Sliding Barrels Patents (Class 359/826)
  • Patent number: 11428503
    Abstract: An optic for a firearm includes a housing, an optics train, an adjustment ring, and a detector. The optics train is disposed within the housing and along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The adjustment ring is supported by the housing and configured to adjust a magnification of the optics train. The detector is engaged with the adjustment ring and configured to convert rotation of the adjustment ring into a digital magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Trijicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah Mauricio, Andrew Boss
  • Patent number: 11353678
    Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a base plate, a base body, a lens holding section, and a first bonding material. An imaging element is implemented on the base plate. The base body includes a first surface portion arranged to be oriented toward the base plate, and is connected to the base plate. The lens holding section includes a second surface portion spaced from the first surface portion, and holds a lens section that forms an image of light that enters the lens section. The first bonding material is filled into a space between the first surface portion and the second surface portion to connect the base body and the lens holding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Imai, Kazuki Sakae, Takashi Warashina
  • Patent number: 11320627
    Abstract: A lens barrel including a first lens, an actuator that drives the first lens, a first barrel that holds a first cam follower and the actuator and moves in an optical axis direction, a second lens, and a second barrel that holds a second cam follower and the second lens and moves in the optical axis direction, the second barrel having a first hole portion in which the first cam follower is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Sakai, Yuji Ihara
  • Patent number: 10884224
    Abstract: An imaging optical system of the present disclosure includes a first lens group having positive power, a second lens group having negative power, a third lens group having the positive power, and a succeeding lens group including one or more lens groups in order from an object side toward an image side. The third lens group includes a lens having the positive power and a lens having the positive power in order from the object side toward the image side, and includes a lens L3R1 having the positive power, a lens L3R2 having the positive power, and a lens L3R3 having the negative power in order from the image side toward the object side. The lens L3R2 and the lens L3R3 are bonded, the lens L3R1 moves to optically correct image blur, and at least a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group changes during zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kurioka, Takahiro Kitada
  • Patent number: 10712531
    Abstract: A lens structure includes a lens barrel and a lens. The lens barrel includes at least two first locking structures. The lens is disposed in the lens barrel and includes at least two second locking structures. The first locking structures are respectively locked to the second locking structures, so that the lens is fixed to the lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: LUXVISIONS INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Jyun-Jie Lin
  • Patent number: 9977215
    Abstract: A lens tube includes: a cylindrical exterior member having one axial end disposed on an object side and the other axial end disposed on an image side; a cylindrical protective member including an elastic body protecting the exterior member; and a cylindrical attachment-mounting member disposed on the inside of the exterior member and configured to mount an attachment, the protective member including: a cylindrical body disposed between the exterior member and the attachment-mounting member; an exterior-member protection portion provided at an axial end on the object side of the cylindrical body to project to the object side; and a flange portion projecting radially inwardly from an inner periphery of the cylindrical body and facing an axial end surface on the image side of the attachment-mounting member, the cylindrical body and the flange portion having at least three notched portions, the attachment-mounting member including at least three fixing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Mitani
  • Patent number: 9915801
    Abstract: An auto focusing (AF) module includes a fixed base, an AF barrel configured to support a focus lens, an AF base supported by the fixed base and configured to support the AF barrel such that the AF barrel that moves along an optical axis. A stepper motor is fixed to the AF base and provides a driving force to the AF barrel; a bonding member is arranged between the fixed base and the AF base, the bonding member being configured to bond the fixed base and the AF base to each other. The AF module may fix the AF base in an optimum location with respect to the fixed base, so that the assembling error of a first guide shaft assembled in the AF base may be compensated. The AF module may be fixed to the optimum location with respect to another component, such as the lens frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoon-seok Kang
  • Patent number: 9854969
    Abstract: An indirect contact lens is mechanically coupled to a surgical microscope during ophthalmic surgery, such as vitreoretinal surgery. The indirect contact lens rests on a cornea of an eye of a patient during the surgery but is supported by a surgical microscope attachment having multiple degrees of freedom to accommodate small movements of the eye while remaining aligned to an optical axis of the surgical microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventors: Ron Smith, Tammo Heeren, Steve Charles
  • Patent number: 9838578
    Abstract: An assembling set including frame and assembling assembly. The frame includes fixing member and restricting member. The fixing member has through slot having restricting section and releasing section extending along first axis. The restricting member includes main plate and restricting protrusion. The main plate is slidably on the fixing member so that the restricting protrusion is slidable in the through slot along second axis which is nonparallel to the first axis. The assembling assembly includes main body and assembling protrusion. The assembling protrusion protrudes from the main body and in the through slot so as to be restricted in the restricting section or released from the releasing section. When the assembling protrusion is located in the restricting section, and the restricting protrusion is located in the through slot, the assembling protrusion is restricted to be in the restricting section so that the assembling assembly is fixed to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: VIVOTEK INC.
    Inventor: Shang-Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 9316807
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first blade member, a second blade member provided at an object side of the first blade member and overlapped with at least part of the first blade member in an optical axis direction, a drive unit configured to perform an opening and closing drive of the first blade member and the second blade member, and a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force to the drive unit, the biasing member is disposed in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis with respect to the first blade member, and the biasing member is disposed so as to overlap with at least part of the second blade member in the optical axis direction during an opening and closing operation of the second blade member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Katano
  • Patent number: 9268109
    Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel capable of providing good operational feeling, the lens barrel including: a first barrel in which a cam groove having a shape curved with respect to a predetermined axis direction is formed to pierce through the first barrel; a second barrel capable of rotating around the predetermined axis along an outer circumferential surface of the first barrel, a straight groove extending in the predetermined axis direction being formed in the second barrel; a moving member that has a cam pin moving along the cam groove and the straight groove and moves in the predetermined axis direction while holding a lens inside the first barrel as the second barrel rotates with respect to the first barrel; and a damping mechanism that applies damping force depending on an angle of the cam groove to the predetermined axis direction to the second barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masateru Asayama
  • Patent number: 9030756
    Abstract: A driving apparatus of a zoom lens includes a rotary barrel, a fixed barrel, a guiding rail, and a lens frame. The rotary barrel has at least a protrusion on an outer side thereof. The fixed barrel receives the rotary barrel therein, and has at least a guiding slot and a recess on an inner side thereof. The protrusion of the rotary barrel engages the guiding slot of the fixed barrel, and the guiding slot is communicated with the recess. The guiding rail is provided in the recess of the fixed barrel. The lens frame is received in the fixed barrel, and engages the guiding rail to be driven to move along the guiding rail. Therefore, all the elements of the driving apparatus are received in the fixed barrel that it may reduce the size of the driving apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Yu Hsueh
  • Patent number: 9027222
    Abstract: A lens assembly method for assembling a plurality of lenses into a plurality of lens tubes is disclosed. The method includes providing a lens assembly tool comprising a lens receiving frame, a positioning plate, and a pressing plate forming a plurality of pressing punches; positioning a plurality of lens tubes in a plurality of receiving holes of the lens receiving frame; positioning one lens in each of the lens tubes; positioning the positioning plate on the lens receiving frame with the lens tubes extending through a plurality of through holes of the positioning plate; and positioning the pressing plate on the positioning plate with the pressing punches entering into the lens tubes to push the lenses into the lens tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 9007704
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder configured to hold a plurality of lens units that constitute a main optical system, an extender configured to be rotatably held by the fixed cylinder and disposed between the plurality of lens units, a first shaft configured to rotate the extender around a first axis that is parallel to an optical axis of the main optical system so that the extender is inserted into or retracted from an optical path of the main optical system, a second shaft configured to rotate around a second axis that is parallel to the optical axis so as to transmit a rotation to the first shaft, and an exterior member attached to the fixed cylinder, the second shaft is attached to the exterior member, the exterior member is attached to the fixed cylinder, and the rotation of the second shaft is transmitted to the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigehiro Torii
  • Patent number: 8976461
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first frame, a second frame configured to be rotatably supported by the first frame, a drive actuator that is disposed on the inside of the second frame, and a transmission mechanism disposed on the inside of the second frame and configured to transmit the drive force of the drive actuator to the second frame. The imaging device includes the above-mentioned lens barrel and an imaging element that converts an optical image formed by this lens barrel into image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Koga
  • Patent number: 8928800
    Abstract: An imaging device comprises a lens barrel including an optical system that collects light from a predetermined viewing area and that defines an optical axis; an imaging unit that receives the light collected by the optical system and generates image data, the image data defining a main image that includes a determined sub area; a ring-shaped operation ring that is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel and that is manually rotatable about the optical axis of the optical system; and an area change unit that changes at least one of (A) a size of the determined sub area, or (B) a position of the determined sub area, responsive to a manual operation of the operation ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Kazunori Yuge, Tetsuya Takagi
  • 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: 8908285
    Abstract: The zoom lens includes a front unit including a first positive lens unit and a second positive or negative lens unit, a reflective mirror and a rear unit including two or more lens units. During zooming, the reflective mirror is not moved, and the first lens unit and at least two lens units of the rear unit are moved. When the zoom lens is retracted into a body of an image pickup apparatus, at least one of rotation of the reflective mirror such that a normal line thereto is brought closer to parallel to an optical axis of the rear unit and axial movement thereof in a direction of the optical axis of the rear unit is performed. The front unit is moved into a space formed by the at least one of the rotation and the axial movement. Conditions of 10.5<ft/|fn|<30.0 and 0.80<(Lf?L)/Lm<1.30 are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Wada
  • Publication number: 20140340777
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a support frame and a retracting lens frame. The support frame includes a main body portion, a first linking portion and a second linking portion. The first region is configured to dispose the second lens in the imaging enabled state. The second region is formed continuously with the first region. The first linking portion links the second region on one side of the main body portion in the optical axis direction. The second linking portion links the second region on the other side of the main body portion in the optical axis direction. The retracting lens frame is disposed between the first linking portion and the second linking portion in a housed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Akio KONISHI, Tetsuya UNO, Fumio SHINANO
  • 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: 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: 8837062
    Abstract: A lens unit includes an operating member to be operated by a user, an area configured to switch the operating member between an operable state and an inoperable state, and an urging member configured to urge the operation locking member toward the position at which the operating member is brought into the inoperable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Uehara
  • Patent number: 8830605
    Abstract: A lens unit has an optical system having at least one lens, a lens holder supporting the optical system and a lens frame having a guide component. The guide component guides a movement of the lens holder in a first direction. The lens holder has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed slidably over the guide component. The second portion is disposed slidably over the guide component and disposed spaced apart from the first portion in the first direction. The guide component is sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion by an elastic force of the first portion and/or the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Miyamoto, Hiroshi Kurumatani, Tadashi Niki, Akio Konishi
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8796582
    Abstract: A laser welding apparatus includes a laser welding unit including a first lens adapted to focus a laser beam; a second lens adapted to diffuse the laser beam to the first lens; and a third lens adapted to guide the laser beam to the second lens. The relative positions of the first lens, the second lens, and the third lens, are adjusted to adjust a diffusion angle and a beam width of the laser beam entering the first lens. The laser welding apparatus performs: actuating the laser welding unit to travel at a predetermined speed along a predetermined trajectory; directing the laser beam at a first welding spot; adjusting the focal length to focus the laser beam at the first welding spot; holding the laser focal spot size substantially constant; and directing the laser beam at a second welding spot after completion of welding for the first welding spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Showa Optronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kawai, Yuji Hamaguchi, Tatsuya Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8780469
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus enabling construction of a small bending optical system with high magnification. A first lens group is movably disposed toward an object on a first optical axis. A second lens group is movably disposed radially inward of the first lens group. The second lens group comprises a drive frame drivingly controlled along the first optical axis and a lens holding frame for holding the second lens group. A prism is disposed on the first optical axis, for bending light incident on the prism to thereby guide the light along a second optical axis. The prism is retracted along the second optical axis in a non-shooting state. In the non-shooting state, the second lens group is retracted and accommodated in a space defined by the drive frame and the lens holding frame and a space occupied by the prism in a shooting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harushige Yamamoto, Kazushige Ichino
  • Patent number: 8767323
    Abstract: A rotation of a first eccentric member adjusts a parallel eccentricity of an optical element held by a holding member, rotation of a second eccentric member adjusts a tilt eccentricity of the optical element held by a holding member, and change of a position of an engaging member and a position where the second eccentric member is engaged with a second groove portion adjusts a position of the optical element in the direction of an optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiichi Kashiwaba
  • Patent number: 8736988
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an imaging device including an epoxy reservoir and a number of features to facilitate alignment of components during assembly of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwok Sing Cheng, Chuen Kuen Yeung
  • Patent number: 8705187
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a first lens barrel member and a second lens barrel member coupled with the first lens barrel member via a cam mechanism. The first lens barrel member includes a stopper portion and a gear portion. The stopper portion comes into contact with a first contact surface formed in the second lens barrel member, when the first lens barrel member protruding from the second lens barrel member in the optical axis direction receives the external force from a front end side of the first lens barrel member in its protruding direction, to restrict a displacement of the first lens barrel member with respect to the second lens barrel member due to the external force. The gear portion comes into contact with a second contact surface formed in the second lens barrel member to restrict the displacement due to the external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kudoh
  • Patent number: 8687298
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder, a first rotary cylinder rotatably provided around an axis relative to the fixed cylinder, and a moving cylinder disposed inside of the first rotary cylinder to move integrally with the first rotary cylinder on the axis and rotate around the axis relative to the first rotary cylinder. The moving cylinder includes a front protrusion group of three or more protrusions and a rear protrusion group of two or more protrusions on an outer circumference. The first rotary cylinder includes, in an inner circumference, a first circumferential groove, a second circumferential groove, a first guide having three or more depressions, and a second guide having two or more depressions. The first rotary cylinder and the moving cylinder are coupled with each other by fitting the front and rear protrusion groups into the first and second circumferential grooves, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Terunori Koyama
  • Patent number: 8665540
    Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes a base, a motor, a drive gear, and a rotary frame. The motor is fixed to the base and produces a driving force. The drive gear is coupled to the base and configured to transmit the driving force. The rotary frame has a substantially cylindrical shape and a gear component disposed on at least part of its inner peripheral surface. The gear component meshes with the drive gear so that during rotation of the drive gear the rotary frame rotates, via the driving force, relative to the base component and advances and retracts along a rotational axis of the lens barrel. The length of the drive gear is greater than the length of the gear component, and as the rotary frame and the gear component advance and retract, the gear component remains within a range of opposing ends of the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Ito
  • Patent number: 8665534
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first frame, a second frame configured to be rotatably supported by the first frame, a drive actuator that is disposed on the inside of the second frame, and a transmission mechanism disposed on the inside of the second frame and configured to transmit the drive force of the drive actuator to the second frame. The imaging device includes the above-mentioned lens barrel and an imaging element that converts an optical image formed by this lens barrel into image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Koga
  • Patent number: 8625205
    Abstract: A lens barrel which can increase the relative movement interval of lens units in the direction of an optical axis without increasing the dimension of a translating cylinder, which inhibits the rotation of the lens units, in the direction of the optical axis. The movement of a second lens unit holding second group lenses is switched from linear guide by a first translating guide unit to linear guide by a second translating guide unit when the second lens unit moves in a direction relatively away from a first lens unit holding first group lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kudoh
  • Publication number: 20130148216
    Abstract: A lens structure is provided. The lens structure comprises a first barrel, at least one guider and a second barrel. The first barrel has a first groove, and comprises a first pin. The guider is slidably set to the first groove. The guider comprises a main body, a first limiting portion and a second limit portion. The main body has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first limiting portion is connected to the main body and located between the first end and the second end. The second limiting portion is connected to the second end. The second barrel moves with the guider through the first limiting portion and has a second groove to which the first pin of the first barrel is set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8422155
    Abstract: A sliding member structure is stably operated by preventing rattling and achieves a decrease in cost. A male helicoid is provided in a fixed barrel, and a female helicoid is provided in a focus barrel. The focus barrel is made of a light-transmissive resin. The fixed barrel is made of a sliding material to which a curable material is not fixed. The fixed barrel and the focus barrel are set by a fixture to dispose the male helicoid and the female helicoid with a predetermined clearance, and the curable material is filled into the clearance between the male helicoid and the female helicoid. The curable material is cured by irradiating UV rays. A cured material layer is formed on a surface of the male helicoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8422156
    Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes a fixed frame, a rotary frame, a moving frame that moves in an optical axis direction with the rotary frame, a float key that is restricted from rotating and moves, an inner cam frame that has a cam follower, is rotationally driven by the rotary frame, and moves in the optical axis direction, a guide frame that has a cam follower, and moves in the optical axis direction, an outer cam frame moves in the optical axis direction with the guide frame, and moves relatively with respect to the guide frame, a second group zoom frame that holds a second group lens, has a cam follower, is restricted from rotating around the optical axis, and moves in the optical axis direction, and a first group zoom frame that holds a first group lens, has a cam follower, and moves in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Manabu Yoshii, Sayoko Okabe, Koji Okano
  • Publication number: 20130083410
    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: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cheng-Nan Chiang
  • Patent number: 8405922
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a plurality of lens groups including first and second lens groups positioned closer to an imaging plane than the first lens group, a plurality of lens group frames including first and second lens group frames holding the first and second lens groups, respectively, a rotary cylinder to engage with the first lens group frame via a cam groove, surround the first lens group frame and be rotated around an optical axis to move the first lens group in the optical axis direction, a rotation transmission system to transmit a rotary force of the rotary cylinder, and a second frame driver provided inside of the first lens group frame and engaging with the second lens group frame via a cam groove to move the second lens group in the optical axis direction by the rotary force of the rotary cylinder transmitted via the rotation transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Terahara
  • Publication number: 20130027792
    Abstract: A lens unit has an optical system having at least one lens, a lens holder supporting the optical system and a lens frame having a guide component. The guide component guides a movement of the lens holder in a first direction. The lens holder has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed slidably over the guide component. The second portion is disposed slidably over the guide component and disposed spaced apart from the first portion in the first direction. The guide component is sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion by an elastic force of the first portion and/or the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Miyamoto, Hiroshi Kurumatani, Tadashi Niki, Akio Konishi
  • Patent number: 8363341
    Abstract: A fixed-focus lens module includes an outer lens barrel, an inner lens, a first lens, and a second lens group. The outer lens barrel includes a first open end, a first cavity, and a second open end arranged in the order from the object side to the image side of the outer lens barrel. The inner lens barrel is received in the outer lens barrel adjacent to the first open end. The first lens is received in the inner lens barrel. The second lens group is received in the outer lens barrel adjacent to the second open end. An gap is defined between an outer wall of the inner lens barrel and an inner wall of the outer lens barrel at the first open end, and the center axis of the inner lens barrel is adjustable relative to the outer lens barrel for adjusting the alignment between the first lens and the second lens group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Chun Chang, Hou-Yao Lin, Sheng-Jung Yu
  • Patent number: 8363343
    Abstract: A lens barrel having an eccentricity adjusting mechanism, the lens barrel includes a first lens frame, a second lens frame, an engaging part, a plate spring, a circumferential direction groove, a guiding groove, a screw hole, a set screw, a tool insertion hole. The first lens frame is disposed in an fixed barrel of the lens barrel, integrally holds a plurality of lenses, and has openings on front and rear end of the first lens frame in an optical axis direction. The second lens frame that holds a part of the plurality of lenses to be subjected to eccentricity adjustment and is inserted from one of the openings to be disposed and held in the first lens frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8358477
    Abstract: A barrel unit includes a barrel, a holding member configured to hold an optical element, a cylindrical member configured to support the barrel and the holding member, and a driving unit configured to generate a thrust by electrifying in a magnetic field formed by a magnet and a yoke a coil fixed onto the cylindrical member and to drive the holding member in an optical axis direction of the optical element by using the thrust. The yoke, the magnet, and the coil are located outside of a part of the cylindrical member which supports the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hase
  • Patent number: 8289627
    Abstract: A lens barrel that causes base portions of cam followers in a first optical member and a second optical member to follow a single straight-ahead movement guide groove along an optical axis even when circumferential phases of the cam followers are staggered, so that the optical members can move straight ahead while being inhibited from rotating. The base portion of the cam follower of one of the first optical member and the second optical member has a slide portion that is guided along both inner wall surfaces of a straight-ahead movement guide groove which face each other in a circumferential direction of a straight-ahead moving cylinder. The slide portion has a guide surface that guides the base portion of the cam follower of the other one of the first optical member and the second optical member in the direction of the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kudoh
  • Patent number: 8289637
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device for adjusting a focus state of a projection lens unit in an image projection apparatus is provided. The focus adjustment device includes a focus adjustment member rectilinearly movable in a first direction; a rotational shaft; a first movement-converting member for converting a rectilinear movement of the focus adjustment member into a rotary movement of the rotational shaft; and a second movement-converting member for converting the rotary movement of the rotational shaft into in a rectilinear movement of the projection lens unit along a focusing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Boing-jo Kang, Jun-seok Park, Sang-ik Kim
  • Publication number: 20120229927
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a lens driving device that prevents looseness during movement of the holder caused by repeated contact and separation between sliding contact sections and the shaft, with a simple configuration. The lens driving device includes holder (10) that holds a lens unit and is movable in the direction of the optical axis of the lens unit; columnar shaft (51) extended in the direction of the optical axis; and further guide unit (15) provided on holder (10), that slidingly contacts the side of shaft (51) and guides the moving direction of the holder in the direction of the optical axis of the lens unit while the holder is moving. Guide unit (15) includes multiple sliding contact sections (15a) and (15b) that always continue to slidingly contact the side of the shaft at the same part while the holder is moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Suguru Ohishi, Hiroshi Yamashita, Mituo Nakashima
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8208210
    Abstract: A camera module with double barrels, which has an anamorphic lens structure, includes: a first lens barrel containing a plurality of lenses and at least one anamorphic lens for focusing an image of an object at a position inside the camera module; a second lens barrel surrounding a portion of the first lens barrel and separately rotating from the first lens barrel; a housing coupled in a screwed manner to the second lens barrel for focusing of the first lens barrel; and a circuit board on which an image sensor for converting the image received by the first lens barrel to an electrical signal is provided and which is electrically connected to the camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bok Sun An, Moon Do Yi, Oleg Konevsky
  • Patent number: 8184382
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which makes it possible to achieve reduction of the size in the optical axis direction thereof, and easily maintain the accuracy of rectilinear guidance between lenses. A cam barrel rotatable around an optical axis has a cam for controlling motion of a lens unit along the optical axis. A rectilinear motion guide unit rectilinearly guides the lens unit. The rectilinear motion guide unit has a rectilinear motion barrel fitted in the cam barrel for rectilinearly guiding the lens unit, and a rectilinear motion member that is rectilinearly guided by a rectilinear motion guide member disposed around the rectilinear motion barrel and is connected to the rectilinear motion barrel. The cam barrel is sandwiched from front and rear in a direction along the optical axis by the rectilinear motion guide unit, and is movable together therewith along the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Katano