Patent Description:
Optical apparatuses include, for example, digital cameras, video cameras, interchangeable lenses, and the like. Some such optical apparatuses are equipped with an image stabilization drive unit, which is capable of reducing an image blur due to a camera shake by a user that occurs during exposure or displaying a through image by moving a lens image stabilization group including a lens in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens. The image stabilization drive unit moves the lens image stabilization group to a target position perpendicular to the optical axis based on a shake signal in a pitch direction and a shake signal in a yaw direction when an image blur occurs. By this movement, a camera shake that caused the image blur is offset, and as a result, it becomes possible to reduce the image blur. As the configuration of the image stabilization drive unit, for example, a configuration is known having a base member that moves in an optical axis direction, a shift member that movably supports the lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and a coil spring that urges the shift member with respect to the base member. Further, some image stabilization drive units include rolling balls that are disposed between the base member and the shift member. In some cases, the size of the optical apparatus is determined by the way of arranging the members constituting the image stabilization drive unit. <CIT> discloses a lens barrel, in which rolling balls between a base member and a shift member, and a coil spring are disposed so as to overlap with each other when viewed from the optical axis direction in order to realize miniaturizing. <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> provide further related prior art.

The lens barrel disclosed in <CIT> requires support portions that support both end portions of the coil spring, respectively. Further, in some cases, the miniaturization (reducing the diameter) of the lens barrel is hindered particularly depending on a position of the support portion that supports the end portion of the coil spring located distal to the optical axis among these support portions.

The present invention provides an optical apparatus which is capable of being miniaturized.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an optical apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize the miniaturization of the optical apparatus.

The present invention will now be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. However, the configuration described in the following preferred embodiment is merely an example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the configuration described in the following preferred embodiment. In the present preferred embodiment, as one example, a case that an optical apparatus is applied to a lens barrel of a digital camera will be described. Furthermore, the optical apparatus is not limited to being applied to a lens barrel, and can be applied to, for example, a lens-integrated camera (such as a digital camera or a video camera) or the like. A digital camera <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a camera body <NUM>, and an interchangeable lens <NUM> as a lens barrel that is detachably attached to the camera body <NUM>. In the present preferred embodiment, an optical axis direction, in which an optical axis OA of an image pickup optical system housed in the interchangeable lens <NUM> extends, is defined as an X-axis direction, and directions perpendicular to the X-axis direction are defined as a Z-axis direction (a horizontal direction) and a Y-axis direction (a vertical direction). Hereinafter, in some cases, the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is collectively referred to as "a Z/Y-axis direction". Further, a rotation direction around the Z-axis is defined as a pitch direction, a rotation direction around the X-axis is defined as a roll direction, and a rotation direction around the Y-axis is defined as a yaw direction. Furthermore, the pitch direction and the yaw direction (hereinafter, in some cases, collectively referred to as "a pitch/yaw direction") are rotation directions around two axes, which are the Z-axis and the Y-axis that are perpendicular to each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the camera body <NUM> is provided with a grip portion <NUM> for a user to grip the camera body <NUM> by hand on a portion on the left side when viewed from the front (on the right side when viewed from the back). Further, a power supply operation unit <NUM> is provided on an upper surface portion of the camera body <NUM>. When the user operates the power supply operation unit <NUM> while the camera body <NUM> is in a power-off state, energization is started. As a result, the power of the camera body <NUM> is turned on (the camera body <NUM> becomes a power-on state), a computer program such as an origin detection processing of a focus group is executed, and a photographing standby state is set. On the other hand, when the user operates the power supply operation unit <NUM> while the camera body <NUM> is in the power-on state, the energization is stopped. As a result, the power of the camera body <NUM> is turned off (the camera body <NUM> becomes the power-off state). In addition to the power supply operation unit <NUM>, a mode dial <NUM>, a release button <NUM>, and an accessory shoe <NUM> are provided on the upper surface portion of the camera body <NUM>. It is possible to switch among a plurality of photographing modes by the user rotationally operating the mode dial <NUM>. The plurality of photographing modes includes a manual still image photographing mode, an automatic still image photographing mode, and a moving image photographing mode. The manual still image photographing mode is a mode in which the user can arbitrarily set photographing conditions such as a shutter speed and an aperture value. Further, the automatic still image photographing mode is a mode in which an appropriate exposure amount can be automatically obtained. Furthermore, the moving image photographing mode is a mode for performing moving image photographing. By half-pressing the release button <NUM>, the user can instruct a photographing preparation operation such as an autofocus operation or an automatic exposure control operation. Further, by full-pressing the release button <NUM>, the user can instruct photographing. Various kinds of accessories such as an external flash can be detachably attached to the accessory shoe <NUM>.

A camera mount <NUM> is provided on a front surface portion of the camera body <NUM>. The interchangeable lens <NUM> is mechanically and electrically connected to the camera body <NUM> by attaching a lens mount <NUM> to the camera mount <NUM>. The image pickup optical system, which forms a subject image by image-forming a light from a subject, is housed within the interchangeable lens <NUM>. A zoom operation ring <NUM> capable of rotating about the optical axis OA is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the interchangeable lens <NUM>. When the zoom operation ring <NUM> is rotationally operated by the user, a zoom group <NUM> constituting the image pickup optical system moves to a predetermined use position corresponding to an angle of the zoom operation ring <NUM>. This allows the user to perform photographing at a desired angle of view.

As shown in <FIG>, a rear operation unit <NUM> and a display unit <NUM> are provided on the back surface of the camera body <NUM>. The rear operation unit <NUM> includes a plurality of buttons and dials to which various kinds of functions related to photographing are assigned. For example, the rear operation unit <NUM> includes a reproducing button for instructing reproducing of photographed images that are stored in a storage unit <NUM> described later or are recorded on a recording medium (not shown). When the power of the camera body <NUM> is turned on (the camera body <NUM> is in the power-on state) and the moving image photographing mode or each of the still image photographing modes is set, the display unit <NUM> displays a through image of the subject image that is picked up by an image pickup element <NUM> described later. Further, photographing parameters, which indicate the photographing conditions such as the shutter speed and the aperture value, are displayed on the display unit <NUM>. As a result, the user can change setting values of the photographing parameters by operating the rear operation unit <NUM>, while checking the photographing parameters. Further, by operating the reproducing button of the rear operation unit <NUM>, the display unit <NUM> reproducing-displays the photographed images that are stored in the storage unit <NUM> or are recorded on the recording medium. Furthermore, the display unit <NUM> can also display image signals (the through image) outputted from an image processing unit <NUM> described later.

As shown in <FIG>, the camera body <NUM> includes a power supply unit <NUM> that supplies electric power to the camera body <NUM> and the interchangeable lens <NUM>, the above-described power supply operation unit <NUM>, the above-described mode dial <NUM>, the above-described release button <NUM>, the above-described rear operation unit <NUM>, and an operation unit <NUM> that includes the display unit <NUM> having a touch panel function. The camera body <NUM> is provided with a camera control unit <NUM> and the storage unit <NUM>, and the interchangeable lens <NUM> is provided with a lens control unit <NUM>. The control of the camera body <NUM> and the interchangeable lens <NUM> as a whole system is performed by the camera control unit <NUM> and the lens control unit <NUM> cooperating with each other. The camera control unit <NUM> reads out a computer program stored in the storage unit <NUM> and executes it. At that time, the camera control unit <NUM> communicates with the lens control unit <NUM> via a communication terminal of an electrical contact <NUM> provided on the lens mount <NUM> (transmits/receives various kinds of control signals, various kinds of data, etc. to/from the lens control unit <NUM>). Further, the electrical contact <NUM> includes a power supply terminal that supplies the electric power from the above-described power supply unit <NUM> to the interchangeable lens <NUM>.

The image pickup optical system of the interchangeable lens <NUM> includes the zoom group <NUM>, which is coupled with the zoom operation ring <NUM> and moves in the optical axis direction to change the angle of view, and a lens image stabilization group <NUM> that includes a shift lens as an image stabilization element. By the lens image stabilization group <NUM> moving (shifting) in the Z/Y axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis OA, the image blur due to the camera shake by the user is reduced. In addition, the image pickup optical system includes an aperture group <NUM> that performs a light amount adjusting operation, and a focus group <NUM> that includes a focus lens that moves in the optical axis direction to perform focus adjustment. Further, the interchangeable lens <NUM> includes an image stabilization drive unit (a drive unit) <NUM> that moves the lens image stabilization group <NUM>, an aperture drive unit <NUM> that drives the aperture group <NUM>, and a focus drive unit <NUM> that moves the focus group <NUM>.

The focus drive unit <NUM> includes a focus motor (not shown), and a photointerrupter (not shown) that detects the origin position of the focus group <NUM>. Generally, as the focus motor, a stepping motor, which is a kind of actuator, is often adopted. Moreover, since the stepping motor can control only a relative drive amount, there is a possibility that the current position of the focus group <NUM> becomes indefinite when the power of the camera body <NUM> is turned off (the camera body <NUM> is in the power-off state). Further, even when the power of the camera body <NUM> is turned on (the camera body <NUM> remains in the power-on state), in some cases, the power supply (the energization) from the camera body <NUM> to the interchangeable lens <NUM> is interrupted, for example, by detaching the interchangeable lens <NUM> from the camera body <NUM>. In this case, there is a possibility that the position of the focus group <NUM> when the power supply (the energization) is cut off is held, and the position detection becomes impossible. When the user operates the power supply operation unit <NUM> to turn on the power of the camera body <NUM> from such a state where the current position of the focus group <NUM> is indefinite, before reaching the photographing standby state, the focus group <NUM> must first be moved to the origin position, and the origin detection processing must be executed. Since the control of the origin detection processing is a publicly known technique, the description thereof is omitted here. Moreover, the actuator used in the focus motor may be, for example, a DC motor having an encoder, an ultrasonic motor, or the like. Further, the photointerrupter for detecting the origin position of the focus group <NUM> may be a light transmission type or a light reflection type. Furthermore, as the photointerrupter, a brush that comes into contact with a conductive pattern and electrically detects signals may be used.

The camera body <NUM> includes a shutter <NUM>, a shutter drive unit <NUM>, the image pickup element <NUM>, the image processing unit <NUM>, and a focus detecting unit <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> controls the amount of light that is image-formed by the image pickup optical system within the interchangeable lens <NUM> and is exposed by the image pickup element <NUM>. The image pickup element <NUM> photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the image pickup optical system and outputs image pickup signals. The image processing unit <NUM> performs various kinds of image processes with respect to the image pickup signals, and then generates the image signals.

The camera control unit <NUM> controls the focus drive unit <NUM> in response to the photographing preparation operation (such as a half-pressing operation of the release button <NUM>) in the operation unit <NUM>. For example, when the autofocus operation is instructed, the focus detecting unit <NUM> judges a focusing state of the subject image image-formed by the image pickup element <NUM> based on the image signals generated by the image processing unit <NUM>, generates a focus signal, and transmits the focus signal to the camera control unit <NUM>. Along with this, the focus drive unit <NUM> transmits information regarding the current position of the focus group <NUM> to the camera control unit <NUM>. The camera control unit <NUM> compares the focusing state of the subject image with the current position of the focus group <NUM>, calculates a focus drive amount based on the defocus amount, and transmits the focus drive amount to the lens control unit <NUM>. Further, the lens control unit <NUM> moves the focus group <NUM> to a target position in the optical axis direction via the focus drive unit <NUM>, and corrects the defocus of the subject image.

Further, the camera control unit <NUM> controls the drive of the aperture group <NUM> and the shutter <NUM> via the aperture drive unit <NUM> and the shutter drive unit <NUM> according to the setting values of the aperture value and the shutter speed, which are received from the operation unit <NUM>. For example, when the automatic exposure control operation is instructed, the camera control unit <NUM> receives luminance signals generated by the image processing unit <NUM> and performs a photometry calculation. The camera control unit <NUM> controls the aperture drive unit <NUM> based on the result of the photometry calculation. Along with this, the camera control unit <NUM> controls the drive of the shutter <NUM> via the shutter drive unit <NUM> and performs an exposure process by the image pickup element <NUM>.

The camera body <NUM> includes a pitch shake detecting unit <NUM> and a yaw shake detecting unit <NUM> that function as shake detecting means capable of detecting the image blur due to the camera shake by the user. The pitch shake detecting unit <NUM> and the yaw shake detecting unit <NUM> include an angular velocity sensor (a vibrating gyro) and an angular acceleration sensor, respectively. The pitch shake detecting unit <NUM> detects an image blur (due to a camera shake) in the pitch direction (the rotation direction around the Z-axis) and outputs a shake signal. Further, the yaw shake detecting unit <NUM> detects an image blur (due to a camera shake) in the yaw direction (the rotation direction around the Y-axis) and outputs a shake signal. The camera control unit <NUM> calculates a shift position of the lens image stabilization group <NUM> in the Y-axis direction by using the shake signal outputted from the pitch shake detecting unit <NUM>. Similarly, the camera control unit <NUM> calculates a shift position of the lens image stabilization group <NUM> in the Z-axis direction by using the shake signal outputted from the yaw shake detecting unit <NUM>. Then, by the camera control unit <NUM> operating the image stabilization drive unit <NUM> via the lens control unit <NUM>, the camera control unit <NUM> moves the lens image stabilization group <NUM> to the target position in the Z/Y axis direction according to the shift positions in the pitch/yaw direction calculated above. As a result, the image blur that occurs during the exposure or displaying the through image is reduced.

The interchangeable lens <NUM> includes the zoom operation ring <NUM> for changing the angle of view of the image pickup optical system, and a zoom detecting unit <NUM> that detects the angle of the zoom operation ring <NUM>. The zoom detecting unit <NUM> detects the angle of the zoom operation ring <NUM>, which is operated by the user, as an absolute value. As the zoom detecting unit <NUM>, for example, a resistance type linear potentiometer may be used. Further, information regarding the angle detected by the zoom detecting unit <NUM> is transmitted to the lens control unit <NUM>, and is reflected in various kinds of controls performed by the camera control unit <NUM>. Further, a part of such various kinds of information is stored in the storage unit <NUM> or is recorded on the recording medium, together with the photographed images.

The positional relationship of the main components in the interchangeable lens <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> are cross-sectional views on an XY plane including the optical axis OA, respectively. Since each of center lines shown in <FIG> and <FIG> substantially coincides with the optical axis OA determined by the image pickup optical system, hereinafter, it is synonymous with the optical axis OA.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the interchangeable lens <NUM> includes the zoom group <NUM> that constitutes the image pickup optical system. The zoom group <NUM> is a lens unit that includes at least one lens, and in the present preferred embodiment, as one example, adopts a six-group configuration. The zoom group <NUM> is configured to include a first zoom group <NUM>, the lens image stabilization group <NUM> that functions as a second zoom group, a third zoom group <NUM>, the focus group <NUM> that functions as a fourth zoom group, a fifth zoom group <NUM>, and a sixth zoom group <NUM>. The first zoom group <NUM> to the sixth zoom group <NUM> are disposed in order from the front along the optical axis OA. Further, among the first zoom group <NUM> to the sixth zoom group <NUM>, the lens image stabilization group <NUM> to the fifth zoom group <NUM> move between different positions at a wide-angle end (see <FIG>) and at a telephoto end (see <FIG>). By this movement, the light from the subject can be image-formed on the image pickup element <NUM>. Moreover, the configuration of the image pickup optical system is not limited to the above configuration, and for example, the lens image stabilization group <NUM> and the focus group <NUM> may function as other zoom groups.

The interchangeable lens <NUM> includes a straight moving guide barrel <NUM> and a cam barrel <NUM>. The straight moving guide barrel <NUM> is fixed to the lens mount <NUM> via a fixed barrel (not shown). Further, the straight moving guide barrel <NUM> is configured by a cylindrical body that has a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, a plurality of cam grooves (not shown) is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the straight moving guide barrel <NUM> so as to be disposed at equal intervals along a circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the straight moving guide barrel <NUM>. The cam barrel <NUM> has a cylindrical shape, and is disposed concentrically with the straight moving guide barrel <NUM> on the outside of the straight moving guide barrel <NUM> with the optical axis OA as the center. Further, a cam follower (not shown) that is engaged with each of the cam grooves of the straight moving guide barrel <NUM> is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the cam barrel <NUM>. Furthermore, the cam barrel <NUM> is coupled with the zoom operation ring <NUM> via a key (not shown). By rotationally operating the zoom operation ring <NUM>, the cam followers are guided by the cam grooves, and the cam barrel <NUM> moves forward and backward (advances and retreats) along the optical axis direction while rotating around the optical axis OA.

The lens image stabilization group <NUM> to the fifth zoom group <NUM> (the zoom group <NUM>) are supported by the inside of the straight moving guide barrel <NUM>. Further, straight moving guide grooves <NUM> are provided on an inner peripheral surface (an inner peripheral portion) of the straight moving guide barrel <NUM> along the optical axis direction (see <FIG>). A plurality of the straight moving guide grooves <NUM> is disposed at equal intervals along a circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the straight moving guide barrel <NUM>. Moreover, the number of the straight moving guide grooves <NUM> disposed is preferably three, but is not limited to this, and may be two or four or more. The straight moving guide grooves <NUM> regulate the rotations of the lens image stabilization group <NUM> to the fifth zoom group <NUM> around the optical axis OA, and are cam grooves that carry out straight moving of the lens image stabilization group <NUM> to the fifth zoom group <NUM> along the optical axis direction. Further, the cam barrel <NUM> is provided with cam grooves having trajectories of different angles in the rotation direction corresponding to the lens image stabilization group <NUM> to the fifth zoom group <NUM>. A plurality of the cam grooves is disposed at equal intervals along a circumferential direction of the cam barrel <NUM>. On the other hand, the zoom group <NUM> is provided with a plurality of cam followers, and each of the plurality of cam followers is engaged with the corresponding straight moving guide groove <NUM> and the corresponding cam groove, respectively. The cam barrel <NUM> is rotated by the user rotationally operating the zoom operation ring <NUM>. At this time, the cam followers are guided by the straight moving guide grooves <NUM> and the cam grooves. As a result, the lens image stabilization group <NUM> to the fifth zoom group <NUM> move forward and backward (advance and retreat) along the optical axis direction while the rotations of the lens image stabilization group <NUM> to the fifth zoom group <NUM> around the optical axis OA are regulated. As shown in <FIG>, straight moving guides (engaging portions) <NUM> as the above cam followers are disposed in the third zoom group <NUM>. Further, the straight moving guides <NUM> are protruded toward a direction away from the optical axis OA. Furthermore, the straight moving guides <NUM> are disposed in the same number as the straight moving guide grooves <NUM>, and each of the straight moving guides <NUM> is engaged with each of the straight moving guide grooves <NUM>, respectively. As a result, the rotation of the third zoom group <NUM> around the optical axis OA is regulated.

Further, the straight moving guide barrel <NUM> supports the image stabilization drive unit <NUM> together with the lens image stabilization group <NUM> to the fifth zoom group <NUM> (the zoom group <NUM>) by the inside thereof. As described above, when reducing the image blur, the image stabilization drive unit <NUM> can move the lens image stabilization group <NUM> (the zoom group <NUM>) to the target position in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the optical axis OA, that is, in the Z/Y axis direction. As shown in <FIG>, the image stabilization drive unit <NUM> includes a base member <NUM>, coils <NUM>, shield cases <NUM>, balls (rolling balls) <NUM>, a shift member <NUM>, magnets <NUM>, yokes <NUM>, springs <NUM>, and a floating stopper member <NUM>.

In the present preferred embodiment, the base member <NUM> is configured by a cylindrical housing member 501A that houses the third zoom group <NUM>, and a ring-shaped member 501B that is coupled with the front of the housing member 501A (one side in the optical axis direction). Further, the straight moving guides <NUM> are provided on the housing member 501A. By the straight moving guides <NUM> being guided by the straight moving guide grooves <NUM>, the base member <NUM> becomes movable in the optical axis direction. Moreover, although the base member <NUM> is configured by two members in the present preferred embodiment, the base member <NUM> is not limited to being configured by two members, and may be configured by, for example, one member or three or more members.

The two coils <NUM> are fixed in the front of the base member <NUM>. Each of the two coils <NUM> has conductivity and is electrically connected to the lens control unit <NUM>. Further, each of the two coils <NUM> functions as a voice coil type actuator by being energized by the lens control unit <NUM> (i.e., by becoming an energized state by the lens control unit <NUM>). As a result, it is possible to move the shift member <NUM> in the Z/Y axis direction with respect to the base member <NUM> together with a lens <NUM> described later. Further, each of the shield cases <NUM> is disposed between each of the two coils <NUM> and the base member <NUM>. Each of the shield cases <NUM> is coupled with the base member <NUM>. Furthermore, each of the shield cases <NUM> covers the rear of the coil <NUM> (the image pickup plane side), and the front of the coil <NUM> (the object side) is open.

The shift member <NUM> is disposed in the front of the base member <NUM> via the coils <NUM> and the shield cases <NUM>. Further, the shift member <NUM> has a ring shape, and holds the lens <NUM>, which constitutes the lens image stabilization group <NUM> (the zoom group <NUM>), in the inside thereof. The three balls <NUM> are disposed at equal angle intervals around the optical axis OA between the base member <NUM> and the shift member <NUM>. Each of the three balls <NUM> is in contact with the base member <NUM> and the shift member <NUM>, respectively. When the shift member <NUM> moves in the Z/Y axis direction with respect to the base member <NUM>, each of the three balls <NUM> rolls between the base member <NUM> and the shift member <NUM>, so that the shift member <NUM> is smoothly moved (the movement of the shift member <NUM> is smoothly performed). Moreover, the balls <NUM> are made of a non-magnetic material such as SUS304, which is an austenitic stainless steel.

The two magnets <NUM> are fixed in the front of the shift member <NUM>. Each of the two magnets <NUM> is disposed to face each of the two coils <NUM> in the optical axis direction, and the Lorentz force is generated between each of the two magnets <NUM> and the coil <NUM> which is in the energized state. Further, the yoke <NUM> is coupled with each of the two magnets <NUM>. The yokes <NUM> are made of a magnetic material such as SPCC (Steel Plate Cold Commercial) , and some of them concentrate magnetic flux.

The spring <NUM> is an urging member that couples the base member <NUM> and the shift member <NUM> and urges the shift member <NUM> with respect to the base member <NUM> side. In the present preferred embodiment, the three springs <NUM> are disposed at equal angle intervals around the optical axis OA (see <FIG>). As a result, it is possible to stably urge the shift member <NUM> with respect to the base member <NUM> side. Moreover, the number of the springs <NUM> disposed is preferably three, but is not limited to this, and for example, may be two or four or more. Further, in the present preferred embodiment, the spring <NUM> is a tension coil spring and has hooks (a hook 509A and a hook 509B) at both end portions thereof. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the hook 509A at one end portion is engaged with and coupled with a spring hooking portion (a first coupling portion) <NUM> of the base member <NUM>, and the hook 509B at another end portion is engaged with and coupled with a spring hooking portion (a second coupling portion) <NUM> of the shift member <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to urge the shift member <NUM> with respect to the base member <NUM> side by a simple configuration of the tension coil spring. Further, an angle θ509 formed by a central axis O509 of the spring <NUM> and the optical axis OA is preferably more than <NUM> degrees and less than <NUM> degrees, is more preferably <NUM> degrees or more and <NUM> degrees or less, and is still more preferably <NUM> degrees or less. As a result, the shift member <NUM> is urged with respect to the base member <NUM> without excess and deficiency, and is disposed at a position where tensile forces of the three springs <NUM> are balanced. Moreover, the springs <NUM> are made of a non-magnetic material such as SUS304, which is the austenitic stainless steel. Further, in recent years, the total length of the spring <NUM> tends to be longer in a diameter direction of the interchangeable lens <NUM>.

The floating stopper member <NUM> is disposed in the front of the shift member <NUM> via the springs <NUM>. The floating stopper member <NUM> is a regulating member that regulates the movement of the shift member <NUM> in a direction in which the shift member <NUM> is separated from the base member <NUM>, that is, the floating stopper member <NUM> is the regulating member that regulates floating of the shift member <NUM> in the optical axis direction. As a result, it is possible to reduce an inadvertent movement of the shift member <NUM> due to, for example, a drop impact. The floating stopper member <NUM> is configured by a ring-shaped member, and is disposed concentrically with the base member <NUM> and the shift member <NUM> with the optical axis OA as the center.

By the way, when the user operates the zoom operation ring <NUM> of the interchangeable lens <NUM>, it is desired to realize the miniaturization of the interchangeable lens <NUM>, particularly, it is desired to realize the miniaturization (reducing the diameter) of the diameter direction of the interchangeable lens <NUM>. As a result, the operability of the zoom operation ring <NUM> is improved. The digital camera <NUM> adopts a configuration that the interchangeable lens <NUM> is miniaturized. Hereinafter, this configuration and effects achieved by this configuration will be described.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the ring-shaped member 501B of the base member <NUM> includes the spring hooking portion <NUM> with which the hook 509A of each of the springs <NUM> is engaged and coupled. The spring hooking portion <NUM> extends from an outer peripheral portion (an edge portion) of the ring-shaped member 501B along the optical axis direction, and is provided so as to be protruded forward in the present preferred embodiment. As a result, the spring hooking portion <NUM> is configured so that the hook 509A can be easily engaged. Further, after this engagement, the hook 509A is prevented from being easily disengaged from the spring hooking portion <NUM>.

The shift member <NUM> includes the spring hooking portion <NUM> with which the hook 509B of each of the springs <NUM> is engaged and coupled. The spring hooking portion <NUM> extends from between an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion of the ring-shaped shift member <NUM> along the optical axis direction. As a result, the spring hooking portion <NUM> is configured so that the hook 509B can be easily engaged. Further, after this engagement, the hook 509B is prevented from being easily disengaged from the spring hooking portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when viewed from the optical axis direction, each spring hooking portion <NUM> of the base member <NUM> is located within the straight moving guide groove <NUM> of the straight moving guide barrel <NUM>. Further, as shown in <FIG> in the case of changing the point of view, when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis OA (hereinafter, simply referred to as "an orthogonal direction"), the spring hooking portion <NUM> is disposed so as to overlap with the straight moving guide groove <NUM>. Since the spring hooking portion <NUM> is disposed so as to enter into the straight moving guide groove <NUM> in this way, the minimum inner diameter of the straight moving guide barrel <NUM> can be set smaller than a diameter of a virtual circle passing through each spring hooking portion <NUM> of the base member <NUM>. As a result, the miniaturization of the diameter direction of the interchangeable lens <NUM> is realized, that is, the diameter of the interchangeable lens <NUM> is reduced, and thus the operability of the interchangeable lens <NUM> is improved. As described above, in the interchangeable lens <NUM>, the straight moving guide groove <NUM> functions not only as a cam groove of the straight moving guide <NUM> but also as a housing portion that houses the spring hooking portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the spring hooking portion <NUM> is located distal to the optical axis OA than the spring hooking portion <NUM>, that is, the spring hooking portion <NUM> is located radially outside the interchangeable lens <NUM> than the spring hooking portion <NUM>. Since the movement in the orthogonal direction of the base member <NUM> is regulated, as a matter of course, the movement in the orthogonal direction of the spring hooking portion <NUM> extended to the base member <NUM> is also regulated. On the other hand, since the shift member <NUM> is movable in the orthogonal direction, as a matter of course, the spring hooking portion <NUM> extended to the shift member <NUM> is also movable in the orthogonal direction. Therefore, in a case that the spring hooking portion <NUM> of the base member <NUM> is disposed within the straight moving guide groove <NUM> as described above (hereinafter, this case is referred to as "the former case"), it is not necessary to secure a space in the straight moving guide groove <NUM> for the spring hooking portion <NUM> to move in the orthogonal direction. On the other hand, in a case that the spring hooking portion <NUM> of the shift member <NUM> is disposed within the straight moving guide groove <NUM> (hereinafter, this case is referred to as "the latter case"), it is necessary to secure a space in the straight moving guide groove <NUM> for the spring hooking portion <NUM> to move in the orthogonal direction. The present preferred embodiment adopts a configuration in the former case that the spring hooking portion <NUM> of the base member <NUM> is disposed within the straight moving guide groove <NUM>. Compared to a configuration in the latter case that the spring hooking portion <NUM> of the shift member <NUM> is disposed within the straight moving guide groove <NUM>, an effect achieved by this configuration in the former case is to be capable of suppressing the width and depth of the straight moving guide groove <NUM>. This effect contributes to reducing the diameter of the interchangeable lens <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the floating stopper member <NUM> includes extending portions <NUM> extending radially outward from an outer peripheral portion (an edge portion) thereof, that is, the floating stopper member <NUM> includes the extending portions <NUM> protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral portion (the edge portion) thereof. Further, the extending portions <NUM> are disposed in the same number as the straight moving guide grooves <NUM>, and each of the extending portions <NUM> enters into each of the straight moving guide grooves <NUM>, respectively, and covers the middle of the straight moving guide groove <NUM>. Furthermore, the extending portion <NUM> overlaps with the spring hooking portion <NUM> of the base member <NUM> and the spring <NUM> in the optical axis direction. As shown in <FIG>, when viewed from the orthogonal direction, the extending portion <NUM> (at least a part of the extending portion <NUM>) of the floating stopper member <NUM> is disposed so as to overlap with the straight moving guide groove <NUM>. Further, the spring hooking portion <NUM> of the base member <NUM> and the spring <NUM> are disposed between the extending portion <NUM> and the straight moving guide <NUM> in the optical axis direction. As a result, it is possible to reduce stray light from the first zoom group <NUM> to the image pickup element <NUM>, which directly passes through the straight moving guide groove <NUM>. Further, it is also possible to reduce stray light to the image pickup element <NUM>, which is reflected by the spring <NUM> and passes through the straight moving guide groove <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An optical apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a lens unit (<NUM>) including at least one lens;
a drive unit (<NUM>) configured to include a base member (<NUM>), a shift member (<NUM>), and an urging member (<NUM>);
a cylindrical body (<NUM>) configured to support the drive unit (<NUM>); and
a first coupling portion (<NUM>) configured to be coupled with the urging member (<NUM>), wherein
the drive unit (<NUM>) includes a plurality of the urging members (<NUM>),
the drive unit (<NUM>) is capable of moving at least the lens unit (<NUM>) in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis (OA) of the lens unit (<NUM>),
the first coupling portion (<NUM>) is provided on the base member (<NUM>),
a second coupling portion (<NUM>) configured to be coupled with the urging member (<NUM>) is provided on the shift member (<NUM>),
the first coupling portion (<NUM>) is located distal to the optical axis (OA) than the second coupling portion (<NUM>), and
the urging member (<NUM>) urges the shift member (<NUM>) with respect to the base member (<NUM>),
characterized in that
a groove (<NUM>) along a direction of the optical axis (OA) of the lens unit (<NUM>) is provided inside the cylindrical body (<NUM>), and
the first coupling portion (<NUM>) and the groove (<NUM>) overlap with each other when viewed from the direction of the optical axis (OA).