Patent ID: 8243373
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A lens barrel comprising: a lens that moves in a direction along its optical axis between an image-taking state and a storage state; a diaphragm unit configured to restrict the amount of light passing through the lens in the image-taking state; a shutter unit configured to open so as to permit the light to pass through the lens in the image-taking state; and an image sensor configured to convert an optical signal passed through the lens into an electrical signal, wherein one of the diaphragm unit and the shutter unit moves in a direction along the optical axis of the lens and opens in the storage state so as to arrange at least a part of the lens within a first aperture created by the opening, and the other one of the diaphragm unit and the shutter unit closes a second aperture so as to prevent the light from passing through the lens in the storage state, and wherein one of the diaphragm unit and the shutter unit, which opens in the storage state so as to arrange at least a part of the lens within the first aperture, opens in the storage state to an opening diameter larger than a maximum opening diameter in the image-taking state.