Zooming mechanism for zoom lens

• US RE34,059 E
• Filed: 07/15/1991
• Issued: 09/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Akitake, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US07/730,109
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 359/691, 359/826, 359/693, 359/825, 359/694, 359/695, 359/696, 359/697, 359/698, 359/699, 359/700, 359/701, 359/704, 359/705, 359/706, 354/195.1, 354/195.11
• US Class Current: 359/700
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/10 by relative axial movement of several lenses, e.g. of varifocal objective lens

Abstract

A zooming mechanism for a zoom lens comprises a zooming frame disposed for translation back and forth with respect to a stationary member in the direction of an optical axis and carrying a focus lens group in a manner to permit its focus adjustment; a drive for translating the zooming frame in the direction of the optical axis, a carrier frame for carrying another zoom lens group and supported within the zooming frame by a support member located therein for translation back and forth in the direction of the optical axis, a device for deriving a rotational drive in association with the translation of the zooming frame in the direction of the optical axis, and a device responsive to the rotational drive to cause a non-linear movement of the carrier frame. A rotational drive is derived in association with the translation of the zooming frame in the direction of the optical axis, and utilized by said non-linear moving device to cause a non-linear movement of the carrier frame to achieve a zooming operation.

Claims

1. A zooming mechanism for a zoom lens including a plurality of lens groups, comprising:

a zooming frame movable in a direction of an optical axis with respect to a stationary member and carrying at least one lens group;

drive means for moving the zooming frame in the direction of the optical axis;

a carrier frame carrying another zoom lens group and supported by a support member within the zooming frame for movement back and forth in the direction of the optical axis;

means for deriving a rotational drive responsive to the movement of the zooming frame in the direction of the optical axis;

and means responsive to said .Iadd.means .Iaddend.for deriving a rotational drive .[.means.]. to cause a non-linear movement of the carrier frame.

2. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which the zooming frame comprises a hollow body and is slidably fitted in the stationary member which also comprises a hollow body of a greater size, the zooming frame being disposed for movement back and forth in the direction of the optical axis while utilizing a support shaft disposed within the stationary member in parallel relationship with the optical axis as a guide.

3. A zooming mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said zooming frame hollow body and said stationary member hollow body are substantially rectangular.

4. A zooming mechanism according to claim 3, further including a rectangular film frame arranged adjacent to said zooming mechanism;

said zooming frame hollow rectangular-shaped body being slightly greater in size than said film frame.

5. A zooming mechanism according to claim 4, wherein three sides of said zooming frame hollow rectangular-shaped body are substantially equal in length to three associated sides of said rectangular film frame.

6. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which the drive means comprises a feed screw disposed within the stationary member and extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis, a female threaded bore formed in a block secured to a lower surface of the zooming frame for threadable engagement with the feed screw, and a rotation transmitting gear secured to the feed screw for transmitting a rotational drive to the feed screw.

7. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which the carrier frame comprises a hollow cylindrical member of a reduced length in which a zoom lens is carried, the carrier frame being provided with guide openings at symmetrical positions around its outer periphery with respect to each other through which guide members disposed within the zooming frame extend and which also serve as rotational stops.

8. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which said means for deriving a rotational drive comprises a first non-circular gear which is coaxially and integrally mounted on a support shaft extending through the zooming frame for a pinion rotatably mounted on a lower surface of the zooming frame and meshing with a rack which is disposed within the stationary member and extending in the direction of the optical axis.

9. A zooming mechanism according to claim 8, in which the first non-circular gear comprises a spur gear in the configuration of part of a spiral having a radial distance from a pivot located at a predetermined pivot mounting location which progressively increases in the circumferential direction.

10. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which the responsive means for moving the carrier frame comprises a second non-circular gear rotatably mounted within the zooming frame and disposed in meshing engagement with a first non-circular gear of said means for deriving a rotational drive, an elongate slot formed in the second non-circular gear, and a drive pin fixedly mounted on the carrier frame and fitted into the elongate slot, the rotation of the second non-circular gear causing a displacement of the elongate slot, whereby the drive pin is effective to move the carrier frame.

11. A zooming mechanism according to claim 10, in which the second non-circular gear comprises a sector gear having a radial distance from its pivot located at a predetermined pivot mounting location which gradually changes in the circumferential direction.

12. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which said means for deriving a rotational drive comprises a first non-circular gear coaxially and integrally mounted on support shaft for a pulley which is rotatably mounted on a lower surface of the zooming frame, the pulley having one end of a cord anchored thereto which has its other end secured to the stationary member, the pulley being urged for angular movement to return to its original position.

13. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which said responsive means for moving the carrier frame comprises a second non-circular gear rotatably mounted within the zooming frame and disposed in meshing engagement with a first non-circular gear of said means for deriving a rotational drive, a drive pin fixedly mounted on the second noncircular gear, and an elongate slot formed in the carrier frame and in which the drive pin is fitted, the rotation of the second non-circular gear causing a displacement of the drive pin which is effective through the elongate slot to move the carrier frame.

14. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1 in which said means for deriving a rotational drive comprises a pinion gear rotatably mounted on a lower surface of the zooming frame and coaxially and integrally mounted on a support shaft for a sector gear, which meshes with a rack disposed within the stationary member and extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis, which extends into the zooming frame.

15. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which said responsive means for moving the carrier frame comprises a cam drive gear rotatably mounted within the zooming frame and disposed in meshing engagement with a pinion gear of said means for deriving a rotational drive, a cam arm having its one end coaxially and integrally mounted on a support shaft for the cam drive gear, an actuator cam formed by a profiled cam formed in the cam arm, and a drive pin fixedly mounted on the carrier frame and fitted into the actuator cam, the rotation of the pinion gear being effective to cause a rotation of the cam arm to move the carrier frame through the engagement between the actuator cam and the drive pin.

16. A zooming mechanism according to claim 15, in which the cam drive gear comprises a sector gear.

17. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which said means for moving the carrier frame comprises a cam disc rotatably mounted within the zooming frame and integrally mounted on a support shaft for a pinion gear of said means for deriving a rotational drive and having an actuator cam, formed by a profiled slot, extending in the manner of a spiral over at least a portion of one revolution, and a drive pin fixedly mounted on the carrier frame and fitted into the actuator cam, the rotation of the cam disc resulting from the rotation of the pinion gear being effective to cause the carrier frame to be moved through the engagement between the actuator cam and the drive pin.

18. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which said means for deriving a rotational drive comprises a pinion gear rotatably mounted within the zooming frame, a pulley secured to an end of a support shaft for the pinion gear which extends below the zooming frame and urged to return to its original position, and a cord having its one end anchored to the pulley and other end secured to the stationary member.

19. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which a focus lens group is displaceably supported by the zooming frame for translation back and forth along the optical axis.

20. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which said means for deriving a rotational drive includes rotatable means journalled on said zooming frame.

21. A zooming mechanism according to claim 1, in which said means for deriving a rotational drive is rotatable about an axis which is transverse to said optical axis.

22. A zooming mechanism for a zoom lens including a plurality of lens groups, comprising:

a zooming frame linearly movable in the direction of an optical axis and carrying at least one lens group;

drive means for moving said zooming frame;

a carrier frame slidably disposed within said zooming frame and carrying another lens .[.groups.]. .Iadd.group.Iaddend.; and

means responsive to linear movement of said zooming frame for moving said carrier frame in a non-linear manner.

23. A zooming mechanism according to claim 22, .[.wheein.]. .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend.the responsive means for moving said carrier frame comprises means for providing a rotational output responsive to said linear movement of the zooming frame and means responsive to the rotational output for moving the carrier frame in a non-linear manner.

24. A zooming mechanism according to claim 23, wherein the means for providing a rotational output responsive to linear movement of the zooming frame comprises a rack and cooperating pinion having a pinion shaft for providing said rotational output.

25. A zooming mechanism to claim 23, wherein said means for providing a rotational output responsive to linear movement of the zooming frame comprises a pulley secured to a shaft rotatably mounted on said zooming frame coupled between a stationary location and the periphery of said pulley for rotating said pulley and said shaft responsive to linear movement of the zooming frame.

26. A zooming mechanism according to claim 23, in which the means responsive to the rotational output for moving the carrier frame in a non-linear manner comprises a cam disk having cam means for imparting non-linear movement to said carrier frame responsive to rotation of said cam disk by said rotational output.

27. The zooming mechanism according to claim 23, wherein said means responsive to the rotational output for moving the carrier frame in a non-linear manner comprises first and second meshing gears, said first meshing gear being rotated by said rotational output and said second meshing gear being rotated by said first meshing gear and including means for imparting non-linear movement to said carrier frame.

28. A zooming mechanism according to claim 27, wherein said means responsive to the rotational output for moving the carrier frame in a non-linear manner comprises a cam lever rotated by said second gear and having cam means for imparting non-linear movement to said carrier frame.

29. A zooming mechanism according to claim 27, wherein said second gear is a non-circular gear;

and said mechanism further comprising

means for moving said carrier frame, said carrier frame being responsive to rotation of said second gear.

30. A zooming mechanism for a zoom lens, comprising;

a zooming frame provided on a zoom lens having a plurality of lens groups, said frame being movable back and forth in the direction of an optical axis with respect to a stationary member and carrying at least one lens group in such a manner that the lens group is movable back and forth in the direction of said optical axis;

drive means for moving said zooming frame in the direction of said optical axis;

a carrier frame movably disposed within said zoom frame by a support member provided in the zooming frame, said carrier frame being movable back and forth in the direction of said optical axis and carrying another lens group;

means for deriving a rotational drive responsive to the movement of the zooming frame in the direction of said optical axis, said means being rotatably supported on said zooming frame; and

means rotatably supported on said zooming frame, which is rotated by said rotational drive for moving said carrier frame in a non-linear manner.

31. A zooming mechanism according to claim 30, in which the drive means comprises a feed screw disposed within the stationary member and extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis, a female threaded bore formed in a block secured to the lower surface of the zooming frame for threadable engagement with the feed screw, and a rotation transmitting gear secured to the feed screw for transmitting a rotational drive to the feed screw.

32. A zooming mechanism according to claim 30, in which said means for deriving a rotational drive comprises a first non-circular gear which is coaxially and integrally mounted on a support shaft extending through the zooming frame for a pinion rotatably mounted on a lower surface of the zooming frame and meshing with a rack which is disposed within the stationary member and extending in the direction of the optical axis.

33. A zooming mechanism according to claim 32, in which the first non-circular gear comprises a spur gear in the configuration of part of a spiral having a radial distance from a pivot located at a predetermined pivot mounting location which progressively increases in the circumferential direction.

34. A zooming mechanism according to claim 30, in which the means for moving the carrier frame comprises a second non-circular gear rotatably mounted within the zooming frame and disposed in meshing engagement with a first non-circular gear of said means for deriving a rotational drive, an elongate slot formed in the second non-circular gear, and a drive pin fixedly mounted on the carrier frame and fitted into the elongate slot, the rotation of the second non-circular gear causing a displacement of the elongated slot, whereby the drive pin is effective to move the carrier frame.

35. A zooming mechanism according to claim 34, in which the second non-circular gear comprises a sector gear having a radial distance from its pivot located at a predetermined pivot mounting location which gradually changes in the circumferential direction.

36. A zooming mechanism according to claim 30, in which said means for moving the carrier frame comprises a cam drive gear rotatably mounted within the zooming frame and disposed in meshing engagement with a pinion gear of said means for deriving a rotational drive, a can arm having its one end coaxially and integrally mounted on a support shaft for the cam drive gear, an actuator cam formed by a profiled cam formed in the cam arm, and a drive pin fixedly mounted on the carrier frame and fitted into the actuator cam, the rotation of the pinion gear being effective to cause a rotation of the cam arm to move the carrier frame through the engagement between the actuator cam and the drive pin.

37. A zooming mechanism for a zoom lens as defined in claim 30, in which said zooming frame is linearly moved in the direction of said optical axis by said drive means.

38. A zooming mechanism according to claim 30, in which said means for deriving a rotational drive is rotatable about an axis which is transverse to said optical axis.

39. A zooming mechanism according to claim 30, in which said means for deriving a rotational drive includes rotatable means journalled on said zooming frame. .Iadd.

40. A zooming system of a zoom lens composed of a plurality of lens groups having a common optical axis comprising:

a zooming frame supporting at least one lens group and movable in back-and-forth directions of the optical axis;

driving means for selectively moving said zooming frame in one of said back-and-forth directions;

a carrier frame supporting another zoom lens group being movably supported for back-and-forth movement along said optical axis;

intermediate driving means responsive to movement of said zooming frame for providing a rotational output; and

means for moving said carrier frame in a non-linear manner responsive to the rotational output of said intermediate driving means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. A zooming system of a zoom lens according to claim 40 wherein said intermediate driving means rotates about an axis perpendicular to said optical axis. .Iaddend.