JP3255571B2 - Optical axis direction position detecting device and focal length detecting device for lens barrel - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for detecting a position of a lens barrel in an optical axis direction and a device for detecting a focal length.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a zoom lens camera which moves a zoom lens barrel in the optical axis direction by operating a zoom lever, a code of a predetermined pattern incorporated in the lens barrel is used to determine the advance / retreat state of the zoom lens barrel. Detection is performed based on focal length information generated by relative sliding between the plate and the brush body. A conventional compact camera employs a method in which a code plate is fixed to a rectilinear lens barrel that moves linearly in the optical axis direction, and a member that guides the rectilinear lens barrel supports a brush body that slides on the code plate. There is something. In this camera, the focal length is detected based on focal length information obtained by sliding the brush body relative to the code plate.

However, with such a structure, if the zoom lens camera is further downsized, the arrangement of the code plate and the brush body becomes difficult in terms of space. Further, depending on the installation location of the code plate and the brush body, the relative sliding between the two becomes unstable, and there is a possibility that an error may occur in the detected focal length information.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an optical axis direction of a lens barrel capable of securing a space for installing a code plate and a brush body and stabilizing the relative sliding between the two, regardless of the compactness of a zoom lens camera. It is an object to provide a position detection device and a focal length detection device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first cylinder; a second cylinder; and one of the first and second cylinders, the cylinder being parallel to the axial direction. linear guide grooves; provided on the other of the cylindrical body, whole linear guide key engaged slidably to the linear guide groove; along the straight advance guide grooves at the bottom of the linear guide groove
It provided the code plate; and, fixed to the linear guide key, in contact with the code plate, straight advancing guide key the straight
A brush body is provided which comes into sliding contact when sliding along the traveling guide groove .

[0006] The present invention also relates to a camera fixed to a camera body.
A fixed cylinder having a straight guide groove parallel to the optical axis direction; a straight guide key slidably fitted in the straight guide groove; and a straight guide in the optical axis direction by the straight guide groove and the straight guide key of the fixed barrel. Guided straight guide tube; screwed to the fixed tube, integrally connected to the inner straight guide tube in the optical axis direction and relatively rotatable, and rotate with the straight guide tube when rotating. rotational tube to advance and retreat in; when the rotational tube is rotated, the upper
A second rotationally movable cylinder inside the linear guide tube, which moves in the optical axis direction while rotating with respect to the linear guide tube ;
When the rotary moving cylinder rotates, the linear moving guide is inwardly guided by the second rotary moving cylinder in the optical axis direction and advances and retreats; and a linear moving cylinder inside the second rotary moving cylinder; and mounted on the linear moving cylinder. A zoom lens having a front group lens and a rear group lens that can advance and retreat in the optical axis direction with respect to the front group lens; and a code plate fixed to the bottom of the straight guide groove of the fixed cylinder along the straight guide groove. Then, a brush body that slides on the code plate is fixed to the straight guide key of the straight guide tube, and when the straight guide tube advances and retreats in the optical axis direction, the focal length of the zoom lens is set between the code plate and the brush body. It is characterized in that detection is performed based on a signal due to relative sliding.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on illustrated embodiments. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the lens shutter type zoom lens camera shown in FIG. 17, and the concept of the zoom lens camera will be described first with reference to FIG. The lens configuration is the front group lens L
1 and a rear lens unit L2.

In the camera body, the whole moving motor control means 60, the rear group moving motor control means 61, the zoom operation means 6
2, shutter release means 63, distance measuring device 64, photometric device 65, and AE motor control means 66 are provided.

When the zoom operation means 62 such as a zoom lever provided on the camera body is operated, the whole movement motor control means 60 controls the whole movement motor 25 with a zoom lens comprising a front group lens L1 and a rear group lens L2. A command for moving the camera from the wide side to the tele side, or a command for moving the camera from the tele side to the wide side. The focal length is changed by the operation of the zoom operation unit 62 by the photographer, and is set to an arbitrary focal length. The image magnification of the finder field is changed in conjunction with the focal length change by the zoom operation means 62. Therefore, the photographer can know the change in the focal length due to the operation of the zoom operation unit 62 by observing the change in the image magnification of the finder field. The focal length set by the operation of the zoom operation unit 62 can be recognized by, for example, a numerical value displayed on an LCD display panel (not shown).

When the shutter release means 63 is operated, the whole-group moving motor control means 60 is also driven by the rear-group moving motor control means 61.
At the same time, the overall movement motor 25 is driven to focus the zoom lens on the subject. The shutter release means 63
The shutter button is constituted by a release button. When the shutter button is depressed one step, a distance measurement command to the distance measurement device 64 and a photometry command to the photometry device 65 are given. Then, the shutter 27 of the AF / AE shutter unit 21 is operated. The shutter 27 receives the photometric output from the photometric device 65 and opens its shutter blade 27a for a predetermined time.

When operated, the zoom operation means 62 drives the whole movement motor 25 to move the front lens group L1 and the rear lens group L2 together. At the same time as this movement, the rear group moving motor 30 may be operated via the rear group moving motor control means 61. However, the important point of this zoom lens camera is that the front group lens L1 and the rear group lens The movement of L2 is not performed by the conventional zooming concept of continuously changing the focal length without moving the focal point position. That is, when the zoom operation means 62 is operated, only the whole movement motor 25 is operated, and the front group lens L
1 and the rear group lens L2 are moved back and forth without changing the air gap between them, and the front group lens L1 and the rear group lens L2 are operated by operating both the overall movement motor 25 and the rear group movement motor 30. Can be moved while changing the air gap between the two.

In the embodiment of the present invention, it is impossible that a subject at a specific distance is always in focus. However, in a lens shutter type camera such as this camera which does not observe an image obtained by a photographing optical system, focus is obtained when a shutter is released. There is no problem at all if it fits. In the aspect, the front lens group L1 and the rear lens group L2 are moved while allowing the focal position to move, and both the entire moving motor 25 and the rear group moving motor 30 are operated during the shutter release to focus. .

After executing one of the above-mentioned control modes in response to the operation of the zoom operation means 62, the shutter release means 63 is operated in at least a part of the focal length range of the focal length set by the zoom operation means 62. When this is done, the whole moving motor 25 and the rear group moving motor 30
Are operated to focus on the subject. The amount of movement of the front group lens L1 and the rear group lens L2 by the entire movement motor 25 and the rear group movement motor 30 at this time is not limited to the amount of movement obtained by subject distance information by the distance measuring device 64,
It is determined in consideration of the amount of movement obtained by the focal length information set by the zoom operation means 62. As described above, when the shutter release means 63 is operated and both the overall movement motor 25 and the rear group movement motor 30 are operated to perform the focusing operation, the degree of freedom in controlling the lens position is increased, and the control thereof is performed. Becomes easier.

Note that, theoretically, when the zoom operation means 62 is operated, the whole movement motor 25 and the rear group movement motor 30 are moved.
Without operating any of them, only the view magnification of the finder and the focal length information are changed, and the shutter release means 63
Is operated, the focal length information and the distance measuring device 64
, The front and rear group lenses L1 and L2 are moved to the positions uniquely determined by the focal length information and the subject distance information. It can also be done.

Next, an embodiment in which the zoom lens barrel having the above concept is concretely described mainly with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. First, the schematic configuration and operation of the zoom lens barrel 10 will be described. In order from the front, a first movable barrel 20, a second movable barrel 19, a third movable barrel 16, and a fixed barrel block 12 are provided. Have been. The third movable lens barrel 16 is screwed to the cylindrical portion of the fixed lens barrel block 12, and moves forward and backward in the optical axis direction with rotation. The third movable lens barrel 16 has a rectilinear guide cylinder 17 whose rotation is regulated and moves inward in the optical axis direction, and the second movable lens barrel 19 rotates relative to the rectilinear guide cylinder 17. While moving back and forth in the optical axis direction. First movable lens barrel 20
Is restricted in rotation, and moves forward and backward in the optical axis direction due to relative rotation with respect to the second movable lens barrel 19. Overall moving motor 2
5 is fixed to the fixed lens barrel block 12 and the AE motor 2
9 and a shutter mount 40 equipped with a rear group moving motor 30
Is fixed to the first movable lens barrel 20. Front group lens L
Reference numeral 1 denotes a lens having positive power supported by the lens support tube 34, and the rear lens group L2 includes a lens support tube 50
Is a lens having a negative power supported by the lens.

The fixed lens barrel block 12 fixed in front of the aperture plate 14 of the camera body has a female helicoid 12a, a plurality of rectilinear guide grooves 12b parallel to the optical axis O, on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. have. This aperture plate 14
Is an aperture 14a for determining an exposure area on the film.
Having.

A code plate 13a having a predetermined pattern is fixed to the bottom of the straight guide groove 12b 'which is one of the plurality of straight guide grooves 12b. The rectilinear guide groove 12b 'is provided so as to be located at a substantially diagonal position of the photographing screen in the fixed lens barrel block 12. The code plate 13 a is provided in parallel with the optical axis O over substantially the entire area in the axis (optical axis) direction of the fixed lens barrel block 12, and one of the flexible printed circuit boards 13 located outside the fixed lens barrel block 12. It is configured as a unit. The photo interrupter 1 constituting an encoder for detecting the rotation of the whole moving motor 25 is connected to the flexible printed circuit board 13 by a rotating plate 2 (FIG. 2) rotatably supported by the fixed lens barrel block 12. .

The cylindrical portion of the fixed lens barrel block 12 has a gear housing portion 12c bulging radially outward and extending in the optical axis direction.
Are formed (see FIG. 3). This gear storage section 12c
, A driving pinion 15 long in the optical axis direction is rotatably housed. The drive pinion 15 has both ends of the shaft 7 rotatably supported by a support hole 4 provided in the fixed lens barrel block 12 and a support hole 31 a provided in the gear support plate 31. The tooth surface of the drive pinion 15 projects from the inner peripheral surface of the fixed lens barrel block 12.

A third movable barrel 16 is screwed into the inner periphery of the fixed barrel block 12. This third movable lens barrel 16
Has a plurality of linear guide grooves 16 extending in the optical axis direction on the inner peripheral surface.
c, a male helicoid 16a meshing with the female helicoid 12a of the fixed barrel block 12, and an outer peripheral gear 16b meshing with the drive pinion 15 on the outer periphery of the rear end portion (see FIG. 16).
And The drive pinion 15 is connected to the third movable lens barrel 1.
6 in the entire moving range in the optical axis direction.
And has an axial length that meshes with it.

A linear guide tube 17 is supported on the inner periphery of the third movable lens barrel 16 so as to be integrally movable with the third movable lens barrel 16 in the optical axis direction and relatively rotatable around the optical axis. . As shown in FIG. 1, the rectilinear guide cylinder 17 is
A rear end flange portion 17d provided with a plurality of engagement projections 17c protruding radially outward, and a retaining flange portion having a smaller diameter than the flange portion 17d, provided with a slight gap in front of the rear end flange portion 17d. 17e. A plurality of notches 17f are formed in the circumferential direction of the retaining flange 17e. The rectilinear guide cylinder 17 also has a plurality of rectilinear guide grooves 17a parallel to the optical axis O on its inner peripheral surface, penetrates the peripheral wall of the guide cylinder 17, and is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction and the optical axis direction. A plurality of lead grooves 17b are formed.

The straight guide cylinder 17 has a plurality of engaging projections 17c.
Are slidably engaged with the corresponding rectilinear guide grooves 12b parallel to the optical axis O, thereby restricting relative rotation with respect to the fixed lens barrel block 12. One of the engagement projections 17c, an engagement projection (straight guide key) 17c ',
A contact terminal (brush body) 9 for generating a signal corresponding to focal length information at the time of zooming is fixed in sliding contact with a code plate 13a fixed to the bottom of b '. The engagement projection 17c 'is provided so as to be located at a substantially diagonal position on the photographing screen. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a projection 70 in the radial direction and an axis (light It has a mounting screw hole 71 formed parallel to the (axial) direction and a pair of positioning projections 72 protruding rearward.

The contact terminal 9 is, as shown in FIGS.
Fixing portion 9b along radial projection 70 of engagement projection 17c '
And a through hole 9c formed in the fixing portion 9b and corresponding to the mounting screw hole 71. The contact terminal 9 further includes a pair of brush portions 9a that are substantially orthogonal to the fixing portion 9b and slide in contact with the code plate 13a, and a pair of positioning holes 9d that fit into the pair of positioning protrusions 72. The pair of brush portions 9a are electrically connected to each other. Since the through-hole 9c is formed slightly larger in diameter than the threaded portion (shaft) of the fixing screw 5 screwed into the mounting screw hole 71, and the positioning hole 9d is formed slightly larger in diameter than the positioning protrusion 72. With the contact terminal 9 set on the engagement projection 17c 'and the fixing screw 5 not completely tightened, the position of the brush portion 9a can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. In this case, if a washer or the like is interposed in the shaft of the fixing screw 5, the adjustment operation can be easily performed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the code plate 13a has five types of electrodes a to e arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. When the pair of brushes 9a slide in the longitudinal direction of the code plate 13a, predetermined electrodes (e.g., focal length) of these electrodes a to e conduct according to the sliding position. (Information) are combined with each other to form a predetermined pattern.

As the zoom lens camera becomes more compact, it becomes difficult to provide a code plate and a brush inside the lens barrel in terms of space. However, the present invention in which the contact terminals 9 and the code plate 13a are arranged as described above. According to the axial position detecting device (focal length detecting device), the dead space near the diagonal position of the photographing screen and the groove for guiding straight ahead is effectively used. An installation space for the contact terminals 9 and the code plate 13a can be secured. The contact terminal 9 is fixed to the bottom of the straight guide groove 12b 'because the contact terminal 9 is fixed to the engagement protrusion 17c', which is guided by the straight guide groove 12b 'so that the sliding operation is extremely stable. The sliding contact is always performed in a stable state with the code plate 13a, and a stable signal can be output.

The contact terminal 9 is fixed to the engaging projection 17c 'located at the rear end of the straight guide tube 17, so that the main part of the zoom lens barrel 10 is fixed to the fixed lens barrel block 12.
After assembling, it can be fixed from behind by the fixing screw 5. Therefore, compared with a case where the weak brush portion 9a formed by pressing a thin metal plate and assembling it into a sub-assembly by assembling it with the linear guide tube 17 and assembling it, there is no fear that the brush portion 9a may be erroneously bent and the like. Has been improved. After assembling in this manner, an aperture plate 23 having an opening 23a having substantially the same shape as the aperture 14a is fixed to the rear end surface of the linear guide tube 17.

The third movable lens barrel 16 has a plurality of engaging projections 16d (FIG. 9) projecting inward in the radial direction on the inner periphery of the rear end portion, and these engaging projections 16d are inserted from the notches 17f. Then, it is positioned in the gap between the flange portions 17d and 17e, and is connected to the rectilinear guide tube 17 by rotating relative to the rectilinear guide tube 17.

A second movable lens barrel 19 is fitted on the inner periphery of the straight guide cylinder 17. The second movable lens barrel 19 has a plurality of lead grooves 19 that are inclined on the inner peripheral surface in a direction opposite to the lead grooves 17b.
and a plurality of follower projections 19a having a trapezoidal cross section protruding outward in the radial direction and a follower pin 18 located on the follower projection 19a. The follower pin 18 includes a ring member 18a and a center fixing screw 18b that supports the ring member 18a on a follower projection 19a. The follower projection 19a
Slidably fitted in the lead groove 17b of the straight guide cylinder 17,
The follower pin 18 is provided in the straight guide groove 1 of the third movable lens barrel 16.
6c slidably fits. Therefore, when the third movable lens barrel 16 rotates, the second movable lens barrel 19 rotates and moves straight in the optical axis direction.

The first movable lens barrel 20 is fitted on the inner periphery of the second movable lens barrel 19. The first movable lens barrel 20 engages a plurality of follower pins 24 provided on the outer periphery of a rear end portion with a corresponding inner peripheral lead groove 19c, and a linear guide member 22.
Is guided straight ahead. This straight guide member 22 is
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an annular portion 22a and a pair of guide legs 22b extending from the annular portion 22a in the optical axis direction.
And a plurality of engagement projections 28 slidably engaged with the rectilinear guide grooves 17a protruding radially outward of the annular portion 22a, and the inner peripheral surface of the first movable lens barrel 20 and the AF. A guide leg 22b is inserted between the / AE shutter unit 21 so as to be able to guide straight.

The annular portion 22a of the straight guide member 22 is
The second movable lens barrel 19 is coupled to the rear end portion so as to be integrally movable in the optical axis direction and relatively rotatable around the optical axis. The rectilinear guide member 22 has a rear end flange portion 22d having a plurality of engagement protrusions 28 protruding radially outward on a rear outer periphery.
And a retaining flange portion 22c smaller in diameter than the flange portion 22d, provided with a slight gap in front of the rear end flange portion 22d, and a plurality of notches 22e in the circumferential direction of the retaining flange portion 22c. (See FIG. 12).
The second movable lens barrel 19 has a plurality of engaging projections 19b (FIG. 9) projecting inward in the radial direction on the inner periphery of the rear end portion. The linear guide member 22 is positioned in the gap between the flange portions 22c and 22d.
Relative to the straight guide member 22. With the above configuration, when the second movable barrel 19 rotates in the forward and reverse directions, the first movable barrel 20 moves straight forward and backward with respect to the second movable barrel 19 in the optical axis direction while the rotation is restricted. I do.

At the front end of the first movable lens barrel 20, a barrier device 35 having barriers 48a and 48b is mounted.
An AF / AE shutter unit 21 having a shutter 27 including three shutter blades 27a (FIG. 11) is fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface. The AF / AE shutter unit 21 has a plurality of fixing holes 40a (FIG. 15) formed at equal angular intervals on the outer periphery of the shutter mount 40. The plurality of follower pins 24 also serve as fixing means for the AF / AE shutter unit 21, and include a pin hole 20 a formed in the first movable lens barrel 20 and a fixing hole 40 a
Further, the follower pin 24 is fitted and fixed, and the shutter unit 21 is fixed to the first movable lens barrel 20 (see FIG. 14). The follower pin 24 can be fixed by, for example, bonding, screwing, or the like. Reference numeral 41 denotes a decorative plate fixed to the front end of the first movable lens barrel 20.

The AF / AE shutter unit 21 is shown in FIG.
11, a shutter mount 40, a shutter blade support ring 46 fixed to the rear of the shutter mount 40, and a lens support movably supported relative to the shutter mount 40. Tube 50 (rear group lens L
2). The front lens L1, the AE motor 29, and the rear group moving motor 30 are supported by the shutter mount 40. The shutter mount 40 has an annular portion having a shooting opening 40d through which the lens support tube 34 is inserted, and three legs 40b extending rearward from the annular portion. Two of the gaps between the three legs 40b are a pair of guide legs 2 of the straight guide member 22.
2b is configured as a rectilinear guide portion 40c which slidably engages and guides the movement.

The shutter mount 40 further includes an AE gear train 45 for transmitting the rotation of the AE motor 29 to the shutter 27.
And the rotation of the rear group moving motor 30 with the screw shaft 4
3 and the photo interrupters 56 and 57 connected to the flexible printed circuit board 6.
Rotating plates 58, 5 having a number of circumferential slits
9 are supported. The photointerrupter 57 and the rotating plate 59 constitute a rear group moving motor encoder for detecting the rotation of the rear group moving motor 30, and the AE motor 29 is formed by the photointerrupter 56 and the rotating plate 58.
An AE motor encoder that detects the rotation of the motor is configured.

Between the shutter mount 40 and the shutter blade support ring 46 fixed to the mount 40, the shutter 2
7, a support member 47 for pivotally supporting the three shutter blades 27a of the shutter 27, and an annular driving member 49 for applying a rotational power to the shutter blades 27a. The annular driving member 49 includes three operation protrusions 49a respectively engaging with the three shutter blades 27a at equal angular intervals. The shutter blade support ring 46 is provided at the front wall with the photographing opening 4.
6a and three support holes 46b provided at equal angular intervals around the photographing opening 46a.
A flexure restricting surface 46c exposed from Oc and slidably supports the inner peripheral surfaces of the pair of guide legs 22b.

A support member 47 located in front of the shutter blade support ring 46 includes a photographing opening 47a facing the photographing opening 46a and three shaft portions 47b (see FIG. 11) facing the three support holes 46b, respectively. (Only parts are shown). Each of the three shutter blades 27a has, at one end, a shaft hole 27b through which the shaft 47b is inserted, and at the other end, a shielding portion that shields the imaging openings 46a, 47a.
An elongated hole 27c is provided between the one end and the other end to allow the operation projection 49a to pass therethrough. The support member 47 includes a shaft portion 47b supporting the shutter blade 27a.
The shutter blade support ring 46 is fixed to the shutter blade support ring 46 in a state of being fitted into the corresponding support hole 46b.

The annular driving member 49 has a gear train 4 on its outer periphery.
5 has a gear portion 49b for receiving rotation from. The support member 47 has three arc grooves 47c in the circumferential direction at positions close to the three shaft portions 47b. The three operation projections 49a of the annular driving member 49 penetrate through the three arc grooves 47c, and the long holes 27 of the respective shutter blades 27a.
c. The shutter blade support ring 46 is inserted from the rear side of the shutter mount 40 while supporting the annular driving member 49, the support member 47, and the shutter 27, and is screwed to the shutter mount 40.

Behind the shutter blade support ring 46, there is disposed a lens support tube 50 supported on the shutter mount 40 via slide shafts 51 and 52 so as to be relatively movable. The shutter mount 40 and the lens support cylinder 50 are urged to move in the direction away from each other by the coil spring 3 fitted to the slide shaft 51, thereby eliminating play between them. The drive gear 42a provided in the gear train 42 is restricted from moving in the axial direction, and a female screw is formed on the inner periphery thereof. A screw shaft 43 having one end fixed to the lens support cylinder 50 is screwed to the female screw.
And the screw shaft 43 constitute a feed screw mechanism. Therefore, when the rear group moving motor 30 is driven to rotate and the drive gear 42a rotates forward or backward, the screw shaft 43 advances and retreats with respect to the drive gear 42a, and is supported by the lens support tube 50, that is, the support tube 50. The rear lens group L2 moves relative to the front lens group L1.

At the front of the shutter mount 40, holding members 53, 55 for holding the motors 29, 30 and the like supported by the shutter mount 40 are screwed. The motors 29 and 30 and the photo interrupters 56 and 57 are connected to the flexible printed circuit board 6 having one end fixed to the shutter mount 40. An annular retaining member 33 is fitted to the front end of the fixed lens barrel block 12.

When the third movable lens barrel 16 is rotated by the driving of the overall moving motor 25, the rectilinear guide cylinder 17 advances and retreats in the optical axis direction due to the threaded relationship between the movable lens barrel 16 and the fixed lens barrel block 12. The second movable barrel 19 is provided with the straight guide barrel 17.
Is moved in the optical axis direction by the relative rotation of the third movable barrel 16 with respect to the first movable barrel 20 equipped with the front and rear lens units L1 and L2.
Moves back and forth in the direction of the optical axis due to the rotation by. Therefore,
The amount of advance / retreat (advance / retreat distance) of the straight guide tube 17 with respect to the fixed barrel block 12 is determined by the straight guide groove 1 of the fixed barrel block 12.
If it is detected by the relative sliding between the code plate 13a fixed to 2b 'and the contact terminal 9 fixed to the engaging projection 17c' of the rectilinear guide cylinder 17, the focal length range of the front and rear lens units L1 and L2 is determined. The position of the zoom lens can be determined, and the focal length information of the zoom lens can be uniquely obtained.

In the present embodiment, the front lens group L1 and the rear lens group L2 are respectively connected to the AF / AE shutter unit 21.
The AE motor 29 and the rear group moving motor 30 are mounted on the unit 21. According to this configuration, there is an advantage that the supporting structure and the driving structure of the front lens unit L1 and the rear lens unit L2 can be simplified, but at least one of the front lens unit L1 and the rear lens unit L2 is
Shutter mount 40, annular drive member 49, support member 4
7, the zoom lens is realized even if the AF / AE shutter unit 21 including the shutter 27 and the shutter blade holding ring 46 is provided as a separate member and is supported by a support member different from the unit.

The present zoom lens camera operates as follows. When the power switch (not shown) is turned on while the zoom lens barrel 10 is in the lens retracted state shown in FIG. Then, this rotation is transmitted to the drive pinion 15 via the gear train 26 supported by the support portion 32, and the third
Since the movable lens barrel 16 is rotated in the extending direction, the second movable lens barrel 19 and the first movable lens barrel 20 are slightly extended in the optical axis direction together with the third movable lens barrel 16, and the camera widens the zoom lens. The camera is ready for shooting at the end.

In this photographing enabled state, when the zoom operation means 62 is operated to the telephoto side, the whole movement motor 25 is driven to rotate in the forward direction via the whole movement motor control means 60, and is driven via the drive pinion 15 and the outer peripheral gear 16b. To rotate the third movable barrel 16 in the extending direction. Therefore,
The third movable lens barrel 16 is extended from the fixed lens barrel block 12 due to the relationship between the female helicoid 12a and the male helicoid 16a, and at the same time, the straight guide tube 17 is fixed by the relationship between the engagement projection 17c and the straight guide groove 12b. Block 12
With the third movable lens barrel 16 in a state of not rotating relative to the optical axis, it advances forward of the optical axis. At this time, the second movable lens barrel 19
The follower pin 18 is connected to the lead groove 17b and the linear guide groove 1
By simultaneously engaging with the third movable lens barrel 6c, the second movable lens barrel 6 relatively moves in the same direction as the third movable lens barrel 16 and moves forward in the optical axis with respect to the third movable lens barrel 16. The first movable lens barrel 20 is
Since the linear movement guide member 22 guides the linear movement and the follower pin 24 is moved and guided by the lead groove 19 c, the second movable lens barrel 19 and the AF / AE shutter unit 21 are not rotated relative to the fixed lens barrel block 12. Advances ahead of the optical axis. At this time, the focal point of the zoom lens composed of the front and rear lens units L1 and L2 is determined based on the amount by which the rectilinear guide cylinder 17 advances and retreats with respect to the fixed lens barrel block 12 by the relative sliding between the code plate 13a and the contact terminal 9. Distance has been detected.

While the zoom lens barrel 10 is driven in this manner, the rear group moving motor 30 is not driven, so that the front group lens L1 and the rear group lens L2 are integrated with the optical axis while maintaining a constant distance from each other. (See FIG. 10). The focal length set by the zoom operation unit 62 is displayed by a display unit (not shown).

When the release button is depressed one step at an arbitrary focal length set by the zoom operating means 62, a distance measuring command is given to the distance measuring device 64 and a light measuring command is given to the light measuring device 65, and the distance measuring and the light measuring are performed. Is started. Then, when the release button is pressed in two steps, both the whole moving motor 25 and the rear group moving motor 30 move the moving distance obtained by the distance measuring device 64 based on the subject distance information and the focus set by the zoom operating means 62. The AE motor control means 6 moves the front lens group L1 and the rear lens group L2 by a movement amount determined in consideration of the movement amount obtained from the distance information to set the focal length and focus on the subject.
The AE motor 29 rotationally drives the annular driving member 49 in accordance with the subject luminance information from the photometric device 65 via 6 to drive the shutter 27 so as to satisfy a predetermined exposure. After the end of the shutter release, both the overall movement motor 25 and the rear group movement motor 30 are immediately driven, and the front lens group L1 and the rear lens group L2 are returned to the state before the shutter release.

When the zoom operation means 62 is operated to the wide side, the whole moving motor 25 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, and
The movable lens barrel 16 is rotated in the retracting direction, and is retracted into the fixed lens barrel block 12 together with the rectilinear guide cylinder 17. At the same time, the second movable lens barrel 19 is retracted into the movable lens barrel 16 while rotating in the same direction as the third movable lens barrel 16, and
The movable lens barrel 20 is moved by A with respect to the rotating second movable lens barrel 19.
It is moved together with the F / AE shutter unit 21.
Also during this retraction drive, the rear group moving motor 30 is not driven, as in the above-described retraction drive. When the power switch is turned off after the zoom lens is moved to the wide end position, the zoom lens barrel 10 is moved into the lens housing position shown in FIG.

[0045]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the space for installing the code plate and the brush body is ensured by effectively utilizing the dead space regardless of the compactness of the zoom lens camera. In addition, it is possible to provide a device for detecting the position of the lens barrel in the optical axis direction, which can stabilize the relative sliding between the two.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, regardless of the compactness of the zoom lens camera, a space for installing the code plate and the brush body is ensured by effectively utilizing the dead space, and the relative sliding between the two is ensured. It is possible to provide a lens barrel focal length detecting device that can be stabilized.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the safety when assembling the brush body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a zoom lens barrel to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the entire zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a fixed barrel block showing a mounted state of contact terminals and a code plate in the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a fixed lens barrel block showing a mounted state of a contact terminal and a code plate in the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the fixed lens barrel block showing a mounted state of contact terminals and a code plate in the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear view of a fixed lens barrel block showing a mounted state of contact terminals and a code plate in the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a contact terminal and a code plate in the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing contact terminals and a code plate in the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 9 is an upper half sectional view showing a main part of the zoom lens barrel in a lens housed state.

FIG. 10 is an upper half sectional view showing a maximum extended state of the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing an AF / AE shutter unit in the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an AF / AE shutter unit and a straight guide member in the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an AF / AE shutter unit and a linear guide member in the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which an AF / AE shutter unit in the zoom lens barrel is assembled to a first movable barrel.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing main members of an AF / AE shutter unit in the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 16 is a perspective external view showing a third movable lens barrel of the zoom lens barrel.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a control system for controlling the operation of the zoom lens barrel.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 5 fixing screw 9 contact terminal (brush body) 9a brush part 9b fixing part 9c through hole 10 zoom lens barrel (lens barrel) 12 fixed barrel block (first cylinder, second cylinder, fixed cylinder) 12b 'straight guide groove 13 flexible printed circuit board 13a code plate 16 third movable barrel (rotary movable barrel) 17 straight guide cylinder (first cylinder, second cylinder) 17c' engagement protrusion (straight guide key) Reference Signs List 19 second moving lens barrel (second rotation moving cylinder) 20 first moving lens barrel (straight moving cylinder) 70 projecting part 71 mounting screw hole L1 front lens L2 rear lens O optical axis

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-5-72462 (JP, A) JP-A-7-140370 (JP, A) JP-A-5-188263 (JP, A) JP-A-7-27963 (JP) , A) Japanese Utility Model Hei 5-84909 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B ^7/ 02-7/105 G02B ⁷ /12-7/16

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first cylindrical body; a second cylindrical body; the first, formed on one of the cylindrical body of the second cylindrical body, the direction parallel to the axial linear guide grooves; the other of the cylindrical body provided along the straight advance guide grooves at the bottom of the linear guide groove; provided with, full linear guide key engaged slidably to the linear guide grooves
Code plate; and, fixed to the linear guide key, contact with the code plate
The linear guide key slides along the linear guide groove.
The optical axis direction position detecting device of a lens barrel and comprising the; sliding contact brush body when. 2. The optical axis direction position detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the rectilinear guide key has a protruding portion in a radial direction of the cylindrical body and an attachment formed on the protruding portion in parallel with the axial direction of the cylindrical body. The brush body has a screw hole, and the brush body has a fixing portion along a radial projection of the linear guide key, a through hole corresponding to the mounting screw hole formed in the fixing portion, and a brush portion slidingly contacting the code plate. And a device for detecting the position of the lens barrel in the optical axis direction. 3. The lens mirror according to claim 1, wherein the code plate is a part of a flexible printed board provided outside the cylinder having the straight guide groove. An optical axis direction position detector for the cylinder. 4. A fixed cylinder fixed to the camera body and having a straight guide groove parallel to the optical axis direction; a straight guide key slidably fitted in the straight guide groove; And a linear guide key, which is linearly guided in the optical axis direction; is screwed to the fixed cylinder, and is integrally and relatively rotatably coupled to the inner linear guide cylinder in the optical axis direction and rotates. when rotational tube with a straight advance guide barrel moves forward and backward in the optical axis direction; when the rotational tube is rotated, the linear guide barrel to
A second rotary moving cylinder inside the straight-moving guide cylinder, which advances and retreats in the optical axis direction while rotating. When the second rotary moving cylinder rotates, the second rotary moving cylinder is guided straight by the second rotary moving cylinder in the optical axis direction. advances and retreats Te, inward of rectilinearly movable barrel of the second rotational tube; and, mounted on this rectilinearly movable barrel, and a rear lens group that can advance and retreat in the optical axis direction with respect to the front lens group and the front lens Zoo <br/> zoom lens having, provided with, on the bottom of the linear guide groove of the fixed tube along a straight advance guide grooves to secure the <br/> code plate, the linear guide keys of the linear guide barrel, this code The brush body that slides on the plate is fixed, and the focal length of the zoom lens is detected based on a signal caused by the relative sliding between the code plate and the brush body when the straight guide tube moves back and forth in the optical axis direction. A focal length detector for the lens barrel. 5. The focal length detecting device according to claim 4, wherein the straight guide key is provided at an axially rear portion of the straight guide tube, and the brush body is fixed with the fixed guide tube supporting the straight guide tube. A focal length detecting device for a lens barrel, which is fixed to the rectilinear guide key from the rear of the cylinder. 6. The focal length detecting device according to claim 4, wherein the code plate is a part of a flexible printed circuit board provided outside the fixed cylinder. 7. A fixed lens barrel fixed to the camera body; a straight guide groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of the fixed barrel and extending parallel to the photographing optical axis; and a straight guide groove at a bottom of the straight guide groove. Is fixed along
A moving plate fitted inside the fixed barrel; a straight guide key slidably fitted in the straight guide groove fixed to the movable barrel; fixed to the straight guide key; A brush body that slides on the code plate; and a position detecting unit that detects a position of the movable barrel with respect to the fixed barrel based on a signal generated according to a sliding position of the brush body on the code plate. A lens barrel comprising: