Lens deployment mechanism for compact camera

Abstract

A compact camera having a retractable objective lens carrier that is associated with a flip open flash unit and lens cover to move from a retracted, parked position to an extended, home position on initial movement of the lens cover to an open, unfolded position, to move to and from an in-focus picture taking position prior to and following taking a picture, and to move back to the parked position from the home position as the lens cover is moved to a closed or folded position. The lens carrier is guided for movement along a guide assembly and urged toward the parked position by a retraction spring bias force. Movement between the parked and home positions is effected by a lens deployment lever interconnecting the lens carrier and the lens door operating in opposition to or with the bias force on opening or closing the lens cover, respectively. An auto-focus drive mechanism is selectively operable by the user on depression of the shutter release button prior to taking a picture for making engagement with the lens carrier and moving it on the guide assembly to an in-focus position determined by the camera range finding system. After a picture is taken or the shutter button is otherwise released, the auto-focus drive mechanism is reversed to return the lens carrier to the home position and to disengage the auto-focus drive mechanism from the lens carrier.