Vibration reducing apparatus and lens barrel

• US 5,926,656 A
• Filed: 03/10/1998
• Issued: 07/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Imura, Yoshio, Tanioka, Hiroshi, Kamata, Tetuji
• Primary Examiner(s): PERKEY, WILLIAM B
• Application Number:
  US09/037,883
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 396/55, 359/554, 359/557
• US Class Current: 396/55
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2205/0015 by displacing one or more optical elements normal to the optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2205/0069 using electromagnetic actuators, e.g. voice coils
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 5/00 Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing

Abstract

A vibration reducing apparatus housed in the internal periphery of a tubular member comprises a vibration reducing optical system which reduces a vibration, a supporting frame which supports the vibration reducing optical system, provided in at least a part of the external periphery with a gap portion which forms a gap to the internal periphery of the tubular member, and a drive unit which drives the supporting frame in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an optical axis.

Claims

1. A vibration reducing apparatus housed in the internal periphery of a tubular member, comprising:

a vibration reducing optical system which reduces a vibration;

a supporting frame which supports said vibration reducing optical system, said supporting frame being provided, at least in a part of the external periphery thereof, with a gap portion which forms a gap to the internal periphery of said tubular member; and

a drive unit which drives said supporting frame in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an optical axis.

2. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drive unit includes:

a first driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a first direction; and

a second driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a second direction which is skewed relative to said first direction;

said first and second driving force generation devices are positioned with a predetermined mutual angular distance therebetween about an optical axis and;

said supporting frame is provided with a mounting portion protruding from the external periphery thereof and serving to mount at least a part of said first and second driving force generation devices.

3. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first and second driving force generation devices are voice coil motors.

4. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said gap portion is a cut-off portion formed on the external periphery of said frame member or said base frame member.

5. A vibration reducing apparatus, comprising:

a base frame member housed in the internal periphery of a tubular member, said frame member being provided, at least in a part of the external periphery thereof, with a gap portion forming a gap to the internal periphery of said tubular member;

a vibration reducing optical system which reduces a vibration, and is provided in the internal periphery of said base frame member;

a supporting frame member which supports said vibration reducing optical system, and is provided in the internal periphery of said base frame member; and

a drive unit which drives said supporting frame member in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an optical axis.

6. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

said base frame member is divided into a first frame member and a second frame member, and

at least one of said first and second frame members is provided, on at least a part of the external periphery thereof, with a gap portion.

7. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

said base frame member is divided into a first frame member and a second frame member; and

said first and second frame members are provided, on at least a part of the external periphery thereof, with a continuous gap portion.

8. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

said drive unit includes;

a first driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a first direction;

a second driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a second direction which is skewed relative to said first direction; and

a guide member which guides said vibration reducing optical system driven by at least one of said first and second driving force generation devices; and

said gap portion is formed close to at least one of said first driving force generation device;

said second driving force generation device and said guide member.

9. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first and second driving force generation devices are voice coil motors.

10. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said gap portion is provided, in at least a part thereof, with a flat portion.

11. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said gap portion is used as a mounting portion which mounts component to be mounted.

12. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said gap portion is a cut-off portion formed on the external periphery of said frame member or said base frame member.

13. A lens barrel having a tubular member of which internal periphery houses a vibration reducing optical system which reduces a vibration, a supporting frame which supports said vibration reducing optical system and is provided in at least a part of the external periphery of said supporting frame with a gap portion which forms a gap to the internal periphery of said tubular member, and a drive unit which drives said supporting frame in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an optical axis, said lens barrel comprising:

a component extended in the direction of the optical axis;

wherein said gap portion serves as an escape portion for said component.

14. A lens barrel according to claim 13, wherein:

said drive unit includes a first driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a first direction and a second driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a second direction which is skewed relative to said first direction; and

said component is provided in a position opposed or substantially opposed, across the optical axis, to at least one of said first and second driving force generation devices.

15. A lens barrel according to claim 13, wherein said component is a driving member which generates or transmits the driving force for driving at least a part of the optical system or a diaphragm.

16. A lens barrel according to claim 15, wherein said driving member is a DC motor.

17. A lens barrel according to claim 15, wherein said driving member is an ultrasonic motor.

18. A lens barrel having a tubular member of which internal periphery houses a base frame member housed in said internal periphery and provided in at least a part of the external periphery of said supporting frame with a gap portion which forms a gap to the internal periphery of said tubular member, a vibration reducing optical system provided in the internal periphery of said base frame member which reduces a vibration, a supporting frame provided in the internal periphery of said base frame member which supports said vibration reducing optical system and a drive unit provided in the internal periphery of said base frame member which drives said supporting frame in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an optical axis, said lens barrel comprising:

a component extended in the direction of the optical axis;

wherein said gap portion serves as an escape portion for said component.

19. A lens barrel according to claim 18, wherein:

said drive unit includes a first driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a first direction and a second driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a second direction which is skewed relative to said first direction; and

said component is provided in a position opposed or substantially opposed, across the optical axis, to at least one of said first and second driving force generation devices.

20. A lens barrel according to claim 18, wherein said component is a driving member which generates or transmits the driving force for driving at least a part of the optical system or a diaphragm.

21. A lens barrel according to claim 20, wherein said driving member is a DC motor.

22. A lens barrel according to claim 20, wherein said driving member is an ultrasonic motor.

23. A vibration reducing apparatus housed in the internal periphery of a tubular member, comprising:

a vibration reducing optical system which reduces a vibration;

a supporting frame which supports said vibration reducing optical system;

a drive unit which drives said supporting frame in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an optical axis;

an optical member provided in front of or behind said vibration reducing optical system;

a fixing unit which fixes said optical member; and

a connecting unit which connects said optical member and said fixing unit;

wherein said supporting frame being provided, at least in a part of the external periphery thereof, with a gap portion forming a gap to the internal periphery of said tubular member; and

said connecting unit is provided in said gap portion.

24. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said optical member is a lens group, a diaphragm unit, a diaphragm-shutter unit or a combination thereof.

25. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein, in said gap portion, there is provided a position detecting unit which detects the position of said vibration reducing optical system.

26. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said drive unit includes:

a first driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a first direction; and

a second driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a second direction which is skewed relative to said first direction;

said first and second driving force generation devices are positioned with a mutual angular distance of 90°

or substantially 90°

therebetween about the optical axis; and

said supporting frame is provided with a mounting portion protruding from the external periphery thereof and serving to mount at least a part of said first and second driving force generation devices.

27. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said first and second driving force generation devices are voice coil motors.

28. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said connecting units are axially-directed members provided in three positions with a mutual angular distance of 120°

about the optical axis.

29. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein at least one of said axially-directed members is provided in a range of 90°

or substantially 90°

sandwiched between said first and second driving force generation devices.

30. A vibration reducing apparatus housed in the internal periphery of a tubular member, comprising:

a vibration reducing optical system which reduces a vibration;

a supporting frame which supports said vibration reducing optical system;

a drive unit which drives said supporting frame in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an optical axis;

a first optical member provided in front of said vibration reducing optical system;

a second optical member provided behind said vibration reducing optical system; and

a connecting unit which connects said first and second optical members;

wherein said supporting frame being provided, at least in a part of the external periphery thereof, with a gap portion forming a gap to the internal periphery of said tubular member; and

said connecting unit is provided in said gap portion.

31. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said optical member is a lens group, a diaphragm unit, a diaphragm-shutter unit or a combination thereof.

32. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein, in said gap portion, there is provided a position detecting unit which detects the position of said vibration reducing optical system.

33. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said drive unit includes:

a first driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a first direction; and

a second driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a second direction which is skewed relative to said first direction;

said first and second driving force generation devices are positioned with a mutual angular distance of 90°

or substantially 90°

therebetween about the optical axis; and

said supporting frame is provided with a mounting portion protruding from the external periphery thereof and serving to mount at least a part of said first and second driving force generation devices.

34. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said first and second driving force generation devices are voice coil motors.

35. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said connecting units are axially-directed members provided in three positions with a mutual angular distance of 120°

about the optical axis.

36. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 35, wherein at least one of said axially-directed members is provided in a range of 90°

or substantially 90°

sandwiched between said first and second driving force generation devices.

37. A vibration reducing apparatus housed in the internal periphery of a tubular member, comprising:

a vibration reducing optical system which reduces a vibration;

a supporting frame which supports said vibration reducing optical system;

a drive unit which drives said supporting frame in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an optical axis; and

a base member housing, in the internal periphery thereof, said vibration reducing optical system, said supporting frame and said drive unit and dividable into a first frame member and a second frame member;

wherein said supporting frame being provided, at least in a part of the external periphery thereof, with a gap portion forming a gap to the internal periphery of said tubular member; and

there is provided, in said gap portion, a frame member connecting unit which connects said first and second frame members.

38. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein at least one of said first and second frame members is provided with an optical member.

39. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said optical member is a lens group, a diaphragm unit, a diaphragm-shutter unit or a combination thereof.

40. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein, in said gap portion, there is provided a position detecting unit which detects the position of said vibration reducing optical system.

41. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said drive unit includes:

a first driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a first direction; and

a second driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a second direction which is skewed relative to said first direction;

said first and second driving force generation devices are positioned with a mutual angular distance of 90°

or substantially 90°

therebetween about the optical axis; and

said supporting frame is provided with a mounting portion protruding from the external periphery thereof and serving to mount at least a part of said first and second driving force generation devices.

42. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said first and second driving force generation devices are voice coil motors.

43. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said connecting units are axially-directed members provided in three positions with a mutual angular distance of 120°

about the optical axis.

44. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein at least one of said axially-directed members is provided in a range of 90°

or substantially 90°

sandwiched between said first and second driving force generation devices.

45. A vibration reducing apparatus housed in the internal periphery of a tubular member, comprising:

a vibration reducing optical system which reduces a vibration;

a supporting frame which supports said vibration reducing optical system; and

a drive unit which drives said supporting frame in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an optical axis;

wherein said supporting frame being provided, at least in a part of the external periphery thereof, with a gap portion forming a gap to the internal periphery of said tubular member; and

there is provided, in said gap portion, a supporting unit which movably supports said supporting frame.

46. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said supporting unit includes:

a guide unit in contact with said supporting frame which guides said supporting frame in a predetermined direction; and

a biasing unit which biases said supporting frame toward said guide unit.

47. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 45, wherein, in said gap portion, there is provided a position detecting unit which detects the position of said vibration reducing optical system.

48. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said drive unit includes:

a first driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a first direction; and

a second driving force generation device which drives said vibration reducing optical system in a second direction which is skewed relative to said first direction;

said first and second driving force generation devices are positioned with a mutual angular distance of 90°

or substantially 90°

therebetween about the optical axis; and

said supporting frame is provided with a mounting portion protruding from the external periphery thereof and serving to mount at least a part of said first and second driving force generation devices.

49. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said first and second driving force generation devices are voice coil motors.

50. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said connecting units are axially-directed members provided in three positions with a mutual angular distance of 120°

about the optical axis.

51. A vibration reducing apparatus according to claim 50, wherein at least one of said axially-directed members is provided in a range of 90°

or substantially 90°

sandwiched between said first and second driving force generation devices.