Patent ID: 7043154
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A retractable lens having an optical element retracting mechanism, said retractable lens including an optical system having a plurality of optical elements, said retractable lens comprising: a linearly movable ring configured to be guided along an optical axis of said photographing optical system without rotating, said linearly movable ring retracting toward a plane along said optical axis when said retractable lens moves from an operational state to a fully-retracted state; a retractable holder configured to support a retractable optical element as one of the plurality of optical elements, said retractable holder positioned inside and supported by said linearly movable ring, such that said retractable holder is movable in a plane substantially orthogonal to said optical axis; a holding device configured to hold said retractable holder such that said retractable optical element remains on said optical axis when said retractable lens is in said operational state; a retracting device configured to move said retractable holder such that said retractable optical element retracts to a radially retracted position which deviates from said photographing optical axis when said linearly movable ring, together with said retractable holder, retracts toward said picture plane; and a flexible PWB configured to connect an electronic component supported inside said linearly movable ring, with an electronic circuit positioned outside said linearly movable ring; wherein said retractable holder is separate from said flexible PWB when said retractable holder is held by said holding device in an operational position in which said retractable optical element is on said optical axis; and wherein said retractable holder presses said flexible PWB in a radial direction of said linearly movable ring from an inside to an outside of said linearly movable ring and supports said flexible PWB when said retractable holder is moved to a radially retracted position by said retracting device such that said retractable optical element retracts to said position that deviates from said photographing optical axis.