JP3120895B2 - Lens barrel for autofocus camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic focusing (AF) camera, and more particularly to a lens barrel of an AF single-lens reflex camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an AF single-lens reflex camera, switching between manual focus (MF) and auto focus (AF) has conventionally been performed on the body side. In an AF single-lens reflex camera, an AF axis is provided on the camera body, and a driven AF axis driven by the AF axis is provided on the interchangeable lens side. Both AF
The state in which the axes are coupled is the AF state, and the rotation of the AF axis moves the focus lens group in the optical axis direction, and simultaneously rotates the focus ring on the lens side. To switch to the MF state, the coupling between the body-side AF axis and the lens-side driven AF axis is released, and the lens-side focus ring is manually rotated. In this conventional lens barrel, the focus ring on the lens side also rotates during AF. For this reason, the focus ring itself is made smaller (to make it narrower) or is disposed at the tip of the lens barrel so as not to disturb the AF ring. On the other hand, if it is at the tip of the cylinder, it is difficult to operate the MF.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been developed based on the above problem awareness of the conventional lens barrel for an AF single-lens reflex camera.
It is possible to obtain an easy-to-use lens barrel that can switch between F and AF on the lens side, and can switch between AF and MF and perform focusing during MF by the same AF-MF switching ring. Aim.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventionLens barrel for autofocus cameras
Is a manual linear movement between the AF position and the MF position in the optical axis direction.
AF-MF switching ring that can be operated and rotated;To rotate
The focus lens group moves in the optical axis direction.
Cas ring;The focus ring always rotates in conjunction with this focus ring.
-Cass ring interlocking gear;This focus ring interlocking gear and AF
Provided between a drive shaft rotated by a drive source.No.
1Clutch mechanism;AF position and M of the AF-MF switching ring
Depending on the F position,the aboveActivate the first clutch mechanism and set the AF
In the position,the aboveConnect focus ring interlocking gear
In the MF position,the aboveFocus ring interlocking gear
Clutch member that disconnects;Of the AF-MF switching ring
Depending on the AF position and the MF position, the AF-MF switching ring and
Make the focus ring relatively free or integrated
ToSecondClutch mechanismAnd the AF-MF switching ring
Rotation of the AF-MF switching ring according to the AF position and the MF position
Locking mechanism to allow or lockThat you have
Features.

[0005]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
1 to 8 show a first example of a lens barrel to which the present invention is applied.
Is shown. This interchangeable lens barrel is a two-group type that includes a front lens group L1 and a rear lens group L2 and performs focusing by adjusting the position of the rear lens group L2 in the optical axis direction. The fixed lens barrel 10 having a mounting mount 11 for mounting the camera body at the rear has a front lens group L1 at the front and a focus lens group (rear lens) L at the inner periphery.
2 is fitted with a focus lens frame 12.
The fixed barrel 10 is composed of a combination of a plurality of annular members, but all of them are shown as the fixed barrel 10 in the figure. A linear guide groove 13 is formed in the fixed lens barrel 10, and a guide pin 14 fixed to the focus lens frame 12 is fitted in the linear guide groove 13.
A focus ring 15 is rotatably fitted to the fixed lens barrel 10 so as to be positioned outside the straight guide groove 13 of the focus lens frame 12. On the inner surface of the focus ring 15, a lead groove 16 for fitting the guide pin 14 is formed. Therefore, when the focus ring 15 rotates, the straight guide groove 13, the lead groove 16, and the guide pin 1 are rotated.
According to 4, the focus lens frame 12 (focus lens group L2) moves in the optical axis direction to perform focusing. On the focus ring 15, a shooting distance scale 20 is provided.
The photographing distance scale 20 is observed through an observation window 21 formed in the fixed lens barrel 10.

[0006] An inner gear 24 is formed on the inner periphery of the rear part of the focus ring 15. On the other hand, the fixed barrel 10 supports a clutch mechanism 26 having a focus ring interlocking gear 25 that always meshes with the inner gear 24. The clutch mechanism 26 includes a drive shaft 27 that is coaxial with the focus ring interlock gear 25 and is relatively movable with respect to the focus ring interlock gear 25.
7 receives the rotation of the AF joint shaft 29 via the gear train 28. As is well known, the AF joint shaft 29 is
The rotation is received by the AF drive source on the camera body side, and this rotation is transmitted to the drive shaft 27.

In this embodiment, a focus ring interlocking gear 25 which always meshes with an inner gear 24 is supported on a drive shaft 27 so as to be movable in the axial direction. A substantially cross-shaped convex clutch member 18A is provided at the tip of the drive shaft 27.
Is fixed, and the focus ring interlocking gear 25 is formed with a concave clutch portion 18B formed of a cross-shaped concave portion that meshes with or separates from the convex clutch member 18A. The convex clutch member 18A and the concave clutch portion 18B
Is made of a material having excellent wear resistance. The focus ring interlocking gear 25 is moved by the compression spring 30 to the concave clutch portion 18.
B is constantly urged in a direction in which it engages with the convex clutch member 18A.

The fixed lens barrel 10 has an AF-MF switching ring 31.
Are supported so as to be capable of moving straight forward and backward and rotating in the direction of the optical axis. In this embodiment, the AF-MF switching ring 3
The state where (1) is moved to the front moving end (FIG. 1) is the AF position, and the state where it is moved to the rear moving end (FIG. 2) is the MF position. An inner surface of the AF-MF switching ring 31 has a tapered diameter portion 33 and an annular V-shaped portion corresponding to the AF position and the MF position.
A groove 34 is formed, and the fixed lens barrel 10 is provided with a click ball 35 fitted into one of the tapered diameter portion 33 and the annular V groove 34 and a leaf spring 36 for urging the click ball 35. .

The AF-MF switching ring 31 and the focus ring 15
Between them, a clutch mechanism 43 is provided. The clutch mechanism 43 is configured such that the AF-MF switching ring 31
Position, the focus ring 15 can be freely rotated with respect to the AF-MF switching ring 31, and when located at the rear MF position, the AF-MF switching ring 31 and the focus ring 15 can be rotated.
Are integrated in the rotation direction. A small-diameter portion 44 and the tapered-diameter portion 33 are provided on the inner surface of the front part of the AF-MF switching ring 31.
And the large diameter part 46 is formed in order from the front. On the other hand, a plurality of radial clutch pin holes 47 are formed in the focus ring 15 at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the small diameter portion 44, the tapered diameter portion 45, or the large diameter portion 46 is formed in the clutch pin hole 47. Is slidably fitted with a clutch pin 48 having the same position. The clutch pin 48 is moved outward by the leaf spring 50, that is, the AF-MF switching ring 3.
It is urged to move to the first side. As shown in FIG. 3, the leaf spring 50 has one end fixed to the inner surface of the focus ring 15 by a fixing screw 51. The fixed lens barrel 10 has a circumferential through groove 38 that allows the clutch pin 48 to pass and move.
Are formed.

On the inner peripheral surface of the AF-MF switching ring 31,
An annular groove 52 is formed, and a roller 54 fixed to a clutch member 53 is fitted in the annular groove 52. The clutch member 53 is supported on the inner surface of the fixed lens barrel 10 so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the optical axis, and as shown in FIG.
5 is provided. Clutch member 5
3 moves in the same direction as the AF-MF switching ring 31 moves back and forth, and the bifurcated portion 56 moves the focus ring interlocking gear 25 in the axial direction. That is, when the AF-MF switching ring 31 is at the front AF position, the clutch member 53 does not exert a force on the engagement flange 55 of the focus ring interlocking gear 25, and therefore the focus ring interlocking gear 25 is It moves forward according to the force of 30, and the concave clutch portion 18B meshes with the convex clutch member 18A. On the other hand, the AF-MF switching ring 31
When the clutch member 53 moves to the position,
Then, the focus ring interlocking gear 25 is retracted against the force of the above, and the engagement between the concave clutch portion 18B and the convex clutch member 18A is released. Even in this MF state, the engagement between the inner gear 24 and the focus ring interlocking gear 25 is not released.

Further, a lock mechanism 65 for locking the AF-MF switching ring 31 when the AF-MF switching ring 31 is moved to the AF position is provided between the AF-MF switching ring 31 and the fixed lens barrel 10. Is provided. This lock mechanism 65
A plurality of lock grooves 66 are provided at appropriate angular intervals on the inner surface of the distal end portion of the AF-MF switching ring 31, while the fixed lens barrel 10
When the AF-MF switching ring 31 is at the AF position, a lock ball 67 that fits into the lock groove 66 and a biasing leaf spring 68 thereof are provided.

An AF-MF switching ring 31 and a fixed lens barrel 10
1 and 2, and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, switch means 70 for detecting the AF position and the MF position of the AF-MF switching ring 31 is provided. The switch means 70 supports a switch plate 71 on the fixed lens barrel 10 so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to the optical axis, and connects a roller 72 provided on the switch plate 71 with an annular groove 52 of the AF-MF switching ring 31.
The switch plate 71 and the fixed lens barrel 10 are provided with a switch contact piece 73 and a substrate 74 which are in contact with each other. Therefore, when the AF-MF switching ring 31 moves to the AF position and the MF position, this is detected by the switch contact piece 73 and the substrate 74, and the signals of the AF position and the MF position are transmitted to the camera body side through the signal transmission pins 75. Is provided to the AF motor control circuit 77 provided in In the MF state, the AF motor control circuit 77
Do not rotate the joint shaft on the camera body that transmits the torque to the camera.

The lens barrel according to the present invention having the above-described structure operates as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, in the AF state in which the AF-MF switching ring 31 is moved forward, the clutch mechanism 43 releases the rotational relationship between the AF-MF switching ring 31 and the focus ring 15, and the clutch mechanism 26 The engagement between the concave clutch portion 18B of the focus ring interlocking gear 25 and the convex clutch member 18A of the drive shaft 27 is allowed, and the locking mechanism 65
Locks the AF-MF switching ring 31 to the fixed lens barrel 10. That is, the tip of the clutch pin 48 supported by the focus ring 15 is located at the position of the large-diameter portion 46 on the inner surface of the AF-MF switching ring 31, and is kept out of contact with the AF-MF switching ring 31 (FIG. 3). On the other hand, the concave clutch portion 18B of the focus ring interlocking gear 25 urged forward by the compression spring 30 is engaged with the convex clutch member 18A of the drive shaft 27. In this state, when the AF joint shaft 29 is rotated by the AF shaft on the camera body side, the rotation is performed by the gear train 28, the drive shaft 27, the concave clutch portion 18B, the convex clutch member 18A, the focus ring interlocking gear 25, and the inner gear. 24 to the focus ring 15,
Therefore, AF is performed. At this time, the lock ball 67
Are fitted in any of the lock grooves 66 of the AF-MF switching ring 31. Even if the lock ball 67 is not fitted in the lock groove 66, when the small angle AF-MF switching ring 31 is rotated to any one, the mesh state is established. Therefore, AF
In this state, the AF-MF switching ring 31 does not rotate,
There is no inconvenience due to the rotation of the grip.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When the F switching ring 31 is moved rearward to the MF state, the clutch mechanism 43 frictionally engages the AF-MF switching ring 31 with the focus ring 15, and the clutch mechanism 26 moves the focus ring interlocking gear 25 backward. The engagement between the concave clutch portion 18B and the convex clutch member 18A is released, and the lock mechanism 65 is released.
Releases the lock of the AF-MF switching ring 31. That is, the tip of the clutch pin 48 supported by the focus ring 15 comes into strong frictional contact with the small diameter portion 44 on the inner surface of the AF-MF switching ring 31, and the AF-MF switching ring 31 and the focus ring 15
(FIG. 4). On the other hand, as the AF-MF switching ring 31 moves rearward, the forked portion 56 of the clutch member 53 pushes the focus ring interlocking gear 25 rearward via the engagement flange 55, and the concave clutch The engagement between the portion 18B and the convex clutch member 18A is released. The lock ball 67 comes off the lock groove 66. In this state, when the AF-MF switching ring 31 is manually rotated, the rotation is performed through the small diameter portion 44, the clutch pin 48, and the clutch pin hole 47.
5 is transmitted. Therefore, MF is performed.

In this MF state, the AF axis on the camera body side does not rotate due to the MF signal given via the switch means 70 and the signal transmission pin 75, and therefore the AF
The joint shaft 29 does not rotate. Even if the AF joint shaft 29 rotates, the engagement between the concave clutch portion 18B and the convex clutch member 18A is released, so that the rotation is not transmitted to the focus ring 15. AF at this time
The axial position of the −MF switching ring 31 is regulated by the engagement between the annular V-groove 34 and the click ball 35.

In the above embodiment, the relationship between the focus ring interlocking gear 25 and the drive shaft 27 provided coaxially
7 is fixed, and the focus ring interlocking gear 25 is slidable with respect thereto. Conversely, the axial position of the focus ring interlocking gear 25 is fixed, and the drive shaft 2 is fixed.
7, that is, a configuration in which the convex clutch member 18A is moved in the axial direction. In this case, the drive shaft 27 (convex clutch member 18A) may be moved by the clutch member 53.

FIGS. 9 to 13 show a second embodiment of a lens barrel to which the present invention is applied. This interchangeable lens barrel includes a front lens group L1 and a rear lens group L2, and performs focusing by adjusting the position of the rear lens group L2 in the optical axis direction, similarly to the interchangeable lens in the first embodiment. It is. The front group lens L1 is fixed to a fixed lens barrel 112 provided with a mount 111 for connection to a camera body at the rear end. The fixed barrel 112 has an AF-
An MF switching ring 113 is supported so as to be movable in the optical axis direction, and a distance scale ring 114 (focus ring) is rotatably supported on the rear inner periphery. The AF-MF switching ring 113 also functions as a manual focusing ring when moved to the MF position. The fixed lens barrel 112 has an inner fixed cylinder 112a, and a lead ring 115 is provided around the outer periphery of the inner fixed cylinder 112a.
Are rotatably fitted, and the movable barrel 116 is fitted around the inner periphery. The distance scale ring 114 and the lead ring 115 are connected by a connecting member 117, and always rotate equally. A distance scale (not shown) is provided on the outer circumference of the distance scale ring 114, and the distance scale is exposed through a distance scale window (not shown) provided on the fixed lens barrel 112.

A straight guide groove 119 in a direction parallel to the optical axis is formed in the inner fixed cylinder 112a, and a lead groove 120 is formed in the lead ring 115. The radial pin 122 implanted in the movable lens barrel 116 is inserted into the straight guide groove 119 and the lead groove 120. When the lead ring 115 rotates, the radial pin 122 follows the straight guide groove 119 and the lead groove 120 and moves. Moves straight in the optical axis direction. The rear lens group L2 and the stop block 118 are supported by the movable lens barrel 116. Therefore, when the lead ring 115, that is, the distance scale ring 114 is rotationally driven, the rear group lens L2 moves in the optical axis direction. Focusing is performed.

The AF mechanism is a mechanism for electrically driving and rotating the distance scale ring 114. The distance scale ring 114 has an inner gear 123 formed around the optical axis on its inner periphery. On the other hand, the connection mount 111 and the bearing plate 1
A joint gear 125 is rotatably supported by 26. The joint gear 125 has a rear end joint portion 125a coupled to a joint gear of the camera body, and has a gear 125b at a front end portion.
The gear 125b meshes with a gear 127 supported by the bearing plate 124 and the bearing plate 126. A small gear 127a coaxially integrated with the gear 127 is always connected to a driving clutch gear 129 that is at least axially integrated with the switching shaft 128. Are engaged. In other words, the driving clutch gear 129 always rotates when a driving force is applied from the camera body side via the joint gear 125.

On the other hand, the switching shaft 128 (drive shaft)
The driven clutch gear 1 is capable of relative rotation and axial movement.
30 (focus ring interlocking gear) is fitted. The driven clutch gear 130 is rotatably supported by a bearing plate 131 fixed to the inner surface of the fixed lens barrel 112, and always meshes with the inner gear 123 of the distance scale ring 114. Each of the driving clutch gear 129 and the driven clutch gear 130 has clutch teeth 129a and 130a formed on opposite end surfaces thereof.
The shapes of the clutch teeth 129a and 130a are evident in FIG. 13, and the driving clutch gear 129 and the driven clutch gear 130 rotate integrally when both approach and the clutch teeth 129a and the clutch teeth 130a are engaged. All of the gears other than the inner gear 123 are small gears located around the lens barrel and not having the optical axis as the center of rotation.

The tip of the switching shaft 128 has a fixed screw 133
As shown in FIG. 10, the compression coil spring 135 and the washer 136 are inserted through the switching shaft 128, and the C-ring 1 is fixed to the tip of the switching shaft 128.
37, the clutch teeth 129a of the driving clutch gear 129 are urged to move forward in the direction in which the clutch teeth 129a of the driven clutch gear 130 engage with the clutch teeth 130a.

On the guide plate 134, an AF-MF
The detection switching plate 138 (clutch member) is supported.
The AF-MF detection switching plate 138 includes a slot 138 a corresponding to the fixing screw 133 and the AF-MF switching ring 113.
A pressed projection 138b that engages with the pressing projection 113a,
Engaging portion 138c of switching shaft 128 with stepped switching shaft 128a
And is movable in the same direction as the switching shaft 128, and is further urged to move forward by a tension coil spring 139 stretched between the switching shaft 128 and the guide plate 134. The AF-MF detection switching plate 138 is
2 is provided with a brush 141 that comes into contact with the code plate 140 fixed to the second. When the brush 141 changes the contact position, the code plate 140 detects switching between AF and MF, and transmits the information to F.
The information is sent to the AF motor control circuit 145 of the camera body via the PC board 142 and the information terminal 143 facing the connection mount 111. The engagement portion 138c is provided on the AF-MF switching ring 1
When the AF-MF detection switching plate 138 is moved rearward by the thirteen pressing projections 113a, the switching shaft 128 is moved backward.

AF-MF switching ring 113 and distance scale ring 11
4 are respectively provided with clutch means 113c, 1
14c is provided. This clutch means 113c,
Reference numeral 114c is for integrating the AF-MF switching ring 113 and the distance scale ring 114 in the rotation direction when the AF-MF switching ring 113 is moved to the rear MF position.

The interchangeable lens barrel having the above-described structure is an AF-M
When the F switching ring 113 is moved to the front AF position as shown in FIG. 9, the switching shaft 128 and the driving clutch gear 129 move forward by the force of the compression coil spring 135,
The clutch teeth 129a mesh with the clutch teeth 130a of the driven clutch gear 130. The information that the AF-MF switching ring 113 is at the AF position is transmitted to the code plate 14.
0 and the brush 141 detect the FPC board 14
2 and the AF motor control circuit 1 via the information terminal 143
45. The AF motor control circuit 145 rotates the joint axis of the camera body in the forward or reverse direction according to the focus information of the subject. The rotation of the joint shaft is transmitted to the joint gear 125, and the rotation is transmitted to the driven clutch gear 130 via the gear train mechanism described above, and further from the inner gear 123 to the distance scale ring 114, the lead ring 115,
The light is transmitted to the movable lens barrel 116. Therefore, the rear lens group L2
Moves in the optical axis direction to perform AF.

On the other hand, when the AF-MF switching ring 113 is moved to the rear MF position, the pressing projection 113a presses the pressed projection 138b, and the switching shaft 128 and the driving clutch gear 129 are moved through the engaging portion 138c. The clutch teeth 129a and the clutch teeth 130a are disengaged.
At the same time, the AF-MF switching ring 113
3c and 114c, it is connected so that it may rotate integrally with the distance scale ring 114. Therefore, the AF-MF switching ring 11
The MF is performed by rotating 3. AF-M
Information that the F switching ring 113 is at the MF position is detected by the code plate 140 and the brush 141 and is provided to the AF motor control circuit 145 via the FPC board 142 and the information terminal 143. In this MF state, the AF motor control circuit 145 does not rotate the camera body side joint shaft.

Although the lock mechanism for locking the AF-MF switching ring disclosed in the first embodiment is not disclosed in the second embodiment, a similar locking mechanism is applied to the AF-MF switching ring 13. It goes without saying that you can do it.

In the above two embodiments, the present invention is applied to an AF lens barrel of a type in which the driving force of the AF is obtained from the camera body side, but an AF motor of a type in which an AF motor is built in the lens barrel. The present invention can be applied to a lens barrel.

[0028]

As described above, the lens barrel according to the present invention is an AF-type lens capable of moving straight forward and backward and rotating in the direction of the optical axis.
An MF switching ring is provided. When the AF-MF switching ring is at the MF position, MF is performed by rotating the AF-MF switching ring, and when the AF-MF switching ring is at the AF position, the AF-MF switching ring is rotated. Since the AF operation can be performed without performing the AF operation, the AF-MF switching ring does not rotate during the AF operation. Therefore, since the AF-MF switching ring can be gripped during AF, gripping properties are enhanced, and after switching to the MF state, MF can be performed by rotating the AF-MF switching ring. In this case, it is possible to obtain a lens barrel having excellent operability that does not require a re-holding operation.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a focus ring interlocking gear which rotates constantly in association with the focus ring, and a clutch mechanism is provided between the focus ring interlocking gear and a drive shaft which is turned by an AF drive source. AF of AF-MF switching ring
Activate this clutch mechanism according to the position and the MF position,
In the AF position, the drive shaft and the focus ring interlocking gear are connected,
At the MF position, the drive shaft and the focus ring interlocking gear are disengaged, so there is no risk of tooth surface damage being caused between the gears as in the case of forming a clutch mechanism, and a lens mirror having excellent durability. A tube is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an AF state showing a first embodiment of a lens barrel according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the MF state.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the clutch in an AF state, taken along line AA in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the clutch in an MF state, taken along line BB of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clutch mechanism in the lens barrel in FIG. 1 in an AF state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the MF state.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an AF state of switch means in the lens barrel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the MF state.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the lens barrel according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the main part.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the clutch mechanism in an AF state.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the MF state.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing shapes of clutch teeth of a driving clutch gear and a driven clutch gear.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fixed lens barrel 11 Mounting mount 12 Focus lens frame 13 Straight guide groove 14 Guide pin 15 Focus ring 16 Lead groove 18A Convex clutch member 18B Concave clutch part 20 Shooting distance scale 21 Observation window 24 Inner gear 25 Focus ring interlocking gear 26 Clutch mechanism Reference Signs List 27 drive shaft 28 gear train 29 AF joint shaft 30 compression spring 31 AF-MF switching ring 33 tapered diameter portion 34 annular V-groove 35 click ball 36 leaf spring 44 small diameter portion 46 large diameter portion 48 clutch pin 50 leaf spring 52 annular groove 53 Clutch member 54 Roller 55 Engagement flange 56 Bifurcated portion 65 Lock mechanism 66 Lock groove 67 Lock ball 68 Energizing leaf spring 70 Switch means 71 Switch plate 72 Roller 73 Switch contact piece 74 Substrate 75 Signal transmission pin 77 AF motor Control circuit 112 Fixed lens barrel 113 AF-MF switching ring 114 Distance scale ring (focus ring) 115 Lead ring 116 Moving lens barrel 117 Coupling member 119 Straight guide groove 120 Lead groove 122 Radial pin 123 Inner gear 124 126 131 131 Bearing plate 125 Joint gear 127 127a Gear 128 Switching shaft (drive shaft) 129 Driving clutch gear 130 Driven clutch gear (focus ring interlocking gear) 129a 130a Clutch teeth 134 Guide plate 135 Compression coil spring 138 AF-MF detection switching plate (clutch member) 140 Code Board 141 Brush 142 FPC board 143 Information contact 145 AF motor control circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Jun Matsuda 2-36-9 Maeno-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-58-7110 (JP, A) JP-A-64-15724 (JP, A) JP-A-63-61209 (JP, A) JP-A-62-146115 (JP, U) JP-A-63-100710 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int) .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B ⁷ /02-7/105

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An AF-MF switching ring capable of a manual linear movement operation and a rotation operation between an AF position and an MF position in an optical axis direction; a focus ring for moving a focus lens group in the optical axis direction with the rotation. A focus ring interlocking gear that always rotates in conjunction with the focus ring; a first clutch mechanism provided between the focus ring interlocking gear and a drive shaft that is turned by an AF drive source; Depending on the AF position and MF position of the switching ring,
Serial actuates the first clutch mechanism, the AF position connects the drive shaft and the focus ring engaging gear, the clutch member disconnects the drive shaft and the focusing ring interlocking gear in MF position; the AF-MF changeover commutative rings the response to the AF position and the MF position, the second clutch mechanism and the relative freely and the AF-MF changeover commutative rings and the focus ring, or integrated; Oyo
And according to the AF position and the MF position of the AF-MF switching ring,
A lock that allows or locks the rotation of the AF-MF switching ring.
A lens barrel for an autofocus camera, comprising: 2. A lens for an autofocus camera according to claim 1.
In the lens barrel, the focus ring interlocking gear and the drive shaft
A lens barrel for an autofocus camera provided on the shaft. 3. The automatic focusing camera according to claim 1, wherein
The second clutch mechanism in the lens barrel for Radial direction orthogonal to the optical axis provided on the focus ring
Movable clutch pin; The above-mentioned forging engaged with the radially inner end of the clutch pin.
A leaf spring fixed to a focus ring; and A small diameter portion formed on the inner surface of the AF-MF switching ring;
Large diameter part; With When the AF-MF switching ring is at the AF position, the large
The radial part is in non-contact with the radial outer end of the clutch pin
In opposition, When the AF-MF switching ring is at the MF position,
The radial portion contacts the radially outer end of the clutch pin and
Push the clutch pin radially against the biasing force of the leaf spring.
A lens for autofocus cameras characterized by being pushed inward
Lens barrel. 4. A lens for an auto-focus camera according to claim 3.
Lens barrel, the inner surface of the AF-MF switching ring
A tapered diameter portion connecting the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion is formed.
Lens barrel for autofocus cameras.