Lens barrel

Abstract

A lens barrel includes a first optical element that is allowed to move along an optical axis, a first driven member connected to the first optical element, a second optical element disposed in the optical axis of the first optical element, which is allowed to move along the optical axis, a second driven member connected to the second optical element, a first drive shaft disposed substantially parallel to the optical axis to drive the first driven member along the optical axis, a second drive shaft disposed substantially parallel to the optical axis to drive the second driven member along the optical axis, a first drive unit connected to an end of the first drive shaft to drive the first drive shaft, and a second drive unit connected to an end of the second drive shaft to drive the second drive shaft and disposed at a position that partially overlaps a position of the first drive unit when viewed from the direction of the optical axis.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0001] The disclosure of the following priority application is herein incorporated by reference: Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-072320 filed Mar. 15, 2005 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a lens barrel that includes a plurality of optical elements driven independently of one another along the direction of the optical axis thereof. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] The lens barrel of a camera that houses the photographic optical system of the camera, known in the related art may include a plurality of movable lens units that move independently of one another along the direction of the optical axis thereof. [0006] At a lens barrel that includes an optical system adopting such a multiple unit structure, lead screws extending parallel to the optical axis and transmission mechanisms that are connected to the movable lens units and each include a threaded portion to engage with t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a lens barrel and an imaging apparatus. The lens barrel includes a first optical element, a first driven member, a second optical element, a second driven member, and two drive shafts. The first drive shaft is connected to the first driven member and the second optical element, while the second drive shaft is connected to the second driven member and the image-capturing element. The lens barrel also includes a guide unit that guides movement of the first and second optical elements along the optical axis. The imaging apparatus includes the lens barrel and the image-capturing element. The technical effects of the invention include improved image quality, reduced image blur, and improved autofocus performance.

Problems solved by technology

In the structure described above in which the plurality of lead screws each disposed parallel to the optical axis are driven by motors disposed side-by-side, the distance between the axes of the lead screws is likely to be significant due to the restrictions imposed by the motor size, which makes it difficult to provide a lens barrel as a compact unit, specifically with regard to its measurement along the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens barrel (the direction along which the lead screws are disposed).

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