Optical component support device, driving device, camera device and electronic equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical component support device, an optical component driving device, a camera device and an electronic device, which can move in an XY plane with low friction and rotate around a Z axis, and can be mounted on thin electronic devices such as smart phones. The optical component support device comprises: a sphere (31, 32, 33, 34); a first holding part (10) and a second holding part (20), which extend along the XY directions respectively, sandwich the sphere between them and face each other in the Z direction; a first yoke (11, 12, 13, 14), which protrudes from a region of the first holding part facing the second holding part to one side of the second holding part; and a second yoke (21, 22, 23, 24), which protrudes from a region of the second holding part facing the first holding part to one side of the first holding part and faces the first yoke in a predetermined direction in the XY directions, the second holding part has a second magnet (208), and the first yoke and the second yoke face each other in the Z direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical component supporting device, an optical component driving device, a camera device and an electronic device used for electronic devices such as smart phones. Background Art

[0002] Some camera devices installed in electronic devices such as smartphones have an optical shake correction function. As a document that discloses technology related to such a camera device, there is Patent Document 1. The camera module of Patent Document 1 is a structure having a first shake correction unit and a second shake correction unit in a housing, wherein the first shake correction unit accommodates a first frame, a second frame, and a third frame having a lens barrel in a nested structure, so that the second frame and the third frame move in the first frame along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, that is, a first direction, and the second shake correction unit moves the third frame in the first frame along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and the first direction, that is, a second direction.

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0021158

[0004] However, in the case of the technology of Patent Document 1, a three-layer structure has to be adopted, in which a straight-moving mechanism for the first direction, a guiding intermediate body, and a straight-moving mechanism for the second direction are stacked in the Z direction, and a guiding structure of a spherical body is used to connect each layer separately, resulting in a problem of an increased volume in the Z direction. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention is completed in view of such problems, and its purpose is to provide an optical component support device, an optical component drive device, a camera device and an electronic device that can move in an XY plane with low friction, rotate around the Z axis and can be mounted on thin electronic devices such as smartphones.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an optical component support device as a preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system, it comprises: a sphere; a first holding part and a second holding part, one of which holds the optical component, each extending in the XY directions, sandwiching the sphere between them and opposing in the Z direction; a first yoke, which protrudes from an area of ​​the first holding part facing the second holding part toward one side of the second holding part; and a second yoke, which protrudes from an area of ​​the second holding part facing the first holding part toward one side of the first holding part, and is opposite to the first yoke in a direction specified in the XY directions, the second holding part has a second magnet, and the first yoke and the second yoke are opposite to the second magnet in the Z direction.

[0007] In this aspect, the diameter of the sphere may be larger than the protrusion amount of the first yoke and the protrusion amount of the second yoke.

[0008] The first yoke and the second yoke are alternately arranged at their end surfaces facing each other to form a ring shape, and the spheres are arranged on the inner circumference sides of the first yoke and the second yoke.

[0009] Alternatively, the sphere may be formed of a ferromagnetic body.

[0010] Alternatively, the first yoke may protrude beyond the center of the sphere toward the second holding portion, and the second yoke may protrude beyond the center of the sphere toward the first holding portion.

[0011] Furthermore, at least three pairs of the first yokes and the second yokes facing each other may be arranged.

[0012] Furthermore, the first holding portion may include a first magnet or a ferromagnetic body, and the first magnet or the ferromagnetic body may be opposed to the second magnet across the first yoke and the second yoke.

[0013] An optical component driving device as another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the optical component supporting device described above and a coil connected to the first holding portion and facing the second magnet.

[0014] A camera apparatus as another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned optical component supporting device.

[0015] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device including the above-mentioned camera device.

[0016] According to the present invention, the dimension of the optical component support device in the height direction is defined by the thickness of the first holding portion, the thickness of the second holding portion, and the diameter of the sphere, and the optical component can be guided while being moved in a plane parallel to the XY direction and rotating around an axis parallel to the Z direction. Therefore, an optical component support device that can also be mounted on thin electronic devices such as smartphones can be realized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a front view of a smartphone 101 equipped with a camera device 100 including the optical component driving device 9 as the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A stereoscopic view of the optical component driving device 9.

[0019] Figure 3 It is decomposition Figure 1 9 is a three-dimensional view of the cover 106, the first rotating plate 107, the cover 108, the second rotating plate 207, the second magnet 208 and the base 105 of the optical component driving device 9.

[0020] Figure 4 Yes means Figure 1 A stereoscopic view of the second magnet 208, the second rotating plate 207, the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14, the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 and the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34 in the optical component driving device 9.

[0021] Figure 5 is Figure 2 A diagram showing marks indicating magnetic poles and arrows indicating repulsive force is shown on a cross section of the magnetic pieces 83 and 84 of the second magnet 208, the second rotating plate 207, the cover 108, and the first rotating plate 107 along the line AA' in the optical component driving device 9.

[0022] Figure 6 Yes means Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the repulsive force among the first yokes 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , the second yokes 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 and the spheres 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 of the optical component driving device 9 .

[0023] Figure 7 It means accompanied by Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how the repulsive force between the first yokes 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , the second yokes 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 and the spheres 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 changes due to the relative movement of the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 of the optical component driving device 9 .

[0024] Figure 8 It means accompanied by Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how the repulsive force between the first yokes 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , the second yokes 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 and the spheres 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 changes due to the relative movement of the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 of the optical component driving device 9 .

[0025] Fig. 9 It means accompanied by Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how the repulsive force between the first yokes 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , the second yokes 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 and the spheres 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 changes due to the relative movement of the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 of the optical component driving device 9 .

[0026] Fig.10 Yes means Figure 1FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the magnet pieces 81, 82, 83, 84 and the coil pieces 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d of the optical component driving device 9.

[0027] Fig.11 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the second magnet 208, the second rotating plate 207, the first yokes 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, the second yokes 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b and the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34 in the optical component driving device 9 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Description of Reference Numerals

[0029] 5 coil; 7 lens; 8 image sensor; 9 optical component driving device; 10 first holding portion; 11, 11a, 11b, 12, 12a, 12b, 13, 13a, 13b, 14, 14a, 14b first yoke; 20 second holding portion; 21, 21a, 21b, 22, 22a, 22b, 23, 23a, 23b, 24, 24a, 24b second yoke; 31, 32, 33, 34 sphere; 50a, 50b, 50 c, 50d coil sheet; 60 through hole; 61, 62, 63, 64 recesses; 70 through hole; 71, 72, 73, 74 support unit; 80 through hole; 81, 82, 83, 84 magnet sheet; 91, 92, 93, 94 column; 99, 99A, 99B optical component support device; 100 camera device; 101 smart phone; 105 base; 106 cover; 107 first rotating plate; 108 cover; 207 second rotating plate; 208 second magnet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] <First Embodiment>

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, a camera device 100 including an optical component driving device 9 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is embedded in a housing of a smartphone 101 so that a lens body 7 is exposed from an opening on the rear side of the housing.

[0033] The camera device 100 includes a lens body 7, an image sensor 8 that converts light incident through the lens body 7 into an image signal, and an optical component driving device 9 that holds the lens body 7 and the image sensor 8 and drives the image sensor 8 relative to the lens body 7. Here, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is used, and a direction parallel to the optical axis direction of the lens body 7 is referred to as a +Z direction, and the opposite direction thereof is referred to as a -Z direction, and the +Z direction and the -Z direction are collectively referred to as ±Z directions. In addition, a direction orthogonal to the ±Z directions is referred to as a +X direction, and the opposite direction thereof is referred to as an X direction, and the +X direction and the -X direction are collectively referred to as ±X directions. In addition, a direction orthogonal to the ±Z directions and the ±X directions is referred to as a +Y direction, and the opposite direction thereof is referred to as a -Y direction, and the +Y direction and the Y direction are collectively referred to as ±Y directions. In addition, the ±X direction and the ±Y direction are collectively referred to as the XY direction. In addition, when viewed from the lens body 7, the subject side is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side (the image sensor 8 side) is referred to as the rear side.

[0034] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the optical component driving device 9 includes: an optical component supporting device 99 that supports the lens body 7 and the image sensor 8 so that the lens body 7 and the image sensor 8 can move relative to each other; and a driving mechanism that drives the image sensor 8 relative to the lens body 7. The lens body 7 is moved in the ±Z direction by an AF (Autofocus) actuator (not shown).

[0035] The optical component support device 99 includes: a first holding portion 10 and a second holding portion 20, which extend in the XY direction respectively; and four spheres 31, 32, 33 and 34, which are sandwiched between the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20. In the following description of the embodiment, the first holding portion 10 is fixed to the fixed side of the camera 100 body side and the second holding portion 20 is relatively movable relative to the fixed side. However, the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 are opposite to each other, and the fixed side and the movable side may be opposite. The first holding portion 10 is formed by joining the laminate of the base 105 and the cover 106, the first rotating plate 107 and the cover 108 by means of the pillars 91, 92, 93 and 94 at the four corners. The second holding portion 20 is formed by joining the second rotating plate 207 and the second magnet 208. The above-mentioned AF actuator for driving the lens body 7 in the ±Z direction is installed on the front side of the through hole 60 of the cover 106 in the first holding portion 10. At the center of the front surface of the second rotating plate 207 in the second holding portion 20 , the image sensor 8 is fixed.

[0036] use Figure 3, the structures of the first holding part 10 and the second holding part 20 are described in detail. The base 105 of the first holding part 10 is a plate having a square front and rear surface. For example, the base 105 is fixed to the main body of the camera device 100. Two opposite sides of the base 105 extend along the XY direction respectively. Columns 91, 92, 93 and 94 are fixed to the four corners of the front surface of the base 105.

[0037] The cover 106 and the cover 108 are four-sided annular plates formed of non-magnetic materials (for example, non-magnetic alloy, ceramics, resin, etc.). The first rotating plate 107 is a four-sided annular plate formed of a ferromagnetic body. The size of the cover 106 and the cover 108 is the same as the size of the base 105. The size of the first rotating plate 107 is smaller than the size of the cover 106 and the cover 108, and is embedded in a recess (not shown) formed on the rear side of the cover 106.

[0038] A through hole 60 is bored at the center of the cover 106. A through hole 70 is bored at the center of the first rotating plate 107. A through hole 80 is bored at the center of the cover 108. The through hole 60 of the cover 106 and the through hole 70 of the first rotating plate 107 are formed into a square shape of the same size. The through hole 80 of the cover 108 is formed into four semicircular arc shapes obtained by rounding the corners of the four corners of the square. The size of the through hole 80 of the cover 108 is larger than the size of the through hole 60 of the cover 106 and the through hole 70 of the first rotating plate 107.

[0039] The first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 are provided at the four corners of the through hole 80 of the cover 108. The first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 are ferromagnetic bodies. The first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 are formed in a semi-ring shape. The thickness of the first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 in the Z direction is thicker than the thickness of the cover 108. The first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 are joined to the rear side surface of the first rotating plate 107 at the inner sides of the four corners of the through hole 80 of the cover 108 with the flat end faces facing the center of the cover 108.

[0040] The cover 106, the first rotating plate 107, and the cover 108 overlap and closely adhere to each other so that the directions of the sides and the positions of the centers of the through holes 60, 70, and 80 are aligned. When the cover 106, the first rotating plate 107, and the cover 108 are closely adhered, a portion of the first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 in the thickness direction is exposed to the rear side of the rear surface of the cover 108. In addition, the cover 108 is fixed to the pillars 91, 92, 93, and 94.

[0041] The second rotating plate 207 of the second holding part 20 is a plate body formed of a non-magnetic material. Inside the corners of the four corners of the second rotating plate 207, there are recessed parts 61, 62, 63 and 64 that are recessed from the front surface side to the rear surface side of the second rotating plate 207. The center side of the second rotating plate 207 of the recessed parts 61, 62, 63 and 64 forms four semicircular arcs.

[0042] The second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24 are provided at respective positions of four semicircular arcs formed in the recesses 61, 62, 63, and 64 of the second rotating plate 207. The second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24 are ferromagnetic bodies having the same size and shape as the first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14. The second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24 are joined to the bottoms of the recesses 61, 62, 63, and 64 with their flat end faces facing the corners (centers on the opposite sides) of the second rotating plate 207. A portion of the second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24 in the thickness direction is exposed to the front side of the front face of the second rotating plate 207.

[0043] The second magnet 208 is a plate body formed by attaching four magnet pieces 81, 82, 83 and 84 in the same size as the first rotating plate 107. Magnet pieces 81, 82, 83 and 84 are adjacent in the ±X direction, and magnet pieces 81, 84, 82 and 83 are adjacent in the ±Y direction. The four magnet pieces 81, 82, 83 and 84 are magnetized in a manner such that they are adjacent to each other and have different polarities in the ±Z direction. For example, magnet pieces 81 and 83 are magnetized to N poles on the +Z side and S poles on the -Z side, and magnet pieces 82 and 84 are magnetized to S poles on the +Z side and N poles on the -Z side.

[0044] The second rotating plate 207 and the second magnet 208 in the second holding part 20 overlap and fit closely. The second holding part 20 is accommodated in the space between the first rotating plate 107 of the first holding part 10 and the base 105 in a manner that does not contact the pillars 91, 92, 93, and 94. The second holding part 20 is attracted to the first rotating plate 107 by the magnetic force between the second magnet 208 and the first rotating plate 107.

[0045] The first rotating plate 107 of the first holding part 10 and the second rotating plate 207 of the second holding part 20 are opposed to each other in the ±Z direction, sandwiching the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14, the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24, and the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34. The spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34 are steel balls made of ferromagnetic materials in the first embodiment. The first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the first holding part 10 protrude from the area of ​​the cover 108 facing the second rotating plate 207 of the second holding part 20 toward the second rotating plate 207 side. The second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24 of the second holding part 20 protrude from the area of ​​the second rotating plate 207 facing the cover 108 toward the cover 108 side.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, between the area of ​​the cover 108 facing the second rotating plate 207 and the area of ​​the second rotating plate 207 facing the cover 108, there are: a support unit 71, which is composed of a first magnetic yoke 11, a second magnetic yoke 21 and a sphere 31; a support unit 72, which is composed of a first magnetic yoke 12, a second magnetic yoke 22 and a sphere 32; a support unit 73, which is composed of a first magnetic yoke 13, a second magnetic yoke 23 and a sphere 33; and a support unit 74, which is composed of a first magnetic yoke 14, a second magnetic yoke 24 and a sphere 34.

[0047] Each pair of first yokes and second yokes in the four groups of support units 71, 72, 73, 74 is close to and faces each other at the four corners surrounded by the through hole 80 of the cover 108 and the recessed parts 61, 62, 63, 64 of the second rotating plate 207. Specifically, a pair of first yokes 11 and second yokes 21 in the support unit 71 are arranged so that a slight gap is spaced between their end faces and they form a circular ring shape as a whole. The sphere 31 is arranged at the center of the true circular space surrounded by the inner circumference of the first yoke 11 and the inner circumference of the second yoke 21. There is a gap between the sphere 31 and the inner circumference of the first yoke 11 and the second yoke 21. The positional relationship among the first yoke 12 , the second yoke 22 and the sphere 32 of the support unit 72 , the positional relationship among the first yoke 13 , the second yoke 23 and the sphere 33 of the support unit 73 , and the positional relationship among the first yoke 14 , the second yoke 24 and the sphere 34 of the support unit 74 are the same as those of the support unit 71 .

[0048] like Figure 5As shown, the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34 are in contact with the first rotating plate 107 and the second rotating plate 207 at two points in front and back of the outer circumferential surfaces of the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34 where the diameter lines parallel to the ±Z directions intersect. Therefore, the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 can move relative to each other in the XY directions while rotating the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34. As the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 move relative to each other, the rotation distance of the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34 becomes half of the relative movement distance of the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20.

[0049] The diameter of the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34 is larger than the protrusion of the first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 from the first rotating plate 107 and the protrusion of the second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24 from the bottom surface of the recess of the second rotating plate 207, and is smaller than twice the protrusion of the first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 and the protrusion of the second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24. Therefore, although the first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 protrude beyond the center of the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34 toward the second rotating plate 207 of the second holding portion 20, they do not reach the second rotating plate 207, and there is a gap between the rear ends of the first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 and the second rotating plate 207.

[0050] In addition, although the second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24 protrude beyond the center of the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34 toward the first rotating plate 107 of the first holding portion 10, they do not reach the first rotating plate 107, and a gap can be formed between the front ends of the second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24 and the first rotating plate 107. Therefore, the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 can move relatively smoothly. In addition, even if the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 move relatively and the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34 come into contact with the first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14 or the second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24, they are unlikely to collide with each other.

[0051] The first rotating plate 107 and the second magnet 208 are opposed to each other in the ±Z direction with the support units 71, 72, 73, and 74 sandwiched therebetween. When viewed from the ±Z direction, the support unit 71 is stored in front of the magnet piece 81 in the second magnet 208, the support unit 72 is stored in front of the magnet piece 82, the support unit 73 is stored in front of the magnet piece 83, and the support unit 74 is stored in front of the magnet piece 84. In addition, all the support units 71, 72, 73, and 74 are stored in the rear side of the first rotating plate 107.

[0052] like Figure 5As shown, by the action of the first rotating plate 107 and the magnet pieces 81 and 83, the first yokes 11 and 13, the second yokes 21 and 23, and the spheres 31 and 33 are magnetized to the N pole on the side facing the first rotating plate 107, and the side facing the magnet pieces 81 and 83 is magnetized to the S pole. In addition, by the action of the first rotating plate 107 and the magnet pieces 82 and 84, the first yokes 12 and 14, the second yokes 22 and 24, and the spheres 32 and 34 are magnetized to the S pole on the side facing the first rotating plate 107, and the side facing the magnet pieces 82 and 84 is magnetized to the N pole. As a result, repulsive forces are generated among the first yoke 11 , the second yoke 21 and the sphere 31 , among the first yoke 12 , the second yoke 22 and the sphere 32 , among the first yoke 13 , the second yoke 23 and the sphere 33 , and among the first yoke 14 , the second yoke 24 and the sphere 34 .

[0053] The magnitude and direction of the repulsive force depends on the distance between the first magnetic yoke, the second magnetic yoke and the sphere. The repulsive force between the parts that are close to each other is greater than the repulsive force between the parts that are far away. Figure 6 As shown, when viewed from the ±Z direction, at a position where the center of the first retaining portion 10 completely overlaps with the center of the second retaining portion 20 (this position is referred to as the initial position), the first yoke 11 and the second yoke 21, the first yoke 12 and the second yoke 22, the first yoke 13 and the second yoke 23, the first yoke 14 and the second yoke 24 are respectively opposed to each other at the end faces to form a circular ring shape, and the distances between the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34 and each point on the inner circumference of the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 located in the radial direction thereof are the same.

[0054] As a result, at the initial position, the repulsive forces between the sphere 31 and each point on the inner circumferential surface of the first yoke 11 and the second yoke 21, the repulsive forces between the sphere 32 and each point on the inner circumferential surface of the first yoke 12 and the second yoke 22, the repulsive forces between the sphere 33 and each point on the inner circumferential surface of the first yoke 13 and the second yoke 23, and the repulsive forces between the sphere 34 and each point on the inner circumferential surface of the first yoke 14 and the second yoke 24 are balanced. In addition, the repulsive forces generated at the end surface of the first yoke 11 and the end surface of the second yoke 21 are balanced with the repulsive forces generated at the end surface of the first yoke 13 and the end surface of the second yoke 23, and the repulsive forces generated at the end surface of the first yoke 12 and the end surface of the second yoke 22 are balanced with the repulsive forces generated at the end surface of the first yoke 14 and the end surface of the second yoke 24.

[0055] Here, when the first retaining part 10 and the second retaining part 20 move away from their initial positions and move relative to each other, the repulsive forces among the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14, the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 and the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34 become unbalanced, generating a restoring force that attempts to return the first retaining part 10 and the second retaining part 20 to their initial positions.

[0056] For example Figure 7 As shown, when the first holding portion 10 moves in the -X direction and the second holding portion 20 moves in the +X direction, the distance between each pair of the first yoke 12 and the second yoke 22 and the first yoke 13 and the second yoke 23 located on the -X direction side in the ±X direction becomes larger, and the distance between each pair of the first yoke 11 and the second yoke 21 and the first yoke 14 and the second yoke 24 located on the +X direction side in the ±X direction becomes narrower. Figure 7 As shown in the enlarged frame of , when the distance between each pair of the first yoke 11 and the second yoke 21 and the first yoke 14 and the second yoke 24 in the ±X direction becomes narrower, the repulsive force between the first yoke 11, the second yoke 21 and the sphere 31 in the ±X direction and the repulsive force between the first yoke 14, the second yoke 24 and the sphere 34 in the ±X direction become larger, and the repulsive force is a restoring force that attempts to return the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 to the initial position. In addition, since the repulsive force is generated, when any of the first yoke 14, the second yoke 24 and the sphere 34 attempts to collide with each other during movement, the collision can be weakened.

[0057] like Figure 8 As shown, when the first holding portion 10 moves in the -Y direction and the second holding portion 20 moves in the +Y direction, the distance between each pair of first yokes 13 and second yokes 23 located on the -Y direction side and the first yokes 14 and second yokes 24 in the ±Y directions becomes larger, and the distance between each pair of first yokes 11 and second yokes 21 located on the +Y direction side and the first yokes 12 and second yokes 22 in the ±Y directions becomes narrower. Figure 8 As shown in the enlarged frame, when the distance between each pair of first yokes 11 and second yokes 21 and the first yokes 12 and second yokes 22 in the ±Y directions becomes narrower, the repulsive force between the first yoke 11, the second yoke 21 and the sphere 31 in the ±Y directions and the repulsive force between the first yoke 12, the second yoke 22 and the sphere 32 in the ±Y directions become larger, and the repulsive force becomes a restoring force that attempts to return the first retaining portion 10 and the second retaining portion 20 to their initial positions.

[0058] like Fig. 9As shown, when the first holding portion 10 moves in one direction (from the sphere 31 toward the sphere 33) on the diagonal line passing through the spheres 31 and 33 and the second holding portion 20 moves in the other direction (from the sphere 33 toward the sphere 31) on the diagonal line, the distance between the pair of first yokes 13 and the second yokes 23 located on one side of the diagonal line in one direction becomes larger, and the distance between the pair of first yokes 11 and the second yokes 21 located on the other side of the diagonal line in the other direction becomes narrower. Fig. 9 As shown in the enlarged frame of , when the distance between the pair of first yokes 11 and second yokes 21 becomes narrower, the repulsive force between the first yoke 11, the second yoke 21 and the sphere 34 becomes larger, and this repulsive force becomes a restoring force that attempts to return the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 to their initial positions. In addition, when the axial rotation is performed around an axis parallel to the Z direction, for example, when the rotation is performed in the counterclockwise direction, the same positional deviation as the first yoke 12, the second yoke 22 and the sphere 32 of the support unit 72 is generated in the support units 71, 72, 73 and 74, which becomes a restoring force that attempts to return to the initial positions in the circumferential direction.

[0059] The following is an explanation of the driving mechanism. Figure 3 As shown, the coil 5 is fixed on the front surface of the base 105. The coil 5 is composed of four coil pieces 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d. The four coil pieces 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d are wound along the same direction (for example, clockwise when viewed from the +Z direction) with the ±Z directions as winding axes.

[0060] The coil pieces 50a and 50c are located at various positions separated from each other along the ±Y direction with respect to the center of the base 105. The coil pieces 50a and 50c have two straight portions extending along the ±Y direction and two semicircular portions connecting the two straight portions. The coil pieces 50b and 50d are located at various positions separated from each other along the ±X direction with respect to the center of the base 105. The coil pieces 50b and 50d have two straight portions extending along the ±X direction and two semicircular portions connecting the two straight portions.

[0061] The second magnet 208 also serves as a driving magnet. Fig.10 As shown, the coil piece 50a is configured to span the boundary between the magnet piece 81 and the magnet piece 82, the coil piece 50b is configured to span the boundary between the magnet piece 82 and the magnet piece 83, the coil piece 50c is configured to span the boundary between the magnet piece 83 and the magnet piece 84, and the coil piece 50d is configured to span the boundary between the magnet piece 84 and the magnet piece 81.

[0062] When a predetermined current flows through the four coil pieces 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d of the coil 5, a Lorentz force in the ±X direction is generated in the coil pieces 50a and 50c, and a Lorentz force in the ±Y direction is generated in the coil pieces 50b and 50d, and by the reaction of the Lorentz force, the second holding portion 20 moves relative to the first holding portion 10. That is, the second holding portion 20 rotates the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34 relative to the first holding portion 10, while resisting the repulsive force between the inner circumference and end surface of the first yokes 11, 12, 13, and 14, the inner circumference and end surface of the second yokes 21, 22, 23, and 24, and the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34, so as to move relatively.

[0063] Specifically, when the coil piece 50a flows with current in the counterclockwise direction and the coil piece 50c flows with current in the clockwise direction, a Lorentz force in the +X direction is generated in the coil piece 50a and the coil piece 50c. The second holding portion 20 uses the reaction of the Lorentz force to move along the -X direction while rotating the spheres 31, 32, 33 and 34. If the direction of the flowing current is reversed, the second holding portion 20 moves along the +X direction.

[0064] When the current flows through the coil piece 50b in the counterclockwise direction and the current flows through the coil piece 50d in the clockwise direction, a Lorentz force in the -Y direction is generated in the coil piece 50b and the coil piece 50d. The second holding part 20 uses the reaction of the Lorentz force to rotate the spheres 31, 32, 33 and 34 while moving in the +Y direction. If the direction of the current flowing is reversed, the second holding part 20 moves in the -Y direction.

[0065] When current flows through all coil pieces 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d in the clockwise direction, a Lorentz force in the -X direction is generated in coil piece 50a, a Lorentz force in the +Y direction is generated in coil piece 50b, a Lorentz force in the +X direction is generated in coil piece 50c, and a Lorentz force in the -Y direction is generated in coil piece 50d. The second holding part 20 utilizes the reaction of the Lorentz force to rotate the spheres 31, 32, 33 and 34 while rotating in the clockwise direction with an axis parallel to the ±Z direction passing through the center of the second holding part 20 as the rotation axis. If the direction of the current flowing is reversed, the second holding part 20 moves in the counterclockwise direction. In addition, the current may flow through only the coil pieces 50a, 50c or only one of the coil pieces 50b and 50d.

[0066] According to the first embodiment, an optical component support device can be realized, which can guide the image sensor 8 as an optical component while moving it relative to the lens body 7 in a plane parallel to the XY direction and rotating it around an axis parallel to the Z direction, and can also be mounted on a thin electronic device such as a smartphone 101. That is, the dimension of the optical component support device 99 in the height direction is defined according to the thickness of the first retaining portion 10, the thickness of the second retaining portion 20, and the diameters of the spheres 31, 32, 33, and 34, so that it can be made thinner. In addition, the optical component driving device 9 adopts the optical component support device 99, so it can be made thinner. Furthermore, in the optical component driving device 9, the second magnet 208 also serves as a driving magnet, so it can be made thinner.

[0067] If the balls 31, 32, 33, 34 are ferromagnetic, they are unlikely to collide with the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 because a repulsive force is exerted between the balls 31, 32, 33, 34 and the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24. Therefore, friction due to contact between the balls 31, 32, 33, 34 and the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 is unlikely to occur, and the second rotating plate 207 can be moved with a low load.

[0068] In the first embodiment, an example is described in which the second magnet is used for both support and driving. However, a magnet other than the driving magnet may be provided separately for driving.

[0069] In the first embodiment, four pairs of the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 are arranged between the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20, but the number of pairs does not need to be 4. At least three pairs of the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 are arranged, and each pair of the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 is arranged to face each other.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34 are ferromagnetic bodies, but the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34 may be formed of non-ferromagnetic non-magnetic materials. Repulsion is also generated between the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 that are opposed to each other in the support units 71, 72, 73, 74. Therefore, even when the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34 are formed of non-ferromagnetic non-magnetic materials, the first holding portion 10 and the second holding portion 20 can be relatively moved while rotating the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34, while resisting the repulsion between the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24. In this case, the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34 do not need to be disposed between the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24, but may be disposed at completely different positions. In this case, the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 do not need to be annular, and for example, the first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 in the form of plates may be disposed opposite to each other.

[0071] The first yokes 11, 12, 13, 14 and the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 are opposed to each other in the diagonal direction, but may be opposed to each other in a direction perpendicular to the diagonal line. However, it is preferable to arrange the support units 71, 72, 73 and 74 so that the repulsive forces acting therebetween are balanced.

[0072] In addition, the polarities of the four magnet pieces 81, 82, 83 and 84 in the ±Z directions can be opposite to those of the first embodiment, with magnet pieces 81 and 83 being magnetized to S poles on the +Z side and to N poles on the -Z side, and magnet pieces 82 and 84 being magnetized to N poles on the +Z side and to S poles on the -Z side.

[0073] In addition, the second magnet 208 may be directly connected to the spheres 31, 32, 33, 34. Similarly, the second yokes 21, 22, 23, 24 may be directly fixed to the second magnet 208. In these cases, the second magnet 208 also serves as the second rotating plate 207. The first rotating plate 107 may also be formed of a magnetic material as the first magnet. In addition, the first rotating plate 107 may also be formed of a non-magnetic body. In this case, the first magnet or the ferromagnetic body may be placed opposite to the second magnet 208 via the first rotating plate 107, or the first magnet and the ferromagnetic body may not be provided.

[0074] The driving mechanism does not need to use the electromagnetic force generated by the magnet and the coil as the driving source, and may use, for example, a shape memory alloy or a piezoelectric element.

[0075] <Second Embodiment>

[0076] like Fig.11 As shown, in an optical component support device 99A as a second embodiment of the present invention, the number of first yokes and second yokes in the support units 71, 72, 73, and 74 is four in total, divided at 90-degree intervals, and the first yokes and the second yokes are alternately arranged. In the optical component support device 99A of the second embodiment, the two first yokes 11a and 11b and the two second yokes 21a and 22b in the support unit 71 are alternately arranged at their end faces facing each other to form a ring shape, and the sphere 31 is arranged inside the first yokes 11a and 11b and the second yokes 21a and 22b.

[0077] The positional relationship between the first magnetic yoke 12a, 12b, the second magnetic yoke 22a, 22b and the sphere 32 in the support unit 72, the positional relationship between the first magnetic yoke 13a, 13b, the second magnetic yoke 23a, 23b and the sphere 33 in the support unit 73, and the positional relationship between the first magnetic yoke 14a, 14b, the second magnetic yoke 24a, 24b and the sphere 34 in the support unit 74 are the same as the positional relationship of the support unit 71.

[0078] When the first holding part 10 and the second holding part 20 are located at the initial position, the distances between the end faces of the first yokes and the second yokes adjacent to each other in the support units 71, 72, 73, and 74 are all the same, and the repulsion between the end faces of the adjacent first yokes and the second yokes is balanced as a whole. When the first holding part 10 and the second holding part 20 move along the YX direction including the rotation direction, the distance between one of the two first yokes facing each other in the support units 71, 72, 73, and 74 becomes larger, and the distance between the other first yoke and the second yoke becomes narrower. The repulsion between the end faces of the first yoke and the second yoke whose distance is narrowed becomes larger, and this repulsion becomes a restoring force that wants to return the first holding part 10 and the second holding part 20 to the initial position. In the first embodiment, the repulsion of the two support units 71 and 73 located in the diagonal directions of the four support units 71, 72, 73, and 74 is balanced, and the repulsion of the two support units 72 and 74 is balanced. In the second embodiment, the repulsive force is balanced in each support unit 71, 72, 73, and 74, and the restoring force works. Therefore, a system is established in one support unit of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the restoring force is obtained in each support unit 71, 72, 73, and 74, so a more stable support effect than the first embodiment can be obtained.

Claims

1. An optical component support device, characterized in that: In the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system, we have: sphere; A first holding portion and a second holding portion, one of which holds the optical component, extend in the XY directions respectively, sandwich the sphere therebetween and face each other in the Z direction; a first yoke protruding from a region of the first holding portion facing the second holding portion toward a side of the second holding portion; as well as a second yoke which protrudes from a region of the second holding portion facing the first holding portion toward the first holding portion and is opposed to the first yoke in one direction specified in the XY directions; The second holding portion has a second magnet, and the first yoke and the second yoke are opposed to the second magnet in the Z direction. The first yoke and the second yoke are alternately arranged at their end faces to face each other and form a ring shape, and the spheres are arranged on the inner circumference of the first yoke and the second yoke. The first magnetic yoke protrudes beyond the center of the sphere toward the second holding portion, and the second magnetic yoke protrudes beyond the center of the sphere toward the first holding portion. The first holding portion has a first magnet or a ferromagnetic body, The first magnet or the ferromagnetic body faces the second magnet with the first yoke and the second yoke interposed therebetween.

2. The optical component support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the sphere is larger than the protrusion amount of the first yoke and the protrusion amount of the second yoke.

3. The optical component support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sphere is formed of a ferromagnetic body.

4. The optical component support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of pairs of the first yokes and the second yokes facing each other is at least three.

5. An optical component driving device, characterized in that: have: An optical component support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and a coil connected to the first holding portion and facing the second magnet.

6. A photographic device, characterized in that: An optical component supporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided.

7. An electronic device, characterized in that: A camera device according to claim 6 is provided.

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