Abstract:
A lens barrel including a base and a collapsible barrel provided so as to collapse into and expand out of the base, the barrel including a lens constituting an image-capturing optical system for introducing an image of an object, a lens frame for holding the lens, and an operational unit provided in the lens frame for performing an operation relating to image capture based on a control signal supplied thereto, the lens barrel including a flexible substrate provided within the lens barrel for supplying the control signal from an electric circuit provided outside the barrel to the operational unit; wherein the flexible substrate has a first interconnect section to which the control signal is supplied; and a second interconnect section provided separately from the first interconnect section and having an end connected onto the lens frame and another end electrically connected to a ground potential.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATONS 
   The present document is based on Japanese Priority Document JP2004-120796, filed to the Japanese Patent Office on Apr. 15, 2004, the contents of which being incorporated herein by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a lens barrel and to an imaging apparatus. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   When electrostatic charge and discharge occur on a case constituting an outer cover of an imaging apparatus, such as a digital still camera and a digital video camera, electric current flows into an electric circuit provided inside the case therethrough and adversely affects an operation of the electric circuit and electronic components constituting the electric circuit. 
   Techniques of thus providing an electrically conductive member, which connects the case of an imaging apparatus to a portion having ground potential in the electric circuit, in the apparatus have been known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-315888 Official Gazette). 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   There has been an imaging apparatus having a collapsible lens barrel enabled to collapse into and expand out of a casing. A lens frame for holding a lens is provided in the lens barrel. An operational unit, which operates according to a control signal supplied to this lens frame, is provided therein. Also, a flexible substrate for supplying the control signal to the operational unit from an electric circuit provided outside the lens barrel is disposed in the lens barrel. 
   There is the risk that when an electrostatic charge or discharge occurs in the lens barrel in a state in which the lens barrel is project forwardly from the case in such an imaging apparatus, electric current due to the charge or the discharge may flow into the flexible substrate from the lens barrel by an air discharge and be transmitted to the electric circuit through the flexible substrate and may adversely affect an operation of the electric circuit and electronic components constituting the electric circuit. 
   Further, in recent years, the miniaturization of the lens barrel has been achieved, so that the distance between the lens barrel and the flexible substrate has become narrower, and that the transmission of the electrostatic current to the flexible substrate is facilitated. 
   The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a lens barrel and an imaging apparatus, which are enabled to effectively prevent adverse effects due to electrostatic current and advantageous in miniaturization thereof. 
   It is preferable, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, to provide a lens barrel including a base and a collapsible barrel provided so as to collapse into and expand out of the base, the barrel including a lens constituting an image-capturing optical system for introducing an image of an object, a lens frame for holding the lens, and an operational unit provided in the lens frame for performing an operation relating to image capture based on a control signal supplied thereto, the lens barrel having a flexible substrate provided within the lens barrel for supplying the control signal from an electric circuit provided outside the barrel to the operational unit; wherein the flexible substrate includes a first interconnect section to which the control signal is supplied; and a second interconnect section provided separately from the first interconnect section and having an end connected onto the lens frame and another end electrically connected to a ground potential. 
   Also, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus including a base, and a collapsible barrel provided to collapse into and expand out of the base, the barrel including a lens constituting an image-capturing optical system for introducing an optical image of an object; an imaging device for imaging the object; a lens frame for holding the lens; and an operational unit provided in the lens frame for performing an operation relating to image capture based on a control signal supplied thereto, the imaging apparatus having a flexible substrate provided within the lens barrel for supplying the control signal from an electric circuit provided outside the barrel to the operational unit; wherein the flexible substrate includes a first interconnect section to which the control signal is supplied; and a second interconnect section provided separately from the first interconnect section and having an end connected onto the lens frame and another end electrically connected to a ground potential. 
   According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, when a discharge or a charge occurs at an end of a lens barrel or in the vicinity thereof due to external static electricity and electric current flows during the lens barrel is in a projected state, this current is led to a portion having ground potential through a second interconnect section. 
   Consequently, the current does not flow into the electric circuit and the imaging device of the imaging apparatus. Thus, the current may be securely prevented from adversely affecting operations of the electric circuit and the imaging device or affecting the electronic components of the electric circuit and the imaging device. 
   Also, even in a case where the distance between the lens barrel and the flexible substrate is narrow, the adverse effects may be securely prevented by surely leading the electrostatic current a portion having ground potential. Consequently, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is advantageous in miniaturization of the lens barrel and the imaging apparatus. 
   The benefit of effectively preventing the adverse effects due to the electrostatic current may be achieved by providing the second interconnect section, which is connected to a portion having ground potential, on the flexible substrate disposed in the lens barrel. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus as an example of preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a block view illustrating the configuration of the imaging apparatus as an example of preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B)  are perspective views illustrating the conditions of a lens barrel  10 ; 
       FIGS. 4(A) to 4(C)  are cross-sectional views illustrating the conditions of the lens barrel  10 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a collapsible lens; 
       FIG. 6  is a development view of a fixed ring  20 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a development view of a cam ring  24 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the schematic configuration of each of a first group lens frame  1402  and a second group lens frame  1602 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a longitudinally cross-sectional view of a lens barrel  10 ; 
       FIG. 10  is an explanatory view of each of an automatic exposure apparatus  1610  and a flexible substrate  1612 ; 
       FIG. 11  is an explanatory view illustrating electrical connection in an imaging apparatus  100 ; and 
       FIG. 12  is an explanatory view illustrating electrical connection in the imaging apparatus  100  that is not provided with a second interconnect section  1612 B on the flexible substrate  1612 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Next, an example of preferred embodiment of the present invention is described hereinbelow by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to the example of preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a block view illustrating the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the example of preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the imaging apparatus  100 , which constitutes this example of preferred embodiment, is a digital still camera having a case  102 , which constitutes an outer cover or body thereof. 
   A collapsible lens barrel  10  for accommodating and holding an image-capturing optical system  104  is provided at a location to the right side of the front face of the case  102 . A flash section  106  and an objective lens  108  of an optical finder  40  are provided at a place to the top of the front face of the case  102  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
   The lens barrel  10  is configured in such a way as to be moved by a drive section  124  (see  FIG. 2 ), which is incorporated in the case  102 , between a use position (corresponding to a wide-angle condition, a telescopic condition, and an intermediate condition between the wide-angle condition and the telescopic condition) projecting forwardly from the front face of the case  102  and an accommodation position (corresponding to a collapsed condition), at which the lens barrel  10  is accommodated in the front face of the case  102 . 
   A shutter button  110  is provided on the top face of the case  102 . An eyepiece window (not shown) of the optical finder, plural operation switches  112  for performing various operations, such as the on/off of a power supply, and the changeover among an image-capturing mode and a reproducing mode, and a display  114  (see  FIG. 2 ) for displaying a photographed image are provided on the rear face of the case  102 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , an imaging device  116 , which is constituted by a CCD and a CMOS sensor, for electronically imaging an object, whose optical image is formed by the image-capturing optical system  104 , is disposed in the rear portion of the lens barrel  10 . The imaging apparatus  100  has an image processor  120  for generating image data according to imaging signals outputted from the imaging device  116  and for recording the image data in a storage medium  118 , and also has a display processor  122  for displaying the image data in a display  114 , a driver  124 , and a controller  126  that includes a CPU for controlling the image processor  120 , the display processor  122  and a driver  124  in response to operations performed on the operating switch  112  and the shutter button  110 . 
   Next, the outline of the configuration of the lens barrel  10  is described hereinbelow. 
     FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B)  are perspective views each illustrating the condition of the lens barrel.  FIG. 3(A)  shows a lens accommodated condition, that is, a collapsed condition in which the lens is unused.  FIG. 3(B)  shows a lens projected condition (in other words, the wide-angle condition or the telescopic condition) in which the lens is used.  FIGS. 4(A) to 4(C)  are cross-sectional views of the lens barrel  10 .  FIG. 4(A)  shows the collapsed condition thereof.  FIG. 4(B)  shows the wide-angle condition thereof.  FIG. 4(C)  shows the telescopic condition thereof.  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the lens barrel  10 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) , the lens barrel  10  is attached to a base  12  that is fixed to the case  102 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4(A) to 4(C) , the lens barrel  10  optically has a three-group configuration. In other words, assuming that an object side in the direction of an optical axis of the lens barrel  10  is a front side, and that the side of the imaging device  116  in the direction of an optical axis thereof is a rear side, three groups constituting the lens barrel  10  include a first group lens  14 , a second group lens  16 , and a third group lens  18  disposed in this order from the front side to the rear side. 
   The first group lens  14  and the second group lens  16  of the lens barrel  10  are driven in the direction of the optical axis thereof along a predetermined cam curve to thereby perform zooming. The third group lens  18  of the lens barrel  10  is minutely displaced in the direction of the optical axis thereof to thereby perform focusing. In other words, the lens barrel is configured so that the displacement of each of the first group lens  14  and the second group lens  16  enables the change of a focal length, and that a deviation of a focusing position, which is caused by this change of the focal length, is corrected by the displacement of the third group lens  18  to thereby suitably achieve focusing. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the lens barrel  10 , a fixed ring  20 , a rotative ring  22 , a cam ring  24  (corresponding to the first lens barrel described in the claims), and a rectilinear guide ring  26  are used as constituents for moving the first group lens  14  and the second group lens  16  in the direction of the optical axis thereof. A male screw member and a female screw member are used as constituents for moving the third group lens  18  in the direction of the optical axis thereof. 
   This example of preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided with a barrier mechanism  30  for opening and closing an optical path of the image-capturing optical system at the front portion of the first group lens  14 . 
   More specifically, the fixed ring  20  is fixed to the base  12 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , cam grooves  2002  and  2004 , which circumferentially extend, and a rectilinear guide groove  2006  extending in parallel with the direction of the optical axis of the image-capturing optical system are provided in an inner peripheral surface of the fixed ring  20 . 
   The rotative ring  22  is rotatably provided on an outer periphery of the fixed ring  20  in such a way as to be unable to move in the direction of the optical axis. 
   Plural cam grooves  2202  penetrating the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the rotative ring  22  and extending in the direction of the circumference thereof are provided therein. A rectilinear groove  2205  rectilinearly extending along the direction of the optical axis is provided in the inner peripheral surface of the rotative ring  22 . A gear section  2204  is formed in a rear portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rotative ring  22  in such a way as to have a predetermined length in the circumferential direction thereof. Plural fins  2206  for detecting a rotational position are provided on the rear end of the rotative ring  22  in such a manner as to project therefrom. 
   A gear section  2204  is meshed with a gear  2302  of a rotative ring drive mechanism  23  attached to the base  12 . A rotation driving force fed from the rotative ring drive mechanism  232  is supplied to the rotative ring  22  through a gear  2302  and a gear section  2204 , so that the rotative ring  22  is driven in such a way as to rotate around the optical axis thereof. 
   The rotative ring drive mechanism  23  has a DC motor for rotation-driving the gear  2302 , a rotary encoder for counting the number of revolutions of this DC motor or the gear  2302 , and a photo sensor for detecting the movement of the fins  2206 . The rotational speed and the rotational position of the rotative ring  22  are controlled according to detection signals of the rotary encoder and the photo sensor. 
   The third group lens  18  is held by a third group lens frame  1802  that is disposed on the base  12  and held by a guide mechanism  28  in such a way as to move in the direction of the optical axis thereof and as to be unable to rotate around the optical axis thereof. The third group lens frame  1802  is configured in such a way as to be minutely displaced in the direction of the optical axis by a drive mechanism  29 . 
   A cam ring  24  is provided in the radially inner portion of the fixed ring  20  in such a way as to rotate and move in the direction of the optical axis thereof. Cam grooves  2402  and  2404  are provided in the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring  24 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Three protruding sections  2406  projecting radially and outwardly are provided on the rear end of the cam ring  24  in such a way as to be spaced in the circumferential direction thereof, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Further, during a state in which these three protruding sections  2406  engage with the cam grooves  2002  and  2004  of the fixed ring  20 , the cam ring  24  performs rotational motions with respect to the fixed ring  20 , so that these three protruding sections  2406  are moved along the cam grooves  2002  and  2004 . Consequently, the cam ring  24  is moved in the direction of the optical axis thereof. 
   Furthermore, at least one of the cam grooves  2002  of the fixed ring  20  penetrates therethrough. An end of an arm (not shown) provided on the protruding portion  2406  of the cam ring  24 , which corresponds to the cam groove  2002  penetrating therethrough, engages with the rectilinear groove  2205  of the rotative ring  22  through the cam grooves  2002 . Consequently, the cam ring  24  and the rotative ring  22  are connected to each other and rotate with respect to the fixed ring  20 . In other words, when the rotative ring  22  is rotated, the cam ring  24  moves in the direction of the optical axis while rotating. 
   The rectilinear guide ring  26  is provided in the radially inner portion of the cam ring  24  in such a manner as to be unable to rotate and as to move in the direction of the optical axis by being connected to the cam ring  24 . Particularly, three protruding sections  2602  projecting radially and outwardly are provided on the rear end of the rectilinear guide ring  26  are provided by being spaced in the circumferential direction. Further, in a state in which these three protruding sections  2602  extend through the rear of the cam ring  24  and engage with the rectilinear guide grooves  2008  of the fixed ring  20 , the cam ring  24  performs rotational motions with respect to the fixed ring  20 . Thus, these three protruding sections  2602  are moved along the rectilinear guide groove  2006  of the fixed ring  20 . Consequently, the guide ring  26  are linked with the cam ring  24  and moved only in the direction of the optical axis without rotating. 
   Further, guide pieces  2604  are provided on the rectilinear guide ring  26  in such a way as to be respectively projected forwardly from two places located across a radial direction of the front edge thereof in parallel to the direction of the optical axis. 
   The second group lens  16  is held by the second group lens frame  1602 . The second group lens  16  is disposed on the inner periphery of the cam ring  24 . Guide sections  16  positioned at two places, which are located across a radial direction, in such a way as to extend in parallel to the direction of the optical axis and as to be guided by two guide pieces  2604  of the rectilinear guide ring  26 , guide rails  1605  positioned at two places, which are located across a radial direction, in such a manner as to extend in parallel to the direction of the optical axis and as to forwardly project, and three cam pins  1606  engaged with the cam grooves  2404  of the cam ring  24  are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second group lens frame  1602 . 
   Further, in a state in which the guide sections  1604  are guided by the guide pieces  2604  and in which the three cam pins  1606  are engaged with the cam grooves  2404  of the cam ring  24 , the cam ring  24  rotates, so that the second group lens  16  is moved along the cam curves set in the cam grooves  2404  only in the direction of the optical axis without rotating. 
   The second group lens frame  1602  is provided with a second group light shielding plate  1608  for shielding stray light in the lens barrel  10  and for preventing stray light from entering the imaging device  116 . 
   The second group light shielding plate  1608  is attached to the second group lens frame  1602  in such a way as to swing around an axis line extending in a direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. 
   In a condition in which the lens barrel  10  is projected, the second group light shielding plate  1608  is placed at a shielding position for shielding light, by being pushed by a pushing member (not shown) in such a way as to abut against a stopper (not shown) provided on the second group lens frame  1602 . In a process in which the condition of the lens barrel  10  is changed from the projected condition to the accommodated condition, the second group light shielding plate  1608  is made to abut against the front portion of the third group lens moving mechanism  28 . Thus, the second group light shielding plate  1608  is swung from the shielding position and retreated from the front portion of the third group lens moving mechanism  28 . Consequently, the second group light shielding plate  1608  and the second group lens frame  1602  can be placed nearer to the vicinity of the base  12 . This is advantageous in reducing the space in the direction of the optical axis, which is occupied by the second group lens frame  1602 , in the accommodated condition of the lens barrel  10 . 
   Further, an automatic exposure device  1610  and a flexible substrate  1612  (to be described later) are provided on the second group lens frame  1602 . 
   The first group lens  14  is held by the first group lens frame  1402  (corresponding to the second lens barrel described in the claim). The first group lens frame  1402  is disposed in the inner periphery of the cam ring  24  and in front of the second group lens frame  1602 . The inner peripheral surface of the first group lens frame  1602  is provided with guide grooves (not shown) formed in two places, which are located across a radial direction, in such a way as to extend in parallel to the direction of the optical axis and as to be guided by two guide rails  1605  of the second group lens frame  1602 , and with three cam pins  1406  engaged with the cam grooves  2404  of the cam rig  24 . 
   Further, in a state in which the guide grooves are guided by the guide rails  1605  and in which the three cam pins  1406  are engaged with the cam grooves  2402  of the cam ring  24 , the cam ring  24  rotates, so that the first group lens  14  is moved only in the direction of the optical axis along the cam curve set in the cam groove  2402  without rotating. 
   Furthermore, a metallic accessory plate  32  for arranging the appearance of the lens barrel  10  is attached to the front portion of the first group lens frame  14 . A metallic accessory ring  34  for arranging the appearance of the lens barrel is attached to the front portion of the cam ring  24 . 
   A light shielding ring  36  for preventing dust and stray light from entering the gap between the outer periphery of the first group lens frame  14  and the inner periphery of the cam ring  24  is disposed in the gap therebetween. This light shielding ring  36  is attached onto the first group lens frame  14  and disposed in a state in which a clearance is provided between the decorative ring  34  and the cam ring  24 . 
   A light shielding ring  38  for preventing dust and stray light from entering the gap between the outer periphery of cam ring  24  and the inner periphery of the fixed ring  20  is disposed in the gap therebetween. This light shielding ring  38  is attached to the outer periphery of the cam  24  and brought into elastic contact with the inner periphery of the fixed ring  20 . 
   Further, the optical finder  40  incorporates a movable lens and is attached to the base  12 . The movable lens is connected to the cam groove  2202  of the rotative ring  22  through a cam pin (not shown). The movable lens moves in conjunction with the rotative ring  22  in the direction of the optical axis, so that an operation of zooming the visual field is performed. 
   Next, the automatic exposure device  1610  and the flexible substrate  1612  are described hereinbelow in detail. 
     FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the schematic configuration of each of the first group lens frame  1402  and the second group lens frame  1602 .  FIG. 9  is a longitudinally cross-sectional view of a lens barrel  10 .  FIG. 10  is an explanatory view of each of the automatic exposure apparatus  1610  and the flexible substrate  1612 . Incidentally,  FIG. 8  is drawn by simplifying the shape of each of portions thereof for convenience of drawing. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the automatic exposure device  1610  has a case  1620 , which is attached to the front portion of the second group lens frame  1602 . A shutter mechanism for opening and closing an optical path of the image-capturing optical system  104 , and a light intensity adjusting mechanism for adjusting the intensity of light in the optical path of the image-capturing optical system  104  are disposed in the case  1620 . The automatic exposure device  1610  includes the shutter mechanism and the light intensity adjusting mechanism. 
   In this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shutter mechanism constitutes the operational unit described in the claims, and also the light intensity adjusting mechanism constitutes the operational unit described in the claims. 
   The shutter mechanism and the light intensity adjusting mechanism are configured in such a way as to operate according to control signals supplied from an electric circuit  130  (see  FIG. 11 ), which is incorporated into the case  102  of the imaging apparatus  100 , through the flexible substrate  1612 . Various mechanisms, which have hitherto and publicly been known, for example, the combination of an electrical actuator, such as a motor, and a mechanical opening/closing mechanism, and a device employing as a liquid crystal device as the light intensity adjusting mechanism, can be employed as the shutter mechanism and the light intensity adjusting mechanism. 
   The flexible substrate  1612  is constituted by a flexible material. As shown in  FIG. 9 , end sides  1612 A 1  and  1612 B 1  of the flexible substrate  1612  are attached to the case  1620  of the automatic exposure device  1610  by adhesive bonding. An intermediate section of the flexible substrate  1612  is configured so that a bent portion thereof extends through the rear of the cam ring  24  and is held by an attaching section  2010  of the fixed ring  20 , and that the other ends  1612 A 2  and  1612 B 2  thereof extend along the fixed ring  20  and are led to the rear from the opening  1202  of the base  12 . 
   Further, the flexible substrate  1612  is formed in such a manner as to follow a rotational operation of the rotative ring  22  and the movement in the direction of the optical axis of each of the second group lens frame  1602  and the rectilinear guide ring  26 , as to move while the bent portion continuously changes, and as not to strain the first interconnect section  1612 A and the second interconnect section  1612 B. 
   More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the flexible substrate  1612  has a first interconnect section  1612 A and a second interconnect section  1612 B. In this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first interconnect section  1612 A and the second interconnect section  1612 B are formed on a single substrate. 
   In this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first interconnect section  1612 A has plural conducting lines, one end  1612 A 1  of each of which is electrically connected to a corresponding one of plural connecting ends of the automatic exposure device  1612 , and the other end  1612 B 2  of each of which is electrically connected to a place provided outside the lens barrel  10  and in the case  102  in such a way as to have ground potential. In this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention, one end  1612 B of the second interconnect section  1612 B is formed as a pattern section formed in such a way as to have a predetermined area and as to be exposed so that the surface of the second interconnect section  1612 B is electrically connectable. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , two metallic coil springs  15  are provided in a stretched condition between the first group lens frame  1402  and the second group lens frame  1602 . 
   The two coil springs  15  extend in parallel to the optical axis in a front-rear direction between the first lens frame  1402  and the second group lens frame  1602  in the first group lens frame  1402  and the cam ring  24  and also push the first group lens frame  1402  and the second group lens frame  1602  in a direction in which the first group lens frame  1402  and the second group lens frame  1602  come close to each other. Therefore, the two coil springs  15  forwardly push the second group lens frame  1602 . More specifically, both of each of the coil springs  15  are respectively caught in a spring catching section  1410 , which is provided to the front end in the first group lens frame  1402  in such a way as to project therefrom, and in a spring catching section  1616  provided to the front end and the outer periphery of the second group lens frame  1602 . 
   The backlash between the cam pin  1406  and the cam groove  2402  and that between the cam pin  1606  and the cam groove  2404  are absorbed by the pushing force of the coil springs  15 . 
   In this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention, a front end  1502  of one of the two coil springs  15  is brought into elastic contact with the rear surface of the accessory plate  32 . Thus, the accessory plate  32  is electrically conducted to the one of the coil springs  15 . 
   Further, the rear end of the one of the coil springs  15  is electrically connected to the one end  1612 B 1  of the second interconnect section  1612 B of the flexible substrate  1612 . 
   Specifically, in this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention, a conducting plate  31  constituted by an electrically conducting material, such as metal, is provided to the rear end of the outer peripheral surface of the second group lens frame  1602 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 . The above-mentioned spring catching section  1616  is formed integrally with this conducting plate  31 . Thus, the one of the coil springs  15  is electrically connected to the conducting plate  31 . 
   Furthermore, the conducting plate  31  is electrically connected to the one end  1612 B 1  of the second interconnect section  1612 B of the flexible wiring plate  1612 . 
   Therefore, the accessory plate  32  is electrically connected to the grounded place in the case  102  through a path including the coil springs  15 , the conducting plate  31 , and the second interconnect section  1612 B. 
   Next, a description is given of a case where electrostatic discharge or charge occurs on the lens barrel  10  of the imaging apparatus  100  according to this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11  is an explanatory view illustrating electrical connection in an imaging apparatus  100 . In the figure, dashed lines represent electrically conducted paths. Solid arrows designate flows of electric currents generated by electrostatic discharge and charge. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , in the automatic exposure device  1612 , the shutter mechanism and the light intensity adjusting mechanism are operated by supplying the control signals thereto from the electric circuit  130  through the first interconnect section  1612 . 
   Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , during the lens barrel  10  is in the projected condition, when discharge or charge occurs on an end of the lens barrel  10 , that is, the accessory plate  32  or the vicinity thereof, so that electric current flows therein, this current is led to the grounded place of the case  102  through a path comprising the accessory plate  32 , the coil springs  15 , the conducting plate  31 , and the second interconnect section  1612 B. 
   Consequently, the current does not flow in the electric circuit  130  and the imaging device  1616 . Thus, operations of the electric circuit  130  and the imaging device  1616 , or electronic components constituting the electric circuit  130  and the imaging device  1616  are surely prevented from being adversely affected. 
   Also, even in a case where the gap between the lens barrel  10  and the flexible substrate  1612  is narrow, electrostatic current can surely be led to the grounded place in the case  102 , so that the adverse effects can surely be affected. Thus, this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention is advantageous in miniaturization of the lens barrel  10  and the imaging apparatus  100 . 
   Additionally, in this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coil springs  15  disposed in the lens barrel  10  are conducted to the grounded place in the case  102 . Thus, electric current due to static electricity generated on the lens barrel  10  is led to the coil springs  15  at ground level midway through the path assumed to extend from the front portion of the lens barrel  10  to the rear portion thereof. Consequently, this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention is advantageous in surely preventing the current from being transmitted to the imaging device  116  attached to the rear portion of the lens barrel  10 . 
     FIG. 12  illustrates a comparative example and constitutes an explanatory view showing electrical connection in the imaging apparatus  100  that is not provided with the second interconnect section  1612 B on the flexible substrate  1612 . 
   In this case, the electrostatic current generated in the lens barrel  10  is transmitted therethrough and flows into the imaging device  116  and into the electric circuit  130  hrough the first interconnect section  1612 A. This may adversely affect operations of the electric circuit  130  and the imaging device  1616 , or affect the electronic components constituting the electric circuit  130  and the imaging device  1616 . 
   In addition, in this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention, the metallic accessory plate  32  is attached to the front portion of the first group lens frame  1505 . Also, the front ends of the coil springs  15  are electrically connected to the accessory plate  32 . However, needless to say, even in a case where the front ends of the coil springs  15  are disposed close to the accessory plate  32 , electrostatic current can be led to the coil springs  15  from the front ends thereof. Incidentally, in a case where the electrical connection of the front ends of the coil sprints  15  to the accessory plate  32  is established, similarly to the embodiment, this is more advantageous in surely leading the electrostatic current to the coil springs  15 . 
   Further, although the description of this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention has described the case where the metallic accessory plate  32  is attached to the front portion of the first group lens frame  1404 , needless to say, present invention can be applied to a lens barrel provided with no metallic accessory plate  32 . 
   Moreover, although the description of this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention has described the shutter mechanism and the light intensity adjusting mechanism as examples of the operational unit for performing operations relating to image-capturing, the operational unit is not limited to the shutter mechanism and the light intensity adjusting mechanism, because the constitution of the operational unit is determined according to various operations needed for realizing the functions of the imaging apparatus. 
   By the way, although the description of this example of preferred embodiment of the present invention has described the digital still camera employed as the imaging apparatus, the present invention can be applied to various kinds of the imaging apparatus, such as a video camera. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes, modifications, combinations, sub combinations, alterations and the like may be made depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.