Patent ID: 7369333
Filing Date: 2008-05-06
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A lens unit for focusing light from an object onto an image pickup device, comprising: a frame body; a first lens group into which incoming light flux from the object enter along a first optical axis; a first holding member for holding the first lens group so that the first lens group is movable, in a first optical axis direction, between an operating position in which the first lens group projects out from the frame body and a storing position in which the first lens group is stored inside the frame body; a bending member for bending the light flux along the first optical axis to a second optical axis direction which is substantially at right angles to the first optical axis; a bend holding member for holding the bending member so that the bending member is movable between a bend position where the bending member bends the light flux into the second optical direction and a retract position where the bending member retracts to create a space for storing the first holding member; a second lens group for leading the light flux, which has been bent into the second optical axis direction, to the image pickup device side; a second holding member for holding the second lens group so that the second lens group is movable in the second optical axis direction; a moving tube which moves the first holding member between the operating position and the storing position; and a stationary tube which is fixed on the frame body and provided with a feed member to move the moving tube in the first optical axis direction, wherein the stationary tube has an opening through which the bend holding member moves between the bend position and the retract position, wherein the feed member is an inner helicoid, and the moving tube further comprises: