# US 2010/0166402 A1 · Lens barrel assembly and camera including the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166402 A1 - Document ID: US20100166402A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/649,469 - Filed: 2009-12-30 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-31 - Assignees: Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Chang-bae Lee; Young-eun Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166402A1 ## CPC - G03B 17/00: Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor (lens hoods or caps G03B11/04) - G02B 7/021: {for more than one lens} - Y10T 29/49002: Electrical device making - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A lens barrel assembly and a camera including the lens barrel assembly are provided. The lens barrel assembly includes a barrel case accommodating at least one optical lens, and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) configured to transmit signals between an area inside of the barrel case and an area outside of the barrel case. The barrel case comprises an outlet slit formed in the barrel case. The outlet slip being configured for extending the flexible printed circuit board to the area outside of the barrel case. Accordingly, the lens barrel assembly has an improved extension structure for extending the flexible printed circuit board which is configured to transmit signals between the inside and the outside of the lens barrel assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lens barrel assembly comprising: a barrel case accommodating at least one optical lens; and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) configured to transmit signals between an area inside of the barrel case and an area outside of the barrel case, wherein the barrel case comprises an outlet slit formed in the barrel case, the outlet slit being configured for extending the flexible printed circuit board to the area outside of the barrel case. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lens barrel assembly of claim 1, wherein the outlet slit is formed along a circumferential direction of the barrel case. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The lens barrel assembly of claim 1, wherein the barrel case further comprises an assembly slit formed in the barrel case, the assembly slit being connected to the outlet slit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The lens barrel assembly of claim 3, wherein the assembly slit is opened towards a front or a rear portion of the barrel case, and the assembly slit is connected to the outlet slit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lens barrel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lens assembly installed and configured so as to move in front and rear directions, wherein the at least one optical lens is installed within the lens assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The lens barrel assembly of claim 5, wherein an end of the flexible printed circuit board is connected to the lens assembly, and another end of the flexible printed circuit board extends to the area outside of the barrel case. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The lens barrel assembly of claim 5, wherein a portion of the flexible printed circuit board accommodated in the lens barrel assembly has a length that is sufficient to correspond to the movement of the lens assembly in the front and rear directions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The lens barrel assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexible printed circuit board has a length sufficient to extend around from the outlet slit in the front and rear directions and extending towards the lens assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The lens barrel assembly of claim 1, wherein the outlet slit is formed away from the front and rear of the barrel case. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The lens barrel assembly of claim 1, wherein the barrel case comprises a guide barrel disposed at an outermost portion of the lens barrel assembly, and wherein the outlet slit is formed in the guide barrel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The lens barrel assembly of claim 1, wherein an edge of the barrel case defining the outlet slit is a rounded curved surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The lens barrel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a separation blocking stumbling projection formed at an end of the outlet slit. ### Claim 13 A camera comprising: a camera body; a lens assembly comprising an optical lens installed in the lens assembly and configured to move in front and rear directions; a flexible printed circuit board configured to transmit signals between the lens assembly and the camera body; and a barrel case comprising an inner space that accommodates the lens assembly and an outlet slit for extending the flexible printed circuit board to a position outside of the barrel case. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The camera of claim 13, wherein the outlet slit is formed along a circumferential direction of the barrel case. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The camera of claim 13, wherein the barrel case further comprises an assembly slit formed in the barrel case, the assembly slit being connected to the outlet slit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The camera of claim 15, wherein the assembly slit is opened towards a front or rear portion of the barrel case, and the assembly slit is connected to the outlet slit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The camera of claim 15, wherein the outlet slit is formed away from the front and rear of the barrel case. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The camera of claim 13, wherein the barrel case comprises a guide barrel disposed at an outermost portion of the lens barrel assembly, and wherein the outlet slit is formed in the guide barrel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The camera of claim 13, wherein an edge of the barrel case defining the outlet slit is a rounded curved surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The camera of claim 13, further comprising a separation blocking stumbling projection formed at an end of the outlet slit.