JP2012042718A - Lens device and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a compact lens device in which a position of an operation part selected around an optical axis can be locked.SOLUTION: The lens device 1 includes: a lens-barrel 31 in which an optical element 101 is housed; operation units 51, 61 disposed in the outer periphery of the lens barrel so as to be rotatable around the optical axis and having an operation part 62 at least at one spot in the peripheral direction; and a lock member 48 by which the operation unit is prevented from being rotated. The lock member is rotated and operated around the optical axis in the outer periphery of the lens barrel, and moved to a lock position where rotation of the operation unit is prevented and a lock release position where the action of a pressing force is released, in an optical axis direction by acting the pressing force from the optical axis direction to the operation unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a lens apparatus such as an interchangeable lens, and more particularly to a lens apparatus in which a user can arbitrarily set a position in the circumferential direction of an operation unit provided on the outer periphery of a lens barrel.

As such a lens device, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this lens device, an operation button position change ring is provided on the outer periphery of the lens barrel so as to be rotatable around the optical axis, and an instruction to start an autofocus (AF) operation is given on the operation button position change ring. An AF start operation button is provided. The position of the operation button position changing ring in the rotation direction (circumferential direction of the lens barrel) can be arbitrarily selected by the user, and the operation button position changing ring is used as the lens barrel by using a lock member at the selected position. It can be fixed against.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-160995

However, in the lens device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a lock member constituted by a screw is tightened inward from the outer side in the radial direction (optical axis orthogonal direction) of the lens barrel, and the tip thereof is against the lens barrel. By pushing, the operation button position change ring is prevented from rotating. By pressing the lock member against the lens barrel, the lens barrel is deformed, and unnecessary stress is applied to the optical element such as a lens accommodated in the lens barrel, or the optical performance of the lens device is reduced. May decrease. In order to prevent such deformation of the lens barrel, increasing the thickness of the lens barrel or providing a reinforcing member is not preferable because it leads to an increase in the size of the lens device in the radial direction.

  Further, in the lens device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the lock member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the operation button position changing ring in the same manner as the AF start operation button. For this reason, it is easy for the user's hand to touch the lock member, which may interfere with operating the AF start operation button or supporting the lens device.

  The present invention is a small-sized device capable of locking the position of the selected operation unit around the optical axis without causing deformation of the lens barrel or obstructing the operation of the operation unit or the hand supporting the lens device. A lens apparatus is provided.

A lens apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a lens barrel that houses an optical element, and an operation unit that is disposed on an outer periphery of the lens barrel so as to be rotatable around an optical axis and has an operation unit at least at one place in the circumferential direction And a lock member that prevents rotation of the operation unit. The lock member is rotated around the optical axis on the outer periphery of the lens barrel, thereby causing the operation unit to apply a pressing force from the optical axis direction to prevent the operation unit from rotating, and the pressing force. It moves to the lock release position which cancels | releases an effect | action of (2) in an optical axis direction, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

In the present invention, a lock member is used that is rotated around the optical axis to move in the optical axis direction to prevent the operation unit from rotating around the optical axis and to release the rotation prevention. The lock member prevents the operation unit from rotating by applying a pressing force to the operation unit from the optical axis direction. For this reason, like a conventional lock member, a deformation | transformation is produced in a lens barrel by abutting with respect to a lens barrel, or when it is provided on an operation unit, operation of an operation part and the hand which supports a lens apparatus may be disturbed. There is nothing. Therefore, it is possible to realize a lens device that is small in size, has good operability of the operation unit provided in the lens barrel, and is easy to support by hand.

1 is an external view of an interchangeable lens that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a part of the interchangeable lens of the example. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of interchangeable lens of an Example.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of an interchangeable lens 1 as a lens apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 also shows a camera body 2 to which an interchangeable lens is attached (a camera system in which the interchangeable lens 1 is attached to the camera body 2). 2 and 3 show an exploded perspective view and a sectional view of the configuration around the operation unit in the interchangeable lens 1 shown in FIG. In the following description, the object side is referred to as “front” and the image side is referred to as “rear”.

  In the interchangeable lens 1, reference numeral 32 denotes a fixed exterior member, and a structural member (not shown) and the first lens barrel 31 are coupled to the front end of the exterior member 32. The first lens barrel 31, the exterior member 32, the previous structural member, and other structural members constitute a lens barrel body of the interchangeable lens 1. In the lens barrel body, a photographing optical system composed of a plurality of optical elements such as a lens unit and a diaphragm unit is housed. The first lens barrel 31 houses and holds the first lens unit 101 which is the most object side lens unit in the photographing optical system.

  A protective ring 53 is attached to the front end of the first lens barrel 31. Reference numeral 45 denotes a focus operation ring disposed on the outer periphery of the rear portion of the first lens barrel 31 so as to be rotatable around the optical axis. By rotating the focus operation ring 45, a focus lens unit (not shown) constituting a part of the photographing optical system moves in the optical axis direction. Also, an actuator (vibration motor, stepping motor, etc.) that drives the focus lens unit in the optical axis direction by AF is accommodated in the main body barrel.

  A switch ring 51 is disposed on the outer periphery of the front portion of the first lens barrel 31 so as to be rotatable around the optical axis, and is provided as a rotation base member of the operation unit 6 that can rotate around the optical axis. Reference numeral 60 denotes a switch rubber as an elastic member attached to the outer periphery of the switch ring 51 so as to be integrally rotatable with the switch ring 60. Operation buttons 6001 are provided at four locations on the switch rubber 60 at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. By rotating the operation unit 6 around the optical axis, the user can arbitrarily select the positions of the four operation buttons 6001 in the circumferential direction. Concavities and convexities (knurls) are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the switch rubber 60 so that the user's hand that rotates the operation unit is difficult to slip. A more detailed configuration of the operation unit will be described later.

  Reference numeral 48 denotes a tightening ring as a lock member. The switch ring 51 and the switch rubber 60 on the outer periphery of the first lens barrel 31, that is, on the rear side of the operation unit (different or adjacent in the optical axis direction) It is arranged so that it can rotate. When the tightening ring 48 is rotated, it moves in the optical axis direction to a lock position that prevents the operation unit from rotating from the rotation position selected by the user, and a lock release position that releases the rotation prevention. The operation of the tightening ring 48 will also be described in detail later.

  A mount portion 54 is provided at the rear end of the interchangeable lens 1, and the mount portion 54 is detachably attached to the mount portion of the camera 2.

  The camera 2 has an imaging element (not shown) configured by a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, or the like that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by a photographing optical system housed in the interchangeable lens 1 (lens barrel body). The camera 2 generates image data using an output signal from the image sensor.

  H indicates the left hand of the user (photographer). At the time of shooting, the camera 2 is held with the right hand (not shown), and the interchangeable lens 1 is held with the left hand as shown.

  Next, the configuration of the operation unit and the operation of the tightening ring 48 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  The switch ring 51 is coupled to the first lens barrel 31 so as to be rotatable around the optical axis by bayonet coupling. A rotation range of the switch ring 51 is predetermined by a stopper screw 66 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the first lens barrel 31. Limited to range.

  Reference numeral 62 denotes a switch as an electric element that constitutes an operation unit together with an operation button 6001 provided on the switch rubber 60. The four switches 62 are fixed to the switch mounting portions 5101 provided at four locations on the outer peripheral surface of the switch ring 51 at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction using a double-sided tape or an adhesive. The four switches 62 are soldered to a switch flexible board 62 a provided for each switch 62. Each switch flexible board 62a is connected to an electric circuit board (not shown) accommodated in the lens barrel body via a cable 63 and a connection flexible board 64.

  The switch rubber 60 is attached to the outer periphery of the switch ring 51 so that the four operation buttons 6001 are positioned immediately above the four switches 62. When the user presses the operation button 6001, the switch 62 is turned ON, and an electrical signal indicating ON is output from the switch 62 to the electric circuit board.

  A microcomputer such as a CPU mounted on the electric circuit board causes the camera 2 to start an AF operation, stop the AF operation, or switch a shooting mode such as an AF mode in response to the electric signal. The camera shake correction operation can be started / stopped.

  Also, 61 shown in FIG. 3 is a sliding sheet which is a member having sliding properties, and includes a flange portion 6002 formed so as to protrude radially inward on the inner periphery of the switch rubber 60 and a fastening ring 48. Arranged between.

  A tightening ring holder 50 is integrally fixed to a tightening ring holder mounting portion 31 d provided on the first lens barrel 31 by a fixing screw 65. On the outer periphery of the tightening ring holder 50, a male screw portion 50 a that is screwed with a female screw portion 48 a formed on the inner periphery of the tightening ring 48 is formed. For this reason, when the tightening ring 48 is rotated around the optical axis, the tightening ring 48 is moved over the tightening ring holder 50 (that is, the first lens barrel 31 and the operation) by the screwing action of the female screw portion 48a and the male screw portion 50a. Move in the direction of the optical axis (with respect to the unit).

  When the tightening ring 48 is rotated so as to be tightened in the direction A in FIG. 3 in the optical axis direction, the tightening ring 48 applies a pressing force to the flange portion 6002 of the switch rubber 60 that is an elastic member via the sliding sheet 61. Make it work. Thereby, the flange part 6002 is compressed between the switch ring 51. By compressing the flange portion 6002, the rotational position of the switch ring 51 (that is, the operation unit) with respect to the first lens barrel 31 is maintained. In other words, the rotation of the operation unit is prevented. The position of the tightening ring 48 that prevents the operation switch from rotating corresponds to the lock position.

  The sliding sheet 61 is provided so that the rotation operation for tightening the tightening ring 48 to the lock position can be smoothly performed with an appropriate slip with respect to the flange portion 6002 of the switch rubber 60. . Further, the sliding sheet 61 also has a role of preventing the rotating tightening ring 48 from coming into direct contact with the flange portion 6002 of the switch rubber 60 to cause twisting of the switch rubber 60 that is a member constituting the appearance.

  On the other hand, when the tightening ring 48 in the lock position is rotated so as to be loosened in the direction B shown in FIG. 3 in the optical axis direction, the pressing force acting on the flange portion 6002 of the switch rubber 60 is released, and the operation unit Rotation is allowed. Thus, the position of the tightening ring 48 that releases the rotation prevention of the operation switch corresponds to the lock release position.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the tightening ring 48 applies the pressing force from the optical axis direction to the operation unit to prevent the operation unit from rotating. For this reason, compared with the conventional structure which prevents rotation of an operation unit by pressing the locking member comprised with the screw attached to the operation unit with respect to the 1st lens-barrel 31 from an optical axis orthogonal direction, it is 1st. It is possible to prevent the deformation of the lens barrel 31 and the deterioration of the optical performance due to this. In addition, since a force that deforms the first lens barrel 31 does not act, it is not necessary to increase the thickness of the first lens barrel 31 or to provide a reinforcing member. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the interchangeable lens 1 in the radial direction.

  In this embodiment, the operation unit can be prevented from rotating by rotating the tightening ring 48 disposed at a position different from the operation unit provided with the operation button 6001 in the optical axis direction. In other words, the operation unit touched by the user's hand holding the interchangeable lens 1 is not provided with a lock member protruding in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Accordingly, the position of the operation button 6001 selected around the optical axis (the rotation position of the operation unit) can be fixed without obstructing the operation of the operation button 6001 or the hand supporting the interchangeable lens 1.

  By applying a coating having water repellency or applying a lubricant such as oil to the sliding sheet 61, it is possible to have a drip-proof performance that seals the gap between the switch rubber 60 and the tightening ring 48. it can.

  Further, since the flange portion 6002 is integrally formed with the switch rubber 60, the gap between the switch rubber 60 and the tightening ring 48 can be made smaller than when a general seal member such as an O-ring is used. Drip-proof property can be improved.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the flange portion 6002 is provided near the end portion (rear end) of the switch rubber 60 in the optical axis direction. No knurl is formed near the rear end of the outer peripheral surface of the switch rubber 60, and the vicinity of the rear end of the switch rubber 60 has a uniform thickness over the entire circumference. Thereby, the strength of the switch rubber 60 is ensured so that twisting of the switch rubber 60 due to tightening of the tightening ring 48 is less likely to occur.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the pressing force in the optical axis direction from the tightening ring 48 acts on the flange portion 6002 of the switch rubber 60 via the sliding sheet 61 has been described. However, the pressing force in the optical axis direction from the tightening ring 48 may act on the switch ring 51 directly or via the sliding sheet 61. Further, the sliding sheet 61 is not necessarily provided when a certain degree of sliding property can be secured between the tightening ring 48 and the flange portion 6002 (or the switch ring 51) of the switch rubber 60.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the operation unit 4 and the tightening ring 48 are arranged on the outer periphery of the first lens barrel 31 has been described. However, the operation unit and the lock member are arranged on the outer periphery of the lens barrel other than the first lens barrel 31. You may make it do.

Moreover, although the said Example demonstrated the case where the operation button 6001 was provided in the circumferential direction four places in the operation unit, it does not necessarily need to be four places and an operation part is provided in at least one place of the circumferential direction. It only has to be.
In the above embodiment, an interchangeable lens is described as an example, and a camera system in which the interchangeable lens 1 is attached to the camera body 2 is used. However, the camera system according to the present invention includes not only an interchangeable lens but also a lens-integrated camera in which the lens is provided integrally with the camera body.

  Each embodiment described above is only a representative example, and various modifications and changes can be made to each embodiment in carrying out the present invention.

  It is possible to provide a small lens device that can lock the position of the operation unit selected around the optical axis.

31 First lens barrel 51 Switch ring 48 Tightening ring 50 Tightening ring holder 60 Switch rubber 62 Switch

Claims (5)

A lens barrel containing the optical element;
An operation unit that is arranged on the outer periphery of the lens barrel so as to be rotatable around the optical axis, and that has an operation unit at least in one circumferential direction;
A lock member for preventing rotation of the operation unit;
The lock member is operated to rotate around the optical axis on the outer periphery of the lens barrel, thereby applying a pressing force to the operation unit from the optical axis direction to prevent the operation unit from rotating. A lens device that moves in the optical axis direction to a lock release position that releases the action of the pressing force.   The operation unit has an elastic member compressed by the pressing force so as to be integrally rotatable.   The lens device according to claim 2, wherein a member having slipperiness is disposed between the operation unit and the lock member.   The lens device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member also serves as a member constituting an appearance of the lens device. A camera system comprising the lens device according to claim 1.