Lens barrel, camera device, and lens barrel manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a lens barrel and camera device that can be manufactured at a low cost, and also to provide a technology that enable manufacturing the lens barrel capable of expanding / contracting in an optical axis direction at a low cost.SOLUTION: A barrel assembly 100 is configured to, in a state where a peripheral direction position of an engagement piece 41 of a linear movement barrel 40 is aligned with a peripheral direction position of a contact groove 33 of a rotation barrel 30, move the rotation barrel in an axial direction with respect to the linear movement barrel; and thereby insert the engagement piece into a peripheral direction groove 32 via the contact groove. The barrel assembly is configured to, in a state where a peripheral direction position of a boss part 38 of the rotation barrel and a guide protrusion 43 of the linear movement barrel is aligned with a peripheral direction position of an axis direction groove part 23 of a composite groove of a stationary barrel 10, insert the boss part and guide protrusion into the axis direction groove part of the stationary barrel; move the boss part of the rotation barrel from the axis direction groove part of the stationary barrel to a penetration cam groove part 22 to expose the boss part from the penetration cam groove part; and attach an actuation pin 31 to the boss part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lens barrel. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cameras equipped with a lens barrel that can extend and retract in the optical axis direction have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such lens barrels include a fixed barrel fixed to a frame, a rotating barrel that can move axially while rotating relative to the fixed barrel, and a key barrel that does not rotate relative to the fixed barrel but can move axially together with the rotating barrel. Conventional lens barrels require the fixed barrel to be provided with a cam groove (reference numeral 15 in Figure 5B of Patent Document 1) for extending the rotating barrel in the axial direction while rotating, and an axial groove (reference numeral 16 in Figure 5B of Patent Document 1) for moving the key barrel in the axial direction, which makes the structure and manufacturing process complicated and increases manufacturing costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-61462 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and has as its object to provide a lens barrel and a camera device that can be manufactured inexpensively.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for inexpensively manufacturing a lens barrel that is extendable and contractible in the optical axis direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lens barrel that houses at least one lens and is extendable and contractible along an optical axis direction, the lens barrel comprising: an operation ring having a first axial groove extending along the optical axis direction and a first circumferential groove extending along a circumferential direction; a fixed barrel that is disposed radially inside the operation ring and has a composite groove including a cam through-groove portion that extends in the circumferential direction while gradually changing its position in the optical axis direction forward from a rear end to a front end, and an axial groove portion that extends along the optical axis direction from the rear end of the cam through-groove portion to a rear edge of the fixed barrel; and a first engagement piece that protrudes radially outward and engages with the first circumferential groove of the operation ring and is movable inside the first circumferential groove; The lens barrel includes: a rotating barrel arranged on the inside, the rotating barrel having a second circumferential groove extending along the circumferential direction and an actuation pin that protrudes radially outward and passes through the cam through groove portion of the composite groove of the fixed barrel to engage with the first axial groove of the operation ring and be movable inside the cam through groove portion and inside the first axial groove; and a linear-acting barrel arranged radially inward of the rotating barrel, the linear-acting barrel having a second engagement piece that protrudes radially outward and engages with the second circumferential groove of the rotating barrel and be movable inside the second circumferential groove, and a guide protrusion that protrudes radially outward and engages with the axial groove portion of the composite groove of the fixed barrel and be movable inside the axial groove portion.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera device including the lens barrel described above and a frame to which the fixed barrel of the lens barrel is fixed.

[0008] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a lens barrel that houses at least one lens and is extendable and contractible along an optical axis direction, comprising the steps of: preparing a fixed barrel having a composite groove including a cam through-groove portion that extends in a circumferential direction such that its position in the optical axis direction gradually changes forward from a rear end to a front end; and an axial groove portion that extends along the optical axis direction from the rear end of the cam through-groove portion to a rear edge portion; preparing a rotary barrel having a circumferential groove that extends in the circumferential direction, a communication groove that extends along the optical axis direction from the circumferential groove to the rear edge portion, and a boss portion to which an actuation pin can be attached; preparing a linear-acting barrel having engagement pieces and guide protrusions that protrude radially outward; and rotating the rotary barrel in the optical axis direction relative to the linear-acting barrel with the circumferential positions of the engagement pieces of the linear-acting barrel aligned with the circumferential positions of the communication grooves of the rotary barrel; and inserting the engaging piece into the circumferential groove via the communicating groove to form a cylinder assembly, rotating the linear-acting cylinder of the cylinder assembly relative to the rotating cylinder to align the circumferential position of the boss portion of the rotating cylinder with the circumferential position of the guide protrusion of the linear-acting cylinder, and in a state in which the circumferential positions of the boss portion and the guide protrusion, whose circumferential positions have been aligned, are aligned with the circumferential position of the axial groove portion of the composite groove of the fixed cylinder, inserting the boss portion and the guide protrusion into the axial groove portion of the fixed cylinder, and rotating the rotating cylinder relative to the fixed cylinder to move the boss portion of the rotating cylinder from the axial groove portion of the fixed cylinder to the through-cam groove portion to expose the boss portion from the through-cam groove portion, and attaching an operating pin to the boss portion exposed from the through-cam groove portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the composite groove of the fixed barrel has both the function of extending the rotating barrel in the optical axis direction while rotating it and the function of moving the linear-movement barrel in the optical axis direction, so there is no need to provide separate grooves for each of these functions, which simplifies the structure of the fixed barrel and the manufacturing process of the lens barrel, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the lens barrel and camera device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lens barrel of the camera device shown in FIG. 1 is extended forward. [Figure 3] 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lens barrel in the camera device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lens barrel in the camera device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an operation ring, a fixed barrel, a first rotary barrel, and a first linearly moving barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a second rotary barrel, a second linearly moving barrel, and a movable lens barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the operation ring of FIG. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a side view schematically showing the fixed barrel of FIG. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 8A. [Figure 9A] 9A is a side view schematically showing the first rotating barrel of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 9A. [Figure 10A] 10A is a side view schematically showing the first direct-acting cylinder of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 10A. [Figure 11A] 11A is a side view schematically showing the second rotating barrel of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 11A. [Figure 12A] 12A is a side view schematically showing the second direct-acting cylinder of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 12A. [Figure 13]13 is a perspective view showing a state in the middle of assembling the lens barrel of the camera device shown in FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a perspective view showing a state in the middle of assembling the lens barrel of the camera device shown in FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a perspective view showing a state in the middle of assembling the lens barrel of the camera device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a camera device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. In FIGS. 1 to 15, identical or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 15, the scale and dimensions of each component may be exaggerated, and some components may be omitted. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish components from one another, and do not represent a particular order or ranking.

[0012] 1 is a perspective view showing a camera device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The camera device 1 according to this embodiment is a camera (instant camera) that uses photographic film that is automatically developed after photography, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to cameras other than instant cameras. For convenience, in this embodiment, the direction from the camera device 1 along the optical axis direction toward the subject (the +Z direction in FIG. 1) will be referred to as "front" or "forward," and the direction from the subject toward the camera device 1 (the -Z direction) will be referred to as "rear" or "rearward."

[0013] 1, camera device 1 includes a front cover 2, a rear cover 3 disposed adjacent to and behind front cover 2, side covers 4A and 4B attached to the sides of front cover 2 and rear cover 3, a film ejection cover 5 disposed between front cover 2 and rear cover 3, a door portion 6 attached to the rear of rear cover 3, and a lens barrel 7 accommodating a lens unit therein. To enhance the aesthetic appeal of side cover 4B, a decorative plate 4C is attached to side cover 4B.

[0014] A viewfinder window 8A and a release button 8B are provided on the front surface of the side cover 4A, and a viewfinder section 8C is provided on the rear surface of the side cover 4A, allowing the user to observe an image of a subject in front through the viewfinder window 8A. A flash 9 is also provided between the front cover 2 and the side cover 4A. The film exit cover 5 has an exit opening 5A extending in the X direction, and the developed photographic film is ejected from this exit opening 5A after exposure.

[0015] In this embodiment, the lens barrel 7 has a structure that allows it to extend and retract in the optical axis direction. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the lens barrel 7 is in its most retracted state in the optical axis direction (Z direction). When the lens barrel 7 is in the state shown in FIG. 1, the camera device 1 is in a "retracted state." FIG. 2 shows the lens barrel 7 in a state where it is extended to its maximum in the optical axis direction P (Z direction). When the lens barrel 7 is in the state shown in FIG. 2, the camera device 1 is in a "shooting state."

[0016] Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lens barrel 7 in a retracted state, and Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lens barrel 7 in a photographing state. In Figs. 3 and 4, some components are shown in a simplified form to facilitate understanding. In this embodiment, the casing of the camera device 1 is made up of the front cover 2, the rear cover 3, the side covers 4A and 4B, and the film ejection cover 5, and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame 80 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is housed inside this casing. A film storage space S is formed inside this frame 80, capable of storing photographic film (not shown) containing a developing solution.

[0017] 5 and 6 are exploded perspective views of the components of lens barrel 7. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, lens barrel 7 includes an operation ring 10 that can be rotated by the user's hand, a fixed barrel 20 that is arranged radially inward of operation ring 10 and fixed to frame 80 with, for example, screws 81 (see Figure 5), a first rotary barrel 30 that is arranged radially inward of fixed barrel 20, a first linear-acting barrel 40 that is arranged radially inward of first rotary barrel 30, a second rotary barrel 50 that is arranged radially inward of first linear-acting barrel 40, a second linear-acting barrel 60 that is arranged radially inward of second rotary barrel 50, and a movable lens barrel 70 that is arranged radially inward of second linear-acting barrel 60. Fig. 5 shows the operation ring 10, fixed barrel 20, first rotating barrel 30, and first linear-movement barrel 40 of the lens barrel 7, while Fig. 6 shows the second rotating barrel 50, second linear-movement barrel 60, and movable lens barrel 70 of the lens barrel 7. In this embodiment, a lens unit 73 including a pair of lenses 71, 72 is housed inside the movable lens barrel 70. A barrier 74 that can be opened and closed is disposed in front of the lens unit 73. It should be noted that the number of lenses included in the lens barrel 7 is not limited to two.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the operation ring 10. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the inner peripheral surface of the operation ring 10 is formed with three axial grooves 11 (first axial grooves) extending from the rear edge of the operation ring 10 in the +Z direction, three circumferential grooves 12 (first circumferential grooves) extending along the circumferential direction, and three connecting grooves 13 extending from the rear edge of the operation ring 10 in the +Z direction and connecting to the ends of the circumferential grooves 12. The three axial grooves 11, the three circumferential grooves 12, and the three connecting grooves 13 are each disposed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (i.e., at 120-degree intervals). In this embodiment, each circumferential groove 12 is formed over an angular range of approximately 90 degrees around the axis. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer peripheral surface of the operation ring 10 is formed with unevenness 14 for preventing slippage. The camera device 1 is provided with a contact sensor, optical sensor, or the like (not shown) capable of detecting the rotation angle of the operation ring 10.

[0019] FIG. 8A is a side view schematically showing the fixed barrel 20, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIGS. 5, 8A, and 8B, the fixed barrel 20 has three engagement pieces 21 (first engagement pieces) protruding radially outward from its outer circumferential surface. These engagement pieces 21 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e., at 120-degree intervals) along the circumferential direction. The width of each engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 along the optical axis direction (Z direction) (hereinafter referred to as the axial width) is slightly smaller than the axial width of the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10. The engagement pieces 21 of the fixed barrel 20 engage with the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10, allowing the operation ring 10 to move circumferentially within the circumferential groove 12. Due to this engagement between the engagement pieces 21 of the fixed barrel 20 and the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10, the operation ring 10 can rotate relative to the fixed barrel 20 without changing its axial position with respect to the fixed barrel 20.

[0020] When assembling the operation ring 10 to the fixed barrel 20, the circumferential position of the engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 13 of the operation ring 10, and by moving the operation ring 10 in the -Z direction from the front of the fixed barrel 20, the engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 can be moved in the axial direction (Z direction) inside the communication groove 13 of the operation ring 10 and moved to the end of the circumferential groove 12. In this state, by rotating the operation ring 10 relative to the fixed barrel 20, the engagement piece 21 of the fixed barrel 20 and the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10 can be engaged with each other.

[0021] As shown in Figures 5, 8A, and 8B, the fixed barrel 20 has three composite grooves 25 formed therein, spaced at equal intervals (i.e., at 120-degree intervals) along the circumferential direction. Each composite groove 25 is composed of a cam through-groove portion 22 that extends through the circumferential wall and an axial groove portion 23 that is connected to the cam through-groove portion 22. Each cam through-groove portion 22 includes a rear end portion 22A, a front end portion 22B, and an intermediate portion 22C located between the rear end portion 22A and the front end portion 22B. The intermediate portion 22C of the cam through-groove portion 22 extends circumferentially from the rear end portion 22A toward the front end portion 22B such that its position in the Z direction gradually changes forward.

[0022] 8A and 8B, the cam through-groove portion 22 has an enlarged groove portion 27 on the radially inner side, the enlarged groove portion 27 having an enlarged axial width, and the enlarged groove portion 27 is formed over the entire length of the cam through-groove portion 22. The axial groove portion 23 extends in the +Z direction from the rear end portion 22A of the cam through-groove portion 22 and connects to the rear edge portion 20A of the fixed barrel 20.

[0023] FIG. 9A is a side view schematically illustrating the first rotating barrel 30. As shown in FIG. 9A, the first rotating barrel 30 includes a front cylindrical portion 36 and a rear cylindrical portion 37. The first rotating barrel 30 also has three cylindrical actuation pins 31 protruding radially outward from its outer circumferential surface. These actuation pins 31 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e., at 120-degree intervals) along the circumferential direction. The actuation pins 31 are attached to boss portions 38 that protrude radially outward near the front edge of the rear cylindrical portion 37. The outer diameter of the boss portions 38 is larger than the outer diameter of the actuation pins 31. Because the actuation pins 31 are fixed to the boss portions 38 that protrude with a larger outer diameter than the actuation pins 31, the strength of the actuation pins 31 is reinforced by the boss portions 38. This prevents the actuation pins 31 from being damaged by the force acting when sliding inside the cam through-groove portions 22, as described below.

[0024] The outer diameter of each actuating pin 31 is slightly smaller than the axial width of the cam through-groove portion 22 of the fixed barrel 20 and the circumferential width (hereinafter referred to as the circumferential width) of the axial groove 11 of the operation ring 10, and each actuating pin 31 passes through the cam through-groove portion 22 of the fixed barrel 20 and engages with the axial groove 11 of the operation ring 10. The outer diameter of the boss portion 38 is slightly smaller than the axial width of the enlarged groove portion 27 of the fixed barrel 20, and is also smaller than the circumferential width of the axial groove portion 23 of the fixed barrel 20. This allows the boss portion 38 to move into the enlarged groove portion 27 through the axial groove portion 23 of the fixed barrel 20, and to move inside the enlarged groove portion 27. Note that hereinafter, the actuating pin 31 and boss portion 38 may be collectively referred to as the "actuating portion."

[0025] With this configuration, the actuating pin 31 of the first rotary barrel 30 engages with the cam through-groove portion 22 of the fixed barrel 20 and can move along the cam through-groove portion 22 inside the cam through-groove portion 22 of the fixed barrel 20, and also engages with the axial groove 11 of the operation ring 10 and can move along the axial direction inside the axial groove 11 of the operation ring 10. Due to this engagement between the actuating pin 31 of the first rotary barrel 30 and the axial groove 11 of the operation ring 10, when a user rotates the operation ring 10 relative to the fixed barrel 20, the first rotary barrel 30 rotates together with the operation ring 10 relative to the fixed barrel 20. At this time, due to the engagement between the actuating pin 31 of the first rotary barrel 30 and the cam through-groove portion 22 of the fixed barrel 20, the first rotary barrel 30 moves in the optical axis direction relative to the fixed barrel 20 along the shape of the cam through-groove portion 22 as the first rotary barrel 30 rotates. In this way, when the user rotates the operation ring 10 relative to the fixed barrel 20, the first rotating barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 and extends in the +Z direction. When the operating pin 31 of the first rotating barrel 30 moves along the cam through-groove portion 22 of the fixed barrel 20, the boss portion 38 of the first rotating barrel 30 moves inside the enlarged groove portion 27 of the cam through-groove portion 22. In this way, the enlarged groove portion 27 of the fixed barrel 20 prevents the boss portion 38 from interfering with the fixed barrel 20.

[0026] Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 9A. As shown in Fig. 9B, the inner peripheral surface of the first rotating shell 30 is formed with three circumferential grooves 32 (second circumferential grooves) extending along the circumferential direction, three connecting grooves 33 extending from the rear end of the first rotating shell 30 in the +Z direction to connect to the ends of the circumferential grooves 32, and three axial grooves 34 extending from the rear edge of the first rotating shell 30 in the +Z direction. The first rotating shell 30 also has three engagement pieces 35 protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface. The three circumferential grooves 32, the three connecting grooves 33, the three axial grooves 34, and the three engagement pieces 35 are each arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (i.e., at 120-degree intervals).

[0027] FIG. 10A is a side view schematically showing the first direct-acting cylinder 40. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10A, the first direct-acting cylinder 40 has three engagement pieces 41 (second engagement pieces) that protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface. These engagement pieces 41 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (i.e., at 120-degree intervals). The axial width of each engagement piece 41 is slightly smaller than the axial width of the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30, and each engagement piece 41 engages with the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30. This allows the engagement pieces 41 of the first direct-acting cylinder 40 to move circumferentially inside the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30. Due to the engagement between the engagement piece 41 of this first linear cylinder 40 and the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30, the first linear cylinder 40 can rotate relative to the first rotating cylinder 30 without changing its position in the Z direction relative to the first rotating cylinder 30.

[0028] The first linear motion cylinder 40 also has three guide protrusions 43 that protrude radially outward from its rear edge. The guide protrusions 43 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (i.e., at 120-degree intervals). The circumferential width of each guide protrusion 43 is slightly smaller than the circumferential width of the axial groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20, and each guide protrusion 43 of the first linear motion cylinder 40 engages with the axial groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20. This allows the guide protrusions 43 to move axially inside the axial groove 23. In this way, the engagement between the guide protrusions 43 of the first linear motion cylinder 40 and the axial groove 23 of the fixed barrel 20 allows the first linear motion cylinder 40 to move in the Z direction without rotating relative to the fixed barrel 20.

[0029] Fig. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 10A. As shown in Fig. 10B, the first linear motion cylinder 40 has three cam through grooves 44 formed therein, which extend through the peripheral wall. These cam through grooves 44 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each cam through groove 44 includes a rear end portion 44A, a front end portion 44B, and an intermediate portion 44C connecting the rear end portion 44A and the front end portion 44B. The intermediate portion 44C of the cam through groove 44 extends circumferentially from the rear end portion 44A toward the front end portion 44B so that its position in the Z direction gradually changes forward.

[0030] Also, three communication grooves 45 extending in the +Z direction from the rear edge of the first direct acting cylinder 40 and connecting to the rear end 44A of the through cam groove 44, and two axial grooves 46 extending in the +Z direction from the rear edge of the first direct acting cylinder 40 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first direct acting cylinder 40. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 10A, three circumferential grooves 47 extending along the circumferential direction, and three communication grooves 48 extending in the -Z direction from the front edge of the first direct acting cylinder 40 and connecting to the circumferential grooves 47 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first direct acting cylinder 40. The three communication grooves 45, the three circumferential grooves 47, and the three communication grooves 48 are each arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (i.e., at 120-degree intervals).

[0031] When assembling the first direct-acting cylinder 40 to the first rotating cylinder 30, the circumferential position of the engaging piece 41 of the first direct-acting cylinder 40 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 33 of the first rotating cylinder 30. At this time, the circumferential position of the engaging piece 35 of the first rotating cylinder 30 coincides with the circumferential position of the communication groove 48 of the first direct-acting cylinder 40. Then, by moving the first rotating cylinder 30 in the −Z direction from the front of the first direct-acting cylinder 40, the engaging piece 41 of the first direct-acting cylinder moves axially (in the Z direction) inside the communication groove 33 of the first rotating cylinder 30 and moves to the end of the circumferential groove 32, and the engaging piece 35 of the first rotating cylinder 30 moves axially (in the Z direction) inside the communication groove 48 of the first direct-acting cylinder 40 and moves to the end of the circumferential groove 47. In this state, by rotating the first rotating barrel 30 relative to the first direct-acting barrel 40, the engaging piece 41 of the first direct-acting barrel 40 can be engaged with the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating barrel 30, and the engaging piece 35 of the first rotating barrel 30 can be engaged with the circumferential groove 47 of the first direct-acting barrel 40.

[0032] 11A is a side view schematically showing the second rotary barrel 50. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11A, the second rotary barrel 50 has three cylindrical actuation pins 51 that protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface. These actuation pins 51 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (i.e., at 120-degree intervals). The outer diameter of each actuation pin 51 is slightly smaller than the axial width of the cam through groove 44 of the first linear motion barrel 40 and the circumferential width of the axial groove 34 of the first rotary barrel 30, and each actuation pin 51 passes through the cam through groove 44 of the first linear motion barrel 40 and engages with the axial groove 34 of the first rotary barrel 30.

[0033] With this configuration, the actuating pin 51 of the second rotary barrel 50 engages with the cam through groove 44 of the first linear motion barrel 40 to move within the cam through groove 44 of the first linear motion barrel 40 along the cam through groove 44, and also engages with the axial groove 34 of the first rotary barrel 30 to move along the axial direction within the axial groove 34 of the first rotary barrel 30. When the first rotary barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 due to the engagement between the actuating pin 51 of the second rotary barrel 50 and the axial groove 34 of the first rotary barrel 30, the second rotary barrel 50 rotates together with the first rotary barrel 30 relative to the fixed barrel 20. At this time, due to the engagement between the actuating pin 51 of the second rotary barrel 50 and the cam through groove 44 of the first linear motion barrel 40, the second rotary barrel 50 moves in the optical axis direction (Z direction) relative to the first linear motion barrel 40 along the shape of the cam through groove 44 as the second rotary barrel 50 rotates. In this way, when the first rotary barrel 30 is rotated relative to the fixed barrel 20 by a user's operation, the second rotary barrel 50 rotates relative to the first linearly moving barrel 40 and is extended in the +Z direction.

[0034] 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 11A. As shown in FIG. 11B, six cam grooves 52 and six communication grooves 53 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating barrel 50, extending in the +Z direction from the rear edge of the second rotating barrel 50 and connecting to the rear ends of the cam grooves 52. The six cam grooves 52 and the six communication grooves 53 are each arranged at equal intervals (i.e., at 60-degree intervals) along the circumferential direction. Each cam groove 52 extends circumferentially from the rear end toward the front end such that its position in the Z direction gradually changes forward. The second rotating barrel 50 also has three engagement pieces 54 that protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface. These engagement pieces 54 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e., at 120-degree intervals) along the circumferential direction.

[0035] FIG. 12A is a side view schematically illustrating the second direct-acting cylinder 60. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 12A, the second direct-acting cylinder 60 has two engagement protrusions 61 protruding radially outward from its outer circumferential surface. These engagement protrusions 61 are arranged to correspond to the axial grooves 46 of the first direct-acting cylinder 40. The circumferential width of each engagement protrusion 61 is slightly smaller than the circumferential width of the axial grooves 46 of the first direct-acting cylinder 40, and each engagement protrusion 61 engages with the axial grooves 46 of the first direct-acting cylinder 40. This allows the engagement protrusions 61 of the second direct-acting cylinder 60 to move axially within the axial grooves 46 of the first direct-acting cylinder 40. The engagement between the engagement protrusions 61 of the second direct-acting cylinder 60 and the axial grooves 46 of the first direct-acting cylinder 40 allows the second direct-acting cylinder 60 to move in the Z direction without rotating relative to the first direct-acting cylinder 40.

[0036] Fig. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in Fig. 12A. As shown in Fig. 6, 12A, and 12B, the second direct-acting cylinder 60 has six axial grooves 62 formed therein, each extending from a rear edge portion in the +Z direction while penetrating the peripheral wall. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the second direct-acting cylinder 60 has three circumferential grooves 63 extending along the circumferential direction and three communication grooves 64 extending from a front edge portion of the second direct-acting cylinder 60 in the -Z direction and connecting to the circumferential grooves 63. The six axial grooves 62 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (i.e., at 60-degree intervals), and the three circumferential grooves 63 and the three communication grooves 64 are each arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (i.e., at 120-degree intervals).

[0037] When assembling the second direct-acting cylinder 60 to the second rotating cylinder 50, the circumferential position of the engaging piece 54 of the second rotating cylinder 50 is aligned with the communicating groove 64 of the second direct-acting cylinder 60, and the second rotating cylinder 50 is moved in the -Z direction from the front of the second direct-acting cylinder 60, whereby the engaging piece 54 of the second rotating cylinder 50 can be moved in the axial direction (Z direction) inside the communicating groove 64 of the second direct-acting cylinder 60 to the end of the circumferential groove 63. In this state, by rotating the second rotating cylinder 50 relative to the second direct-acting cylinder 60, the engaging piece 54 of the second rotating cylinder 50 can be engaged with the circumferential groove 63 of the second direct-acting cylinder 60.

[0038] 6, the movable lens barrel 70 has six cylindrical actuation pins 75 that protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface. These actuation pins 75 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (i.e., at 60-degree intervals). The outer diameter of each actuation pin 75 is slightly smaller than the circumferential width of the axial groove 62 of the second linear motion barrel 60 and the axial width of the cam groove 52 of the second rotary barrel 50, and each actuation pin 75 passes through the axial groove 62 of the second linear motion barrel 60 and engages with the cam groove 52 of the second rotary barrel 50.

[0039] With this configuration, the actuating pin 75 of the movable lens barrel 70 engages with the cam groove 52 of the second rotary barrel 50 to move within the cam groove 52 of the second rotary barrel 50 along the cam groove 52, and also engages with the axial groove 62 of the second linear moving barrel 60 to move along the axial direction within the axial groove 62 of the second linear moving barrel 60. The engagement between the actuating pin 75 of the movable lens barrel 70 and the axial groove 62 of the second linear moving barrel 60 causes the movable lens barrel 70 to rotate together with the second linear moving barrel 60. Furthermore, the engagement between the actuating pin 75 of the movable lens barrel 70 and the cam groove 52 of the second rotary barrel 50 causes the movable lens barrel 70 to move in the optical axis direction relative to the second rotary barrel 50 along the shape of the cam groove 52 of the second rotary barrel 50.

[0040] 1, when a user rotates the operation ring 10 relative to the fixed barrel 20, the first rotating barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 and extends in the +Z direction, the second rotating barrel 50 rotates relative to the first rotating barrel 30 and extends in the +Z direction, and further the movable lens barrel 70 rotates relative to the second rotating barrel 50 and extends in the +Z direction. When a sensor (not shown) provided inside the camera device 1 detects the operation ring 10 extended in this manner, the camera device 1 is powered on and enters a shooting state.

[0041] To switch from the shooting state to the retracted state, the operation ring 10 is rotated in the direction opposite to the aforementioned extension rotation direction. As the operation ring 10 rotates, the movable lens barrel 70 rotates relative to the second rotary barrel 50 and moves in the -Z direction, the second rotary barrel 50 rotates relative to the first rotary barrel 30 and moves in the -Z direction, and the first rotary barrel 30 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 20 and moves in the -Z direction. This operation ultimately results in the retracted state shown in FIG. 1.

[0042] When assembling the lens barrel 7 described above, as described above, the second rotary barrel 50 is moved in the −Z direction from the front of the second linear motion barrel 60, thereby moving the engagement piece 54 of the second rotary barrel 50 in the Z direction inside the communication groove 64 of the second linear motion barrel 60 to the end of the circumferential groove 63. In this state, the second rotary barrel 50 is rotated relative to the second linear motion barrel 60, thereby engaging the engagement piece 54 of the second rotary barrel 50 with the circumferential groove 63 of the second linear motion barrel 60.

[0043] Then, by rotating the second direct-acting barrel 60 relative to the second rotary barrel 50, the circumferential position of the axial groove 62 of the second direct-acting barrel 60 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 53 of the second rotary barrel 50. In this state, the movable lens barrel 70 is housed radially inside the second direct-acting barrel 60 from behind the second direct-acting barrel 60 so that the actuation pin 75 of the movable lens barrel 70 is inserted into the axial groove 62 of the second direct-acting barrel 60 and the communication groove 53 of the second rotary barrel 50. The second direct-acting barrel 60 and the second rotary barrel in this state are collectively referred to as the "front barrel part."

[0044] Furthermore, a first rotating barrel 30 is prepared without the actuating pin 31 attached, and the circumferential position of the engaging piece 41 of the first linear motion barrel 40 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communicating groove 33 of the first rotating barrel 30. At this time, the circumferential position of the engaging piece 35 of the first rotating barrel 30 coincides with the circumferential position of the communicating groove 48 of the first linear motion barrel 40. Then, by inserting the first rotating barrel 30 from the front of the first linear motion barrel 40 in the −Z direction, the engaging piece 41 of the first linear motion barrel moves axially (in the Z direction) inside the communicating groove 33 of the first rotating barrel 30 to the end of the circumferential groove 32, and the engaging piece 35 of the first rotating barrel 30 moves axially (in the Z direction) inside the communicating groove 48 of the first linear motion barrel 40 to the end of the circumferential groove 47. In this state, by rotating the first rotary barrel 30 relative to the first linear motion barrel 40, the engaging pieces 41 of the first linear motion barrel 40 are engaged with the circumferential grooves 32 of the first rotary barrel 30, and the engaging pieces 35 of the first rotary barrel 30 are engaged with the circumferential grooves 47 of the first linear motion barrel 40. The first linear motion barrel and the first rotary barrel 30 in this state are collectively referred to as the "rear cylinder part."

[0045] The first linear motion cylinder 40 is then rotated relative to the first rotary cylinder 30 so that the circumferential position of the actuating pin 51 of the second rotary cylinder 50 coincides with the circumferential position of the connecting groove 45 of the first linear motion cylinder 40, and the circumferential position of the engaging protrusion 61 of the second linear motion cylinder 60 coincides with the circumferential position of the axial groove 46 of the first linear motion cylinder 40. In this state, the rear cylindrical part is moved in the -Z direction from the front of the front cylindrical part, thereby housing the front cylindrical part radially inside the rear cylindrical part. The first rotary cylinder 30, first linear motion cylinder 40, second rotary cylinder 50, and second linear motion cylinder 60 in this state are collectively referred to as the "cylinder assembly." Figure 13 shows this cylinder assembly 100.

[0046] Next, as shown in FIG. 14 , the first linear motion cylinder 40 of the cylinder assembly 100 is rotated relative to the first rotating cylinder 30 to align the circumferential position of the boss portion 38 of the first rotating cylinder 30 with the circumferential position of the guide protrusions 43 of the first linear motion cylinder 40. In this state, as shown in FIG. 15 , the circumferential positions of the boss portion 38 and the guide protrusions 43 of the cylinder assembly 100 are aligned with the circumferential position of the axial groove portion 23 of the fixed cylinder 20, and the cylinder assembly 100 is accommodated from the rear of the fixed cylinder 20 radially inside the fixed cylinder 20 so that the boss portion 38 of the first rotating cylinder 30 and the guide protrusions 43 of the first linear motion cylinder 40 are inserted into the axial groove portion 23 of the fixed cylinder 20. When the boss portion 38 of the first rotating cylinder 30 is moved to the front end of the axial groove portion 23 of the fixed cylinder 20, the guide protrusions 43 of the first linear motion cylinder 40 are positioned inside the axial groove portion 23 of the fixed cylinder 20. Thereafter, when the barrel assembly 100 is rotated, the boss portion 38 of the first rotating barrel 30 moves along the enlarged groove portion 27 of the fixed barrel 20, and a portion of the boss portion 38 is exposed through the cam through-groove portion 22. In this state, the actuating pin 31 can be attached to the boss portion 38 from the radially outer side of the cam through-groove portion 22 of the fixed barrel 20. The actuating pin 31 can be attached to the boss portion 38 by, for example, screwing or press-fitting. As described above, in this embodiment, a portion of the actuating portion of the first rotating barrel 30 (the boss portion 38) can be inserted into the enlarged groove portion 27 through the axial groove portion 23 of the fixed barrel 20. Then, the fixed barrel 20 housing the barrel assembly 100 is fixed to the frame 80 using screws 81 (see FIG. 5 ) or the like.

[0047] In the lens barrel 7 assembled in this manner, the guide protrusions 43 of the first linear motion barrel 40 engage with the axial groove portion 23 of the composite groove 25 of the fixed barrel 20, causing the lens barrel 7 to extend and retract in the optical axis direction. Furthermore, the actuating pin 31 of the first rotary barrel 30 engages with the cam through-groove portion 22 of the composite groove 25, causing the first rotary barrel 30 to extend in the Z direction while rotating. Thus, the composite groove 25 of the fixed barrel 20 has both the function of extending the first rotary barrel 30 in the Z direction while rotating, and the function of moving the first linear motion barrel 40 in the Z direction. Therefore, there is no need to provide separate grooves for each of these functions. This simplifies the structure of the fixed barrel 20 and the manufacturing process of the lens barrel 7. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the lens barrel 7.

[0048] As described above, lens barrel 7 in this embodiment houses at least one lens 71, 72 and is configured to be extendable and retractable along optical axis direction P. This lens barrel 7 includes operation ring 10 having axial groove 11 (first axial groove) extending along optical axis direction P and circumferential groove 12 (first circumferential groove) extending along the circumferential direction, fixed barrel 20 arranged radially inward of operation ring 10, first rotary barrel 30 arranged radially inward of fixed barrel 20, and first linear motion barrel 40 arranged radially inward of first rotary barrel 30. The fixed barrel 20 has a composite groove 25 including a cam through-groove portion 22 extending circumferentially so that its position in the Z direction gradually changes forward from a rear end portion 22A to a front end portion 22B, and an axial groove portion 23 extending in the Z direction from the rear end portion 22A of the cam through-groove portion 22 to a rear edge portion 20A of the fixed barrel 20, and an engagement piece 21 (first engagement piece) that protrudes radially outward and engages with the circumferential groove 12 of the operation ring 10 to be movable inside the circumferential groove 12. The first rotary barrel 30 has a circumferential groove 32 (second circumferential groove) that extends circumferentially, and an operating pin 31 that protrudes radially outward and passes through the cam through-groove portion 22 of the composite groove 25 of the fixed barrel 20 to engage with the axial groove 11 of the operation ring 10 to be movable inside the cam through-groove portion 22 and inside the axial groove 11. The first linear cylinder 40 has an engagement piece 41 (second engagement piece) that protrudes radially outward and engages with the circumferential groove 32 of the first rotating cylinder 30 and is movable within the circumferential groove 32, and a guide protrusion 43 that protrudes radially outward and engages with the axial groove portion 23 of the composite groove 25 of the fixed cylinder 20 and is movable within the axial groove portion 23.

[0049] Such a lens barrel is manufactured as follows: With the circumferential position of the engagement piece 41 of the first linear motion barrel 40 aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 33 of the first rotary barrel 30, the first rotary barrel 30 is moved in the Z direction relative to the first linear motion barrel 40, thereby inserting the engagement piece 41 into the circumferential groove 32 via the communication groove 33, thereby forming the barrel assembly 100. By rotating the first linear-acting barrel 40 of the barrel assembly 100 relative to the first rotating barrel 30, the circumferential position of the boss portion 38 of the first rotating barrel 30 is aligned with the circumferential position of the guide protrusion 43 of the first linear-acting barrel 40, and the circumferential positions of the boss portion 38 and guide protrusion 43, whose circumferential positions are aligned, are aligned with the circumferential position of the axial groove portion 23 of the composite groove 25 of the fixed barrel 20. In this state, the boss portion 38 and the guide protrusion 43 are inserted into the axial groove portion 23 of the fixed barrel 20, and the first rotating barrel 30 is rotated relative to the fixed barrel 20, so that the boss portion 38 of the first rotating barrel 30 moves from the axial groove portion 23 of the fixed barrel 20 to the through cam groove portion 22, exposing the boss portion 38 from the through cam groove portion 22, and the operating pin 31 is attached to the boss portion 38 exposed from the through cam groove portion 22.

[0050] In this way, the composite groove 25 of the fixed barrel 20 has both the function of extending the first rotating barrel 30 in the Z direction while rotating it, and the function of moving the first linear motion barrel 40 in the Z direction, so there is no need to provide separate grooves for each of these functions, which simplifies the structure of the fixed barrel 20 and simplifies the manufacturing process of the lens barrel 7. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the lens barrel 7 can be reduced.

[0051] It should be noted that the terms "forward," "rearward," "upward," and other positional terms used in this specification are used in relation to the illustrated embodiment and will vary depending on the relative positional relationship of the devices.

[0052] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be embodied in various different forms within the scope of the technical concept thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Camera equipment 7 Lens barrel 10 Operation ring 11 Axial groove 12 circumferential groove (first circumferential groove) 13 Connecting groove 20 Fixed cylinder 21 Engagement piece (first engagement piece) 22 through-cam groove 22A Rear end 22B Front end 22C middle part 23 Axial groove 25 Composite Groove 27 Enlarged groove 30 First rotating barrel 31 Operating pin (operating part) 32 circumferential groove (second circumferential groove) 33 Connecting groove 34 Axial groove 35 Engagement piece 36 Front cylinder part 37 Rear cylinder part 38 Boss section 40 First direct-acting cylinder 41 Engagement piece (second engagement piece) 43 Guide protrusion 44 through cam groove 45 Connecting groove 46 Axial groove 47 Circumferential groove 48 Connecting groove 50 Second rotating barrel 51 Operating pin 52 Cam groove 53 Connecting groove 54 Engagement piece 60 Second direct-acting cylinder 61 Engagement protrusion 62 Axial groove 63 Circumferential groove 64 Connecting groove 70 Movable lens barrel 71,72 Lens 73 Lens unit 75 operating pin 80 frames 81 screws P Optical axis direction S Film storage space

Claims

1. A lens barrel that houses at least one lens and is extendable and retractable along an optical axis direction, an operation ring having a first axial groove extending along the optical axis direction and a first circumferential groove extending along the circumferential direction; a fixed cylinder disposed radially inside the operation ring, a composite groove including a cam through-groove portion extending in a circumferential direction with its position in the optical axis direction gradually changing forward from a rear end portion to a front end portion, and an axial groove portion extending in the optical axis direction from the rear end portion of the cam through-groove portion to a rear edge portion of the fixed barrel; a first engagement piece that protrudes radially outward and engages with the first circumferential groove of the operation ring so as to be movable within the first circumferential groove; a fixed barrel having A rotating cylinder disposed radially inside the fixed cylinder, a second circumferential groove extending along the circumferential direction; an operating pin that protrudes radially outward, passes through the cam through-groove portion of the compound groove of the fixed barrel, and engages with the first axial groove of the operation ring, and is movable inside the cam through-groove portion and inside the first axial groove; a rotating cylinder having a linear motion cylinder disposed radially inside the rotary cylinder, a second engagement piece that protrudes radially outward and engages with the second circumferential groove of the rotary barrel to be movable within the second circumferential groove; a guide protrusion that protrudes radially outward and is engaged with the axial groove portion of the compound groove of the fixed barrel so as to be movable inside the axial groove portion; A linear moving cylinder having A lens barrel comprising:

2. The lens barrel according to claim 1; a frame to which the fixed barrel of the lens barrel is fixed; A camera device comprising:

3. A method for manufacturing a lens barrel that houses at least one lens and is extendable and contractible along an optical axis direction, comprising the steps of: a fixed barrel having a compound groove including a cam through-groove portion extending in a circumferential direction while the position in the optical axis direction gradually changes forward from the rear end to the front end, and an axial groove portion extending in the optical axis direction from the rear end to a rear edge portion of the cam through-groove portion, a rotating barrel having a circumferential groove extending along a circumferential direction, a connecting groove extending along the optical axis direction from the circumferential groove to a rear edge portion, and a boss portion to which an actuation pin can be attached; a linear motion cylinder having an engaging piece and a guide protrusion protruding radially outward; a barrel assembly is constructed by aligning the circumferential position of the engaging piece of the linear barrel with the circumferential position of the communicating groove of the rotary barrel, and moving the rotary barrel in the optical axis direction relative to the linear barrel, thereby inserting the engaging piece into the circumferential groove via the communicating groove; By rotating the linear motion cylinder of the cylinder assembly relative to the rotary cylinder, the circumferential position of the boss portion of the rotary cylinder and the circumferential position of the guide protrusion of the linear motion cylinder are aligned, inserting the boss portion and the guide protrusion into the axial groove portion of the fixed barrel in a state in which the circumferential positions of the aligned boss portion and the aligned guide protrusion are aligned with the circumferential position of the axial groove portion of the composite groove of the fixed barrel; By rotating the rotary barrel relative to the fixed barrel, the boss portion of the rotary barrel moves from the axial groove portion of the fixed barrel to the cam through groove portion, thereby exposing the boss portion from the cam through groove portion; an operating pin is attached to the boss portion exposed from the through-cam groove portion; method.

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