Lens cap

Abstract

To provide a lens cap with improved holding performance and improved operability when attached and detached.SOLUTION: A lens cap 1 can be attached to and detached from a lens device 2 including on a front face facing a subject a first lens 210 and a second lens 220 which are disposed in an X axial direction so that an optical axis is parallel to a Z axial direction, and includes sliders 110, 120 slidable to a cap base 100 in a Y axial direction. The slider 110 includes: engagement parts 111a, 111b engaged with engaged parts 211a, 211b of the lens device 2; and an operation part 112 operating when the lens cap 1 is attached and detached and having a recess 112a. The cap base 100 includes an opening 106 for exposing the recess 112a externally from the front face of the lens cap 1. The operation part 112 is configured to be disposed between optical axes of the first lens 210 and the second lens 220 when viewed from the Z axial direction. The slider 120 has the same shape as the slider 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lens cap for protecting a lens of a lens device. [Background technology]

[0002] In imaging devices such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras, a lens cap is attached to the front of the lens unit when not in use to prevent damage to the lens and the accumulation of dust and other particles. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a pair of movable members provided on the lens cap are slid to engage the outer periphery of the lens cap with a locking portion provided on the inside of the tip of the lens unit. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a lens cap to be attached to a twin-lens unit, in which an engaging portion and an engaged portion provided on the lens unit are engaged by sliding a pair of movable members provided on the lens cap. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-114874 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-189278 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the case of a lens device with a wide shooting angle (e.g., a fisheye lens), it is difficult to provide a locking portion on the inner side of the tip of the lens device without it appearing in the shooting angle. In contrast, Patent Document 2 describes a lens device for stereoscopic photography with a wide shooting angle and a lens cap attached to the lens device. However, a pair of operating portions for attaching and detaching the lens cap is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lens cap. Therefore, a user must press the pair of operating portions with their fingers across the front of the lens cap and press them down to move the operating portions closer together, which is not very user-friendly. Furthermore, because the outer peripheral surface of the lens cap and the operating surface of the operating portion that the user touches are at approximately the same height, there is a risk that the lens cap may come off the lens device if force is accidentally applied to the operating surface, for example, while the lens is in a bag. Furthermore, because the pair of operating parts are spaced apart, there is a problem that the engaging parts of the pair of movable members that slide when the pair of operating parts are pressed down and the engaged parts provided on the lens device are easily twisted, making it difficult for the engaging parts to fit into the engaged parts.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a lens cap that has improved holding performance against external forces and improved operability when attaching and detaching. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The lens cap of the present invention is a lens cap that can be attached and detached to a lens device having a first lens and a second lens arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on the front surface facing a subject, so that their respective optical axes are parallel to the first direction, and the lens cap has a base and two sliders arranged to be slidable relative to the base in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, each of the two sliders having an engagement portion that engages with an engaged portion provided on the lens device and an operating portion having a recess that is operated when attaching or detaching the lens cap to or from the lens device, the base has an opening that exposes the recess to the outside from the front surface of the lens cap, and the operating portion is arranged between the optical axis of the first lens and the optical axis of the second lens when viewed from the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lens cap with improved holding performance against external forces and improved operability when attaching and detaching. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a capped lens device and a lens device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are side and top views of the lens device; [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are front and rear perspective views of a lens cap. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens cap. [Figure 5] 1 is a front perspective view showing a state in which two sliders are assembled, and a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow DD shown in the front perspective view. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the lens cap. [Figure 7] 6(a) and 6(b) are a side view and a cross-sectional view of the lens cap taken along the line CC in FIG. 6(a). [Figure 8] 6(a) and 6(b) are cross-sectional views taken along the lines AA and BB in FIG. 6(a). [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the state of the slider when the operating unit is operated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1(a) is an external perspective view of a lens device 3 with a lens cap 1 attached to a lens device 2, and Fig. 1(b) is an external perspective view of the lens device 2. Fig. 2(a) is a side view of the lens device 2, and Fig. 2(b) is a top view of the lens device 2.

[0011] The lens device 2 is configured as a so-called interchangeable lens, having a first lens 210 and a second lens 220 arranged on the front side facing the subject, and a camera mount section (lens side mount section) (not shown) arranged on the rear side. The camera mount section is detachable from the lens mount section (camera side mount) of the imaging device (camera body) (not shown), but Figures 1 and 2 show the camera mount section protected by a mount cap 201 attached thereto.

[0012] The first lens 210 is the lens arranged at the forefront (on the subject side) of the multiple lenses that make up the first imaging optical system provided in the lens device 2. The second lens 220 is the lens arranged at the forefront of the multiple lenses that make up the second imaging optical system provided in the lens device 2. The first lens 210 and the second lens 220 are exposed to the outside when the lens device 2 is in use.

[0013] In order to explain the positional relationships and operations of the components of the lens device 2 and the lens cap 1, a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is set as shown in FIG. 1. The optical axis O1 of the first lens 210 and the optical axis O2 of the second lens O2 are parallel to each other, and the direction parallel to these optical axes O1 and O2 is the Z-axis direction (first direction). The direction connecting the centers of the first lens 210 and the second lens 220 when the lens device 2 is viewed from the front is the X-axis direction (second direction). The direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is the Y-axis direction (third direction). The positive direction of each axis is indicated by the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and the opposite direction is the negative direction. In the following description, for example, the positive direction in the Z-axis direction will be expressed as the "+Z direction," and the negative direction in the Z-axis direction will be expressed as the "-Z direction."

[0014] The first lens 210 and the second lens 220 are positioned at positions spaced apart by a predetermined distance (baseline length) in the X direction when viewed from the subject side (not shown). A camera body (not shown) records an optical image formed by the second imaging optical system including the second lens 220 as an image for the right eye, and records an optical image formed by the first imaging optical system including the first lens 210 as an image for the left eye. When the image thus obtained is played back and viewed on a 3D display, VR goggles, or the like, the right eye image is projected onto the viewer's right eye, and the left eye image is projected onto the viewer's left eye. At this time, images with parallax are projected onto the right and left eyes due to the baseline length, allowing the viewer to experience a three-dimensional effect. In this way, the lens device 2 is a stereoscopic imaging lens device capable of forming two images with parallax using the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system.

[0015] The optical axis O1 of the first lens 210 and the optical axis O2 of the second lens 220 are both parallel to the Z-axis direction. The first lens 210 and the second lens 220 are each configured as a fisheye lens capable of capturing an image within a range of an angle of view θ indicated by a dashed line G. Of the lens surface of the first lens 210 that protrudes toward the subject (in the +Z direction), the inside of the dashed line G is the effective incident surface 210R. Incident light that has passed through the effective incident surface 210R is guided to an imaging element provided in a camera body to which the lens device 2 is attached by optical elements such as lenses and mirrors (not shown) provided inside the lens device 2. The second lens 220 is similar to the first lens 210, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0016] On the upper surface (surface on the +Y direction side) of the lens device 2, engaged portions 211a and 211b are provided at a predetermined interval in the X axis direction, which engage with engaging portions 111a and 111b (see FIG. 3) of the lens cap 1. On the lower surface (surface on the -Y direction side) of the lens device 2, engaged portions 221a and 221b (engaged portion 221a is not shown) are provided at a predetermined interval in the X axis direction, which engage with engaging portions 121a and 121b (see FIG. 3) of the lens cap 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the engaged portions 211a, 211b, 221a, and 221b are provided on the rear side (camera mount side) of the effective incident surfaces 210R and 220R, and therefore do not appear in captured images.

[0017] Fig. 3(a) is a front perspective view of the lens cap 1, and Fig. 3(b) is a rear perspective view of the lens cap 1. The lens cap 1 has a cap base 100 that serves as the base of the lens cap 1, and sliders 110 and 120 that are attached to the cap base 100 so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction.

[0018] The sliders 110 and 120 have operating portions 112 and 122 that allow the user to attach and detach the lens cap 1 to and from the lens device 2. The operating portions 112 and 122 are arranged so as to be exposed to the outside on the front surface of the cap base 100. The slider 110 also has engaging portions 111a and 111b that engage with engaged portions 211a and 211b of the lens device 2, and the slider 120 has engaging portions 121a and 121b that engage with engaged portions 221a and 221b of the lens device.

[0019] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lens cap 1. In addition to the cap base 100 and sliders 110 and 120, the lens cap 1 has coil springs 130 and 140. Openings 101a and 101b are formed in the upper surface of the cap base 100 for inserting and arranging the engagement portions 111a and 111b, and openings 102a and 102b are formed in the lower surface of the cap base 100 for inserting and arranging the engagement portions 121a and 121b. In addition, openings 106 and 107 are formed in the front surface of the cap base 100 for exposing the operation portions 112 and 122 to the outside.

[0020] On the inside front surface of cap base 100, guide surfaces 103a and 103b are provided on the +X direction side and the −X direction side of opening 106, and guide surfaces 104a and 104b (guide surface 104a is not shown) are provided on the +X direction side and the −X direction side of opening 107. In addition, locking portions 105 are provided in four locations on the inside of cap base 100. Although only one locking portion 105 is shown in FIG. 3, two are provided on lens cap 1 at positions approximately symmetrical to these two locking portions in the X axis direction, and another two are provided on lens cap 1 at positions approximately symmetrical to these two locking portions in the Y axis direction.

[0021] The slider 110 and the slider 120 have the same shape and are assembled to the cap base 100 with their phases rotated by 180 degrees.

[0022] The slider 110 has an operation portion 112, engagement portions 111a and 111b, stopper portions 116a and 116b, and a generally T-shaped connecting portion 110CB (the base of the slider 110) that connects the engagement portions 111a and 111b. When the lens cap 1 is attached to the lens device 2, the engagement portions 111a and 111b engage with engaged portions 211a and 211b of the lens device 2, and the stopper portions 116a and 116b abut against two locking portions 105 on the -Y direction side of the cap base 100. A shaft portion 113 is formed on the surface of the operation portion 112 of the slider 110 on the +Y direction side, on which a coil spring 130 is disposed as a biasing member that applies a biasing force that moves the sliders 110 and 120 away from each other in the Y axis direction. On the side surface of the operating portion 112 in the X-axis direction, guided surfaces 114a and 114b that slide against guide surfaces 103a and 103b provided on the cap base 100 are formed.

[0023] Similarly, slider 120 has operation portion 122, engagement portions 121a and 121b, stopper portions 126a and 126b, engagement portions 121a and 121b, and a generally T-shaped connection portion 120CB (the base of slider 120) that connects these. When lens cap 1 is attached to lens device 2, engagement portions 121a and 121b engage with engaged portions 221a and 221b of lens device 2, and stopper portions 126a and 126b abut against locking portions 105 at two locations on the −Y direction side of cap base 100. In addition, a shaft portion 123 is formed on the surface of operation portion 122 of slider 120 on the −Y direction side, on which is disposed coil spring 140 as a biasing member that applies a biasing force that moves sliders 110 and 120 away from each other in the Y axis direction. On the side surface of the operating portion 122 in the X-axis direction, guided surfaces 124a and 124b that slide against the guide surfaces 104a and 104b provided on the cap base 100 are formed.

[0024] Fig. 5(a) is a front perspective view showing the slider 110 and the slider 120 assembled to the cap base 100, without illustrating the cap base 100. Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow DD in Fig. 5(a) (a YZ cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the shaft portion 123 along a plane perpendicular to the X axis).

[0025] As shown in Fig. 5(a), recesses 112a and 122a are formed on the front surface (surface on the +Z direction side) of the operation units 112 and 122. When the sliders 110 and 120 are assembled into the cap base 100, the recesses 112a and 122a are exposed to the outside through the openings 106 and 107, respectively, as shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0026] A hole 151 that partially accommodates the coil spring 140 is formed in the surface of the operation part 122 of the slider 110 that faces the shaft part 123 of the slider 120. Similarly, a hole 152 (not shown) that partially accommodates the coil spring 130 is formed in the surface of the operation part 122 of the slider 120 that faces the shaft part 113 of the slider 110.

[0027] With the sliders 110 and 120 assembled, the coil spring 140 is inserted into the hole 151 and is held in a compressed state with the shaft 123 inserted, and the coil spring 130 is inserted into the hole 152 and is held in a compressed state with the shaft 113 inserted. In this way, the coil springs 130 and 140 apply a biasing force to the sliders 110 and 120 that moves the sliders 110 and 120 away from each other in the Y-axis direction.

[0028] When the sliders 110 and 120 are assembled to the cap base 100, the biasing forces of the coil springs 130 and 140 cause the four stopper portions 116a, 116b, 126a, and 126b to come into contact with the locking portions 105 provided on the cap base 100. Fig. 3(b) shows a state in which one of the four locking portions 105 provided on the cap base 100 comes into contact with the stopper portion 126b of the slider 120.

[0029] 6(a) and 6(b) are front views of the lens cap 1. Fig. 6(a) shows a state in which the operating portions 112 and 122 of the lens cap 1 are not being operated. On the other hand, Fig. 6(b) shows a state in which operating forces F1 and F2 are being applied to the operating portions 112 and 122 of the lens cap 1, respectively, to attach and detach the lens cap 1 to and from the lens device 2.

[0030] FIG. 7(a) is a side view of the lens cap 1. FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in FIG. 6(a). As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the operation units 112 and 122 are configured so as not to protrude in the +Z direction from the forefront surface P2 of the cap base 100. Also, in FIG. 7(b), the surfaces of the recesses 112a and 122a on which the user places their fingers when operating the sliders 110 and 120 are schematically shown by dashed lines, and this structure prevents external forces from accidentally (unintentionally) acting on the operation units 112 and 122. In this way, the lens cap 1 is configured to be thin in the Z axis direction and to prevent the operation units 112 and 122 from being detached from the lens device 2 due to external forces acting on them.

[0031] 6(a) in which the user is not operating operation units 112, 112, operation unit 112 is pressed in the -Y direction and operation unit 122 is pressed in the +Y direction by the biasing forces of coil springs 130, 140. At this time, stopper portions 116a, 116b of slider 110 abut against locking portion 105 on the +Y direction side, thereby positioning slider 110 in the Y axis direction. Similarly, stopper portions 126a, 126b of slider 120 abut against locking portion 105 on the -Y direction side, thereby positioning slider 120 in the Y axis direction. At this time, a certain gap is formed between the +Y direction sidewall of opening 106 and the +Y direction surface of operation unit 112, and between the -Y direction sidewall of opening 107 and the -Y direction surface of operation unit 122.

[0032] When attaching or detaching the lens cap 1 to or from the lens device 2, the user inserts his or her fingers into the recesses 112a and 122a and operates the operating units 112 and 122 to move closer to each other in the Y-axis direction against the biasing forces of the coil springs 130 and 140. The operating forces F1 and F2 shown in Figures 6(b) and 7(b) schematically represent the forces acting on the operating units 112 and 122 by this operation.

[0033] When the operating force F1 is not applied, the engaging portions 111a and 111b do not protrude from the openings 101a and 101b in the upper surface of a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cap base 100. The operating force F1 causes the slider 110 to slide in the +Y direction until the +Y direction surface of the operating portion 112 comes into contact with the +Y direction sidewall of the opening 106, causing the engaging portions 111a and 111b to protrude in the +Y direction from the openings 101a and 101b. On the other hand, when the operating force F2 is not applied, the engaging portions 121a and 121b do not protrude from the openings 102a and 102b in the lower surface of a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cap base 100. Operating force F2 causes slider 120 to slide in the -Y direction until the -Y direction surface of operating portion 122 contacts the -Y direction side wall of opening 107, and engaging portions 121a and 121b protrude in the -Y direction from openings 102a and 102b.

[0034] When attaching the lens cap 1 to the lens device 2, the lens cap 1 is pressed against the front surface of the lens device 2 in the state shown in FIG. 6(b), and then the lens cap 1 is returned to the state shown in FIG. 6(a). This causes the engaging portions 111a and 111b to engage with the engaged portions 211a and 211b, and the engaging portions 121a and 121b to engage with the engaged portions 221a and 221b, thereby attaching the lens cap 1 to the lens device 2 (see FIG. 8(b)). When removing the lens cap 1 attached to the lens device 2, the lens cap 1 is simply returned to the state shown in FIG. 6(b) and then pulled away from the lens device 2.

[0035] Fig. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in Fig. 6(a), and Fig. 8(b) is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in Fig. 6(a). For ease of explanation, Fig. 8(a) shows the positions of the first lens 210 and the second lens 220 when the lens cap 1 is attached to the lens device 2, in order to indicate the relative position of the lens cap 1 with respect to the lens device 2. For the same reason, Fig. 8(b) also shows the positions of the second lens 220 and the engaged portions 211b and 221b.

[0036] 8(a), a plane P1 is defined for the sliders 110 and 120. The plane P1 is perpendicular to the optical axis O1 of the first lens 210 and the optical axis O2 of the second lens 220 and passes through the end faces of the sliders 110 and 120 on the -Z direction side of the X-axis direction center. When the lens cap 1 is attached to the lens device 2, portions of the first lens 210 and the second lens 220 protrude in the +Z direction from the plane P1. In other words, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction (for example, the X-axis direction), portions (front side) of the first lens 210 and the second lens 220 overlap with portions (rear side) of the sliders 110 and 120. In this way, compactness (thinning in the Z-axis direction) is achieved when the lens cap 1 is attached to the lens device 2. In addition, the shape of the sliders 110, 120 is designed so that, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the operating units 112, 122 are positioned between the optical axis O1 of the first lens 210 and the optical axis O2 of the second lens 220, thereby achieving a reduction in size of the lens cap 1 in the X-axis direction.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the engaging portions 111a and 111b of the slider 110 (the engaging portion 111a is not shown in FIG. 8) have a claw shape. When the lens cap 1 is attached to the lens device 2, the engaging portions 111a and 111b are urged in the −Y direction by the urging forces of the coil springs 130 and 140, and engage with the engaged portions 211a and 211b provided on the lens device 2. Similarly, the engaging portions 121a and 121b (the engaging portion 121a is not shown) are urged in the +Y direction by the urging forces of the coil springs 130 and 140, and engage with the engaged portions 221a and 221b provided on the lens device 2. In this way, the lens cap 1 is held by the lens device 2.

[0038] Fig. 9 is a rear view showing the state of the sliders 110, 120 when operating forces F1, F2 are simultaneously applied to the operating portions 112, 122. For ease of explanation, Fig. 9 shows the positions of the first lens 210 and the second lens 220 when viewed from the Z-axis direction with the lens cap 1 attached to the lens device 2. Also, Fig. 9 does not show the cap base 100.

[0039] In cap base 100, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the position corresponding to optical axis O1 of first lens 210 is defined as 'Q1', and the position corresponding to optical axis O2 of second lens 220 is defined as 'Q2'. In an XY plane perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the region between positions Q1 and Q2 in the X-axis direction is defined as 'region J' (first region). Furthermore, the regions outside region J in the X-axis direction (the -X direction side and the +X direction side) are defined as 'region H' (second region).

[0040] In the lens cap 1, the engaging portions 111a, 111b, 121a, and 121b are arranged in region H on the same plane perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. Correspondingly, although not shown in FIG. 9 , in the lens device 2, the engaged portions 211a, 211b, 221a, and 221b are also provided in regions corresponding to region H. Assume a situation in which an external force centered on the Z-axis is applied to the lens cap 1 while the lens cap 1 is attached to the lens device 2. In this case, compared to a hypothetical configuration in which the engaging portions and engaged portions are arranged in region J, the present configuration in which the engaging portions and engaged portions are arranged in region H reduces the amount of rattle that occurs in the lens cap 1. Therefore, it can be said that the lens cap 1 is unlikely to be detached from the lens device 2 by forces other than the operating forces F1 and F2.

[0041] As described with reference to Fig. 4, guide surfaces 103a, 103b, 104a, and 104b are formed on the inner front surface of the cap base 100. Guided surfaces 114a and 114b are formed on the side surface of the operating unit 112 in the X-axis direction, and guided surfaces 124a and 124b are formed on the side surface of the operating unit 122 in the X-axis direction. These guide surfaces constitute a main guide portion that guides the sliders 110 and 120 in the Y-axis direction relative to the cap base 100 and allows them to slide smoothly when operating forces F1 and F2 are applied to the operating units 112 and 122. That is, the slider 110 slides, i.e., slides, with the guided surfaces 114a and 114b of the operating unit 112 abutting against the guide surfaces 103a and 103b of the cap base 100. Similarly, the slider 120 slides with the guided surfaces 124a and 124b of the operating portion 122 in contact with the guide surfaces 104a and 104b of the cap base 100.

[0042] The main guide portions (guide surfaces 103a, 103b, 104a, 104b of the cap base 100 and guided surfaces 114a, 114b, 124a, 124b of the sliders 110, 120) are disposed in region J shown in FIG. 9. That is, the main guide portions are provided near the operating portions 112, 122 to which the operating forces F1, F2 are applied. At least a portion of the guided surfaces 114a, 114b, 124a, 124b of the sliders 110, 120 is provided at a position overlapping a portion of the first lens 210 and the second lens 220 when viewed from the Z direction. With this configuration, when the operating forces F1, F2 are applied to the operating portions 112, 122, the sliders 110, 120 can slide stably in the Y-axis direction. As a result, it is possible to smoothly insert and remove (engage / disengage) the engaging portions 111a, 111b, 121a, and 121b and the engaged portions 211a, 211b, 221a, and 221b.

[0043] In addition to the main guide portion, the lens cap 1 is provided with sub-guide portions near the engagement portions 111a, 111b, 121a, and 121b for stably sliding the sliders 110 and 120 in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, width-shaped portions 115a and 115b in the X-axis direction at the engagement portions 111a and 111b of the slider 110 and width-shaped portions 125a and 125b in the X-axis direction at the engagement portions 121a and 121b of the slider 120 function as the sub-guide portions. In other words, the function of the sub-guide portions is achieved by the width-shaped portions 115a and 115b sliding relative to the openings 101a and 101b of the lens cap 1 and the width-shaped portions 125a and 125b sliding relative to the openings 102a and 102b of the lens cap 1. The provision of the sub-guide portions can further enhance the effect achieved by the main guide portions.

[0044] While the present invention has been described in detail above based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0045] For example, in the above embodiment, the two sliders 110 and 120 are configured to insert and remove the four engaging portions 111a, 111b, 121a, and 121b into and from the four engaged portions 211a, 211b, 221a, and 221b of the lens device 2. However, this is not limiting, and for example, a single slider may be used with engaging portions / engaged portions provided at three locations. In this case, it is desirable to provide two engaging portions on the slider and one engaging portion fixed to the cap base. When attaching the lens cap to the lens device, first, one engaging portion provided on the cap base is hooked onto the corresponding engaged portion of the lens device. Next, while applying an operating force to the slider, the remaining two engaging portions are brought into opposition to the engaged portions, and the operating force is released. This allows the engaging portions / engaged portions at three locations to be engaged.

[0046] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) A lens cap that can be attached and detached to a lens device having a first lens and a second lens arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction on the front surface facing a subject, with their respective optical axes parallel to the first direction, the lens cap having a base and two sliders arranged slidably relative to the base in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the two sliders each having an engagement portion that engages with an engaged portion provided on the lens device and an operating portion having a recess that is operated when attaching or detaching the lens cap to or from the lens device, the base having an opening that exposes the recess to the outside from the front surface of the lens cap, and the operating portion being positioned between the optical axis of the first lens and the optical axis of the second lens when viewed from the first direction. (Configuration 2) The lens cap described in Configuration 1, characterized in that when the lens cap is viewed from the first direction, the area between the position corresponding to the center of the first lens in the second direction and the position corresponding to the center of the second lens in the lens cap is defined as a first area, and the area outside the first area in the second direction is defined as a second area, and the engagement portion is provided in the second area on the same plane perpendicular to the first direction. (Configuration 3) The lens cap described in Configuration 2 is characterized in that the base has a guide portion that guides the two sliders in the third direction, a guided surface that slides against the guide portion is provided on the side of the operating portion in the second direction, and the guide portion is provided in the first region. (Configuration 4) The lens cap according to configuration 3, wherein a portion of the guided surface overlaps a portion of the first lens and a portion of the second lens when viewed from the first direction. (Configuration 5) The lens cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the operating portion does not protrude forward from the front surface of the base. (Configuration 6) A lens cap described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that when the lens cap is attached to the lens device and viewed from the second direction, portions of the first lens and the second lens and portions of the two sliders overlap. (Configuration 7) The lens cap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a biasing member that biases the two sliders in the third direction so as to move them away from each other. (Configuration 8) The lens cap described in Configuration 7, characterized in that when the lens cap is attached to the lens device, the engagement portion does not protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the base, and by applying an operating force to slide the two sliders so as to bring the recesses closer in the second direction against the biasing force of the biasing member, the engagement portion protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the base in the third direction. (Configuration 9) A lens cap described in any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that when the lens cap is attached to the lens device, the engaging portion and the engaged portion are located on the back side of the lens device relative to the effective incident surfaces of the first lens and the second lens. (Structure 10) A lens cap described in any one of structures 1 to 9, characterized in that the two sliders have the same shape and are assembled to the base at a phase rotated 180 degrees around an axis parallel to the first direction. (Configuration 11) A lens device with a lens cap, comprising a lens device and a lens cap that can be attached or detached to the lens device, wherein the lens device has a first lens and a second lens arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on its front surface facing a subject, with their respective optical axes parallel to the first direction; the lens cap has a base and two sliders arranged slidably relative to the base in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, each of the two sliders having an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion provided on the lens device and an operating portion having a recess that is operated when attaching or detaching the lens cap to or from the lens device; the base has an opening that exposes the recess to the outside from the front surface of the lens cap, and the operating portion is arranged between the optical axis of the first lens and the optical axis of the second lens when viewed from the first direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 lens cap 2 Lens device 100 cap base 101a,101b,102a,102b opening 103a, 103b, 104a, 104b Guide surface 106,107 Opening 110,120 slider 111a, 111b, 121a, 121b engaging part 112,122 Operation section 112a, 122a Recess 114a,114b,124a,124b Guided surface 130,140 Coil spring

Claims

1. A lens cap detachable from a lens device having a first lens and a second lens arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction so that their optical axes are parallel to the first direction on a front surface facing a subject, The lens cap is a substrate; two sliders arranged slidably relative to the base in the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the second direction; The two sliders each include: an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion provided on the lens device; an operating portion having a recess that is operated when attaching or detaching the lens cap to or from the lens device, the base has an opening for exposing the recess to the outside from the front surface of the lens cap, The lens cap is characterized in that the operation portion is disposed between the optical axis of the first lens and the optical axis of the second lens when viewed from the first direction.

2. 2. The lens cap according to claim 1, wherein, when the lens cap is viewed from the first direction, a region between a position corresponding to the center of the first lens in the second direction and a position corresponding to the center of the second lens in the second direction is defined as a first region, and a region outside the first region in the second direction is defined as a second region, and the engagement portion is provided in the second region on the same plane perpendicular to the first direction.

3. the base body has guide portions that guide the two sliders in the third direction, a guided surface that slides against the guide portion is provided on a side surface of the operation portion in the second direction, 3. The lens cap according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion is provided in the first region.

4. 4. The lens cap according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the guided surface overlaps a portion of the first lens and a portion of the second lens when viewed from the first direction.

5. 5. The lens cap according to claim 1, wherein the operating portion does not protrude forward from the front surface of the base.

6. 5. A lens cap according to claim 1, wherein when the lens cap is attached to the lens device and viewed from the second direction, portions of the first lens and the second lens and portions of the two sliders overlap.

7. 5. The lens cap according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member that biases the two sliders in the third direction so as to move them away from each other.

8. When the lens cap is attached to the lens device, the engagement portion does not protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the base, 8. The lens cap according to claim 7, wherein the engagement portion protrudes in the third direction from the outer peripheral surface of the base by applying an operating force to slide the two sliders so as to bring the recesses closer together in the second direction against the biasing force of the biasing member.

9. 5. A lens cap according to claim 1, wherein, when the lens cap is attached to the lens device, the engaging portion and the engaged portion are located on the rear side of the lens device relative to the effective incident surfaces of the first lens and the second lens.

10. 5. The lens cap according to claim 1, wherein the two sliders have the same shape and are assembled to the base body at a phase rotated 180 degrees around an axis parallel to the first direction.

11. A lens device with a lens cap, comprising a lens device and a lens cap detachable from the lens device, the lens device has a first lens and a second lens arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction so that their optical axes are parallel to the first direction on a front surface facing a subject; The lens cap is a substrate; two sliders arranged slidably relative to the base in the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the second direction; The two sliders each include: an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion provided on the lens device; an operating portion having a recess that is operated when attaching or detaching the lens cap to or from the lens device, the base has an opening for exposing the recess to the outside from the front surface of the lens cap, A lens device with a lens cap, characterized in that the operating unit is arranged between the optical axis of the first lens and the optical axis of the second lens when viewed from the first direction.

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