FOCUSING APPARATUS FOR OPTICAL DEVICE

• US 20130222929A1
• Filed: 01/23/2013
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: PARK, Joong-Wan
• Granted Patent: US 8,830,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/824
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/04 with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/08 adapted to co-operate with a remote control mechanism

Abstract

Provided is a focusing apparatus for an optical device, the focusing apparatus including a lead screw rotatably installed in the optical device, a carriage screw-coupled to the lead screw to move in a longitudinal direction of the lead screw in response to rotation of the lead screw, a lens barrel receiving at least one lenses and moving along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw, and a bridge extending from an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel to enclose the carriage, in which the bridge moves the lens barrel in response to movement of the carriage.

Claims

1. A focusing apparatus for an optical device, the focusing apparatus comprising:

a lead screw rotatably installed in the optical device;

a carriage screw-coupled to the lead screw to move in a longitudinal direction of the lead screw in response to rotation of the lead screw;

a lens barrel receiving at least one lens and moving along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw; and

a bridge extending from an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel to enclose the carriage,

wherein the bridge moves the lens barrel in response to movement of the carriage

2. The focusing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bridge extends to traverse the lead screw.

3. The focusing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a protrusion portion protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the bridge to form a close tolerance fit with an outer circumferential surface of the carriage.

4. The focusing apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one protrusion portions are formed to protrude toward a surface of the carriage.

5. The focusing apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one pairs of protrusion portions are formed to protrude toward one of both surfaces of the carriage respectively.

6. The focusing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the protrusion portion is formed to protrude toward one surface of the carriage, and has a shape of a linear band extending in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the lead screw.

7. The focusing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the protrusion portion is formed to protrude toward one surface of the carriage, and having a hemispherical shape protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the bridge.

8. The focusing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bracket threadedly engaged with and supporting both ends of the lead screw, wherein the bridge linearly moves together with the carriage in a distance range limited by the bracket.

9. The focusing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a stopper protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the bridge, wherein the stopper limits a linear movement range of the bridge by contact with the bracket.

10. The focusing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the stopper is disposed from a side of the lead screw to a position offset between the lead screw and towards the lens barrel.

11. The focusing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a driving motor attached to the lead screw and mounted on an outer side of the bracket, wherein the driving motor rotates the lead screw.

12. The focusing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the driving motor is a step motor.

13. The focusing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

guide members formed on an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel; and

guide rods disposed in parallel alignment with the lead screw,

wherein the guide rods are slidably coupled to go through one of the guide members, thus guiding linear movement of the lens barrel.

14. The focusing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the guide rods are disposed along both sides of the lens barrel.