IP Library Granted Patent US 9,720,205
Granted Patent B2
US 9,720,205 · App. 13/948,302 · Granted Aug 1, 2017

Lens barrel

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,720,205
App. No.
13/948,302
Granted
Aug 1, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

The lens barrel includes a moving frame, a drive frame, and a rectilinear guide frame. The drive frame includes a cam mechanism and guides the moving frame in the optical axis direction with the cam mechanism. The rectilinear guide frame supports the moving frame so that the moving frame moves in the optical axis direction but doesn't rotate. The drive frame includes a rotary guide portion. The rotary guide portion supports the rectilinear guide frame so that the rectilinear guide frame rotates with relative to the cam mechanism and doesn't move relatively in the optical axis direction. The rotary guide portion is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the cam mechanism and on the outer peripheral side of the moving frame. A holding space is formed between the cam mechanism and the rotary guide portion. Part of the moving frame is inserted into the holding space.

Claims (29)

1. A lens barrel, comprising:

a moving frame including a first cam mechanism;

a drive frame including a second cam mechanism and configured to guide the moving frame in an optical axis direction with the second cam mechanism; and

a rectilinear guide frame configured to support the moving frame so that the moving frame moves in the optical axis direction but does not rotate;

the drive frame including a drive frame body having a substantially cylindrical shape, a flange having a substantially circular shape, a base portion, and a rotary guide portion,

the drive frame body, the flange, the base portion, and the rotary guide portion being integrally molded, wherein:

the flange is formed at one end of the drive frame body along a circumference thereof, the flange protruding outward in a radial direction from the drive frame body;

the second cam mechanism is formed on a side of the drive frame body from which the flange protrudes, the second cam mechanism being configured to engage with the first cam mechanism;

the base portion protruding from the flange in the optical axis direction, the base portion being so arranged that a space is formed between the base portion and the drive frame body in the radial direction; and

the rotary guide portion disposed on an outside of the base portion in the radial direction, the rotary guide portion configured to engage with an inner face of the rectilinear guide frame in the radial direction, and the rotary guide portion supporting the rectilinear guide frame so that the rectilinear guide frame rotates but does not move in the optical axis direction relative to the second cam mechanism.

2. The lens barrel according to claim 1 , wherein

the flange includes a through-hole disposed on the inner peripheral side of the base portion, and

the part of the moving frame is inserted in the optical axis direction into the through-hole.

3. The lens barrel according to claim 1 , wherein

the rectilinear guide frame includes a rotary groove extending in the peripheral direction,

the rotary guide portion includes a guide protrusion,

the base portion extends in the peripheral direction of the second cam mechanism, and

the guide protrusion protrudes outward from the base portion in the radial direction of the cam mechanism, and is inserted into the rotary groove.

4. The lens barrel according to claim 2 , wherein

the rectilinear guide frame includes a rotary groove extending in the peripheral direction, and

the rotary guide portion is inserted into the rotary groove.

5. The lens barrel according to claim 1 , wherein

a holding space is formed between the second cam mechanism and the base portion, part of the moving frame being inserted into the holding space,

the holding space is a gap formed between the second cam mechanism and the rotary guide portion in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and

an end portion of the moving frame being retractable into the gap formed between the second cam mechanism and the rotary guide portion.

6. The lens barrel according to claim 1 , wherein

the drive frame includes a plurality of base portions, the plurality of base portions are arranged along a circumference of the flange and separated from each other.

7. The lens barrel according to claim 1 , wherein

a part of the second cam mechanism is arranged so as to overlap with the base portion in the radial direction.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2014
From: UNO, TETSUYA
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032127/0012 →