Optical units, lens devices, imaging devices, and communication equipment

Abstract

After the adjustments are complete, fix the telescope tube in place without altering the adjusted state. [Solution] The lens unit 100 includes a lens barrel 3 that holds a lens group 2, a support member 4 that supports the lens barrel, an elastic member 9 that biases the lens barrel in the optical axis direction relative to the support member, fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d that restrict the movement of the lens barrel biased in the optical axis direction by the elastic member, and adjustment parts 5a, 5b provided on the support member that adjust the position of the lens barrel relative to the support member from the radial direction of the lens barrel. The adjustment part has a plurality of adjustment members 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d that adjust the position of the lens barrel relative to the support member, and fastening members 7a, 7b that fasten the adjustment part and the lens barrel. The plurality of adjustment members and the fastening members are arranged in line along the optical axis direction. The fastening members are arranged between the plurality of adjustment members. The fastening members fasten the adjustment part and the lens barrel by bringing the plurality of adjustment members into contact with the lens barrel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical unit capable of adjusting the position of a lens barrel, a lens device, an imaging device, and a communication device having the optical unit.

Background Art

[0002] Optical units such as lens units are provided with various adjustment mechanisms for correcting errors due to variations in components such as optical elements and lens barrels to obtain desired optical performance. As general adjustment mechanisms for lens units, there are an inclination adjustment mechanism for adjusting the inclination with respect to the optical axis and an eccentricity adjustment mechanism for adjusting the displacement on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. Patent Document 1 discloses an adjustment mechanism in which an eccentric roller is arranged on the outer periphery of a lens barrel, and inclination adjustment and eccentricity adjustment are performed by rotating the eccentric roller.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the adjustment mechanism using an eccentric roller as in Patent Document 1, the eccentric roller is temporarily tightened with a screw during adjustment, and after the adjustment is completed, the eccentric roller is fully tightened with a screw and fixed. Therefore, when the screw is fully tightened after the adjustment is completed, the eccentric roller may rotate due to the friction between the screw and the eccentric roller, and the adjustment state may be disrupted, and the desired optical performance may not be obtained.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides an optical unit capable of fixing the lens barrel without shifting the adjustment state after the adjustment is completed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An optical unit according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a lens barrel for holding an optical element; a support member for supporting the lens barrel; a biasing member for biasing the lens barrel in the optical axis direction relative to the support member; a restricting member for restricting the movement of the lens barrel biased in the optical axis direction by the biasing member; and an adjustment unit provided on the support member for adjusting the position of the lens barrel relative to the support member from the radial direction of the lens barrel, wherein the adjustment unit comprises a plurality of adjustment members for adjusting the position of the lens barrel relative to the support member, and a fastening member for fastening the adjustment unit and the lens barrel, wherein the plurality of adjustment members and the fastening member are arranged side by side along the optical axis direction, the fastening member is positioned between the plurality of adjustment members, and the fastening member fastens the adjustment unit and the lens barrel by bringing the plurality of adjustment members into contact with the lens barrel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical unit that can fix the lens barrel without shifting the adjusted state after the adjustment is completed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the lens unit of Example 1. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of the lens unit of Example 1. [Figure 3] Front view of the lens unit of Example 1. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the contact area taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Diagram illustrating the adjustment of the tilt of the telescope tube in Example 1. [Figure 6] Diagram illustrating the adjustment of the tilt of the telescope tube in Example 1. [Figure 7] Diagram illustrating the adjustment of the eccentricity of the telescope tube in Example 1. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of the lens unit of Example 2. [Figure 9] An enlarged view of the area G enclosed by the dashed rectangle in Figure 8. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of a lens device with a lens unit incorporated. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of an imaging device with a lens unit incorporated. [Figure 12] A diagram showing a communication device with a lens unit incorporated into it. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The optical unit of this embodiment comprises a lens barrel for holding optical elements, a support member for supporting the lens barrel, and an adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the lens barrel with respect to the support member. The optical elements include at least one of a lens and a mirror. The adjustment of the position of the lens barrel by the adjustment unit includes at least one of adjusting the inclination of the optical axis of the lens barrel with respect to the support member and adjusting the eccentricity. In the following embodiments, a lens unit as an optical unit comprising a lens barrel for holding a lens as an optical element will be described as an example. [Examples]

[0010] (Lens unit) The lens unit 100 of Example 1 will be described as an optical unit using Figures 1 to 7. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lens unit 100 of Example 1. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lens unit 100 of Example 1. Figure 3 is a front view of the lens unit 100 of Example 1. The cross-sectional view in Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the lens unit 100 taken along line III-III in Figure 3.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the lens unit 100 includes a lens group 2, a lens barrel 3, a support member 4, and two adjustment parts 5a and 5b. As shown in Figure 2, the lens group 2 is housed in the lens barrel 3 along the optical axis 1. Here, the details of the lens group 2 are not shown, but it includes at least one optical element. The lens barrel 3 holds the lens group 2 (optical element). The support member 4 has an annular shape with an inner diameter through which the cylindrical outer circumference of the lens barrel 3 passes. The support member 4 is positioned so that the outer circumference of the lens barrel 3 passes through the inner diameter of the support member 4. The support member 4 supports the lens barrel 3 and attaches the lens unit 100 to a separate member.

[0012] (Adjustment unit) The adjustment unit 5a is fastened to the support member 4 by fastening members 11a and 11b such as screws. The adjustment unit 5b is fastened to the support member 4 by fastening members 11c and 11d such as screws. A plurality of adjustment members 6a, 6b and a fastening member 7a are arranged on a plane parallel to the optical axis 1 with their centers aligned in a row. The fastening member 7a is disposed between the adjustment members 6a and 6b, and is screwed into a screw hole 3c provided in the lens barrel 3 through a through hole 5a3 provided in the adjustment unit 5a to fasten the lens barrel 3 and the adjustment unit 5a. The number of the adjustment members 6a and 6b is not limited to two, and may be three or more. By fastening the adjustment unit 5a to the lens barrel 3 by the fastening member 7a, the lens barrel 3 is pulled in the direction of the adjustment unit 5a. The adjustment members 6a and 6b may be screws that are respectively screwed into screw holes 5a1 and 5a2 provided through the adjustment unit 5a. The adjustment members 6a and 6b are not limited to screws, and any member that can control the movement amount may be used. By rotating the adjustment members 6a and 6b, the tip portions of the adjustment members 6a and 6b come into contact with the lens barrel 3, and the lens barrel 3 is pressed in a direction away from the adjustment unit 5a. By pressing the lens barrel 3 in a direction away from the adjustment unit 5a by the adjustment members 6a and 6b, the inclination and eccentricity of the lens barrel 3 with respect to the support member 4 can be adjusted.

[0013] In addition, an adjustment unit 5b having the same configuration as the adjustment unit 5a is provided at another rotational phase in the circumferential direction centered on the optical axis 1. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the angle C between the adjustment units 5a and 5b centered on the optical axis 1 is set to 90 degrees. The adjustment unit 5b is provided with adjustment members 6c, 6d and a fastening member 7b in the same manner as the adjustment unit 5a. The adjustment unit 5b can adjust the inclination and eccentricity of the lens barrel 3 in a direction different from the adjustment direction by the adjustment unit 5a. The first embodiment shows an example in which two adjustment units 5a and 5b are provided. However, when only inclination and eccentricity adjustment in one direction is required, only one adjustment unit 5a may be provided in the lens unit 100. When increasing the number of directions of inclination and eccentricity adjustment and fine adjustment is required, three or more adjustment units may be provided in the lens unit 100.

[0014] (Reinforcement member) A reinforcing member 8a may be disposed at a position between the adjustment unit 5a and the lens barrel 3 where the adjustment members 6a and 6b press the lens barrel 3. The tip of each of the adjustment members 6a and 6b can abut against the reinforcing member 8a. When the tip of each of the adjustment members 6a and 6b directly presses the lens barrel 3, the contact portion of the lens barrel 3 where the tips of the adjustment members 6a and 6b contact may plastically deform. If the contact portion of the lens barrel 3 plastically deforms, it may interfere with the adjustment of the inclination and eccentricity of the lens barrel 3. The reinforcing member 8a prevents the plastic deformation of the contact portion of the lens barrel 3 so as not to interfere with the adjustment of the inclination and eccentricity of the lens barrel 3. The reinforcing member 8a is made of a rigid material, for example, SUS, and is fixed to the lens barrel 3 with an adhesive or the like. A reinforcing member 8b having the same structure as the reinforcing member 8a may be disposed at a position between the adjustment unit 5b and the lens barrel 3 where the adjustment members 6c and 6d press the lens barrel 3. Holes through which the fastening members 7a and 7b respectively penetrate may be formed in the reinforcing members 8a and 8b respectively.

[0015] (Elastic member) The lens barrel 3 is provided with a protruding portion 3a protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral portion of the lens barrel 3 and a plurality of fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d on the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel 3. The elastic member (biasing member) 9 is disposed between the protruding portion 3a of the lens barrel 3 and the support member 4 and is configured to bias the lens barrel 3 in the P direction in FIG. 2 with respect to the support member 4. The elastic member 9 is, for example, a wave washer.

[0016] (Fixing member) The fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d function as restricting members that restrict the movement of the lens barrel 3, which is biased in the P direction (optical axis direction) by the elastic member 9. The position of the lens barrel 3, which is biased in the P direction by the elastic member 9, in the optical axis direction is determined by the contact of the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d with the contact portion 13 of the support member 4. If the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d are arranged at uneven intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the lens barrel 3, the lens barrel 3 is likely to tilt relative to the support member 4 when positioning the lens barrel 3 in the optical axis direction. Therefore, it is preferable that the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d be arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the optical axis 1 on the cylindrical outer surface of the lens barrel 3. The fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d are fixed to the outer surface of the lens barrel 3 by screws or the like. The fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d may be fixed to the outer surface of the telescope tube 3 after the support member 4 has been attached to the telescope tube 3, or they may be fixed to the outer surface of the telescope tube 3 before the support member 4 has been attached to the telescope tube 3. If the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d are to be fixed to the outer surface of the telescope tube 3 in advance before the support member 4 has been attached to the telescope tube 3, it is preferable to provide notches 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d in the inner diameter portion of the support member 4. When attaching the support member 4 to the telescope tube 3, the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d on the outer surface of the telescope tube 3 can be passed through the notches 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d in the inner diameter portion of the support member 4. After passing the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d through the notches 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, the lens barrel 3 is rotated around the optical axis 1. This brings the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d into contact with the contact portion 13 of the support member 4, allowing the lens barrel 3 to be positioned in the direction of the optical axis.

[0017] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the contact portion 13 taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, the contact portion 13 of the support member 4 is arranged on the circumference of a circle centered on the optical axis 1 and has a sloping shape that is inclined with respect to the optical axis 1. The tip of the fixing member 10a has a hemispherical shape with a spherical (curved) surface 10a1. The spherical surface 10a1 of the tip of the fixing member 10a makes point contact with the contact portion 13 of the support member 4. The fixing members 10b, 10c, and 10d also have spherical surfaces that make point contact with the contact portion 13 of the support member 4, similar to the fixing member 10a. Due to the point contact between the spherical surfaces of the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d and the contact portion 13, the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d slide against the support member 4 when adjusting the tilt and eccentricity of the telescope tube 3. Therefore, the movement of the telescope tube 3 relative to the support member 4 is not hindered during adjustment.

[0018] Example 1 shows an example using fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d of the same shape. However, the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d may have any shape as long as they can restrict the movement of the support member 4 in the optical axis direction and do not hinder tilt and eccentricity adjustment. The multiple fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d do not have to have the same shape, and the group may consist of fixing members in which at least one fixing member has a different shape. The group of fixing members may, for example, include a ball member and a biasing member that biases the ball member toward the support member 4. The group of fixing members may include multiple identical or different members that serve both as positioning and sliding parts in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel 3. The number of fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d is not limited to four, but may be one, two, three, or five or more. For example, one ring-shaped fixing member may be configured to be fixed to the outer circumference of the lens barrel 3.

[0019] (Tilt adjustment) Next, the method for adjusting the tilt of the lens barrel 3 in Embodiment 1 will be explained using Figures 5 and 6. Figures 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams for adjusting the tilt of the lens barrel 3 in Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 1, the initial state of tilt adjustment is that the fastening members 7a and 7b in the adjustment sections 5a and 5b are fastened to the lens barrel 3, and the tips of the adjustment members 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are set to lightly contact the reinforcing members 8a and 8b. Figure 5 shows the state in the adjustment section 5a where the adjustment member 6a closest to the support member 4 has been pushed toward the lens barrel 3 from the initial state described above. The pushed-in adjustment member 6a strongly pushes the reinforcing member 8a, acting a force on the lens barrel 3 in a direction V that is almost perpendicular to the optical axis 1 of the lens barrel 3. Due to this force, the lens barrel 3 tilts in the direction D shown in Figure 5, with the fastening member 7a as the fulcrum. The elastic member 9 deforms in accordance with the tilt of the lens barrel 3 while biasing the protruding part 3a of the lens barrel 3 in the direction of the optical axis. The portion 9a of the elastic member 9 corresponding to the position of the adjustment portion 5a expands in the optical axis direction, and the portion 9c of the elastic member 9 corresponding to the position directly opposite to the adjustment portion 5a in the circumferential direction contracts in the optical axis direction. At this time, as shown in Figure 4, the fixing member 10a of the lens barrel 3 is in point contact with the contact portion 13 of the support member 4, so the fixing member 10a slides on the contact portion 13, and the tilt adjustment is performed without hindering the tilting movement of the lens barrel 3. The support member 4 and the adjustment portions 5a and 5b are made of high-strength materials or have increased thickness so that they do not deform due to the force received from the elastic member 9 and the adjustment member 6a during tilt adjustment.

[0020] Figure 6 shows the method for adjusting the tilt when the lens barrel 3 is tilted in the opposite direction to that shown in Figure 5. In the adjustment section 5a, by pushing the adjustment member 6b, which is farther from the support member 4, toward the lens barrel 3 from the initial state described above, a force V in a direction almost perpendicular to the optical axis 1 is acted on the lens barrel 3 by the adjustment member 6b, and the lens barrel 3 tilts in the direction E shown in Figure 6 with the fastening member 7a as the fulcrum. In this way, since the fastening member 7a is located between the adjustment members 6a and 6b, the tilt of the lens barrel 3 can be adjusted in the desired direction with the fastening member 7a as the fulcrum by pushing either the adjustment member 6a or 6b.

[0021] The adjustment members 6a and 6b can maintain constant contact with the reinforcing member 8a during tilt adjustment. Therefore, since the tilt of the telescope tube 3 is determined by the contact between the adjustment members 6a and 6b and the reinforcing member 8a, even if the fastening member 7a is tightened further after the tilt adjustment is complete, the telescope tube 3 will be fixed to the support member 4 while maintaining the adjusted tilt state. The tilt adjustment of the telescope tube 3 in the adjustment section 5b is the same as in the adjustment section 5a, so the explanation is omitted.

[0022] (eccentric adjustment) Next, the method for adjusting the eccentricity of the lens barrel 3 in Embodiment 1 will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the eccentricity adjustment of the lens barrel 3 in Embodiment 1. Figure 7 shows an example of the eccentricity adjustment method when the initial state of the eccentricity adjustment is the same as the initial state of the tilt adjustment. Unlike the tilt adjustment, the eccentricity adjustment of the lens barrel 3 is performed by pushing the two adjustment members 6a and 6b toward the lens barrel 3 by the same amount, so that a force V in a direction almost perpendicular to the optical axis 1 acts on the lens barrel 3 by the adjustment members 6a and 6b, moving the lens barrel 3 parallel to the optical axis 1 in the direction F in Figure 7. In eccentricity adjustment, the adjustment members 6a and 6b are pushed toward the lens barrel 3 into the adjustment part 5a, so, similar to the tilt adjustment, the adjustment members 6a and 6b can always maintain contact with the reinforcing member 8a. Therefore, since the adjustment members 6a and 6b contact the reinforcing member 8a and the eccentricity of the lens barrel 3 is determined, even if the fastening member 7a is tightened further after the eccentricity adjustment is complete, the lens barrel 3 will be fixed to the support member 4 while maintaining the adjusted eccentric state. The eccentricity adjustment of the lens barrel 3 in the adjustment section 5b is the same as in the adjustment section 5a, so the explanation is omitted.

[0023] By providing multiple adjustment parts 5a and 5b on the support member 4, the tilt and eccentricity of the lens barrel 3 can be adjusted in a desired direction in the lens unit 100. In Embodiment 1, the two adjustment parts 5a and 5b are preferably arranged such that the angle C between adjustment part 5a and adjustment part 5b is 90 degrees around the optical axis 1, as shown in Figure 3. This makes it easy to adjust the tilt and eccentricity of the lens barrel 3 because the adjustment direction of adjustment part 5a is perpendicular to the adjustment direction of adjustment part 5b. However, the angle C between adjustment part 5a and adjustment part 5b does not necessarily have to be 90 degrees, and may be around 120 degrees, similar to a general tilt adjustment mechanism. The angle (inferior angle) C between adjustment part 5a and adjustment part 5b may be 120 degrees or less.

[0024] The number of adjustment parts is not limited to two; there may be one or three or more. For example, the three adjustment parts may be arranged at approximately the same angle (120 degrees) apart around the optical axis 1, or at different angle intervals. The tilt adjustment and eccentricity adjustment of the telescope tube 3 may be performed in any order. For example, only the tilt adjustment may be performed, only the eccentricity adjustment may be performed, the eccentricity adjustment may be performed after the tilt adjustment, or the eccentricity adjustment may be performed before the tilt adjustment. In Embodiment 1, a reinforcing member 8a is placed between the telescope tube 3 and the adjustment members 6a and 6b, and a reinforcing member 8b is placed between the telescope tube 3 and the adjustment members 6c and 6d. However, if the strength of the telescope tube 3 is sufficient, or if no deformation occurs in the telescope tube 3 that would hinder adjustment, the reinforcing members 8a and 8b may not be provided.

[0025] According to Embodiment 1, after the tilt adjustment of the lens barrel 3 is completed, the lens barrel 3 can be fixed to the support member 4 by fastening members 7a and 7b while maintaining the adjusted tilt state. According to Embodiment 1, a lens unit 100 can be provided that can fix the lens barrel 3 without shifting the adjusted state after the adjustment is completed. [Examples]

[0026] (Lens unit) The lens unit 200 of Embodiment 2 as an optical unit will be described using Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lens unit 200 of Embodiment 2. In Figure 8, the same reference numerals are used for structures similar to those in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted. As shown in Figure 8, the lens unit 200 has a lens group 2, a lens barrel 3, a support member 24, and a retaining ring 14. The support member 24 has a cylindrical portion that surrounds the cylindrical outer circumference of the lens barrel 3. The support member 24 supports the lens barrel 3 and attaches the lens unit 200 to a separate member.

[0027] (adjustment section) The support member 24 of Embodiment 2 is provided with two adjustment parts 25a and adjustment part 25b (not shown). As shown in Figure 8, adjustment part 25a is integrally formed with the cylindrical portion of the support member 24. Adjustment part 25b (not shown) is also integrally formed with the cylindrical portion of the support member 24. The adjustment parts 25a and adjustment part 25b (not shown) are preferably arranged such that the angle between them is approximately 90 degrees around the optical axis 1. By integrally forming the adjustment parts 25a and adjustment part 25b (not shown) with the support member 24, the number of parts can be reduced. The angle (inferior angle) between adjustment part 25a and adjustment part 25b is preferably 120 degrees or less.

[0028] The adjustment section 25a has multiple adjustment members 6a, 6b and a fastening member 7a arranged in a line with their centers aligned on a plane parallel to the optical axis 1. The adjustment section 25a has a screw hole 25a1 into which the adjustment member 6a is screwed, a screw hole 25a2 into which the adjustment member 6b is screwed, and a through hole 25a3 through which the fastening member 7a passes. The fastening member 7a is positioned between the adjustment members 6a and 6b and fastens the lens barrel 3 to the adjustment section 25a by being screwed through the through hole 25a3 in the adjustment section 25a into a screw hole 3c in the lens barrel 3. The adjustment section 25b (not shown) is formed in the same way as the adjustment section 25a, so its illustration and description are omitted.

[0029] Reinforcement members 8a and 8b (not shown) may be positioned on the portion of the lens barrel 3 facing the adjustment portions 25a and 25b (not shown) of the support member 24. The elastic member (biasing member) 9 is positioned between the protruding portion 3a of the lens barrel 3 and the support member 24, and biases the lens barrel 3 away from the support member 24 in the optical axis direction.

[0030] (Retaining ring) The lens unit 200 may have a retaining ring 14 as a fixing member that determines the position of the lens barrel 3 in the optical axis direction relative to the support member 24. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the portion G enclosed by the dashed rectangle in Figure 8. The retaining ring 14 has a ring shape and has a projection 14a that extends radially inward from the inner circumference of the retaining ring 14 and a female threaded portion 14c provided on the inner surface. The projection 14a is provided with an inclined surface 14b. The support member 24 is provided with a male threaded portion (fastening portion) 24a. The retaining ring 14 is fastened to the support member 24 by screwing the female threaded portion 14c of the retaining ring 14 into the male threaded portion 24a of the support member 24. By fixing the lens barrel 3 to the support member 24 from the front side with the retaining ring 14 as in Embodiment 2, it is no longer necessary to assemble the fixing members 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d to the lens barrel 3 while rotating the lens barrel 3 as in Embodiment 1, making assembly easier. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide notches 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d in the support member 24, processing costs are reduced. The retaining ring 14 functions as a restricting member that restricts the movement of the lens barrel 3, which is biased in the optical axis direction by the elastic member 9.

[0031] A curved contact portion 3b is provided at the end of the protruding portion 3a of the lens barrel 3. The inclined surface 14b of the retaining ring 14 is positioned to make line contact with the contact portion 3b of the lens barrel 3. The lens barrel 3, which is biased in the optical axis direction by the elastic member 9, has its position in the optical axis direction determined by the contact portion 3b of the lens barrel 3 contacting the inclined surface 14b of the retaining ring 14. Since the retaining ring 14 and the lens barrel 3 are in line contact, the movement of the lens barrel 3 relative to the retaining ring 14 can be easily adjusted when adjusting the tilt of the lens barrel 3. Note that the same effect can be obtained by providing a curved surface on the retaining ring 14 instead of the inclined surface 14b, and providing an inclined surface on the contact portion 3b of the lens barrel 3 instead of the curved surface. In other words, it is preferable that at least one of the retaining ring (regulating member) 14 and the contact portion 3b of the lens barrel 3 has a curved surface.

[0032] The method for adjusting the tilt and eccentricity of the lens barrel 3 in Embodiment 2 is the same as in Embodiment 1, so a description will be omitted. Also, in Embodiment 2, the number of adjustment parts is not limited to two, as in Embodiment 1, but may be one or three or more.

[0033] According to Embodiment 2, after the tilt adjustment of the lens barrel 3 is completed, the lens barrel 3 can be fixed to the support member 4 by the fastening member 7a while maintaining the adjusted tilt state. According to Embodiment 2, a lens unit 200 can be provided that can fix the lens barrel 3 without shifting the adjusted state after the adjustment is completed.

[0034] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, in the above embodiments, the adjustment members 6a, 6b and the fastening member 7a are arranged in a line along the optical axis 1, but they do not necessarily have to be arranged in a straight line. Any of the adjustment members 6a, 6b and the fastening member 7a may be slightly offset in the circumferential direction, as long as it does not interfere with the tilt adjustment of the lens barrel 3. In the above embodiments, the lens barrel 3 holds a lens, but the lens barrel 3 may hold a mirror instead of a lens, or together with a lens.

[0035] The lens unit 100 of Example 1 or the lens unit 200 of Example 2 may be incorporated into a lens device 300 (Figure 10), an imaging device 400 (Figure 11), or a communication device 500 (Figure 12). The lens device 300, imaging device 400, and communication device 500, in which the lens unit 100 as an optical unit is incorporated, will be described below.

[0036] (Lens device) Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a lens device 300 incorporating a lens unit 100. The lens device 300 comprises a lens unit 100, another lens unit (another optical unit) 301, and a lens barrel 302 that holds the lens unit 100 and the other lens unit 301. The lens device 300 may be provided with a connecting portion 303 for detachably attaching it to an imaging device body on which an image sensor is provided. The number of lens units provided in the lens device 300 is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more. At least one of the one or more lens units provided in the lens device 300 may be the lens unit 100 of Embodiment 1 or the lens unit 200 of Embodiment 2.

[0037] (Imaging device) Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of an imaging device 400 incorporating a lens unit 100. The imaging device 400 integrally comprises the lens unit 100 and an image sensor 401 that receives the image formed by the lens unit 100. The image sensor 401 is a solid-state image sensor (photoelectric conversion element) such as a CCD sensor or CMOS sensor that converts received light into an electrical signal. The imaging device 400 is, for example, a digital video camera, a digital still camera, a broadcast camera, or a surveillance camera. The imaging device 400 may also include the lens unit 200 of Example 2 in place of or together with the lens unit 100 of Example 1.

[0038] (Communication equipment) Figure 12 shows a communication device 500 incorporating a lens unit 100. Figure 12(a) is a perspective view of the communication device 500. Figure 12(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the communication device 500. The communication device 500 integrally comprises a lens unit 100 and an image sensor 501 that receives the image formed by the lens unit 100. The communication device 500 may be a smartphone. The communication device 500 has a plurality of lens units 100. As shown in Figure 12(a), the communication device 500 has three lens units 100, but the communication device 500 may have one, two, or four or more lens units 100. At least one of the one or more lens units provided in the communication device 500 may be the lens unit 100 of Example 1 or the lens unit 200 of Example 2.

[0039] (Configuration 1) An optical unit comprising: a lens barrel for holding an optical element; a support member for supporting the lens barrel; a biasing member for biasing the lens barrel in the optical axis direction relative to the support member; a restricting member for restricting the movement of the lens barrel biased in the optical axis direction by the biasing member; and an adjustment unit provided on the support member for adjusting the position of the lens barrel relative to the support member from the radial direction of the lens barrel, wherein the adjustment unit comprises a plurality of adjustment members for adjusting the position of the lens barrel relative to the support member, and a fastening member for fastening the adjustment unit and the lens barrel, wherein the plurality of adjustment members and the fastening member are arranged in line along the optical axis direction, the fastening member is positioned between the plurality of adjustment members, and the fastening member fastens the adjustment unit and the lens barrel by bringing the plurality of adjustment members into contact with the lens barrel. (Configuration 2) The optical unit according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the regulating member positions the lens barrel with respect to the optical axis direction. (Configuration 3) The optical unit according to Configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the position of the lens barrel adjusted by the plurality of adjustment members is the inclination or eccentricity of the optical axis of the lens barrel with respect to the support member. (Configuration 4) The optical unit according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the restricting member is fixed to the lens barrel and the restricting member contacts a contact portion provided on the support member. (Configuration 5) The optical unit according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the restricting member is fixed to the support member and the restricting member contacts a contact portion provided on the lens barrel. (Configuration 6) The optical unit according to Configuration 4 or 5, characterized in that the regulating member makes point contact with the contact portion. (Configuration 7) The optical unit according to any one of Configurations 4 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the regulating member and the contact portion has a curved surface. (Configuration 8) The optical unit according to any one of Configurations 4 to 7, characterized in that the contact portion is arranged on a circumference centered on the optical axis. (Configuration 9) The optical unit according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the restricting member includes a plurality of restricting members arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis. (Configuration 10) The optical unit according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the regulating member has a ring shape. (Configuration 11) The optical unit according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the restricting member is composed of a group of fixing members including a plurality of fixing members. (Configuration 12) The optical unit according to any one of Configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that it has at least two adjustment units. (Configuration 13) The optical unit according to Configuration 12, characterized in that the angle in the circumferential direction of at least two of the adjustment parts with respect to the optical axis is 120 degrees or less. (Configuration 14) The optical unit according to any one of Configurations 1 to 13, characterized in that the optical element is a lens or a mirror. (Configuration 15) A lens device comprising an optical unit described in any one of Configurations 1 to 14, another optical unit, and a lens barrel that holds the optical unit and the other optical unit. (Configuration 16) An imaging device comprising an optical unit according to any one of Configurations 1 to 14, and an image sensor that receives light from an image formed by the optical unit. (Configuration 17) A communication device comprising an optical unit as described in any one of Configurations 1 to 14, and an image sensor that receives the image formed by the optical unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 100, 200... Lens Unit 1. Optical axis 2. Lens group 3. Telescope tube 4, 24... Support member 5a, 5b, 25a, 25b...Adjustment section 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d... Adjustment members 7a, 7b... Fastening members 9. Elastic component 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d... Fixing members 14. Retaining ring

Claims

1. A lens barrel that holds the optical elements, A support member that supports the aforementioned lens barrel, A biasing member that biases the lens barrel in the optical axis direction relative to the support member, A restricting member that restricts the movement of the lens barrel, which is biased in the optical axis direction by the biasing member, An adjustment unit is provided on the support member for adjusting the position of the lens barrel relative to the support member from the radial direction of the lens barrel, Equipped with, The adjustment unit is, A plurality of adjustment members for adjusting the position of the lens barrel relative to the support member, A fastening member that fastens the adjustment section and the lens barrel, It has, The plurality of adjusting members and the fastening member are arranged in line along the optical axis direction, The fastening member is positioned between the plurality of adjusting members, The fastening member is characterized by fastening the adjustment part and the lens barrel by bringing the plurality of adjustment members into contact with the lens barrel.

2. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the restricting member positions the lens barrel with respect to the optical axis direction.

3. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the position of the lens barrel adjusted by the plurality of adjustment members is the inclination or eccentricity of the optical axis of the lens barrel with respect to the support member.

4. The regulating member is fixed to the lens barrel, The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the restricting member contacts a contact portion provided on the support member.

5. The regulating member is fixed to the support member, The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulating member contacts a contact portion provided on the lens barrel.

6. The optical unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the regulating member makes point contact with the contact portion.

7. The optical unit according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one of the regulating member and the contact portion has a curved surface.

8. The optical unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the contact portion is arranged on a circumference centered on the optical axis.

9. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the restricting member includes a plurality of restricting members arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the optical axis.

10. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulating member has a ring shape.

11. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the restricting member is composed of a group of fixing members including a plurality of fixing members.

12. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least two of the adjustment units.

13. The optical unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the circumferential angle of at least two of the adjustment units with respect to the optical axis is 120 degrees or less.

14. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical element is a lens or a mirror.

15. An optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, Other optical units, A lens barrel that holds the optical unit and the other optical units, A lens device including a lens.

16. An optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, An image sensor that receives light from the image formed by the optical unit, An imaging device including an imaging device.

17. An optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, An image sensor that receives light from the image formed by the optical unit, Communication equipment including

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