Cam Groove Type Patents (Class 359/700)
  • Patent number: 12181638
    Abstract: An optical imaging lens assembly is provided. The optical imaging lens assembly comprises, sequentially along an optical axis from an object side to an image side, a first lens having a refractive power; a second lens having a refractive power; a third lens having a refractive power; a fourth lens having a refractive power, an object-side surface of the fourth lens being a concave surface; a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, an object-side surface of the fifth lens being a convex surface; a sixth lens having a refractive power; a seventh lens having a refractive power; and an eighth lens having a refractive power, wherein a maximal field-of-view FOV of the optical imaging lens assembly and an effective focal length f of the optical imaging lens assembly satisfy: tan(FOV/2)×f>7.68.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SUNNY OPTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Tang, Yu Zhou, Fujian Dai, Liefeng Zhao
  • Patent number: 12066687
    Abstract: A lens barrel and an optical device that can be reduced in size. A lens barrel includes: a cylinder cam with a cam groove; a first movement section having a first cam follower that moves along one side surface of the cam groove in the optical axis OA direction; and a second movement section having a second cam follower that moves along the other side surface of the cam groove in the optical axis OA direction. The position of the first cam follower in the optical axis OA direction and the position of the second cam follower in the optical axis OA direction can overlap each other at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 11906880
    Abstract: There are provided a cam follower of which the amount of elastic deformation can be appropriately restricted with simple configuration and which can be easily manufactured and a lens barrel. A cam follower (100) includes a hollow cam follower body (110) of which a distal end is open, a first slit (130) that is cut toward a proximal end from the distal end of the cam follower body (110), and a second slit (140) that is cut toward an inner peripheral portion from an outer peripheral portion of the cam follower body (110) in a direction orthogonal to an axis. Protruding portions (150) are provided on both inner wall surfaces of the first slit (130) at a distal end portion of the first slit. The protruding portions (150) restrict deformation of the cam follower body (110) equal to or larger than a defined amount of deformation in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 11656431
    Abstract: A camera module includes a first lens having positive refractive power; a second lens having refractive power; a third lens having positive refractive power, and having a concave shape on an image side surface; a fourth lens having negative refractive power; and a fifth lens having refractive power. TTL, a distance from an object side surface of the first lens to an imaging surface and BFL, a distance from an image side surface of the fifth lens to the imaging surface satisfy 1.0<TTL/BFL<3.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Joo Jo, Hag Chul Kim, Hyo Jin Hwang
  • Patent number: 11520117
    Abstract: A lightweight lens barrel with two focus lenses; a first lens holding frame for holding a first lens, a first drive unit for causing the first lens holding frame to move in the optical axis direction, a second lens holding frame for holding a second lens, a second drive unit for causing the second lens holding frame to move in the optical axis direction, and a moving tube with the first driving unit and the second driving unit, and movable in the optical axis direction, wherein the first lens holding frame and the second lens holding frame are each movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the moving tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Kishimoto, Osamu Gomibuchi, Kenichi Kitano
  • Patent number: 11487075
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a base barrel, a lens movable to an object side and an image side relative to the base barrel, an actuator configured to move the lens, a drive board that includes an electric element configured to drive the actuator, and a board holding member configured to hold the drive board and attached to the base barrel from the object side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11378770
    Abstract: A lens barrel moves a plurality of lens groups efficiently in an optical axis direction while inhibiting size of the lens barrel from increasing. The lens barrel comprises a plurality of holding members respectively holding optical components, respectively provided with cam followers, and supported movably in optical axis direction, a cam cylinder having cam grooves engaged with the cam followers, and held rotatably around an axis parallel to an optical axis, and a driving unit configured to drive one holding member out of the plurality in the optical axis direction. By driving the one holding member being in the optical axis direction, the cam cylinder rotates, and another holding member out of the plurality is driven in the optical axis direction. The driving unit includes a vibration-type linear actuator configured to generate thrust force to drive the one holding member by an elliptical vibration generated in a vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei Suzuki, Daisuke Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11307379
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first cam member including a first cam portion engaged with a first lens holding member, the first cam member being configured to rotate and to move the first lens holding member, and a second cam member including a second cam portion engaged with a second lens holding member, the second cam member being configured to rotate around the optical axis to move the second lens holding member in the optical axis direction via the second cam portion. A third engagement portion provided on one of the first lens holding member and the second cam member is engaged with a third cam portion provided on the other. The second cam member is rotated, and moved in the optical axis direction by the third cam portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Atsuto Noda
  • Patent number: 11215784
    Abstract: A lens barrel and camera moves a lens in the optical axis direction at a high speed. This lens barrel is provided with: a first electromagnetic drive unit; a first lens holding frame, which holds a first lens, and moves the first lens in the optical axis direction by means of the first electromagnetic drive unit; a second electromagnetic drive unit; and a second lens holding frame, which holds a second lens, and moves the second lens in the optical axis direction by means of the second electromagnetic drive unit. The first lens holding frame is disposed on the inner circumference side of the second lens holding frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Kinouchi, Kentaro Terao, Satoshi Kazahaya
  • Patent number: 11194117
    Abstract: The lens barrel disclosed herein comprises cam pin (3a, 3b, and 3c) fixed and supported by a lens holding frame (1); a biasing pin (4) that is biased and supported near one cam pin (3a) of the lens holding frame (1); and a cam frame (6) that has cam grooves that engage with each of the cam pins (3a, 3b, and 3c) and the biasing pin (4). The cam groove (7d) that engages with the biasing pin (4) engages with the biasing pin (4) on one side surface in the optical axis direction, and the cam groove (7a) that engages with the cam pin (3a) near the biasing pin (4) engages with the cam pin (3a) on the side surface on the opposite side in the optical axis direction from the side surface that engages with the biasing pin (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Fujinaka
  • Patent number: 11067770
    Abstract: An image pickup unit including a lens barrel having a plurality of first holding members holding optical components, respectively. The image pickup unit includes two vibration-type linear actuators each configured to drive different driving objects in an optical axis direction of the lens barrel. One of the two vibration-type linear actuators drives at least one of the first holding members in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel. The two vibration-type linear actuators are disposed on a first side surface parallel to an optical axis of the lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11029479
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first guide barrel, a first cam barrel, a linear movement barrel, a second guide barrel configured to guide a linear movement of the linear movement barrel in the optical axis direction, and a second cam barrel movable in the optical axis direction as the second guide barrel moves in the optical axis direction, and rotatable around the optical axis relative to the second guide barrel, and the second cam barrel including a second cam configured to move the linear movement barrel in the optical axis direction by a rotation of the second cam barrel. The linear movement barrel is disposed between the second guide barrel disposed on an outer circumference of the linear movement barrel and the second cam barrel disposed on an inner circumference of the linear movement barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinsuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10598890
    Abstract: A lens assembly according to the present disclosure includes at least one lens, a spacer, and a barrel. The at least one lens having an effective region configured to refract light, a flange region formed on at least a part surrounding the effective region, and a first cut formed on a sub region of the flange region. The spacer includes a second cut formed to correspond to the first cut and is configured to maintain a distance between multiple lenses mounted in the barrel. Moreover, the barrel is configured to receive the at least one lens and the spacer, in which the lens and the spacer are disposed inside the barrel such that the first cut and the second cut correspond to a third cut formed on an outer circumferential surface of the barrel. Various embodiments of the lens assembly and an electronic device including the same are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Yong Kim, Byung-Kwon Kang, Hyun-Jun Shin
  • Patent number: 10520697
    Abstract: A camera device is provided, including a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a frame, a base, a plurality of suspension wires, and an electromagnetic driving mechanism. The frame surrounds the first lens unit and the second lens unit. The suspension wires are connected to the base and the frame. The electromagnetic driving mechanism can drive the frame to move along a first direction relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chao-Chang Hu, Chen-Hsien Fan
  • Patent number: 10495956
    Abstract: A projector including an outer casing, a projection lens and a flexible sealing element is provided. The casing has a first opening. The projection lens is disposed in the casing and has a focusing portion, where the focusing portion is aligned to the first opening. The flexible sealing element is connected to a periphery of the first opening to seal the first opening. The focusing portion is connected to the flexible sealing element. When an external force is exerted to the flexible sealing element, the flexible sealing element is deformed and drives the focusing portion to move, so as to focus the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Chen Chen, Chia-Tien Chen
  • Patent number: 10473885
    Abstract: A lens barrel which reliably retracts a retractable lens group without increasing thickness in a direction of an optical axis before an adjoining lens group is housed. A first lens holding member holds a first lens. A cam cylinder drives the first holding member along the optical axis. At a shooting position, the second holding member that holds a second lens lies on an optical axis, and at a collapsed position, the second holding member retracts to a retracted position by engaging with a moving member that moves toward the image plane in response to movement of the cam cylinder toward the image plane. The cam cylinder has a cam groove, on which the first holding member moves toward a subject before the second holding member starts retracting in a process of shifting from the shooting position to the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kudoh
  • Patent number: 10302893
    Abstract: The present application discloses an optical post system for use with an optical mount device and includes at least one post body having at least one engaging surface formed thereon, at least one fastener recess configured to receive at least one fastener configured to couple the optical post system to at least one work surface therein formed in the post body, at least one fastener adjustment relief having at least one angled fastener plate positioned therein formed in the post body wherein the fastener adjustment relief is in communication with the fastener via the fastener recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Newport Corporation
    Inventors: Wen Xu Jin, James Fisher
  • Patent number: 10288836
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes: a movable barrel arranged in a fixed barrel and holding an optical element; a converter that moves the optical element in an optical axis direction by rotating the movable barrel to the fixed barrel about an optical axis; and an operating part supported to the fixed barrel rotatably about an axis perpendicular to the optical axis, and arranged such that the operating part is rotated from outside of the fixed barrel. The operating part includes an eccentric shaft having an axis different from the rotation axis of the operating part and protruding to the inner diameter side, the eccentric shaft engages with a straight groove provided on the movable barrel and in parallel with the optical axis, and rotation of the operating part rotates the movable barrel about the optical axis via the eccentric shaft to move the optical element in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Go Shibasaki
  • Patent number: 10254630
    Abstract: An optical driving apparatus attached to an optical apparatus having a ring member that is rotatable on an outer circumference of a barrel includes a driver configured to rotate the ring member, a detector configured to detect an object that has entered a space between the optical apparatus and the optical driving apparatus, and a controller configured to control the driver in accordance with a detection of the object by the detector when the driver is rotating the ring member. The detector has a contacted portion configured to contact the object, and detects the object when the object is pressed against the contacted portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kaori Tomura, Hideomi Nakagami, Koji Sato
  • Patent number: 10254560
    Abstract: A lens barrel having a reduced size and a related optical apparatus is disclosed. The lens barrel includes a cylindrical fixed frame and a cylindrical movable frame. The cylindrical first frame includes an outer wall extending around the optical axis and a cylindrical second frame is inserted thereto the first frame. The first frame includes a notch having first assembly portions at both side portions. The second frame includes second assembly portions that are assembled to be fixed to the first assembly portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10162149
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for focus control in an imaging system. The methods and apparatus may comprise various circuits and/or systems configured to measure the ambient temperature of the lens module and compute a corrected target position based on known thermal characteristics of the lens and/or the lens barrel. Factors used to obtain the corrected target position may comprise the material the of the lens barrel, the thermal time constant of the lens barrel, the linear expansion coefficient of the lens barrel, the effective focal length (EFL) of the lens, the thermal response of the lens, and/or the temperature characteristic coefficient of the EFL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 10133022
    Abstract: An optical device includes a fixed tube that has a straight groove extending in a first direction parallel to an optical axis of the optical device, a cam ring that has a cam groove extending in a second direction intersecting to the first direction, a cam follower that is engaged with the straight groove and the cam groove, a lens unit that moves in conjunction with the cam follower in the first direction, and an auxiliary cam follower that is engaged with the straight groove and that is not engaged with the cam groove. When the fixed tube and the cam ring relatively rotate, the lens unit moves in the first direction. Further, the lens unit is fixed to the cam follower and the auxiliary cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Nittoh Inc.
    Inventor: Takuya Kageyama
  • Patent number: 10082639
    Abstract: A lens barrel in which a lens can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis includes: a first frame having a cam follower and a cam follower base that holds the cam follower; and a second frame that has a cam groove engageable with the cam follower. The first frame and the second frame are moved relatively to each other along the optical axis. The cam follower base has a first end connected to the main body of the first frame via at least one thin portion, and a second end not connected to the main body. The thin portion is formed such that a thickness of the thin portion in a radial direction of the lens barrel is smaller than that of the cam follower base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Fujinaka, Toshiyuki Nakada, Tetsuya Uno
  • Patent number: 9939604
    Abstract: Optical assemblies include a barrel defining a cavity having a center axis, a sleeve inserted in the cavity, one or more optical elements mounted within the sleeve and a retaining ring inserted into the cavity and securing the sleeve. The sleeve engages the barrel inner wall through a thread engagement allowing a longitudinal displacement of the sleeve within the cavity. The retaining ring is also threadably engaged within the barrel, and the profile of the corresponding threads, as well as the spatial profile of a peripheral transversal surface of the sleeve engaging the retaining ring, are selected to provide centering of the sleeve with respect to the center axis of the cavity throughout the longitudinal displacement of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUE
    Inventors: Frédéric Lamontagne, Nichola Desnoyers
  • Patent number: 9846293
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first lens holder 1, a second lens holder 2, a third lens holder 3, and elastically deformers 3a, 3b, and 3c integrally formed on the third lens holder to apply elastic forces on the second lens holder in an optical-axis direction. The second lens holder is arranged between the first lens holder and the third lens holder. The position of the second lens holder is adjustable in the direction orthogonal to an optical axis before the second lens holder is bonded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9602706
    Abstract: A rotatable operating member which reduces manufacturing costs and prevents false detection of a rotation angle has a member and a sheet. The member has a circumferential surface, and the sheet is fixed to the circumferential surface of the member. A reflectivity of a surface of the sheet is different from a reflectivity of the circumferential surface of the member. The sheet has a plurality of holes with width A formed side by side in a circumferential direction and the sheet is fixed such that a gap with width A is provided between both ends of the sheet in the circumferential direction. A part of the circumferential surface is regularly exposed from the holes and the gap in a circumferential direction of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoichi Osada
  • Patent number: 9551855
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a base barrel, a movable barrel including first and second hole portions, a circumferentially rotatable barrel and first guide members. The base barrel includes straight guide portions guiding the movable barrel along an optical axis, the rotatable barrel includes cam portions moving the movable barrel with rotation of the rotatable barrel, the first guide members engage with the cam and straight guide portions. The cam portions, straight guide portions and first guide members are respectively provided at multiple circumferential phases, a guide member among the first guide members provided at a first phase engages with the first hole portion, each of other guide members among the first guide members provided at two or more second phases engages with each of the second hole portions. A circumferential width of each second hole portion is larger than that of the first hole portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Nagao
  • Patent number: 9513461
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a cam frame, a zoom motor unit driving the cam frame to rotate, and a fifth group unit engaging with the cam frame through a fifth cam follower. The cam frame is provided with an internal gear engaging with the zoom motor unit, and a fifth cam groove engaging with the fifth cam follower. The fifth cam groove is continuous with a tooth space formed between two adjacent teeth of the internal gear. The fifth cam follower is smaller than the tooth space to pass through the tooth space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Fujinaka
  • Patent number: 9513462
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a stationary tube, a cam ring, and a rectilinear motion tube. The rectilinear motion tube is moved by the rotation of the cam ring in the optical axis direction. A lens frame holding a lens is moved by a driving unit (feed screw and a motor) in the optical axis direction. The stationary tube includes a main guide bar in the optical axis direction. The rectilinear motion tube includes another main guide bar in the optical axis direction. The lens frame includes first and second fitting portions slidably supported by the main guide bars in the optical axis direction, and the first and second fitting portions are disposed separately in the optical axis direction, and the main guide bars are disposed in different positions around the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Izumi
  • 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: 9164255
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a cam cylinder that is provided with a cam groove on the inner circumference thereof and a linear cylinder that restricts movement of the lens holding unit. A plurality of bayonet protrusions are provided on the linear cylinder at different positions in the optical axis direction. A plurality of bayonet grooves that engage with the bayonet protrusions provided on the linear cylinder so as to achieve the relative position restriction between the cam cylinder and the linear cylinder in the optical axis direction are further provided on the inner circumference of the cam cylinder. In accordance with the relative rotation of the cam cylinder with respect to the linear cylinder, the relative position restriction between the cam cylinder and the linear cylinder due to the engagement of the bayonet protrusions with the bayonet grooves is changed to position restriction depending on the relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohei Uemura
  • Patent number: 9116287
    Abstract: The lens structure comprises a first barrel, a second barrel and a third barrel. The second barrel has a first guiding groove and comprises a first pin. The third barrel has a second guiding groove and a second pin. The first barrel is rotatably disposed outside of the third barrel, and the second barrel is translatably but not rotatably disposed inside of the third barrel. The first pin of the second barrel slides along the second guiding groove of the third barrel, and the second pin of the third barrel slides along the first guiding groove of the second barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cheng-Nan Chiang
  • Publication number: 20150124331
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a cam frame, a zoom motor unit driving the cam frame to rotate, and a fifth group unit engaging with the cam frame through a fifth cam follower. The cam frame is provided with an internal gear engaging with the zoom motor unit, and a fifth cam groove engaging with the fifth cam follower. The fifth cam groove is continuous with a tooth space formed between two adjacent teeth of the internal gear. The fifth cam follower is smaller than the tooth space to pass through the tooth space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Hiroyasu FUJINAKA
  • Patent number: 9025257
    Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel including: a guide shaft in an axial form supported by a reference member; a holding member holding an optical system, and movable in an axial direction of the guide shaft with respect to the reference member; and an interlocking member including an engaging section engaging with the holding member, the interlocking member moving in the axial direction while rotating around an optical axis of the optical system, and moving along the guide shaft without rotating the holding member. The lens barrel may include a driving cylinder including a cam groove engaging with the interlocking member, where when rotated around the optical axis, the driving cylinder drives the interlocking member by means of the cam groove, to cause the interlocking member to move linearly in the direction of the guide shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kunihiro Fukino
  • Publication number: 20150092282
    Abstract: A lens barrel of the present invention is a lens barrel holding a photographing optical system which is a zoom lens constituted by five groups and includes: a cylindrical cam barrel arranged to be rotatable around an optical axis; a first lens driving section driving the cam barrel around the optical axis; a plurality of first cam grooves carved on an outer circumferential surface of the cam barrel; and a plurality of second cam grooves carved on an inner circumferential surface of the cam barrel. A first lens group holding barrel has a plurality of cam followers that are recessed in the first cam grooves; and each of a second lens group holding barrel and a third lens group holding barrel has a plurality of cam followers that are recessed in the second cam grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Tsubasa NIIYAMA, Mayu MIKI, Akinori NISHIO, Masahito WATANABE, Masaya OTA
  • Publication number: 20150070782
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first barrel which rotates around an optical axis; and a second barrel which supports the first barrel to slide freely around the optical axis and to be movable in an optical axis direction. One of the barrels includes a cam follower, and a cam groove is formed in the other. When the first barrel rotates, the cam follower slides in the cam groove. The cam groove includes first and second sliding portions, and an inclination angle of the first sliding portion to the optical axis is smaller than that of the second sliding portion. When transitioning from the collapsed to the photographing state, the cam follower slides on the first sliding portion and the first barrel extends. When transitioning from the photographing to the collapsed state, the cam follower slides on the second sliding portion and the first barrel is incorporated in the second barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: TETSURO YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8964306
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes an outer barrel including a first cam follower, an internal movable member including a second cam follower, a cam ring, a first cam groove formed on a surface of the cam ring and engaged with the first cam follower, and a second cam groove formed on the surface of the cam ring and is open at a front end of the cam ring. When the outer barrel is positioned in front of a predetermined position, the second cam groove determines a position of the internal movable member in the outer barrel via a limit portion while the second cam groove is not engaged with the second cam follower, and when the outer barrel moves rearward beyond the predetermined position, the second cam groove engages with the second cam follower and moves the internal movable member rearward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nomura, Mutsumi Koguchi
  • Publication number: 20150043088
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a cam cylinder that is provided with a cam groove on the inner circumference thereof and a linear cylinder that restricts movement of the lens holding unit. A plurality of bayonet protrusions are provided on the linear cylinder at different positions in the optical axis direction. A plurality of bayonet grooves that engage with the bayonet protrusions provided on the linear cylinder so as to achieve the relative position restriction between the cam cylinder and the linear cylinder in the optical axis direction are further provided on the inner circumference of the cam cylinder. In accordance with the relative rotation of the cam cylinder with respect to the linear cylinder, the relative position restriction between the cam cylinder and the linear cylinder due to the engagement of the bayonet protrusions with the bayonet grooves is changed to position restriction depending on the relative rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Kohei Uemura
  • Publication number: 20150043089
    Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes a lens holding unit configured to hold a lens; and a cam cylinder that is provided with a cam groove for engaging with the lens holding unit on the inner circumference thereof and of which rotation causes the lens holding unit to move in an optical axis direction. A projection is provided at the end of the cam cylinder on an imaging side, a first gear for transmitting the power for rotating the cam cylinder is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the projection, and the cam groove is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Kohei Uemura
  • Patent number: 8953253
    Abstract: The present lens barrel is provided with a cylindrical moving frame and a cylindrical cam frame disposed on the inner periphery of the moving frame. The cylindrical moving frame has a first cam follower and a second cam follower. The first cam follower projects radially from the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface. The second cam follower projects radially further from the top of the first cam follower. The cylindrical cam frame is disposed on the inner periphery or the outer periphery of the moving frame, and has a first cam and a second cam on the outer peripheral surface side or the inner peripheral surface side. The first cam engages with the first cam follower, and has a cam surface only on the image plane side in the optical axis direction. The second cam is formed on the bottom surface of the first cam, and engages with the second cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Fujinaka
  • Publication number: 20150036227
    Abstract: An optical device whose impact resistance against an impact improved without increasing the size thereof. A first-group lens barrel holds has radially protruding follower pins formed thereon. A cam ring is disposed outside the first-group lens barrel, and has cam grooves formed therein for engagement with the follower pins. A diaphragm unit disposed rearward of the first-group lens barrel and a second-group lens barrel disposed rearward of the diaphragm unit move in the optical axis direction. When the diaphragm unit and the second-group lens barrel move in the optical axis direction, the optical device is switched between a wide angle position in which first protrusions formed on the diaphragm unit are positioned inside the follower pins and a telephoto position in which third protrusions formed on the second-group lens barrel are positioned inside the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Akihiko Masuki
  • Patent number: 8947787
    Abstract: A lens barrel of the present invention comprises: first and second guide shafts arranged parallel to an optical axis X and provided in one of adjacent lens holding frames; first and second guide receiving holes formed in another of the adjacent lens holding frames for allowing the first and second guide shafts to be inserted therethrough and guided by the first and second guide shafts respectively; a first urging means of urging the one and the another of the adjacent lens holding frames along the direction of the optical axis; and a second urging means to rotate another of the adjacent lens holding frames in a circumferential direction of the first guide shaft. The first guide receiving hole is guided by the first guide shaft at two positions that are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nittoh Kogaku K K
    Inventor: Keisuke Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20150022903
    Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel whose diameter can be reduced. The lens barrel includes a rotary frame having a gear on an inner peripheral surface, and a retracting lens frame which holds a retracting lens configured to retract from an optical axis along with rotation of the rotary frame. A position where the retracting lens retracts is where the gear of the rotary frame is located when the retracting lens is positioned on the optical axis. The rotary frame includes a first cam groove on an outer peripheral surface, and a second cam groove on the inner peripheral surface. The lens barrel also includes a first lens frame having a first cam follower which is mounted on the first cam groove, and a second lens frame having a second cam follower which is mounted on the second cam groove. The retracting lens frame is held by the second lens frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Akira KOGA
  • Patent number: 8928996
    Abstract: A lens barrel assembly, which has improved shock resistance and quickly resumes normal operation when external shock is applied, includes a first barrel including an elastic moving pin which protrudes toward a second barrel and elastically deforms. The second barrel includes a first guide groove into which the elastic moving pin is inserted and which extends obliquely in a circumferential direction to guide a movement of the first barrel, and at least one second guide groove including an end separated from the first guide groove and another end connected to the first guide groove to guide the elastic moving pin so that the elastic moving pin returns into the first guide groove when the elastic moving pin is separated from the first guide groove. The second barrel rotates in an optical axis direction and supports the first barrel so that the first barrel moves relative to the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-seok Kang, Min-hyuk Nam, Hee-seung Choi
  • Patent number: 8928997
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a cam ring configured to be rotatably driven, a lens holding cylinder provided on an outer circumference of the cam ring and configured to hold a lens, and a barrier cylinder configured to hold a lens barrier, the barrier cylinder includes a cylinder portion, a first protrusion which extends from the cylinder portion toward an image plane side, and a cam engagement portion which is engaged with a cam groove of the cam ring, the lens holding cylinder includes a cylinder portion and a second protrusion which extends from the cylinder portion toward the image plane side, and the second protrusion of the lens holding cylinder is arranged so as to overlap with the cam engagement portion of the barrier cylinder in a radial direction orthogonal to an optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takumi Uehara
  • Publication number: 20140375868
    Abstract: The lens apparatus allows adjustment of lens tilt due to component variation caused by tolerance. The lens barrel includes a straight guiding barrel having a straight groove portion, a cam barrel having a cam groove portion, a straight movable barrel disposed outside the straight guiding and cam barrels, holding a lens and being movable in an optical axis direction by a relative movement of the straight guiding and cam barrels. A cam follower includes first and second cylindrical portions that respectively engage with the straight groove and cam groove portions. The first and second cylindrical portions have central axes decentered from each other. The cam follower includes an operation portion allowing rotational operation of the first and second cylindrical portions from outside of the straight movable barrel. A connecting member connects the cam follower and the straight movable barrel with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Kunihiko SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20140376104
    Abstract: This disclosure aims to miniaturize a lens barrel. The lens barrel includes: a movable frame which has two cam followers provided in a circumferential direction about an optical axis and two guide protrusions arranged along an optical axis direction; a cam frame having two cam grooves with which the two cam followers of the movable frame are engaged respectively; and a guide frame having one guide groove with which the two guide protrusions are engaged. The two cam followers and the two guide protrusions restrict tilting of the movable frame with respect to the cam frame and the guide frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Hiroyasu FUJINAKA
  • Publication number: 20140376103
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a lens barrel which can realize miniaturization thereof in a radial direction even when a drive part such as an actuator is disposed inside the lens barrel. The lens barrel according to this disclosure receives light from a subject and forms an image by a lens system. The lens barrel includes a fixed frame, a cam frame disposed on an inner peripheral side of the fixed frame and having at least one cam groove, a movable frame including a cam pin which engages with the cam groove of the cam frame and movable in an optical axis direction of the lens system, and a drive part engaging with the cam frame at an end portion of the cam frame, rotatably driving the cam frame, and being disposed at a position where the drive part and the cam frame are arranged in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke ITO
  • Publication number: 20140355132
    Abstract: In an optical device, a first spring connects a first lens frame and a second lens frame for exerting a spring force thereon so that first pins of the first lens frame and second pins of the second lens frame abut a first cam groove and a second cam groove of a cam barrel respectively. A second spring connects the second lens frame and a third lens frame for exerting a spring force thereon so that the second pins of the second lens frame and third pins of the third lens frame abut the second cam groove and a third cam groove of the cam barrel respectively. The first spring may be a compression spring, and the second spring may be an extension spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicants: Sintai Optical (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Asia Optical International Ltd.
    Inventors: Duen-Kwei Hwang, Tsung-Tse Chen, Yong-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20140355133
    Abstract: With a lens barrel, the depth of a first cam groove is substantially the same as the depth of a second cam groove. The length of a first cam protrusion in a first direction is greater than the length of the second straight portion in the first direction. The length of a second cam protrusion in a second direction is greater than the length of a first straight portion in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Tetsuya UNO