Patent Description:
An interchangeable lens for stereoscopic photography has conventionally been known as an application of one of interchangeable lens systems. <CIT> discloses a lens that includes two optical systems arranged in parallel and images two image circles in parallel on a single image sensor.

In viewing with a VR goggle, it is desirable that an angle of view of a moving or still image is <NUM> degrees or higher in order to obtain not only a three-dimensional effect but also a realistic effect. In order to provide an image with an angle of view of at least <NUM> degrees in consideration of manufacturing errors and the like, it is desirable that an imaging lens can capture an image at an angle of view higher than <NUM> degrees.

However, the lens disclosed in <CIT> cannot capture the image at the angle of view higher than <NUM> degrees. In order to capture the image at the angle of view higher than <NUM> degrees, it is necessary to place an exterior member on an imaging plane side of a vertex of a front lens so that the exterior member does not shield a light beam of <NUM> degrees or higher incident on the front lens and to provide openings in the exterior member into which the two lenses can be inserted. In this case, when the positions of the lenses shift, gaps between the opening and the lens become non-uniform, which may deteriorate appearance quality. Moreover, in the case where a drip-proof structure is provided, the non-uniformity of the gaps adversely affects the dust-proof and drip-proof performance. If the opening and the lens are diameter-engaged with each other so that the gaps do not become non-uniform, the position offset of the lens is corrected, which will adversely affect the optical performance and relative relationship between the two optical systems.

<CIT> discloses a lens barrel as another application of interchangeable lens systems. The lens barrel has the features specified in the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The present invention provides a lens apparatus capable of maintaining appearance quality, achieving both dust-proof and drip-proof performance and optical performance, and performing stereoscopic imaging at an angle of view higher than <NUM> degrees.

The present invention in its first aspect provides a lens apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The present invention in its second aspect provides an image apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be given of embodiments according to the disclosure. Corresponding elements in respective figures will be designated by the same reference numerals, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic configuration diagram of a camera system <NUM> according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The camera system <NUM> includes a camera body (image pickup apparatus) <NUM> and a lens apparatus (interchangeable lens) <NUM>, and can capture a stereoscopic image.

The camera body <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM>, an A/D converter <NUM>, an image processing unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, an operation unit <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a camera control unit <NUM>, and a camera mount <NUM>.

The lens apparatus <NUM> includes a right-eye optical system (first optical system) 201R, a left-eye optical system (second optical system) <NUM>, a lens mount (mount unit) <NUM>, and a lens control unit <NUM>, and is attachable to and detachable from the camera body <NUM>. These two optical systems are arranged in parallel (symmetrically) and configured such that two image circles are imaged in parallel on the image sensor <NUM>. These two optical systems are arranged horizontally and spaced by a predetermined distance (baseline length). When viewed from the imaging plane side (image side), a right image captured by the right-eye optical system 201R is recorded as a moving or still image for the right eye, and a left image captured by the left-left-eye optical system <NUM> is recorded as a moving or still image for the left eye. The reproduced moving or still images are viewed with a 3D display, VR goggles, or the like, so that the right-eye image is displayed on the right eye of the viewer and the left-eye image is displayed on the left eye of the viewer. At this time, images having a parallax are projected on the right and left eyes depending on the baseline length and provide the viewer with a stereoscopic effect. Thus, the lens apparatus <NUM> is a lens apparatus for stereoscopic imaging that can capture two images having a parallax using two optical systems.

When the lens apparatus <NUM> is attached to the camera body <NUM> via the lens mount <NUM> and the camera mount <NUM>, the camera control unit <NUM> and the lens control unit <NUM> are electrically connected to each other.

The object images including the right-eye image formed via the right-eye optical system 201R and the left-eye image formed via the left-eye optical system <NUM> are formed on the image sensor <NUM> in parallel. The image sensor <NUM> converts the captured object images (optical signals) into analog electric signals. The A/D converter <NUM> converts the analog electric signals output from the image sensor III into digital electric signals (image signals). The image processing unit <NUM> performs various image processing for the digital electric signals output from the A/D converter <NUM>.

The display unit <NUM> displays various information. The display unit <NUM> includes, for example, an electronic viewfinder or a liquid crystal panel. The operation unit <NUM> has a function as a user interface for the user to give an instruction to the camera system <NUM>. In the case where the display unit <NUM> has a touch panel, the touch panel also constitutes the operation unit <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> includes, for example, a ROM, a RAM, and an HDD, and stores various data and programs such as image data that has been processed by the image processing unit <NUM>.

The camera control unit <NUM> includes, for example, a CPU, and integrally controls the entire camera system <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view of the lens apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the lens apparatus <NUM> viewed from the object side. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the lens apparatus <NUM> viewed from the imaging plane side.

In the following description, a description of the right-eye optical system 201R will be given R at the end of the reference numeral, and a description of the left-eye optical system <NUM> will be given L at the end of the reference numeral. In the description common to both the right-eye optical system 201R and the left-eye optical system <NUM>, neither R nor L will be added to the end of the reference numeral. Each of the right-eye optical system 201R and the left-eye optical system <NUM> can capture an image at an angle of view higher than <NUM> degrees. Each optical system is a bending optical system having two reflective surfaces. In each optical system, a first optical axis OA1, a second optical axis OA2 approximately orthogonal to the first optical axis OA1, and a third optical axis OA3 parallel to the first optical axis OA1 are set in this order from the object side. Each optical system includes a first lens <NUM> having a convex lens surface 211A on the object side disposed on the first optical axis OA1, a second lens <NUM> disposed on the second optical axis OA2, and third lenses 231a and 231b disposed on the third optical axis OA3. Each optical system has a first prism (first reflective surface) <NUM> that bends a light beam on the first optical axis OA1 and guides it to the second optical axis OA2, and a second prism (first reflective surface) <NUM> that bends the light beam on the second optical axis OA2 and guides it to the third optical axis OA3. In the following description, the optical axis direction indicates a direction parallel to the first optical axis OA1, which is a direction extending toward the object side and the imaging plane side.

Each optical system is fixed to a lens top base <NUM> by tightening screws or the like. The lens top base <NUM> is fixed to the lens bottom base <NUM> by tightening screws or the like. The lens top base <NUM> and the lens bottom base <NUM> function a base member where the right-eye optical system 201R, the left-eye optical system <NUM>, and a circuit board <NUM> are attached. The right-eye optical system 201R, the left-eye optical system <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM> can move integrally with the base member in a first optical direction relative to the lens mount <NUM>. The lens bottom base <NUM> is held movably in the optical axis direction while it is restricted from moving in a rotation direction by an unillustrated linear movement structure. Thereby, since each optical system is integrally movable in the optical axis direction, the right-eye optical system 201R and the left-eye optical system <NUM> can adjust their focus positions at the same time.

<FIG> is a front view of the lens apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line A-A in <FIG>, illustrating the structure of the first lens <NUM> and its periphery. <FIG> illustrates a variation of the lens apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line B-B in <FIG>, illustrating the structure of the first lens <NUM> of the lens apparatus <NUM> and its periphery.

The lens apparatus <NUM> includes an exterior cover member <NUM> and a front-surface exterior member (exterior member) <NUM>. The exterior cover member <NUM> houses the right-eye optical system 201R and the left-eye optical system <NUM>. The front-surface exterior member <NUM> is screwed and fixed to the exterior cover member <NUM>, and the front-surface exterior member <NUM> and the exterior cover member <NUM> can house the front side of the lens apparatus <NUM> so as to cover it.

The front-surface exterior member <NUM> has openings (second openings) 204F into which the first lens (first lens) 211R of the right-eye optical system 201R and the first lens (second lens) <NUM> of the left-eye optical system <NUM> are inserted. The front-surface exterior member <NUM> has a shape that does not shield effective light beams of the right-eye optical system 201R and the left-eye optical system <NUM> each having an effective angle of view FOV higher than <NUM> degrees. Lens surfaces 211A on the object side of the first lenses 211R and <NUM> are incident surfaces of the effective light beams on the object side. When an effective incident surface 211B is set to the inside of an effective-incident-surface outer-diameter 211C of the lens surface 211A, a light beam having an angle of view of <NUM> degrees extends horizontally in a direction approximately orthogonal to the optical axis from the effective incident surface 211B. A light beam having an angle of view higher than <NUM> degrees is located on the imaging plane side of the effective incident surface 211B, and extends toward the imaging plane side as a position becomes farther from the first lens <NUM>. Thus, the front-surface exterior member <NUM> and the cover member <NUM> are disposed on the imaging plane side of the effective incident surface 211B because they do not shield the light beam having the angle of view higher than <NUM> degrees.

Now, as illustrated in <FIG>, assume that a right-eye area 20R is an area located on the right-eye optical system 201R side and a left-eye area <NUM> is an area located on the left-eye optical system <NUM> side with respect to a center point O between the right-eye optical system 201R and the left-eye optical system <NUM>. Then, the front-surface exterior member <NUM> has an object-side surface 204A in the right-eye area 20R, which approaches the imaging plane as a position is separated from the first lens <NUM> of the left-eye optical system <NUM> so as not to shield the outermost effective light beam (thick dotted line portion in <FIG>) of the left-eye optical system <NUM>. The front-surface exterior member <NUM> has an object-side surface 204B in the left-eye area <NUM>, which approaches the imaging plane as a position is separated from the first lens 211R of the right-eye optical system 201R so as not to shield the outermost effective light beam of the right-eye optical system 201R. However, the first lens <NUM> and its periphery viewed from the right-eye optical system 201R and the first lens 211R and its periphery viewed from the left-eye optical system <NUM> also have areas that shield part of mutual effective light beams.

The front-surface exterior member <NUM> has wall portions 204C and 204D protruding toward the object side from the object-side surfaces 204A and 204B in order to form the openings 204F. The wall portion 204C has an arc shape approximately coaxial with the first lens 211R of the right-eye optical system 201R and does not shield the effective light beam of the right-eye optical system 201R, but shields part of the effective light beam of the left-eye optical system <NUM>. The wall portion 204D has an arc shape approximately coaxial with the first lens <NUM> of the left-eye optical system <NUM> and does not shield the effective light beam of the left-eye optical system <NUM>, but shields part of the effective light beam of the right-eye optical system 201R.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the lens apparatus <NUM> includes a first lens holder <NUM> and a cover member <NUM>. The first lens holder <NUM> holds the first lenses 211R and <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> covers the outer circumference portion of the lens surfaces 211A on the object side of the first lenses 211R and <NUM>, and has openings (first openings) 213A into which the first lenses 211R and <NUM> are inserted. The openings 213A are formed so as to expose the first lenses 211R and <NUM> when viewed from the optical axis direction.

There is a boundary 211D with the lens surface 211A on the outer circumference side of the effective-incident-surface outer-diameter 211C of the first lens <NUM>. The boundary 211D is a boundary between the lens surface 211A and other surfaces or members. For example, the boundary 211D may be a boundary between the lens surface 211A and a side surface 211E of the first lens <NUM>, or as illustrated in <FIG>, a boundary between the lens surface 211A and an inner diameter tip portion having a caulking claw shape for caulking the first lenses 211R and <NUM>.

The cover member <NUM> covers the boundary 211D. That is, the inner diameter of the opening 213A of the cover member <NUM> is smaller than the diameter of the boundary 211D. Where ΦA is the inner diameter of the opening 213A and ΦB is the diameter of the boundary 211D, an overlap amount X on one side is expressed by the following expression (<NUM>).

The appearance quality can be improved by covering the boundary 211D.

A groove portion 213B is formed in part of the inner circumference of the cover member <NUM>. A convex portion 212A extending toward the outer circumference side is formed on part of the outer circumference of the first lens holder <NUM>. The groove portion 213B and the convex portion 212A are assembled when they are located at positions where they do not overlap each other when viewed from the optical axis direction, and the convex portion 212A is inserted into the groove portion 213B by rotating the cover member <NUM>. Thereby, the cover member <NUM> is positioned with the first lens holder <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The first lens holder <NUM> may be provided with a groove portion, and the cover member <NUM> may be provided with a convex portion.

A predetermined gap (first gap) Y is formed in a (diameter) direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction between the first lens holder <NUM> and the cover member <NUM>. Since the predetermined gap Y is smaller than the overlap amount X of the cover member <NUM>, the cover member <NUM> can cover the boundary 211D even in a case where the first lens holder <NUM> or the cover member <NUM> moves by the predetermined gap Y.

The cover member <NUM> is positioned with the first lens holder <NUM> in the optical axis direction and thus is integrally movable with the first lens holder <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The outer diameter of the cover member <NUM> is engaged with the inner diameter of the opening 204F of the front-surface exterior member <NUM>. The gap (second gap) in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction formed between the front-surface exterior member <NUM> and the cover member <NUM> by this engagement is very small and smaller than the predetermined gap Y.

The cover member <NUM> includes a rotation restricting key (projection) 213C, and the front-surface exterior member <NUM> includes a rotation restricting groove (groove portion) 204E corresponding to the rotation restricting key 213C. Thereby, when the front-surface exterior member <NUM> is incorporated, the rotation restricting key 213C is inserted into the rotation restricting groove 204E, and the cover member <NUM> is restricted from rotating. This structure can prevent the cover member <NUM> from rotating and coming off from the first lens holder <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> may be provided with the rotation restricting groove, and the front-surface exterior member <NUM> may be provided with the rotation restricting key. That is, one of the cover member <NUM> and the front-surface exterior member <NUM> may include the rotation restricting key and the other may include the rotation restricting groove.

An optical-axis-direction (OAD) sealing member <NUM> is a drip-proof and dust-proof member, is disposed between a surface (first surface) 213D on the imaging plane side of the cover member <NUM> and a surface (second surface) 212B on the object side facing the surface 213D of the first lens holder <NUM>, and seals a space between the surfaces 213D and 212B. The surfaces 213D and 212B may be formed on the entire circumference but may be partially formed. Since the OAD sealing member <NUM> is sandwiched in the optical axis direction, the cover member <NUM> and the first lens holder <NUM> are biased in the optical axis direction, and unsteadiness (or backlash) in the optical axis direction can be reduced.

In order to maintain the predetermined gap Y, the OAD sealing member <NUM> is disposed with a clearance (gap) larger than the predetermined gap Y with the cover member <NUM> and the first lens holder <NUM> in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction. The OAD sealing member <NUM> is made of an elastically deformable material, such as rubber or sponge, and can absorb the predetermined gap Y.

A radial seal member <NUM> is a drip-proof and dust-proof member and is disposed while sandwiched between the cover member <NUM> and the opening 204F in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction. The radial seal member <NUM> on the right-eye optical system 201R side is disposed at a position that shields the effective light beam of the left-eye optical system <NUM>, and the radial seal member <NUM> on the left-eye optical system <NUM> side is disposed at a position that shields the effective light beam of the right-eye optical system 201R.

The above-described structure can provide the lens apparatus <NUM> capable of maintaining the appearance quality, achieving both the dust-proof and drip-proof performance and the optical performance, and performing stereoscopic imaging at an angle of view higher than <NUM> degrees. Since the first lens holder <NUM> is not directly engaged with the opening 204F in the front-surface exterior member <NUM>, even if the position of the first lens holder <NUM> is shifted by the influence of manufacturing errors or the like, the position needs no calibration. Therefore, the optical performance and the relative error between the right-eye optical system 201R and the left-eye optical system <NUM> do not change even if the front-surface exterior member <NUM> is incorporated.

<FIG> illustrates a positional relationship between each optical axis of the lens apparatus <NUM> and the image circles on the image sensor <NUM>.

A right-eye image circle ICR with an effective angle of view formed by the right-eye optical system 201R and a left-eye image circle ICL with an effective angle of view formed by the left-eye optical system <NUM> are imaged in parallel on the image sensor <NUM>. A diameter ΦD2 of the image circle and a spaced distance between the image circles may be set so that the image circles do not overlap each other. For example, the center of the right-eye image circle ICR may be set to an approximate center of a right area that is made by dividing a light-receiving range of the image sensor <NUM> into left and right halves at the center, and the center of the left-eye image circle ICL may be set to an approximate center of the left area.

Each optical system is a wide-angle fisheye lens. In this embodiment, each optical system is a circumferential (all-around) fisheye lens, and the image formed on the imaging plane is a circular image reflecting a range of an angle of view higher than <NUM> degrees, and two circular images are formed on the left and right sides as illustrated in <FIG>. The longer the distance (baseline length) L1 between the first optical axis OA1R of the right-eye optical system 201R and the first optical axis OA1L of the left-eye optical system <NUM> is, the more significant the stereoscopic effect becomes during viewing. For example, assume that the image sensor <NUM> has a size of <NUM> in length × <NUM> in width, the diameter ΦD2 of the image circle is <NUM>, a distance L2 between the third optical axes OA3R and OA3L is <NUM>, and the length of the second optical axis is <NUM>. When each optical system is arranged so that the second optical axis extends in the horizontal direction, the baseline length L1 becomes <NUM>, which is almost equal to the eye width of an adult. The lenses disposed on the third optical axis can be placed inside the lens mount <NUM> by making the diameter (fitting diameter relative to the camera body <NUM>) ΦD of the lens mount <NUM> shorter than the baseline length L1, and the distance L2 between the third optical axes shorter than the diameter ΦD of the lens mount <NUM>. In VR viewing, it is said that an angle of view to obtain the stereoscopic effect is about <NUM> degrees, but a sense of discomfort remains when the field of view is <NUM> degrees and thus the angle of view is often widened to <NUM> degrees. Since the effective angle of view exceeds <NUM> degrees in this embodiment, the diameter ΦD2 of the image circle in this embodiment is larger than the diameter ΦD3 of the image circle in the range of the angle of view of <NUM> degrees.

<FIG> illustrates the reflection of the left-eye optical system <NUM> when the image is captured with the right-eye optical system 201R. The wall portion 204D of the front-surface exterior member <NUM> is imaged inside the diameter ΦD2 of the image circle, which is the effective angle of view, but is not imaged at an angle of view of <NUM> degrees, and is imaged outside the diameter ΦD3 of the image circle in the range of the angle of view of <NUM> degrees. Therefore, VR viewing is not affected in the range of the angle of view of <NUM> degrees. For example, within the effective angle of view of the right-eye optical system 201R, there are the first lens <NUM> of the left-eye optical system <NUM> in the left-eye area <NUM>, the cover member <NUM>, and the wall portion 204D of the front-surface exterior member <NUM>, which are imaged in the actual effective imaging range as illustrated in <FIG>. Only the first lens <NUM> is imaged within the image circle at the angle of view of <NUM> degrees (inside the diameter ΦD3), but the cover member <NUM> and the wall portion 204D are located outside the image circle at the angle of view of <NUM> degrees. The reflection of the wall portion 204D is imaged outside (on the left side illustrated in <FIG>) even when viewed in the horizontal direction from the vertex portion of the first lens <NUM>. In the case of image processing or image editing, if the outside of the vertex portion indicated by a straight line Z of the first lens <NUM> is cut, which is always reflected due to the specifications, the reflection of the wall portion 204D will not be affected. This is similarly applied to the reflection of the right-eye optical system 201R when an image is captured with the left-eye optical system <NUM>. As described above, although the wall portion 204D is located within the effective angle of view, it is located so as to have almost no influence on imaging in the actual VR application.

A structure of a lens cap <NUM> that is attachable to and detachable from the lens apparatus <NUM> with one action will be described below. <FIG> is an external perspective view of the lens cap <NUM> attached to the lens apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is an external perspective view of the lens cap <NUM> when attached to the lens apparatus <NUM> (not illustrated). <FIG> is an external perspective view of the lens cap <NUM> when detached from the lens apparatus <NUM> (not illustrated). <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the lens cap <NUM>.

The lens cap <NUM> includes a base <NUM>, sliders (slider members) 402A and 402B, and springs 403A and 403B. The sliders 402A and 402B have the same shape, are connected in a phase rotated by <NUM> degrees, and are incorporated in the base <NUM>. The slider 402A (402B) includes an operation unit 402A2 (402B2), a connection portion 402A3 (402B3) that fits the lens apparatus <NUM>, and a stopper portion 402A4 (402B4) that abuts on the base <NUM>. Further, the slider 402A (402B) includes a connecting portion arranged between the optical axis of the first lens 211R and the optical axis of the first lens <NUM>. Additionally, the slider 402A (402B) is urged to the side of the operation unit 402A2 (402B2) by the spring 403A (403B) incorporated in the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> and the stopper portion 402A4 (402B4) are in contact with each other while the slider 402A (402B) is urged. By simultaneously pushing the operation units 402A2 and 402B2 toward the connection portions 402A3 and 402B3, the connection portions 402A3 and 402B3 are opened and closed, and the lens cap <NUM> can be attached to and detached from the lens apparatus <NUM>. The lens cap <NUM> can be attached to and detached from the lens apparatus <NUM> by simply pressing one of the operation units.

The configuration of the lens cap <NUM> and the first lens <NUM> when the lens cap <NUM> is attached will be described below. <FIG> is a sectional view of the lens cap <NUM> and the first lens <NUM> when the lens cap <NUM> is attached. <FIG> is a side view of the sliders 402A and 402B and the first lens <NUM> when the lens cap <NUM> is attached. <FIG> is a top view of the sliders 402A and 402B and the first lens <NUM> when the lens cap <NUM> is attached.

The sliders 402A and 402B are arranged between the first lenses 211R and <NUM> disposed on the first optical axis OA1, and the sliders 402A and 402B and the first lenses 211R and <NUM> are provided on the same plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction. As a result, the thickness in the optical axis direction can be reduced by the thickness of the slider <NUM>. Further, the operation units 402A2 and 402B2 are arranged at the center between the first lenses 211R and <NUM>. This makes it possible to realize smooth operability.

<FIG> is a sectional view of the lens cap <NUM> and the first lens <NUM> when the lens cap <NUM> according to another example is attached.

The sliders 402A and 402B are arranged between the first lenses 211R and <NUM> disposed on the first optical axis OA1, and the sliders 402A and 402B and the first lenses 211R and 211R are not provided on the same plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction. As a result, the thickness of the sliders 402A and 402B becomes thicker, so that the weight becomes heavier as the lens apparatus <NUM> becomes larger, and even if the strength of the sliders 402A and 402B is insufficient due to a drop test or the like, the strength can be improved.

The arrangement of the connection portions 203A, 203B, 203C, and 203D provided in the lens apparatus <NUM> that fits with the connection portions 402A3 and 402B3 will be described below. <FIG> are respectively an external perspective view, an external side view, and an external bottom view of the lens apparatus <NUM>. The angle of view of the lens apparatus <NUM> is the range indicated by the dotted line G, and exceeds <NUM> degrees toward the object side. If a component or the like including a connection portion is provided on the object side from the range indicated by the dotted line G, it will be reflected in the image. Thus, the connection portions 203A, 203B, 203C, and 203D are provided outside the angle of view indicated by the dotted line G. In this embodiment, the connection portions 203A, 203B, 203C, and 203D are provided in the direction visible from the external direction, but the lens cap <NUM> may be fitted to the lens apparatus <NUM> in the direction invisible from the external direction, that is, from the inside. Even in that case, by arranging the connection portions 203A, 203B, 203C, and 203D outside the angle of view indicated by the dotted line G, it is possible to prevent the connection portion 203A, 203B, 203C, and 203D from being reflected in the image.

The lens system control unit <NUM> is arranged inside the interchangeable lens <NUM> as a circuit board <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. A diaphragm apparatus (electronic member) <NUM> is arranged in each of the right eye optical system 201R and the left eye optical system <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and electronically controlling a drive source <NUM> such as a stepping motor (see <FIG>) can set the desired aperture diameter.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a circuit board <NUM> for electronically controlling the aperture device <NUM> is arranged on the lens top base <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the circuit board <NUM> includes a plurality of electric elements 310A for communication with the camera body <NUM> and control of electronic components, and is electrically connected by a wiring unit. Further, a flexible substrate (second flexible substrate) 330Ais provided for communicating with the electronic component to be controlled. The flexible substrate 330A is electrically connected to the diaphragm apparatus <NUM> and the drive source <NUM> such as a stepping motor. The circuit board <NUM> is provided with a connector (second connector) 310B for electrically connecting the flexible board 330A. The connector 310B is arranged point-symmetrically around the axis of the lens mount <NUM>.

Additionally, a flexible substrate (first flexible substrate) 330B is provided for communicating with the camera body <NUM>. The flexible substrate 330B is electrically connected to an electrical contact portion (communication unit) 202A arranged on the lens mount <NUM> in order to communicate with the camera body <NUM>. Further, a connector (first connector) 310C for electrically connecting the flexible board 330B is arranged on the circuit board <NUM>. The flexible substrate 330B electrically connects the electric contact portion 202A and the connector 310C, and extends in a direction of a lens mount axis MA. When viewed from the direction of the lens mount axis MA, the connectors 310B and 310C are arranged not to overlap with the first lens <NUM> and the first lens holder <NUM> disposed closest to the object in each of the right eye optical system 201R and the left eye optical system <NUM>. With the above configuration, the circuit board <NUM> can communicate with the camera body <NUM> through the lens mount <NUM>, and can control electronic components such as the aperture device <NUM> provided inside the interchangeable lens <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the circuit board <NUM> electronically controls the aperture device <NUM>, but if there is an object to be electronically driven, such as when the lens is driven for vibration isolation or autofocus, the circuit board <NUM> can play the role of electronic control.

The circuit board <NUM> is fixed to the lens top base <NUM> by tightening screws or the like. Further, the lens top base <NUM> and the lens bottom base <NUM> are a base member of a binocular optical system unit, and the right eye optical system 201R and the left eye optical system <NUM> can move forward and backward in the optical axis direction integrally with the base member.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the circuit board <NUM> is positioned between the two first optical axes OA1R and OA1L of the right eye optical system 201R and the left eye optical system <NUM> (position sandwiched between the two first optical axes), and is arranged on the object side of the second optical axes OA2R and OA2L. Further, the circuit board <NUM> is arranged on the axis of the lens mount <NUM> (on the lens mount axis MA). Additionally, the substrate surface of the circuit board <NUM> (the surface on which the electric element 310A is arranged) is perpendicular to the lens mount axis MA.

Moreover, the circuit board <NUM> is arranged at a position overlapping the lens surface 211A on the object side of the first lens <NUM> arranged closer to the object than the circuit board <NUM> when viewed from the first optical axis direction or the direction of the lens mount axis MA. In addition, the circuit board <NUM> is arranged closer to the image plane side than the lens surface 211A, and is arranged at a position sandwiched between the side surfaces of the lens having a small diameter. In <FIG>, although overlapping with the small diameter portion of the first lens <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM> may be sandwiched by another lens arranged closer the image plane side than the first lens <NUM>. That is, the circuit board <NUM> is arranged at a position sandwiched between the side surfaces of the lens member arranged closer the image plane side than the lens surface 211A. Further, the circuit board <NUM> is arranged on an extension line of the third optical axis OA3. Additionally, the circuit board <NUM> is arranged in a region where the second prism <NUM>, which is an optical member forming the second optical axis OA2, and the lens mount axis MA overlap each other when viewed from the direction of the lens mount axis MA.

Arranging the circuit board <NUM> at such a position can effectively utilize the space between the two optical systems created by securing the distance L1 between the first optical axes, which is an appropriate baseline length for VR stereoscopic viewing, and can make a space-efficient arrangement. It is also advantageous for miniaturization of the interchangeable lens <NUM>.

Further, in the case of the interchangeable lens <NUM> in which two optical systems are imaged on one imaging sensor as in this embodiment, the third optical axis OA3 is inside the diameter of the lens mount <NUM>, and projects to the outer diameter side of the main body of the interchangeable lens <NUM> by the second optical axis OA2 to secure the baseline length. In such a configuration, when trying to arrange a donut-shaped or C-shaped circuit board near the lens mount as in the conventional case, for example, the inclusion member such as the first prism <NUM>, the second prism <NUM>, and a holding frame for holding them, and the bottom base <NUM> may be affected. As a result, the degree of freedom in design is reduced and the interchangeable lens <NUM> becomes large. For example, in an attempt to arrange a donut-shaped or C-shaped circuit board near the lens mount as in the conventional case, it is conceivable to arrange the second optical axis OA2 closer to the object in order to secure space. However, if the second optical axis OA2 is arranged closer to the object, the overall length of the optical system increases, and the outer diameter of the lens itself also increases, which leads to an increase in the size of the interchangeable lens. On the contrary, arranging the second optical axis OA2 closer to the image plane side can shorten the total length of the lens and can reduce the diameter of the lens, which can contribute to the miniaturization of the interchangeable lens.

Further, as an efficiency improvement of the circuit board <NUM> itself, the shape of the board surface of the circuit board <NUM> is not a donut shape or a C-shaped shape as in the conventional case, but a substantially rectangular shape, so that the efficient arrangement and wiring of the electric element 310A in the circuit board <NUM> can be improved. Additionally, the substantially rectangular shape can improve the efficiency of punching by the press in the manufacturing process as compared with the donut shape and the C-shaped shape. Cost reduction can be achieved by increasing the number of sheets taken by the press.

<FIG> is a front view of the interchangeable lens <NUM> in a state in which the front extender member <NUM> and the cover <NUM> are removed when viewed from the object side in the direction of the lens mount axis MA. The circuit board <NUM> is fixed to the lens top base <NUM> at a fixing portion 310D by tightening screws or the like. The fixing method may be screw tightening or adhesion. The fixed portion 310D is arranged not to overlap with the first lens <NUM>, which is disposed closer to the object than the circuit board <NUM>, and the first lens holder <NUM> when viewed from the object side in the direction of the first optical axis OA1. Similarly, the connectors 310B and 310C are arranged not to overlap with the first lens <NUM> and the first lens holder <NUM>. With such an arrangement, for example, the circuit board <NUM> can be incorporated in a state where only the front exterior <NUM> and the cover <NUM> are not assembled, and can be fixed or connected to a flexible board. Then, after fixing and connecting the circuit board <NUM>, the front exterior <NUM> and the cover <NUM> can be assembled to complete the interchangeable lens <NUM>. Even if the circuit board <NUM> needs to be replaced due to a defect of the circuit board <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM> can be relatively quickly replaced.

Further, as described above, the circuit board <NUM> is arranged on the lens mount axis MA. Additionally, when viewed from the direction of the lens mount axis MA, it is desirable that at least a part of the electric element 310A provided on the circuit board <NUM> is arranged inside the diameter ΦD of the lens mount <NUM>. Moreover, when viewed from a direction orthogonal to each of the distance direction (direction of the baseline length L1) between the two first optical axes OA1R and OA1L and the first optical axis direction, it is desirable that the circuit board <NUM> is arranged between the two first optical axes OA1R and OA1L. As a result, the interchangeable lens <NUM> can be further miniaturized. It is desirable for miniaturization that the fixing portion 310D for mounting the circuit board <NUM> is also arranged inside the diameter ΦD. However, depending on the fixing method and fixing location, the outside of the diameter ΦD may be preferable in terms of design. Accordingly, at least the electric element 310A is located inside the diameter ΦD, so that the configuration can be made more advantageous for miniaturization.

<FIG> are perspective views of a main part of the interchangeable lens <NUM> as viewed from two different directions. <FIG> illustrates only the lens mount <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>, their peripheral components such as the flexible substrates 330A and 330B, the lens top base <NUM> and the lens bottom base <NUM> of the base member, and the like. <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating a path of the flexible substrate 330B.

The flexible board 330B is electrically connected to the electrical contact portion 202A of the lens mount <NUM> and the connector 310C of the circuit board <NUM>, and can communicate with the camera body <NUM>. The flexible substrate 330B extends in the direction of the lens mount axis MA. In this embodiment, the lens bottom base <NUM> is arranged as the base member in the space where the donut-shaped or C-shaped circuit board is arranged as in the conventional case. The lens bottom base <NUM> includes a mechanism for moving the optical system in the optical axis direction in the vicinity of the outer periphery thereof, and serves as a barrier when connecting the flexible substrate 330B from the lens mount <NUM> to the circuit board <NUM>. In this embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a through hole 301A is formed on the lens bottom base <NUM>, and the flexible substrate 330B is configured to pass through the through hole 301A. With such a configuration, the connection between the lens mount <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> can be connected in a relatively short distance.

Next, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the arrangement of the circuit board <NUM> as another example of this embodiment will be described. <FIG> is a front view of the interchangeable lens <NUM> to show the arrangement of the circuit board <NUM> as another example of this embodiment, and is a view of the main part when viewed from the object side in the direction of the lens mount axis MA. <FIG> is a sectional view of the interchangeable lens <NUM> to show the arrangement of the circuit board <NUM> as another example, and is a view of the main part when viewed from a direction orthogonal to each of the direction of the baseline length and the direction of the first optical axis OA.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, even if the substrate surface of the circuit board <NUM> (surface on which the electric element 310A is arranged) is arranged so as to be parallel to each of the direction of the baseline length direction and the first optical axis OA1, it is possible to arrange the circuit board <NUM> in a saved space. Even in this case, as illustrated in <FIG>, since at least the electric element 310A is arranged inside the diameter ΦD of the lens mount <NUM>, the configuration advantageous for miniaturization can be obtained. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the circuit board <NUM> is arranged to be sandwiched by the first optical axis OA1 (OA1R, OA1L) when viewed from directions orthogonal to each of the direction of the baseline length and the direction of the first optical axis OA. Furthermore, when viewed from directions orthogonal to each of the direction of the baseline length and the direction of the first optical axis OA, the circuit board <NUM> is arranged to overlap with the first lens <NUM> and the second prism <NUM> which is an optical member forming the second optical axis OA2. Arranging in this way can achieve a more space-efficient arrangement.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a lens apparatus and an imaging apparatus for stereoscopic photography in which a circuit board is appropriately arranged to improve space efficiency.

Claim 1:
A lens apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a lens (211R, <NUM>) disposed on an object side;
a holder (<NUM>) holding the lens (211R, <NUM>);
a cover (<NUM>) having a first opening (213A) to expose the lens (211R, <NUM>) when viewed from an optical axis direction of the lens (211R, <NUM>); and
an exterior member (<NUM>) having a second opening (204F) to engage with an outer diameter of the cover (<NUM>), wherein
a first gap (Y) in a diameter direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction formed between the holder (<NUM>) and the cover (<NUM>) is larger than a second gap in the diameter direction formed between the exterior member (<NUM>) and the cover (<NUM>),
wherein
the cover (<NUM>) is positioned with the holder (<NUM>) in the optical axis direction, and characterized in that
the lens (211R, <NUM>), the holder (<NUM>), and the cover (<NUM>) are integrally movable in the optical axis direction.