Patent ID: 8619161
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: G02B,G03B

Abstract:
1. A lens barrel for forming an optical image of a subject on an imaging element, comprising: a first lens unit, having a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element; a second lens unit, having a second lens element configured to change the focal length by relative movement in the optical axis direction with respect to the first lens element, and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element; a focus lens unit mounted on the second lens unit, the focus lens unit having a focus lens configured to change the focal state of the optical image by relative movement in the optical axis direction with respect to the first lens element or the second lens element, and a focus lens support frame supporting the focus lens; a zoom mechanism configured to relatively move the first lens unit and the second lens unit in the optical axis direction, having a zoom manipulation component configured to be manipulated by the user, the zoom mechanism being configured to mechanically transmit manipulation force inputted to the zoom manipulation component to at least one of the first lens unit and the second lens unit; a focus actuator fixed to the second lens unit and configured to electrically drive the focus lens unit in the optical axis direction with respect to the second lens unit; and a drive controller configured to control the focus actuator so that the focus lens unit is driven in one direction with respect to the second lens unit when the second lens unit is driven in one direction with respect to the imaging element by the zoom manipulation component; wherein: for all focal states from a close focal state to an infinity focal state, the second lens unit is moved a distance along the optical axis direction by a manipulation of the zoom manipulation component, from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, with respect to the imaging element; for all focal states from the close focal state to the infinity focal state, the focus lens unit is moved a distance along the optical axis direction by a drive of the focus actuator, wherein the distance in which the focus lens unit is moved along the optical axis is based on an amount corresponding to the manipulation of the zoom manipulation component from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, with respect to the second lens unit; and the direction in which the second lens unit moves along the optical axis is the same direction in which the focus lens unit moves along the optical axis, in all focal states from the close focal state to the infinity focal state, wherein, corresponding to the manipulation of the zoom manipulation component from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the direction in which the second lens unit and the focus lens unit are moved along the optical axis, is in a direction away from the imaging element, and wherein the distance in which the second lens unit is moved along the optical axis is less than the distance in which the focus lens unit is moved along the optical axis, thereby causing a distance between the second lens unit and the focus lens unit, along the optical axis, to increase.