# US 11,307,379 B2 · Lens barrel and optical apparatus

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- Number: US 11,307,379 B2
- Document ID: US11307379B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/691,139
- Filed: 2019-11-21
- Published: 2020-05-28
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2018-11-26
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Nobuyoshi Suzuki; Atsuto Noda
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11307379B2

## CPC

- G02B 7/10: by relative axial movement of several lenses, e.g. of varifocal objective lens
- G02B 7/102: {controlled by a microcomputer (cameras with interchangeable lenses G03B17/14)}
- G02B 13/004: {having four lenses}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A lens barrel includes a first cam member including a first cam portion engaged with a first lens holding member, the first cam member being configured to rotate and to move the first lens holding member, and a second cam member including a second cam portion engaged with a second lens holding member, the second cam member being configured to rotate around the optical axis to move the second lens holding member in the optical axis direction via the second cam portion. A third engagement portion provided on one of the first lens holding member and the second cam member is engaged with a third cam portion provided on the other. The second cam member is rotated, and moved in the optical axis direction by the third cam portion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lens barrel comprising:
a first lens unit;
a first lens holding member configured to hold the first lens unit;
a first cam member including a first cam portion engaged with a first engagement portion provided on the first lens holding member, the first cam member being configured to rotate around an optical axis direction and to move the first lens holding member;
a second lens unit;
a second lens holding member configured to hold the second lens unit;
a second cam member including a second cam portion engaged with a second engagement portion provided on the second lens holding member, the second cam member being configured to rotate around the optical axis to move the second lens holding member in the optical axis direction via the second cam portion;
a third lens holding member configured to hold a third lens unit and including a fourth engagement portion engaged with a fourth cam portion provided on the first cam member; and
a fourth lens holding member for holding a fourth lens unit,
wherein a third engagement portion provided on one of the first lens holding member and the second cam member is engaged with a third cam portion provided on the other,
wherein the second cam member is rotated when a rotation of the first cam member is transmitted to the second cam member, and moved in the optical axis direction by the third cam portion, and
wherein the fourth lens holding member is supported movably in the optical axis direction by a guide bar held by the first lens holding member and the third lens holding member.

### Claim 2

A lens barrel comprising:
a first lens unit;
a first lens holding member configured to hold the first lens unit;
a first cam member including a first cam portion engaged with a first engagement portion provided on the first lens holding member, the first cam member being configured to rotate around an optical axis direction and to move the first lens holding member;
a second lens unit;
a second lens holding member configured to hold the second lens unit;
a second cam member including a second cam portion engaged with a second engagement portion provided on the second lens holding member, the second cam member being configured to rotate around the optical axis to move the second lens holding member in the optical axis direction via the second cam portion; and
a base member configured to rotatably support the first cam member,
wherein a third engagement portion provided on one of the first lens holding member and the second cam member is engaged with a third cam portion provided on the other,
wherein the second cam member is rotated when a rotation of the first cam member is transmitted to the second cam member, and moved in the optical axis direction by the third cam portion, and
wherein the base member has a receiving portion which a protrusion portion provided on the second cam member contacts when an external force is applied to the lens barrel.

### Claim 3

An optical apparatus comprising a lens barrel,
wherein the lens barrel includes:
a first lens unit;
a first lens holding member configured to hold the first lens unit;
a first cam member including a first cam portion engaged with a first engagement portion provided on the first lens holding member, the first cam member being configured to rotate around an optical axis direction and to move the first lens holding member;
a second lens unit;
a second lens holding member configured to hold the second lens unit;
a second cam member including a second cam portion engaged with a second engagement portion provided on the second lens holding member, the second cam member being configured to rotate around the optical axis to move the second lens holding member in the optical axis direction via the second cam portion;
a third lens holding member configured to hold a third lens unit and including a fourth engagement portion engaged with a fourth cam portion provided on the first cam member; and
a fourth lens holding member for holding a fourth lens unit,
wherein a third engagement portion provided on one of the first lens holding member and the second cam member is engaged with a third cam portion provided on the other,
wherein the second cam member is rotated when a rotation of the first cam member is transmitted to the second cam member, and moved in the optical axis direction by the third cam portion, and
wherein the fourth lens holding member is supported movably in the optical axis direction by a guide bar held by the first lens holding member and the third lens holding member.

### Claim 4

An optical apparatus comprising a lens barrel,
wherein the lens barrel includes:
a first lens unit;
a first lens holding member configured to hold the first lens unit;
a first cam member including a first cam portion engaged with a first engagement portion provided on the first lens holding member, the first cam member being configured to rotate around an optical axis direction and to move the first lens holding member;
a second lens unit;
a second lens holding member configured to hold the second lens unit;
a second cam member including a second cam portion engaged with a second engagement portion provided on the second lens holding member, the second cam member being configured to rotate around the optical axis to move the second lens holding member in the optical axis direction via the second cam portion; and
a base member configured to rotatably support the first cam member,
wherein a third engagement portion provided on one of the first lens holding member and the second cam member is engaged with a third cam portion provided on the other,
wherein the second cam member is rotated when a rotation of the first cam member is transmitted to the second cam member, and moved in the optical axis direction by the third cam portion, and
wherein the base member has a receiving portion which a protrusion portion provided on the second cam member contacts when an external force is applied to the lens barrel.