camera equipment

Abstract

To provide a camera device having a more integrated appearance and higher dustproof and light-shielding performance.SOLUTION: A camera device 1 includes a frame 90 accommodated in a housing having a front surface with an opening Q, and a lens barrel 4 accommodating a lens. The lens barrel 4 includes a stationary cylinder 10 including a cylindrical wall 12 extending in an X-direction from a base 11, and a drive cylinder 20 that causes an extendable unit located radially inward from the cylindrical wall 12 of the stationary cylinder 10 and extendable in the X-direction through the opening Q to extend and retract. The drive cylinder 20 includes a cylindrical portion 21 rotatable between the cylindrical wall 12 of the stationary cylinder 10 and an inner circumferential edge of the opening Q in a front cover 2. The lens barrel 4 further includes a cover cylinder 30 covering the inner circumferential edge of the opening Q in the front cover 2 and the cylindrical portion 21 of the drive cylinder 20 and rotatable relative to the stationary cylinder 10 together with the drive cylinder 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera device, and more particularly to a camera device equipped with a lens barrel that is extendable and retractable along an optical axis direction. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cameras have been known that include a lens barrel in which one or more barrels can be extended or retracted in the optical axis direction by rotating an operating ring (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such operating rings are provided to extend forward from an opening formed in the camera housing so that they can be operated from the outside, and therefore a gap formed between the outer periphery of the operating ring and the inner periphery of the opening in the housing is exposed to the outside. Having such a gap exposed to the outside is not only undesirable from an external perspective, but can also allow dust and light from the outside to enter the inside of the lens barrel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-28295 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and has as its object to provide a camera device with improved external unity, dustproofness, and light-blocking properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a camera device with improved external integrity, dustproofness, and light-blocking properties is provided. The camera device includes a housing with an opening formed on its front surface, a frame housed within the housing, and a lens barrel housing at least one lens. The lens barrel includes a fixed barrel having a base fixed to the frame and a cylindrical wall extending axially from the base, a telescopic unit disposed radially inside the cylindrical wall of the fixed barrel and extending and contracting in the axial direction through the opening in the housing, and a drive barrel for driving the telescopic unit to extend and contract. The drive barrel has a first cylindrical portion rotatable between the cylindrical wall of the fixed barrel and an inner peripheral edge of the opening in the housing. The lens barrel further includes a cover barrel covering the inner peripheral edge of the opening in the housing and the first cylindrical portion of the drive barrel, and rotatable together with the drive barrel relative to the fixed barrel. The housing has an inner peripheral edge portion of the opening that is formed with a flange portion extending radially inward, and the cover tube has a second cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction in front of the flange portion of the housing, and a hook portion extending radially outward at a position spaced from a rear end of the second cylindrical portion and having an engagement piece configured to engage with the flange portion of the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the camera device of FIG. 1 with the lens barrel extended forward and the front cover removed. [Figure 3] 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lens barrel in the camera device of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing a drive barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. [Figure 5A] 5A is a perspective view showing a fixed barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5B] 5B is a perspective view showing a fixed barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view showing a cover barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the attached state of the cover tube of FIG. [Figure 8]8 is a perspective view showing a rotary barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the key barrel of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. 1 together with the connecting frame and the first light blocking member attached to the rear end thereof. [Figure 10] 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the linear motion tube of the lens barrel of the camera device of FIG. 1 together with the second light blocking member attached to the rear end thereof. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the camera device of FIG. 1 in a maximum extension state. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the camera device of FIG. 1 in a collapsed state. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the state in which the rear light blocking member shown in FIG. 9 is attached to the frame. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the state in which the front light blocking member shown in FIG. 10 is attached to the connecting frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a camera device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. In FIGS. 1 to 13, identical or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 13, the scale and dimensions of each component may be exaggerated, and some components may be omitted. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish components from one another, and do not represent a particular order or ranking.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a camera device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The camera device 1 according to this embodiment is a camera (instant camera) that uses photographic film that is automatically developed after photography, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to cameras other than instant cameras. For convenience, in this embodiment, the +X direction in FIG. 1 will be referred to as "front" or "forward," and the -X direction will be 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 to the rear of the front cover 2, and a lens barrel 4 housing a lens unit therein. A viewfinder window 5 is formed in the front cover 2, and a flash window 6 is located adjacent to this viewfinder window 5. A release button 7 is located on the -Z side of the viewfinder window 5. An ejection slit 8 is formed in the upper part of the front cover 2 and the rear cover 3, extending in the Y direction between the front cover 2 and the rear cover 3. The developed photographic film is ejected from this ejection slit 8 after exposure.

[0010] In this embodiment, the lens barrel 4 has a structure that allows it to extend and retract in the optical axis direction. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the lens barrel 4 is in its most retracted state in the optical axis direction (X direction). When the lens barrel 4 is in the state shown in FIG. 1, the camera device 1 is said to be in a "retracted state." FIG. 2 shows the state in which the lens barrel 4 is extended to its maximum extent 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, the camera device 1 is said to be in a "maximum extended state."

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, a substantially circular opening Q is formed in the front surface of the front cover 2, and a portion of the lens barrel 4 passes through this opening Q to extend and retract along the optical axis P in front of the front cover 2. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame 90 is housed inside the housing formed by the front cover 2 and rear cover 3. Photographic film and the like are housed 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 barrel 10 attached to the front of a frame 90, a drive barrel 20 (operation ring) configured to be rotatable relative to the fixed barrel 10 without moving axially, a cover barrel 30 covering the outer periphery of the drive barrel 20, a rotating barrel 40 configured to be rotatable relative to the fixed barrel 10 and move axially, a key barrel 50 configured to be axially movable together with the rotating barrel 40 without rotating relative to the fixed barrel 10, a cover ring 58 attached to the front edge of the key barrel 50, and a linear-acting barrel 70 configured to be rotatable together with the key barrel 50 relative to the fixed barrel 10. In this embodiment, a lens unit including at least one lens (not shown) is housed inside the linear-acting barrel 70. A barrier 78 that can be opened and closed is disposed in front of the lens unit of the linear-acting barrel 70. In this embodiment, the rotating barrel 40, the key barrel 50, the cover ring 58, and the linear-acting barrel 70 form an extension unit that can extend and retract in the axial direction (Z direction) through an opening Q in the front cover 2.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the drive barrel 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the drive barrel 20 has a cylindrical portion 21 (first cylindrical portion) extending in the axial direction (X direction), two extension 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 outward from the fixed barrel 10. The cylindrical portion 21 also has a flange portion 21A that protrudes radially outward near its rear end, and a knurling 21B is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 21 to facilitate handling during assembly. The two extension portions 22 are disposed in positions facing each other across the optical axis P. Recesses 231, 232, and 233 are formed on the rear surface of the arc piece 23 at three circumferential positions corresponding to the extension / contraction state of the lens barrel 4.

[0014] Axial grooves 24 extending in the axial direction (X direction) are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the extension portion 22 and the cylindrical portion 21. Furthermore, two circumferential grooves 25 extending in the circumferential direction and two communication grooves 26 extending in the +X direction from the rear edge 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 communication grooves 26 are each arranged at intervals of 180 degrees along the circumferential direction.

[0015] Three recesses 27 are formed in the front edge of the cylindrical portion 21, and a portion of the flange portion 21A is cut out on the −X direction side of each recess 27 to form a notch 28. These recesses 27 and notch 28 are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees along the circumferential direction.

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

[0017] The width of each of the engagement pieces 13 of the fixed barrel 10 along the axial direction (X direction) (hereinafter referred to as the axial width) is slightly smaller than the axial width of the circumferential groove 25 of the drive barrel 20, and the engagement pieces 13 of the fixed barrel 10 are engaged with the circumferential groove 25 of the drive barrel 20, allowing them to move circumferentially inside the circumferential groove 25. Due to this engagement between the engagement pieces 13 of the fixed barrel 10 and the circumferential groove 25 of the drive barrel 20, the drive barrel 20 is able to rotate relatively to the fixed barrel 10 without changing its axial position with respect to the fixed barrel 10.

[0018] Furthermore, the width along the circumferential direction of the engaging pieces 13 of the fixed barrel 10 (hereinafter referred to as the circumferential width) is smaller than the circumferential width of the communicating groove 26 of the drive barrel 20. Therefore, when assembling the drive barrel 20 to the fixed barrel 10, the circumferential position of the engaging pieces 13 of the fixed barrel 10 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communicating groove 26 of the drive barrel 20, and the drive barrel 20 is moved in the −X direction from the front of the fixed barrel 10, whereby the engaging pieces 13 of the fixed barrel 10 can be moved in the axial direction (X direction) inside the communicating groove 26 of the drive barrel 20 to the end of the circumferential groove 25. In this state, by rotating the drive barrel 20 relative to the fixed barrel 10, the engaging pieces 13 of the fixed barrel 10 can be engaged with the circumferential groove 25 of the drive barrel 20.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2, 5A, and 5B, two cam through grooves 14 are formed in the cylindrical wall 12 of the fixed barrel 10 and extend through the cylindrical wall 12. The two cam through grooves 14 are arranged 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction. Each cam through 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 cam through groove 14 extends such that its circumferential position gradually changes from the rear end portion 14A toward the front end portion 14B.

[0020] Furthermore, two cam grooves 15 extending in shapes corresponding to the above-described cam through groove 14, and two axial grooves 16 extending in the axial direction (X direction) are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 12 of the fixed barrel 10. In this embodiment, the cam grooves 15 are formed at positions rotated 90 degrees around the axis relative to the cam through groove 14.

[0021] Returning to FIG. 2 , opening Q of front cover 2 is formed inside cylindrical portion 310 extending in the X direction. A flange portion 312 extending radially inward is formed on the front edge of this cylindrical portion 310, and a portion of flange portion 312 is cut away to form notch portion 314. In addition, a restricting piece 316 is formed adjacent to notch portion 314, protruding forward from flange portion 312 and extending radially inward. This restricting piece 316 abuts against the front surface of flange portion 21A of drive barrel 20 to restrict axial movement of drive barrel 20.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the cover tube 30. The cover tube 30 is configured to be rotatable relative to the fixed tube 10 together with the drive tube 20 described above. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover tube 30 has a cylindrical portion 31 (second cylindrical portion) extending in the axial direction (X direction), an annular portion 32 extending radially inward from the front end of the cylindrical portion 31, three engagement portions 34 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31, and three hook portions 35 disposed behind the three engagement portions 34. The outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31 is formed with projections and recesses to facilitate user operation. If the engagement portions 34 and hook portions 35 are formed at various locations on the cover tube 30 when the cover tube 30 is molded from resin or the like, the outer shape of the cover tube 30 is likely to be deformed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the three engagement portions 34 and the three hook portions 35 are aligned in the circumferential direction and are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees along the circumferential direction.

[0023] A recess is formed in the circumferential center of each engaging portion 34, and a recess is also formed in the circumferential center 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 of the beam portion 35A so as to be spaced apart from the rear end of the cylindrical portion 31.

[0024] 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the attached state of the cover tube 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the cylindrical portion 31 of the cover tube 30 is located in front of the flange portion 312 of the cylindrical portion 310 (third cylindrical portion) of the front cover 2, and the front surface of the cylindrical portion 310 of the front cover 2 is covered by the cover tube 30. The axial separation distance between the engaging pieces 35B of the hook portions 35 of the cover tube 30 and the rear end 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 pieces 35B of the hook portions 35 can be engaged with the flange portion 312 of the front cover 2. This allows the cover tube 30 to be attached to the front cover 2 in a rotatable state.

[0025] Furthermore, the circumferential width of the engaging portions 34 of the cover tube 30 is approximately the same as the circumferential width of the recessed portions 27 of the drive tube 20, so that each engaging portion 34 fits (engages) with the recessed portions 27 of the drive tube 20 in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the circumferential width of the engaging pieces 35B of each hook portion 35 is approximately the same as the circumferential width of the notched portions 28 of the drive tube 20, so that the engaging pieces 35B of each hook portion 35 fit with the notched portions 28 of the drive tube 20. This allows the cover tube 30 and the drive tube 20 to become one unit.

[0026] 7 , the annular portion 32 of the cover tube 30 is located in front of the cylindrical portion 21 of the drive tube 20, and the cylindrical portion 31 of the cover tube 30 is located radially outward of the cylindrical portion 21 of the drive tube 20. In this way, the front and outer periphery of the drive tube 20 are covered by the cover tube 30. According to this embodiment, the inner periphery (flange portion 312) of the opening Q of the front cover 2 and the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 21 of the drive tube 20 are covered by the cover tube 30. Therefore, the gap formed between the flange portion 312 of the front cover 2 and the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 21 of the drive tube 20 is not exposed to the outside. Therefore, from an external perspective, the components (cover tube 30 and drive tube 20) for operating the extension and retraction of the lens barrel 4 can be integrated with the front cover 2, and the intrusion of dust and light from the outside into the lens barrel 4 can be prevented. In order to enhance the appearance of unity between the cover tube 30 and the cylindrical portion 310 of the front cover 2, it is preferable that the outer diameters of the cylindrical portion 31 of the cover tube 30 and the cylindrical portion 310 of the front cover 2 are approximately the same.

[0027] Here, the circumferential width of the notches 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 tube 30 and the drive tube 20 to the front cover 2, the circumferential position of the hook portions 35 of the cover tube 30 is aligned with the circumferential position of the notches 314 of the front cover 2, and the integrated cover tube 30 and drive tube 20 are moved in the −X direction from the front of the front cover 2 to pass the engaging pieces 35B of the hook portions 35 of the cover tube 30 through the notches 314 of the flange portion 312 of the front cover 2, and then the integrated cover tube 30 and drive tube 20 are rotated relative to the front cover 2 (counterclockwise in FIG. 2 ), whereby the engaging pieces 35B of the hook portions 35 of the cover tube 30 can be engaged with the flange portion 312 of the front cover 2.

[0028] 8 is a perspective view showing the rotatable barrel 40. The rotatable barrel 40 is configured to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction relative to the fixed barrel 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the rotatable barrel 40 has a cylindrical portion 41 that extends in the axial direction (X direction) and is arranged radially inward of the fixed barrel 10, two operating portions 42 that protrude radially outward near the rear end of the cylindrical portion 41, two protruding portions 43 that protrude radially outward near the rear end of the cylindrical portion 41, and three engaging pieces 44 that protrude radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 41.

[0029] The amount of radial outward protrusion of the actuating portion 42 is greater than the amount of radial outward protrusion of the protruding portion 43. For example, the actuating portion 42 can be configured by attaching a screw to a boss portion formed near the rear end of the cylindrical portion 41. In this embodiment, the actuating portions 42 and the protruding portions 43 are arranged alternately at 90-degree intervals along the circumferential direction. In addition, the three engaging pieces 44 are arranged at 120-degree intervals around the axis.

[0030] The outer diameter of each operating portion 42 is slightly smaller than the axial width of the rear end portion 14A and front end portion 14B of the cam through groove 14 of the fixed barrel 10, the circumferential width of the intermediate portion 14C, and the circumferential width of the axial groove 24 of the drive barrel 20, and each operating portion 42 passes through the cam through groove 14 of the fixed barrel 10 and engages with the axial groove 24 of the drive barrel 20. In addition, the outer diameter of each protruding portion 43 is smaller than the circumferential width of the cam groove 15 of the fixed barrel 10, and the protruding portion 43 is able to move inside the cam groove 15 of the fixed barrel 10.

[0031] With this configuration, the operating portion 42 of the rotating barrel 40 engages with the cam through groove 14 of the fixed barrel 10 and can move within the cam through groove 14 of the fixed barrel 10 along the cam through groove 14, and also engages with the axial groove 24 of the drive barrel 20 and can move axially within the axial groove 24 of the drive barrel 20. When the drive barrel 20 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 10 due to this engagement between the operating portion 42 of the rotating barrel 40 and the axial groove 24 of the drive barrel 20, the rotating barrel 40 rotates together with the drive barrel 20 relative to the fixed barrel 10. At this time, due to the engagement between the operating portion 42 of the rotating barrel 40 and the cam through groove 14 of the fixed barrel 10, the rotating barrel 40 moves in the X direction relative to the fixed barrel 10 along the shape of the cam through groove 14 (intermediate portion 14C) as the rotating barrel 40 rotates. In this way, when the drive barrel 20 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 10, the rotating barrel 40 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 10 and is extended in the +X direction. Furthermore, when the operating portion 42 of the rotating barrel 40 moves along the through cam groove 14 of the fixed barrel 10, the protruding portion 43 of the rotating barrel 40 moves inside the cam groove 15 of the fixed barrel 10, and the rotating barrel 40 is additionally supported inside the fixed barrel 10 by the engagement between the protruding portion 43 of the rotating barrel 40 and the cam groove 15 of the fixed barrel 10.

[0032] 2 and 8, six cam grooves 45 (first cam grooves) extending from the rear end toward the front end so that their circumferential positions gradually change, and six communication grooves 46 (first communication grooves) extending from the front edge of the rotating barrel 40 in the −X direction and connecting to the front ends of the cam grooves 45, are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41 of the rotating barrel 40. The six cam grooves 45 and the six communication grooves 46 are arranged at intervals of 60 degrees around the axis.

[0033] 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the key barrel 50 together with the connecting frame 60 and the rear light shielding member 110 attached to the rear end thereof. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the key barrel 50 has a cylindrical portion 51 (third cylindrical portion) extending in the axial direction (X direction). The cylindrical portion 51 of the key barrel 50 is disposed radially inward of the cylindrical portion 41 of the rotating barrel 40.

[0034] Six axial grooves 52 (second axial grooves) that penetrate the cylindrical portion 51 and extend in the axial direction (X direction) and six communication grooves 53 (second communication grooves) that extend from the front edge of the cylindrical portion 51 in the −X direction and connect to the ends of the axial grooves 52 are formed in the cylindrical portion 51 of the key barrel 50. The six axial grooves 52 and the six communication grooves 53 are each arranged at intervals of 60 degrees along the circumferential direction.

[0035] Additionally, three circumferential grooves 54 extending circumferentially near the leading edge of the cylindrical portion 51 and three connecting grooves 55 extending in the +X direction from the trailing edge 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 barrel 50. The three connecting grooves 55 and the three circumferential grooves 54 are each arranged at intervals of 120 degrees along the circumferential direction.

[0036] The axial width of the circumferential groove 54 of the key barrel 50 is slightly larger than the axial width of the engagement piece 44 of the rotatable barrel 40, and the engagement piece 44 of the rotatable barrel 40 is able to engage with the circumferential groove 54 of the key barrel 50 and move circumferentially inside the circumferential groove 54. This engagement between the engagement piece 44 of the rotatable barrel 40 and the circumferential groove 54 of the key barrel 50 allows the key barrel 50 to rotate relative to the rotatable barrel 40 without changing its axial position with respect to the rotatable barrel 40.

[0037] Furthermore, the circumferential width of the communication groove 55 of the key barrel 50 is larger than the circumferential width of the engagement piece 44 of the rotatable barrel 40. Therefore, when assembling the key barrel 50 to the rotatable barrel 40, the circumferential position of the engagement piece 44 of the rotatable barrel 40 is aligned with the circumferential position of the communication groove 55 of the key barrel 50, and the key barrel 50 is moved in the -X direction from the front of the rotatable barrel 40, whereby the engagement piece 44 of the rotatable barrel 40 can be moved in the axial direction (X direction) within the communication groove 55 of the key barrel 50 and moved to the end of the circumferential groove 54. In this state, by rotating the key barrel 50 relative to the rotatable barrel 40, the engagement piece 44 of the rotatable barrel 40 and the circumferential groove 54 of the key barrel 50 can be engaged with each other.

[0038] 9, a screw fastening portion 51A is provided at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 51 of the key barrel 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 of the key barrel 50, and threaded holes 61 are formed in this connecting frame 60. The connecting frame 60 is fixed to the rear end of the key barrel 50 by inserting a screw (not shown) into the threaded hole 61 of the connecting frame 60 and threading this screw into the threaded fastening portion 51A of the key barrel 50.

[0039] The connecting frame 60 has two engagement portions 62 that extend radially outward. The width of these engagement portions 62 is slightly smaller than the width of the axial groove 16 of the fixed barrel 10, and each engagement portion 62 is capable of engaging with the axial groove 16 of the fixed barrel 10 and moving axially inside this axial groove 16. Therefore, the key barrel 50 does not rotate relative to the fixed barrel 10, but rotates relative to the rotating barrel 40 and can move axially together with the rotating barrel 40.

[0040] 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the linear motion barrel 70 together with the front light-shielding member 120 attached to its rear end. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the linear motion barrel 70 has a cylindrical portion 71 (fourth cylindrical portion) disposed radially inward of the key barrel 50 and six cylindrical actuating portions 72 (second actuating portions) protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface. These actuating portions 72 are disposed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of each actuating portion 72 is slightly smaller than the circumferential width of the axial groove 52 and the communication groove 53 of the key barrel 50 and the circumferential width of the communication groove 46 and the cam groove 45 of the rotatable barrel 40. Each actuating portion 72 passes through the axial groove 52 of the key barrel 50 and engages with the cam groove 45 of the rotatable barrel 40.

[0041] The key barrel 50 does not rotate relative to the fixed barrel 10 due to the engagement between the engaging portion 62 of the connecting frame 60 and the axial groove 16 of the fixed barrel 10, while the rotating barrel 40 is rotatable relative to the fixed barrel 10. Therefore, when the rotating barrel 40 rotates relative to the fixed barrel 10, the operating portion 72 of the linear moving barrel 70 engages with the cam groove 45 of the rotating barrel 40, causing the linear moving barrel 70 to move in the X direction relative to the rotating barrel 40 along the shape of the cam groove 45. In this way, by rotating the rotating barrel 40 relative to the fixed barrel 10, the linear moving barrel 70 can be extended in the +X direction from the rotating barrel 40.

[0042] When assembling the linear-acting barrel 70 to the key barrel 50, after assembling the key barrel 50 to the rotating barrel 40 as described above, the rotating barrel 40 is rotated relative to the key barrel 50 to align the circumferential position of the communication groove 46 of the rotating barrel 40 with the circumferential position of the communication groove 53 of the key barrel 50. Furthermore, by aligning the circumferential position of the operating portion 72 of the linear-acting barrel 70 with the circumferential positions of these communication grooves 53, 46 and moving the linear-acting barrel 70 in the -X direction from the front of the rotating barrel 40 and key barrel 50, the operating portion 72 of the linear-acting barrel 70 can be moved from the communication grooves 53, 46 into the axial groove 52 of the key barrel 50 and the cam groove 45 of the rotating barrel 40, respectively. This allows the operating portion 72 of the linear-acting barrel 70 to engage with the axial groove 52 of the key barrel 50 and the cam groove 45 of the rotating barrel 40.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, in order to introduce the operating portion 72 of the linear-acting barrel 70 into the axial groove 52 of the key barrel 50 and the cam groove 45 of the rotating barrel 40, communication grooves 53 and 46 are formed in the front edges of the key barrel 50 and the rotating barrel 40, respectively. Since it would be undesirable for the appearance of the product if these communication grooves 53 and 46 were exposed to the outside, a cover ring 58 that covers the front edges of the key barrel 50 and the rotating barrel 40 is attached to the key barrel 50. For example, the cover ring 58 can be attached to the key barrel 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 barrel 50.

[0044] FIG. 11A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the camera device 1 when it is in a fully extended state, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the camera device 1 when it is in a retracted state. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, 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 outside the lens barrel 4 from entering the optical path inside the lens barrel 4. The rear light-shielding member 110 is disposed between the rear end of the key barrel 50 and the frame 90. The rear light-shielding member 110 is made of a flexible material such as rubber and is configured to expand and contract in accordance with axial movement of the key barrel 50 (rotating barrel 40) relative to the fixed barrel 10. The front light-shielding member 120 is disposed between the rear end of the linear-acting barrel 70 and the rear end of the key barrel 50. Like the rear light-shielding member 110, the front light-shielding member 120 is made of a flexible material such as rubber, and is configured to expand and contract in accordance with the axial movement of the linear-acting cylinder 70 relative to the key cylinder 50 (rotating cylinder 40).

[0045] 9, the rear light shielding member 110 includes a rectangular frame-shaped front connecting part 111 fixed to the rear end of the key barrel 50, a rectangular frame-shaped rear connecting part 112 fixed to the frame 90, and a bellows part 113 (first bellows part) that expands and contracts between the front connecting part 111 and the rear connecting part 112. A rectangular opening is formed on the inside of the rear light shielding member 110, and this opening on the inside of the rear light shielding member 110 gradually becomes larger from the front connecting part 111 toward the rear connecting part 112.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 9 , a plurality of screw holes 114 are formed in the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light shielding member 110. Screw holes 63 corresponding to the screw holes 114 in the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light shielding member 110 are formed in the connecting frame 60 attached to the key barrel 50. A rectangular frame-shaped mounting plate 130 is disposed behind (on the −X direction side of) the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light shielding member 110. This mounting plate 130 also has screw holes 131 formed therein corresponding to the screw holes 114 in the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light shielding member 110. By threading screws 135 into the screw holes 131 in the mounting plate 130, the screw holes 114 in the front connecting portion 111 of the rear light shielding member 110, and the screw holes 63 in the connecting frame 60 attached to the key barrel 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 barrel 50.

[0047] At this time, the rear shading member 110 and the mounting plate 130 are positioned relative to the connecting frame 60 by inserting the protrusion 64 provided on the connecting frame 60 into the positioning hole 115 formed in the front connecting portion 111 of the rear shading member 110 and the positioning hole 132 formed in the mounting plate 130.

[0048] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the attachment state of the rear light blocking member 110 to the frame 90. As shown in FIG. 12, the frame 90 is formed with a rectangular recess 92 for receiving the rear connecting portion 112 of the rear light blocking member 110. A rectangular opening is formed inside the recess 92. A pressing plate 140 that presses and fixes the rear light blocking member 110 to the frame 90 is disposed between the rear connecting portion 112 of the rear light blocking member 110 and the base 11 of the fixed barrel 10. As described above, the fixed barrel 10 is fixed to the frame 90 by inserting the screw 91 (see FIG. 2) into the screw hole 11A of the base 11 of the fixed barrel 10 and threading the screw 91 into the screw hole 93 formed in the frame 90. When the fixed barrel 10 is fixed to the frame 90 in this manner, the base 11 of the fixed barrel 10 presses the pressing plate 140 in the −X direction. As a result, the rear connecting portion 112 of the rear light blocking member 110 is sandwiched and held between the pressing plate 140 and the frame 90.

[0049] 10, the front light shielding member 120 includes a rectangular frame-shaped front connecting part 121 fixed to the rear end part 73 of the linear motion cylinder 70, a rectangular frame-shaped rear connecting part 122 fixed to the connecting frame 60 attached to the key cylinder 50, and a bellows part 123 (second bellows part) that connects and expands between the front connecting part 121 and the rear connecting part 122. A rectangular opening is formed on the inside of the front light shielding member 120, and this opening on the inside of the front light shielding member 120 gradually becomes larger from the front connecting part 121 toward the rear connecting part 122.

[0050] 10 , a plurality of screw holes 124 are formed in the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120. Screw holes 74 are formed in the rear end portion 73 of the linear motion cylinder 70, corresponding to the screw holes 124 in the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120. A rectangular frame-shaped mounting plate 150 is disposed behind (on the −X direction side of) the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120. Screw holes 151 are also formed in this mounting plate 150, corresponding to the screw holes 124 in the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120. By threading screws 155 into the screw holes 151 in the mounting plate 150, the screw holes 124 in the front connecting portion 121 of the front light shielding member 120, and the screw holes 74 in 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.

[0051] At this time, the positioning of the front light-shielding member 120 and the mounting plate 150 relative to the linear-acting cylinder 70 is performed by inserting the protrusion 75 provided on the rear end portion 73 of the linear-acting cylinder 70 into the positioning hole 125 formed in the front connecting portion 121 of the front light-shielding member 120 and the positioning hole 152 formed in the mounting plate 150.

[0052] 13 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the attachment state of the front light shielding member 120 to the connecting frame 60. As shown in FIG. 13, the connecting frame 60 is formed with a frame portion 65 for receiving the rear connecting portion 122 of the front light shielding member 120. A mounting plate 160 having a substantially rectangular frame shape is disposed in front of (on the +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. The connecting frame 60 is formed with screw holes 66 corresponding to the screw holes 161 of the mounting plate 160. By threading screws 165 into the screw holes 161 of the mounting plate 160 and the screw holes 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.

[0053] According to the above-described embodiment, when the user rotates the cylindrical portion 31 of the cover barrel 30 relative to the fixed barrel 10 in the retracted state of the camera device 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the drive barrel 20 rotates integrally with the cover barrel 30. Due to the engagement between the operating portion 42 of the rotating barrel 40 and the axial groove 24 of the drive barrel 20 and the engagement between the operating portion 42 of the rotating barrel 40 and the cam through groove 14 of the fixed barrel 10, the rotating barrel 40 rotates integrally with the drive barrel 20 and moves axially along the shape of the cam through groove 14 of the fixed barrel 10. Furthermore, due to the engagement between the operating portion 72 of the linear moving barrel 70 and the axial groove 52 of the key barrel 50 and the engagement between the operating portion 72 of the linear moving barrel 70 and the cam groove 45 of the rotating barrel 40, the linear moving barrel 70 moves axially along the shape of the cam groove 45 of the rotating barrel 40 without rotating relative to the fixed barrel 10. In this way, both the rotating barrel 40 and the linear moving barrel 70 of the lens barrel 4 can be extended in the axial direction. In addition, in the retracted state and the maximum extended state, the extension portion 22 of the drive tube 20 abuts against the edge portion 19A (see Figures 3 and 5A) of the base portion 19 of the base 11 of the fixed tube 10, thereby restricting further rotation of the drive tube 20.

[0054] At this time, connecting frame 60 is attached to the rear end of key barrel 50, which is extended in the axial direction together with rotating barrel 40, and this connecting frame 60 and frame 90 are connected by bellows portion 113 of expandable rear light shielding member 110, so it is possible to prevent light from outside lens barrel 4 from entering the optical path from the rear end of key barrel 50 to frame 90. In addition, since the rear end of direct-acting barrel 70 and connecting frame 60 are connected by expandable bellows portion 123 of front light shielding member 120, it is possible to prevent light from outside lens barrel 4 from entering the optical path from the rear end of direct-acting barrel 70 to the rear end of key barrel 50.

[0055] As described above, one aspect of the present invention provides a camera device with improved external integrity, dustproofness, and light-blocking properties. The camera device includes a housing with an opening formed on its front surface, a frame housed within the housing, and a lens barrel housing at least one lens. The lens barrel includes a fixed barrel having a base fixed to the frame and a cylindrical wall extending axially from the base, a telescopic unit disposed radially inside the cylindrical wall of the fixed barrel and extending and contracting in the axial direction through the opening in the housing, and a drive barrel for driving the telescopic unit to extend and contract. The drive barrel has a first cylindrical portion rotatable between the cylindrical wall of the fixed barrel and an inner peripheral edge of the opening in the housing. The lens barrel further includes a cover barrel covering the inner peripheral edge of the opening in the housing and the first cylindrical portion of the drive barrel, and rotatable together with the drive barrel relative to the fixed barrel.

[0056] With this configuration, the inner peripheral edge of the opening of the housing and the first cylindrical portion of the drive barrel are covered by the cover tube, so the gap formed between the inner peripheral edge of the opening of the housing and the first cylindrical portion of the drive barrel is not exposed to the outside.This means that, from the outside, the components for operating the extension and retraction of the lens barrel can be integrated with the housing, and dust and light can be prevented from entering the interior of the lens barrel from the outside.

[0057] The inner peripheral edge of the opening of the housing may be formed with a flange portion extending radially inward. In this case, the cover tube may have a second cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction in front of the flange portion of the housing, and a hook portion extending radially outward at a position spaced from the rear end of the second cylindrical portion and having an engagement piece configured to engage with the flange portion of the housing. With this configuration, the cover tube can be rotatably attached to the housing by engaging the engagement piece of the hook portion of the cover tube with the flange portion of the housing.

[0058] A recess may be formed on an outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion of the drive cylinder. The cover cylinder may have an engaging portion that protrudes radially inward and engages with the recess of the first cylindrical portion of the drive cylinder in the circumferential direction. In this case, the cover cylinder and the drive cylinder can be rotated integrally by engaging the engaging portion of the cover cylinder with the recess of the first cylindrical portion of the drive cylinder in the circumferential direction.

[0059] When the cover tube is molded from resin or the like, if the engagement portions and hook portions are formed at various locations on the cover tube, the outer shape of the cover tube is likely to deform, so it is preferable that the hook portions and engagement portions of the cover tube are aligned in the circumferential direction.

[0060] A restricting piece may be further formed on the inner peripheral edge of the opening of the housing, extending radially inward from the flange and restricting the axial movement of the drive cylinder. In this case, the restricting piece of the housing can restrict the axial movement of the drive cylinder by abutting against the drive cylinder.

[0061] A part of the flange of the housing may be cut out to form a notch. In this case, the engaging piece of the hook of the cover tube can be engaged with the flange of the housing by passing the engaging piece of the hook of the cover tube through the notch of the flange of the housing and then rotating the cover tube relative to the housing.

[0062] The opening of the housing may be formed inside a third cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction. In this case, it is preferable that the second cylindrical portion of the cover tube and the third cylindrical portion of the housing have approximately the same outer diameter in order to enhance the unity of appearance between the cover tube and the third cylindrical portion of the housing.

[0063] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be embodied in various different forms within the scope of the technical concept thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Camera equipment 2 Front cover 3 Rear cover 4 Lens barrel 10 Fixed tube 11 Base 12 Cylindrical Wall 13 Engagement piece 14 Through cam groove 15 Cam groove 16 Axial groove 20 Drive tube 21 (first) cylindrical portion 22 Extension 23 Arc piece 24 Axial groove 25 Circumferential groove 26 Connecting groove 27 Recess 30 Cover tube 31 (second) cylindrical section 32 Annular part 34 Engagement portion 35 Hook part 35A beam section 35B Engagement piece 40 Rotating Cylinder 41 Cylindrical part 42 Operating unit 43 Protrusion 44 Engagement piece 45 Cam groove 46 Connecting groove 50 key cylinder 51 Cylindrical part 52 Axial groove 53 Connecting groove 54 Circumferential groove 55 Connecting groove 58 Covering 60 Connecting Frame 62 Engagement part 64 Protrusion 65 Frame 70 Direct-acting cylinder 71 Cylindrical part 72 Operating unit 75 Protrusion 90 frames 110 Rear light blocking member 111 Front connection part 112 Rear connection section 113 Bellows section 120 Front light blocking member 121 Front connection part 122 Rear connection part 123 Bellows section 130,150,160 Mounting plate 140 Pressure Plate 310 (Third) Cylindrical Section 312 Flange 314 Notch 316 Regulatory piece

Claims

1. a housing having an opening formed on a front surface; a frame accommodated inside the housing; a lens barrel that houses at least one lens; The lens barrel comprises: a fixed cylinder having a base portion fixed to the frame and a cylindrical wall extending axially from the base portion; a telescopic unit disposed radially inside the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder and capable of extending and contracting in the axial direction through the opening of the housing; a drive cylinder that drives the extension and retraction of the extension unit, the drive cylinder having a first cylindrical portion that is rotatable between the cylindrical wall of the fixed cylinder and an inner peripheral edge portion of the opening of the housing; a cover cylinder that covers the inner peripheral edge portion of the opening of the housing and the first cylindrical portion of the drive cylinder and is configured to be rotatable together with the drive cylinder with respect to the fixed cylinder; Including, a flange portion extending radially inward is formed on the inner peripheral edge portion of the opening of the housing, The cover tube is a second cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction in front of the flange portion of the housing; a hook portion extending radially outward at a position spaced from the rear end of the second cylindrical portion and having an engagement piece configured to engage with the flange portion of the housing; having Camera equipment.

2. a recess is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion of the drive cylinder, the cover cylinder has an engaging portion that protrudes radially inward and engages with the recessed portion of the first cylindrical portion of the drive cylinder in the circumferential direction; The camera device according to claim 1 .

3. The camera device according to claim 2 , wherein the hook portion and the engaging portion of the cover tube are aligned in the circumferential direction.

4. 4. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein a restricting piece is further formed on the inner peripheral edge of the opening of the housing, extending radially inward from the flange portion and restricting movement of the drive barrel in the axial direction.

5. The camera device according to claim 1 , wherein a part of the flange portion of the housing is cut out to form a notch portion.

6. the opening of the housing is formed inside the third cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction; The second cylindrical portion of the cover tube and the third cylindrical portion of the housing have substantially the same outer diameter. The camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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