Lens barrel and imaging apparatus

Abstract

For a lens barrel that restricts the rectilinear of a lens group using a restricting portion, the light-shielding property for external light, the degree of freedom of design relating to the arrangement of the interlocking section for a cam ring, and a change in the relative distance between a front group and a rear group are increased. A lens barrel has a first group (front group) and a second group (rear group) that are movable in the optical axis direction, and further includes a first group cam ring cam-engaged with and held by a holding member of the first group, a second group cam ring cam-engaged with and held by the holding member of the second group, a moving cam ring that guides the first group cam ring and the second group cam ring, and a fixed tube cam-engaged with the moving cam ring to rotatably support it.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lens barrel comprising a first lens group and a second lens group that are movable in an optical axis direction and a driving mechanism of the lens groups, the lens barrel comprising:
 a first cam member that is cam-engaged with a holding member of the first lens group to thereby hold the holding member;   a second cam member that is cam-engaged with a holding member of the second lens group to thereby hold the holding member;   a third cam member that guides the first and the second cam members; and   a supporting member that is cam-engaged with the third cam member to thereby rotatably support the cam member,   wherein, with the aid of the first cam member, the third cam member, and the supporting member, the first lens group moves in accordance with the rotation of the third cam member, and with the aid of the second cam member, the third cam member, and the supporting member, the second lens group moves in accordance with the rotation of the third cam member.   
     
     
         2 . The lens barrel according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first holding frame that holds the first lens group;   a second holding frame that holds the second lens group;   a first rectilinear ring that is integrally movable with the first cam member in the optical axis direction and is relatively rotatable with respect to the first cam member about the optical axis;   a second rectilinear ring that is integrally movable with the second cam member in the optical axis direction and is relatively rotatable with respect to the second cam member about the optical axis;   the third cam member that is cam-engaged with the first and the second rectilinear rings; and   a rectilinear guide member that is integrally movable with the third cam member in the optical axis direction and restricts the rotation of the first and the second rectilinear rings.   
     
     
         3 . The lens barrel according to  claim 2 , wherein the second cam member and the second rectilinear ring are housed within the inside of the radial direction perpendicular to the optical axis with respect to the first holding frame, the first cam member, and the first rectilinear ring when the lens barrel is in a retracted state. 
     
     
         4 . The lens barrel according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first cam follower that is formed on the first rectilinear ring;   a second cam follower that is formed on the second rectilinear ring; and   a projection that is formed on each of the first cam member and the second cam member,   wherein the third cam member comprises a first cam groove that engages with the first cam follower, a second cam groove that engages with the second cam follower, and a guide groove that engages with the projection.   
     
     
         5 . The lens barrel according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a restricting portion that extends from the rectilinear guide member in the optical axis direction; and   a hole that is formed on each of the second cam member and the second rectilinear ring,   wherein the restricting portion passed through the hole fits into a slit formed in the first rectilinear ring.   
     
     
         6 . A lens barrel comprising a first lens group and a second lens group that are movable in an optical axis direction, the lens barrel comprising:
 a first cam member that is cam-engaged with a holding member of the first lens group to thereby hold the holding member;   a first restricting member that restricts the rotation of the holding member of the first lens group;   a second cam member that is cam-engaged with a holding member of the second lens group to thereby hold the holding member;   a third cam member that guides the first and the second cam members; and   a rectilinear guide member that is integrally movable with the third cam member in the optical axis direction and has a restricting member that restricts the rotation of the first restricting member;   wherein a flange portion, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens group over the inner peripheral surface of the third cam member, is formed on the first cam member or the first restricting member, and the restricting portion extends through the flange portion.   
     
     
         7 . The lens barrel according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a second restricting member that restricts the rotation of the holding member of the second lens group,   wherein a flange portion, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens group over the inner peripheral surface of the third cam member, is formed on the second cam member or the second restricting member, and the restricting portion extends through the flange portion.   
     
     
         8 . The lens barrel according to  claim 7 , wherein the restricting portion restricts the rotation of the first and the second restricting members. 
     
     
         9 . The lens barrel according to  claim 7 , wherein a projection, which rotates following the third cam member, is placed around the outer periphery of the flange portion of the second cam member, and a guide groove, which engages with the projection, is formed on the third cam member. 
     
     
         10 . The lens barrel according to  claim 7 , wherein the second cam member and the second restricting member are housed within the inside of the radial direction perpendicular to the optical axis with respect to the holding member of the first lens group, the first cam member, and the first restricting member when the lens barrel is in a retracted state. 
     
     
         11 . An imaging apparatus comprising:
 the lens barrel according to  claims 1 ; and   an imaging element that converts a subject image formed through the lens barrel into an electrical signal.   
     
     
         12 . An imaging apparatus comprising:
 the lens barrel according to  claims 6 ; and   an imaging element that converts a subject image formed through the lens barrel into an electrical signal.