Camera device

Abstract

To provide a camera device with which it is possible to prevent light from the outside of a lens barrel from entering an optical path in the lens barrel.SOLUTION: A camera device 1 comprises a frame 90, and a lens barrel 4 that accommodates a lens. The lens barrel 4 includes a stationary tube 10 having a cylindrical wall 12 in which a through-hole cam 14 is formed that extends in a direction X so that the circumferential position changes, a drive tube 20 which is composed to be rotatable with respect to the stationary tube 10 without moving in the direction X, a rotary tube 40 which is composed to be rotatable with respect to the stationary tube 10 and movable in the direction X, a key tube 50 which is composed to be movable in the direction X together with the rotary tube 40, and a linearly moving tube 70 which is composed to be rotatable with respect to the rotary tube 40 together with the key tube 50. The camera device 1 further includes a connecting frame 60 which is attached to a rear end of the key tube 50 of the lens barrel 4, and a rearward light-shielding member 110 which has a bellows part 113 for flexibly connecting between the connecting frame 60 and the frame 90.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera device, and more particularly to a camera device provided with a lens barrel that can be expanded and contracted along the optical axis direction.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a camera equipped with a lens barrel that enables expansion and contraction of one or more cylinders in the optical axis direction by rotating an operation ring has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a lens barrel using an operation ring, in order to prevent light from outside the lens barrel (for example, sunlight, strobe light, light from an LED in the camera, etc.) from entering the exposure part of the camera, it is necessary to block the gap formed between the cylinders by arranging a light-shielding ring or light-shielding felt. In recent years, in order to realize a plurality of shooting positions, the number of cylinders used has also increased, and accordingly, the number of required light-shielding rings and light-shielding felts has increased, leading to an increase in manufacturing costs. Therefore, it has been demanded to realize light shielding in such a lens barrel with a cheaper configuration.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a camera device capable of preventing light from outside the lens barrel from entering the optical path inside the lens barrel.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera device capable of preventing light from outside the lens barrel from entering the optical path inside the lens barrel. This camera device includes a housing having an opening formed in the front surface, a frame housed inside the housing, and a lens barrel housing at least one lens. The lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder having a base fixed to the frame and a cylindrical wall formed with a through-cam groove extending in the axial direction so that the circumferential position changes, a drive cylinder for driving the expansion and contraction of the lens barrel, a rotating cylinder configured to be rotatable with respect to the fixed cylinder and movable in the axial direction, a key cylinder configured to be movable in the axial direction together with the rotating cylinder without rotating with respect to the fixed cylinder, and a direct-acting cylinder configured to be rotatable together with the key cylinder with respect to the rotating cylinder. The drive cylinder is configured to be rotatable with respect to the fixed cylinder without moving in the axial direction. The camera device includes a connecting frame attached to the rear end portion of the key cylinder of the lens barrel, and a first light-shielding member having a first bellows portion that telescopically connects between the connecting frame and the frame. The rotating cylinder includes a first cylindrical portion disposed radially inward of the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder, and a first operating portion protruding radially outward from the first cylindrical portion and engaging with the through-cam groove of the fixed cylinder. The drive cylinder has a second cylindrical portion disposed radially outward of the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder. A first axial groove is formed in the second cylindrical portion, into which the first operating portion of the rotating cylinder, which extends in the axial direction and protrudes radially outward from the through-cam groove of the fixed cylinder, engages. A first cam groove is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating cylinder, extending in the axial direction so that the circumferential position changes. The key cylinder includes a third cylindrical portion disposed radially inward of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating cylinder. A second axial groove extending in the axial direction is formed in the third cylindrical portion. The direct-acting cylinder includes a fourth cylindrical portion disposed radially inward of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating cylinder, and a second operating portion protruding radially outward from the fourth cylindrical portion and passing through the third cylindrical portion of the key cylinder to engage with the first cam groove of the rotating cylinder.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10A

Figure 10B

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of the camera device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. In FIGS. 1 to 12, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Also, in FIGS. 1 to 12, the scales and dimensions of each component may be exaggerated or some components may be omitted. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish components from each other and do not represent a specific order or sequence.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a camera device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera device 1 in the present embodiment is a camera (instant camera) that uses a photographic film that is automatically developed after shooting. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to other than such instant cameras. In the present embodiment, for convenience, the +X direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as "front" or "forward", and the -X direction is referred to as "rear" or "backward".

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the camera device 1 includes a front cover 2, a rear cover 3 attached behind the front cover 2, and a lens barrel 4 that houses a lens unit inside. A finder window 5 is formed in the front cover 2, and a flash window 6 is disposed adjacent to the finder window 5. Also, a release button 7 is disposed on the -Z direction side of the finder window 5. An ejection slit 8 that extends in the Y direction between the front cover 2 and the rear cover 3 is formed in the upper portions of the front cover 2 and the rear cover 3. The photographic film developed after shooting is ejected from this ejection slit 8.

[0010] The lens barrel 4 in this embodiment has a structure that can expand and contract in the optical axis direction. The lens barrel 4 in the state shown in FIG. 1 is in the most contracted state in the optical axis direction (X direction). When the lens barrel 4 is in the state shown in FIG. 1, it is referred to as the "retracted state" of the camera device 1. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the lens barrel 4 is fully extended in the optical axis direction P (X direction) and the front cover 2 is removed. When the lens barrel 4 is in the state shown in FIG. 2, it is referred to as the "fully extended state" of the camera device 1.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular opening Q is formed on the front surface of the front cover 2, and a part of the lens barrel 4 extends and contracts along the optical axis P in front of the front cover 2 through this opening Q. Inside the housing composed of the front cover 2 and the rear cover 3, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame 90 is accommodated. A photographic film or the like is accommodated inside this frame 90. The lens barrel 4 is attached to the frame 90.

[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lens barrel 4 in the camera device of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the lens barrel 4 in this embodiment includes a fixed cylinder 10 attached to the front surface of the frame 90, a drive cylinder 20 (operation ring) configured to be rotatable without moving axially with respect to the fixed cylinder 10, a cover cylinder 30 covering the outer periphery of the drive cylinder 20, a rotating cylinder 40 configured to be rotatable and axially movable with respect to the fixed cylinder 10, a key cylinder 50 configured to be axially movable together with the rotating cylinder 40 without rotating with respect to the fixed cylinder 10, a cover ring 58 attached to the front edge of the key cylinder 50, and a linear motion cylinder 70 configured to be rotatable together with the key cylinder 50 with respect to the fixed cylinder 10. In this embodiment, a lens unit including at least one lens (not shown) is accommodated inside the linear motion cylinder 70. An openable and closable barrier 78 is disposed in front of the lens unit of the linear motion cylinder 70. In this embodiment, the rotating cylinder 40, the key cylinder 50, the cover ring 58, and the linear motion cylinder 70 constitute a telescopic unit that can expand and contract in the axial direction (Z direction) through the opening Q of the front cover 2.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the drive cylinder 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the drive cylinder 20 has a cylindrical portion 21 (second cylindrical portion) extending in the axial direction (X direction), two extending portions 22 extending rearward from the cylindrical portion 21, and an arc piece 23 extending radially outward from the rear end of the cylindrical portion 21. The cylindrical portion 21 is disposed radially outside the fixed cylinder 10. Further, the cylindrical portion 21 has a flange portion 21A projecting radially outward in the vicinity of its rear end, and a knurl 21B is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 21 to facilitate handling during assembly. The two extending portions 22 are disposed at positions facing each other with the optical axis P interposed therebetween. On the rear surface of the arc piece 23, recesses 231, 232, and 233 are formed at three circumferential positions corresponding to the telescopic state of the lens barrel 4.

[0014] Axial grooves 24 (first axial grooves) extending in the axial direction (X direction) are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the extending portions 22 and the cylindrical portion 21. Further, two circumferential grooves 25 extending in the circumferential direction and two connecting grooves 26 extending in the +X direction from the rear edge portion of the cylindrical portion 21 and connecting to the ends of the circumferential grooves 25 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 21. The two axial grooves 24, the two circumferential grooves 25, and the two connecting grooves 26 are arranged at intervals of 180 degrees along the circumferential direction, respectively.

[0015] Three recesses 27 are formed at the front edge portion of the cylindrical portion 21, and a notch portion 28 is formed by cutting a part of the flange portion 21A on the -X direction side of each recess 27. These recesses 27 and notch portions 28 are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees along the circumferential direction.

[0016] Figures 5A and 5B are perspective views showing the fixed cylinder 10. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5A, and 5B, the fixed cylinder 10 has a rectangular frame-shaped base 11 fixed to the frame 90, a cylindrical wall 12 extending forward (+X direction) from the base 11, and two engaging pieces 13 protruding radially outward from the cylindrical wall 12. A cylindrical pin holding portion 18 for holding a pin (not shown) that abuts against the rear surface of the arc piece 23 of the drive cylinder 20 described above is formed on the base 11 of the fixed cylinder 10. Screw holes 11A are formed at the four corners of the base 11, and the fixed cylinder 10 is fixed to the frame 90 by inserting a screw 91 (see FIG. 2) through the screw hole 11A and screwing the screw 91 into the frame 90.

[0017] The width along the axial direction (X direction) of the engaging piece 13 of each fixed cylinder 10 (hereinafter referred to as the axial width) is slightly smaller than the axial width of the circumferential groove 25 of the drive cylinder 20, and the engaging piece 13 of the fixed cylinder 10 is engaged with the circumferential groove 25 of the drive cylinder 20 so that it can move circumferentially inside the circumferential groove 25. By the engagement between the engaging piece 13 of the fixed cylinder 10 and the circumferential groove 25 of the drive cylinder 20, the drive cylinder 20 can rotate relative to the fixed cylinder 10 without changing its axial position relative to the fixed cylinder 10.

[0018] Also, the width along the circumferential direction of the engaging piece 13 of the fixed cylinder 10 (hereinafter referred to as the circumferential width) is smaller than the circumferential width of the communication groove 26 of the drive cylinder 20. Therefore, when assembling the drive cylinder 20 to the fixed cylinder 10, the circumferential position of the engaging piece 13 of the fixed cylinder 10 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 26 of the drive cylinder 20, and the drive cylinder 20 is moved from the front of the fixed cylinder 10 in the -X direction, so that the engaging piece 13 of the fixed cylinder 10 can be moved axially (X direction) inside the communication groove 26 of the drive cylinder 20 and moved to the end of the circumferential groove 25. In this state, by rotating the drive cylinder 20 relative to the fixed cylinder 10, the engaging piece 13 of the fixed cylinder 10 and the circumferential groove 25 of the drive cylinder 20 can be engaged.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5A, and 5B, two through-cam grooves 14 extending through the cylindrical wall 12 are formed in the cylindrical wall 12 of the fixed cylinder 10. The two through-cam grooves 14 are arranged at intervals of 180 degrees along the circumferential direction. Each through-cam groove 14 includes a rear end portion 14A extending in the circumferential direction, a front end portion 14B extending in the circumferential direction, and an intermediate portion 14C connecting the rear end portion 14A and the front end portion 14B. The intermediate portion 14C of the through-cam groove 14 extends such that the circumferential position gradually changes from the rear end portion 14A toward the front end portion 14B.

[0020] Also, on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 12 of the fixed cylinder 10, two cam grooves 15 (second cam grooves) extending in a shape corresponding to the above-described through-cam grooves 14 and two axial grooves 16 (third axial grooves) extending in the axial direction (X direction) are formed. In the present embodiment, the cam grooves 15 are formed at positions rotated 90 degrees around the axis with respect to the through-cam grooves 14.

[0021] Returning to FIG. 2, the opening Q of the front cover 2 is formed inside a cylindrical portion 310 extending in the X direction. A flange portion 312 extending radially inward is formed at the front edge of the cylindrical portion 310, and a part of the flange portion 312 is cut out to form a notch portion 314. Further, adjacent to the notch portion 314, a regulating piece 316 protruding forward from the flange portion 312 and extending radially inward is formed. This regulating piece 316 abuts against the front surface of the flange portion 21A of the drive cylinder 20 to regulate the axial movement of the drive cylinder 20.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the cover cylinder 30. The cover cylinder 30 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the fixed cylinder 10 together with the drive cylinder 20 described above. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover cylinder 30 includes a cylindrical portion 31 extending in the axial direction (X direction), an annular portion 32 extending radially inward from the front end of the cylindrical portion 31, three engaging portions 34 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31, and three hook portions 35 disposed behind the three engaging portions 34. Concavities and convexities are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 to facilitate operation by the user. When the cover cylinder 30 is formed of resin or the like, if the engaging portions 34 and the hook portions 35 are formed at various locations on the cover cylinder 30, the outer shape of the cover cylinder 30 is likely to be deformed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the three engaging portions 34 and the three hook portions 35 are arranged aligned in the circumferential direction and are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees along the circumferential direction.

[0023] A recess is formed in the central portion along the circumferential direction of each engaging portion 34, and a recess is also formed in the central portion along the circumferential direction of each hook portion 35. Each hook portion 35 includes a beam portion 35A extending in the -X direction from the engaging portion 34, and an engaging piece 35B extending radially outward from the rear end portion of the beam portion 35A so as to be separated from the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 31. The axial separation distance between the engaging piece 35B of this hook portion 35 and the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 31 is slightly larger than the axial width of the flange portion 312 of the front cover 2 described above, and the engaging piece 35B of each hook portion 35 can be engaged with the flange portion 312 of the front cover 2. Thereby, the cover cylinder 30 can be attached to the front cover 2 in a rotatable state.

[0024] Further, the circumferential width of the engaging portion 34 of the cover cylinder 30 is substantially the same as the circumferential width of the recess 27 of the drive cylinder 20, and each engaging portion 34 is fitted (engaged) into the recess 27 of the drive cylinder 20 in the circumferential direction. Further, the circumferential width of the engaging piece 35B of each hook portion 35 is substantially the same as the circumferential width of the notch portion 28 of the drive cylinder 20, and the engaging piece 35B of each hook portion 35 is fitted into the notch portion 28 of the drive cylinder 20. Thereby, the cover cylinder 30 and the drive cylinder 20 are integrated.

[0025] Here, the circumferential width of the notch portion 314 formed in the flange portion 312 of the front cover 2 is larger than the circumferential width of each hook portion 35. Therefore, when assembling the cover cylinder 30 and the drive cylinder 20 to the front cover 2, the circumferential position of the hook portion 35 of the cover cylinder 30 is aligned with the circumferential position of the notch portion 314 of the front cover 2, and the integrated cover cylinder 30 and drive cylinder 20 are moved in the -X direction from the front of the front cover 2, so that the engaging piece 35B of the hook portion 35 of the cover cylinder 30 is passed through the notch portion 314 of the flange portion 312 of the front cover 2, and then the integrated cover cylinder 30 and drive cylinder 20 are rotated (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) with respect to the front cover 2, whereby the engaging piece 35B of the hook portion 35 of the cover cylinder 30 can be engaged with the flange portion 312 of the front cover 2.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the rotating cylinder 40. This rotating cylinder 40 is configured to be rotatable and axially movable with respect to the fixed cylinder 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the rotating cylinder 40 includes a cylindrical portion 41 (first cylindrical portion) that extends in the axial direction (X direction) and is disposed radially inside the fixed cylinder 10, two operating portions 42 (first operating portions) that project radially outward in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 41, two projecting portions 43 that project radially outward in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 41, and three engaging pieces 44 that project radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41.

[0027] The amount of protrusion of the operating portion 42 radially outward is larger than the amount of protrusion of the projecting portion 43 radially outward. For example, the operating portion 42 can be configured by attaching a screw to a boss portion formed in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 41. In the present embodiment, the operating portion 42 and the projecting portion 43 are alternately arranged at intervals of 90 degrees along the circumferential direction. Further, the three engaging pieces 44 are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees around the axis.

[0028] The outer diameter of each operating part 42 is slightly smaller than the axial width of the rear end portion 14A and the front end portion 14B of the through cam groove 14 of the fixed cylinder 10, the circumferential width of the intermediate portion 14C, and the circumferential width of the axial groove 24 of the drive cylinder 20. Each operating part 42 engages with the axial groove 24 of the drive cylinder 20 through the through cam groove 14 of the fixed cylinder 10. Further, the outer diameter of each protruding part 43 is smaller than the circumferential width of the cam groove 15 of the fixed cylinder 10, and the protruding part 43 can move inside the cam groove 15 of the fixed cylinder 10.

[0029] With such a configuration, the operating part 42 of the rotating cylinder 40 engages with the through cam groove 14 of the fixed cylinder 10 and can move along the through cam groove 14 inside the through cam groove 14 of the fixed cylinder 10, and also engages with the axial groove 24 of the drive cylinder 20 and can move along the axial direction inside the axial groove 24 of the drive cylinder 20. Due to the engagement between the operating part 42 of the rotating cylinder 40 and the axial groove 24 of the drive cylinder 20, when the drive cylinder 20 rotates with respect to the fixed cylinder 10, the rotating cylinder 40 rotates with respect to the fixed cylinder 10 together with the drive cylinder 20. At this time, due to the engagement between the operating part 42 of the rotating cylinder 40 and the through cam groove 14 of the fixed cylinder 10, as the rotating cylinder 40 rotates, the rotating cylinder 40 moves in the X direction with respect to the fixed cylinder 10 along the shape of the through cam groove 14 (intermediate portion 14C). Thus, when the drive cylinder 20 rotates with respect to the fixed cylinder 10, the rotating cylinder 40 rotates with respect to the fixed cylinder 10 and is fed out in the +X direction. When the operating part 42 of the rotating cylinder 40 moves along the through cam groove 14 of the fixed cylinder 10, the protruding part 43 of the rotating cylinder 40 moves inside the cam groove 15 of the fixed cylinder 10, and the rotating cylinder 40 is supported auxiliary ly inside the fixed cylinder 10 by the engagement between the protruding part 43 of the rotating cylinder 40 and the cam groove 15 of the fixed cylinder 10.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41 of the rotating cylinder 40, six cam grooves 45 (first cam grooves) extending such that the circumferential position gradually changes from the rear end portion toward the front end portion, and six communication grooves 46 (first communication grooves) extending in the -X direction from the front edge portion of the rotating cylinder 40 and connecting to the front end portions of the cam grooves 45 are formed. The six cam grooves 45 and the six communication grooves 46 are arranged at intervals of 60 degrees around the axis.

[0031] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the key cylinder 50 together with the connecting frame 60 attached to the rear end portion thereof and the rear light-shielding member 110. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the key cylinder 50 has a cylindrical portion 51 (third cylindrical portion) extending in the axial direction (X direction). The cylindrical portion 51 of the key cylinder 50 is disposed radially inward of the cylindrical portion 41 of the rotating cylinder 40.

[0032] Six axial grooves 52 (second axial grooves) extending in the axial direction (X direction) through the cylindrical portion 51 and six communication grooves 53 (second communication grooves) extending in the -X direction from the front edge portion of the cylindrical portion 51 and connecting to the ends of the axial grooves 52 are formed in the cylindrical portion 51 of the key cylinder 50. The six axial grooves 52 and the six communication grooves 53 are arranged at intervals of 60 degrees along the circumferential direction, respectively.

[0033] In addition, three circumferential grooves 54 extending in the circumferential direction near the front edge of the cylindrical portion 51 and three communication grooves 55 extending in the +X direction from the rear edge portion of the cylindrical portion 51 and connecting to the ends of the circumferential grooves 54 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 51 of the key cylinder 50. The three communication grooves 55 and the three circumferential grooves 54 are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees along the circumferential direction, respectively.

[0034] The axial width of the circumferential groove 54 of the key cylinder 50 is slightly larger than the axial width of the engaging piece 44 of the rotating cylinder 40, and the engaging piece 44 of the rotating cylinder 40 is engaged with the circumferential groove 54 of the key cylinder 50 so as to be movable in the circumferential direction inside the circumferential groove 54. By the engagement between the engaging piece 44 of the rotating cylinder 40 and the circumferential groove 54 of the key cylinder 50, the key cylinder 50 can rotate relative to the rotating cylinder 40 without changing the axial position with respect to the rotating cylinder 40.

[0035] Also, the circumferential width of the communication groove 55 of the key cylinder 50 is larger than the circumferential width of the engaging piece 44 of the rotating cylinder 40. Therefore, when assembling the key cylinder 50 to the rotating cylinder 40, the circumferential position of the engaging piece 44 of the rotating cylinder 40 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 55 of the key cylinder 50, and by moving the key cylinder 50 in the -X direction from the front of the rotating cylinder 40, the engaging piece 44 of the rotating cylinder 40 can be moved axially (X direction) inside the communication groove 55 of the key cylinder 50 and moved to the end of the circumferential groove 54. In this state, by rotating the key cylinder 50 relative to the rotating cylinder 40, the engaging piece 44 of the rotating cylinder 40 and the circumferential groove 54 of the key cylinder 50 can be engaged.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, a screwing portion 51A is provided at the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 51 of the key cylinder 50. The connecting frame 60 is a member for attaching the rear light-shielding member 110 and the front light-shielding member 120 to the rear end portion of the key cylinder 50, and a screw hole 61 is formed in the connecting frame 60. The connecting frame 60 is fixed to the rear end of the key cylinder 50 by inserting a screw (not shown) through the screw hole 61 of the connecting frame 60 and screwing this screw to the screwing portion 51A of the key cylinder 50.

[0037] The connecting frame 60 has two engaging portions 62 extending radially outward. The width of this engaging portion 62 is slightly smaller than the width of the axial groove 16 of the fixed cylinder 10, and each engaging portion 62 is engaged with the axial groove 16 of the fixed cylinder 10 so as to be able to move axially inside this axial groove 16. Therefore, the key cylinder 50 can move axially together with the rotating cylinder 40 while rotating relative to the rotating cylinder 40 without rotating relative to the fixed cylinder 10.

[0038] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the linear cylinder 70 together with a front light-shielding member 120 attached to the rear end thereof. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the linear cylinder 70 has a cylindrical portion 71 (a fourth cylindrical portion) disposed radially inward of the key cylinder 50 and six cylindrical operating portions 72 (second operating portions) protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface. These operating portions 72 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of each operating portion 72 is slightly smaller than the circumferential widths of the axial groove 52 and the communication groove 53 of the key cylinder 50 and the circumferential widths of the communication groove 46 and the cam groove 45 of the rotating cylinder 40, and each operating portion 72 engages with the cam groove 45 of the rotating cylinder 40 through the axial groove 52 of the key cylinder 50.

[0039] The key cylinder 50 cannot rotate relative to the fixed cylinder 10 due to the engagement between the engaging portion 62 of the connecting frame 60 and the axial groove 16 of the fixed cylinder 10, while the rotating cylinder 40 can rotate relative to the fixed cylinder 10. Therefore, when the rotating cylinder 40 rotates relative to the fixed cylinder 10, the linear cylinder 70 moves in the X direction relative to the rotating cylinder 40 along the shape of the cam groove 45 due to the engagement between the operating portion 72 of the linear cylinder 70 and the cam groove 45 of the rotating cylinder 40. In this way, by rotating the rotating cylinder 40 relative to the fixed cylinder 10, the linear cylinder 70 can be extended from the rotating cylinder 40 in the +X direction.

[0040] When assembling the linear cylinder 70 to the key cylinder 50, after assembling the key cylinder 50 to the rotating cylinder 40 as described above, the rotating cylinder 40 is rotated relative to the key cylinder 50 to align the circumferential position of the communication groove 46 of the rotating cylinder 40 with the circumferential position of the communication groove 53 of the key cylinder 50. Further, by aligning the circumferential position of the operating portion 72 of the linear cylinder 70 with the circumferential positions of these communication grooves 53 and 46 and moving the linear cylinder 70 in the -X direction from the front of the rotating cylinder 40 and the key cylinder 50, the operating portion 72 of the linear cylinder 70 can be moved from the communication grooves 53 and 46 into the axial groove 52 of the key cylinder 50 and the cam groove 45 of the rotating cylinder 40, respectively. Thereby, the operating portion 72 of the linear cylinder 70 can be engaged with the axial groove 52 of the key cylinder 50 and the cam groove 45 of the rotating cylinder 40.

[0041] As described above, in this embodiment, in order to introduce the operating portion 72 of the linear cylinder 70 into the axial groove 52 of the key cylinder 50 and the cam groove 45 of the rotating cylinder 40, communication grooves 53 and 46 are respectively formed at the front edge portions of the key cylinder 50 and the rotating cylinder 40. Since it is not preferable in terms of the appearance of the product when these communication grooves 53 and 46 are exposed to the outside, a cover ring 58 that covers the front edge portions of the key cylinder 50 and the rotating cylinder 40 is attached to the key cylinder 50. For example, this cover ring 58 can be attached to the key cylinder 50 by fitting a protrusion 58A (see FIG. 3) formed on the rear surface of the cover ring 58 into the communication groove 53 of the key cylinder 50.

[0042] FIG. 10A is a longitudinal sectional view when the camera device 1 is in the maximum extended state, and FIG. 10B is a sectional view when in the retracted state. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the camera device 1 in this embodiment includes a rear light-shielding member 110 (first light-shielding member) and a front light-shielding member 120 (second light-shielding member) that prevent light from entering the optical path inside the lens barrel 4 from outside the lens barrel 4. The rear light-shielding member 110 is disposed between the rear end portion of the key cylinder 50 and the frame 90. The rear light-shielding member 110 is made of a flexible material such as rubber, for example, and is configured to expand and contract as the key cylinder 50 (rotating cylinder 40) moves axially with respect to the fixed cylinder 10. The front light-shielding member 120 is disposed between the rear end portion of the linear cylinder 70 and the rear end portion of the key cylinder 50. Similar to the rear light-shielding member 110, the front light-shielding member 120 is made of a flexible material such as rubber, for example, and is configured to expand and contract as the linear cylinder 70 moves axially with respect to the key cylinder 50 (rotating cylinder 40).

[0043] Returning to FIG. 8, the rear light-shielding member 110 includes a rectangular frame-shaped front connecting portion 111 fixed to the rear end portion of the key cylinder 50, a rectangular frame-shaped rear connecting portion 112 fixed to the frame 90, and a bellows portion 113 (first bellows portion) that connectably connects between the front connecting portion 111 and the rear connecting portion 112 in an expandable and contractible manner. A rectangular opening is formed inside the rear light-shielding member 110, and the opening inside the rear light-shielding member 110 gradually increases from the front connecting portion 111 toward the rear connecting portion 112.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of screw holes 114 are formed in the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light-shielding member 110. A screw hole 63 is formed in the connecting frame 60 attached to the key cylinder 50 corresponding to the screw hole 114 of the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light-shielding member 110. A rectangular frame-shaped mounting plate 130 is disposed behind (-X direction side) the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light-shielding member 110. A screw hole 131 is also formed in this mounting plate 130 corresponding to the screw hole 114 of the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light-shielding member 110. By screwing a screw 135 into the screw hole 131 of the mounting plate 130, the screw hole 114 of the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light-shielding member 110, and the screw hole 63 of the connecting frame 60 attached to the key cylinder 50, the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light-shielding member 110 is sandwiched and held between the mounting plate 130 and the connecting frame 60 attached to the key cylinder 50.

[0045] At this time, the positioning of the rear light-shielding member 110 and the mounting plate 130 with respect to the connecting frame 60 is performed by inserting a protrusion 64 provided on the connecting frame 60 into a positioning hole 115 formed in the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light-shielding member 110 and a positioning hole 132 formed in the mounting plate 130.

[0046] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the mounting state of the rear light-shielding member 110 to the frame 90. As shown in FIG. 11, a rectangular recess 92 for receiving the rear connecting portion 112 of the rear light-shielding member 110 is formed in the frame 90. A rectangular opening is formed inside the recess 92. A pressing plate 140 for pressing and fixing the rear light-shielding member 110 to the frame 90 is disposed between the rear connecting portion 112 of the rear light-shielding member 110 and the base portion 11 of the fixed cylinder 10. As described above, the fixed cylinder 10 is fixed to the frame 90 by inserting a screw 91 (see FIG. 2) through the screw hole 11A of the base portion 11 of the fixed cylinder 10 and screwing the screw 91 into the screw hole 93 formed in the frame 90. However, when the fixed cylinder 10 is fixed to the frame 90 in this way, the base portion 11 of the fixed cylinder 10 presses the pressing plate 140 in the -X direction. As a result, the rear connecting portion 112 of the rear light-shielding member 110 is sandwiched and held between the pressing plate 140 and the frame 90.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 9, the front light-shielding member 120 includes a rectangular frame-shaped front connecting portion 121 fixed to the rear end portion 73 of the linear motion cylinder 70, a rectangular frame-shaped rear connecting portion 122 fixed to the connecting frame 60 attached to the key cylinder 50, and a bellows portion 123 (second bellows portion) that telescopically connects between the front connecting portion 121 and the rear connecting portion 122. A rectangular opening is formed inside the front light-shielding member 120, and the opening inside the front light-shielding member 120 gradually increases from the front connecting portion 121 toward the rear connecting portion 122.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of screw holes 124 are formed in the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120. A screw hole 74 is formed in the rear end portion 73 of the linear motion cylinder 70 corresponding to the screw hole 124 of the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120. A rectangular frame-shaped mounting plate 150 is disposed behind (-X direction side) the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120. A screw hole 151 is also formed in this mounting plate 150 corresponding to the screw hole 124 of the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120. By screwing a screw 155 into the screw hole 151 of the mounting plate 150, the screw hole 124 of the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120, and the screw hole 74 of the rear end portion 73 of the linear motion cylinder 70, the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120 is sandwiched and held between the mounting plate 150 and the rear end portion 73 of the linear motion cylinder 70.

[0049] At this time, the positioning of the front light shielding member 120 and the mounting plate 150 with respect to the linear motion cylinder 70 is performed by inserting a protrusion 75 provided at the rear end portion 73 of the linear motion cylinder 70 into a positioning hole 125 formed in the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120 and a positioning hole 152 formed in the mounting plate 150.

[0050] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the mounting state of the front light shielding member 120 to the connecting frame 60. As shown in FIG. 12, a frame portion 65 for receiving the rear connecting portion 122 of the front light shielding member 120 is formed in the connecting frame 60. A substantially rectangular frame-shaped mounting plate 160 is disposed in front (+X direction side) of the rear connecting portion 122 of the front light shielding member 120. A plurality of screw holes 161 are formed in the mounting plate 160. A screw hole 66 is formed in the connecting frame 60 corresponding to the screw hole 161 of the mounting plate 160. By screwing a screw 165 into the screw hole 161 of the mounting plate 160 and the screw hole 66 of the connecting frame 60, the rear connecting portion 122 of the front light shielding member 120 is sandwiched and held between the mounting plate 160 and the connecting frame 60.

[0051] According to the above-described embodiment, in the retracted state of the camera device 1 shown in FIG. 1, when the user performs an operation of rotating the cylindrical portion 31 of the cover cylinder 30 with respect to the fixed cylinder 10, the drive cylinder 20 rotates integrally with the cover cylinder 30. Due to the engagement between the operating portion 42 of the rotating cylinder 40 and the axial groove 24 of the drive cylinder 20 and the engagement between the operating portion 42 of the rotating cylinder 40 and the through cam groove 14 of the fixed cylinder 10, the rotating cylinder 40 rotates integrally with the drive cylinder 20 and moves axially along the shape of the through cam groove 14 of the fixed cylinder 10. Further, due to the engagement between the operating portion 72 of the linear movement cylinder 70 and the axial groove 52 of the key cylinder 50 and the engagement between the operating portion 72 of the linear movement cylinder 70 and the cam groove 45 of the rotating cylinder 40, the linear movement cylinder 70 moves axially along the shape of the cam groove 45 of the rotating cylinder 40 without rotating with respect to the fixed cylinder 10. Thus, it is possible to extend both the rotating cylinder 40 and the linear movement cylinder 70 of the lens barrel 4 axially. In the retracted state and the maximum extended state, the extending portion 22 of the drive cylinder 20 abuts against the edge portion 19A (see FIGS. 3 and 5A) of the pedestal portion 19 of the base portion 11 of the fixed cylinder 10, thereby restricting further rotation of the drive cylinder 20.

[0052] At this time, a connecting frame 60 is attached to the rear end portion of the key cylinder 50 that is extended axially together with the rotating cylinder 40. Since the space between this connecting frame 60 and the frame 90 is connected by the bellows portion 113 of the rear light-shielding member 110 that can expand and contract, it is possible to prevent light from outside the lens barrel 4 from entering the optical path from the rear end portion of the key cylinder 50 to the frame 90. Further, since the space between the rear end portion of the linear movement cylinder 70 and the connecting frame 60 is connected by the bellows portion 123 of the front light-shielding member 120 that can expand and contract, it is possible to prevent light from outside the lens barrel 4 from entering the optical path from the rear end portion of the linear movement cylinder 70 to the rear end portion of the key cylinder 50.

[0053] As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera device capable of preventing light from outside the lens barrel from entering the optical path inside the lens barrel. This camera device includes a housing having an opening formed in the front surface, a frame housed inside the housing, and a lens barrel that houses at least one lens. The lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder having a base fixed to the frame and a cylindrical wall in which a through-cam groove extending in the axial direction and changing in circumferential position is formed, a drive cylinder that drives the expansion and contraction of the lens barrel, a rotating cylinder configured to be rotatable and axially movable with respect to the fixed cylinder, a key cylinder configured to be axially movable together with the rotating cylinder without rotating with respect to the fixed cylinder, and a direct-acting cylinder configured to be rotatable together with the key cylinder with respect to the rotating cylinder. The drive cylinder is configured to be rotatable without moving axially with respect to the fixed cylinder. The camera device includes a connecting frame attached to the rear end portion of the key cylinder of the lens barrel, and a first light-shielding member having a first bellows portion that telescopically connects between the connecting frame and the frame. The rotating cylinder includes a first cylindrical portion disposed radially inward of the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder, and a first operating portion that protrudes radially outward from the first cylindrical portion and engages with the through-cam groove of the fixed cylinder. The drive cylinder has a second cylindrical portion disposed radially outward of the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder. A first axial groove is formed in the second cylindrical portion, in which the first operating portion of the rotating cylinder that extends in the axial direction and protrudes radially outward from the through-cam groove of the fixed cylinder engages. A first cam groove extending in the axial direction and changing in circumferential position is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating cylinder. The key cylinder includes a third cylindrical portion disposed radially inward of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating cylinder. A second axial groove extending in the axial direction is formed in the third cylindrical portion. The direct-acting cylinder includes a fourth cylindrical portion disposed radially inward of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating cylinder, and a second operating portion that protrudes radially outward from the fourth cylindrical portion, passes through the third cylindrical portion of the key cylinder, and engages with the first cam groove of the rotating cylinder.

[0054] According to such a configuration, when the drive cylinder is rotated with respect to the fixed cylinder, due to the engagement between the first operating portion of the rotating cylinder and the first axial groove of the drive cylinder and the engagement between the first operating portion of the rotating cylinder and the through cam groove of the fixed cylinder, the rotating cylinder rotates integrally with the drive cylinder and moves axially along the shape of the through cam groove of the fixed cylinder. Further, due to the engagement between the second operating portion of the linear movement cylinder and the second axial groove of the key cylinder and the engagement between the second operating portion of the linear movement cylinder and the first cam groove of the rotating cylinder, the linear movement cylinder moves axially along the shape of the first cam groove of the rotating cylinder without rotating with respect to the fixed cylinder. In this way, it becomes possible to feed out both the rotating cylinder and the linear movement cylinder of the lens barrel axially.

[0055] At this time, a connecting frame is attached to the rear end portion of the key cylinder that is fed out axially together with the rotating cylinder, and since the space between this connecting frame and the frame is connected by the expandable and contractible first bellows portion of the first light-shielding member, it is possible to prevent light from outside the lens barrel from entering the optical path from the rear end portion of the key cylinder to the frame.

[0056] The camera device may further include a second light-shielding member having a second bellows portion that connects the rear end portion of the linear movement cylinder and the connecting frame in an expandable and contractible manner. In this case, since the rear end portion of the linear movement cylinder and the connecting frame are connected by the expandable and contractible second bellows portion of the second light-shielding member, it is possible to prevent light from outside the lens barrel from entering the optical path from the rear end portion of the linear movement cylinder to the rear end portion of the key cylinder.

[0057] A third axial groove extending in the axial direction may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder. In this case, it is preferable that the connecting frame has an engaging portion that engages with the third axial groove of the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder. With such a configuration, the key cylinder to which the connecting frame is attached moves axially without rotating with respect to the fixed cylinder due to the engagement between the engaging portion of the connecting frame and the third axial groove of the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder.

[0058] On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder, a second cam groove extending in a shape corresponding to the through-cam groove may be formed. In this case, the rotating cylinder may further have a protruding portion that protrudes radially outward from the first cylindrical portion and engages with the second cam groove of the fixed cylinder. With such a configuration, the rotating cylinder is additionally supported inside the fixed cylinder by the engagement between the protruding portion of the rotating cylinder and the second cam groove of the fixed cylinder.

[0059] On the first cylindrical portion of the rotating cylinder, a first communication groove extending in the axial direction from the front edge portion and connecting to the end of the first cam groove may be formed. Also, on the third cylindrical portion of the key cylinder, a second communication groove extending in the axial direction from the front edge portion and connecting to the end of the second axial groove may be formed. With such a configuration, the second operating portion of the linear motion cylinder can be moved from the second communication groove of the third cylindrical portion of the key cylinder and the first communication groove of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating cylinder into the second axial groove of the key cylinder and the first cam groove of the rotating cylinder respectively. Thereby, the second operating portion of the linear motion cylinder can be engaged with the second axial groove of the key cylinder and the first cam groove of the rotating cylinder.

[0060] In this case, in order to prevent the second communication groove of the third cylindrical portion of the key cylinder and the first communication groove of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating cylinder from being exposed to the outside, it is preferable to provide a cover ring that covers the front edge portion of the rotating cylinder and the front edge portion of the key cylinder.

[0061] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be implemented in various different forms within the scope of its technical idea.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1 Camera device 2 Front cover 3 Rear cover 4 Lens barrel 10 Fixed cylinder 11 Base 12 Cylindrical wall 13 Engagement piece 14 Through cam groove 15 (Second) cam groove 16 (Third) axial groove 20 Driving cylinder 21 (Second) cylindrical part 22 Extension part 23 Arc piece 24 (First) axial groove 25 Circumferential groove 26 Connecting groove 30 Cover cylinder 31 Cylindrical part 32 Annular part 34 Engaging part 35 Hook part 40 Rotating cylinder 41 (First) cylindrical part 42 (First) operating part 43 Protruding part 44 Engaging piece 45 (First) cam groove 46 (First) connecting groove 50 Key cylinder 51 (Third) cylindrical part 52 (Second) axial groove 53 (Second) connecting groove 54 Circumferential groove 55 Connecting groove 58 Cover ring 60 Connecting frame 62 Engaging part 64 Protrusion 65 Frame part 70 Linear motion cylinder 71 (Fourth) cylindrical part 72 (Second) operating part 75 Protrusion 90 Frame 110 Rear light-shielding member (First light-shielding member) 111 Front connecting part 112 Rear connecting part 113 (First) bellows part 120 Front light-shielding member (Second light-shielding member) 121 Front connecting part 122 Rear connecting part 123 (Second) bellows part Mounting plates 130, 150, 160 Pressing plate 140

Claims

1. A housing having an opening formed in the front, a frame housed inside the housing, a lens barrel that houses at least one lens, a fixed barrel having a base fixed to the frame and a cylindrical wall formed with a through cam groove extending so that the circumferential position changes in the axial direction, a drive barrel that drives the telescoping of the lens barrel, the drive barrel being configured to be rotatable without moving in the axial direction with respect to the fixed barrel, a rotating barrel configured to be rotatable and axially movable with respect to the fixed barrel, a key barrel configured to be axially movable together with the rotating barrel without rotating with respect to the fixed barrel, a linear motion barrel configured to be rotatable together with the key barrel with respect to the rotating barrel and a lens barrel including the above, a connecting frame attached to the rear end portion of the key barrel of the lens barrel, and a first light shielding member having a first bellows portion that telescopically connects between the connecting frame and the frame and comprising, the rotating barrel, a first cylindrical portion disposed radially inward of the cylindrical wall of the fixed barrel, and a first operating portion protruding radially outward from the first cylindrical portion and engaging with the through cam groove of the fixed barrel and having, the drive barrel is a second cylindrical portion disposed radially outward of the cylindrical wall of the fixed barrel, the second cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction and having a first axial groove formed therein for engaging the first operating portion of the rotating barrel that protrudes radially outward from the through cam groove of the fixed barrel, a first cam groove extending in the axial direction so that the circumferential position changes is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating barrel, the key barrel is a third cylindrical portion disposed radially inward of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating barrel, the third cylindrical portion having a second axial groove formed therein that extends in the axial direction, the linear motion barrel, a fourth cylindrical portion disposed radially inward of the first cylindrical portion of the rotating barrel, and a second operating portion protruding radially outward from the fourth cylindrical portion, passing through the third cylindrical portion of the key barrel, and engaging with the first cam groove of the rotating barrel and having, a camera device.

2. The camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a second light shielding member having a second bellows portion that telescopically connects between the rear end portion of the linear motion barrel and the connecting frame.

3. A third axial groove extending in the axial direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall of the fixed barrel, The connecting frame has an engaging portion that engages with the third axial groove in the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder. The camera device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder, a second cam groove extending in a shape corresponding to the through-cam groove is formed. The rotating cylinder further has a protruding portion that protrudes radially outward from the first cylindrical portion and engages with the second cam groove of the fixed cylinder. The camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. On the first cylindrical portion of the rotating cylinder, a first communication groove is formed that extends in the axial direction from the front edge portion and connects to the end of the first cam groove. On the third cylindrical portion of the key cylinder, a second communication groove is formed that extends in the axial direction from the front edge portion and connects to the end of the second axial groove. The camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The lens barrel further includes a cover ring that covers the front edge portion of the rotating cylinder and the front edge portion of the key cylinder. The camera device according to claim 5.

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