Device

Abstract

To provide a small device having a detection unit for detecting the rotation of an operation ring.SOLUTION: A device according to the present invention comprises: an operation ring which has a first comb tooth part and a second comb tooth part; a first detection unit having a light emission part which irradiates the first comb tooth part with light and a light reception part which receives the light that has passed through a slit part of the first comb tooth part in the light irradiated from the light emission part; and a second detection unit having a light emission part which irradiates the second comb tooth part with light and a light reception part which receives the light that has passed through a slit part of the second comb tooth part in the light irradiated from the light emission part. The device detects the rotation of the operation ring on the basis of the detection results of the first detection unit and second detection unit. The operation ring is formed with grooves in the first cycle in the peripheral direction of the operation ring. In the direction in parallel to the rotational axis of the operation ring, the grooves are formed between the first comb tooth part and the second comb tooth part. The device includes a sliding member which is biased in the radial direction of the operation ring and slides with the grooves when the operation ring rotates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device having an operating ring. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a lens device having a click mechanism that gives a clicking sensation at every predetermined angle when the operating ring is rotated. When the operating ring of the lens device is an aperture ring for controlling the aperture, the click mechanism allows the operator to feel a predetermined aperture step through the operating ring, so that the operator can quickly operate to the desired aperture value.

[0003] As a click mechanism for a lens device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism in which multiple click grooves are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the aperture ring, and a click ball pressed by a leaf spring is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed ring. The lens device of Patent Document 1 allows the aperture to be set to a specified aperture at each locking position by operating the aperture ring, and then photography can be performed.

[0004] Patent document 2 also discloses an aperture device having an engaging body that is elastically supported on either the fixed cylindrical portion or the aperture ring, and an engaging surface on the other side on which are formed multiple engaging portions with which the engaging body can engage at a position corresponding to the aperture value when the aperture ring is rotated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 173227 / 1983 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5166597 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] To make an operating ring capable of endless rotation using the click mechanisms disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is necessary to provide multiple click grooves over the entire circumferential area. Furthermore, it is necessary to detect rotation over the entire circumferential area at a position in the rotation axis direction different from the position where the click grooves are provided.

[0007] A known rotation detector uses a comb-tooth pattern and a photointerrupter. This rotation detector detects the amount and direction of rotation of the operation ring by two photointerrupters arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction on a comb-tooth pattern in which light-shielding portions and slits are periodically provided on the inner circumference of the operation ring. In addition, the rotation detector requires a synchronizing comb-tooth pattern in which slits are provided in the circumferential direction at the same period as the click groove period in order to synchronize the click mechanism and the rotation detection signal of the rotation detector of the operation ring.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized device having a detection unit that detects the rotation of an operating ring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The device of the present invention includes an operating ring including a first comb tooth portion in which light-shielding portions and slit portions are respectively arranged at a first period and a second comb tooth portion in which light-shielding portions and slit portions are respectively arranged at a second period different from the first period, a first detection unit including a light-emitting portion that irradiates light onto the first comb tooth portion and a light-receiving portion that receives light that has passed through the slit portions of the first comb tooth portion out of the light irradiated from the light-emitting portion, and a light-receiving portion that receives light that has passed through the slit portions of the second comb tooth portion out of the light irradiated from the light-emitting portion. and a second detection unit having a light receiving portion which receives light that has passed through a light receiving portion, and which detects rotation of the operating ring based on detection results from the first detection unit and the second detection unit, the operating ring having grooves formed in the first period in the circumferential direction of the operating ring, the grooves being formed between the first comb tooth portion and the second comb tooth portion in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the operating ring, and having a sliding member that is biased in the radial direction of the operating ring and slides against the grooves when the operating ring rotates. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small-sized device having a detection unit that detects the rotation of the operating ring. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the configuration of a lens device and a camera body. [Diagram 2] Cross-sectional view of the lens device in wide and telephoto positions [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the operating ring of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the operating ring of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of an operating ring according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] Front view of the flexible board and flexible holding member seen from the object side [Figure 7] The comb-tooth pattern of the operation ring as seen from the object side [Figure 8] Comb pattern of the control ring viewed from the imaging side [Figure 9] View of the click groove of the operation ring from the imaging side [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an operating ring according to a second embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. EXAMPLES

[0013] (Configuration of lens device) 1 is a schematic diagram showing an imaging device 1000 in which a lens device 1 (lens barrel) equipped with a device including an operating ring according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a camera 2 (camera body). The camera 2 (camera body) has an imaging element 3 such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, and is configured to be able to capture an image formed through the lens device 1. The lens device 1 has a mount 4, and is detachably attached to a camera 2 equipped with a mount (not shown). The imaging device 1000 of the present invention is not limited to an imaging system, and includes cameras with interchangeable lenses, cameras with an integrated lens, and the like. The camera includes imaging devices such as digital still cameras and video cameras.

[0014] Lens device 1 also has lenses as optical elements arranged in order from the subject side (-X direction). Lens device 1 has an imaging optical system composed of a first group unit 100, a second group unit 200, a third group unit 300, a fourth group unit 400, a fifth group unit 500, and a sixth group unit 600 arranged in order from the subject side. The imaging optical system forms an image of the subject on image sensor 3 of camera 2 by focusing light from a subject (not shown). The positional relationship of the lens units in the optical axis direction changes by rotating manual zoom ring 5, and the focal length of lens device 1 changes.

[0015] The first group unit 100 has a first group cam follower (not shown). When the manual zoom ring 5 rotates, the cam barrel 7 having a cam groove tilted to the optical axis rotates, and the first group unit 100 moves straight in the optical axis direction. The first group cam follower engages with the cam groove of the cam barrel 7 and a straight groove parallel to the optical axis of the guide barrel 6, and the position of the first group cam follower changes in the optical axis direction as the cam barrel 7 rotates. In addition, the guide barrel 6 is structured so that it does not move in the optical axis direction relative to the mount 4, and is disposed on the inner diameter of the cam barrel 7.

[0016] The second group unit 200 serves as an optical vibration isolation means. The second group unit 200 is structured so that the optical element is moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis by the main CPU 8 (controller) based on shake information of the lens device obtained by a gyro sensor (not shown).

[0017] The fifth group unit 500 is a focus group, and is moved in the optical axis direction by an actuator (not shown) described later. The actuator (not shown) is driven and controlled by the main CPU 8.

[0018] The configuration of the operating ring 9 will be described in detail later, but it is an operating ring that can rotate at a fixed position around the optical axis and can rotate endlessly. It has a means for detecting rotation inside, and the main CPU 8 drives and controls a specific mechanism within the lens device 1 according to the amount and direction of rotation of the operating ring 9. The main CPU 8 performs the above-mentioned control by communicating with a main CPU (not shown) arranged in the camera 2.

[0019] The upper side of Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of each lens unit in the wide-angle state (WIDE state, wide-angle side) of the lens device 1. The lower side of Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of each lens unit in the telephoto state (TELE state, telephoto side) of the lens device 1. Next, the movement of each lens unit will be described.

[0020] As described above, when the manual zoom ring 5 rotates, the cam barrel 7 rotates, and the first group unit 100 moves straight in the optical axis direction.

[0021] The second group unit 200 is fixed to the subject side tip of the guide barrel 6 by a second group cam follower (not shown). Therefore, the structure does not change in the optical axis direction in the wide-angle and telephoto states.

[0022] Regarding the movements of the third group unit 300, the fourth group unit 400, the fifth group unit 500, and the sixth group unit 600, the third group unit 300 moves differently from the sixth group unit 600 during zoom operation. The fourth group unit 400 is fixed relative to the sixth group unit 600 and moves in the same manner in the optical axis direction. The fifth group unit 500 is driven in the optical axis direction relative to the sixth group unit 600 by an actuator (not shown) provided in the sixth group unit 600. Furthermore, each lens unit is disposed inside the guide cylinder 6.

[0023] (Device Configuration) Next, the configuration of the devices provided in the lens device 1 will be described. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the operating ring 9. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the operating ring 9, showing a cross section in a different phase from Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the operating ring 9.

[0024] The operation ring 9 is sandwiched between the front frame 10 and the fixed tube 11 in the optical axis direction, and the movement in the optical axis direction is restricted, and the operation ring 9 is radially fitted to the front frame 10. The operation ring 9 has a first comb tooth portion 9a and a second comb tooth portion 9b that are flange-shaped on the inner circumference, and the first comb tooth portion 9a and the second comb tooth portion 9b are provided with circumferentially periodic slit shapes with different periods. The operation ring 9 is a component formed by injection molding using a resin. Thus, the operation ring 9 is shown as one in which the first comb tooth portion 9a and the second comb tooth portion 9b are integrally formed, but the first comb tooth portion 9a, the second comb tooth portion 9b, and the click groove 9c may each be separate members.

[0025] The device provided in the lens device 1 has a photointerrupter 12a (first detection unit) that detects the periodic slits of the first comb-tooth portion 9a. The photointerrupter 12a has a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, and the direction from the light-emitting portion toward the light-receiving portion (the axis connecting the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion) is parallel to the rotation axis of the operation ring 9 (the optical axis of the lens device 1). In addition, the light-shielding portion and the slit portion of the first comb-tooth portion 9a, which is provided with a slit shape at a first period, pass alternately between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the photointerrupter 12a. The photointerrupter 12a is fixed to a fixing member, and irradiates light along the rotation axis of the operation ring 9 from the light-emitting portion toward the first comb-tooth portion 9a. The light that passes through the slits arranged in the first comb-tooth portion 9a is received by the light-receiving portion.

[0026] Further, the device provided in the lens device 1 has a photointerrupter 12b and a photointerrupter 12c (second detection unit) that detect the periodic slits of the second comb tooth portion 9b. Similarly, the photointerrupter 12b and the photointerrupter 12c have a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, and the direction from the light emitting portion toward the light receiving portion (the axis connecting the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion) is parallel to the optical axis of the lens device 1. In addition, the light shielding portion and the slit portion of the second comb tooth portion 9b, which is provided with a slit shape at a second period, pass alternately between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photointerrupter 12b (photointerrupter 12c). The photointerrupter 12b and the photointerrupter 12c are fixed to a fixing member, and light along the rotation axis of the operation ring 9 is irradiated from the light emitting portion toward the second comb tooth portion 9b. The light that passes through the slits arranged in the second comb tooth portion 9b is received by the light receiving portion. The photointerrupter 12b and the photointerrupter 12c are arranged at a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction of the operating ring 9 so as to generate signals that detect the amount and direction of rotation of the operating ring 9.

[0027] The photointerrupter 12a, the photointerrupter 12b, and the photointerrupter 12c are mounted on a flexible substrate 13. The flexible substrate 13, which is electrically connected to the photointerrupters (12a, 12b, and 12c), is also connected to the main CPU 8. A flexible holding member 14 is fixed from the inside of the front frame 10 and the fixed cylinder 11, and fixes the height direction (radial direction) position of the flexible substrate 13. The main CPU 8 can determine the rotation of the operation ring 9 based on the detection results of the photointerrupter 12a (first detection unit), the photointerrupter 12b, and the photointerrupter 12c (second detection unit). In addition, one detection unit can determine the amount of rotation of the operation ring 9, and the other detection unit can detect the rotation of the operation ring 9 to synchronize with a click mechanism described later.

[0028] The flexible holding member 14 holds a metallic click pin 15 (sliding member) having a conical surface and a compression coil spring 16 by a click pin holding portion 14a (click holding portion) so as to protrude in a radial direction (diameter direction) from the optical axis center of the lens device 1. The click pin holding portion 14a (click holding portion) that holds the click mechanism (click pin 15, compression coil spring 16) in such a manner that it can be elastically deformed is provided on a fixed member. On the inner circumference of the operation ring 9, click grooves 9c are provided at positions between the first comb tooth portion 9a and the second comb tooth portion 9b in the optical axis direction (direction along the rotation axis of the operation ring 9) and are arranged periodically in the circumferential direction. The click grooves 9c have recesses formed at a first period in the circumferential direction of the operation ring 9. The inclined surface of the click groove 9c engages with the conical surface of the click pin 15, so that a clicking sensation is periodically obtained when the operation ring 9 is rotated around the optical axis.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a front view of the flexible substrate 13 and the flex holding member 14 as viewed from the object side. As shown in Fig. 4, the photointerrupter 12c that detects the rotation of the second comb-tooth portion 9b provided on the inner circumference of the operation ring 9 partially overlaps with the click pin holding portion 14a provided on the flex holding member 14, which is a fixed member, in the optical axis direction. Similarly, the photointerrupter 12b (not shown) that detects the rotation of the second comb-tooth portion 9b also partially overlaps with the click pin holding portion 14a provided on the flex holding member 14, which is a fixed member, in the optical axis direction. Furthermore, the photointerrupter 12a (not shown) that detects the rotation of the first comb-tooth portion 9a also partially overlaps with the click pin holding portion 14a provided on the flex holding member 14, which is a fixed member, in the optical axis direction.

[0030] 6, photointerrupters 12b, 12c and click pin holder 14a are arranged at different phases in the circumferential direction, so they can be arranged in a position where they overlap in the optical axis direction as long as it does not affect the movement of second comb-tooth portion 9b. Similarly, photointerrupter 12a and click pin holder 14a are arranged at different phases in the circumferential direction, so they can be arranged in a position where they overlap in the optical axis direction as long as it does not affect the movement of first comb-tooth portion 9a.

[0031] Fig. 7 is a front view of the operating ring 9 as seen from the object side, and in particular a detailed view of the first comb-tooth portion 9a as seen from the object side. Fig. 8 is a rear view of the operating ring 9 as seen from the imaging side, and in particular a detailed view of the second comb-tooth portion 9b as seen from the imaging side. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken at the position of the click groove 9c of the operating ring 9, and the cross section as seen from the imaging side.

[0032] The first period of the slit portions (light blocking portions) arranged in the first comb tooth portion 9a is the same as the period of the click grooves 9c, whereas the first period of the slit portions (light blocking portions) arranged in the first comb tooth portion 9a is different from the second period of the slit portions (light blocking portions) arranged in the second comb tooth portion 9b.

[0033] As described above, the click groove 9c that can be engaged with the click pin 15 that protrudes radially from the center of the optical axis is disposed on the inner circumference of the operation ring 9 between the first comb tooth portion 9a and the second comb tooth portion 9b in the optical axis direction. The operation ring 9 is an endless mechanism that can rotate in a fixed position. In this way, the operation ring 9 that has the first comb tooth portion 9a, the second comb tooth portion 9b, and the click groove 9c in one component can be made smaller in the radial direction. Therefore, the lens device 1 that includes the operation ring 9 can be made smaller.

[0034] Optical devices such as cameras and interchangeable lenses have a function that detects the rotation of an operating ring and causes the optical device to perform various operations. Some such operating rings are capable of endless rotation (they can rotate all around without any rotation limit), and the present invention is a device that detects the rotation of these operating rings. Even for operating rings that are capable of endless rotation, optical devices are known that have a click mechanism to provide a clicking sensation at every predetermined rotation angle.

[0035] Furthermore, at least one of the multiple photointerrupters (12a, 12b, 12c) included in the device can be arranged to overlap the click pin holder 14a in the optical axis direction. In this way, it is possible to reduce the space required for the photointerrupter and the click mechanism as a detection unit that detects the rotation of the operating ring 9 in the optical axis direction. Therefore, the lens device 1 including the device of the present invention can be made smaller.

[0036] (Other configurations) In this embodiment, an example has been given in which the click pin 15 and the compression coil spring 16 are held by the click pin holding portion 14a formed on the flex holding member 14, but it goes without saying that the same can be said for holding them with other fixing members. The fixing member only needs to be fixed against the rotational operation of the operating ring 9, and is not limited to the flex holding member 14 and the click pin holding portion 14a formed thereon.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, the click pin 15 having a metal conical surface is taken as an example, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a rolling ball or a hemispherical aperture formed on a leaf spring may be used. In this embodiment, the compression coil spring 16 is taken as an example of the elastic member, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a spring made of a plate material may be slid.

[0038] In this embodiment, the click pin 15 and the click pin holder 14a are shaped to protrude inward from the first comb tooth portion 9a or the second comb tooth portion 9b, but it is possible to make them thinner by using a plate spring or the like. The click pin 15 and the click pin holder 14a can also be arranged at the same height in the radial direction as the photointerrupters 12a, 12b, and 12c. In order to obtain a more stable operation feel, it is also possible to arrange a biasing means (not shown) that biases in the optical axis direction between the end face of the operation ring 9 in the optical axis direction and the front frame 10 or the fixed barrel 11. EXAMPLES

[0039] (Device Configuration) Next, the configuration of the device in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The description of the contents common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the operating ring 9 in the second embodiment.

[0040] 10, the photointerrupter 12a that detects the rotation of the first comb-tooth portion 9a provided on the inner circumference of the operation ring 9 partially overlaps with the photointerrupter 12b that detects the rotation of the second comb-tooth portion 9b in the optical axis direction. Similarly, the photointerrupter 12a also partially overlaps with the photointerrupter 12c (not shown) that detects the rotation of the second comb-tooth portion 9b in the optical axis direction.

[0041] As in the first embodiment, click grooves 9c are provided on the inner circumference of the operation ring 9 at positions between the first comb tooth portion 9a and the second comb tooth portion 9b in the optical axis direction. The click pin holder 14a is disposed at a different phase from the photointerrupters (12a, 12b, 12c) in the circumferential direction and is provided at a position that does not affect the movement of the first comb tooth portion 9a and the second comb tooth portion 9b. As in the first embodiment, the photointerrupter 12c is also disposed at a different phase from the photointerrupter 12b in the circumferential direction.

[0042] In this embodiment, the distance between the first comb tooth portion 9a and the second comb tooth portion 9b in the optical axis direction can be narrowed by arranging the multiple photointerrupters (12a, 12b, 12c) and the click pin holder 14a at different phases in the circumferential direction. This makes it possible to reduce the space required for rotation detection in the optical axis direction and the click mechanism in the second embodiment compared to the first embodiment, and further reduce the size of the lens device 1.

[0043] According to the present invention, it is possible to miniaturize a device including an operating ring provided with a click mechanism, and further to miniaturize a lens device. Although the preferred 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 the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1000 Imaging device 1 Lens device 9 Control ring 9a First comb tooth portion 9b Second comb tooth part 9c Click groove 12a Photointerrupter 12b Photointerrupter 12c Photointerrupter 13 Flexible PCB 14 Flex retaining material 14a Click pin holder 15 Click Pin 16 Compression coil spring

Claims

1. an operating ring including a first comb-tooth portion in which light-shielding portions and slit portions are respectively arranged at a first period, and a second comb-tooth portion in which light-shielding portions and slit portions are respectively arranged at a second period different from the first period; a first detection unit including a light emitting unit that irradiates light onto the first comb tooth portion, and a light receiving unit that receives light that has passed through a slit portion of the first comb tooth portion out of the light irradiated from the light emitting unit; a second detection unit including a light emitting section that irradiates light onto the second comb tooth section, and a light receiving section that receives light that has passed through a slit section of the second comb tooth section out of the light irradiated from the light emitting section; detecting rotation of the operation ring based on detection results of the first detection unit and the second detection unit; the operation ring has grooves formed at the first period in a circumferential direction of the operation ring, and the grooves are formed between the first comb-tooth portion and the second comb-tooth portion in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the operation ring, A device comprising: a sliding member that is biased in the radial direction of the operating ring and slides in the groove when the operating ring rotates.

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed at a position overlapping at least a portion of the first detection unit and the second detection unit in a direction parallel to the rotation axis.

3. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member is disposed at a position overlapping at least a portion of the first detection unit and the second detection unit in a direction parallel to the rotation axis.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least a portion of the first detection unit is arranged in a position overlapping at least a portion of the second detection unit in a direction parallel to the rotation axis.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the sliding member, the first detection unit, and the second detection unit are arranged at positions that do not overlap with each other in the circumferential direction.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second period is shorter than the first period.

7. The groove has recesses that slide against the sliding member formed at the first period, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first detection unit detects the recesses formed in the first period, and the second detection unit detects the rotation of the operating ring.

8. 8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an optical element.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising a control unit that controls the optical element based on an amount of rotation of the operation ring.

10. 10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an image sensor.

Images