Patent Description:
An image pickup apparatus that enables an interchange of a lens barrel is used widely. A mount member of a bayonet connection system is known as one of mechanisms of a mount module that enables an interchange of a lens barrel. In the mount member of the bayonet connection system, a mount surface of a mount member of a lens barrel is come in contact with a mount surface of a mount member of an image pickup apparatus of which a distance from an image sensor provided in the image pickup apparatus has been adjusted, and then, the lens barrel is rotated in a predetermined direction around an optical axis. Then, claws provided in both of the mount module and lens barrel are engaged and the lens barrel is energized to the image sensor side with an energizing member like a flat spring. Thereby, the lens barrel is held by the image pickup apparatus.

However, the conventional mount member of the bayonet connection system has a problem in that the lens barrel may cause shakiness in a range of a deflection amount of the energizing member because the lens barrel is held with only the energization force of the energizing member. Particularly, when a large-sized lens barrel is attached, the shakiness at the mount module easily occurs, which lowers the waterproofness due to a gap caused by the shakiness.

In order to solve this problem, <CIT> suggests a configuration that arranges a holding member having a groove on an outer periphery of a mount member to which a lens barrel is fixed, that arranges an O-ring in the groove, and that secures the waterproofness with a cover that covers the O-ring. However, the technique described in <CIT> has a problem in that the entire mount module is enlarged because the holding member is needed to arrange the O-ring on the outer periphery of the mount module.

<CIT> discloses a camera-side mount of a camera body to which a lens is attachable. The camera-side mount has claws that engage with claws of the lens and has a groove formed on its outer circumference, in which a ring-shaped elastic member is disposed. A tubular part of the lens abuts on the elastic member when the lens is attached to the camera body.

<CIT> discloses a lens that is attachable to a camera body. The lens comprises a lens barrel, a bayonet tube disposed rotatably relative to the lens barrel, claws disposed at the bayonet tube, and an operation ring via which the bayonet tube is rotated relative to the lens barrel.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a mount module as specified in claim <NUM> and a mount module as specified in claim <NUM>.

A second aspect of the present invention provides an image pickup apparatus as specified in claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, a mount module that is capable of improving waterproofness is achieved without enlarging its size.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Hereafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail by referring to the drawings. In the following description, a front-side perspective view means a view showing a target viewed from its slanting front side, and a back-side perspective view means a view showing a target viewed from its slanting back side. It should be noted that the same expression is used for an exploded perspective view.

<FIG> are a front-side perspective view and a back-side perspective view showing an image pickup apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a front-side perspective view showing the image pickup system in which a lens barrel <NUM> (what is called an interchangeable lens) is attached to the image pickup apparatus <NUM>.

An orthogonal coordinate system is defined as shown in <FIG> for convenience of description. A Z-direction is parallel to an image-pickup optical axis (hereinafter referred to as an "optical axis") of the image pickup apparatus <NUM>. The optical axis in the mount module according to this embodiment is approximately coincident with a center axis of the mount, and specifically, it is approximately coincident with a center axis of a diameter (an inside diameter, an outside diameter, or an average diameter of them) of a body-side mount surface <NUM> mentioned later. An X-direction is a width direction of the image pickup apparatus <NUM> that intersects perpendicularly with the Z-direction. A Y-direction is a height direction of the image pickup apparatus <NUM> that intersects perpendicularly with both the Z-direction and X-direction. In the Z-direction, the direction directed to an object as an image-pickup target is a positive direction (+Z-direction) and the counter direction is a negative direction (-Z-direction). In the X-direction, the rightward direction when the image pickup apparatus <NUM> is viewed from the +Z side is a positive direction (+X-direction) and the counter direction (leftward direction) is a negative direction (-X-direction). In the Y-direction, the upward direction when the X-direction and Z-direction are parallel to a horizontal plane is a positive direction (+Y-direction) and the counter direction (downward direction) is a negative direction (-Y-direction). It should be noted that the front side, back side, right side, left side, upper side, and lower side of the image pickup apparatus <NUM> are respectively defined as the +Z side, -Z side, +X side, -X side, +Y side, and -Y side.

The image pickup apparatus <NUM> generally consists of a first mount module <NUM> and a main body module <NUM> (image pickup apparatus body). The first mount module <NUM> is modularized so as to be attachable to and detachable from the main body module <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> is attachable to and detachable from the first mount module <NUM>. The main body module <NUM> contains a main substrate equipped with a control circuit that controls the entire image pickup apparatus <NUM>, an image sensor that converts incident light guided through the lens barrel <NUM> into an electrical signal, etc. Moreover, various kinds of terminals (interfaces) for power supply, video output, etc. are arranged on a back surface of the main body module <NUM>. Since various kinds of components arranged in the inside and the back surface of the main body module <NUM> do not have a direct relationship to the present invention, more detailed descriptions are omitted.

<FIG> are a front-side exploded perspective view and a back-side exploded perspective view showing the image pickup apparatus <NUM> in a state where the first mount module <NUM> is separated from the main body module <NUM>.

The main body module <NUM> is provided with a front cover <NUM> that constitutes a part of the external appearance of the image pickup apparatus <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> is provided with positioning holes <NUM> for positioning the first mount module <NUM> to the main body module <NUM>. In the meantime, the first mount module <NUM> has a mount base <NUM> (base member) that constitutes a part of external appearance of the image pickup apparatus <NUM>. The mount base <NUM> is provided with positioning bosses <NUM> that will be inserted into the positioning holes <NUM>. A connection position of the first mount module <NUM> to the main body module <NUM> is fixed by engaging the positioning bosses <NUM> of the mount base <NUM> with the positioning holes <NUM> of the front cover <NUM>. The first mount module <NUM> is connected and fixed to the main body module <NUM> with fixing screws <NUM> in the state where the first mount module <NUM> is positioned to the main body module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a back-side perspective view showing a mount member <NUM> of the lens barrel <NUM>. The basic structure of the first mount module <NUM> is proportionate to the mount structure of the conventional bayonet connection system. Accordingly, the mount member <NUM> of the lens barrel <NUM> that is attachable to and detachable from the first mount module <NUM> has a structure that is attachable to and detachable from the mount of the conventional bayonet connection system. Specifically, the mount member <NUM> has a lens-side mount surface <NUM> (see <FIG>) and bayonet claws 212a, 212b, and 212c. The bayonet claws 212a, 212b, and 212c respectively have bayonet-claw contact surfaces 213a, 213b, and 213c.

<FIG> are a front-side perspective view and a back-side perspective view showing the first mount module <NUM>. <FIG> are a front-side exploded perspective view and a back-side exploded perspective view showing the first mount module <NUM>. It should be noted that <FIG> show the principal parts of the first mount module <NUM> in an exploded state and also show the mount member <NUM> of the lens barrel <NUM>. The first mount module <NUM> is provided with the mount base <NUM>, a fixed mount member <NUM>, a movable mount member <NUM>, and an operation ring <NUM> (a movable member) as the principal parts. <FIG> are perspective views describing the configuration for fixing (fastening) the fixed mount member <NUM> to the mount base <NUM>. <FIG> shows the mount base <NUM> and the fixed mount member <NUM> viewed from different directions, respectively.

The mount base <NUM> has through holes <NUM> and positioning ribs <NUM>. The fixed mount member <NUM> has the body-side mount surface <NUM>, an opening <NUM>, a first thread <NUM>, internal threads <NUM>, a first contact surface <NUM>, a second contact surface <NUM>, and positioning grooves <NUM>.

The body-side mount surface <NUM> abuts on the lens-side mount surface <NUM> of the lens barrel <NUM> when the lens barrel <NUM> is attached to the first mount module <NUM>. When the lens barrel <NUM> is attached to or detached from the first mount module <NUM>, the bayonet claws 212a are inserted into or separated from the opening <NUM>. The first thread <NUM> is an internal thread formed around the optical axis.

The fixed mount member <NUM> is positioned with respect to the mount base <NUM> when the positioning ribs <NUM> of the mount base <NUM> engage with the positioning grooves <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM>. The shapes of the positioning ribs <NUM> are designed so as not to disturb sliding motions of the movable mount member <NUM> and operation ring <NUM>, and details thereof will be mentioned later.

The movable mount member <NUM> to which the operation ring <NUM> is incorporated is arranged between the mount base <NUM> and the fixed mount member <NUM> (details will be mentioned later), and the fixed mount member <NUM> is positioned with respect to the mount base <NUM> as mentioned above. Then, fixing screws <NUM> are inserted through the four through holes <NUM> of the mount base <NUM> from the back side (-Z side) and are fastened to the internal threads <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM>. That is, the fixing screws <NUM> fasten the fixed mount member <NUM> and the mount base <NUM> from an opposite side of the attachment side of the lens barrel <NUM>. Thereby, the fixed mount member <NUM> is fixed to the mount base <NUM> in the state where the movable mount member <NUM> and operation ring <NUM> are rotatably held between the mount base <NUM> and the fixed mount member <NUM>.

<FIG> are perspective views showing a positional relationship in the state where the operation ring <NUM> is engaged with the movable mount member 340in the first mount module. <FIG> shows the movable mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM> viewed from different directions, respectively. <FIG> is a back-side perspective view showing the state where the operation ring <NUM> is engaged with the movable mount member <NUM>.

The movable mount member <NUM> has claws 331a, 331b, and 331c, a second thread <NUM>, and grooves 333a and 333b. The claws 331a, 331b, and 331c respectively have claw contact surfaces 334a, 334b, and 334c (see <FIG> that respectively abut on the bayonet-claw contact surfaces 213a, 213b, and 213c of the bayonet claws 212a, 212b, and 212c of the mount member <NUM> of the lens barrel <NUM>. The second thread <NUM> is an external thread that screws to the first threaded <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM>.

The operation ring <NUM> has knobs 341a and 341b, convex parts 342a and 342b, and operation-ring contact surfaces 343a and 343b. A position of the operation ring <NUM> is determined when the convex parts 342a and 342b of the operation ring <NUM> respectively engage with the grooves 333a and 333b of the movable mount member <NUM> in the area interposed between the mount base <NUM> and the fixed mount member <NUM>. Thereby, the movable mount member <NUM> rotates by interlocking with the rotation of the operation ring <NUM>. It should be noted that the operation ring <NUM> is not fastened (connected) to the movable mount member <NUM> with screws etc..

<FIG> are front views showing positional relationships between the bayonet claws 212a, 212b, and 212c of the lens barrel <NUM> and the claws 331a, 331b, and 331c of the movable mount member <NUM>. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line B-B shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line C-C shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line D-D shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged view showing a section E shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is an enlarged view showing a section F shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is an enlarged view showing a section G shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a state where the bayonet claws 212a, 212b, and 212c do not overlap with the claws 331a, 331b, and 331c when they are projected to an optical-axis projection plane and where the lens barrel <NUM> is attachable to and detachable from the image pickup apparatus <NUM>. That is, <FIG> shows a state where the mount member <NUM> of the lens barrel <NUM> is dropped into the first mount module <NUM> of the image pickup apparatus <NUM>. In this state, the bayonet claws 212a through 212c of the lens barrel <NUM> are inserted into the opening <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM>, and the lens-side mount surface <NUM> of the mount member <NUM> is abutting to the body-side mount surface <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM>. It should be noted that "on an optical-axis projection plane" means "on a projection plane viewed in the optical axis direction (on the XY plane viewed from the +Z side to the -Z side).

<FIG> shows a state where the movable mount member <NUM> is rotated counterclockwise around the optical axis when viewed from the front side of the image pickup apparatus <NUM> to a position where the claws 331a through 331c begin to overlap with the bayonet claws 212a through 212c on the optical-axis projection plane. In the first mount module <NUM>, the operation ring <NUM> is rotatably arranged to the fixed mount member <NUM> because the opening <NUM> (see.

<FIG>) of the operation ring <NUM> is slidably engaged with a pipe part <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the fixed mount member <NUM> in a dimension relationship of loose fit.

As mentioned above, the convex parts 342a and 342b of the operation ring <NUM> are respectively engaged with the grooves 333a and 333b of the movable mount member <NUM>. Thereby, when the operation ring <NUM> is rotated, the movable mount member <NUM> rotates in the same direction. In order to improve a slide property, slide grease may be applied to the slide engagement part between the opening <NUM> of the operation ring <NUM> and the pipe part <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM>.

In a transition process from the state in <FIG> to the state in <FIG>, the claws 331a through 331c of the movable mount member <NUM> are moving toward the mount base <NUM> along the optical axis direction. That is, the movable mount member <NUM> rotates in the same direction as the rotational direction of the operation ring <NUM> and is engaged with the operation ring <NUM> movably in the optical axis direction. It should be noted that the claws 331a through 331c do not engage with the bayonet claws 212a through 212c in the state in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a state where the operation to rotate the movable mount member <NUM> counterclockwise around the optical axis when viewed from the front side of the image pickup apparatus <NUM> is completed and where the lens barrel <NUM> is strongly attached to the image pickup apparatus <NUM>. In this state, the bayonet claws 212a through 212c of the lens barrel <NUM> wholly overlap with the claws 331a through 331c of the movable mount member <NUM> on the optical-axis projection plane, and the claw contact surfaces 334a through 334c respectively abut to the bayonet-claw contact surfaces 213a through 213c.

The knobs 341a and 341b provided in the operation ring <NUM> are shaped so as not to protrude from the image pickup apparatus <NUM> on the optical-axis projection plane in the state where the lens barrel <NUM> is attached. This reduces unintentional external force acting to the knobs 341a and 341b in the state where the lens barrel <NUM> is attached.

A procedure of attaching the lens barrel <NUM> to the image pickup apparatus <NUM> is as follows. First, a user aligns an index (not shown) provided in the lens barrel <NUM> with an index <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided in the fixed mount member <NUM> and makes the lens-side mount surface <NUM> of the lens barrel <NUM> abut to the body-side mount surface <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM>. Thereby, the state in <FIG> is achieved. Next, the user grips the two knobs 341a and 341b and rotates the operation ring <NUM> counterclockwise when viewed from the +Z side so that the bayonet claws 212a through 212c will overlap with the claws 331a through 331c on the optical-axis projection plane as shown in <FIG>.

After that, the user grips the two knobs 341a and 341b and further rotates the operation ring <NUM> counterclockwise when viewed from the +Z side so that the claw contact surfaces 334a through 334c will abut to the bayonet-claw contact surfaces 213a through 213c. Thereby, the lens barrel <NUM> is fixed to the first mount module <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. When detaching the lens barrel <NUM> from the image pickup apparatus <NUM>, the user may conversely perform the above-mentioned attachment operation of the lens barrel <NUM> and its description is omitted.

It should be noted that the operation ring <NUM> is rotatable between a first position shown in <FIG> and a second position shown in <FIG>. In the first position, the operation-ring contact surface 343a of the operation ring <NUM> abuts to the second contact surface <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM>. In the second position, the operation-ring contact surface 343b of the operation ring <NUM> abuts to the first contact surface <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM>. The rotation range of the movable mount member <NUM> becomes the same as the rotation range of the operation ring <NUM>. The positioning ribs <NUM> of the mount base <NUM> are shaped so as not to obstruct the movements of the convex parts 342a and 342b when the movable mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM> rotate.

Next, a waterproof structure of the first mount module <NUM> will be described. <FIG> are a front-side exploded perspective view and a back-side exploded perspective view showing the first mount module <NUM>. The first mount module <NUM> is provided with the mount base <NUM>, the fixed mount member <NUM>, the movable mount member <NUM>, the operation ring <NUM>, and the fixing screws <NUM> as mentioned above. The first mount module <NUM> is further provided with a first O-ring <NUM>, a second O-ring <NUM>, a metal plate member <NUM>, fixing screws <NUM>, an electrical communication contact unit <NUM>, a rotation detection unit <NUM>, a cover <NUM>, and fixing screws <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view showing the first mount module <NUM>, and <FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line A-A shown in <FIG>. The fixed mount member <NUM> has a groove <NUM>. The approximately annular first O-ring <NUM> as a first elastic member is arranged in the groove <NUM>. That is, the first O-ring <NUM> is arranged in an annular space formed between the fixed mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM>.

Moreover, the mount base <NUM> has an annular step <NUM>. The approximately annular second O-ring <NUM> as a second elastic member is arranged on the step <NUM>. The metal plate member <NUM> is fastened to the mount base <NUM> with the fixing screws <NUM> so as to regulate movement of the second O-ring <NUM> in the optical axis direction. That is, the second O-ring <NUM> is arranged in the space formed by the metal plate member <NUM>, mount base <NUM>, and operation ring <NUM>. Although the metal plate member <NUM> and the mount base <NUM> are configures as separate members in this embodiment, they may be configured as a single member.

Since the space formed between the fixed mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM> in the first mount module <NUM> is filled up with the first O-ring <NUM> in this way, a gap does not arise between the fixed mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM>. Moreover, since the space formed between the mount base <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM> is filled up with the second O-ring <NUM>, a gap does not arise between the mount base <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM>. Accordingly, infiltration of water and dust into the inside through the boundary between the fixed mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM> and the boundary between the mount base <NUM> and the operation rings <NUM> is prevented.

Although the O-rings are respectively arranged in the space between the fixed mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM> and the space between the mount base <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM> in this embodiment, another configuration may be employed. For example, O-rings may be respectively arranged in the space between the fixed mount member <NUM> and the movable mount member <NUM> and the space between the mount base <NUM> and the movable mount member <NUM>.

When the lens barrel <NUM> is attached to the image pickup apparatus <NUM>, the electrical communication contact unit <NUM> contacts an electrical communication contact unit (not shown) of the lens barrel <NUM> and electrical conduction is achieved. The rotation detection unit <NUM> is provided with a rotation detection substrate <NUM>, a support metal plate <NUM>, fixing screws <NUM>, and a communication cable <NUM>. The rotation detection substrate <NUM> is fixed to the support metal plate <NUM>, and the support metal plate <NUM> is fastened to the mount base <NUM> with the fixing screws <NUM>. The rotation detection substrate <NUM> is provided with a rotation detection switch <NUM>.

As described by referring to <FIG>, when the lens barrel <NUM> is fixed to the first mount module <NUM> by operating the operation ring <NUM>, the rotation detection switch <NUM> is pressed by a cutout annular convex part <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided in the movable mount member <NUM>. Thereby, the attachment of the lens barrel <NUM> to the image pickup apparatus <NUM> is detected and ON/OFF of the electrical communication contact unit <NUM> is switched. The communication cable <NUM> is connected to a control substrate (not shown) arranged inside the main body module <NUM>. And thereby, the communication and power supply between the image pickup apparatus <NUM> and the lens barrel <NUM> are available. The cover <NUM> is fastened to the mount base <NUM> with the fixing screws <NUM> and regulates routing of the communication cable <NUM>.

As mentioned above, since the first mount module <NUM> prevents infiltration of water and dust into the inside from the outside, occurrences of poor communication and failure due to infiltration of water and dust into the electrical communication contact unit <NUM> from the first mount module <NUM> are prevented.

<FIG> are exploded perspective views showing the first mount module <NUM> and the main body module <NUM>. An image pickup module <NUM> is built in the main body module <NUM>. The image pickup module <NUM> is provided with a substrate <NUM>, an image sensor <NUM> implemented in the substrate <NUM>, and a holding member <NUM> holding the substrate <NUM>. Incident light passing through the lens barrel <NUM> forms an image on the surface of the image sensor <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> converts the formed optical image into a video signal (an electrical signal). The image pickup module <NUM> is fixed to the front cover <NUM> with screws (not shown). At this time, a distance (a flange back amount) between the image sensor <NUM> and the body-side mount surface <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM> is adjustable by interposing washers (not shown) of arbitrary thicknesses between the front cover <NUM> and the image pickup module <NUM>.

As mentioned above, since the first mount module <NUM> prevents infiltration of water and dust into the inside from the outside, infiltration of water and dust into the main body module <NUM> from the first mount module <NUM> is also prevented.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. <FIG> is a front-side perspective view showing an image pickup apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment. <FIG> is a front-side perspective view showing the image pickup system in which a lens barrel <NUM> is attached to the image pickup apparatus <NUM>. The image pickup apparatus <NUM> generally consists of a second mount module <NUM> and the main body module <NUM>. Since the main body module <NUM> and the lens barrel <NUM> are equivalent to the configurations described in the first embodiment, their descriptions are omitted.

<FIG> is a front-side perspective view showing the second mount module <NUM>. <FIG> are a front-side exploded perspective view and a back-side exploded perspective view for describing principal parts of the second mount module <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view showing the second mount module <NUM>. <FIG> are sectional views taken along lines I-I and J-J in <FIG>. A component among the components of the second mount module <NUM> that is identical to a component of the first mount module <NUM> is denoted by the same name and the same numeral and its description is omitted.

The basic structure of the second mount module <NUM> is proportionate to the mount structure of the conventional bayonet connection system. The second mount module <NUM> is provided with a mount base <NUM>, a fixed mount member <NUM>, a claw unit <NUM>, an operation ring <NUM>, and a plate spring <NUM> as the principal parts.

When the lens-side mount surface <NUM> of the lens barrel <NUM> is abutted to a body-side mount surface <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM>, a positioning pin <NUM> provided in the fixed mount member <NUM> moves toward the side of the main body module <NUM> (-Z-direction). A user rotates the lens barrel <NUM> clockwise when viewed from the +Z side to the -Z side in the state where an index (not shown) provided in the lens barrel <NUM> is aligned with an index <NUM> provided in the fixed mount member <NUM>. Then, the positioning pin <NUM> of the fixed mount member <NUM> is fit into a hole (not shown) provided in the lens barrel <NUM>, and the lens barrel <NUM> is fixed to the second mount module <NUM>.

In the meantime, when the user presses a detachment button <NUM> provided in the mount base <NUM>, the positioning pin <NUM> provided in the fixed mount member <NUM> moves in the -Z-direction and retracts from the hole (not shown) provided in the lens barrel <NUM>. Thereby, the lens barrel <NUM> comes in a rotatable state. Accordingly, when the user rotates the lens barrel <NUM> counterclockwise when viewed from the +Z side to the -Z side in this state, the lens barrel <NUM> becomes detachable from the second mount module <NUM>.

In the state where the lens barrel <NUM> is fixed to the second mount module <NUM>, the bayonet-claw contact surfaces 213a through 213c of the bayonet claws 212a through 212c of the lens barrel <NUM> touch the claws 531a through 531c of the claw unit <NUM>. Moreover, when the lens barrel <NUM> is fixed to the second mount module <NUM>, the flat spring <NUM> energizes the bayonet claws 212a through 212c of the lens barrel <NUM> in the -Z-direction (see <FIG>).

It should be noted that the claw unit <NUM> can be considered as a part corresponding to the movable mount member <NUM> that constitutes the first mount module <NUM> in the first embodiment. Although the movable mount member <NUM> is arranged rotatable, the claw unit <NUM> is movable only in the optical axis direction by a predetermined distance and is not rotatable.

The fixed mount member <NUM> is fixed to the mount base <NUM> with screws (not shown). A third thread <NUM> is formed in the inner periphery of the operation ring <NUM> as an external thread around the optical axis. A fourth thread <NUM> is formed on the mount base <NUM> as an internal thread around the optical axis. The third thread <NUM> of the operation ring <NUM> is screwed to the fourth thread <NUM> of the mount base <NUM>. Accordingly, when the operation ring <NUM> is rotated, the screwed position of the third thread <NUM> with respect to the fourth thread <NUM> varies, which moves the operation ring <NUM> in the optical axis direction.

As shown by an arrow K in <FIG>, when the operation ring <NUM> is rotated so as to move in the -Z-direction relative to the mount base <NUM>, a first contact surface <NUM> of the operation ring <NUM> abuts to a second contact surface <NUM> of the claw unit <NUM>. When the operation ring <NUM> is moved in the -Z-direction from this state, the operation ring <NUM> pushes the claw unit <NUM> in the -Z-direction, and the mount member <NUM> of the lens barrel <NUM> is also pushed in the -Z-direction due to this.

In this way, the lens barrel <NUM> is fixed to the second mount module <NUM> by the lens fixing method using the mount of the conventional bayonet connection system. After that, when the user grasps the knobs 543a and 534b of the operation ring <NUM> and rotates the operation ring <NUM> as mentioned above, the lens barrel <NUM> is more firmly fixed.

Next, a waterproof structure of the second mount module <NUM> will be described. <FIG> are a front-side exploded perspective view and a back-side exploded perspective view showing the second mount module <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view showing the second mount module <NUM>. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line H-H shown in <FIG>.

The second mount module <NUM> is provided with the mount base <NUM>, fixed mount member <NUM>, claw unit <NUM>, operation ring <NUM>, and plate spring <NUM> as mentioned above. The second mount module <NUM> is further provided with a first O-ring <NUM>, a second O-ring <NUM>, the electrical communication contact unit <NUM>, the rotation detection unit <NUM>, the cover <NUM>, and the fixing screws <NUM>.

The fixed mount member <NUM> has a step <NUM>. The first O-ring <NUM> as an elastic member is arranged on the step <NUM>. That is, the first O-ring <NUM> is arranged in a space formed between the fixed mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM>. Moreover, the mount base <NUM> has a groove <NUM>. The second O-ring <NUM> as the elastic member is arranged in the groove <NUM>. That is, the second O-ring <NUM> is arranged in a space formed between the mount base <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, since the space formed between the fixed mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM> in the second mount module <NUM> is filled up with the first O-ring <NUM>, a gap does not arise between the fixed mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM>. Moreover, since the space formed between the mount base <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM> is filled up with the second O-ring <NUM>, a gap does not arise between the mount base <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM>. Accordingly, infiltration of water and dust into the inside through the boundary between the fixed mount member <NUM> and the operation ring <NUM> and the boundary between the mount base <NUM> and the operation rings <NUM> is prevented.

Although the present invention has been described in detail on the basis of the suitable embodiment, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment. Furthermore, the embodiments mentioned above show examples of the present invention, and it is possible to combine the embodiments suitably. Although the O-ring is used as the sealing member in the above-mentioned embodiments, the sealing member is not limited to the O-ring. For example, a rubber sheet can be also used by shaping it into an annular form.

Moreover, the mount modules that employ the arbitrary mount shapes have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, a mount shape like a mount module <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be employed as shapes of claws in the fixed mount member of the mount module. That is, the mount modules according to the embodiments of the present invention can employ various shapes (types) of mount modules of which shapes of claws are different, for example.

Moreover, although the operation rings (<NUM>, <NUM>) are exemplified as an operation member for rotating the movable mount member around the optical axis in the above-mentioned embodiments, the operation member is not restricted to the ring-shaped member. For example, the operation member may employ any configuration as long as the operation member can move the movable mount member. A shape that corresponds to the waterproof performance that is secured by the mount module can be selected.

Claim 1:
A mount module to which a lens barrel having claws is attachable, the mount module comprising:
a base member (<NUM>);
a fixed mount member (<NUM>) having a first mount surface (<NUM>) that abuts to a second mount surface (<NUM>) of the lens barrel;
a movable member (<NUM>) that is arranged between the fixed mount member and the base member rotatably around an optical axis;
movable claws (331a, 331b, and 331c) that engage with the claws of the lens barrel and move in an optical axis direction by interlocking with rotation of the movable member;
a first sealing member (<NUM>) that is arranged between the movable member and the fixed mount member; and
a second sealing member (<NUM>) that is arranged between the movable member and the base member.