CAMERA

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly relates to a camera having a bending optical system.

BACKGROUND ART

Recent years have witnessed the growing popularity of digital cameras, which make use of image pickup elements such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor to convert an optical image into an electrical signal, and digitize and record this electrical signal. With such digital cameras, there is a need not only to increase the number of pixels of the CCD or CMOS sensor, but also to improve the performance of the lens barrel that forms the optical image on these image sensors. More specifically, there is a need for a lens barrel equipped with a high-power zoom lens system.

Meanwhile, the housing of a digital camera needs to be made more compact in order to make the camera more portable. Therefore, there is a need for a reduced size image pickup device equipped with a lens barrel and image pickup elements, which is believed to contribute greatly to reducing the size of the body. In these efforts to obtain a smaller image pickup device, what is known as a bending optical system has been proposed, in which the size of the device is reduced by bending the zoom lens system on its optical path, without changing the optical length.

For instance, Patent Document 1 discloses a bending optical system in which a reflecting mirror is used to bend the optical path. More specifically, the lens barrel disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a first lens group and a second lens group, in order from the subject side, on the subject side of the reflecting mirror, and is equipped with a third lens group and a fourth lens group, in order from the reflecting mirror side, on the image pickup element side of the reflecting mirror. The first lens group is fixed. The second lens group and third lens group are each capable of moving in the optical axis direction, and a zoom lens system is constituted by the joint movements of these lens groups. The fourth lens group is used for focal adjustment.

Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a bending optical system in which a prism is used to bend the optical path. More specifically, the lens barrel disclosed in Patent Document 2 is equipped with a lens group on the subject side of the prism. The lens group is capable of moving in the optical axial direction between a usage position and a stowed position. The prism is also capable of moving so as to ensure enough room for storage when the lens group is in the stowed position.

Patent Document 3 discloses a constitution of a lens group used in a bending optical system.

However, further improvement will be required before the need for a high-power zoom lens system and the need for a small size can both be achieved at the same time.

More specifically, with the constitutions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is difficult to obtain a high-power zoom lens system while at the same time reducing the size of the device. Furthermore, even if the lens configuration disclosed in Patent Document 3 is employed, no constitution for reducing the size of the device is disclosed, and the specific device constitution is unclear.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 11-258678

Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2003-169236

Patent Document 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2004-102089

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Meanwhile, also in the field of the digital camera having the bending optical system, there is a demand for further miniaturization.

Consequently, an object of this invention is to provide a further miniaturized camera, having the bending optical system.

A camera according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an imaging device, a casing, a battery, a memory, and a circuit board. The imaging device includes a lens barrel having a bending optical system bending a light flux incident along a first optical axis into a direction along a second optical axis intersecting the first optical axis, and an imaging component receiving a light flux taken in by the bending optical system. The casing retains the imaging device. The battery is disposed inside the casing, and drives the imaging device. The memory is disposed inside the casing, and stores the light flux received by the imaging component as an electrical signal. The circuit board is disposed inside the casing. At least one of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board is disposed so that the section thereof parallel to a plane including the first optical axis and the second optical axis is approximately rectangular, and the longitudinal direction of the section is approximately parallel to a direction along the first optical axis.

Here, the phrase “along the first optical axis” means, for example, being parallel to the first optical axis. In addition, the phrase “along the second optical axis” means, for example, being parallel to the second optical axis. The bending optical system, for example, includes a member having a reflecting surface, and more specifically, may include a prism, a mirror, or the like. The imaging component may be, for example, a CCD, or a CMOS for receiving light electrically.

With the camera of the present invention, the dimension of the casing in the second optical axis direction can be reduced, compared to the case of all of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board disposed with the longitudinal direction of the sections thereof parallel to a direction along the second optical axis.

In the camera according to a second aspect of the present invention, at least two of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board are disposed side by side in a direction along the second optical axis, and the sections thereof parallel to a plane including the first optical axis and the second optical axis are each approximately rectangular, and the longitudinal direction of each of the sections is approximately parallel to a direction along the first optical axis.

In the camera according to a third aspect of the present invention, at least two of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board are approximately plate-like members, and the surfaces with the largest area thereof are parallel with each other, and disposed to be parallel to the first optical axis.

With the camera of the present invention, at least two of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board are disposed with each of the surfaces with the largest area thereof facing each other.

In the camera according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the battery and the circuit board are disposed adjacent to each other.

The battery is made up of a capacitor, and the circuit board is also equipped with a plurality of capacitors. Normally, the lower the temperature gets, the lower the capacity of a capacitor is. That is, a capacitor discharges the stored electricity when temperature lowers. Meanwhile, the circuit board and the battery produce heat when power is distributed (when in use).

With the camera of the present invention, since the battery is disposed adjacent to the circuit board, both members can lessen the lowering of temperature of the other by both producing heat off, even in a low temperature environment, and the electrical discharge of the capacitors can be reduced. Consequently, the battery can be long lasting and can be used for a long time, even when it is used under a low temperature environment, such as during the winter season or in a ski area.

In the camera according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a grip portion used for holding the casing is formed on an end portion on the imaging component side in a direction along the second optical axis of the casing. At least one of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board is disposed inside the grip portion.

The grip portion is, for example, formed protruding out more than the front surface or the rear surface of the casing.

With the camera of the present invention, one of any of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board is disposed inside the grip portion. The one of any of the battery, the memory, or the circuit board disposed inside the grip portion is disposed so that the section thereof parallel to a plane including the first optical axis and the second optical axis is approximately rectangular, and the longitudinal direction of the section is approximately parallel to a direction along the first optical axis. For this reason, the disposition efficiency of the constituent members in the casing including the grip portion can be improved, and consequently, the dimension of the camera can be miniaturized.

In the camera according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a protruding portion protruding out on the end portion on the imaging component side is formed on the imaging device. At least one of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board is disposed in a position where the protruding portion and the second optical axis direction position overlap, and a position not interfering with the protruding portion.

An actuator for driving a lens disposed on the second optical axis is stored in the protruding portion, for instance.

With the camera of the present invention, one of any of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board is disposed on a position overlapping the second optical axis direction position of the protruding portion. The one of any of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board disposed this way is disposed so that the section thereof parallel to a plane including the first optical axis and the second optical axis is approximately rectangular, and the longitudinal direction of the section is approximately parallel to a direction along the first optical axis. For this reason, the disposition efficiency of the constituent members in the casing can be improved, and consequently, the dimension of the camera can be miniaturized.

In camera according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes an imaging device, a casing, a battery, and a circuit board. The imaging device includes a lens barrel having a bending optical system bending a light flux incident along a first optical axis into a direction along a second optical axis intersecting the first optical axis, and an imaging component receiving a light flux taken in by the bending optical system. The casing retains the imaging device. The battery is disposed inside the casing for driving the imaging device. The circuit board is disposed inside the casing. The battery and the circuit board are disposed adjacent to each other.

The camera according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes an imaging device and a casing. The imaging device includes a lens barrel having a bending optical system bending a light flux incident along a first optical axis into a direction along a second optical axis intersecting the first optical axis, and formed with a retaining frame protruding out to the front side for retaining a lens disposed on the first optical axis, and an imaging component receiving a light flux taken in by the bending optical system. The casing retains the imaging device. At least a portion of the casing and the retaining frame are approximately evenly lined up in a plane, when not in use.

The front surface here means, for example, the surface facing the subject side when photographing. In addition, when not in use means when photographing is not performed, and means a time such as when the power of the camera is not turned on. Furthermore, a portion and some other portion being “evenly lined up in a plane” refers to the portions are each on a same plane (for example, on a plane parallel to the front surface of the camera), for example, (same hereinafter).

With the camera of the present invention, since at least a portion of the casing and the retaining frame are approximately evenly lined up in a plane, when the camera is not in use (when being put away), something three dimensional for enclosing the camera is approximately in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and there is not a portion protruding out unnecessarily. Consequently, this makes the storage thereof easy when storing it in a case or when storing it in a bag.

In the camera according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the retaining frame protrudes out more than the front surface of the casing when not in use. A grip portion is formed on the casing, on an end portion on the side of the imaging component in a direction along the second optical axis, protruding out more than the front surface of the casing, for holding the casing. The retaining frame and the grip portion are approximately evenly lined up in a plane when not in use.

Here, the front surface of the casing is the surface facing the subject side when photographing.

With the camera of the present invention, since the grip portion as a portion of the casing and the retaining frame are approximately evenly lined up in a plane, when the camera is not in use (when being put away), something three dimensional for enclosing the camera is approximately in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and there is not a portion protruding out unnecessarily. Consequently, this makes the storage thereof easy when storing it in a case or when storing it in a bag.

The camera according to a tenth aspect of the present invention further includes a battery, a memory, and a circuit board. The battery is disposed inside the casing for driving the imaging device. The memory is disposed inside the casing for storing a light flux received by the imaging component as an electrical signal. The circuit board is disposed inside the casing. At least one of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board is disposed on the side of the imaging component in a direction along the second optical axis, with respect to the retaining frame. The retaining frame and the casing are approximately evenly lined up in a plane when not in use.

With the camera of the present invention, since the casing and the retaining frame are approximately evenly lined up in a plane, when the camera is not in use (when being put away), the outer shape of the camera is approximately a rectangular parallelepiped, and there is not a portion protruding out unnecessarily. Consequently, this makes the storage thereof easy when storing it in a case or when storing it in a bag. In addition, at least one of the battery, the memory, and the circuit board is disposed on the side of the imaging component in a direction along the second optical axis, with respect to the retaining frame, and the disposition efficiency of the constituent members can be improved in the casing, and consequently, the dimension of the camera can be miniaturized.

In the camera according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the casing includes a casing main body retaining the imaging device, and an image display portion mounted on the casing main body rotatably from the front side to the rear side around an axis parallel to the second optical axis. If the image display portion is positioned on the front side, the retaining frame and the image display portion are approximately evenly lined up in a plane.

Here, the image display portion is folded to the front side when not in use, and unfolded to the rear side when in use, for instance. The image display portion has a liquid crystal display, or the like, and is used as a viewfinder during photographing, for instance.

With the camera of the present invention, the image display portion as a portion of the casing and the retaining frame are approximately evenly lined up in a plane, when the image display portion is not in use. For this reason, when the camera is not in use (when being put away) something three dimensional for enclosing the camera is approximately in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and there is not a portion protruding out unnecessarily. Consequently, this makes the storage thereof easy when storing it in a case or when storing it in a bag.

The camera according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention includes a first lens group, a bending component, a second lens group, an imaging component, and a driving component. The first lens group receives in a light flux incident along a first optical axis. The bending component refracts the light flux incident along the first optical axis to a direction along a second optical axis intersecting the first optical axis. The second lens group receives in the light flux refracted by the bending component. The imaging component receives the light flux passed through the second lens group. The driving component drives at least a portion of the first lens group along the first optical axis. At least a portion of the driving component is disposed in a position facing a direction along the first optical axis, sandwiching a bending surface included in the bending component, with respect to the first lens group.

Here, the driving component may include a motor for generating the driving force, and a driving force transmitting component such as a driving gear for transmitting the generated driving force to a first movement mechanism, for instance.

With an optical system not having a bending surface, it is difficult to dispose the driving component facing the direction along the first optical axis with respect to the first lens group. Meanwhile, in this invention, a bending surface slanting around an axis orthogonal to the first optical axis and the second optical axis with respect to the first optical axis is included. At least a portion of the driving component is disposed facing a direction along the first optical axis with respect to the first lens group, and sandwiches this bending surface. That is, the slanted space on the opposite side from the first lens group side with respect of the bending surface can be used to dispose the driving component. For this reason, the efficiency in space utilization is enhanced, and the camera can be miniaturized, especially the miniaturization thereof in the direction along the second optical axis. In addition, the motor especially of the driving component may be disposed entirely facing the direction along the first lens group and the first optical axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital camera;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital camera;

FIGS. 3A to 3C are transparent views showing the general configuration of the main body;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the assembly of the imaging device;

FIG. 5 is an illustration showing the configuration of the optical system (wide angle end);

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the configuration of the optical system (wide angle end);

FIG. 7 is an illustration showing the configuration of the optical system (telescopic end);

FIG. 8 is an illustration showing the configuration of the optical system (telescopic end);

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an imaging device;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a first group frame unit;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a base unit;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a second group frame unit;

FIG. 13 is a section view of the second group frame unit;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a rod unit;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the assembly of the rod unit;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the assembling state of the third group frame unit and the base unit;

FIG. 17 is an illustration for describing the operation of the third group movement mechanism;

FIG. 18 is an illustration for describing the operation of the third group movement mechanism (wide angle end);

FIG. 19 is an illustration for describing the operation of the third group movement mechanism (wide angle side);

FIG. 20 is an illustration for describing the operation of the third group movement mechanism (normal position);

FIG. 21 is an illustration for describing the operation of the third group movement mechanism (telescopic side);

FIG. 22 is an illustration for describing the operation of the third group movement mechanism (telescopic end);

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the third group frame unit;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth group frame unit;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a master flange unit;

FIG. 26 includes illustrations for describing the operation of the lens barrel;

FIG. 27 is an illustration for describing the positional relationship between the second group frame unit and the third group frame unit;

FIG. 28 is an illustration for describing the positional relationship between the second group frame unit and the third group frame unit;

FIG. 29 is an illustration for describing the positional relationship between the second group frame unit and the third group frame unit;

FIG. 30 is an illustration for describing the disposition of a motor unit;

FIGS. 31A to 31C are elevation views and a transparent view showing the appearance and the configuration of a digital camera, as a shape alteration example;

FIG. 32 is a transparent view showing the configuration of a digital camera, as a shape alteration example;

FIG. 33 is a transparent view showing the configuration of a digital camera, as a shape alteration example; and

FIG. 34 is a transparent view showing the configuration of a digital camera, as a shape alteration example.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1, 301 Digital camera

2 Imaging device

11, 302 Outer case

18 Image display portion

21 Sub-substrate

22 Battery

24 Memory card 24

31 Lens barrel

33 CCD unit

41 First group frame unit

42 Second group frame unit

G1 First lens group

G3 Third lens group

A1 First optical axis

A2 Second optical axis

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

1: Summary

An embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 1 to 34.

The digital camera of this invention adopts the bending optical system in the optical system, and is formed with a lens barrel on the subject side able to draw out in multistage. As a result, the high magnification zoom lens system is realized simultaneously with the realization of the miniaturization of the device.

Furthermore, through the disposition of the constituent members, the digital camera of the present invention is mainly characterized by the miniaturization of the main body and the long life of the battery. The details will be described in “4.7: Operation of the Lens Barrel” using FIG. 30, and in “6.1” and “6.5” of “6: Other Matter ” using FIGS. 31A to 34.

2: Digital Camera

The digital camera in a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3C.

2.1: Configuration of the Digital Camera

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior outside of a digital camera 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

The digital camera 1 includes an imaging device 2 and a main body 3. The imaging device 2 has a bending optical system bending the light flux incident along the first optical axis A1 to a direction along a second optical axis A2 perpendicular to the first optical axis A1 and leading the light flux to an image sensor. The main body 3 accommodates the imaging device 2, and performs control or the like on the imaging device 2.

First, before describing detailed configuration of the imaging device 2, the configuration of the main body 3 will be described.

In addition, in the following description, the six faces of the digital camera 1 will be defined as follows.

The side facing the subject during image capture with the digital camera 1 is termed the front side, while the opposite side is termed the rear side. When image capture is performed so that the vertical top and bottom of the subject coincide with the top and bottom in the short side direction of the rectangular image captured with the digital camera 1 (the aspect ratio (ratio of long side to short side) is generally, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, etc.), the side facing upward in the vertical direction is termed the top side. The side opposite to the top side is termed the bottom side. Furthermore, when image capture is performed so that the vertical top and bottom of the subject coincide with the top and bottom in the short side direction of the rectangular image captured with the digital camera 1, the side on the left when viewed from the subject side is termed the left side, and the opposite side is termed the right side. The above definitions do not limit the orientation in which the digital camera 1 is used.

According to the above definitions, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front side, top side, and left side.

In addition, to the six sides of the digital camera 1, the six sides of the various constituent components disposed in the digital camera 1 are also defined likewise. In other words, the above definitions are applied to the six sides of the various constituent components in a state of being disposed in digital camera 1.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the three sizeal perpendicular coordinate system (right-handed system) having a Y axis parallel to the first optical axis A1 and an X axis parallel to the second optical axis A2 will be defined. According to this definition, the Y axis positive direction is the direction from the rear side to the front side along the first optical axis A1, the X axis positive direction is the direction from the right side to the left side along the second optical axis A2, and the Z axis positive direction is the direction from the bottom side to the upper side along the perpendicular axis perpendicular to the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2.

A description will be made below based on this XYZ coordinate system in each figure. In other words, the X axis positive direction, Y axis positive direction, and Z axis positive direction in each figure are each showing the same direction.

2.2: Configuration of the Main Body

The configuration of the main body 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIGS. 3A to 3C.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the exterior outside of the rear side, upper side, and right side of the digital camera 1.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are perspective plans roughly showing the configuration of the main body 3. FIG. 3A is a perspective plan showing the configuration of a member disposed on the Y axis direction positive side (front side). FIG. 3B is a perspective plan showing the configuration of a member disposed on the Z axis direction negative side (bottom side). FIG. 3C is a perspective plan showing the configuration of a member disposed on the Y axis direction negative side (rear side).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3C, the main body 3 mainly includes an outer case 11 and a grip portion 12 forming the chassis for storing the imaging device 2, a flash lamp 15 disposed on the surface of the outer case 11, a release button 16, an operation dial 17 and an image display portion 18, a main condenser 20 disposed inside the chassis formed by the outer case 11 and the grip portion 12, a sub-substrate 21, a battery 22, a main substrate 23 and a memory card 24.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer case 11 is a housing which is substantially in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, long in the second optical axis A2 direction. On the X axis direction positive side, the grip portion 12 is disposed to protrude out in the Y axis direction from the outer case 11 so that the user can hold on to it when photographing. This makes the outer case 11 and the grip portion 12 form a hollow chassis which is substantially in an L-shape. From the outer case 11, a stationary frame 52 (refer to FIG. 9) of the imaging device 2, which will be described later makes a portion of the cylindrical portion 125 thereof (refer to FIG. 10) protrude to the Y axis direction positive side. In addition, on the front side of the outer case 11, the flash lamp 15 is disposed. The flash lamp 15 flashes when necessary such as when the object is dark, and irradiates the object to aid the exposure thereof. In addition, on the upper side of the outer case 11 on the side of the grip portion 12, the release button 16 and the operation dial 17 are disposed. The release button 16 is pressed down toward the Z axis direction negative side when executing a photographing operation. The operation dial 17 is used to set various settings such as the setting for the photographing operation.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, on the rear side of the outer case 11, the image display portion 18 is provided as a visual unit for a user or the like to view the image captured by the imaging device 2. The image display portion 18 has a rectangular outer shape such as, for example, an aspect ratio (ratio of long side to narrow side) of 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 or the like, and is provided so that the long side direction thereof is substantially parallel to the direction along the second optical axis A2 (X axis direction).

Note that, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show only the main members disposed on the surface of the outer case 11, and members other than the above described members may be provided.

Next, the interior configuration of the main body 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C.

As shown in FIG. 3A, on the Y axis direction positive side inside the main body 3, the imaging device 2 which is long in the second optical axis A2 direction (X axis direction positive side) is disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof follows along the longitudinal direction of the outer case 11. The imaging device 2 is disposed in the main body 3 so that a first group frame unit 41 retaining a first lens group G1 facing the object is located on the X axis direction negative side of the imaging device 2. By doing so, the distance in the X axis direction from the first lens group G1 to the grip portion 12 is secured.

Furthermore, on the Z axis direction positive side of the imaging device 2, the flash lamp 15, the main condenser 20, and the sub-substrate 21 are disposed. The main condenser 20 provides flash light energy to the flash lamp 15, through the electric charge from a battery 22 which will be described later. The sub-substrate 21 transforms voltage when necessary of the electric power from the battery 22 which will be described later, and controls the flash lamp 15. In addition, on the Y axis direction positive side inside the grip portion 12, the battery 22 is disposed as the electric power supply for operating the digital camera 1.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3(b) and (c), a main substrate 23 is disposed on the Y axis direction negative side of the imaging device 2. An image processing circuit which processes image signals from the imaging device 2, a control circuit for controlling the imaging device 2, or the like are implemented in the main substrate 23. In addition, a memory card 24 is disposed on the Y axis direction negative side of the battery 22. The memory card 24 records image signals from the imaging device 2.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and (b), the imaging device 2 is formed to have a width in the Z axis direction thereof (Wz) which is greater than the width in the Y axis direction (Wy).

3: Imaging Device

3.1: Configuration of the Imaging Device

The configuration of the imaging device 2 attached in the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views is a perspective view of the assembly of the imaging device 2. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the front side, upper side, and the left side of the imaging device 2, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the front side, upper side, and the right side of the imaging device 2.

The imaging device 2 includes a lens barrel 31 having an optical system 35, a motor unit 32 having a zoom motor 36 which drives the lens barrel 31, and a CCD unit 33 having a CCD 37 as an imaging unit receiving the light flux passing through the lens barrel 31.

The lens barrel 31 is mechanistically characterized in that it includes a multistage retractable lens frame which is retractable and extendable in multistage in the first optical axis A1 direction, and is optically characterized in which it includes an optical system 35 which includes the bending optical system. The optical system 35 includes 5 groups including 12 pieces of optical elements (lens and prisms) which realize a high magnification zoom which is beyond 3 times optical zoom (for example, in the range of 6 times to 12 times optical zoom). With this configuration, the lens barrel 31 takes in the light flux incident along the first optical axis A1, and bends the light flux incident along the first optical axis A1 in a direction along the second optical axis A2 intersecting with the first optical axis A1, and furthermore, leads the light flux bent in the direction along the second optical axis A2 to CCD 37.

The motor unit 32 mainly includes, for example, a zoom motor 36 such as a DC motor, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) (not shown in the figure) electrically connecting the zoom motor 36 to the main substrate 23 (refer to FIGS. 3A to 3C), and a photo sensor (not shown in the figure) provided to measure the position from the original point of the lens in the lens barrel 31 by the measurement of the motor rotation frequency of the zoom motor 36. The zoom motor 36 drives the lens barrel 31, and moves the optical system 35 between the wide angle end and the telephoto end. By doing so, the optical system 35 included in the lens barrel 31 operates as a zoom lens system to change the imaging magnification of the light flux in CCD 37. The photo sensor operates as follows. The photo sensor is a pair of transmission type photo sensor provided entering from the outside of the motor box (gear box). The photo sensor has a square U-shape, and a pair of light emitting element and light receiving element are provided on the opposite ends of the photo sensor. It is so configured that a gear directly coupled to the zoom motor 36 passes through between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and by counting the number of times which the gear interrupts the space between this light emitting element and light receiving element per unit time, and therefore it is possible to count the number of rotations of the zoom motor without contact.

The CCD unit 33 is mainly made up of the CCD 37 which converts the received light flux passing through the lens barrel 31 into an electrical signal, a CCD plate 38 for fixing CCD 37 to the lens barrel 31, and an FPC (not shown in the figure) electrically connecting CCD 37 to the main substrate 23 (refer to FIGS. 3A to 3C).

3.2: Optical System

3.2.1: Configuration of Optical System

Before describing in detail the configuration of the imaging device 2, the configuration of the optical system 35 included in the lens barrel 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show the configuration of the optical system 35 included in the lens barrel 31. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the arrangement of the optical system 35 when the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the arrangement of the optical system 35 when the optical system 35 is located at the telephoto end. FIGS. 5 and 7 show the arrangement of the optical system 35 when viewed from the same point as in FIG. 4. FIGS. 6 and 8 are sectional views in a plane including the optical axes of the optical system 35 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the optical system 35 is made up of a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, an exposure-adjustment member St (refer to FIG. 6 or FIG. 8), a third lens group G3, a fourth lens group G4, a fifth lens group G5 and an IR filter F1 (refer to FIG. 6 or FIG. 8) in order from the side of the object, and the optical system 35 is so configured that the light flux incident from the first lens group G1 passes through each of the lens groups G1 through G5 and the IR filter F1, and is conducted to the CCD 37. In addition, each of the lens groups G1 to G5 configures the zoom lens system by changing the distance between each of the lens groups.

The first lens group G1 has positive optical power as a whole, and includes a first lens L1, a second lens L2 and a third lens L3 disposed in order from the side of the object on the first optical axis A1.

The first lens L1 is a concave meniscus lens having the convex surface facing to the side of the object. The second lens L2 is a plane-convex lens having the convex surface facing to the side of the object. The third lens L3 is a convex meniscus lens having the convex surface facing to the side of the object.

The second lens group G2 has negative optical power as a whole, and includes a fourth lens L4 disposed on the first optical axis A1, a prism L5 bending the light flux incident along the first optical axis A1 to a direction along the second optical axis A2 which is substantially perpendicular to the first optical axis A1, a sixth lens L6 disposed on the second optical axis A2, and a seventh lens L7.

The fourth lens L4 is a concave meniscus lens with the convex surface facing the side of the object. The prism L5 includes a reflecting surface L5a (refer to FIG. 6 or FIG. 8) which reflects the light flux incident along the first optical axis A1 to a direction along the second optical axis A2 which is substantially perpendicular to the first optical axis A1. In addition, although a prism L5, in particular, an internal reflection prism is here used, any of a surface reflection prism, an internal reflection mirror and a surface reflection mirror with the same functions may be adopted. The sixth lens L6 is a biconcave lens. The seventh lens L7 is a biconvex lens.

The exposure-adjustment member St (refer to FIG. 6 or FIG. 8) is disposed on the second optical axis A2, and is a member such as an aperture or a shutter adjusting the amount of light incident into the CCD 37 along the second optical axis A2.

The third lens group G3 has positive optical power as a whole, and includes an eighth lens L8, a ninth lens L9 and a tenth lens L10.

The eighth lens L8 is a plane-convex lens having the convex surface facing to the side of the prism L5. The ninth lens L9 is a biconvex lens. The tenth lens L10 is a biconcave lens.

The fourth lens group G4 is used for focusing, and includes an eleventh lens L11 disposed on the second optical axis A2. The eleventh lens L11 is a convex meniscus lens having the convex surface facing to the side of the prism L5.

The fifth lens group G5 includes a twelfth lens L12 disposed on the second optical axis A2. The twelfth lens L12 is a biconvex lens.

The IR filter F1 (refer to FIG. 6 or FIG. 8) is a filter blocking off invisible light in the infrared region incident into the CCD 37. In addition, in the optical system 35, an optical lowpass filter may be disposed in the second optical axis A2 direction of the IR filter F1 (X axis direction positive side). The optical lowpass filter is a filter for removing the high spatial frequency component of the light flux incident into the CCD 37, and it is a filter for eliminating false color.

In addition, the configurations of the lenses including each of the lens groups G1 to G5 are not limited to those described above. It is possible to adopt another lens configuration, as long as the configuration has the same optical effects.

3.2.2: Operation of the Optical System

With Reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, the operation of the optical system 35 will be described.

As described above, FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of each of the lens groups G1 to G5 when the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end. FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of each of the lens groups G1 to G5 when the optical system 35 is located at the telephoto end.

The first lens group G1 is movable in the first optical axis A1 direction. When the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end, it is located at a place nearest to the second lens group G2 (refer to FIG. 6) within the movable range. When the optical system 35 is located at the telephoto end, it is located at a place farthest away from the second lens group G2 (refer to FIG. 8) within the movable range.

The second lens group G2, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, is relatively stationary with respect to the CCD 37, at the time of zooming of the optical system 35 from the wide angle end to the telephoto end.

The third lens group G3 is movable with the exposure-adjustment member St in the second optical axis A2 direction. When the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end, the third lens group G3 is located at a place farthest away from the second lens group G2 (refer to FIG. 6) within the movable range. When the optical system 35 is located at the telephoto end, the third lens group G3 is located at a place nearest to the second lens group G2 (refer to FIG. 8) within the movable range.

The fourth lens group G4 is movable in the second optical axis A2 direction. The fourth lens group G4 performs the focusing operation, and corrects the out-of-focus state caused by the changes in imaging magnification due to the movement of first lens group G1 and the third lens group G3.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the fifth lens group G5 and the IR filter F1 are relatively stationary with respect to the CCD 37, when zooming with the optical system 35 from the wide angle end to the telephoto end.

Each of the lens groups G1 to G5 operates as described above. In particular, the first lens group G1 and the third lens group G3 moves in cooperation with each other, and changes the imaging magnification in the CCD 37.

In addition, in the lens barrel 31, the location of each of the lens groups G1 to G5 when the multistage retractable lens frame is retracted corresponds to the location of each of the lens groups G1 to G5 when the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end.

4: Lens barrel

4.1: Configuration of the Lens Barrel

The configuration of the imaging device 2, mainly the configuration of the lens barrel 31 will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device 2 when viewed from the same point as in FIG. 4A.

The lens barrel 31 is made up of a first group frame unit 41 retaining the first lens group G1, a base unit 43 to which a second group frame unit 42 retaining the second lens group G2 is fixed, a third group frame unit 44 retaining the exposure-adjustment member St and the third lens group G3, a fourth group frame unit 45 retaining the fourth lens group G4, and a master flange unit 46 retaining the fifth lens group G5.

The first group frame unit 41 is mainly made up of the first lens group G1 disposed on the first optical axis A1, a first group frame 50 retaining the first lens group G1, a driving frame 51 supporting the first group frame 50 to be movable in the first optical axis A1 direction (Y axis direction), a stationary frame 52 supporting the driving frame 51 to be movable in the first optical axis A1 direction (Y axis direction), and a driving gear 53 disposed to be rotatable along the Y axis direction between the stationary frame 52 and the base unit 43 and transmitting the driving force of the motor unit 32 to the driving frame 51.

The stationary frame 52 is fixed to the second group frame unit 42 retaining the second lens group G2. When the stationary frame 52 is fixed, the positions in the Z axis direction and X axis direction are determined so that the optical axis of the first lens group G1 and the optical axis of the fourth lens L4 of the second lens group G2 coincide with each other.

The base unit 43 is mainly made up of a base 55 making up the chassis of the lens barrel 31, a cover 56 making up the chassis with the base 55 and covering the front side of the base 55, the second group frame unit 42 fixed to the base 55, a third group movement mechanism 57 moving the third group frame unit 44 accommodated inside the chassis made up of the base 55 and the cover 56 along the second optical axis A2 direction (X axis direction), and a photo sensor 58 detecting the X axis direction position of the third group frame unit 44.

A motor unit 32 driving the driving gear 53 to rotate is attached on the X axis direction negative side of the base unit 43. The driving force of the motor unit 32 is transmitted to the third group movement mechanism 57 via the driving gear 53. The master flange unit 46 covering the X axis direction positive side of the base unit 43 is fixed on the X axis direction positive side of the base unit 43.

The third group frame unit 44 is mainly made up of a shutter unit 60 provided on the second optical axis A2 and including the exposure-adjustment member St performing the shutter operation and the aperture operation, the third lens group G3, an image blur correction mechanism 61 retaining the third lens group G3 to be movable in the Y axis direction and the Z axis direction, and a third group frame 62 supporting the shutter unit 60 and the image blur correction mechanism 61.

The third group frame 62 is fixed to the third group movement mechanism 57 of the base unit 43, and is driven to the X axis direction. When the third group frame 62 is fixed, the positions in the Y axis direction and the Z axis direction are determined so that the optical axis when the third lens group G3 is located at the center in the movable range coincides with the optical axes of the sixth lens L6 and the seventh lens L7 of the second lens group G2. Furthermore, the third group frame 62 is slidably fitted to third group guide poles 70, 71 extending on the X axis direction negative side from the master flange unit 46 which will be described later. This allows the third group frame unit 44 to move only in the X axis direction, that is, the second optical axis A2 direction.

The fourth group frame unit 45 is mainly made up of the fourth lens group G4, the fourth group frame 66 retaining the fourth lens group G4, a sensor magnet 67 and a coil 68 fixed to the fourth group frame 66.

The fourth group frame 66 is slidably fitted to the fourth group guide poles 72, 73 extending on the X axis direction negative side from the master flange unit 46 which will be described later. As a result, the fourth group frame 66 is positioned in the Y axis direction and the Z axis direction so that the optical axis of the fourth lens group G4 coincides with the optical axes of the sixth lens L6 and the seventh lens L7 of the second lens group G2, and is movable only in the X axis direction, that is, the second optical axis A2 direction.

The master flange unit 46 is mainly made up of the fifth lens group G5, a master flange 75 retaining the fifth lens group G5, the third group guide poles 70, 71 and the fourth group guide poles 72, 73 extending on the X axis direction negative side and fixed to the master flange 75, the IR filter F1 attached from the X axis direction positive side via a cushion rubber 80, a magnetic member 76 driving the fourth group frame unit 45 in cooperation with the coil 68, and an MR sensor 77 detecting the magnetism of the sensor magnet 67 and senses the X direction position of the fourth group frame unit 45.

The master flange 75 is fixed on the X axis direction positive side of the base 55. When the master flange 75 is fixed, the positions in the Y axis direction and the Z axis direction are determined so that the optical axis of the fifth lens group G5 coincides with the optical axes of the sixth lens L6 and the seventh lens L7 of the second lens group G2. Furthermore, a CCD unit 33 is fixed on the X axis direction positive side of the master flange unit 46.

The components included in the lens barrel 31 will be described in detail below.

4.2: First Group Frame Unit

4.2.1: Configuration of the First Group Frame Unit

The configuration of the first group frame unit 41 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the first group frame unit 41. The first group frame unit 41 supports the first lens group G1 with the multistage retractable frame body.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first group frame unit 41 is made up of the first lens group G1, the first group frame 50 retaining the first lens group, a first group DR (design ring) 54 attached to the first group frame 50, the driving frame 51 supporting the first group frame 50 to be movable, the stationary frame 52 supporting the driving frame 51 to be movable, and the driving gear 53 transmitting the driving from the motor unit 32 (refer to FIG. 9) to the driving frame 51.

The first lens group G1 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 101 of the first group frame 50 by adhesive bonding or thermal calking. Furthermore, on the inner peripheral surface 101 of the first group frame 50, the first group DR 54 is attached on the Y axis direction positive side of the first lens group G1. As a result, unwanted light is prevented from entering in the first lens group G1. In addition, by mounting the first group DR 54, the fixation mark (adhesion mark) of the first lens group G1 on the first group frame 50 is covered, and the quality of the exterior outside is ensured.

The first group frame 50 includes a cylindrical portion 102, a flange portion 103, cam pins 104a to 104c, extension portions 105a, 105b, and engagement portions 106a, 106b.

The cylindrical portion 102 has the circular inner peripheral surface 101 on which the first lens group G1 is attached. The flange portion 103 has an outer peripheral surface formed on the edge of the cylindrical portion 102 on the Y axis direction negative side and having a diameter greater than that of the cylindrical portion 102. The cam pins 104a to 104c are provided to be spaced at a predetermined angle (for example, 120 degrees) away in the circumferential direction at a plurality of circumferential positions on the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 103 (for example, three locations: for example, three o'clock, seven o'clock and eleven o'clock positions when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side), and protrude out in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1. The extension portions 105a and 105b are arc-shaped members extending toward the Y axis direction negative side and formed with a predetermined circumferential width (for example, 30 degrees) with two circumferential points (for example, one o'clock and five o'clock positions when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side) at the edge of the flange portion 103 on the Y axis direction negative side as the centers. The engagement portions 106a and 106b are formed to extend in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1 on the tips of each of the extension portions 105a and 105b, and end portions 107a and 107b are formed with a circumferential width narrower than the other portions at the ends of the engagement portions 106a and 106b in the radiation direction and at the ends thereof on the X axis direction positive side.

The driving frame 51 has a cylindrical portion 110, cam pins 111a to 111c, and a ring gear 112.

The cam pins 111a to 111c are provided to be spaced at a predetermined circumferential angle (for example, 120 degrees) at a plurality of circumferential positions on the outer surface 115 of the cylindrical portion 110 (for example, three positions, one o'clock, five o'clock and nine o'clock positions when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side), and protrude out in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1. The ring gear 112 is formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 110 at a circumferential portion of the edge of the cylindrical portion 110 on the Y axis direction negative side (for example, from one o'clock position to five o'clock position when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side) so that the tooth tips protrude in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1 compared to the outer surface 115. The radius of an imaginary circle which connects the tips of the cam pins 111a to 111c is formed larger than the radius of an imaginary circle which connects the tooth tips of the ring gear 112.

The circular inner surface 116 of the cylindrical portion 110 and the ring gear 112 has a radius larger than the radius of the flange portion 103 of the first group frame 50, and has a radius smaller than the radius of the imaginary circle which connects the tips of the cam pins 104a to 104c of the first group frame 50. Therefore, by engaging cam pins 104a to 104c with cam grooves 118a to 118c formed on the inner surface 116, it becomes possible to arrange the first group frame 50 inside the driving frame 51.

In addition, a circular flange portion 122 extending inward in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1 is formed at the edge portion of the cylindrical portion 110 on the Y axis direction positive side. The radius of the inner surface of the flange portion 122 is formed to be substantially the same size as the radius of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 102 of the first group frame 50. As a result, unwanted light is prevented from entering into the interior of the lens barrel 31 through the gap formed between the first group frame 50 and the driving frame 51 in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1.

Cam grooves 118a to 118c are formed in the inner surface 116 to be spaced at a predetermined circumferential angle (for example, 120 degrees). The cam grooves 118a to 118c have conducting ends opening at three positions (for example, three o'clock, seven o'clock and eleven o'clock positions) on the end portion of the inner surface 116 on the Y axis direction negative side for conducting cam pins 104a to 104c to the cam grooves 118a to 118c. In addition, the cam grooves 118a to 118c have conducting grooves 119a to 119c extending to the Y axis direction positive side from the conducting ends, and sloped grooves 120a to 120c respectively continuing from the conducting grooves 119a to 119c and extending toward the Y axis direction positive side and clockwise when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side. In addition, the conducting groove 119a of the cam groove 118a with the conducting end formed on the side of the ring gear 112 on the inner surface 116 has the length in the Y axis direction longer by the width size in the Y axis direction of the ring gear 112 compared to the other conducting grooves 119b and 119c.

The stationary frame 52 includes a cylindrical portion 125, and extension portions 126a, 126b. On the inner surface 127 of the cylindrical portion 125 and the extension portions 126a and 126b, cam grooves 128a to 128c and straight-movement grooves 129a and 129b are formed.

On a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the outer surface 130 of the cylindrical portion 125 (for example, two o'clock position when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side), a protrusion portion 140 protruding in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1, and a penetration groove 141 extending from the Y axis direction negative side of the protrusion portion 140 and passing through the cylindrical portion 125 in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1 are formed. The protrusion portion 140 rotatably supports the end portion of the driving shaft of the driving gear 53 on the Y axis direction positive side. In the penetration groove 141, the driving gear 53 is disposed along the Y axis direction. The tooth tips of the driving gear 53 enter into the inner side of the cylindrical portion 125 and mesh with the ring gear 112 of the driving frame 51 disposed inside the stationary frame 52.

In addition, on the edge portion of the cylindrical portion 125 on the Y axis direction positive side, a circular flange portion 142 extending inward in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1 is formed. The radius of the inner surface of the flange portion 142 is formed to be substantially the same size as the radius of the outer surface 115 of the cylindrical portion 110 of the driving frame 51. As a result, unwanted light is prevented from entering into the interior of the lens barrel 31 through the gap in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1 between the driving frame 51 and the stationary frame 52.

On the edge portion of the cylindrical portion 125 on the Y axis direction negative side, a flange 145 extending outward in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1 is formed on a portion in the circumferential direction. Fixing portions 145a and 145b are formed on the flange 145. The fixing portion 145a is positioned on a fixing portion 164c of the second group frame unit 42 which will be described later, and is fixed to the fixing portion 164c by screws or the like. The fixing portion 145b is positioned on an arm portion formed integrally with the motor unit 32, and is fixed thereto by screws or the like.

Extension portions 126a, 126b are arc-shaped members extending toward the Y axis direction negative side and formed with a predetermined circumferential width with two circumferential positions at the edge portion of the cylindrical portion 125 on the Y axis direction negative side. More specifically, the extension portions 126a and 126b each has an end portion on the X axis direction positive side at twelve o'clock position and six o'clock position when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side, and are formed with a predetermined circumferential width. Here, the predetermined width is a width which is sufficient to form each of the conducting grooves 131a and 131b and straight-movement grooves 129a and 129b of the cam grooves 128a and 128b which will be described later, on the inner surface 127 of the extension portions 126a and 126b.

On the end portion of the extension portion 126a on the Y axis direction negative side, a fixing portion 145c extending outward in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1 is formed. The fixing portion 145c rotatably supports the end portion of the driving shaft of the driving gear 53 on the Y axis direction negative side, and is accommodated in a driving shaft accommodating portion 175 of the base 55 which will be described later. A fixing portion 145d extending outward in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1 is formed between the extension portion 126a and extension portion 126b in the circumferential direction to be adjacent to the extension portion 126a. The fixing portion 145d is positioned with respect to the front side of the motor unit 32 and fixed thereto by a screw or the like. Furthermore, a fixing portion 145e extending outward in the radiation direction of the first optical axis A1 is formed to be adjacent to the extension portion 126b in the circumferential direction. The fixing portion 145e is positioned with respect to a fixing portion 165d of the second group frame unit 42 which will be described later, and fixed by a screw or the like.

The circular inner surface 127 of the cylindrical portion 125 and the extension portions 126a and 126b has a radius larger than the radius of the imaginary circle which connects the ends of the ring gear 112 of the driving frame 51, and has a radius smaller than the radius of the imaginary circle which connects the ends of the cam pins 111a to 111c of the driving frame 51. For this reason, it becomes possible to arrange the driving frame 51 inside the driving frame 51, by engaging the cam pins 111a to 111c with the cam grooves 128a to 128c which are formed on the inner surface 127.

The cam grooves 128a to 128c are formed in the inner surface 127 to be spaced at a predetermined circumferential angle (for example, 120 degrees). The cam grooves 128a to 128c have conducting ends opening at three positions (for example, one o'clock, five o'clock and nine o'clock positions) on the end portion of the inner surface 127 on the Y axis direction negative side for conducting the cam pins 111a to 111c to the cam grooves 128a to 128c. In addition, the cam grooves 128a to 128c have conducting grooves 131a to 131c extending to the Y axis direction positive side from the conducting ends, and has sloped groove 132a to 132c respectively continuing from the conducting grooves 131a to 131c and extending toward the Y axis direction positive side in the and counterclockwise when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side. In addition, the conducting grooves 131a and 131b of the cam grooves 128a and 128b with the conducting ends formed on the end of the extension portions 126a and 126b on the Y axis direction negative side have the length in the Y axis direction longer by the length of the extension portions 126a and 126b in the Y axis direction compared to the other conducting groove 131c.

The straight-movement grooves 129a and 129b engage with the end portions 107a and 107b of the first group frame 50, guide the first group frame 50 to move in the first optical axis A1 direction, and prevent the first group frame 50 from relatively rotating with respect to the stationary frame 52.

4.2.2: Operation of the First Group Frame Unit

The operation of the first group frame unit 41 having the above described configuration will be described.

First, when the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end (refer to FIG. 5 or FIG. 6), the first group frame 50 is disposed inside the driving frame 51, in a state where the cam pins 104a to 104c engage with the end portion of the conducting grooves 119a to 119c of the driving frame 51 on the Y axis direction positive side. Furthermore, the driving frame 51 is disposed inside the stationary frame 52, in a state where the cam pins 111a to 111c engage with the end portion of the conducting grooves 131a to 131c of the stationary frame 52 on the Y axis direction positive side. In proximity to the end portion of the straight-movement grooves 129a and 129b of the stationary frame 52 on the Y axis direction negative side, end portions 107a and 107b of the first group frame 50 are engaged.

At this time, the Y axis direction position of the end portions of each of the cylindrical portion 102 of the first group frame 50 on the Y axis direction positive side, the cylindrical portion 110 of the driving frame 51, and the cylindrical portion 125 of the stationary frame 52 substantially coincides with each other, and the arrangement of each configuration of the first group frame unit 41 is the same as the arrangement (retracting state) of the first group frame unit 41 when not using the imaging device 2.

Next, when the driving gear 53 is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side in the by the motor unit 32 (refer to FIG. 9), the driving in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side is transmitted to the driving frame 51 via the ring gear 112 meshing with the driving gear 53. A cylinder cam mechanism is formed between the driving frame 51 and the stationary frame 52. For this reason, when the driving frame 51 is driven to rotate, the driving frame 51 rotates around the first optical axis A1 with respect to the stationary frame 52, and moves in the direction along the first optical axis A1 (the Y axis direction positive side). In addition, a cylinder cam mechanism is formed between the driving frame 51 and the first group frame 50. Furthermore, the relative rotation of the first group frame 50 around the first optical axis A1 with respect to the stationary frame 52 is restricted by the engagement between the first group frame 50 and the stationary frame 52. As a result, when the driving frame 51 is driven to rotate, the first group frame 50 relatively moves in the first optical axis A1 direction (the Y axis direction positive side) with respect to the driving frame 51.

Finally, when the optical system 35 is located at the telephoto end, most part of the cylindrical portion 102 of the first group frame 50 extends to the Y axis direction positive side compared to the cylindrical portion 110 of the driving frame 51, under the state where the cam pins 104a to 104c engage with the end portions of the sloped grooves 120a to 120c of the driving frame 51 on the Y axis direction positive side. Furthermore, most part of the cylindrical portion 110 of the driving frame 51 extends to the Y axis direction positive side compared to the cylindrical portion 125 of the stationary frame 52, under the state where the cam pins 111a to 111c engages with the end portion of the sloped grooves 132a to 132c of the stationary frame 52 on the Y axis direction positive side. In other words, compared to the case which the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end, when the optical system 35 is located at the telephoto end, the first lens group G1 moves to the Y axis direction positive side by the sum of the moving distance of the cylinder cam mechanism provided between the first group frame 50 and the driving frame 51 and the moving distance of the cylinder cam mechanism provided between the driving frame 51 and the stationary frame 52. Furthermore, in this state, the end portions 107a and 107b of the first group frame 50 are located in proximity to the end portion of the straight-movement grooves 129a and 129b on the Y axis direction positive side. In other words, the first lens group G1 moves in the first optical axis A1 direction substantially by the length of the straight-movement grooves 129a and 129b in the Y axis direction, compared to the case which the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end.

In addition, while the above described first group frame unit 41 moves from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, a space is secured on the Y axis direction negative side of the cylindrical portion 125 of the stationary frame 52 and on the X axis direction positive side of the extension portions 126a and 126b, because each member of the first group frame unit 41 does not enter. For this reason, the third group frame unit 44 which will be described later can enter into this space.

4.3: Base Unit

4.3.1: Configuration of the Base Unit

The configuration of the base unit 43 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the base unit 43. The base unit 43 retains the second lens group G2 bending the light flux incident along the first optical axis A1 to the direction along the second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis A1. In addition, the base unit 43 includes a mechanism for moving the third lens group G3 (refer to FIGS. 5 to 8) making up the zoom lens system together with the first lens group G1 in the second optical axis A2 direction.

FIG. 11 shows the second group frame unit 42, the base 55 fixedly supporting the second group frame unit 42 from the Y axis direction negative side, and the third group movement mechanism 57 attached to the base 55 and disposed between the second group frame unit 42 and the base 55 in the Y axis direction, among the configurations of the base unit 43 described with reference to FIG. 9.

Detailed configurations of the second group frame unit 42, the base 55, and the third group movement mechanism 57 will be described below.

4.3.2: Configuration of the Second Group Frame Unit

The configuration of the second group frame unit 42 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the second group frame unit 42.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the second group frame unit 42 in a plan including the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2.

As shown in FIG. 12, the second group frame unit 42 includes the second lens group G2, the second group frame 150 retaining the second lens group G2, and a support portion 151 supporting the second group frame 150 and attached to the base 55.

Since details on the second lens group G2 have been described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, a description thereof will be omitted here.

The second group frame 150 is mainly made up of a fourth lens retaining frame 155 retaining the fourth lens L4, a prism retaining frame 156 retaining the prism L5, a sixth lens retaining frame 157 retaining the sixth lens L6, and a seventh lens retaining frame 158 retaining the seventh lens L7.

The fourth lens retaining frame 155 has a radius substantially coincides with the radius of the fourth lens L4, and has a circular inner peripheral surface 155a extending in the Y axis direction. The fourth lens L4 is disposed to fit in the inner peripheral surface 155a, and fixed by an adhesive or the like. In addition, on the inner peripheral side of the end portion of the inner peripheral surface 155a on the Y axis direction negative side, a support surface 155b (refer to FIG. 13) which is perpendicular to the Y axis and supports the fourth lens L4 toward the Y axis direction positive side is formed. The fourth lens L4 is disposed so that the surface thereof on the Y axis direction negative side contacts with this support surface 155b, and is positioned in the Y axis direction (first optical axis A1 direction).

The prism retaining frame 156 is a frame body interiorly accommodating the prism L5 and opening in the first optical axis A1 direction and the second optical axis A2 direction, and is formed integrally with the fourth lens retaining frame 155 on the Y axis direction negative side thereof. Inside the prism retaining frame 156, a sloped surface 156a (refer to FIG. 13) disposed to be opposite to the reflecting surface L5a (refer to FIG. 13) of the prism L5 and downward inclined at forty five degrees toward the X axis direction positive side, and opposed surfaces 156b and 156c extending to perpendicularly intersect with the Z axis from the both ends of the sloped surface 156a in the Z axis direction and disposed to be opposite to the upper surface L5b and the bottom side L5c of the prism L5 respectively are formed. The prism L5 is accommodated and fixed by an adhesive or the like in the space formed in the prism retaining frame 156 by the sloped surface 156a and the opposed surfaces 156b and 156c.

The sixth lens retaining frame 157 is formed integrally with the prism retaining frame 156 on the X axis direction positive side of the prism retaining frame 156. The sixth lens retaining frame 157 has a radius substantially coincides with the radius of the sixth lens L6, and has a circular inner peripheral surface 157a extending in the X axis direction. The sixth lens L6 is disposed to fit in the inner peripheral surface 157a and fixed by an adhesive or the like. In addition, an output surface L5d of the prism L5 is disposed on the X axis direction negative side of the inner peripheral surface 157a (refer to FIG. 13). The sixth lens L6 is disposed so that the surface thereof on the X axis direction negative side contacts with the output surface L5d, and is positioned in the X axis direction (second optical axis A2 direction).

The seventh lens retaining frame 158 is formed integrally with the sixth lens retaining frame 157 on the X axis direction positive side of the sixth lens retaining frame 157. The seventh lens retaining frame 158 includes sloped surfaces 158a having a portion of each of the side surfaces of an imaginary equilateral-triangular prism having the seventh lens L7 as the inscribed circle, and arc-shaped surfaces 158b connecting smoothly with each of the sloped surfaces around the second optical axis A2. The seventh lens L7 is disposed so that the outer peripheral surface thereof contacts with each of the sloped surfaces 158a, and fixed by an adhesive. In addition, the surface of the sixth lens L6 on the X axis direction positive side is disposed on the X axis direction negative side of the seventh lens L7 (refer to FIG. 13). The seventh lens L7 is disposed so that the surface thereof on the X axis direction negative side contacts with the surface of the sixth lens L6 on the X axis direction positive side, and is positioned in the X axis direction (second optical axis A2 direction).

On the end surface of the seventh lens retaining frame 158 on the X axis direction positive side, an opening member 159 which is a plate member having an opening at the center portion is fixed by a screw or the like. The opening member 159 is a member for blocking off unwanted light going toward unwanted directions, out of the light outputted from the second group frame unit 42 along the second optical axis A2. The opening member 159 has a circular opening disposed substantially at the center, and is attached to the seventh lens retaining frame 158 so that the center of the opening coincides with the second optical axis A2 (refer to FIG. 13). Furthermore, the edge of the opening of the opening member 159 supports the seventh lens L7 to the X axis direction negative side.

The support portion 151 is mainly formed by a first member 163 formed toward the Z axis direction positive side from the center position of the second group frame 150 in the X axis direction and having a surface facing the X axis direction positive side, a second member 164 extending to the X axis direction positive side at the end portion of the first member 163, a third member 165 having a surface facing the X axis direction positive side and formed on the Z axis direction negative side of the second group frame 150, and fixing portions 168a and 168b formed at the end portion on the X axis direction negative side.

The first member 163 includes an hole portion 163a for fitting and fixing the fourth group guide pole 73 (refer to FIG. 9) on the surface facing the X axis direction positive side.

The second member 164 includes an hole portion 164a at substantially the same position in the Y axis direction as the hole portion 163a on the surface facing the X axis direction positive side, for fitting and fixing the third group guide pole 71 (refer to FIG. 9). In addition, on the end portion of the second member 164 on the Z axis direction positive side, a fixing portion 164b is formed for fixing the second group frame unit 42 to the base 55, and a fixing portion 164c is formed for fixing the first group frame unit 41 to the second group frame unit 42. The fixing portion 164b is positioned with respect to the fixing portion 171a formed on the base 55, and is fixed by a screw or the like. The fixing portion 164c is positioned with respect to the fixing portion 145a formed on the stationary frame 52 of the first group frame unit 41, and is fixed by a screw or the like.

As described above, the first member 163 is formed toward the Z axis direction positive side from the center position of the second group frame 150 in the X axis direction. The second member is formed toward the X axis direction positive side at the end portion of the first member 163. For this reason, between the surface of the second group frame 150 on the Z axis direction positive side and the surface of the second member on the Z axis direction negative side, a concaved space 166 is secured on the X axis direction negative side with respect to the end surface of the second group frame 150 on the X axis direction positive side. A aperture actuator 202 protruding to the X axis direction negative side of a shutter unit 60 (which will be described later) can enter into this concaved space 166. This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 27 to 29.

The third member 165 is formed toward the Z axis direction negative side from near the end portion of the second group frame 150 on the Y axis direction negative side, and includes an opening portion 165a (refer to FIG. 11) for fitting and fixing the fourth group guide pole 72, and an opening portion 165b for fitting and fixing the third group guide pole 70 in the order from the Z axis direction positive side on the surface facing the X axis direction positive side. In addition, a fixing portion 165c for fixing the second group frame unit 42 to the base 55 and a fixing portion 165d for fixing the first group frame unit 41 to the second group frame unit 42 are formed on the end portion of the third member 165 on the Z axis direction negative side. The fixing portion 165c is positioned with respect to the fixing portion 171b formed on the base 55, and is fixed by a screw or the like. The fixing portion 165d is positioned with respect to the fixing portion 145e formed on the stationary frame 52 of the first group frame unit 41, and is fixed by a screw or the like.

As described above, the third member 165 is formed toward the Z axis direction negative side from near the end portion of the second group frame 150 on the Y axis direction negative side. For this reason, a concaved space 167 adjacent to the second group frame 150 on the Z axis direction negative side is secured on the Y axis direction positive side of the third member 165. A shutter actuator 203 protruding on the X axis direction negative side of a shutter unit 60 (described later) can enter into this concaved space 167. This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 27 to 29.

The fixing portion 168a is positioned and fixed with respect to a fixing portion provided on the rear side of the motor unit 32.

The fixing portion 168b is positioned with respect to the fixing portion 171c formed on the base 55, and fastened by a screw or the like.

4.3.3: Configuration of the Base

The configuration of the base 55 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

The base 55 mainly includes a rear side 170 including the rear side of the lens barrel 31, and a side surface 171 extending to the Y axis direction positive side from the rear side 170.

On the rear side 170, a bearing portion 172 for rotatably supporting a center opening 180a of the ring gear 180 of the third group movement mechanism 57 (described later), guide pins 173a and 173b for guiding the translational movement of the rod unit 182 of the third group movement mechanism 57 (described later) to the X axis direction, a restricting portion 174 restricting the movement of the rod unit 182 to the X axis direction, and a driving shaft accommodating portion 175 accommodating the driving gear 53 are formed.

The bearing portion 172 is a cylindrical convex portion protruding to the Y axis direction positive side and is inserted into the center opening 180a provided in the rotation center of the ring gear 180, and supports the ring gear 180 to be rotatable.

The guide pins 173a and 173b are members protruding to the Y axis direction positive side and formed to have a predetermined space in both the X axis direction and the Z axis direction, and are inserted into guide grooves 183a and 183b respectively formed along the longitudinal direction of the rod unit 182, and guide the movement of the rod unit 182 to the X axis direction.

The restricting portion 174 is a longitudinal groove with a base and extends in the X axis direction. End portions 174a and 174b rising up to the Y axis direction positive side from the bottom of the groove of the restricting portion 174 are formed on the two ends thereof in the X axis direction.

The driving shaft accommodating portion 175 accommodates the driving gear 53 of the first group frame unit 41 and the fixing portion 145c rotatably supporting the driving gear 53.

Fixing portions 171a to 171c for fixing the second group frame unit 42 to the base 55 are formed on the side surface 171. The fixing portions 171a, 171b, and 171c are positioned with respect to the fixing portions 164b, 165c, and 168b of the second group frame unit 42 respectively, and are fixed by screws or the like.

4.3.4: Configuration of the Third Group Movement Mechanism

The configuration of the third group movement mechanism 57 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The third group movement mechanism 57 is a mechanism for moving the third group frame unit 44 to the direction along the second optical axis A2, and is driven by receiving the driving from the motor unit 32 (refer to FIG. 9).

The third group movement mechanism 57 is mainly made up of the ring gear 180 for converting the rotational drive transmitted from the motor unit 32 via the driving gear 53 into a drive to the direction along the second optical axis A2, the rod unit 182 in which the translational movement thereof in the direction along the second optical axis A2 is possible integrally with the third group frame unit 44, and a ring gear pin 181 functionally coupling the ring gear 180 and the rod unit 182.

The ring gear 180 is a plate member in which teeth are formed in an arc on the outer periphery thereof to mesh with the driving gear 53, and rotates within a predetermined rotational angle range. The ring gear 180 includes a center opening 180a in the rotational center thereof, and is attached to the base 55 by fitting the center opening 180a to the bearing portion 172 of the base 55.

The ring gear pin 181 is a cylindrical member having a predetermined length in the Y axis direction, and the end portion thereof on the Y axis direction negative side is fixed to the ring gear 180 by caulking or the like.

The rod unit 182 is functionally coupled to the ring gear 180 by engaging with the ring gear pin 181, and includes the slider crank mechanism together with the ring gear 180.

The configuration of the rod unit 182 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the rod unit 182.

As shown in FIG. 14, the rod unit 182 is mainly made up of a rod 183, a crimp spring 186 fixed to the rod 183, a spring pin 187 for fixing the crimp spring 186 to the rod 183, and a crimp spring restricting pin 185 restricting the crimp movement of the crimp spring 186. The elastic coupling mechanism is made up of the crimp spring 186, the spring pin 187, and the crimp spring restricting pin 185 elastically coupling the ring gear 180 and the rod unit 182.

The rod 183 is a plate member which is long in the X axis direction. Two guide grooves 183a and 183b extending in the longitudinal direction, a through-hole 183c formed on the X axis direction positive side of the guide groove 183b, and an engagement opening 183d formed on the X axis direction negative side of the guide grooves 183a and 183b are formed in the rod 183.

As described with reference to FIG. 11, guide pins 173a and 173b formed on the base 55 are inserted in the guide grooves 183a and 183b, respectively. The guide grooves 183a and 183b are formed to be spaced at the same distance in the Z axis direction as the distance between the guide pins 173a and 173b in the Z axis direction. As a result, the movement of the rod 183 is restricted only to a translational movement in the X axis direction.

A protrusion portion 65 of the third group frame unit 44 which will be described later is inserted from the Y axis direction positive side into the through-hole 183c. The protrusion portion 65 is inserted so that the end thereof protrudes out to the Y axis direction negative side of the rod 183.

The ring gear pin 181 is inserted from the Y axis direction negative side into the engagement opening 183d. The engagement opening 183d includes first engagement opening 183e extending in the Z axis direction and having a larger width in the X axis direction than the diameter of the ring gear pin 181, and a second engagement opening 183f formed to be continuous with the first engagement opening 183e on the Z axis direction positive side thereof and having a larger width in the X axis direction than the first engagement opening 183e.

The crimp spring 186 is a torsion coil spring or the like made up of a coil 186a and two arm portions 186b and 186c which extend from the coil 186a. Each of the arm portions 186b and 186c is formed to be able to support the load in the direction toward each other when the crimp spring 186 elastically deformed to involve the coil 186a.

The spring pin 187 is a member inserted into the coil 186a of the crimp spring 186 and having one end thereof fitted and fixed to an opening formed on the rod 183, and fixes the crimp spring 186 to the rod 183. The spring pin 187 is disposed on the Z axis direction negative side of the first engagement opening 183e.

The crimp spring restricting pin 185 is a member for maintaining the crimp spring 186 in a predetermined elastically deformed state, is disposed between the arm portions 186b and 186c, and receives the crimping forces in directions toward the other arm portion 186c, 186b respectively from each of the arm portions 186b and 186c. The crimp spring restricting pin 185 is disposed on the Z axis direction negative side of the first engagement opening 183e. In addition, the X axis direction width of the contact surface with the crimp spring 186 on the crimp spring restricting pin 185 is wider than the X axis direction width of the first engagement opening 183e.

The assembling state of the third group movement mechanism 57 will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing mainly the assembling state of the rod unit 182.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the rod unit 182, the crimp spring 186 is fixed to the rod 183 by the spring pin 187. In an elastically deformed state, the crimp spring 186 is fixed via the crimp spring restricting pin 185 between each of the arm portions 186b and 186c. In this attached state, the arm portion 186b located on the X axis direction positive side contacts with the surface of the crimp spring restricting pin 185 on the X axis direction positive side, which a crimping force acts toward the X axis direction negative side with respect to the crimp spring restricting pin 185. On the other hand, the arm portion 186c located on the X axis direction negative side contacts with the surface of the crimp spring restricting pin 185 on the X axis direction negative side, and applies a crimping force toward the X axis direction positive side with respect to the crimp spring restricting pin 185.

The ring gear pin 181 fixed to the ring gear 180 (refer to FIG. 11) is inserted from the Y axis direction negative side into engagement opening 183d of the rod unit 182, in the middle in the X axis direction between the arm portions 186b and 186c of the crimp spring 186. As a result, if the ring gear 180 is driven to rotate and the X axis direction position of the ring gear pin 181 changes, the rod 183 is driven in the X axis direction while the opening edge of the engagement opening 183d slides against the outer periphery of the ring gear pin 181.

Each of the guide pins 173a and 173b formed on the base 55 (refer to FIG. 11) is inserted from the Y axis direction negative side into the guide grooves 183a and 183b which extend in the X axis direction of the rod 183. As a result, the rod 183 receiving the drive is in translational movement in the X axis direction.

The through-hole 183c of the rod 183 is located to be opposed to the Y axis direction positive side of the restricting portion 174 formed on the base 55. The protrusion portion 65 of the third group frame unit 44 which will be described later is inserted from the Y axis direction positive side into the through-hole 183c. The end of the protrusion portion 65 protrudes out to the Y axis direction negative side of the rod 183, and furthermore, is inserted into the restricting portion 174.

FIG. 16 shows the engagement state of the protrusion portion 65 of the third group frame unit 44, the rod 183, and the restricting portion 174. As shown in the figure, the protrusion portion 65 protruding on the Y axis direction negative side formed on the third group frame 62 of the third group frame unit 44 is inserted into the through-hole 183c formed on the rod 183, and furthermore, the end thereof is inserted into the restricting portion 174 of the base 55.

As a result, the rod 183 is movable all the way to the position at which the protrusion portion 65 contacts with the end portion 174a on the X axis direction positive side, and is movable all the way to the position at which the protrusion portion 65 contacts with the end portion 174b on the X axis direction negative side (refer to FIG. 11 or FIG. 15).

4.3.5: Operation of the Base Unit

The operation of the base unit 43, in particular, the operation of the third group movement mechanism 57 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 22.

Out of the operations of the third group movement mechanism 57, the operation of the elastic coupling mechanism elastically coupling the ring gear 180 (refer to FIG. 11) and the rod 183 will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 shows the state where the ring gear pin 181 is inserted into the engagement opening 183d.

The X axis direction width W1 of the first engagement opening 183e of the engagement opening 183d is larger than the diameter d of the ring gear pin 181. Furthermore, the X axis direction width W2 of the contacting surfaces with the crimp spring 186 of the crimp spring restricting pin 185 is larger than the X axis direction width W1 of the first engagement opening 183e. Therefore, in the state where the ring gear pin 181 is inserted into the first engagement opening 183e, the arm portions 186b and 186c of the crimp spring 186 contact with the contacting surfaces on both ends in the X axis direction of the crimp spring restricting pin 185. Consequently, when the ring gear pin 181 is located in the first engagement opening 183e, the crimping force of the crimp spring 186 does not act on the ring gear pin 181.

On the other hand, when the ring gear pin 181 moves along the edge portion of the engagement opening 183d to the second engagement opening 183f having a width wider than the first engagement opening 183e in the X axis direction, the ring gear pin 181 contacts the edge portion of the second engagement opening 183f, and contacts the arm portion 186b or the arm portion 186c of the crimp spring 186. Consequently, when the ring gear pin 181 is located in the second engagement opening 183f, the crimping force of the crimp spring 186 acts on the ring gear pin 181.

More specifically, when the ring gear pin 181 is located on the X axis direction positive side of the second engagement opening 183f, the arm portion 186b on the X axis direction positive side is elastically deformed to the X axis direction positive side by the ring gear pin 181, and the arm portion 186b separates from the contacting surface of the crimp spring restricting pin 185 on the X axis direction positive side. For this reason, the crimping force of the crimp spring 186 acts on the contacting surface of the crimp spring restricting pin 185 on the X axis direction negative side from the arm portion 186c on the X axis direction negative side. As a result, the rod 183 receives a pressing force in the direction toward the X axis direction positive side, via the crimp spring restricting pin 185.

On the other hand, when the ring gear pin 181 is located on the X axis direction negative side of the second engagement opening 183f, the arm portion 186c on the X axis direction negative side is elastically deformed to the X axis direction negative side by the ring gear pin 181, and the arm portion 186c separates from the contacting surface of the crimp spring restricting pin 185 on the X axis direction negative side. For this reason, the crimping force of the crimp spring 186 acts on the contacting surface of the crimp spring restricting pin 185 on the X axis direction positive side from the arm portion 186b on the X axis direction positive side. As a result, the rod 183 receives a pressing force in the direction toward the X axis direction negative side, via the crimp spring restricting pin 185.

The operation of the ring gear 180 and the rod 183 coupled by the above described elastic coupling mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 22.

FIG. 18 shows rotational angle of the ring gear 180 when the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end, and the operation of the elastic coupling mechanism and the operation of the rod 183 according to it. FIGS. 19 to 21 show the rotational angle of the ring gear 180 when the optical system 35 moves from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, and the operation of the elastic coupling mechanism and the operation of the rod 183 according to the rotational angle. In particular, FIG. 20 shows the rotational angle of the ring gear 180 when the optical system 35 is located in a normal position which is the middle position between the wide angle end and the telephoto end, and the operation of the elastic coupling mechanism and the operation of the rod 183 according to the rotational angle. FIG. 22 shows the rotational angle of the ring gear 180 when the optical system is located in the telephoto end, and the operation of the elastic coupling mechanism and the operation of the rod 183 according to the rotational angle.

In FIG. 18, the ring gear 180 is located at the end portion in the clockwise direction when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side. In this case, the ring gear pin 181 fixed to the ring gear 180 is located at the end portion on the positive side within the movable range to the X axis direction, and is engaged to the X axis direction positive side of the second engagement opening 183f of the rod 183. As described with reference to FIG. 17, when the ring gear pin 181 is located on the X axis direction positive side of the second engagement opening 183f, the crimp spring 186 presses the rod 183 to the X axis direction positive side. On the other hand, the protrusion portion 65 of the third group frame unit 44 inserted into the rod 183 and engaging with the restricting portion 174 of the base 55 is in contact with the end portion 174a on the X axis direction positive side of the restricting portion 174, and the movement to the X axis direction positive side is restricted. Consequently, when the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end, movement of the rod 183 to the X axis direction positive side is restricted and the rod 183 is reliably fixed by the pressing to the X axis direction positive side.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the state where the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end is the same as the arrangement state (retracting state) of the optical system 35 when not using the imaging device 2. For this reason, when not using the imaging device 2, it is possible to reliably fix the rod 183.

In FIGS. 19 to 21, the ring gear 180 is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction from the end portion in the clockwise direction when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side. FIG. 19 shows the case which the ring gear 180 is located near the end portion in the clockwise direction when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side. FIG. 20 shows the case which the ring gear 180 is located in the center position in the movable range. FIG. 21 shows the case which the ring gear 180 is located near the end portion in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side.

In this case, the ring gear pin 181 fixed to the ring gear 180 engages with the first engagement opening 183e of the rod 183 and moves to the X axis direction negative side. As described with reference to FIG. 17, when the ring gear pin 181 is located at the first engagement opening 183e, the crimping force of the crimp spring 186 does not act on the ring gear pin 181. In this case, the ring gear 180 rotates in the counterclockwise direction while the ring gear pin 181 engages with the first engagement opening 183e of the rod 183, and as a result, the rod 183 is driven toward the X axis direction negative side. Since the rod 183 is driven while the guide grooves 183a and 183b engage with the guide pins 173a and 173b formed on the base 55, the rod 183 is in translational movement toward the X axis direction negative side. The protrusion portion 65 of the third group frame unit 44 fits in the rod 183. Therefore, the third group frame unit 44 moves toward the X axis direction negative side according to the movement of the rod 183.

In FIG. 22, the ring gear 180 is located on the end portion in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the Y axis direction positive side. In this case, the ring gear pin 181 fixed to the ring gear 180 is located on the end portion on the negative side within the movable range to the X axis direction, and engages with the X axis direction negative side of the second engagement opening 183f of the rod 183. As described with reference to FIG. 17, when the ring gear pin 181 is located on the X axis direction negative side of the second engagement opening 183f, the crimp spring 186 presses the rod 183 to the X axis direction negative side. On the other hand, the protrusion portion 65 of the third group frame unit 44 inserted into the rod 183 and engages with the restricting portion 174 of the base 55 is in contact with the end portion 174b of the restricting portion 174 on the X axis direction negative side, and the movement thereof to the X axis direction negative side is restricted. Consequently, when the optical system 35 is located at the telephoto end, the movement of the rod 183 to the X axis direction negative side is restricted, and the rod 183 is reliably fixed to the X axis direction negative side by pressing.

4.4: Third Group Frame Unit

The detailed configuration of the third group frame unit 44 will be described with reference to FIG. 23.

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the third group frame unit 44. The third group frame unit 44 is mainly made up of a shutter unit 60 provided on the second optical axis A2 and having the exposure-adjustment member St performing the shutter operation and the throttle operation, the third lens group G3, the image blur correction mechanism 61 retaining the third lens group G3 to be movable in the Y axis direction and the Z axis direction, and the third group frame 62 supporting the shutter unit 60 and the image blur correction mechanism 61.

Since details of the third lens group G3 has been described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, they will be omitted here.

The shutter unit 60 is mainly made up of a main body 201 provided on the second optical axis A2 and having the exposure-adjustment member St such as a throttle or shutter for controlling the exposure amount and the exposure time of the CCD 37 (refer to FIG. 9), an aperture actuator 202 provided on the Z axis direction positive side of the main body 201 to protrude out toward the X axis direction negative side, and a shutter actuator 203 disposed on the Z axis direction negative side of the main body 201 to protrude out toward the X axis direction negative side. The aperture actuator 202 and the shutter actuator 203 are provided to be spaced in the Z axis direction across the second optical axis A2. The shutter unit 60 is fixed to the third group frame 62 across the image blur correction mechanism 61 which will be described later.

The image blur correction mechanism 61 is mainly made up of a pitching movement frame 205 retaining the third lens group G3 and is movable in the Z axis direction (pitching direction) and the Y axis direction (yawing direction) with respect to the third group frame 62, an electric substrate 206 attached on the X axis direction positive side of the pitching movement frame 205, a cap 207 attached to the pitching movement frame 205 from the X axis direction positive side of the electric substrate 206, and a yawing movement frame 208 movable in the Y axis direction with respect to the third group frame 62 and retaining the pitching movement frame 205 to be movable in the Z axis direction.

The pitching movement frame 205 has a cylindrical portion 205c formed on the middle and retaining the third lens group G3, and includes a bearing portion 205a on the Y axis direction positive side, and a rotation stopper 205b on the Y axis direction negative side. The pitching shaft 205c parallel to the Z axis direction is inserted into the bearing portion 205a. The both ends of the pitching shaft 205c are supported by a fixing portion 208a of the yawing movement frame 208 which will be described later. The rotation stopper 205b engages with an engagement portion 208b of the yawing movement frame 208 which will be described later, to be movable in the Z axis direction. By doing so, the pitching movement frame 205 is slidable with respect to the yawing movement frame 208 in the direction along the pitching shaft 205c.

On the electric substrate 206, a coil 206a for driving the third lens group G3 in the Z axis direction, a coil 206b for driving it in the Y axis direction, a hall element 206c for detecting the Z axis direction position of the third lens group G3, and a hall element 206d detecting the Y axis direction position are provided. Furthermore, coils 206a and 206b are, for example, configured integrally with the electric substrate 206 as a laminated coil. The FPC 206e transfers the signals between the coils 206a, 206b and hall elements 206c, 206c attached on the electric substrate 206 and the main substrate 23 (refer to FIGS. 3A to 3C).

The cap 207 is attached on the X axis direction positive side of the third lens group G3, and reduces flare or ghost or the like. The cap 207 is attached to cover the cylindrical portion 205c of the pitching movement frame 205 across the electric substrate 206.

The yawing movement frame 208 is a member having the cylindrical portion 205c retaining the third lens group G3 and an opening at the middle into which the cap 207 is inserted. On the Y axis direction positive side, the fixing portion 208a supporting the both ends of the pitching shaft 205c is formed. On the Y axis direction negative side, the engagement portion 208b engaging with the rotation stopper 205b of the pitching movement frame 205 is formed. As a result, the yawing movement frame 208 supports the pitching movement frame 205 to be slidable in the Z axis direction. In addition, on the surface of the yawing movement frame 208 on the X axis direction positive side, the bearing portion 208c is formed on the Z axis direction positive side, and the rotation stopper 208d is formed on the Z axis direction negative side. The yawing shaft 208e parallel to the Y axis direction is inserted into the bearing portion 208c. The two ends of the yawing shaft 208e are supported by the fixing portion 62a of the third group frame 62 which will be described later. The rotation stopper 208d engages with the engagement portion 62b of the third group frame 62 which will be described later, to be movable in the Y axis direction. As a result, the yawing movement frame 208 is slidable in the direction along the yawing shaft 208e, with respect to the third group frame 62.

The third group frame 62 is disposed on the X axis direction positive side with respect to the yawing movement frame 208. On the surface thereof on the X axis direction negative side, the fixing portion 62a supporting the two ends of the yawing shaft 208e is formed on the Z axis direction positive side, and the engagement portion 62b engaging with the rotation stopper 208d of the yawing movement frame 208 is formed on the Z axis direction negative side. As a result, the third group frame 62 supports the yawing movement frame 208 to be movable in the Y axis direction.

On a fitting portion 62g of the third group frame 62 on the Z axis direction negative side, a yoke 62d is press fitted and fixed thereon. The yoke 62d has a section taken perpendicular to the Y axis in a square U-shape, and on the inner side thereof, a magnet 62c which has undergone dipolar magnetization in the Z axis direction is fixed. The yoke 62d is fixed such that the coil 206a of the electric substrate 206 faces the magnet 62c in the X axis direction. By doing so, an electromagnetic actuator for the pitching direction is configured. In addition, on a fitting portion 62h of the third group frame 62 on the Y axis direction negative side, a yoke 62f is press fitted and fixed. The yoke 62f has a section taken perpendicular to the Z axis in a square U-shape, and on the inner side thereof, a magnet 62e which has undergone tripolar magnetization in the Y axis direction is fixed. The yoke 62f is fixed so that the coil 206b of the electric substrate 206 faces the magnet 62e in the X axis direction. By doing so, an electromagnetic actuator in the yawing direction is configured.

According to the above configuration, when electric current flows in the coil 206a of the electric substrate 206, electromagnetic power is generated along the pitching direction (Z axis direction) by the magnet 62c and the yoke 62d. Similarly, when electric current flows in the coil 206b of the electric substrate 206, electromagnetic power is generated along the yawing direction (Y axis direction) by the magnet 62e and the yoke 62f.

As described above, with the image blur correction mechanism 61, it is possible to correct the image blur by driving the third lens group G3 in two directions (Y axis direction and Z axis direction) perpendicular to the second optical axis A2.

On the Y axis direction negative side of the third group frame 62, the protrusion portion 65 protruding out on the Y axis direction negative side is formed. The protrusion portion 65 engages with the through-hole 183c of the rod 183 (refer to FIG. 14). Therefore, the third group frame 62 receives the drive in the X axis direction from the rod unit 182.

In addition, on the third group frame 62, a bearing portion 62i and a bearing portion 62j are formed on the corner disposed on the Y axis direction positive side and Z axis direction positive side, and on the corner disposed on the Y axis direction negative side and Z axis direction negative side respectively. The third group guide pole 71 extending along the X axis direction from the master flange unit 46 (refer to FIG. 9) is inserted in the bearing portion 62i. The third group guide pole 70 extending along the X axis direction from the master flange unit 46 (refer to FIG. 9) is inserted in the bearing portion 62j. Therefore, the third group frame 62 is movable in the X axis direction along the third group guide poles 70 and 71.

Furthermore, on the third group frame 62, as described above, the image blur correction mechanism 61 is fixed, and the shutter unit 60 is attached from the X axis direction negative side thereof.

According to the above, the third group frame unit 44 integrally receives the drive to the X axis direction from the rod unit 182, and is integrally guided to the X axis direction by the third group guide poles 70 and 71 to move in the direction along the X axis direction, that is, the second optical axis A2.

4.5: Fourth Group Frame Unit

The detailed configuration of the fourth group frame unit 45 will be described with reference to FIG. 24.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the fourth group frame unit 45. The fourth group frame unit 45 retains the fourth lens group G4, moves along the second optical axis A2 and performs focusing operation, and corrects the out-of-focus state caused by the changes in imaging magnification due to the movement of first lens group G1 and the third lens group G3.

The fourth group frame unit 45 is mainly made up of the fourth lens group G4, the fourth group frame 66 retaining the fourth lens group G4, and sensor magnet 67 and coil 68 fixed to the fourth group frame 66.

Since the details on the fourth lens group G4 has been described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, they will be omitted here.

The fourth group frame 66 includes an opening 66a retaining the fourth lens group G4. The fourth lens group G4 is fixed to this opening 66a by an adhesion or caulking.

On the fourth group frame 66, a bearing portion 66b and a bearing portion 66c are formed on the corner disposed on the Y axis direction positive side and Z axis direction positive side, and on the corner disposed on the Y axis direction negative side and Z axis direction negative side respectively. The bearing portion 66b is a cylindrical bearing which is long in the X axis direction, and the fourth group guide pole 73 extending along the X axis direction from the master flange unit 46 (refer to FIG. 9) is inserted therein. In the bearing portion 66c, the fourth group guide pole 72 extending along the X axis direction from the master flange unit 46 (refer to FIG. 9) is inserted. Therefore, the fourth group frame 66 is movable in the X axis direction along the fourth group guide poles 73 and 72.

On the fourth group frame 66, the sensor magnet 67 is fixed so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the cylindrical bearing portion 66b. The sensor magnet 67 has undergone multipolar magnetization in the X axis direction. The sensor magnet 67 is disposed to face the MR sensor 77 (refer to FIG. 9) of the master flange unit 46 in the Y axis direction. Therefore, when the sensor magnet 67 moves in the X axis direction together with the fourth group frame 66, the MR sensor 77 detects the changes in the magnetic field in the vicinity thereof. Therefore, the position of the fourth group frame unit 45 is detected.

In addition, on the X axis direction positive side of the fourth group frame 66, the coil 68 is fixed by adhesive. An FPC 68a is connected to the coil 68. The FPC 68a is electrically connected to the coil 68 and the main substrate 23 (refer to FIGS. 3A to 3C).

A portion of a main yoke 76a having a square U-shape section perpendicular to the Z axis and fixed to the master flange unit 46 which will be described later passes through the coil 68. A magnet 76b is fixed on the other portion of the main yoke 76a. In addition, the open end of the main yoke 76a on the X axis direction negative side is closed by a side yoke 76c in the state where the coil 68 is passed through. A magnetic member 76 including the above main yoke 76a, magnet 76b, and the side yoke 76c, and the coil 68 make up a voice coil-type linear motor. Therefore, when electric current flows in the coil 68, driving force is generated in the coil 68 in the X axis direction, and the fourth group frame unit 45 fixing the coil 68 and the coil 68 is driven in the X axis direction.

According to the above, the fourth group frame unit 45 receives the drive to the X axis direction from the voice coil-type linear motor, and is guided to the X axis direction by the fourth group guide poles 73 and 72, and thereby moves in the direction along the X axis direction, that is, the second optical axis A2.

In addition, although the case of driving the fourth group frame unit 45 using the linear motor is here shown, the fourth group frame unit 45 may be driven by another motor such as a stepping motor.

4.6: Master Flange Unit

The detailed configuration of the master flange unit 46 will be described with reference to FIG. 25.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the master flange unit 46. The master flange unit 46 is a member including the chassis of the lens barrel 31 together with the base unit 43, and is fixed by a screw or the like in the X axis direction of the base 55.

On the master flange unit 46, the magnetic member 76 including the magnetic circuit together with the coil 68 of the fourth group frame unit 45 is fixed. More specifically, the magnetic member 76 is fixed by press fitting and fixing the press fit protrusion 76d of the main yoke 76a including the magnetic member 76 to a fitting portion (not shown in the figure) of the master flange unit 46. On the inner surface of the main yoke 76a on the Y axis direction negative side, the magnet 76b is fixed by an adhesive or the like. Furthermore, the coil 68 of the fourth group frame unit 45 passes through the main yoke 76a, and in the state where the coil 68 is passed through, the side yoke 76c is fixed on the open end of the main yoke 76a on the X axis direction negative side.

On the surface of the master flange unit 46 on the Y axis direction positive side, a fitting portion 75f for attaching the MR sensor 77 (refer to FIG. 9) is formed. One portion of the fitting portion 75f includes a penetration portion 75g penetrated with the inner side of the master flange unit 46. The MR sensor 77 is fixed to this fitting portion 75f, and faces the sensor magnet 67 (refer to FIG. 24) of the fourth group frame unit 45 located inside the master flange unit 46 in the Y axis direction via the penetration portion 75g. An FPC not shown in the figure is connected to the MR sensor 77, and the MR sensor 77 is electrically connected to the main substrate 23 (refer to FIG. 3) via the FPC.

On the corner of the master flange unit 46 on the Y axis direction positive side and the Z axis direction positive side, cylindrical guide pole support portions 75b and 75c which are adjacent in the Z axis direction are formed. The guide pole support portion 75b disposed on the Z axis direction positive side supports the end portion of the third group guide pole 71 on the X axis direction positive side. The guide pole support portion 75c disposed on the X axis direction negative side supports the end portion of the fourth group guide pole 73 on the X axis direction positive side. In addition, on the corner disposed on the Y axis direction negative side and on the Z axis direction negative side of the master flange unit 46, cylindrical guide pole support portions 75d and 75e which are adjacent in the Z axis direction are formed. The guide pole support portion 75d disposed on the Z axis direction positive side supports the end portion of the fourth group guide pole 72 on the X axis direction positive side. The guide pole support portion 75e disposed on the Z axis direction negative side supports the end portion of the third group guide pole 70 on the X axis direction positive side. In addition, end portions of the guide poles 70 to 73 on the X axis direction negative side are fixed to the second group frame unit 42.

4.7: Operation of the Lens Barrel

The operation of each portion of the lens barrel 31 will be described with reference to FIG. 26. FIG. 26 is a section in a plane including the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2 of the lens barrel 31. In the FIG. 26, for the convenience of explanation, a member not located on the plane including the first optical axis A1 and the second optical axis A2 is also shown. In addition, for the convenience of explanation, mainly the configurations necessary for the explanation are shown. FIG. 26(a) shows when the optical system 35 is located on the wide angle side. FIG. 26(b) shows when the optical system 35 is located in the normal position which is the middle position between the wide angle end and the telephoto end. FIG. 26(c) shows when the optical system 35 is located at the telephoto end.

Below, the operation of each portion when the optical system 35 is zoomed from the wide angle side to the telephoto side will be described.

First, when the motor unit 32 operates, the driving gear 53 is driven. The driving gear 53 meshes with the ring gear 180 of the base unit 43 and the driving frame 51 of the first group frame unit 41, and the rotation driving of the driving gear 53 drives the driving frame 51 and the ring gear 180 to rotate.

When the driving frame 51 is driven to rotate, the first group frame unit 41 configured as described above operates, and the first lens group G1 retained therein moves to the Y axis direction positive side.

When the ring gear 180 is driven to rotate, the drive is converted into the translational movement of the rod unit 182 to the X axis direction negative side. The protrusion portion 65 of the third group frame unit 44 engages with the rod unit 182. Therefore, the third group frame unit 44 is in translational movement to the X axis direction negative side together with the rod unit 182.

As shown in FIG. 26(a), when the optical system 35 is located on the wide angle side, the third group frame unit 44 is disposed so that a portion thereof is opposite in the Y axis direction to a portion of the first group frame unit 41 on the X axis direction positive side. More specifically, a portion of the third group frame unit 44 is disposed to be opposite in the Y axis direction to a portion of the stationary frame 52 on the X axis direction positive side.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 26(b), when the optical system 35 moves to the telephoto side, the first group frame 50 and the driving frame 51 move to the Y axis direction positive side, and the third group frame unit 44 moves into the space formed by this movement of the first group frame 50 and the driving frame 51 from the X axis direction positive side.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26(c), when the optical system 35 is located at the telephoto end, the third group frame unit 44 moves all the way to a position nearest the second group frame unit 42, within the movable range to the X axis direction.

Here, the positional relationship between the second group frame unit 42 and the third group frame unit 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 to 29. FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the second group frame unit 42 and the shutter unit 60 of the third group frame unit 44, when the optical system 35 is located at the wide angle end. FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the second group frame unit 42 and the shutter unit 60 of the third group frame unit 44, when the optical system is located at the telephoto end. FIG. 29 is a plan view seen from the Y axis direction positive side showing the positional relationship between the second group frame unit 42 and the shutter unit 60 of the third group frame unit 44 when the optical system is located at the telephoto end.

As shown in FIG. 27, on the second group frame unit 42, concaved space 166 and concaved space 167 are formed toward the X axis direction positive side, that is, toward the side of the third group frame unit 44. The concaved space 166 and the concaved space 167 are each formed in positions facing the X axis direction with respect to aperture actuator 202 and shutter actuator 203 disposed protruding out to the X axis direction negative side from the third group frame unit 44. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 28, when the optical system 35 moves to the telephoto side and the shutter unit 60 moves all the way to the position nearest to the side of the second group frame unit 42, the aperture actuator 202 fits in the concaved space 166, and the shutter actuator 203 fits in the concaved space 167.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 29, the aperture actuator 202 and the shutter actuator 203 are provided to be spaced in the Z axis direction across the second optical axis A2, and this gap is larger than the Z axis direction width of the second group frame 150. Therefore, when the shutter unit 60 moves all the way to the position nearest to the side of the second group frame unit 42, the second group frame 150 fits in the center portion in the Z axis direction between the aperture actuator 202 and the shutter actuator 203.

Since the second group frame unit 42 and the third group frame unit 44 are configured as described above, it becomes possible to enlarge the movable range of the third lens group G3 in the X axis direction. In other words, while forming the lens barrel 31 to be compact in the X axis direction, it is possible to make the maximum distance in the X axis direction between third lens group G3 and the CCD 37 larger.

By the cooperation between the first group frame unit 41 and the third group frame unit 44 described above, the optical system 35 changes the imaging magnification to the CCD 37 (refer to FIG. 26). The fourth group frame unit 45 corrects out-of-focus state caused by the change in this imaging magnification. The correction is realized (refer to FIG. 24) by driving the fourth group frame unit 45 in the X axis direction via voice coil-type linear motor made up of coil 68 of the fourth group frame unit 45 and the magnetic member 76 of the master flange unit 46.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26, on the X axis direction negative side of the second group frame unit 42, motor unit 32 is disposed, using space 195 formed on the Y axis direction negative side of the first group frame unit 41. Therefore, a member having the optical system 35 is not disposed, and it becomes possible to arrange a member having the imaging device 2 by effectively using a space which does not affect the optical system 35, and it is possible to improve the space usage efficiency.

In addition, the disposition of the motor unit 32 shown in FIG. 26 may be the one shown in FIG. 30. That is, the zoom motor 36 of the motor unit 32 is disposed in the space 195. More specifically, a portion or the entire zoom motor 36 is disposed in the X axis direction position of the stationary frame 52, or even more specifically, the X axis direction position overlapping the X axis direction position of the first group frame 50. In this way, by arranging the zoom motor 36 in the space 195 (a position sandwiching the reflecting surface L5a with, and opposite in the first optical axis A1 direction (Y axis direction) from the first lens group G1), it is not necessary to provide a space especially for arranging the zoom motor 36, and the X axis direction dimension of the digital camera 1 can be reduced.

Furthermore, a portion or the entire zoom motor 36 is disposed in a Y axis direction position overlapping the Y axis direction position of the lens positioned on the second optical axis. By arranging the zoom motor in such a position, it is not necessary to provide a space especially for arranging the zoom motor 36, and the Y axis direction dimension of the digital camera 1 can be reduced.

In addition, if the bending optical system is not equipped, or if the bending optical system is equipped but the lens positioned nearest the subject side on the first optical axis A1 is fixed, it is difficult to dispose the zoom motor 36 in the position which overlaps with the lens positioned nearest the subject side (opposite position in the first optical axis A1 direction). This is because this kind of a space 195 can not be secured inside an imaging device in which the bending optical system is not equipped, and also because even if the bending optical system is equipped, in the case in which the lens positioned nearest the subject side on the first optical axis A1 is fixed, the lens system of the lens positioned nearest the subject side is small.

5: Effects

5.1

The imaging device 2 includes multistage retractable first group frame unit 41 extendable and retractable in multistage in the first optical axis A1 direction. Furthermore, the bending optical system is adopted as the optical system 35. Therefore, while configuring the imaging device 2 to be compact, the optical path length from the first lens group G1 to the CCD 37 can be longer, and it becomes possible to configure a high magnification zoom lens system.

5.2

With the imaging device 2, the relative positions of the first lens group G1 and the third lens group G3 on the optical path with respect to the CCD 37 change. Therefore, it becomes possible to configure an even more optically high performance zoom lens system.

5.3

The driving frame 51 moves in the direction along the first optical axis A1 with respect to the second group frame unit including the prism L5 by being driven to rotate around the first optical axis A1 via the zoom motor 36. Furthermore, the first group frame 50 moves in the direction along the first optical axis A1 with respect to the driving frame 51, via the drive of the driving frame 51. With the imaging device 2, the driving force from the zoom motor 36 is transmitted to the first group frame 50 via the driving frame 51. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a special motor for driving the first group frame 50, and it becomes possible to configure the imaging device 2 more simply.

5.4

The stationary frame 52 of the first group frame unit 41 is directly fixed to the second group frame unit 42 which fixes the prism L5. The stationary frame 52 supports the first group frame 50 and the driving frame 51 to be movable in the first optical axis A1 direction. Therefore, it becomes possible to position the first lens group G1 with respect to the prism L5, in particular, to position in the direction perpendicular to the first optical axis A1, with high precision.

5.5

With the imaging device 2, the driving frame 51 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the stationary frame 52, and the first group frame 50 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the driving frame 51. The driving frame 51 is movable in the first optical axis A1 direction, while engaging cam pins 111a to 111c with cam grooves 128a to 128c of the stationary frame 52. The first group frame 50 is movable in the first optical axis A1 direction, while engaging cam pins 104a to 104c with cam grooves 128a to 128c of the driving frame 51, and furthermore, engaging end portions 107a and 107b with straight-movement grooves 129a and 129b. In particular, in order to engage the end portions 107a and 107b straight through the straight-movement grooves 129a and 129b, the first group frame 50 is prevented from rotating around the first optical axis A1. Therefore, with the imaging device 2, it is not necessary to provide a straight-movement frame to make the first group frame 50 move straight, and it becomes possible to configure the imaging device 2 more simply.

5.6

In the stationary frame 52, the extension portions 126a and 126b are provided only on the X axis direction negative side of the cylindrical portion 125. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 26, the third group frame unit 44 does not interfere with the stationary frame 52, and is movable in the X axis direction.

5.7

The imaging device 2 includes the third group movement mechanism 57 moving the third group frame unit 44 which retains the third lens group G3 in the direction along the second optical axis A2. The first group frame unit 41 and the third group movement mechanism 57 are functionally coupled via the driving gear 53 driven by the zoom motor 36. Therefore, it is not necessary to have mechanisms to drive each of the first group frame unit 41 and the third group movement mechanism 57, and it becomes possible to configure the imaging device 2 even more simply. In addition, this also makes the imaging device 2 more silent. Furthermore, since each of the ring gear 112 of the driving frame 51 of the first group frame unit 41 and the ring gear 180 of the third group movement mechanism 57 is driven to mesh with the driving gear 53, it becomes possible to easily cooperate the first group frame unit 41 with the third group movement mechanism 57.

5.8

The third group movement mechanism 57 includes the ring gear 180 and the ring gear pin 181 which convert the rotational drive from the zoom motor 36 into the drive in the direction along the second optical axis A2, and the rod unit 182 engaging with the ring gear pin 181 and moving in the direction along the second optical axis A2. Therefore, it becomes possible to drive the first group frame unit 41 moving the first lens group G1 in the direction along the first optical axis A1, and the third group movement mechanism 57 moving the third lens group G3 in the direction along the second optical axis A2 with the same driving component.

5.9

In the imaging device 2, the crimp spring 186, the spring pin 187, and the crimp spring restricting pin 185 include the elastic coupling mechanism elastically coupling the ring gear 180 and the rod 183. The elastic coupling mechanism presses the rod 183 towards the X axis direction positive side, when the rod 183 is located at the end portion on the X axis direction positive side. In addition, it presses the rod 183 towards the X axis direction negative side, when the rod 183 is located on the end portion to the X axis direction negative side. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the third group frame unit 44 which moves integrally with the rod 183 and the rod 183 from shaking. In particularly, it is possible to prevent the third group frame unit 44 from shaking, when the optical system is located at the wide angle end or the telephoto end, or in a state where the imaging device is not used (retracting state).

5.10

One end of the third group guide poles 70 and 71 guiding the movement of the third group frame unit 44 in the X axis direction is fixed to the second group frame unit 42 including the second lens group G2. Therefore, it becomes possible to position the third group frame unit 44 with respect to the second group frame unit 42, in particular to position in the direction perpendicular to the second optical axis A2, with high precision.

5.11

As shown in FIG. 26, a portion of the motor unit 32 is disposed in a space on the opposite side of the third group frame unit 44 across the reflecting surface L5a of the prism L5. Therefore, a member including the optical system 35 is not disposed, and it becomes possible to provided a member having the imaging device 2 with effectively using a space which does not affect the optical system 35, and it is possible to improve the space usage efficiency.

5.12

On the shutter unit 60, the aperture actuator 202 and the shutter actuator 203 are formed to protrude out to the side of the second group frame unit 42. The second group frame 150 of the second group frame unit 42 fits in the middle portion in the Z axis direction between the aperture actuator 202 and the shutter actuator 203, when the shutter unit 60 moves near the second group frame unit 42. Therefore, it becomes possible to make the sizes of the imaging device 2 in the direction along the second optical axis smaller.

5.13

In the second group frame unit 42, the sixth lens L6 and the seventh lens L7 are supported on the X axis direction negative side, by fixing the opening member 159 to the second group frame 150. The opening member 159 blocks off unwanted lights going toward unwanted directions, out of the light outputted from the seventh lens L7, and supports the sixth lens L6 and the seventh lens L7 on the X axis direction negative side. Therefore, members having the imaging device 2 can be reduced, and it becomes possible to reduce the cost.

5.14

The digital camera 1 provides the same effects as the above described imaging device 2, since the digital camera 1 includes the imaging device 2.

5.15

With the digital camera 1, the direction along the second optical axis A2 is substantially the same as the horizontal direction, when an image is captured so that the vertical top and bottom of the object coincides the top and bottom in the short side direction of the object image to be captured. Therefore, with the digital camera 1, it becomes possible to capture an image with coinciding the longitudinal direction of the digital camera 1 with the horizontal direction, under the normal imaging state where capturing an image so that the top and bottom vertical direction of the object coincide with the top and bottom in the short side direction of the object image to be captured. In addition, compared to a digital camera in which image is captured with coinciding the short side direction of the digital camera with the horizontal direction under the normal imaging state, it is possible to make the sizes in the vertical direction under normal imaging state smaller.

5.16

In the digital camera 1, the direction along the second optical axis A2 is substantially parallel to the long side direction of the image display portion 18. The long side direction of the image display portion 18 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the outer case 11. Therefore, under the normal imaging state in which image is captured with substantially coinciding the long side direction of the image display portion 18 with the horizontal direction, it becomes possible to capture an image with substantially coinciding the longitudinal direction of the outer case 11 with the horizontal direction. In addition, compared to a digital camera in which the direction along the second optical axis A2 is substantially parallel to the short side direction of the image display portion 18, it becomes possible to make the sizes in the short side direction of the image display portion 18 smaller.

5.17

In the digital camera 1, a grip portion 12 is formed on the X axis direction positive side. Therefore, it becomes possible to secure the X axis direction distance between the grip portion 12 and the first group frame unit 41 disposed on the X axis direction negative side of the digital camera 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a finger from getting in the way in the first lens group G1 when capturing an image.

5.18

In the digital camera 1, the first group frame unit 41 protrudes out on the object side (Y axis direction positive side) from the outer case 11, when capturing an image. It becomes possible to prevent a finger from getting in the way in the first lens group G1 when capturing an image.

5.19

The image blur correction mechanism 61 is included in the digital camera 1. Therefore, it becomes possible to capture the image with a higher quality.

5.20

The Z axis direction width (Wz) of the imaging device 2 is formed larger than the Y axis direction width (Wy). Therefore, it is possible to form the thickness of the digital camera 1 in the direction along the first optical axis A1 thin.

6: Other Matter

An embodiment of the present invention is described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above described embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

6.1

The digital camera 1 and the exterior appearance and configuration of the main body 3 described using FIGS. 1 to 3 in the above described embodiment are not limited to those described.

For example, members which the digital camera 1 is made up of and the disposition thereof are not limited to those described above.

Also, for example, the outside appearance and the configuration of the digital camera may be those shown in FIGS. 31A to 31C. In addition, in FIG. 31, the parts same as each of the parts described using FIGS. 1 to 3C are given the same numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 31A shows the exterior appearance of the Y axis direction positive side of a digital camera 211. The digital camera 211 includes the above described imaging device 2, a main body 213 including an outer case 214 having an outside appearance in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an image display portion 228 connected to the outer case 214 via a connection mechanism 212.

The image display portion 228 is mounted rotatably around an axis extending in the X axis direction, via the connection mechanism 212, and can be folded to the Y axis direction positive side and the Y axis direction negative side of the outer case 214. In addition, in the state of being folded to the Y axis direction negative side of the outer case 214, on the surface of the image display portion 228 facing the Y axis direction negative side, a liquid crystal portion 228a is disposed for displaying an image. In other words, in the state of being folded to the Y axis direction positive side, the liquid crystal portion 228a is disposed on the surface of the image display portion 228 facing the Y axis direction positive side. As a result, when not using the digital camera 211, the image display portion 228 can be folded to the Y axis direction negative side of the outer case 214, and the liquid crystal portion 228a can be protected when the digital camera 211 is not used. In addition, when using the digital camera 211, the image display portion 228 can be folded to the Y axis direction positive side of the outer case 214, and in this state, the image to be taken can be viewed via the liquid crystal portion 228a facing the Y axis direction positive side.

The Z axis direction dimension Wz1 of the image display portion 228 is approximately the same as the Z axis direction dimension Wz2 of the outer case 214, and the X axis direction dimension Wx1 is approximately the same as the X axis direction dimension Wx2, which is from the end portion on the X axis direction positive side of the imaging device 2 protruding out to the Y axis direction positive side from the outer case 214 to the end portion on the X axis direction positive side of the outer case 214. Consequently, if the image display portion 228 is folded to the Y axis direction positive side of the outer case 214, the image display portion 228 does not protrude out in both the X axis direction and the Z axis direction of the outer case 214.

FIG. 31B shows the state of the image display portion 228 folded to the Y axis direction positive side of the outer case 214, and also, it is a transparent view showing a member disposed on the X axis direction negative side in the interior of the outer case 214.

As shown in FIG. 31B, the Y axis direction dimension Wy1 of the image display portion 228 is approximately the same as the Y axis direction dimension Wy2 of the stationary frame 52 of the imaging device 2 protruding out from the outer case 214. Consequently, in the state in which the image display portion 228 is folded to the Y axis direction positive side of the outer case 214, the Y axis direction positions of the end portion on the Y axis direction positive side of the stationary frame 52 and the surface on the positive side of the image display portion 228 in the Y axis direction approximately match. In addition, same as it is shown in FIG. 3B, in the interior of the outer case 214, the imaging device 2, the main substrate 23, the battery 22, and the memory card 24 are disposed.

FIG. 31C is a transparent view showing members disposed on the Y axis direction positive side in the interior of the outer case 214. Same as it is shown in FIG. 3A, in the outer case 214, the flash lamp 15, the main condenser 20, the sub-substrate 21, the imaging device 2, and the battery 22 are disposed.

In addition, each of the members may be disposed with a configuration other than the configuration of the members shown in FIG. 31B. For example, the configuration may be such that the main substrate 23 is disposed adjacent to the Y axis direction negative side of the lens barrel 2, and furthermore, the battery 22 and the memory card 24, which are shaped like plates may each be disposed lined up in the X axis direction and on the Y axis direction negative side of the main substrate 23.

As described above, with the digital camera 221 in which the image display portion 228 is provided rotatably to the front side (Y axis direction positive side) and the rear side (Y axis direction negative side) of the outer case 214, the thickness (Y axis direction dimension) of the portion of the outer case 214 on which the image display portion 228 is provided can be reduced.

6.2

The configuration of the optical system 35 is not limited to the configuration described. For example, each of the lens groups G1 to G5 may be formed by combinations of other lenses.

6.3

The configuration of the first group frame unit 41 is not limited to the configuration described. For example, cam pins and cam grooves formed on each of the first group frame 50, driving frame 51, and stationary frame 52 may be formed with another configuration, as long as the same function is achieved.

6.4

The configuration of the second group frame unit 42 is not limited to the configuration described. For example, the second group frame 150 may have another configuration, as long as it is able to retain the second lens group G2.

6.5

Also, for example, the outside appearance and the configuration of the digital camera may be those shown in FIGS. 32 to 34. Furthermore, in the following description, members performing the same functions as those described in the above described embodiment are given the same numerals, and the descriptions thereof are omitted.

(1)

FIG. 32 shows a transparent view of the Z axis direction positive side of a digital camera 301. The chassis of the digital camera 301 is made up of an outer case 302 and a grip portion 303 provided protruding out in the Y axis direction on the end portion on the X axis direction positive side of the outer case 302. Furthermore, in the interior of the chassis, an imaging device 2, an image display portion 18, a sub-substrate 21, a battery 22, a main substrate 23, and a memory card 24 are disposed.

The imaging device 2 is disposed on the Y axis direction positive side of the outer case 302. More specifically, the imaging device 2 is disposed to have the stationary frame 52 protrude out more to the Y axis direction positive side than the end surface on the Y axis direction positive side of the outer case 302.

On the X axis direction positive side of the imaging device 2, the battery 22 and the memory card 24, which are shaped like plates are disposed side by side. More specifically, the battery 22 and the memory card 24 have a rectangular section if cut by a plane orthogonal to the Z axis, and the longitudinal direction thereof is disposed to be parallel to the direction along the first optical axis A1. The battery 22 and the memory card 24, which are shaped like plates protrude out more than the end surface on the Y axis direction positive side of the outer case 302. This protruding portion is disposed inside the grip portion 303. Here, the position of the end portion on the Y axis direction positive side of the grip portion 303 approximately matches the position of the end portion on the Y axis direction positive side of the stationary frame 52.

In this invention, the dimension of the digital camera 301 in the second optical axis direction can be reduced, compared to the case in which the battery 22 and the memory card 24 are disposed so that the longitudinal direction of the section thereof is parallel to the direction along the second optical axis A2 direction. In addition, since the battery 22 and the memory card 24 are disposed inside the grip portion 303, the space inside the grip portion 303 is being effectively used while the grip portion 303 is provided, and this enhances the disposition efficiency of the members inside the digital camera 301.

Furthermore, the battery 22 is disposed on the Z axis direction negative side of a portion of the imaging device 2. The master flange unit 46 (refer to FIG. 25) of the imaging device 2 has a step portion protruding out on the X axis direction positive side, and guide pole support portions 75b and 75c are formed on the Z axis direction positive side. As a result, a space 75a is formed on the Z axis direction negative side of the step portion. A portion of the battery 22 is disposed in this space 75a. Furthermore, in FIG. 32, only the battery 22 is disposed in this space 75a, but the memory card 24 may also be disposed in this space 75a, depending on the dimension of the step portion and dimension of the battery 22 in the X axis direction.

The main substrate 23, being a member almost shaped like a plate, is disposed on the Y axis direction negative side of the imaging device 2 with the thickness direction thereof in the Y axis direction. Furthermore, the plate-like image display portion 18 and the sub-substrate 21 are disposed to line up in the X axis direction on the Y axis direction negative side of the outer case 302.

In addition, in FIG. 32, although the battery 22 and the memory card 24 were described being disposed side by side, the battery 22 and the sub-substrate 21 may be disposed side by side.

In this case, the following effect can be obtained. That is, the battery 22 is made up of a capacitor, and the sub-substrate 21 is also equipped with a plurality of capacitors. Normally, the lower the temperature gets, the lower the capacity of a capacitor is. That is, a capacitor discharges the stored electricity when temperature lowers. Meanwhile, the sub-substrate 21 and the battery 22 produce heat when power is distributed (when in use). For this reason, by disposing the sub-substrate 21 and the battery 22 side by side, both of them can lessen the lowering of temperature of the other by both producing heat off, even in a low temperature environment, and the electrical discharge of the capacitors can be reduced. Consequently, the battery 22 can be long lasting and can be used for a long time, even when it is used under a low temperature environment, such as during the winter season or in a ski area. In addition, the battery 22 and the sub-substrate 21 are preferably disposed with each of the surfaces having the largest area facing, when considering this kind of heat transfer.

In addition, the memory card 24 and the sub-substrate 21 may be disposed side by side in the same manner.

(2)

Although the battery 22 and the memory card 24 were described in FIG. 32 as being disposed side by side, the battery 22, the memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21 may be disposed side by side. This will be described using FIG. 33. In addition, members same as those in FIG. 32 will be given the same numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

With the digital camera 301 shown in FIG. 33, the plate-like battery 22, memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21 are disposed side by side on the X axis direction positive side of the imaging device 2. More specifically, the battery 22, the memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21 have rectangular sections if cut by a plane orthogonal to the Z axis, and are disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the direction along the first optical axis A1. The plate-like battery 22, memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21 protrude out more than the end surface on the positive side of the outer case 302 in the Y axis direction. This protruding portion is disposed inside the grip portion 303. Here, the position of the end portion on the Y axis direction positive side of the grip portion 303 almost matches the position of the end portion on the Y axis direction positive side of the stationary frame 52.

In this invention, the dimension (width dimension) in the second optical axis direction and the dimension (thickness dimension) in the first optical axis direction of the digital camera 301 can be reduced, compared to if the battery 22, the memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21 are disposed with the longitudinal direction of the sections thereof being parallel to the direction along the second optical axis A2 direction. In addition, like the sub-substrate 21 shown in FIG. 32, since there is not a member disposed with the longitudinal direction of the section thereof being parallel to the direction along the second optical axis direction, the dimension of the digital camera 301 in the second optical axis direction can be reduced. In addition, since the battery 22, the memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21 are disposed inside the grip portion 303, the space inside the grip portion 303 is being used efficiently while the grip portion 303 is being provided, and this enhances the disposition efficiency of the members inside the digital camera 301.

In addition, as described above, the master flange unit 46 (refer to FIG. 25) of the imaging device 2 has a step portion protruding out to the X axis direction positive side, and the guide pole support portions 75b and 75c are formed on the Z axis direction positive side, and the space 75a is formed on the Z axis direction negative side of the step portion. A portion of the battery 22 and the memory card 24 is disposed in this space 75a. In addition, although the battery 22 and the memory card 24 are disposed in this space 75a in FIG. 33, the sub-substrate 21 disposed on the end portion on the X axis direction positive side may also be disposed in this space 75a, depending on the dimension of the step portion and the dimension of the battery 22 and the memory card 24 in the X axis direction.

Furthermore, although the case of the battery 22, the memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21 being disposed in order from the X axis direction negative side was described using FIG. 33, the disposition thereof is not limited to this.

For example, as described above, in order to take advantage of the heat releasing from the sub-substrate 21, the configuration may be to have the sub-substrate 21 and the battery 22 be adjacent to each other. In this case, for example, the battery 22, the sub-substrate 21, and the memory card 24 are disposed in order from the X axis direction negative side. Furthermore, the members each are preferably disposed with each of the surfaces of the largest area facing each other, when considering this kind of heat transfer.

(3)

Although the case of the grip portion protruding out in the digital camera being provided was described using FIGS. 32 and 33, the configuration of the digital camera is not limited to this kind of a configuration, and the protruding grip portion does not have to be included.

This will be described using FIG. 34. In addition, members same as those in FIG. 32 will be given the same numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 34 shows a transparent view of the positive side of a digital camera 311 in the Z axis direction. The chassis of the digital camera 311 is made up of an outer case 312 in rectangular parallelepiped shape. Furthermore, an imaging device 2, an image display portion 18, a sub-substrate 21, a battery 22, a main substrate 23, and a memory card 24 are disposed inside the chassis.

The imaging device 2 is disposed on the Y axis direction positive side of the outer case 312. More specifically, the entire imaging device 2 is housed inside the outer case 312.

A stationary frame 52 is provided on the imaging device 2, protruding out on the Y axis direction positive side. That is, the positions in the Y axis direction of the end portion on the Y axis direction positive side of the stationary frame 52 and the end portion on the Y axis direction positive side of the imaging device 2 other than the stationary frame 52 are different, and a space 315 is formed from the end portion on the X axis direction positive side of the stationary frame 52 to the end portion on the X axis direction positive side of the imaging device 2, on the Y axis direction positive side of the imaging device 2, in an area other than the stationary frame 52. The battery 22, the memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21 are disposed side by side in this space 315. More specifically, the battery 22, the memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21 have rectangular sections if cut by a plane orthogonal to the Z axis, and are disposed with the longitudinal direction thereof parallel to the direction along the second optical axis A2.

As a result, in this invention, while the outer case 312 is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, that is, while the end surface on the Y axis direction positive side thereof is evenly lined up in a plane, the space 315 inside thereof is used for disposing the battery 22, the memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21, and this enhances the efficiency in the utilization of space. Consequently, the dimension of the digital camera 311 can be reduced. In addition, since the outer case 312 is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, there is not a portion protruding out unnecessarily when the digital camera 311 is not being used. For this reason, the storage thereof is easy, when storing it in a case or a bag.

Furthermore, although a case of the battery 22, the memory card 24, and the sub-substrate 21 being disposed in order from the Y axis direction negative side was described using FIG. 34, the disposition is not limited to this.

For example, as described above, in order to take advantage of the heat generating from the sub-substrate 21, the configuration may be to have the sub-substrate 21 and the battery 22 be adjacent to each other. In this case, for example, the battery 22, the sub-substrate 21, and the memory card 24 is disposed in order from the Y axis direction negative side.

(4)

In addition, the effects through the disposition described above in (1) to (3) do not depend on the configuration of the imaging device 2. That is, the above described effects in (1) to (3) can be obtained even if the imaging device 2 does not have a multistage lens barrel, and the lens group disposed on the subject side (Y axis direction positive side) of the prism L5 is a fixed lens group.

In addition, although a case of the sub-substrate 21 being disposed side by side with the battery 22 and the memory card 24 was described in the above (1) to (3), another substrate, other than the sub-substrate 21, having a part of the main substrate 23 or a part of the function of the main substrate 23 may be disposed as described above, depending on the dimension and the configuration of the main substrate 23. For example, a substrate equipped with a circuit performing drive process of the CCD and the process of the access to the memory may be disposed as described in (1) to (3), instead of the sub-substrate 21. In this case, this kind of a substrate can be disposed near the CCD 37 and the memory card 24.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention is able to provide a camera with which further miniaturization is realized, in a camera including the bending optical system. Therefore, the camera according to the present invention is a camera having the bending optical system, and is useful in fields in which further miniaturization is being demanded.

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