# US 2026/0086431 A1 · Lens barrel and imaging device

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- Number: US 2026/0086431 A1
- Document ID: US20260086431A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 19/109,189
- Filed: 2023-10-17
- Published: 2026-03-26
- Earliest claimed: 2022-10-19
- Assignees: Nikon Corporation
- Applicants: Nikon Corporation
- Inventors: Kosuke HAGIWARA; Takuji HAMASAKI; Nobuaki TAKAHASHI
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260086431A1

## CPC

- G02B 7/102: {controlled by a microcomputer (cameras with interchangeable lenses G03B17/14)}
- G03B 13/34: Power focusing
- G02B 7/021: {for more than one lens}
- G02B 7/022: {lens and mount having complementary engagement means, e.g. screw/thread}
- G02B 7/023: {permitting adjustment}
- G02B 7/026: {using retaining rings or springs (G02B7/027 takes precedence)}
- G02B 7/04: with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
- G02B 7/10: by relative axial movement of several lenses, e.g. of varifocal objective lens
- G03B 5/00: Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing
- G03B 2205/0046: Movement of one or more optical elements for zooming
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- 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)

## Abstract

A lens barrel includes a moving unit having a first protrusion, a driving unit configured to move the moving unit straight in an optical axis direction, a first barrel having a first cam groove, which engages with the first protrusion, and a second cam groove, and a first lens holding frame that has a second protrusion, which engages with the second cam groove, and holds a first lens, wherein the first barrel rotates as the moving unit moves in the optical axis direction, and the rotation of the first barrel moves the first holding frame in the optical axis direction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lens barrel comprising:
a moving unit having a first protrusion;
a driving unit configured to move the moving unit straight in an optical axis direction;
a first barrel having a first cam groove, which engages with the first protrusion, and a second cam groove; and
a first lens holding frame that has a second protrusion, which engages with the second cam groove, and holds a first lens,
wherein the first barrel rotates as the moving unit moves in the optical axis direction, and
wherein the rotation of the first barrel moves the first holding frame in the optical axis direction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The lens barrel according to claim 1,
wherein the moving unit includes a third protrusion, and
wherein the lens barrel includes a guide portion having a straight groove that engages with the third protrusion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The lens barrel according to claim 2, wherein the moving unit includes the third protrusion in plural.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The lens barrel according to claim 2, wherein the third protrusion is rotatable about a center of the third protrusion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion is rotatable about a center of the first protrusion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The lens barrel according to claim 1,
wherein the first barrel further has a third cam groove, and
wherein the lens barrel includes a second lens holding frame that has a fourth protrusion, which engages with the third cam groove, and holds a second lens, and
wherein the second lens holding frame moves in the optical axis direction by rotation of the first barrel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The lens barrel according to claim 1, further comprising:
a second barrel provided further outward than or further inward than the first barrel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The lens barrel according to claim 1, further comprising:
a third lens holding frame that holds a third lens,
wherein the third lens holding frame moves along the optical axis direction integrally with the moving unit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The lens barrel according to claim 1,
wherein the drive unit includes a motor, which has an output shaft, and a lead screw,
wherein the output shaft and the lead screw are connected by a coupling unit, and
wherein the coupling unit has an alignment mechanism that adjusts a position of a shaft center of the output shaft and a position of a shaft center of the lead screw.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

An imaging device comprising the lens barrel according to claim 1.