Optical: systems and elements – Image stabilization – By movable refractive structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-26
2001-07-24
Nguyen, Thong (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Image stabilization
By movable refractive structure
C359S554000, C359S407000, C396S055000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266190
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical device, for example, a pair of binoculars, which is provided with a tremble preventing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, an optical device, for example, binoculars, is provided with a tremble preventing apparatus which corrects a tremble of a focused image due to a hand tremble and so on. The tremble preventing apparatus includes correcting optical systems. The correction optical systems are driven two-dimensionally in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical device, such that a movement of the optical device is canceled.
The correcting optical systems are moved along two axes which are perpendicular to the above-mentioned plane. Namely, it is necessary to mount respectively at least two driving devices for the two axes. However, the mount required for a plurality of the driving devices causes an enlargement in a size of the correcting apparatus, which in turn renders miniaturization, which is recently required of optical devices, difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact tremble preventing apparatus.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical device provided with a tremble preventing function comprising: a first driving frame in which an opening is formed, the first driving frame being slidably held by a fixing frame formed on an inner wall of the optical device; a second driving frame that holds correcting optical systems that correct a tremble of a focused image of the optical device, the second driving frame being slidably held in the opening; a first driving mechanism that drives the first driving frame along a first axis on a plane vertical to an optical axis of the optical device; and a second driving mechanism that drives the second driving frame along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis on the plane.
At least one portion of the fixing frame that contacts the first driving frame, has a liner portion parallel to the first axis. At least one portion of the first driving frame that contacts the second driving frame has a liner portion parallel to the second axis. The first driving frame is driven by the first driving mechanism, being led by the linear portion parallel to the first axis. The second driving frame is driven by the second driving mechanism, being led by the linear portion parallel to the second axis.
The first driving frame and the second driving frame are made of a resin material having a low coefficient of friction.
Preferably, the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism are fixed on the fixing frame.
Preferably, the first driving mechanism is fixed on the fixing frame, and the second driving mechanism is fixed on the first driving frame.
The optical device further comprises: first urging members that urge the first driving frame such that the first driving frame contacts the linear portion parallel to the first axis at all times; and second urging members that urge the second driving frame such that the second driving frame contacts the linear portion parallel to the second axis at all times. The first urging members and the second urging members are coil springs.
The optical device further comprises first holding members and second holding members. Each of the first holding members includes a first screw, a first nut and a first pair of washers. The first screw is received in the fixing frame along the optical axis. The first nut is threadingly engaged on a free end of the first screw, opposite a head of the first screw. A first washer of the first pair of washers is mounted between the head of the first screw and the fixing frame, and a second washer of the first pair of washers is mounted between the first nut and the fixing frame. Each of the second holding members includes a second screw, a second nut and a second pair of washers. The second screw is received in the first driving frame along the optical axis. The second nut is threadingly engaged on a free end of the second screw, opposite a head of the second screw. A first washer of the second pair of washers is mounted between the head of the second screw and the first driving frame, and a second washer of the second pair of washers is mounted between the second nut and the first driving frame. Perimeters of the first pair of washers clamp perimeter portions of the first driving frame, so that the first driving frame is held by the fixing frame, with movement of the first driving frame along the optical axis being restrained, and perimeters of the second pair of washers clamp perimeter portions of the second driving frame, so that the second driving frame is held in the opening, with movement of the second driving frame along the optical axis being restrained.
A thickness of the fixing frame along the optical axis is larger than a thickness of the first driving frame along the optical axis, and a thickness of the first driving frame along the optical axis is larger than a thickness of the second driving frame along the optical axis.
A difference between the thickness of the fixing frame and the thickness of the first driving frame is small, such that a movement of the first driving frame along the first axis is unaffected by friction between the first pair of washers and the first driving frame, and the movement of the first driving frame along the optical axis is negligible. A difference between the thickness of the first driving frame and the thickness of the second driving frame is small, such that a movement of the second driving frame along the second axis is unaffected by friction between the second pair of washers and the second driving frame, and the movement of the second driving frame along the optical axis is negligible.
The fixing frame is a flange unitarily formed on the inner wall of the optical device.
Further, In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical device provided with a tremble preventing function comprising: a first driving frame in which an opening is formed, the first driving frame being slidably held by a fixing frame formed on an inner wall of the optical device; a second driving frame that holds correcting optical systems for correcting a tremble of a focused image of the optical device, the second driving frame being slidably held in the opening; and a driving mechanism that independently drives each of the first driving frame and the second driving frame. The fixing frame includes first leading members that lead the first driving frame in a first direction on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical device, and the first driving frame includes second leading members that lead the second driving frame in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, on the plane.
A thickness of the first driving frame along the optical axis is shorter than a thickness of the fixing frame along the optical axis. The first leading members is disposed on planes that include both side surfaces of the fixing frame and are perpendicular to the optical axis, and each of the first leading members is disposed close to the first driving frame, such that one portion of each of the first leadings member overlaps the first driving frame.
Each of the first leading members includes a pair of washers. The pair of washers is disposed on the planes such that the fixing frame is partially interposed between the pair of washers and a portion of the pair of washers overlaps the first driving frame.
A difference between the fixing frame and the first driving member is small, such that a movement of the first driving frame in the first direction is unaffected by friction between the pair of washers and the first driving frame, and a movement of the first driving frame along the optical axis is negligible.
A thickness of the second driving frame along the optical axis is shorter than a thickness of the first driving frame along the optical axis. The second leading members
Hirunuma Ken
Tsukamoto Shinji
Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Nguyen Thong
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