Patent ID: 7079761
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical element retracting mechanism for a retractable lens including an optical system having a plurality of optical elements, said optical element retracting mechanism comprising: a linearly movable ring configured to be guided along an optical axis of said 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 swingable holder mounted on a pivot and pivotable about said pivot, and further positioned inside and supported by said linearly movable ring, said swingable holder supporting a retractable optical element as one of said plurality of optical elements; a position-controller configured to hold said swingable holder such that said retractable optical element remains on said optical axis when said retractable lens is in said operational state, said position-controller further configured to rotate said swingable holder about said pivot such that said retractable optical element retracts to a position which deviates from said optical axis when said linearly movable ring, together with said swingable holder, retracts toward said plane; at least one support plate supporting said pivot, and including a first elongated hole and a second elongated hole, a direction of elongation of said first elongated hole and a direction of elongation of said second elongated hole being generally orthogonal to each other; a support plate fixing device fixing said at least one support plate to said linearly movable ring, wherein said support plate fixing device is configured to allow said at least one support plate to move relative to said linearly movable ring in directions lying in a plane generally orthogonal to said optical axis when said support plate fixing device is in a released state; a first rotatable shaft having a first axis substantially parallel to said optical axis, supported by said linearly movable ring to be rotatable about said first axis, and having at least one first eccentric pin which is engaged in said first elongated hole to be movable therein in said direction of elongation of said first elongated hole, said at least one first eccentric pin having an axis eccentric to said first axis, wherein when said first rotatable shaft is rotated, a first movement force is applied on said at least one support plate in a direction generally orthogonal to said direction of elongation of said first elongated hole; a second rotatable shaft having a second axis substantially parallel to said optical axis, supported by said linearly movable ring to be rotatable about said second axis, and having at least one second eccentric pin which is engaged in said second elongated hole to be movable therein in said direction of elongation of said second elongated hole, said at least one second eccentric pin having an axis eccentric to said second axis, wherein when said second rotatable shaft is rotated, a second movement force is applied on said at least one support plate in a direction generally orthogonal to said direction of elongation of said second elongated hole; and a movement direction setting device, provided on said support plate and said linearly movable ring, and setting the direction of movement of said at least one support plate in a plane substantially orthogonal to said optical axis when said at least one of said first and second movement force is applied on said at least one support plate by at least one of said rotation of said first rotatable shaft and said rotation of said second rotatable shaft when said support plate fixing device is in said released state.