LENS BARREL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens barrel having in it a linear drive device for driving a movable lens and a diaphragm mechanism, in which widthwise miniaturization can be realized without the adverse effect of a leaked magnetic flux on the diaphragm mechanism. SOLUTION: The lens barrel is designed so that the magnetizing direction of a magnet 9 is substantially vertical. Therefore, a leaked magnetic flux generated during the drive of a lens holder 3 is spread in a horizontal direction. This prevents or hinders the leaked magnetic flux from reaching a galvano-meter 11 disposed opposite a horizontal plane including an optical axis. In addition, a main york 8, a magnet 9, and a side york 7 are arranged on a vertical line that passes through a guide shaft 51, thereby reducing the widthwise size of the magnetic circuit. Accordingly, the lens barrel can be miniaturized, in particular, in a widthwise direction from the point of easily holding the lens barrel. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI