Lens barrel having shutter flexible circuit board and image pickup apparatus having the same

A lens barrel capable of improving the workability in assembling a shutter flexible circuit board and capable of preventing a force that acts to press the shutter flexible circuit board into inside the lens barrel from being applied to the shutter flexible circuit board at the time of assemblage. The lens barrel has a fixed barrel having a notch portion formed thereon through which a coupling portion of the shutter flexible circuit board is inserted and having a fixed shaft formed thereon to project outward in a diametrical direction and to be fitted into a hole of the coupling portion. The lens barrel has a support member formed with a movement preventing portion that prevents the coupling portion whose hole is fitted with the fixed shaft from moving outward in a diametrical direction of the fixed barrel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lens barrel having a shutter flexible circuit board, and an image pickup apparatus having the lens barrel.

2. Description of the Related Art

As a lens barrel unit mounted to an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera, there has been proposed a lens barrel unit that includes a lens barrel supported by a fixed barrel, a shutter flexible circuit board disposed along an outer periphery of a shutter unit provided in the lens barrel, and a lens barrel flexible circuit board disposed on an outer periphery of the fixed barrel, wherein the shutter flexible circuit board has a connection member inserted through a through hole of the fixed barrel and exposed to the outside and then electrically connected to the lens barrel flexible circuit board (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-225430).

In the proposed lens barrel unit, the connection member of the shutter flexible circuit board is bent immediately after being inserted through the through hole of the fixed barrel and is then connected to the lens barrel flexible circuit board. Accordingly, the lens barrel must be moved forward in order to insert the connection member into the through hole of the fixed barrel, resulting in low workability in assemblage.

Since the connection member is bent immediately after being inserted through the through hole, the connection member is sometimes applied with a force acting to press the connection member into inside the lens barrel. In that case, there is a fear that ghost or flare is caused by reflection of light passing through a photographing optical system by the shutter flexible circuit board pressed into inside the lens barrel, or that wire disconnection is caused by the shutter flexible circuit board being pinched between component parts inside the lens barrel when the lens barrel is brought into a retracted state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a lens barrel capable of improving the workability in assembling a shutter flexible circuit board and capable of preventing a force that acts to press the shutter flexible circuit board into inside the lens barrel from being applied to the shutter flexible circuit board at the time of assemblage.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a lens barrel comprising a fixed barrel configured to support first and second lens barrels so as to be movable in an optical axis direction, the second lens barrel having a shutter driving unit, a shutter flexible circuit board having a first connection portion configured to be connected to the shutter driving unit and a second connection portion configured to be connected to the first connection portion through a coupling portion, and a support member configured to support the fixed barrel and a driving unit for driving the first and second lens barrels, wherein the fixed barrel has a notch portion formed thereon through which the coupling portion of the shutter flexible circuit board is inserted, and has a fixed shaft formed thereon to project outward in a diametrical direction and to be fitted into a hole formed in the coupling portion of the shutter flexible circuit board, and the support member has a movement preventing portion formed thereon configured to prevent the coupling portion of the shutter flexible circuit board whose hole is fitted with the fixed shaft of the fixed barrel from moving outward in the diametrical direction of the fixed barrel.

With this invention, it is possible to improve the workability in assembling the shutter flexible circuit board and to prevent a force acting to press the shutter flexible circuit board into inside the lens barrel from being applied to the shutter flexible circuit board at the time of assemblage. It is therefore possible to prevent ghost or flare from being caused by photographing light being reflected by the shutter flexible circuit board and to prevent wire disconnection from being caused by the shutter flexible circuit board being pinched between component parts of the lens barrel when the lens barrel is brought into a retracted state.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail below with reference to the drawings showing a preferred embodiment thereof.

FIG. 1shows in exploded perspective view a lens barrel mounted on a digital camera, which is an example of an image pickup apparatus according to one embodiment of this invention.

As shown inFIG. 1, a lens barrel700includes a focus unit100, second group unit200, first group unit300, barrel unit400, zoom reduction gear unit500, and imaging device unit600. The first and second group units300,200(which are an example of first and second lens barrels of this invention) are supported by the barrel unit400so as to be movable in an optical axis direction. The barrel unit400, zoom reduction gear unit500, and imaging device unit600are supported by the focus unit100.

As shown inFIG. 2, the focus unit100includes a support base plate1(which is an example of a support member of this invention), lens holding frame2, photographing optical system3, guide shaft4, spring5, focus motor6, and lens barrel flexible circuit board8.

The support base plate1is formed at its central part with an opening1athrough which object light enters. Around the opening1a, a rotation preventing shaft1bthat prevents the lens holding frame2from rotating is formed. Holes1c,1dthat support the guide shaft4, and a hook1ehooked with the spring5are also formed around the opening1a. The holes1c,1dare provided so as to face the rotation preventing shaft1bon a side opposite from the shaft1bwith respect to the opening1a, and the hook1eis provided near the hole1c.

A movement preventing portion1fthat prevents a coupling portion20cof a shutter flexible circuit board20shown inFIG. 3from moving outward in a diametrical direction of the lens barrel700is formed around the opening1aon the support base plate1. The movement preventing portion1fis formed at its tip end portion with a U-shaped hole1ginto which a fixed shaft51gof a fixed barrel51(seeFIG. 5) is inserted.

The support base plate1is formed with a hold portion1hthat holds a zoom motor61shown inFIG. 7. Near the hold portion1h, a support portion1kis formed that supports reduction gears63,64shown inFIG. 7.

The lens holding frame2has a flange portion2bthat holds the photographing optical system3for focus adjustment. An opening2ais formed at a central part of the flange portion2b, and a bearing hole2cfitted with the guide shaft4is formed in the lens holding frame2at a portion outward of the flange portion2b. The lens holding frame2is movable along the guide shaft4in the optical axis direction of the photographing optical system3.

Near the bearing hole2c, the lens holding frame2is formed with a hook2ehooked with the spring5, and is formed with an abutment face2ffor contact with a nut6cof the focus motor6. The flange portion2bis formed at its outer periphery with a U-shaped hole2dinto which the rotation preventing shaft1bof the support base plate1is fitted. By the engagement between the rotation preventing shaft1band the hole2d, the lens holding frame2is prevented from being rotated.

The guide shaft4is disposed parallel to the optical axis of the photographing optical system3, and has one end thereof fitted into the hole1cformed in the support base plate1on the object side and another end thereof fitted into the hole1dformed in the support base plate1on the image face side. The guide shaft4is supported by the support base plate1, and the lens holding frame2is supported by the support base plate1through the guide shaft4.

The spring5is disposed near and parallel to the guide shaft4, and has one end thereof hooked to the hook1eof the support base plate1and another end thereof hooked to the hook2gof the lens holding frame2, thereby urging the lens holding frame2in a forward direction (i.e., toward the object side).

The focus motor6is fixed to the support base plate1by a screw7. The focus motor6has a connection terminal6aelectrically connected to a motor connection portion8aof the lens barrel flexible circuit board8, and has a screw6bthreadedly engaged with a nut6cthat can be in contact with the abutment face2fof the lens holding frame2. By changing a position where the screw6band the nut6care threadedly engaged with each other, it is possible to move the lens holding frame2forward and rearward in the optical axis direction.

The lens barrel flexible circuit board8is disposed on the image face side of the support base plate1. The flexible circuit board8has connection portions8ato8drespectively connected to the connection terminal6aof the focus motor6, to a connection terminal61a(seeFIG. 7) of the zoom motor61, to a connection portion20a(seeFIG. 3) of the shutter flexible circuit board20, and to non-illustrated electrical components of a camera main unit. The lens barrel700operates according to operation information transmitted from the camera main unit through the connection portion8d.

As shown inFIG. 3, the second group unit200includes a shutter base plate11provided at its image face side with shutter blades12,13, intermediate sheet14, ND blade15, and blade presser16. The second group unit200further includes a shutter and ND driving unit17, image stabilization driving unit18, second group lens unit19, and shutter flexible circuit board20.

The shutter base plate11is formed at its central part with an opening11a, and formed at its outer periphery with three cam followers11brespectively engaged with three cam grooves52dof a second cam barrel52(seeFIG. 5).

The shutter blade12is formed with a hole12aand a non-illustrated elongated hole, and the shutter blade13is formed with a hole13aand an elongated hole13b. The shutter blade12is rotatably supported at the hole12aby the shutter base plate11through the intermediate sheet14, and coupled at the elongated hole12bwith the shutter and ND driving unit17. The shutter blade13is rotatably supported at the hole13aby the shutter base plate11through the intermediate sheet14, and coupled at the elongated hole13bwith the shutter and ND driving unit17.

The intermediate sheet14is formed at its central part with an opening14athrough which object light enters. The ND blade15is formed with a hole15aand an elongated hole15b, is rotatably supported at the hole15aby the shutter base plate11through the blade presser16, and is coupled at the elongated hole15bwith the shutter and ND driving unit17. The blade presser16is supported by the shutter base plate11.

The shutter and ND driving unit17and the image stabilization driving unit18are disposed in front of the shutter base plate11so as to surround the opening11aof the shutter base plate11. The shutter and ND driving unit17causes the shutter blades12,13and the ND blade15to open and close. The image stabilization driving unit18minutely moves the second group lens unit19in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis so as to avoid handshake blur.

The second group lens unit19includes a lens holding frame19aand a photographing optical system21for variable magnification, and is supported between the shutter base plate11and the shutter and ND driving unit17and between the shutter base plate11and the image stabilization driving unit18so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

The shutter flexible circuit board20is disposed in front of the shutter and ND driving unit17and the image stabilization driving unit18. The shutter flexible circuit board20includes a ring-shaped connection portion20athat is connected to the shutter and ND driving unit17and to the image stabilization driving unit18, a connection portion20bthat is connected to the connection portion8cof the lens barrel flexible circuit board8, and a coupling portion20cthat connects the connection portions20a,20btogether. The coupling portion20cis disposed along the optical axis direction, and formed with a hole20dfitted with the fixed shaft51gof the fixed barrel51(seeFIG. 5). The connection portions20a,20bare an example of first and second connection portions of this invention.

FIG. 4shows the first group unit300in exploded perspective view.

As shown inFIG. 4, the first group unit300includes a first group barrel31, lens holding frame32, photographing optical systems33,34for variable magnification, barrier driving ring35, springs36,37, barrier blades38,39, and barrier cover41.

The first group barrel31is formed with a flange portion31aand a hole31f, and the flange portion31ais formed at its central part with an opening31b. Support holes31c,31dthat support the barrier blades38,39are formed on the first group barrel31at locations outward of the opening31b, and three cam followers31efor engagement with three cam grooves54cof the first cam barrel54(seeFIG. 6) are formed on the outer periphery of the first group barrel31.

The lens holding frame32that supports the photographing optical systems33,34for variable magnification is supported at the opening31bby the first group barrel31.

The barrier driving ring35is rotatably supported by the first group barrel31at locations outward of the opening31bof the barrel31, and when rotating, causes the barrier blades38,39to open and close. The barrier driving ring35has hooks35a,35bformed thereon that are hooked with respective ones of springs36,37, and has drive portions35c,35dformed thereon that respectively drive the barrier blades38,39. Furthermore, the barrier driving ring35has an interlocking portion35ethat is formed on an outer periphery of the ring35so as to pass through the hole31fof the first group barrel31and that operates in conjunction with a first rectilinear barrel55(seeFIG. 6) when the lens barrel700is being retracted.

The springs36,37are disposed between the barrier driving ring35and the barrier blades38,39. The springs36,37have respective one ends hooked to the hooks35a,35bof the barrier driving ring35and respective other ends hooked to non-illustrated hooks of the barrier blades38,39, and urge the barrier blades38,39in opening directions.

The barrier blades38,39are disposed between the barrier driving ring35and the barrier cover41, and have shafts38a,39aformed thereon that are rotatably supported in the support holes31c,31dof the first group barrel31. The barrier blades38,39rotate about the shafts38a,39ato open and close an opening41aformed in a central part of the barrier cover41that is fixed to the first group barrel31with a fixing tape40.

FIGS. 5 and 6respectively show a second group unit side half and a first group unit side half of the barrel unit400in exploded perspective view.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the barrel unit400includes the fixed barrel51, first and second cam barrels54,52, and first and second rectilinear barrels55,53.

The fixed barrel51has three cam grooves51aand three rectilinear grooves51bformed on its inner periphery, has a hold portion51cprovided on its outer periphery that holds the zoom reduction gear unit500, and has a notch portion51dformed therein through which the connection portion20band the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20are inserted.

The notch portion51dis formed to extend from an image face side peripheral edge of the fixed barrel51toward the object side (i.e., in the optical axis direction) and to have a width greater than a width of the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20as viewed in the circumferential direction of the fixed barrel51. The connection portion20band the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20are inserted through the notch portion51dand led out to the outside of the fixed barrel51.

On the outer peripheral face of the fixed barrel51, a wall portion51mis formed around the notch portion51dso as to project outward in the diametrical direction of the fixed barrel51. More specifically, the wall portion51mextends along one side edge of the notch portion51das viewed in the circumferential direction of the fixed barrel51, extends in the circumferential direction of the fixed barrel51along an object side edge of the notch portion51d, and extends along another side edge of the notch portion51das viewed in the circumferential direction of the fixed barrel51. When the lens barrel700is in a retracted state, a housing space51k(seeFIGS. 12 and 13) in which the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20is housed is defined by the wall portion51mof the fixed barrel51and the movement preventing portion1fof the support base plate1of the focus unit100.

As previously described, the wall portion51mhas the fixed shaft51gfitted into the hole20dof the shutter flexible circuit board20. The fixed shaft51gis formed at its root with a detachment preventing portion51h(seeFIG. 13) having D-cut faces and being smaller in diameter than a tip end portion of the fixed shaft51g. By fitting the fixed shaft51ginto the hole20d, the shutter flexible circuit board20is fixed in position.

The fixed barrel51has positioning shafts51e,51fformed thereon at opposite sides of the notch portion51das viewed in the circumferential direction of the fixed barrel51. The positioning shafts51e,51fare fitted into non-illustrated holes of the support base plate1of the focus unit100.

The second cam barrel52has three cam followers52aformed on its outer periphery that are respectively engaged with three cam grooves51aof the fixed barrel51. By the engagement between the cam followers52aand the cam grooves51a, the second cam barrel52is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the fixed barrel51. The cam barrel52can move forward and rearward in the optical axis direction, while rotating, in cam lift sections of the cam grooves51a.

The second cam barrel52has a gear52bformed on its outer periphery that meshes with a reduction gear64(seeFIG. 7) of the zoom reduction gear unit500. On an inner periphery of the second cam barrel52, there are formed three rectilinear grooves52cwith which three driving pins54bof the first cam barrel54are engaged and three cam grooves52dwith which three cam followers11bof the shutter base plate11of the second group unit200are engaged. By the engagement between the cam grooves52dand the cam followers11b, the second group unit200can move forward and rearward in the optical axis direction in cam lift sections of the cam grooves52d.

The second rectilinear barrel53is disposed on an inner periphery side of the second cam barrel52, and has three protrusions53aformed on its outer peripheral face that are respectively engaged with three rectilinear grooves51bof the fixed barrel51. By the engagement between the protrusions53aand the rectilinear grooves51b, the second rectilinear barrel53can move forward and rearward in the optical axis direction in unison with the second cam barrel52, while being prevented from rotating.

The second rectilinear barrel53has three cam grooves53band three rectilinear grooves53cformed on its inner peripheral face, and has three cam holes53dformed therein through which the three driving pins54bof the first cam barrel54respectively extend, and three rectilinear holes53eformed therein with which three cam followers11bof the shutter base plate11of the second group unit200are respectively engaged. By the engagement between the cam followers11band the rectilinear holes53e, the second group unit200is prevented from rotating.

The first cam barrel54is formed at its outer periphery with three cam followers54athat are respectively engaged with three cam grooves53bof the second rectilinear barrel53. By the engagement between the cam followers54aand the cam grooves53b, the first cam barrel54is supported for rotation relative to the second rectilinear barrel53and, while rotating, can move forward and rearward in the optical axis direction in cam lift sections of the cam grooves53b.

The first cam barrel54has three driving pins54bformed on its outer periphery that respectively extend through three cam holes53dof the second rectilinear barrel53and that are respectively engaged with three rectilinear groove52cof the second cam barrel52. By the engagement between the driving pins54band the rectilinear grooves52c, rotation of the second cam barrel52is conveyed to the first cam barrel54.

The first cam barrel54is formed at its inner periphery with three cam grooves54cwith which three cam followers31eof the first group barrel31of the first group unit300are respectively engaged. By the engagement between the cam grooves54cand the cam followers31e, the first group unit300is supported for forward and rearward movement in the optical axis direction in cam lift sections of the cam grooves54c.

The first rectilinear barrel55is disposed on an inner periphery side of the first cam barrel54, and has three protrusions55aformed on its outer periphery that are respectively engaged with three rectilinear grooves53cof the second rectilinear barrel53. The first rectilinear barrel55can move forward and rearward in the optical axis direction in unison with the first cam barrel54, while being prevented from rotating by the engagement between the protrusions55aand the rectilinear grooves53c.

The first rectilinear barrel55has three rectilinear holes55bformed on its outer periphery with which three non-illustrated protrusions of the first group barrel31of the first group unit300are respectively engaged. By the engagement between the rectilinear holes55band the protrusions of the first group barrel31, the first group unit300is prevented from rotating. The first rectilinear barrel55is formed at its tip end portion with cam portions55cthat drive the barrier driving ring35of the first group unit300when the lens barrel700is being retracted.

FIG. 7shows the zoom reduction gear unit500in exploded perspective view.

As shown inFIG. 7, the zoom reduction gear unit500includes the aforementioned zoom motor61, which serves as a driving unit, and reduction gears62to64.

As previously described, the zoom motor61has the connection terminal61aconnected with the connection portion8b(FIG. 2) of the lens barrel flexible circuit board8, and is fixed to the support portion1hof the support base plate1. The reduction gear62is press-fitted to a motor shaft of the zoom motor61for rotation in unison therewith. As previously described, the reduction gears63,64are supported by the support portion1kof the support base plate1.

The reduction gear62meshes with the reduction gear63that meshes with the reduction gear64. As previously described, the reduction gear64meshes with the gear52bof the second cam barrel52. By the meshing between the reduction gear64and the gear52b, rotation of the zoom motor61is conveyed to the second cam barrel52.

As shown inFIG. 8, the imaging device unit600includes an optical filter71, dust-proof rubber72, fixture plate73, imaging device74, and imaging device flexible circuit board75.

The optical filter71is disposed behind the support base plate1of the focus unit100, and mounted to the support base plate1through the dust-proof rubber72. The dust-proof rubber72has an opening72aformed at its central part and a pressing portion72bformed around the opening72that presses the optical filter71in the optical axis direction. The fixture plate73has an opening73aformed at its central part and is fixed to the support base plate1by screws76.

The imaging device74photoelectrically converts an optical image of an object formed on the imaging device74through the photographing optical systems33,34,21, and3. The imaging device74is disposed inside the opening73aof the fixture plate73and fixed to the fixture plate73by e.g. adhesive.

The imaging device flexible circuit board75is electrically connected with the imaging device74. An image signal obtained by photoelectric conversion in the imaging device74is supplied through the imaging device flexible circuit board75to a non-illustrated image processing circuit of the camera main unit.

In the following, with reference toFIGS. 9 to 13, a description will be given of a method for assembling the shutter flexible circuit board20of the second group unit200to the fixed barrel51of the barrel unit400and for assembling the barrel unit400to the support base plate1of the focus unit100.

FIG. 9shows in exploded perspective view a state observed before the first group unit300assembled with the second group unit200is assembled to the barrel unit400.FIG. 10shows in exploded perspective view a state observed before the barrel unit400assembled with the first and second group units300,200is assembled to the focus unit100, andFIG. 11shows in perspective view a state where the barrel unit400is assembled to the focus unit100.FIG. 12shows in section and in fragmentary view a housing space in which the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20is housed.FIG. 13shows in vertical section and in fragmentary view a state where the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20of the lens barrel700, which is in a retracted state, is housed in the housing space.

In the state shown inFIG. 9, the second group unit200has been assembled to the first group unit300, and the connection portion20band the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20of the second group unit200have been drawn out to the outside of the first group unit300.

To assemble the shutter flexible circuit board20of the second group unit200to the fixed barrel51of the barrel unit400from the state shown inFIG. 9, the first group unit300(FIG. 9) assembled with the second group unit200is assembled to the barrel unit400, and the connection portion20band the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20are inserted through the notch portion51dof the fixed barrel51and drawn out through the notch portion51dto the outer periphery of the fixed barrel51. Next, as shown inFIG. 13, the hole20dformed in the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20is fitted onto the fixed shaft51gof the fixed barrel51, whereby the detachment preventing portion51hof the fixed shaft51gis fitted into the hole20dof the coupling portion20c.

As a result, the shutter flexible circuit board20of the second group unit200assembled to the first group unit300is assembled and fixed to the fixed barrel51of the barrel unit400and the connection portion20band the coupling portion20cof the board20are disposed on the outer periphery of the barrel unit400, as shown in an upper half of theFIG. 10.

Next, from the state shown in the upper half ofFIG. 10, the barrel unit400assembled with the shutter flexible circuit board20of the second group unit200is assembled to the support base plate1of the focus unit100.

To this end, the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20is extended along the inside face of the movement preventing portion1fof the support base plate1in the optical axis direction. Next, the positioning shafts51e,51fof the fixed barrel51of the barrel unit400are fitted into respective ones of non-illustrated holes of the support base plate1.

Then, the notch portion51d(FIG. 9) of the fixed barrel51through which the coupling portion20cof the board20has been inserted is covered by the movement preventing portion1fof the support base plate1as shown inFIG. 11, and the coupling portion20cof the board20is housed in the housing space51k, which is defined by the movement preventing portion1fand the wall51mof the fixed barrel51, as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13. Next, the fixed shaft51gof the fixed barrel51is inserted into the hole1gformed in the movement preventing portion1f(seeFIG. 11), whereby the coupling portion20cof the flexible circuit board20is pressed against the wall51mof the fixed barrel51by the movement preventing portion1fof the support base plate1.

The assembling of the barrel unit400, which has been assembled with the shutter flexible circuit board20, to the support base plate1of the focus unit100can be performed as described above.

Next, with reference toFIGS. 13 to 15, a description will be given of a state where the shutter flexible circuit board20of the lens barrel700, which is in a forwardly moved state, is housed in the housing space.

FIGS. 14 and 15show, in vertical section and in fragmentary view, states where the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20of the lens barrel700, which is in a WIDE state and in a TELE state, respectively, is housed in the housing space.

When the second group unit200is moved from the retracted state shown inFIG. 13to a WIDE position shown inFIG. 14, the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20moves inside the housing space51k. In a case that the second group unit200has moved to a TELE position as shown inFIG. 15, the coupling portion20cof the flexible circuit board20is in abutment with a face of the wall portion51mon a side close to the housing space51k.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the connection portion20band the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20of the second group unit200assembled to the first group unit300are inserted through the notch portion51dof the fixed barrel51of the barrel unit400, whereby the shutter flexible circuit board20can be assembled to the fixed barrel51in a state that the connection portion20band the coupling portion20cof the flexible circuit board20are exposed to the outside of the fixed barrel51.

As a result, the workability in assemblage can be improved since it becomes unnecessary to forwardly move the lens barrel and insert the shutter flexible circuit board through the through hole of the fixed barrel, unlike the assemblage of the prior art lens barrel unit in which the connection member of the shutter flexible circuit board is inserted through the through hole of the fixed barrel and connected to the lens barrel flexible circuit board.

With this embodiment, it is possible to reliably hold the shutter flexible circuit board20by pressing the coupling portion20cof the flexible circuit board20against the wall51mof the fixed barrel51by the movement preventing portion if by inserting the fixed shaft51gof the fixed barrel51of the barrel unit400into the hole1gformed in the movement preventing portion1fof the support base plate1of the focus unit100.

Accordingly, even if the connection portion20band the coupling portion20cof the shutter flexible circuit board20are bent immediately after being inserted through the notch portion51dof the fixed barrel51, a force acting to press the shutter flexible circuit board20into inside the lens barrel is not applied to the board20, unlike the conventional case. It is therefore possible to prevent ghost or flare from being caused by reflection of light passing through the photographing optical system by the shutter flexible circuit board20, and to prevent wire disconnection from being caused by the flexible circuit board20being pinched between component parts inside the lens barrel when the lens barrel is brought into a retracted state.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-018346, filed Jan. 31, 2012 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.