Patent ID: 7242534
Filing Date: 2007-07-10
Classification: G02B,G03B,H04N

Abstract:
1. A lens unit, comprising: a subject side lens group supporting frame comprising a subject side lens group defining an optical imaging axis; an image side lens group supporting frame comprising an image side lens group disposed in optical alignment with the optical imaging axis; an engaging section in engagement with said image side lens group supporting frame and operable for moving the image side lens group supporting frame along a travel range defined parallel to said optical imaging axis; a guide member disposed for engagement with said image side lens group supporting frame over a first portion of said travel range of the image side lens group supporting frame; a driving section operable for rotating said engaging section to move the image side lens group through said travel range such that the image side lens group is maintained in optical alignment with the optical imaging axis in said first portion of the travel range and the image side lens group is displaced out of optical alignment with the optical imaging axis in a second portion of the travel range; and a stopper guide member disposed for contact with said image side lens group supporting frame when the image side lens group moves along said first portion of the travel range with the image side lens group in optical alignment with the optical imaging axis, and so that the image side lens group supporting frame separates from the stopper guide member in said second portion of the travel range with the image side lens group displaced out of optical alignment with the optical imaging axis.