Abstract:
An imaging device comprises an imaging optical system with a plurality of lenses, a focusing manipulation component, an imaging state switching manipulation component, and first, second, third, and fourth restrictors. The focusing manipulation component can be turned to change the focal position formed by the imaging optical system. The imaging state switching manipulation component can be turned to move lenses and switch between the first imaging state and the second imaging state. When the imaging state switching manipulation component is turned, the range over which the focusing manipulation component can be turned is switched from a first range that is restricted by first and second restrictors, to a second range that is restricted by third and fourth restrictors and that is at least partly shifted from the first range.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2014/003567 filed on Jul. 4, 2014 which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-203341 filed on Sep. 30, 2013. The entire disclosures of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2014/003567 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-203341 are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a lens barrel. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application S57-66425) discloses a lens barrel that uses a locking member provided to a zoom ring to adjust the movable range of a focus ring. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present disclosure provides a lens barrel capable of switching between first imaging (normal imaging) and second imaging (macro imaging), in which a scale display of the focus ring is possible, and the movable range of the focus ring can be adjusted by a mechanical end. 
         [0007]    The lens barrel disclosed herein comprises an imaging optical system with a plurality of lenses, a focusing manipulation component, an imaging state switching manipulation component, first and second restrictors, and third and fourth restrictors. The focusing manipulation component changes the focal position of the imaging optical system by a turning operation, between first imaging region and second imaging region that is at least partly different. The imaging state switching manipulation component moves at least some of the plurality of lenses by a turning operation and thereby switches between a first imaging state in which imaging is performed in the first imaging region and a second imaging state in which imaging is performed in the second imaging region. The first restrictor restricts the rotational limit position of the focusing manipulation component on the close distance side, within the first imaging region. The second restrictor restricts the rotational limit position of the focusing manipulation component on the far distance side, within the first imaging region. The third restrictor restricts the rotational limit position of the focusing manipulation component on the close distance side, within the second imaging region. The fourth restrictor restricts the rotational limit position on the far distance side, within the second imaging region. When the imaging state switching manipulation component is turned to change from the first imaging state to the second imaging state, the range over which the focusing manipulation component can be turned is switched from a first range that is restricted by the first and second restrictors, to a second range that is restricted by the third and fourth restrictors and that is at least partly shifted from the first range. 
       Effects 
       [0008]    The lens barrel disclosed herein can be switched between first imaging and second imaging, can give a scale display of the focus ring, and can adjust the movable range of the focus ring with mechanical ends. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an overall oblique view of the imaging device disclosed herein; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a simplified cross section of the lens barrel during normal imaging in Embodiment 1; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a simplified cross section of the lens barrel during macro imaging in Embodiment 1; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  shows focus markings when the subject is at a far distance during normal imaging in Embodiment 1, and  FIG. 4B  shows focus markings when the subject is at a near distance during normal imaging in Embodiment 1; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A  shows focus markings when the subject is at a far distance during macro imaging in Embodiment 1, and  FIG. 5B  shows focus markings when the subject is at a near distance during macro imaging in Embodiment 1; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A  is a simplified cross section of a detail enlargement of the lens barrel in Embodiment 1,  FIG. 6B  is a developed view of a stationary frame in Embodiment 1,  FIG. 6C  is a developed view of a macro ring in Embodiment 1, and  FIG. 6D  shows the shape of an X-X cross section of  FIG. 6C . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    Embodiments will now be described in detail through reference to the drawings as needed. However, some unnecessarily detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already known facts or redundant description of components that are substantially the same may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary repetition in the following description, and facilitate an understanding on the part of a person skilled in the art. 
         [0016]    The inventors have provided the appended drawings and the following description so that a person skilled in the art might fully understand this disclosure, but do not intend for these to limit what is discussed in the patent claims. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0017]    Embodiment 1 will now be described through reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6C . 
       1-1. Overall Configuration of Digital Camera (See FIGS. 1 to 3) 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is an overall oblique view of an imaging device  100  in this embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a cross section of a lens barrel  120  in normal mode (the first imaging state).  FIG. 3  is a cross section of the lens barrel  120  in macro mode (the second imaging state). 
         [0019]    The imaging device  100  has a camera body  101  and the lens barrel  120  that is mounted to the camera body  101 . The lens barrel  120  may be provided integrally with the imaging device  100 , or may be removable. 
         [0020]    The lens barrel  120  comprises a first lens group L 1 , a focus lens group L 2 , a third lens group L 3 , a fourth lens group L 4 , a stop down ring  121 , a focus ring  122  (focusing manipulation component), a macro ring  123  (imaging state switching manipulation component), a stationary frame  130 , a rectilinear frame  140 , a base frame  150 , a three-group support frame  160 , a focus lens frame  170 , a guide shaft  171 , a first cosmetic ring  180 , and a second cosmetic ring  190 . 
         [0021]    The lens barrel  120  is configured such that various members are attached to the base frame  150 . 
         [0022]    The base frame  150  supports the fourth lens group L 4  at the end where the camera body  101  is mounted. The base frame  150  has the stationary frame  130  screwed to the end on the subject side. 
         [0023]    The various members provided on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical stationary frame  130  will now be described. 
         [0024]    The rectilinear frame  140  is attached on the inner peripheral side of the stationary frame  130  in a state of being able to move in the optical axis X direction. 
         [0025]    The rectilinear frame  140  is a cylindrical member that has a projection  141  sticking out from the outer peripheral side. The projection  141  engages with the macro ring  123 . When the macro ring  123  is turned, the rectilinear frame  140  moves back and forth in the optical axis X direction. These mechanisms will be described in detail below. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rectilinear frame  140  supports the first lens group L 1  at the end on the subject side. The three-group support frame  160  is fixed on the inner peripheral face side of the rectilinear frame  140 . 
         [0027]    The three-group support frame  160  supports the third lens group L 3 . 
         [0028]    The guide shaft  171 , which is disposed parallel to the optical axis X, is provided on the inner peripheral face side of the rectilinear frame  140 . The focus lens frame  170  is attached to the guide shaft  171  provided on the inner peripheral face side of the rectilinear frame  140 , in a state of being able to move in the optical axis X direction. 
         [0029]    The focus lens frame  170  supports the focus lens group L 2 . The focus lens frame  170  mates with the guide shaft  171 , which is supported parallel to the optical axis X by the rectilinear frame  140 , and is driven in the optical axis X direction by a power supply (not shown). 
         [0030]    The various members provided on the outer peripheral side of the stationary frame  130  will now be described. 
         [0031]    The stop down ring  121 , the focus ring  122 , the macro ring  123 , the first cosmetic ring  180 , and the second cosmetic ring  190 , which are circular ring-shaped members and are turned around the optical axis X, are provided on the outer peripheral side of the stationary frame  130 . 
         [0032]    The stop down ring  121 , the focus ring  122 , and the macro ring  123  are turned by the user in a peripheral direction around the optical axis X, with respect to the stationary frame  130 . 
         [0033]    The rotatable ranges of the stop down ring  121 , the focus ring  122 , and the macro ring  123  are each limited. The rotatable ranges of these members will be discussed below. 
       1-2. Detailed Description and Operation (See FIGS. 2 to 6C) 
       [0034]    The operation of the imaging device  100  configured as above will now be described. 
         [0035]    The imaging device  100  is configured to change the subject distance range at which imaging is possible during switching between normal mode and macro mode (for example, macro mode is 0.15 to 0.35 meter, and normal mode is from 0.3 meter to infinity). 
         [0036]    Therefore, the imaging device  100  adjusts the movable range (rotatable range) of the focus ring  122  according to switching between normal mode and macro mode. Since the movable range of the focus ring  122  is changed, the focus ring  122  is able to move within the range of the subject distance markings made on the lens barrel  120  to match the subject distance at which imaging is possible. 
         [0037]    This mechanism will now be described in detail. 
       1-2-1. Detailed Configuration 
       [0038]      FIGS. 6A to 6D  show the configuration and relation of the stationary frame  130 , the focus ring  122 , the macro ring  123 , and the second cosmetic ring  190 . 
         [0039]    More specifically,  FIG. 6A  is a detail cross section of the meridional surface. “Meridional surface” means a surface that includes the optical axis and an off-axis object point of the lens. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6B  is a developed view of the stationary frame  130 , as seen from the outer peripheral side. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6C  is a developed view of the macro ring  123 , as seen from the outer peripheral side. Components disposed on the inner peripheral side are indicated by dotted lines. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6D  shows the shape of an X-X cross section of  FIG. 6C . 
         [0043]    The focus ring  122  is a circular ring-shaped member, and as shown in  FIG. 4A , etc., is printed with markings of “0.15 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.5 1 2 5 ∞,” which indicate the subject distance, on the outer surface. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the focus ring  122  has a focus ring radial protrusion  122   a  (hereinafter referred to as the protrusion  122   a ) that sticks out to the inside in the radial direction, and a focus ring optical axis protrusion  122   b  (hereinafter referred to as the protrusion  122   b ) that sticks out in the optical axis direction on the inner peripheral side of the second cosmetic ring  190 , toward the macro ring  123 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , etc., the outer surface of the macro ring  123  is printed with a marking of “0.3 m to ∞” indicating normal mode, and a marking of “0.15 to 0.35 m” indicating macro mode. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the macro ring  123  has a macro ring radial protrusion  123   a  (hereinafter referred to as the protrusion  123   a ) that sticks out to the inside in the radial direction. 
         [0045]    The protrusion  123   a  restricts rotation during switching between normal mode and macro mode by means of a macro ring rotation restrictor (not shown). 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 6D , the macro ring  123  is constituted in the shape of a low step on the inner peripheral side, and has a restrictor that sticks out on the subject side. 
         [0047]    In this embodiment, a far distance end  123   b  (second and fourth restrictor), a normal close distance end  123   c  (hereinafter referred to as the close distance end  123   c ), and a close distance end  131   a  (third restrictor;  FIG. 6B ) are used as shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  5 A, and  5 B as means for restricting the rotation of the focus ring  122 . 
         [0048]    A cam groove  123   d  is also provided to the inner peripheral face of the macro ring  123 . 
         [0049]    The cam groove  123   d  is formed at an angle in the peripheral direction. As shown in  FIG. 6C , the projection  141  of the rectilinear frame  140  (see  FIG. 2 ) engages with the cam groove  123   d.    
         [0050]    Consequently, when the macro ring  123  is turned, the projection  141  of the rectilinear frame  140  moves from one end to the end on the opposite side in a state of being engaged in the cam groove  123   d  that is formed at an angle to the peripheral direction. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the rectilinear frame  140  is pushed out to the subject side in the optical axis X direction. 
         [0051]    As a result, the distance of the first to third lens groups L 1  to L 3  with respect to the fourth lens group L 4  is changed, and the imaging mode (normal mode and macro mode) can be switched. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 6B , the rotation of the macro ring  123  causes the projection  141  also to move within a rectilinear hole  133  formed so as to pass through part of the stationary frame  130 . 
         [0053]    That is, the distal end portion of the projection  141  of the rectilinear frame  140  is engaged with the cam groove  123   d  of the macro ring  123  in a state of being inserted into the rectilinear hole  133  of the stationary frame  130 . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 6B , because the rectilinear hole  133  is formed parallel to the optical axis X direction, it does not restrict the movement of the rectilinear frame  140  in the optical axis X direction. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 6D , the second cosmetic ring  190  is provided on the outer peripheral side of the far distance end  123   b  and the close distance end  123   c.    
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 6B , the stationary frame  130  is provided with a focus ring movement restricting groove  131  (hereinafter referred to as the restricting groove  131 ), a macro ring restricting groove  132  (hereinafter referred to as the restricting groove  132 ), and the rectilinear hole  133 . 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 6A , the restricting groove  131  is provided on the outer peripheral face side of the stationary frame  130 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , the restricting groove  131  has the macro close distance end  131   a  (hereinafter referred to as the close distance end  131   a ) at its end in the lengthwise direction. A protrusion  122   a  engages with the restricting groove  131  in a state of being able to move along the peripheral direction. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 6A , the restricting groove  132  is provided more on the camera body  101  side than the restricting groove  131  on the outer peripheral face side of the stationary frame  130 . The restricting groove  132  has a normal end  132   a  and a macro end  132   b  at its two ends in the lengthwise direction. The protrusion  123   a  engages with the restricting groove  132  in a state of being able to move. 
       1-2-2. Switching Between Normal Mode and Macro Mode 
       [0059]    The user can switch between normal mode and macro mode by turning the macro ring  123 . 
       In Normal Mode 
       [0060]    More specifically, when the user moves the macro ring  123  to the normal mode side, the various components are disposed as follows. 
         [0061]    The macro ring  123  is moved to the position matching the marking “0.3 m to ∞”, with respect to the marking indicating the setting displayed on the base frame  150 . 
         [0062]    At this point, the protrusion  123   a  comes into contact with the normal end  132   a , which produces the mechanical end in normal mode. As shown in  FIG. 6C , the macro ring  123  engages with the projection  141  in the cam groove  123   d.    
         [0063]    The mechanical end in normal mode mentioned above refers to the end on the normal mode side out of the two ends in the rotatable range of the macro ring  123 , and to the end that restricts the rotation of the macro ring  123 . 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in normal mode the rectilinear frame  140  is supported on the inner peripheral side of the stationary frame  130  in a state of having moved to the mounting side with the camera body  101 . The far distance end  123   b  and the close distance end  123   c  are respectively disposed at the positions shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
       In Macro Mode 
       [0065]    On the other hand, when the macro ring  123  moves to the macro mode side, the various components are disposed as follows. 
         [0066]    The macro ring  123  is moved to the position matching the marking “0.15 to 0.35 m”, with respect to the marking indicating the setting displayed on the base frame  150 . 
         [0067]    At this point, the protrusion  123   a  of the macro ring  123  comes into contact with the macro end  132   b , which produces the mechanical end in macro mode. As shown in  FIG. 6C , the macro ring  123  engages with the projection  141  in the cam groove  123   d.    
         [0068]    The mechanical end in macro mode mentioned above refers to the end on the macro mode side out of the two ends in the rotatable range of the macro ring  123 , and to the end that restricts the rotation of the macro ring  123 . 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , in macro mode the rectilinear frame  140  is supported on the inner peripheral side of the stationary frame  130  in a state of having moved to the subject side (a state in which part of the rectilinear frame  140  sticks out on the subject side). The far distance end  123   b  and the close distance end  123   c  of the macro ring  123  are disposed at the positions shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
       1-2-3. Adjusting Movable Range of Focus Ring (Rotatable Range) 
     In Normal Mode 
       [0070]    As discussed above, in normal mode the far distance end  123   b  and the close distance end  123   c  that restrict the rotatable range of the focus ring  122  are disposed at the positions shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
         [0071]    Thus, the movable region (rotatable range) of the focus ring  122  in the peripheral direction is the range from the position where the protrusion  122   b  of the focus ring  122  touches the far distance end  123   b  of the macro ring  123  (the state in  FIG. 4A ) to the position where it touches the close distance end  123   c  of the macro ring  123  (the state in  FIG. 4B ). 
         [0072]    That is, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , in normal mode, of the two protrusions  122   a  and  122   b  formed on the focus ring  122 , the protrusion  122   b  that sticks out along the optical axis X hits the far distance end  123   b  and the close distance end  123   c  of the macro ring  123  and thereby restricts the rotatable range of the focus ring  122 . 
         [0073]    The range of the marking in normal mode is “0.3 m to ∞.” 
       In Macro Mode 
       [0074]    On the other hand, in macro mode the far distance end  123   b  and the close distance end  123   c  that restrict the rotatable range of the focus ring  122  are disposed at the positions shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
         [0075]    The movable region (rotatable range) of the focus ring  122  in the peripheral direction is the range between the position where the protrusion  122   b  of the focus ring  122  touches the far distance end  123   b  of the macro ring  123  (the state in  FIG. 5A ) and the position where it touches the close distance end  131   a  of the restricting groove  131  formed in the stationary frame  130  (the state in  FIG. 5B ). 
         [0076]    That is, as shown in  FIG. 5A , on the far distance side in macro mode, of the two protrusions  122   a  and  122   b  formed on the focus ring  122 , the protrusion  122   b  that sticks out along the optical axis X comes into contact with the far distance end  123   b  of the macro ring  123 , just as in normal mode. 
         [0077]    On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 5B , on the close distance side in macro mode, turning the macro ring  123  to switch modes moves the positions of the far distance end  123   b  and the  123   c  in the peripheral direction. 
         [0078]    Therefore, before the protrusion  122   b  sticking out along the optical axis X hits the close distance end  123   c , the protrusion  122   a  sticking out in the radial direction hits the close distance end  131   a  of the restricting groove  131  formed in the stationary frame  130 . 
         [0079]    Consequently, in macro mode, a different end from that in normal mode can be used to restrict the rotatable range of the focus ring  122 . 
         [0080]    The range of the marking in macro mode is “0.15 to 0.35 m.” 
         [0081]    That is, with the lens barrel  120  in this embodiment, the marking corresponding to the close distance end in normal mode (0.3 m) is slightly different from the marking corresponding to the far distance end in macro mode (0.35 m). Therefore, the rotatable range of the focus ring  122  is restricted by using an end (the close distance end  131   a ) constituted by a different member from that in normal mode. 
       1-3. Effect, Etc. 
       [0082]    As discussed above, with the lens barrel  120  in this embodiment, when the normal mode and the macro mode are switched by turning the macro ring  123 , this operation is accompanied by movement of the rotatable range of the focus ring  122  in the peripheral direction. 
         [0083]    Consequently, only the subject distance range over which imaging is possible in each mode is indicated by the marking ring. Accordingly, even with the lens barrel  120  that features mode switching, display of the subject distance according to the marking ring is possible. 
         [0084]    In this embodiment, an example was described in which the close distance end was restricted using different members in normal mode and macro mode, but the present disclosure is not limited to or by this. 
         [0085]    For instance, the rotatable range of the focus ring  122  in each mode may be restricted using a common end. 
         [0086]    Here again, during mode switching, as the macro ring  123  is turned, the far and close distance ends that come into contact with part of the focus ring  122  move in the peripheral direction, so a different rotatable range can be set in each mode. 
       Other Embodiments 
       [0087]    Embodiment 1 was described above as examples of the technology disclosed herein, but the technology disclosed herein is not limited to this, and can also be applied as needed to embodiments featuring modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and so forth. Also, the various constituent elements described in Embodiment 1 above can be combined into new embodiments. 
         [0088]    An embodiment was described above as an example of the technology disclosed herein, and the appended drawings and detailed description were provided to that end. 
         [0089]    Therefore, the constituent elements illustrated in the appended drawings and discussed in the detailed description can encompass not only those constituent elements that are essential to solving the problem, but also constituent elements that are not essential to solving the problem. Accordingly, just because these non-essential constituent elements are illustrated in the appended drawings and discussed in the detailed description, it should not be concluded that these non-essential constituent elements are essential. 
         [0090]    Also, the above embodiment was given to illustrate an example of the technology disclosed herein, so various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and so forth can be made within the scope of the patent claims or equivalents thereof. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0091]    The present disclosure can be applied to any lens barrel used in an imaging device. More specifically, it can be applied to a digital still camera, a single-lens reflex camera, a mirror-less camera, or the like.