Abstract:
There is described a lens barrel including; a plurality of lens units; an actuator to move at least a lens unit included in the plurality of lens units; and a housing member. The actuator includes: a vibrating device constituted by two vibrating members, each of which includes piezoelectric elements aligned in a line, so that the two vibrating members intersect each other at a predetermined angle and vibrate in response to high-frequency electric signals; a driven member, coupled to the lens unit, to be moved by vibrations generated by the vibrating device; and a supporting member that is rotatably mounted on a shaft disposed opposite to the vibrating device in such a manner that the vibrating device press-contacts the driven member. The driven member is disposed at a side of the lens unit, while the vibrating device and the supporting member are disposed at a side of the housing member.

Description:
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-149368 filed on May 23, 2005, with the Japanese Patent Office, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to a lens barrel for an image pickup device, in which magnification lens units and focusing lens units in the lens barrel are shifted by vibration generated by a vibration unit. 
   BACKGROUND 
   A driving device is well known in which the alternating current voltage is applied to a piezoelectric element so that a vibrating section is oscillated, and the vibrating section is repeatedly brought into contact with or separated from members to be shifted, whereby the members can be shifted by friction force. A lens barrel is also well known in which above driving device is used for shifting the lens units. 
   As a driving device, which uses the piezoelectric element to shift lens units along the optical axis, a lens driving device is disclosed in which a vibrator to create driving vibration along the optical axis is pressed by an elastic member against a guide shaft, which is a stationary part prolonging along the optical axis, and the vibrator is assembled in a lens supporting member (see Patent Document 1). 
   [Patent Document 1] Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication 8-179184 
   However, the lens driving device of Patent Document 1 features the vibrator in the lens supporting member, and the vibrator is pressed against a guide shaft, which guides the lens supporting member along the optical axis, via the elastic member. Accordingly, due to the reaction force of pressing force caused by the elastic member, the guide shaft is off-center in the hole of the lens supporting member. Consequently, friction increases between the hole of the lens supporting member and the engaging guide shaft, and off-center abrasion is created in the hole of the lens supporting member, which results in unstable movement, and further, the position of the lens units is shifted in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis by the off-center abrasion of the hole, resulting in deterioration of the desired lens characteristics. 
   Further, since the movement of the lens units by the vibrator is conducted due to the friction force, the friction force between the hole of the lens supporting member and the engaging guide shaft works in the direction to reduce the driving force of the vibrator, which results in the reduction of the driving efficiency of the vibrator, and further the change of the friction force between the hole and the guide shaft triggers unstable movement. 
   This problem happens by the reaction force of the elastic member, even when the stationary part is separated from the guide shaft, as a separated structure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To overcome the abovementioned drawbacks in conventional lens barrels, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lens barrel using a vibration actuator having high driving efficiency, stable operation, and high durability. 
   Accordingly, to overcome the cited shortcomings, the abovementioned object of the present invention can be attained by lens barrels described as follow. 
   (1) A lens barrel, comprising: a plurality of lens units to focus light coming from a subject onto an imaging element; an actuator to move at least a lens unit included in the plurality of lens units; and a housing member to support the plurality of lens units and the actuator; wherein the actuator includes: a vibrating device constituted by two vibrating members, each of which includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements aligned in a line, so that the two vibrating members intersect each other at a predetermined angle and vibrate in response to high-frequency electric signals; a driven member, coupled to the lens unit, to be moved by vibrations generated by the vibrating device; and a supporting member that is rotatably mounted on a shaft disposed opposite to the vibrating device in such a manner that the vibrating device press-contacts the driven member while putting the driven member between the vibrating device and the supporting member; and wherein the driven member is disposed at a side of the lens unit, while the vibrating device and the supporting member are disposed at a side of the housing member.
 
(2) The lens barrel of item  1 , further comprising: a position detecting sensor to detect a current position of the lens unit, the position detecting sensor including a sensor scale and a sensing section; wherein the sensing section is disposed at a side of the lens unit, while the sensor scale is disposed at a side of the housing member.
 
(3) The lens barrel of item  2 , wherein the plurality of lens units constitute a zooming optical system in which plural moving lens units are moved for zooming and focusing; and wherein the sensor scale, included in the position detecting sensor, is commonly employed for detecting current positions of the plural moving lens units.
 
(4) The lens barrel of item  1 , wherein the actuator is disposed inside the housing member.
 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several Figures, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of the vibration actuator used in the lens barrel relating to the present embodiment; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the vibration actuator used in the lens barrel relating to the present embodiment; 
       FIG. 3(   a ),  FIG. 3(   b ) and  FIG. 3(   c ) show the driving operations of the vibrating section; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section of an example of the lens barrels relating to the present embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-section of the driving mechanisms of the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit; and 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-section of the lens barrel cut by a surface passing through the fourth lens unit, and perpendicular to the optical axis. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   This invention is explained referring to the embodiments below, however it is not limited to these embodiments. 
   Firstly, the vibration actuator used in the lens barrel of the embodiment will be detailed. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  show vibration actuator  1  (being a driving device) used in the lens barrel relating to the present embodiments.  FIG. 1  shows a front view of vibration actuator  1  used in the lens barrel relating to the embodiment.  FIG. 2  shows a side view of vibration actuator  1  used in the lens barrel relating to the present embodiments. Additionally, the direction is shown by common orthogonal XYZ coordinates in each figure. 
   In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , vibration actuator  1  contains vibrating member  10 , being a driving source, driven member  31  which is driven by vibrating member  10  and serves as a driven member, pressure applying member  40  formed of an elastic member, supporting member  50  (being a load supporting member) to support the force (being a load) which is given to driven member  31  from vibrating member  10 , and base plate  60 . 
   Vibrating member  10 , driven member  31  and supporting member  50  are arranged in that order in direction Z in  FIG. 1 . 
   Vibrating member  10  is structured of piezoelectric elements  11  and  12 , chip member  13  and base  14 , and vibrates based on applied high frequency voltage (high frequency signal). 
   Piezoelectric elements  11  and  12  are arranged so as to cross each other as shown in  FIG. 1 , and the crossed end is joined to chip member  13 . The other ends of piezoelectric elements  11  and  12  are joined to base  14 . Chip member  13  preferably has a stable and high friction coefficient, as well as being preferably structured of the non-abrasive materials (for example, a hard metal). Base  14  is preferably structured of an hard material which is easily produced (for example, stainless-steel). Piezoelectric elements  11  and  12  are adhered to chip member  13  and base  14  by an adhesive agent, preferably being an epoxy adhesive having high adhesive strength. 
   Piezoelectric elements  11  and  12  are a type of laminated elements, structured of thin plural ceramic plates and electrodes, both of which are alternately layered. Piezoelectric elements  11  and  12  are displacement elements, which expand and contract perpendicular to the laminated surfaces based on the applied voltage. Specifically, they expand based on the applied predetermined polar voltage, and contract based on the applied opposite polar voltage. Due to this, based on the frequency of applied alternating current voltage, piezoelectric elements  11  and  12  repeatedly expand and contract. Accordingly, when the alternating current voltage including phase-contrast is applied onto piezoelectric elements  11  and  12 , it is possible to vibrate vibrating member  10 . 
     FIG. 3(   a ),  FIG. 3(   b ) and  FIG. 3(   c ) show the driving operations of vibrating member  10 . Piezoelectric elements  11  and  12  of vibrating member  10  are activated by the alternating current voltage having the phase contrast, and thereby, chip member  13  of vibrating member  10  can be elliptically driven. 
     FIG. 3(   a ) shows the movement track of chip member  13  in a phase contrast at an angle of 60°,  FIG. 3(   b ) shows that at 90°, and  FIG. 3(   c ) shows that at 120°. As shown in  FIG. 3(   b ), when the phase contrast is set to 90°, chip member  13  circulates. By changing the phase contrast, it is possible to set a desired movement track for chip member  13 . 
   Vibrating member  10  allows driven member  31  to move by using the movement track of chip member  13 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , driven member  31  comes into contact with chip member  13  of vibrating member  10 , and the driving force from vibrating member  10  is directly transported to driven member  31 . Specifically, due to the vibration of vibrating member  10 , driven member  31  repeatedly touches (hits) and separates from chip member  13 , and is driven by the friction force between chip member  13  and driven member  31 . In other words, by repeating short contact movement by the friction force between chip member  13  of vibrating member  10  and the surface of driven member  31 , base plate  60  which supports vibrating member  10  and supporting member  50 , or driven member  31  can be driven. 
   Driven member  31  is formed of metallic member or a ceramic. In order to prevent abrasion caused by contact with chip member  13 , the metallic surface of driven member  31  is preferably coated with a hard covering. For example, for iron group material such as stainless steel, it is preferably treated with a thermal hardening process or nitriding process, and for aluminum, anodized aluminum film is preferable, or its metallic surface is preferably coated with ceramic as a durable abrasion coating. Further, by covering with alumina ceramic or zirconia ceramic, it is possible to attain weight saving, high rigidity, as well as minimal abrasion. 
   Pressure applying member  40  is assembled between vibrating member  10  and base plate  60 , that is, pressure applying member  40  is under vibrating member  10  (in direction −Z). Pressure applying member  40  is structured of an elastic member, such as coiled spring, one end of which is fixed on base member  14  of vibrating member  10 , while the other end is fixed on base plate  60 . By urging force generated by pressure applying member  40 , chip member  13  of vibrating member  10  is lightly pressed against driven member  31 . In addition, the urging force of pressure applying member  40  is relatively small, and the expanding and contracting movement of pressure applying member  40  is adjusted so as not to follow the very high vibrating frequency of vibrating member  10 . Due to this, chip member  13  repeatedly touches and separates from driven member  31 , in opposition to the urging force of pressure applying member  40 . 
   Further, supporting member  50  is arranged in such a manner that driven member  31  is sandwiched between supporting member  50  and chip member  13 , that is, supporting member  50  is arranged on driven member  31  (in direction +Z). As shown in  FIG. 1 , supporting member  50  is structured of rotatable roller  51 , secured by shaft  61 . In addition, since roller  51  is secured by securing members which are not illustrated, roller  51  is prevented from slipping from shaft  61 . 
   Roller  51  of supporting member  50  is arranged at the position immediately above chip member  13  of vibrating member  10 , while driven member  31  is sandwiched between roller  51  and chip member  13 . By such a structure, the force in direction Z, generated by vibrating means  10 , is definitely supported so that a large driving force can be transferred to driven member  31 . 
   Roller  51  is preferably formed of a material whose friction against driven member  31  is small. Specifically, among resin materials (for example, POM (polyacetal)), material having high sliding characteristics is preferable. For example, to improve the sliding characteristics, it is preferable to use the material to which an additive such as fluorine is compounded. In addition, the material which would not deformed by load is preferable for use. Besides, roller  51  can be formed of a metallic material. 
   The above descriptions are the outline of the vibration actuator to be used for the lens barrel of the present embodiments. 
     FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing an example of lens barrel  100  relating to the present embodiment. The lens units shown in  FIG. 4  is a zoom lens structured in a bending optical system, showing the wide angle, and the lens barrel is sectioned by a surface including an optical axis before reflection and another optical axis after reflection. Additionally, in the present embodiment, the vibration actuator is used for moving the lens units structured in the above reflective optical system, however, the example is not limited to this, that is, the vibration actuator can also be used for moving the lens units structured in an optical system having a straight line optical axis. 
   Line OA is an optical axis before bending, while line OB is that after bending. Lens barrel  100  is covered with “main barrel A”  90  and “main barrel B”  91  as housing units. 
   First lens unit  70  is structured of lens  71  having optical axis OA and facing the subject, prism  72  to bend optical axis OA at nearly a right angle, and lens  73  arranged to have optical axis OB which corresponds to optical axis OA bent by prism  72 . First lens unit  70  is secured onto “main barrel A”  90 . 
   Second lens unit  74  is assembled in second lens unit frame  74   k , and is integrally movable with second lens unit frame  74   k  to change magnification (hereinafter referred to as “zooming”). 
   Third lens unit  75  is assembled in third lens unit frame  75   k , and since third lens unit frame  75   k  is fixed onto “main barrel A”  90 , third lens unit  75  does not move while zooming. 
   Fourth lens unit  76  is assembled in fourth lens unit frame  76   k , being integrally movable with fourth lens unit frame  76   k  for focal adjustment (hereinafter referred to as “focusing”) and zooming. 
   Optical filter  77 , which is formed of an infra-red ray cut filter and an optical low pass filter, is assembled within “main barrel A”  90 . Numeral  78  represents an image pickup element, and for which a CCD (charge coupled device) type image sensor, or a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) type image sensor is used. Image pickup element  78  is assembled on mount  79 , and mount  79  and image pickup element  78  are assembled within “main barrel A”  90 . Flexible printed circuit board  80 , connected to image pickup element  78 , is also connected to all other circuit boards of the camera. Shutter unit  81  is fixed onto “main barrel A”  90 , in the same way as third lens unit frame  75   k.    
   Second lens unit  74  and fourth lens unit  76  are moved from the wide angle position shown in  FIG. 4  toward third lens unit  75  by set amounts to perform the zooming operation. Fourth lens unit  76  is further adjusted from the zoomed position to perform the focusing operation. 
     FIG. 5  illustratively shows a moving mechanism of second lens unit  74  and fourth lens unit  76 . This figure shows the condition in which second lens unit  74  and fourth lens unit  76  are at the wide angle position. In the following figures, the same numbers are given to the members having the same functions to avoid the repetition of the explanation. In addition, to more easily understand the structure,  FIG. 5  is illustrated in such a way that the position of the vibration actuator  1  is shifted to the outside of the lens barrel. 
   In  FIG. 5 , guide shaft  82  penetrates sleeve  74   s  integrally formed on second lens unit frame  74   k , and also penetrates sleeve  76   s  integrally formed on fourth lens unit frame  76   k . Further, guide shaft  83  penetrates anti-rotation device  74   m  integrally formed in second lens unit frame  74   k  and, also penetrates anti-rotation device  76   m  integrally formed in fourth lens unit frame  76   k . By this structure, it is possible to guide second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k  by guide shafts  82  and  83 , and to move second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k  in the direction of optical axis OB. 
   Further, guide shafts  82  and  83  engage and penetrate shutter unit  81  and third lens unit frame  75   k . Each end of guide shafts  82  and  83  is fixed, and at the centers of guide shafts  82  and  83 , guide shaft supporting member  84  is provided. 
   Yet further, driven member  31 , structured in vibration actuators  1  is integrally assembled with second lens unit frame  74   k , or fourth lens unit frame  76   k    
   Driven member  31  mounted to second lens unit frame  74   k  is disposed in such a manner that driven member  31  is sandwiched between vibrating member  10  of vibration actuators  1  and roller  51  serving as a supporting member. Base plate  60  supporting vibrating member  10  and roller  51  is fixed onto “main barrel A”  90 . Another driven member  31  mounted to fourth lens unit frame  76   k  is also disposed in the same manner as the above. 
   Yet further, piezoelectric elements  11  and  12  are electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board, which are not illustrated in  FIG. 5 , so as to respectively receive alternate current voltage. 
   By the above described structure, piezoelectric elements  11  and  12  are activated by the alternate current voltage having phase difference, and chip members  13  of vibrating members  10  are allowed to move in an ellipsoid path. Second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k , onto each of which driven member  31  is mounted, can be moved in the direction of optical axis OB while being guided by guide shafts  82  and  83 . 
   Yet further, to detect the position of second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k , thin magnetic film resistor elements  85 , which serve as a position sensor, are integrally provided on each of lens unit frames  74   k  and  76   k . At the position corresponding to the position of thin magnetic film resistor elements  85 , sensor scale  86  featuring multiple magnetic poles N and S one after the other in the moving direction is fixed onto “main barrel A”  90 . Though it is not illustrated, thin magnetic film resistor elements  85  are electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board, whereby the outputted signals, produced by the shifted position of thin magnetic film resistor elements  85 , are electrically detected, and the positions of first and second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k  can be determined. 
   Since sensor scale  86  is assembled so as to be commonly used for second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k  as shown in  FIG. 5 , assembly time is reduced resulting in reduced production cost. Yet further, since the same position on sensor scale  86  can be used for detecting the positions of each different lens unit, in the case that plural lens units move in the same direction, the detecting sensors arranged for each lens unit can be placed closer than the interval between each lens unit, and thereby, the length of sensor scale  86  can be shortened. 
   By the above structure, vibration actuator  1  corresponding to second lens unit frame  74   k  and vibration actuator  1  corresponding to fourth lens unit frame  76   k  can be activated independently, and both second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k  can be shifted to the targeted position for zooming. Then, only fourth lens unit frame  76   k  is further shifted for focusing.  FIG. 6  is a cross-section of the lens barrel taken along a surface passing through fourth lens unit  76 , and perpendicular to optical axis OB. 
   The cross-section of lens barrel  100  taken along the surface perpendicular to optical axis OB is approximately rectangular, and guide shaft  82  arranged in an opposing corner of the rectangle penetrates sleeve  76   s , while guide shaft  83  penetrates anti-rotation device  76   m.    
   In one of the other opposing corners of the rectangle, arranged are thin magnetic film resistor element  85  which serves as a position sensor and is integrally assembled in fourth lens unit frame  76   k , and further, sensor scale  86  which is fixed on “main barrel A”  90  corresponding to thin magnetic film resistor elements  85  and has multiple magnetic poles N and S one after the other in parallel to optical axis OB. 
   Further, in the other opposing corner, vibration actuator  1  is provided. Driven member  31  structured as one member of vibration actuator  1  is integrally assembled with fourth lens unit frame  76   k . Roller  51 , serving as a supporting member, vibrating member  10  and pressure applying member  40  are fixed on “main barrel A”  90  by base plate  60 . 
   In addition, since second lens unit frame  74   k , which supports second lens unit  74 , has the same structure, the explanation is not repeated. 
   As explained above, vibration actuator  1 , which is positioned flatways, can be arranged in various orientations, compared to the case of a columnar stepping motor being employed, and thereby the cross section area of lens barrel  100  can be reduced. Yet further, since vibration actuator  1  can be arranged in a space surrounded by “main barrel A”  90  and “main barrel B”  91 , both being the housing sections, dust is prevented from entering lens barrel  100 . Yet further, undesired noise is greatly reduced so that lens barrel  100  can be preferably used for the camera which records sound while taking moving pictures. 
   Since the actuator for moving the lens units is constituted by vibrating member  10  which is arranged so as to allow the plural piezoelectric elements to cross each other at a predetermined angle, driven member  31  moved by the vibration of vibrating member  10  and roller  51 , being a rotatable supporting member, which is arranged facing vibrating member  10 , which sandwiches driven member  31  with roller  51 , and further, since driven member  31  is fixed onto the lens frame for holding the lends units, and vibrating member  10  and roller  51  are positioned at the main barrel side, it is possible for roller  51  to receive the reaction force of the pressure onto driven member  31  generated by vibrating member  10 , and the reaction force exerted perpendicular in the moving direction, can be prevented from pushing the lens frames and the guide shafts. Due to this, the change of the undesired friction force between the lens frames and the guide shafts is overcome, and the lens barrel is stably driven at high efficiency, whereby high durability can be obtained. 
   Yet further, while vibration actuator  1  of the present embodiment is not activated, driven member  31  is sandwiched between vibrating member  10  and roller  51 , whereby the positions of the lens frames are secured during no electrical flow, that is, it is possible to secure the lens units with no electrical flow, which reduces electrical energy. 
   Still further, the lens frame also functions as a vibration damper for suppressing the vibrating actions of the driven member  31 . 
   Concerning the initial positions as the basing points of second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k , stop points can be employed at which the position detecting sensors do not show any change while the vibration actuators are activated to move the lens units in the predetermined directions. As another method, masking plates can be employed, which are formed on second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k , and the initial positions as the basing points are determined by the masking plates and the photo-interrupters. It is also possible for photo-reflectors and the photo-interrupters to be used for the detection of the initial positions. 
   Yet further, concerning the detection of the moved distance of second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k , it is not necessary to limit the thin magnetic film resistor elements and the scale sensor to be formed of magnetic material. For example, it is possible to employ scale sensors, being the photo-interrupters, which are assembled onto second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k , and the scale sensors in which light passing sections and light shielded sections are formed one after the other. Yet further, it is also possible to employ scale sensors, being the photo-reflectors, which are assembled onto second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k , and the scale sensors formed of light reflecting sections and non-reflect sections alternatively. In each case, it is possible to employ a single common sensor scale for second lens unit frame  74   k  and fourth lens unit frame  76   k.    
   In addition, in the above embodiments, the two lens units structured in the zooming optical system are driven for zooming and focusing. However, it is possible to use the embodiment of the optical system with the other structures, and further, the present embodiments can also be used for the focusing operation of a single focal optical system, which do not depart from the scope of the present invention. 
   Further, in the above embodiments, the two lens units structured in the zooming optical system are respectively driven by the two vibration actuators having the same structure. However, even if any one of the two lens units is driven by a different-type driving device, such the structure does not depart from the scope of the present invention. 
   Based on the present invention, the reaction force of the pressing force against the driven member while the vibration member is energized, is prevented from exerting a force against a lens frame and the guide shaft. Due to this, the change of the friction force produced between the lens frame and the guide shaft is reduced, and thereby the lens barrel having high driving efficiency and high durability with stable operation, can be attained. 
   While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific term, such description is for illustrative purpose only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.