Patents by Inventor Yoshiharu Araki

Yoshiharu Araki has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9465188
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a flexible printed circuit board, a moving unit, and a support frame. The moving unit is configured to support the flexible printed circuit board. The support frame is configured to allow the moving unit to move in an optical axis direction. The support frame is configured to house the moving unit. The support frame includes a guide groove for guiding the flexible printed circuit board. The moving unit includes a convex portion provided to its outer peripheral portion. At least part of the convex portion is disposed in the guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Araki
  • Patent number: 9442270
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a barrel body, an optical system disposed inside the barrel body, a zoom motor, a focus motor, a zoom lever switch disposed on the outer circumference of the barrel body and configured to transmit a user's operation instruction to the zoom motor, and a focus lever switch disposed on the outer circumference of the barrel body and configured to transmit a user's operation instruction to the focus motor. The zoom lever switch and the focus lever switch are arranged in a region formed of first and fourth quadrants of the lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Araki, Makoto Nakamura, Tetsuya Kaneshiro
  • Patent number: 8974130
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens mount, a fixed frame, and a movable frame. The lens mount includes an attachment part to which the fixed frame is attached, and a recessed part which is adjacent to the attachment part and is recessed toward the camera body, and into which an end part of the movable frame enters at least when the movable frame is positioned closest to the lens mount. Part of the attachment part close to the camera body has a tapered surface inclined relative to the optical axis. A counterbore in which a screw for attaching the fixed frame to the attachment part is disposed is formed at the tapered surface. Due to the tapered surface, part of the lens mount where the attachment part is formed has a thickness greater than that of another part of the lens mount where the recessed part is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Araki, Hiroshi Kanchiku
  • Patent number: 8913333
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8879177
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8879178
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8855478
    Abstract: At an inner circumferential surface of a cam frame, second cam grooves and an inner gear are formed. A second lens group frame includes a base, extensions each extending from the base in an optical axis direction, and cam pins each outwardly protruding from a tip end part of a corresponding one of the extensions in a radial direction. In the extension, a stepped part is formed. The stepped part overlaps, when each cam pin moves according to a corresponding one of the second cam grooves, with the inner gear as viewed in the radial direction, and is recessed toward the inside in the radial direction as compared to a tooth tip of the inner gear so as not to overlap with the tooth tip of the inner gear as viewed in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Araki
  • Patent number: 8848302
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8824070
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8824069
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20140169779
    Abstract: At an inner circumferential surface of a cam frame, second cam grooves and an inner gear are formed. A second lens group frame includes a base, extensions each extending from the base in an optical axis direction, and cam pins each outwardly protruding from a tip end part of a corresponding one of the extensions in a radial direction. In the extension, a stepped part is formed. The stepped part overlaps, when each cam pin moves according to a corresponding one of the second cam grooves, with the inner gear as viewed in the radial direction, and is recessed toward the inside in the radial direction as compared to a tooth tip of the inner gear so as not to overlap with the tooth tip of the inner gear as viewed in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiharu ARAKI
  • Publication number: 20140168792
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a barrel body, an optical system disposed inside the barrel body, a zoom motor, a focus motor, a zoom lever switch disposed on the outer circumference of the barrel body and configured to transmit a user's operation instruction to the zoom motor, and a focus lever switch disposed on the outer circumference of the barrel body and configured to transmit a user's operation instruction to the focus motor. The zoom lever switch and the focus lever switch are arranged in a region formed of first and fourth quadrants of the lens barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiharu ARAKI, Makoto NAKAMURA, Tetsuya KANESHIRO
  • Publication number: 20140169781
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens mount, a fixed frame, and a movable frame. The lens mount includes an attachment part to which the fixed frame is attached, and a recessed part which is adjacent to the attachment part and is recessed toward the camera body, and into which an end part of the movable frame enters at least when the movable frame is positioned closest to the lens mount. Part of the attachment part close to the camera body has a tapered surface inclined relative to the optical axis. A counterbore in which a screw for attaching the fixed frame to the attachment part is disposed is formed at the tapered surface. Due to the tapered surface, part of the lens mount where the attachment part is formed has a thickness greater than that of another part of the lens mount where the recessed part is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiharu ARAKI, Hiroshi KANCHIKU
  • Patent number: 8687285
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group unit, a focus lens unit, a fourth lens group unit, a zoom ring unit, and a focus motor. The zoom ring unit mechanically transmits operational force inputted to a zoom ring to the second lens group unit and the fourth lens group unit. The focus motor electrically drives the focus lens unit in the Z axis direction with respect to the second lens group unit. When the zoom ring is operated in a state in which no power is being supplied to the focus motor, a gap is always ensured in the Z axis direction between the focus lens unit and the second lens group unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20140022656
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a flexible printed circuit board, a moving unit, and a support frame. The moving unit is configured to support the flexible printed circuit board. The support frame is configured to allow the moving unit to move in an optical axis direction. The support frame is configured to house the moving unit. The support frame includes a guide groove for guiding the flexible printed circuit board. The moving unit includes a convex portion provided to its outer peripheral portion. At least part of the convex portion is disposed in the guide groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: YOSHIHARU ARAKI
  • Publication number: 20130235470
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group unit, a focus lens unit, a fourth lens group unit, a zoom ring unit, and a focus motor. The zoom ring unit mechanically transmits operational force inputted to a zoom ring to the second lens group unit and the fourth lens group unit. The focus motor electrically drives the focus lens unit in the Z axis direction with respect to the second lens group unit. When the zoom ring is operated in a state in which no power is being supplied to the focus motor, a gap is always ensured in the Z axis direction between the focus lens unit and the second lens group unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: NAOTO YUMIKI, HIDEO ONISHI, YOSHIHARU ARAKI, FUMIO MURAMATSU
  • Patent number: 8498060
    Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes an image optical system with an optical axis. The lens barrel has a first lens, a second lens, a guide shaft, and a driving unit, an adjusting mechanism, and a base frame. The adjusting mechanism is coupled to the guide shaft and has a first and a second portion. The first portion is deflectable and supports one end of the guide shaft. The second portion is configured to press against the first portion to deflect the first portion at an angle relative to the optical axis. The adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the guide shaft. The guide shaft is arranged to at least partially overlap the driving unit in the circumferential direction around the optical axis, and the first lens is arranged to at least partially overlap the adjusting mechanism in the radial direction relative to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Ito, Hironori Honsho, Yoshiharu Araki
  • Patent number: 8456752
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group unit, a focus lens unit, a fourth lens group unit, a zoom ring unit, and a focus motor. The zoom ring unit mechanically transmits operational force inputted to a zoom ring to the second lens group unit and the fourth lens group unit. The focus motor electrically drives the focus lens unit in the Z axis direction with respect to the second lens group unit. When the zoom ring is operated in a state in which no power is being supplied to the focus motor, a gap is always ensured in the Z axis direction between the focus lens unit and the second lens group unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu, Masato Murayama
  • Patent number: 8259404
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20120069459
    Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes an image optical system with an optical axis. The lens barrel has a first lens, a second lens, a guide shaft, and a driving unit, an adjusting mechanism, and a base frame. The adjusting mechanism is coupled to the guide shaft and has a first and a second portion. The first portion is deflectable and supports one end of the guide shaft. The second portion is configured to press against the first portion to deflect the first portion at an angle relative to the optical axis. The adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the guide shaft. The guide shaft is arranged to at least partially overlap the driving unit in the circumferential direction around the optical axis, and the first lens is arranged to at least partially overlap the adjusting mechanism in the radial direction relative to the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Ito, Hironori Honsho, Yoshiharu Araki