Patent ID: 7009781

Claim:
A zoom lens mechanism partly foldable and retractable for a digital still camera which controls zooming of the zoom lens using programmed data written in a micro controller unit of the digital still camera comprising: a) an assembly base on which said control system of zoom lens for the digital still camera is assembled; b) a first group of lenses, which is assembled in a first lens holder and placed at the headmost position of said assembly base; c) a first threaded bearing which is formed as a part of said first lens holder of said first group of lenses or as a separate part to be fixed on said first lens holder of said first group of lenses; d) a first means of position stabilizing for said first lens holder not to rotate; e) a first stepping motor to drive said first lens holder; f) a first screw rod which is provided on and connected to a shaft of said first stepping motor as an extension of the motor shaft and is screwed into a bearing hole of said first threaded bearing of said first lens holder of said first group of lenses and engages with threads provided on an inner wall of said first threaded bearing of said first lens holder of said second group of lenses; g) a second group of lenses, which is assembled in a second lens holder and placed next to said first group of lenses; h) a second threaded bearing which is formed as a part of said second lens holder of said second group of lenses or as a separate part to be fixed on said second lens holder of said second group of lenses; i) a second means of position stabilizing for said second lens holder not to rotate; j) a second stepping motor to drive said second lens holder; k) a second screw rod which is provided on and connected to a shaft of said second stepping motor as an extension of the motor shaft and is screwed into a bearing hole of said second threaded bearing of said second lens holder of said second group of lenses and engages with threads provided on an inner wall of said second threaded bearing of said second lens holder of said second group of lenses; l) a second lens housing in which said second lens holder, said second stepping motor, said second means for position stabilizing are accommodated; m) an axle provided on the side of said second lens holder, around on which said second housing can be rotated outward from the optical axis and path of the zoom lens at a 90 degree angle at least; n) a third group of lenses, which is assembled in a third lens holder and placed next to said second group of lenses and fixed there not to move; and o) a foldable outer lens barrel with 3 folding steps, in which all said lens groups, said stepping motors, said position stabilizing means and other related mechanisms built on said assembly base are accommodated.