab exposed at the gripping position and pull the optical filter out of the insertion space.

Eighth, in the interchangeable lens according to the present technology described above, it is desirable that a gripping inclined portion is formed at the gripping position.

This makes it possible to insert a finger or a tool between the gripping inclined portion and the gripping area to grasp the gripping area at the gripping position.

Ninth, in the interchangeable lens according to the present technology described above, it is desirable that a guide surface is formed on each of the first holding portion and the second holding portion on the side facing the holding surface, and that the guide surface is formed as an inclined surface approaching the holding surface as it moves in the insertion direction of the optical filter into the insertion space.

This allows the optical filter to be guided along the guide surface and inserted into the insertion space.

Tenth, in the interchangeable lens according to the present technology described above, it is desirable that the holder is provided with a holding frame having the holding surface, and that the holding frame, the first holding portion, and the second holding portion are formed as separate members.

This results in the formation of a holding frame, a first holding part, and a second holding part.

Eleventh, in the interchangeable lens according to the present technology described above, it is desirable that the holder is provided with a holding frame having the holding surface, and that the holding frame, the first holding portion, and the second holding portion are integrally formed.

This allows the holding frame, the first holding part, and the second holding part to be formed simultaneously as the same member.

The optical filter according to the present technology is detachably held by an interchangeable lens having a holder having a light transmission hole, a first holding portion, a second holding portion, and a holding recess having a holding surface, the first holding portion and the second holding portion being positioned on opposite sides of the light transmission hole, and the optical filter is provided with a covering portion that covers the light transmission hole when held by the interchangeable lens, and a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion that are positioned on the opposite sides of the covering portion and at least a portion of each of which is pressed by the first holding portion and the second holding portion, a width of the first held portion is made larger than a width of the second held portion in a direction in which the first held portion and the second held portion are separated from each other, a gripping margin is provided on the first held portion side in a direction in which the first held portion and the second held portion are separated from each other, and the first held portion and the gripping margin are provided side by side in a direction in which the interchangeable lens is attached to and detached from the interchangeable lens, and the portion excluding the gripping margin is positioned in the holding recess and is held on the interchangeable lens with a gap formed between the gripping margin and the holder .

This provides a gripping margin on the side of the first held portion, whose width in the direction in which the first holding portion and the second holding portion separate is greater than the width of the second held portion.

13. The template according to the present technology has a light-transmitting hole, a first holding part, a second holding part, a first guide wall, a second guide wall, and a holding surface, and the first holding part and the second holding part are positioned on opposite sides of the light-transmitting hole, and a cut-out hole is formed for cutting out an optical filter to a predetermined shape with a cutting tool, and the interchangeable lens has an insertion space formed by the holding surface and the first holding part, and the holding surface and the second holding part, respectively, and the distance from the center of the lens mount positioned on the outer periphery side of the light-transmitting hole to the first guide wall is different from the distance from the center of the lens mount to the second guide wall, and the optical filter guided by the first guide wall and the second guide wall when inserted into the insertion space is used in the interchangeable lens in a state where it covers the light-transmitting hole.

As a result, when the optical filter formed by the cutting tool using the cutout holes is held on the holding surface, the distance from the center of the lens mount to the outer edge of the optical filter on the side guided by the first guide wall is different from the distance from the center of the lens mount to the outer edge of the optical filter on the side guided by the second guide wall, making it possible to provide a large gripping margin at the end of the optical filter on the first guide wall side or the second guide wall side that is farther from the center of the lens mount.

2 to 20 show an embodiment of an interchangeable lens, an optical filter, and a template according to the present technology, and these figures are perspective views showing an interchangeable lens and an imaging device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the interchangeable lens. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens mount and the holder. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a holder and an optical filter. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the holder. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 5, showing a state in which the optical filter is held. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5, showing a state in which the optical filter is held. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical filter is formed by a template. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the optical filter is inserted into a holder. 13 is a rear view showing a state in which the optical filter is held by a holder. FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the holder holding the optical filter. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12. FIG. 11 is a rear view showing another shape of the optical filter. FIG. 13 is a rear view showing still another shape of the optical filter. Together with Figures 17 to 19, this shows various types of imaging devices and the rotational direction of an interchangeable lens attached to the imaging device, with the top figure being a schematic front view of the imaging device, the middle figure being a front perspective view of the rotational position of the holder etc. of the interchangeable lens before it is attached to the imaging device, and the bottom figure being a front perspective view of the rotational position of the holder etc. of the interchangeable lens when it is attached to the imaging device, and this figure shows an imaging device etc. of Type A. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an imaging device of type B, etc. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a type C imaging device and the like. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a type D imaging device and the like. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging device.

Below, the form for implementing this technology is explained with reference to the attached drawings.

The embodiment shown below is an application of the interchangeable lens of the present technology to an interchangeable lens that is attached to and detached from an imaging device that is a still camera. Note that the scope of application of the present technology is not limited to interchangeable lenses that are attached to and detached from an imaging device that is a still camera, but can also be applied to interchangeable lenses that are attached to and detached from an imaging device that is a video camera.

In the following explanation, the front, back, up, down, left and right directions are indicated as viewed from the photographer when taking a picture. Therefore, the subject side (object side) is the front, and the image plane side is the rear. Note that the front, back, up, down, left and right directions shown below are for the convenience of explanation, and the implementation of this technology is not limited to these directions.

The lens groups described below may be composed of one or more lenses, or may include one or more lenses and other optical elements such as a diaphragm or iris.

<Configuration of Imaging Device>
First, the configuration of an image pickup device 100 to which an interchangeable lens 1 is attached will be described (see FIG. 1).

The imaging device 100 is configured with the necessary parts arranged inside and outside the housing 101. Various operation units 102, 102, ... are arranged on the top and rear of the housing 101, for example. The operation units 102 include, for example, a power button, a shutter button, a zoom knob, a mode switching knob, etc.

A display (not shown) is located on the rear of the housing 101.

A circular opening 101a is formed on the front surface of the housing 101, and a mount section 103 for mounting the interchangeable lens 1 is provided around the opening 101a. The mount section 103 has a circular coupling ring 103a and arc-shaped mount engagement sections 103b, 103b, 103b that protrude inward from the coupling ring 103a, and the mount engagement sections 103b, 103b, 103b are provided spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

An image sensor 104 such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) is disposed inside the housing 101, and the image sensor 104 is positioned behind the opening 101a. The image sensor 104 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape (rectangular shape).

An arc-shaped contact portion 105 is disposed at the lower end on the inside of the mount portion 103, and the contact portion 105 has multiple contacts 105a, 105a, ... arranged in the circumferential direction.

<Interchangeable lens configuration>
Next, the configuration of the interchangeable lens 1 will be described (see FIGS. 1 to 8).

The interchangeable lens 1 is detachably attached to the imaging device 100, and the necessary parts are arranged inside and outside the outer barrel 2 (see Figures 1 and 2).

Adjustment rings 3, 3 are supported rotatably on the outer periphery of the outer barrel 2, arranged in a front-to-back manner. The adjustment rings 3, 3 have functions such as focusing adjustment, zooming adjustment, and aperture light amount adjustment.

A number of lens groups 4, 4, ... are arranged at intervals in the optical axis direction (front-to-back direction) inside the external cylinder 2. Each lens group 4 has at least one lens, and inside the external cylinder 2, as part of the lens group 4, a front lens 4a (see Figure 1) located at the foremost position and a rear lens 4b (see Figure 2) located at the rearmost position are arranged.

A lens mount 5 is attached to the rear end of the outer tube 2. The lens mount 5 is integrally formed with a roughly annular base ring portion 6, a cylindrical connecting portion 7 protruding rearward from the inner periphery of the base ring portion 6, and arc-shaped engagement protrusions 8, 8, 8 protruding outward from the rear end of the connecting portion 7 (see Figures 3 and 4).

A terminal portion 9 is attached to the base ring portion 6 of the lens mount 5. The terminal portion 9 is formed in an arc shape and has a base portion 10 formed from an insulating material and connection terminals 11, 11, ... positioned side by side in the circumferential direction of the base portion 10. A portion of the connection terminals 11, 11, ... is exposed on the rear side of the base portion 10. The terminal portion 9 is attached, for example, to the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the base ring portion 6.

A holder 12 is attached to the rear end of the outer barrel 2 (see Figure 2). When attached to the outer barrel 2, the holder 12 is positioned inside the lens mount 5. The holder 12 is constructed by attaching a first holder 14 and a second holder 15 to a holding frame 13 (see Figures 4 and 5).

The retaining frame 13 is formed in an annular shape, and a first connecting portion 16 having an outer peripheral surface formed into an arcuate surface, a first side portion 17 having an outer peripheral surface formed into an arcuate surface, a second side portion 18 having an outer peripheral surface formed into an arcuate surface, and a second connecting portion 19 extending left and right are connected in the circumferential direction. The first connecting portion 16 and the second connecting portion 19 are positioned vertically and spaced apart, and the first side portion 17 and the second side portion 18 are positioned horizontally and spaced apart, with the first side portion 17 and the second side portion 18 being positioned between the first connecting portion 16 and the second connecting portion 19, respectively.

The space inside the holding frame 13 is formed as a light-transmitting hole 13a, which is formed in a horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular shape (rectangular shape) corresponding to the shape of the imaging element 104 of the imaging device 100. Therefore, the light-transmitting hole 13a is formed in a shape having a longitudinal direction (left-right direction) and a lateral direction (up-down direction). A holding recess 13b is formed as a shallow recess that opens to the rear in the portion surrounding the light-transmitting hole 13a in the holding frame 13, and the rear surface that forms the holding recess 13b is formed as a holding surface 13c. The holding surface 13c is formed in a horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular frame shape.

The holding surface 13c is slightly inclined so as to be displaced forward in the left-right direction from the first side portion 17 to the second side portion 18 (see the inclination direction R shown in FIG. 7). Therefore, the holding surface 13c is inclined so as to approach the rear lens 4b in the optical axis direction (front-back direction) of the lens group 4 as it moves from the first side portion 17 to the second side portion 18 in the left-right direction.

A part of the rear surface of the first connecting portion 16 is formed as the first mounting surface 16a (see Figures 4 and 6). The first mounting surface 16a is formed on the upper side of the holding surface 13c and is located on the opposite side of the first side portion 17 in the left-right direction. The rear surface of the first connecting portion 16 is formed as a gripping inclined portion 16b in the circumferential direction, where the part is continuous with the first mounting surface 16a. The first connecting portion 16 has a concave portion 16c that opens to the rear between the gripping inclined portion 16b and the holding surface 13c. The concave portion 16c is formed in a concave shape with respect to the holding surface 13c, and the gripping inclined portion 16b is formed as an inclined surface that displaces forward as it approaches the outer circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 16 from the concave portion 16c.

The rear surface of the first side portion 17 is formed as an inclined surface 17a where it continues to the holding surface 13c (see FIG. 7). The inclined surface 17a is inclined so that it displaces forward in the left-right direction as it approaches the holding surface 13c.

The second side portion 18 is connected to the holding surface 11a and is formed as a stopper surface 18a facing the light transmission hole 13a (see Figures 4, 5, and 7).

The second connecting portion 19 is formed as a horizontally elongated thin plate whose entirety forms part of the holding surface 13c. The lower end of the rear surface of the second connecting portion 19 is formed as the second mounting surface 19a.

The first holding portion 14 is formed by integrally forming an attachment base portion 20 formed in a shape extending in the left-right direction and a pressing protrusion 21 protruding downward from the rear end of the attachment base portion 20. The front surface of the pressing protrusion 21 is formed as a guide surface 21a, which is formed as a gently sloping surface that displaces forward as it moves away from the first side portion 17 in the left-right direction (see Figures 7 and 8).

The second holding portion 15 is formed integrally with the mounting base portion 22 formed in a shape extending in the left-right direction and the pressing protrusion 23 protruding upward from the rear end of the mounting base portion 22 (see Figures 4, 5 and 7). The second holding portion 15 is longer in the left-right direction than the first holding portion 14. The front surface of the pressing protrusion 23 is formed as a guide surface 23a, which is formed as a gently sloping surface that displaces forward as it moves away from the first side portion 17 in the left-right direction.

The front surface of the mounting base portion 20 of the first holding portion 14 is attached to the first mounting surface 16a formed on the first connecting portion 16 of the holding frame 13 by gluing or the like (see Figure 5).

When the first holding portion 14 is attached to the first connecting portion 16, an insertion space 24 that is open downward and to the side is formed between the holding surface 13c of the first connecting portion 16 and the guide surface 21a of the pressing protrusion 21 (see Figures 5 and 8). Also, when the first holding portion 14 is attached to the first connecting portion 16, the recessed portion 16c of the first connecting portion 16 is positioned to the side of the insertion space 24.

When the first holding portion 14 is attached to the first connecting portion 16, the underside of the mounting base portion 20 of the first holding portion 14 is formed as the first guide wall 20a.

The front surface of the mounting base portion 22 of the second holding portion 15 is attached to the second mounting surface 19a formed on the second connecting portion 19 of the holding frame 13 by gluing or the like (see Figure 5).

When the second holding portion 15 is attached to the second connecting portion 19, an insertion space 25 that is open upward and to the sides is formed between the holding surface 13c of the second connecting portion 19 and the guide surface 23a of the pressing protrusion 23 (see Figures 5 and 8).

When the second holding portion 15 is attached to the second connecting portion 19, the upper surface of the mounting base portion 22 of the second holding portion 15 is formed as a second guide wall 22a.

The first guide wall 20a of the first holding part 14 functions as a guide in the up-down direction when an optical filter (described later) is inserted into the insertion space 24, and the second guide wall 22a of the second holding part 15 functions as a guide in the up-down direction when an optical filter is inserted into the insertion space 25. In addition, the guide surface 21a of the first holding part 14 and the guide surface 23a of the second holding part 15 function as guides in the left-right direction when the optical filters are inserted into the insertion spaces 24 and 25, respectively.

As described above, in the interchangeable lens 1, the second holding portion 15 is longer in the left-right direction than the first holding portion 14. Therefore, the left-right width of the first guide wall 20a formed in the first holding portion 14 is smaller than the left-right width of the second guide wall 22a formed in the second holding portion 15, and the gripping inclined portion 16b and the recessed portion 16c are positioned on the side of the first guide wall 20a and above the second guide wall 22a in the holding frame 13 (see FIG. 5). In addition, the position where the gripping inclined portion 16b exists adjacent to the first guide wall 20a is set to be the gripping position where the gripping margin of the optical filter is located when the optical filter is held by the holder 12.

As described above, the holder 12, which is configured by attaching the first holder 14 and the second holder 15 to the holding frame 13, is attached to the rear end of the outer tube 2 inside the lens mount 5 by gluing or the like (see Figures 2 and 3). When the holder 12 is attached to the outer tube 2 inside the lens mount 5, the terminal portion 9 is located below the second holder 15 and between the light transmission hole 13a and the lens mount 5.

In the interchangeable lens 1, if the center (central point) of the light transmission hole 13a is point M, the distance P from point M to the first guide wall 20a and the distance Q from point M to the second guide wall 22a are configured to be different (see FIG. 3). For example, in the interchangeable lens 1, the distance P is slightly greater than the distance Q. Therefore, in the vertical direction, the distance from the first guide wall 20a formed on the side where the terminal portion 9 is not located to point M is greater than the distance from the second guide wall 22a formed on the side where the terminal portion 9 is located to point M.

<Optical filter configuration, etc.>
Next, the configuration of the optical filter 50 that is detachable from the holder 12 will be described (see FIGS. 3, 5 and 9).

The optical filter 50 is formed, for example, to be transparent or translucent, and is attached to the holder 12 in a state in which it covers the light transmission hole 13a from behind (see FIG. 3), and has the function of adjusting the image quality and the amount of light, etc. The optical filter 50 is a film formed into a predetermined shape (see FIG. 5).

The optical filter 50 is composed of a covering portion 51 formed in a horizontally elongated, generally rectangular shape that covers the light transmission hole 13a, a first clamped portion 52 and a gripping portion 53 that are continuous with the upper side of the covering portion 51 and lined up on the left and right, and a second clamped portion 54 that is continuous with the lower side of the covering portion 51.

The first clamped portion 52 and the gripping portion 53 are each formed in an upwardly convex, approximately trapezoidal shape.

The optical filter 50 has a V-shaped notch 50a that opens upward between the first pressed portion 52 and the gripping margin 53. The second pressed portion 54 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape that is convex downward. The vertical width of the first pressed portion 52 is larger than the vertical width of the second pressed portion 54.

The optical filter 50 formed in the above-described shape can be formed, for example, by using a template 60 (see FIG. 9).

The template 60 is a plate made of a metal or resin material, and has a cutout hole 61 formed in the same shape and size as the optical filter 50. With the template 60 placed on a film 70 that serves as the base material for the optical filter 50, the film 70 can be cut along the cutout hole 61 using a cutting tool 80 such as a cutter to form an optical filter 50 of a predetermined shape.

<Attachment and Detachment of Interchangeable Lens to Imaging Device>
The operation of attaching and detaching the interchangeable lens 1 to and from the image pickup device 100 will be described below.

The interchangeable lens 1 is attached to the imaging device 100, for example, by coupling the lens mount 5 to the mount section 103 with the optical filter 50 attached to the holder 12. The interchangeable lens 1 can be attached to the imaging device 100 by inserting the engagement protrusions 8, 8, 8 of the lens mount 5 between the mount engagement sections 103a, 103a, 103a of the mount section 103, respectively, and rotating the entire interchangeable lens 1 in the direction around the optical axis relative to the imaging device 100.

When the interchangeable lens 1 is attached to the imaging device 100, the front faces of the engagement protrusions 8, 8, 8 engage with the rear faces of the mount engagement parts 103a, 103a, 103a, respectively, and the rear face of the base ring part 6 in the lens mount 5 is closely attached to the front face of the coupling ring 103a in the mount part 103. At this time, the connection terminals 11, 11, ... provided on the terminal part 9 of the interchangeable lens 1 are respectively connected to the contacts 105a, 105a, ... provided on the contact part 105 of the imaging device 100. This allows the interchangeable lens 1 and the imaging device 100 to exchange signals and supply power.

The interchangeable lens 1 can be removed from the imaging device 100 by rotating the entire interchangeable lens 1 around the optical axis relative to the imaging device 100 in the opposite direction to when it was attached, and by pulling out the engagement protrusions 8, 8, 8 from between the mount engagement parts 103a, 103a, 103a, respectively.

<Inserting and removing optical filters from interchangeable lenses, etc.>
Next, an explanation will be given of the insertion and removal of the optical filter 50 into and from the interchangeable lens 1 (see Figs. 10 to 12). The optical filter 50 is inserted and removed into and from the interchangeable lens 1 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the light transmitting hole 13a.

With the gripping portion 53 of the optical filter 50 being held by a jig such as a finger 200 or tweezers, for example, the first pressed portion 52 is inserted into the insertion space 24 and the second pressed portion 54 is inserted into the insertion space 25 (see FIG. 10). At this time, since the first side portion 17 has an inclined surface 17a formed thereon, the optical filter 50 slides along the inclined surface 17a toward the second side portion 18. Also, since the front surface of the first holding portion 14 is formed as a guide surface 21a and the front surface of the second holding portion 15 is formed as a guide surface 23a, the first pressed portion 52 is guided by the guide surface 21a and the second pressed portion 54 is guided by the guide surface 23a and inserted into the insertion spaces 24, 25.

In this way, the first holding part 14 and the second holding part 15 each have guide surfaces 21a, 23a formed on the surface opposite the holding surface 13c, so that the optical filter 50 is guided by the guide surfaces 21a, 23a and inserted into the insertion spaces 24, 25, and the optical filter 50 can be inserted into the insertion spaces 24, 25 smoothly and reliably.

As described above, in the interchangeable lens 1, the holding surface 13c is inclined so that it approaches the rear lens 4b as it moves from the first side portion 17 to the second side portion 18.

As a result, when inserting the optical filter 50 into the insertion spaces 24, 25, it is possible to insert the optical filter 50 from the side away from the rear lens 4b in the optical axis direction, making it easy to insert and remove the optical filter 50 into and from the insertion spaces 24, 25.

In addition, because the holding surface 13c is inclined with respect to the optical axis direction, it is easier to increase the distance between the holding surface 13c and the rear lens 4b, which is located closest to the holding surface 13c among the lens groups 4, 4, ..., and it is possible to prevent interference between the optical filter 50 and the rear lens 4b when the optical filter 50 is inserted.

When the optical filter 50 has the first pressed portion 52 and the second pressed portion 54 inserted into the insertion spaces 24, 25, respectively, the edge on the second side portion 18 contacts the stopper surface 18a formed on the second side portion 18, restricting the sliding. The optical filter 50, whose sliding towards the second side portion 18 is restricted, is placed in the holding recess 13b, excluding the gripping margin 53 (see FIG. 11).

The optical filter 50 is held on the holding surface 13c with the first holding part 14 holding the first held part 52 from behind and the second holding part 15 holding the second held part 54 from behind. The light transmission hole 13a is entirely covered from behind by the covering part 51.

As described above, in the interchangeable lens 1, the light transmission hole 13a is formed in a shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction according to the shape of the image sensor 104, the first holding part 14 and the second holding part 15 are positioned apart in the lateral direction of the light transmission hole 13a, and the optical filter 50 is inserted into and removed from the insertion spaces 24, 25 in the longitudinal direction of the light transmission hole 13a.

As a result, when the optical filter 50 is inserted into or removed from the insertion spaces 24, 25, it is moved relative to the first holding portion 14 and the second holding portion 15, which are positioned apart in the short direction of the light transmission hole 13a, making it possible to lengthen the length of the first holding portion 14 and the second holding portion 15 in the insertion/removal direction, thereby ensuring a stable holding state of the optical filter 50 relative to the interchangeable lens 1.

In addition, the holder 12 is formed with a holding recess 13b that opens on the opposite side of the rear lens 4b in the optical axis direction and into which the optical filter 50 is inserted.

As a result, the optical filter 50 is held by the holder 12 while inserted into the holding recess 13b, so that the optical filter 50 is less likely to fall off the holder 12 when vibrations or the like occur, and the optical filter 50 can be held stably in the holder 12.

When the optical filter 50 is held on the holding surface 13c as described above, the gripping margin 53 is positioned opposite the gripping inclined portion 16b and the concave portion 16c (see Figures 12 and 13). At this time, the gripping inclined portion 16b is formed as an inclined surface that displaces forward as it approaches the outer circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 16, and the concave portion 16c is formed concave with respect to the holding surface 13c, so that a small gap 30 is formed between the gripping margin 53 and the gripping inclined portion 16b and between the gripping margin 53 and the concave portion 16c.

The optical filter 50 is removed from the holder 12 by, for example, pulling the first pressed portion 52 and the second pressed portion 54 out of the insertion spaces 24 and 25, respectively, while the gripping portion 53 is gripped by a jig such as a finger 200 or tweezers.

As described above, in the interchangeable lens 1, the width of the first guide wall 20a in the insertion/removal direction of the optical filter 50 relative to the insertion spaces 24, 25 is made smaller than the width of the second guide wall 22a, and the portion adjacent to the first guide wall 20a in the insertion/removal direction is formed as a gripping position where the gripping margin 53 is located.

Therefore, the optical filter 50 can be pulled out of the insertion spaces 24, 25 by grasping the gripping tab 53 exposed at the gripping position with fingers 200 or a tool such as tweezers, and the simple structure allows the optical filter 50 to be easily removed from the holder 12.

In addition, since the gripping inclined portion 16b is formed at the gripping position, it is possible to insert a finger 200 or a tool between the gripping inclined portion 16b and the gripping margin 53 to grip the gripping margin 53 at the gripping position, and the optical filter 50 can be removed from the holder 12 even more easily. Note that in the interchangeable lens 1, a gripping recess may be formed in place of the gripping inclined portion 16b at the portion where the gripping inclined portion 16b is formed, and in this case too, it is possible to insert a finger 200 or a tool between the gripping recess and the gripping margin 53 to grip the gripping margin 53, and the optical filter 50 can be removed easily from the holder 12.

Furthermore, the optical filter 50 has a notch 50a formed between the gripping margin 53 and the first held portion 52, which reduces the strength of the gripping margin 53 and makes it easier for the gripping margin 53 to bend in the thickness direction. Therefore, a gap 30 is easily formed between the gripping margin 53 and the gripping inclined portion 16b, making it even easier to grip the gripping margin 53 with a finger 200 or a jig such as tweezers.

When the optical filter 50 is removed from the holder 12, the optical filter 50 slides toward the first side portion 17 along the inclined surface 17a formed on the first side portion 17, so that the optical filter 50 can be smoothly removed from the holder 12.

In the above, an example has been described in which the optical filter 50 is inserted into the holder 12 from the first connecting portion 16 side to the second connecting portion 17 side, but the interchangeable lens 1 may be configured so that the optical filter 50 is inserted into the holder 12 from the second connecting portion 17 side to the first connecting portion 16 side.

In addition, the above shows an example of an optical filter 50 in which a notch 50a is formed between the first pressed portion 52 and the gripping allowance 53, but for example, the optical filter 50 can be configured so that the gripping allowance 53 is formed in a protruding shape and no notch is formed between the first pressed portion 52 and the gripping allowance 53 (see FIG. 14). Furthermore, the optical filter 50 can be configured so that neither the notch 50a nor a protruding portion is formed, and the portion connected to the first pressed portion 52 is formed as the gripping allowance 53 (see FIG. 15).

<Relationship between contact points and tilt direction>
Next, the relationship between the contact portion 105 of the image pickup device 100 and the inclination direction of the holding surface 13c of the holding frame 13 will be described (see FIGS. 16 to 19).

In addition, in Figures 16 to 19, the top figures are schematic front views of each type of imaging device, the middle figures are front perspective views showing the rotational positions of the holder and other parts of the interchangeable lens before it is attached to the imaging device, and the bottom figures are front perspective views showing the rotational positions of the holder and other parts of the interchangeable lens when it is attached to the imaging device.

In the type A imaging device 100, the contact portion 15 is provided at the lower end inside the mount portion 103 (see the top diagram in Figure 16).

The interchangeable lens 1 to be mounted on the Type A imaging device 100 is mounted by rotating it in a clockwise direction CW relative to the imaging device 100 when viewed from the front. Therefore, before mounting, when the engagement protrusions 8, 8, 8 are inserted between the mount engagement portions 103a, 103a, 103a, respectively, the second side portion 18 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the first side portion 17 (see the middle diagram in Figure 16). In the interchangeable lens 1, the insertion direction S of the optical filter 50 into the insertion spaces 24, 25 is from the first side portion 17 side to the second side portion 18 side.

When the interchangeable lens 1 is rotated clockwise CW as viewed from the front to the type A imaging device 100 to perform the installation operation, the terminal portion 9 is moved circumferentially as the interchangeable lens 1 rotates to a position where it is connected to the contact portion 105 (see the lower diagram in Figure 16).

In an interchangeable lens 1 that is mounted on a Type A imaging device 100 as described above and rotated in a clockwise direction CW when viewed from the front, it is desirable that the inclination direction R of the holding surface 13c be in a direction that displaces forward as it moves from the first side portion 17 side to the second side portion 18 side.

Before the interchangeable lens 1 is attached to the imaging device 100, as described above, the second side portion 18 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the first side portion 17. Therefore, by setting the inclination direction R of the holding surface 13c to the above-described direction, the second side portion 18, which is located closer to the contact portion 105, is less likely to interfere with the contact portion 105 before the interchangeable lens 1 is attached to the imaging device 100.

In this way, in the interchangeable lens 1, the first side portion 17 and the second side portion 18 are provided as a first portion and a second portion, respectively, spaced apart in the circumferential direction between the first holding portion 14 and the terminal portion 9 on the holding body 12, and the second side portion 18 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the first side portion 17 in the state before rotation of the holding body 12, and the holding surface 13c is inclined so that it approaches the rear lens 4b in the optical axis direction as it moves from the first side portion 17 to the second side portion 18.

As a result, it is possible to increase the distance between the contact portion 105 and the second side portion 18 in the optical axis direction in the pre-rotation state before the lens mount 5 is coupled to the mount portion 103, thereby preventing interference between the contact portion 105 and the interchangeable lens 1.

In the type B imaging device 100B, the contact portion 15 is provided at the lower end inside the mount portion 103 (see the top diagram in Figure 17).

The interchangeable lens 1B to be mounted on the Type B imaging device 100B is mounted by rotating it in a counterclockwise direction CCW relative to the imaging device 100B when viewed from the front. Therefore, before mounting, when the engagement protrusions 8, 8, 8 are inserted between the mount engagement portions 103a, 103a, 103a, respectively, the first side portion 17 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the second side portion 18 (see the middle diagram in Figure 17). In the interchangeable lens 1B, the insertion direction S of the optical filter 50 into the insertion spaces 24, 25 is from the second side portion 18 side to the first side portion 17 side.

When the interchangeable lens 1B is rotated counterclockwise CCW as viewed from the front to the type B imaging device 100B to perform the attachment operation, the terminal portion 9 is moved circumferentially as the interchangeable lens 1B rotates to a position where it is connected to the contact portion 105 (see the lower diagram in Figure 17).

In an interchangeable lens 1B that is mounted on an imaging device 100B of type B as described above and rotated in a counterclockwise direction CCW as viewed from the front, it is desirable that the inclination direction R of the holding surface 13c be in a direction that displaces forward as it moves from the second side portion 18 side to the first side portion 17 side.

Before the interchangeable lens 1B is attached to the imaging device 100B, as described above, the first side portion 17 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the second side portion 18. Therefore, by setting the inclination direction R of the holding surface 13c in the direction described above, the first side portion 17, which is located closer to the contact portion 105, is less likely to interfere with the contact portion 105 before the interchangeable lens 1B is attached to the imaging device 100B.

In this way, in interchangeable lens 1B, the second side portion 18 and the first side portion 17 are provided as a first portion and a second portion, respectively, between the first holding portion 14 and the terminal portion 9 on the holding body 12 and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and before rotation, the holding body 12 is positioned such that the first side portion 17 is closer to the contact portion 105 than the second side portion 18, and the holding surface 13c is inclined so that it approaches the rear lens 4b in the optical axis direction as it moves from the second side portion 18 to the first side portion 17.

As a result, it is possible to increase the distance between the contact portion 105 and the first side portion 17 in the optical axis direction in the pre-rotation state before the lens mount 5 is coupled to the mount portion 103, thereby preventing interference between the contact portion 105 and the interchangeable lens 1B.

In the type C imaging device 100C, the contact portion 15 is provided at the upper end inside the mount portion 103 (see the top diagram in Figure 18).

The interchangeable lens 1C to be mounted on the Type C imaging device 100C is mounted by rotating it in a clockwise direction CW relative to the imaging device 100C when viewed from the front. Therefore, before mounting, when the engagement protrusions 8, 8, 8 are inserted between the mount engagement portions 103a, 103a, 103a, respectively, the second side portion 18 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the first side portion 17 (see the middle diagram in Figure 18). In the interchangeable lens 1C, the insertion direction S of the optical filter 50 into the insertion spaces 24, 25 is from the first side portion 17 side to the second side portion 18 side.

When the interchangeable lens 1C is rotated clockwise CW as viewed from the front to the type C imaging device 100C for attachment, the terminal portion 9 is moved circumferentially as the interchangeable lens 1C rotates to a position where it is connected to the contact portion 105 (see the lower diagram in Figure 18).

In an interchangeable lens 1C that is mounted on an imaging device 100C of type C as described above and rotated in a clockwise direction CW as viewed from the front, it is desirable that the inclination direction R of the holding surface 13c be in a direction that displaces forward as it moves from the first side portion 17 side to the second side portion 18 side.

Before the interchangeable lens 1C is attached to the imaging device 100C, as described above, the second side portion 18 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the first side portion 17. Therefore, by setting the inclination direction R of the holding surface 13c in the direction described above, the second side portion 18, which is located closer to the contact portion 105, is less likely to interfere with the contact portion 105 before the interchangeable lens 1C is attached to the imaging device 100C.

In this way, in the interchangeable lens 1C, the first side portion 17 and the second side portion 18 are provided as a first portion and a second portion, respectively, spaced apart in the circumferential direction between the first holding portion 14 and the terminal portion 9 on the holding body 12, and the second side portion 18 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the first side portion 17 in the state before rotation of the holding body 12, and the holding surface 13c is inclined so that it approaches the rear lens 4b in the optical axis direction as it moves from the first side portion 17 to the second side portion 18.

As a result, it is possible to increase the distance between the contact portion 105 and the second side portion 18 in the optical axis direction in the pre-rotation state before the lens mount 5 is coupled to the mount portion 103, thereby preventing interference between the contact portion 105 and the interchangeable lens 1C.

In the type D imaging device 100D, the contact portion 15 is provided at the upper end inside the mount portion 103 (see the top diagram in Figure 19).

The interchangeable lens 1D to be mounted on the Type D imaging device 100D is mounted by rotating it in a counterclockwise direction CCW relative to the imaging device 100D when viewed from the front. Therefore, before mounting, when the engagement protrusions 8, 8, 8 are inserted between the mount engagement portions 103a, 103a, 103a, respectively, the first side portion 17 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the second side portion 18 (see the middle diagram in Figure 19). In the interchangeable lens 1D, the insertion direction S of the optical filter 50 into the insertion spaces 24, 25 is from the second side portion 18 side to the first side portion 17 side.

When the interchangeable lens 1D is rotated counterclockwise CCW as viewed from the front to the type D imaging device 100D to perform the attachment operation, the terminal portion 9 is moved circumferentially as the interchangeable lens 1D rotates to a position where it is connected to the contact portion 105 (see the lower diagram in Figure 19).

In an interchangeable lens 1D that is mounted on an imaging device 100D of type D as described above and rotated in a counterclockwise direction CCW as viewed from the front, it is desirable that the inclination direction R of the holding surface 13c be in a direction that displaces forward as it moves from the second side portion 18 side to the first side portion 17 side.

Before the interchangeable lens 1D is attached to the imaging device 100D, as described above, the first side portion 17 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the second side portion 18. Therefore, by setting the inclination direction R of the holding surface 13c in the direction described above, the first side portion 17, which is located closer to the contact portion 105, is less likely to interfere with the contact portion 105 before the interchangeable lens 1D is attached to the imaging device 100D.

In this way, in the interchangeable lens 1D, the second side portion 18 and the first side portion 17 are provided as a first portion and a second portion, respectively, between the first holding portion 14 and the terminal portion 9 on the holding body 12 and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and the first side portion 17 of the holding body 12 is positioned closer to the contact portion 105 than the second side portion 18 before rotation, and the holding surface 13c is inclined so that it approaches the rear lens 4b in the optical axis direction as it moves from the second side portion 18 to the first side portion 17.

As a result, it is possible to increase the distance between the contact portion 105 and the first side portion 17 in the optical axis direction in the pre-rotation state before the lens mount 5 is coupled to the mount portion 103, thereby preventing interference between the contact portion 105 and the interchangeable lens 1D.

In addition, in the same manner as the interchangeable lens 1, the above-mentioned interchangeable lenses 1B, 1C, and 1D are configured such that the distance P from point M, which is the center of the light transmission hole 13a, to the first guide wall 20a and the distance Q from point M to the second guide wall 22a are different (see FIG. 3). For example, the distance from the first guide wall 20a formed on the side where the terminal portion 9 is not located to point M is greater than the distance from the second guide wall 22a formed on the side where the terminal portion 9 is located to point M.

<Summary>
As described above, in the interchangeable lens 1 (interchangeable lens 1B, interchangeable lens 1C, interchangeable lens 1D, the same applies below), insertion spaces 24, 25 are formed by the holding surface 13c and the first holding portion 14, and the holding surface 13c and the second holding portion 15, respectively, and a first guide wall 20a and a second guide wall 22a are formed in the holding body 12 on opposite sides of the light transmitting hole 13a, and the distance from the center M of the lens mount 5 to the first guide wall 20a is different from the distance from the center M of the lens mount 5 to the second guide wall 22a.

Therefore, when the optical filter 50 is held on the holding surface 13c, the distance from the center M of the lens mount 5 to the outer periphery of the optical filter 50 on the side guided by the first guide wall 20a is different from the distance from the center M of the lens mount 5 to the outer periphery of the optical filter 50 on the side guided by the second guide wall 22a, so that it is possible to form a large gripping margin 53 at the end of the optical filter 50 on the first guide wall 20a side or the second guide wall 22a side that is farther from the center M of the lens mount 5.

This makes it possible to increase the size of the light transmission hole 13a, thereby improving the ease of attaching and detaching the optical filter 50 to and from the interchangeable lens 1 while still ensuring a sufficient optical effective diameter.

In addition, in the interchangeable lens 1, the terminal portion 9 is positioned on the second guide wall 22a side in the direction in which the first guide wall 20a and the second guide wall 22a are separated, and the distance from the center M of the lens mount 5 to the first guide wall 20a is greater than the distance from the center M of the lens mount 5 to the second guide wall 22a.

Therefore, in the direction in which the first guide wall 20a and the second guide wall 22a are separated, the distance from the lens mount 5 to the second guide wall 22a located on the terminal section 9 side is smaller than the distance from the lens mount 5 to the first guide wall 20a that is not located on the terminal section 9 side. This makes it possible to minimize the distance from the center M of the lens mount 5 to the terminal section 9, and improves the ease of inserting and removing the optical filter 50 into and from the interchangeable lens 1 while ensuring a sufficient optical effective diameter without increasing the size of the interchangeable lens 1.

Furthermore, in the interchangeable lens 1, a holding frame 13 having a holding surface 13c is provided on the holding body 12, and the holding frame 13, the first holding portion 14, and the second holding portion 15 are formed as separate members.

As a result, the holding frame 13, the first holding portion 14, and the second holding portion 15 are formed separately, which allows for greater freedom in designing the shape, size, and materials used to form the holding frame 13, the first holding portion 14, and the second holding portion 15.

In addition, in the interchangeable lens 1, the holding frame 13, the first holding portion 14, and the second holding portion 15 may be formed integrally.

By forming the holding frame 13, the first holding portion 14, and the second holding portion 15 integrally, the holding frame 13, the first holding portion 14, and the second holding portion 15 are formed simultaneously as the same member, which reduces the number of parts and reduces manufacturing costs.

In addition, the holding frame 13 and the first holding part 14 may be integrally formed, and the second holding part 15 may be formed as a separate member from the holding frame 13 and the first holding part 14, or the holding frame 13 and the second holding part 15 may be integrally formed, and the first holding part 14 may be formed as a separate member from the holding frame 13 and the second holding part 15, or the first holding part 14 and the second holding part 15 may be integrally formed, and the holding frame 13 may be formed as a separate member from the first holding part 14 and the second holding part 15. When the first holding part 14 and the second holding part 15 are integrally formed, and the holding frame 13 is formed as a separate member from the first holding part 14 and the second holding part 15, for example, a U-shaped holding member having the first holding part 14 and the second holding part 15 may be provided, and the opposing parts of the holding member may be provided as the first holding part 14 and the second holding part 15, respectively.

The optical filter 50 also includes a covering portion 51 that covers the light transmission hole 13a when held by the interchangeable lens 1, and a first pressed portion 52 and a second pressed portion 54 that are positioned on the opposite side of the covering portion 51 and at least a portion of which is pressed by the first holding portion 14 and the second holding portion 15, and the width of the first pressed portion is larger than the width of the second pressed portion in the direction in which the first pressed portion 52 and the second pressed portion 54 are separated, and a gripping allowance 53 is provided on the first pressed portion 52 side in the direction in which the first pressed portion 52 and the second pressed portion 54 are separated.

Therefore, since the gripping margin 53 is provided on the side of the first held portion 52, which has a width larger than the width of the second held portion 54 in the direction in which the first holding portion 14 and the second holding portion 15 are separated, it is possible to form a large gripping margin 53 on the end of the optical filter 50 on the first guide wall 20a side or the second guide wall 22a side that is farther from the center M of the lens mount 5, and the size of the light transmission hole 13a can be increased to ensure a sufficient optical effective diameter, thereby improving the ease of attachment and detachment of the optical filter 50 to and from the interchangeable lens 1.

Furthermore, the template 60 is formed with a cutout hole 61 for cutting the optical filter 50 into a predetermined shape using a cutting tool 80, and when inserted into the insertion spaces 24, 25, the optical filter 50 is guided by the first guide wall 20a and the second guide wall 22a and is used in the interchangeable lens 1 in a state where it covers the light transmission hole 13a.

Therefore, when the optical filter 50 formed by the cutting tool 80 using the cutout hole 61 is held on the holding surface 13c, the distance from the center M of the lens mount 5 to the outer periphery of the optical filter 50 on the side guided by the first guide wall 20a is different from the distance from the center M of the lens mount 5 to the outer periphery of the optical filter 50 on the side guided by the second guide wall 22a, so that it is possible to form a large gripping margin 53 at the end of the optical filter 50 on the first guide wall 20a side or the second guide wall 22a side that is farther from the center M of the lens mount 5.

This makes it possible to increase the size of the light transmission hole 13a, ensure a sufficient optical effective diameter, and improve the workability of attaching and detaching the optical filter 50 to and from the interchangeable lens 1. Note that, although the above example shows the light transmission hole 13a formed in a rectangular shape, the light transmission hole 13a may be formed in other shapes, such as a circular shape.

<One embodiment of the imaging device>
An example of the configuration of an embodiment of an imaging device according to the present technology will be described below (see FIG. 20 ).

The imaging device 100 is equipped with a camera block 90 that performs imaging functions, a camera signal processing unit 91 that performs signal processing such as analog-digital conversion of the captured image signal, and an image processing unit 92 that performs recording and playback processing of the image signal. The imaging device 100 also has a display unit 93 that displays the captured image, an R/W (reader/writer) 94 that writes and reads the image signal to the memory 99, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 95 that controls the entire imaging device 100, a lens drive control unit 96 that controls the drive of the lens arranged in the camera block 90, and an operation unit 97 (102) such as various switches that allow the user to perform required operations.

The camera block 90 is, for example, an interchangeable lens 1.

The imaging device 100 is provided with an imaging element 98 (104) such as a CCD or CMOS that converts the optical image captured by the camera block 90 into an electrical signal.

The camera signal processing unit 91 performs various signal processing operations on the output signal from the image sensor 98, such as converting the signal to a digital signal, removing noise, correcting image quality, and converting the signal to luminance and color difference signals.

The image processing unit 92 performs compression, encoding, decompression, and decoding of image signals based on a specified image data format, as well as conversion of data specifications such as resolution.

The display unit 93 has a function of displaying various data such as the operating status of the user on the operation unit 97 and the captured image. Note that the imaging device 100 does not necessarily need to be provided with the display unit 93, and may be configured so that the captured image data is sent to another display device and the image is displayed.

The R/W 94 writes image data encoded by the image processing unit 92 to the memory 99 and reads image data recorded in the memory 99.

The CPU 95 functions as a control processing unit that controls each circuit block provided in the imaging device 100, and controls each circuit block based on instruction input signals from the operation unit 97, etc.

The lens drive control unit 96 controls the drive source that moves the lens based on a control signal from the CPU 95.

The operation unit 97 outputs an instruction input signal to the CPU 95 in response to a user operation.

The memory 99 is, for example, a semiconductor memory that is removable from a slot connected to the R/W 94, or a semiconductor memory that is pre-installed inside the imaging device 100.

The operation of the imaging device 100 is described below.

In the standby state for shooting, under the control of the CPU 95, the captured image signal is output to the display unit 93 via the camera signal processing unit 91 and displayed as a camera-through image. In addition, when an instruction input signal is input from the operation unit 97, the CPU 95 outputs a control signal to the lens drive control unit 96, and the lens is moved under the control of the lens drive control unit 96.

When a photographing operation is performed by an instruction input signal from the operation unit 97, the photographed image signal is output from the camera signal processing unit 91 to the image processing unit 92, where it is compressed and encoded, and converted into digital data in a specified data format. The converted data is output to the R/W 94 and written to the memory 99.

When playing back image data recorded in memory 99, the R/W 94 reads out specific image data from memory 99 in response to an operation on the operation unit 97, and after the image processing unit 92 performs decompression and decoding processing, the playback image signal is output to the display unit 93, and the playback image is displayed.

In this technology, "imaging" refers to all or part of a series of processes, from photoelectric conversion processing in which the light captured by the image sensor 98 is converted into an electrical signal, to conversion of the output signal from the image sensor 98 into a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, noise removal, image quality correction, conversion into luminance and color difference signals, etc., compression encoding/decompression decoding processing of the image signal based on a predetermined image data format by the image processing unit 92, conversion processing of data specifications such as resolution, and writing processing of the image signal to memory 99 by the R/W 94.

That is, "imaging" may refer only to the photoelectric conversion process of converting the light captured by the imaging element 98 into an electrical signal, or may refer to the process from the photoelectric conversion process of converting the light captured by the imaging element 98 into an electrical signal to the process of converting the output signal from the imaging element 98 into a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, noise removal, image quality correction, conversion into luminance and color difference signals, etc. ... to the process of converting the light captured by the imaging element 98 into an electrical signal to the process of converting the output signal from the imaging element 98 into a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, noise removal, image quality correction, conversion into luminance and color difference signals, etc., to the process of It may refer to the process up to compression, encoding, decompression, and decoding of the image signal based on a predetermined image data format and conversion of data specifications such as resolution by the image sensor 98, through the photoelectric conversion process that converts the light captured by the image sensor 98 into an electrical signal, through the conversion of the output signal from the image sensor 98 to a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, noise removal, image quality correction, conversion to luminance and color difference signals, etc., and the compression, encoding, decompression, and decoding of the image signal based on a predetermined image data format by the image processing unit 92 and conversion of data specifications such as resolution, or it may refer to the process up to writing of the image signal to memory 99 by the R/W 94.

<This technology>
The present technology can be configured as follows.

(1)
a holder having a light transmission hole through which light from a subject captured via a lens passes, a holding surface for holding an optical filter covering the light transmission hole, and a first holding part and a second holding part positioned on opposite sides of the light transmission hole;
a lens mount attached to the holder and positioned on the outer periphery of the light transmitting hole;
a terminal portion located between the light transmitting hole and the lens mount and having a plurality of connection terminals arranged in a circumferential direction;
an insertion space into which a portion of the optical filter is inserted is formed by the holding surface and the first holding portion, and an insertion space into which a portion of the optical filter is inserted is formed by the holding surface and the second holding portion,
a first guide wall and a second guide wall for guiding the optical filter when the optical filter is inserted into the insertion space are formed on opposite sides of the light transmitting hole in the holder;
an interchangeable lens, wherein a distance from a center of the lens mount to the first guide wall is different from a distance from the center of the lens mount to the second guide wall.

(2)
the terminal portion is located on the second guide wall side in a direction in which the first guide wall and the second guide wall are spaced apart,
The interchangeable lens according to (1), wherein the distance from the center of the lens mount to the first guide wall is greater than the distance from the center of the lens mount to the second guide wall.

(3)
the light transmitting hole is formed in a shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction in accordance with the shape of the imaging element,
the first holding portion and the second holding portion are positioned apart from each other in a short-side direction of the light transmitting hole,
The interchangeable lens according to (1) or (2), wherein the optical filter is inserted into and removed from the insertion space in the longitudinal direction of the light transmission hole.

(4)
The interchangeable lens according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the holding surface is inclined so as to approach the lens in the optical axis direction of the lens as the holding surface advances in an insertion direction of the optical filter into the insertion space.

(5)
The holding body has a first portion and a second portion that are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction between the first holding portion and the terminal portion,
The lens mount is coupled to a mount portion of an imaging device by rotating the lens mount,
the second portion of the holder is positioned closer to a contact portion of the imaging device to be connected to the terminal portion than the first portion in a state before the holder is rotated;
the optical filter is inserted into the insertion space from the first portion side to the second portion side,
The interchangeable lens according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the holding surface is inclined so as to approach the lens in the optical axis direction of the lens as it goes from the first portion to the second portion.

(6)
The interchangeable lens according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the holder has a holding recess formed on the opposite side of the lens in the optical axis direction and into which the optical filter is inserted.

(7)
The optical filter is provided with a gripping portion that is gripped when the optical filter is inserted into or removed from the insertion space,
a width of the first guide wall in a direction in which the optical filter is inserted into and removed from the insertion space is smaller than a width of the second guide wall;
The interchangeable lens according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein a portion of the holding surface adjacent to the first guide wall in the insertion/removal direction is formed as a gripping position where the gripping margin is positioned.

(8)
The interchangeable lens according to (7) above, wherein a gripping inclined portion is formed at the gripping position.

(9)
a guide surface is formed on each of the first holding portion and the second holding portion, the guide surface being opposed to the holding surface;
The interchangeable lens according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the guide surface is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the holding surface in the insertion direction of the optical filter into the insertion space.

(10)
a holding frame having the holding surface is provided on the holding body;
The interchangeable lens according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the holding frame, the first holding portion, and the second holding portion are formed as separate members.

(11)
a holding frame having the holding surface is provided on the holding body;
The interchangeable lens according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the holding frame, the first holding portion, and the second holding portion are integrally formed.

(12)
an interchangeable lens having a light transmitting hole, a first holding portion, a second holding portion, and a holding surface, the first holding portion and the second holding portion being held on opposite sides of the light transmitting hole;
a covering portion that covers the light transmission hole when the interchangeable lens is held by the interchangeable lens, and a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion that are positioned on opposite sides of the covering portion and at least a portion of which is pressed by the first holding portion and the second holding portion,
The width of the first pressed portion is made larger than the width of the second pressed portion in a direction in which the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion are separated from each other,
An optical filter, comprising: a gripping portion provided on the first pressed portion side in a direction in which the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion are separated from each other.

(13)
a cutout hole is formed for cutting out an optical filter into a predetermined shape by a cutting tool, the optical filter being used in an interchangeable lens having a light transmission hole, a first holding portion, a second holding portion, a first guide wall, a second guide wall, and a holding surface, the first holding portion and the second holding portion being positioned on opposite sides of the light transmission hole;
the interchangeable lens has an insertion space formed by the holding surface and the first holding portion, and the holding surface and the second holding portion, respectively, and a distance from a center of a lens mount positioned on an outer circumferential side of the light transmitting hole to the first guide wall is different from a distance from the center of the lens mount to the second guide wall,
the template being used with the interchangeable lens in a state in which the optical filter, guided by the first guide wall and the second guide wall when inserted into the insertion space, covers the light transmitting hole.

100 Imaging device 103 Mount portion 104 Imaging element 105 Contact portion 1 Interchangeable lens 4b Rear lens 5 Lens mount 9 Terminal portion 10 Base portion 10a Insertion hole 11 Terminal 12 Holding body 13 Holding frame 13a Light transmission hole 13b Holding recess 13c Holding surface 14 First holding portion 15 Second holding portion 16b Gripping inclined portion 20a First guide wall 21a Guide surface 22a Second guide wall 23a Guide surface 24 Insertion space 25 Insertion space 50 Optical filter 51 Covering portion 52 First pressed portion 53 Gripping margin 54 Second pressed portion 60 Template 61 Cutting hole 80 Cutting jig 100B Imaging device 1B Interchangeable lens 100C Imaging device 1C Interchangeable lens 100D Imaging device 1D Interchangeable lens

Claims (10)

a holder having a light transmission hole through which light from a subject captured via a lens passes, a holding surface on which an optical filter covering the light transmission hole is detachably held, and a first holding part and a second holding part positioned on opposite sides of the light transmission hole;
a lens mount attached to the holder and positioned on the outer periphery of the light transmitting hole;
a terminal portion located between the light transmitting hole and the lens mount and having a plurality of connection terminals arranged in a circumferential direction;
an insertion space into which a portion of the optical filter is inserted is formed by the holding surface and the first holding portion, and an insertion space into which a portion of the optical filter is inserted is formed by the holding surface and the second holding portion,
a first guide wall and a second guide wall for guiding the optical filter when the optical filter is inserted into the insertion space are formed on opposite sides of the light transmitting hole in the holder;
a distance from a center of the lens mount to the first guide wall is different from a distance from a center of the lens mount to the second guide wall,
the terminal portion is located on the second guide wall side in a direction in which the first guide wall and the second guide wall are spaced apart, and is located between the second holding portion and the lens mount,
a distance from a center of the lens mount to the first guide wall is greater than a distance from a center of the lens mount to the second guide wall ;
The optical filter is provided with a gripping portion that is gripped when the optical filter is inserted into or removed from the insertion space,
a width of the first guide wall in a direction in which the optical filter is inserted into and removed from the insertion space is smaller than a width of the second guide wall;
a portion of the holding surface adjacent to the first guide wall in the insertion/removal direction is formed as a gripping position where the gripping margin is located,
The optical filter is held on the holding surface with a gap formed between the gripping portion and the holding body.
interchangeable lens. the light transmitting hole is formed in a shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction in accordance with the shape of the imaging element,
the first holding portion and the second holding portion are positioned apart from each other in a short-side direction of the light transmitting hole,
The interchangeable lens according to claim 1 , wherein the optical filter is inserted into and removed from the insertion space in the longitudinal direction of the light transmitting hole. The interchangeable lens according to claim 1 , wherein the holding surface is inclined so as to approach the lens in the optical axis direction of the lens toward an insertion direction of the optical filter into the insertion space. The holding body has a first portion and a second portion that are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction between the first holding portion and the terminal portion,
The lens mount is coupled to a mount portion of an imaging device by rotating the lens mount,
the second portion of the holder is positioned closer to a contact portion of the imaging device to be connected to the terminal portion than the first portion in a state before the holder is rotated;
the optical filter is inserted into the insertion space from the first portion side to the second portion side,
The interchangeable lens according to claim 1 , wherein the holding surface is inclined so as to approach the lens in the optical axis direction of the lens as it goes from the first portion to the second portion. The interchangeable lens according to claim 1 , wherein the holder has a holding recess formed on the opposite side to the lens in the optical axis direction and into which the optical filter is inserted. A gripping ramp is formed at the gripping position.
The interchangeable lens according to claim 1 . a guide surface is formed on each of the first holding portion and the second holding portion, the guide surface being opposed to the holding surface;
The interchangeable lens according to claim 1 , wherein the guide surface is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the holding surface in a direction in which the optical filter is inserted into the insertion space. a holding frame having the holding surface is provided on the holding body;
The interchangeable lens according to claim 1 , wherein the holding frame, the first holding portion, and the second holding portion are formed as separate members. a holding frame having the holding surface is provided on the holding body;
The interchangeable lens according to claim 1 , wherein the holding frame, the first holding portion, and the second holding portion are integrally formed. the lens is detachably held by an interchangeable lens having a holder having a light transmitting hole, a first holding portion, a second holding portion, and a holding recess having a holding surface, the first holding portion and the second holding portion being positioned on opposite sides of the light transmitting hole;
a covering portion that covers the light transmission hole when the interchangeable lens is held by the interchangeable lens, and a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion that are positioned on opposite sides of the covering portion and at least a portion of which is pressed by the first holding portion and the second holding portion,
The width of the first pressed portion is made larger than the width of the second pressed portion in a direction in which the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion are separated from each other,
A gripping margin is provided on the first held portion side in a direction in which the first held portion and the second held portion are separated from each other,
The first pressed portion and the gripping portion are provided side by side in a mounting/removal direction of the interchangeable lens,
The portion other than the gripping margin is positioned in the holding recess , and the interchangeable lens is held in a state in which a gap is formed between the gripping margin and the holder.
Optical filters.

Images