Lens driving device, camera device, and electronic equipment

Abstract

Provided are a lens driving device, a photographic device, and an electronic device capable of moving a lens in both directions relative to an axial direction. The lens driving device (10) comprises a stator (12), a mover (14) movably supported relative to the stator (12) and having a lens holding portion (22) for holding the lens, a first driving body (28) and a second driving body (30) arranged at intervals in the moving direction of the mover (14), extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the mover (14) and having shape memory alloy portions (28, 30), one end of the first driving body (28) and the second driving body (30) being connected to the stator (12), and the other end of each being connected to the mover (14).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lens driving device, a photographing device and an electronic device. [Background Technology]

[0002] Some lens actuators use shape memory alloys. For example, the lens actuator disclosed in Patent Document 1 arranges a shape memory alloy extending perpendicular to the optical axis and a conductive component along the optical axis. Current is applied to the shape memory alloy via the conductive component, thereby moving the lens actuator from a reference position to one side along the optical axis.

[0003]

Prior art literature

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0217031 [Summary of the invention]

[0006] [Technical Problems to be Solved by the Present Invention]

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a lens driving device, a photographing device and an electronic device capable of moving a lens to both sides relative to an axial direction.

[0008]

Technical solution

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a lens driving device, which includes a stator, a mover that is supported so as to be freely movably relative to the stator and has a lens holding portion for holding a lens, a first driving body and a second driving body that are arranged at intervals in the moving direction of the mover, extend in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the mover and have a shape memory alloy portion, wherein one end of the first driving body and the second driving body are connected to the stator, and the other end of the two are connected to the mover.

[0010] An intermediate support member may be provided between the first driving body and the second driving body. The intermediate support member is preferably made of a conductive material that can allow the first driving body or the second driving body to be electrified.

[0011] Furthermore, the first driving body and the second driving body are connected to the mover via an elastic body, and the elastic body is preferably deformable to allow the mover to move.

[0012] Furthermore, a guide portion may be provided between the stator and the mover. The guide portion may include, for example, a sphere, through which the stator and the mover face each other. In order to regulate the movement of the sphere and guide it, a regulating member and a guide groove are provided.

[0013] Furthermore, the first driving body and the second driving body may have a first portion and a second portion, so that the first driving body and the second driving body can reciprocate between the stator and the mover. Furthermore, the widths of the first driving body and the second driving body may gradually narrow toward the mover.

[0014] Moreover, the first driving body and the second driving body have a first shape memory alloy part on the stator side, a second shape memory alloy part on the mover side, and an intermediate connecting terminal connecting the first shape memory alloy part and the second shape memory alloy part. The first driving body and the second driving body can also replace the positions of the first shape memory alloy part and the second shape memory alloy part with the intermediate connecting terminal part as the boundary in the moving direction of the mover.

[0015] Furthermore, a plurality of groups of the first driving bodies and the second driving bodies may also be arranged rotationally symmetrically around the mover. In this case, the first driving body and the second driving body plus the third driving body, or even the fourth driving body, may also be arranged in a cycle. In this case, the third driving body and the fourth driving body may also be arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the mover. Moreover, the first driving body, the second driving body and the third driving body may form part of an integral part, or the first driving body, the second driving body, the third driving body and the fourth driving body may also form part of an integral part.

[0016] Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention is a camera device including the above-mentioned lens driving device.

[0017] Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention is an electronic device including the above-mentioned camera device.

[0018] Effects of the invention

[0019] According to the present invention, since the first and second driving bodies having shape memory alloys are arranged in directions orthogonal to the moving direction of the mover, the lens can be moved in both directions relative to one axial direction by selectively energizing the first and second driving bodies.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

[0021]

Figure 2

[0022]

Figure 3

[0023]

Figure 4

[0024]

Figure 5

[0025]

Figure 6A

[0026]

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 7C

[0027]

Figure 8

[0028]

Figure 9

[0029]

Figure 10

[0030]

Figure 11

[0031]

Figure 12

[0032]

Figure 13

[0033]

Figure 14

[0034]

Figure 15

[0035]

Explanation of symbols

[0036] 10Lens drive device

[0037] 12 stator

[0038] 14 movers

[0039] 16Stator body part

[0040] 18 holes for light to pass through

[0041] 20Motor body

[0042] 22 lens holding portion

[0043] 24 first driving body

[0044] 26 Second driving body

[0045] 28, 30 shape memory alloy parts

[0046] 32 fixed column

[0047] 34 intermediate support components

[0048] 36 Intermediate support component body

[0049] 38 connection part

[0050] 40 elastomers

[0051] 42 guide part

[0052] 44 stator side guide wall

[0053] 46 mover side guide wall

[0054] 48 magnet

[0055] 50 spheres

[0056] 52 guide grooves

[0057] 54 stator side regulation part

[0058] 56 mover side regular part

[0059] 58a, 58b elastic sheet

[0060] 60 connection protrusion

[0061] 62 Part 1

[0062] 64 Part 2

[0063] 66 First Shape Memory Alloy Section

[0064] 68 Second Shape Memory Alloy Section

[0065] 70 intermediate connection terminal portion

[0066] 74 connection terminal fixing portion

[0067] 76 mover side connection terminal

[0068] 78 Third drive body

[0069] 80 Fourth drive body

[0070] 82 insulation part

[0071] 84 conductive part [Specific implementation method]

[0072] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0073] Figure 1 7 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. A lens driving device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a stator 12 and a mover 14 supported so as to be movably supported relative to the stator 12 .

[0074] The stator 12 has a rectangular plate-shaped stator body 16, with a circular light-passing hole 18 formed in the center of the stator body 16. The mover 14 has a rectangular mover body 20 slightly smaller than the stator body 16. A lens holder 22 is provided in the center of the mover body 20 to support the lens. The lens holder 22 has a circular hole formed in it, and the lens is supported within the lens holder 22 with its optical axis parallel to the Z direction.

[0075] In the XYZ rectangular coordinate system, the optical axis direction of the lens held by the lens holding portion 22 , that is, the direction in which light enters the lens, is Z, and directions perpendicular to the Z direction are XY. The mover 14 moves in the Z direction relative to the stator 12 .

[0076] The first and second actuators 24 and 26 are composed of wire-shaped shape-memory alloy portions 28 and 30. These portions, composed of a nickel-titanium or copper-zinc-aluminum alloy, return to their original shape upon reaching a certain temperature. In this case, the original shape is shorter than shown. Upon reaching a certain temperature, the shape-memory alloy portions 28 and 30 deform and shrink.

[0077] The first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 are spaced apart in the Z direction, for example, extending in the Y direction. The first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 can be disposed outside two side surfaces of the mover body 20 in the X direction, for example.

[0078] Furthermore, one end of the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 are connected to the stator 12 , and the other ends thereof are connected to the mover 14 .

[0079] In this embodiment, a fixing post 32 is formed near the −Y side end face corner of the stator body 16 and protrudes in the Z direction. One ends of the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 are fixed to the fixing post 32 .

[0080] Furthermore, the other ends of the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 are fixed to a connection portion 38 of an intermediate support member 34 described below, and are connected to the mover 14 via the intermediate support member 34 and an elastic body 40 described below.

[0081] The intermediate support member 34 is composed of a conductor. Furthermore, the intermediate support member 34 includes an intermediate support member body portion 36 disposed between the first drive member 24 and the second drive member 26 in the Z direction, and a connecting portion 38 disposed at the opposite end of the fixing column of the intermediate support member body portion 36. The intermediate support member body portion 36 is plate-shaped, elastic, and bendable in the Z direction. Furthermore, one end of the intermediate support member body portion 36 is fixed to the fixing column 32 while protruding from the fixing column 32, and the protruding portion is connected to, for example, a ground wire. The connecting portion 38 forms a T-shape with the intermediate support member body portion 36, and the other ends of the first drive member 24 and the second drive member 26 are fixed to the connecting portion 38. Once a voltage is applied to one of the first drive member 24 and the second drive member 26 from the fixing column 32 side, a current will flow through the intermediate support member 34, and this current will generate Joule heat. Once the Joule heat is applied to the intermediate support member 34 and the temperature reaches a certain level, the length of the intermediate support member shortens.

[0082] Furthermore, a guide portion 42 is provided on the +Y side of the lens driving device 10. The guide portion 42 includes a stator-side guide wall portion 44 and a mover-side guide wall portion 46. The stator-side guide wall portion 44 is provided upright from the stator body portion 16 in the Z direction. Furthermore, a magnet 48 is fixed to the -Y side of the stator-side guide wall portion 44. The mover-side guide wall portion 46 surrounds the stator-side guide wall portion 44 and the back portion on the +Y side and the two side portions on the ±X sides of the magnet 48 in a non-contact manner.

[0083] Furthermore, three magnetic balls 50, for example, are positioned between the stator-side guide wall 44 and the mover-side guide wall 46. Furthermore, V-shaped guide grooves 52 extending in the Z direction are formed in the stator-side guide wall 44 and the mover-side guide wall 46. Balls 50 are inserted into these guide grooves 52, guiding them in the Z direction and preventing them from deviating from the X direction. The three balls 50 form a plane in the Z direction, with the center ball 50 positioned at a different position from the side balls 50.

[0084] like Figure 5As shown, three stator-side regulating parts 54 composed of magnetic bodies are provided on the stator-side guide wall part 44. The stator-side regulating parts 54 are formed to protrude toward the movable-side guide wall part 46, so that the upper part is concave in a semicircular shape. In addition, three mover-side regulating parts 56 composed of magnetic bodies are provided on the mover-side guide wall part 46. The mover-side regulating parts 56 are formed to protrude toward the stator-side guide wall part 44, so that the lower part is concave in a semicircular shape. The sphere 50 is arranged at a position that is a distance away from the stator-side regulating parts 54 and the mover-side regulating parts 56 in the Z direction. The three stator-side regulating parts 54 and the mover-side regulating parts 56 are opposite to each other in the Z direction.

[0085] In this case, the centrally located stator-side regulating portion 54 and mover-side regulating portion 56 are offset from the pairs of stator-side regulating portions 54 and mover-side regulating portions 56 on either side in the +Z direction to match the position of the sphere 50. The mover-side regulating portion 56 is attracted by the magnet 48, and the mover-side guide wall 46 is maintained along the stator-side guide wall 44 by the sphere 50. In other words, the mover 14 can maintain a stable state.

[0086] Furthermore, the sphere 50, the stator-side regulating portion 54, and the mover-side regulating portion 56 are composed of magnetic materials. These spheres 50, 54, and 56 face the magnet 48 with the stator-side guide wall 44 interposed therebetween. Therefore, the sides of the spheres 50, 54, and 56 closest to the magnet 48 are all magnetized to the same magnetic pole, and thus face each other in the Z direction and have the same magnetic poles. Consequently, the spheres 50 and 56 repel each other relative to the stator-side regulating portion 54 due to magnetic force, and the spheres 50 and 56 also repel each other. This prevents the spheres 50 from shifting due to external forces such as gravity and the movement of the mover 14, collisions between the spheres 50 and the stator-side regulating portion 54 and 56, and friction during the movement of the mover 14.

[0087] Moreover, the group of the stator-side regulating portion 54 and the mover-side regulating portion 56 arranged in the center can also be arranged so that the stator-side regulating portion 54 is on the upper side and the mover-side regulating portion 56 is on the lower side. There are stator-side regulating portions 54 on both sides of the Z direction, so no matter which position the sphere 50 moves to in the Z direction, the repulsive force acts strongly. Therefore, when the applied driving force returns to 0, a force can be obtained to return the sphere 50 and the mover-side regulating portion 56 to the position where the repulsive force is balanced. Moreover, the stator-side regulating portion 54 can also be abolished, or it can be used as a mechanical brake that can mechanically stop the mover 14 from moving in the Z direction, and the mover-side regulating portion 56 can be made into a ring shape and the sphere 50 can be arranged inside it. In this case, the sphere 50 will continue to be in the center position of the mover-side regulating portion 56, thereby making it further difficult to collide with the mover-side regulating portion 56.

[0088] like Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the elastic body 40 is composed of two elastic body sheets 58a and 58b spaced apart in the Z direction. One end of the two elastic body sheets 58a and 58b is fixed to the connecting portion 38, and the other end of the elastic body sheets 58a and 58b is fixed to the movable member side guide wall portion 46. The upper elastic body sheet 58a is bent in the -Z direction, and the lower elastic body sheet 58b is bent in the +Z direction. For example, Figure 6A The first driving body 24 is energized in the state of Figure 6B As shown, the connecting portion 38 rotates counterclockwise while moving in the +Z direction. At this time, the upper elastic piece 58a of the elastic pieces 58a and 58b extends, while the lower elastic piece 58b contracts. This prevents the movable member-side guide wall portion 46 from changing its posture in accordance with the rotation of the connecting portion 38 while allowing the movable member-side guide wall portion 46 to move linearly in the +Z direction.

[0089] Next, the operation of the lens driving device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0090] like Figure 7A As shown in FIG. 1 , when the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 are not energized, the mover 14 is supported at the center position in the Z direction. In this case, for example, if the first driving body 24 at the top is energized, Figure 7B As shown in FIG. 1 , the first driving body 24 contracts, causing the mover side 14 to move in the +Z direction. Figure 7C As shown, when the second driving body 26 is energized, the second driving body 26 contracts, causing the mover 14 to move in the -Z direction.

[0091] Moreover, if you are moving Figure 7B or Figure 7C When the power supply to the first driving body 24 or the second driving body 26 is blocked in the state of the movable member 14 shown, the elastic force of the first driving body 24 or the second driving body 26 on the non-energized side, the elastic force of the intermediate support member 34, the repulsive force of the sphere 50 generated by the magnet 48 and the movable member side regulating portion 56, and the elastic force of the elastic body 40 will act on the movable member 14, causing the movable member 14 to return to its original position. Figure 7A Original position shown.

[0092] Moreover, in the first embodiment, in order to make the optical axis of the lens body in the Z direction, a lens holding portion 22 is provided to move the lens body in the Z direction to adjust the focus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in order to make the optical axis of the lens body in the X direction, a lens holding portion can be provided to move the lens body in the Z direction to correct the jitter in the Z direction.

[0093] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the guide portion 42 is provided with a sphere 50 composed of a magnetic material. However, the sphere 50 may also be a non-magnetic material. In this case, a magnetic plate or a magnet plate may be provided on the mover-side guide wall portion 46 at a position corresponding to the magnet 48, so as to be attracted by the magnet 48. The stator-side regulating portion 54 and the stator 12 may be formed of a non-magnetic material integrally formed, and / or the mover-side regulating portion 56 and the mover 14 may be formed of a non-magnetic material integrally formed. Furthermore, the sphere 50 is provided, and the guide groove 52 is formed of a V-shaped groove. However, the sphere 50 may be eliminated and a sliding ball provided with a protrusion may be used in place of the V-shaped groove. The sliding ball slides in the Z direction.

[0094] Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 A lens driving device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0095] In this second embodiment, the guide portion 42 shown in the first embodiment is omitted. Instead, the mover 14 has connecting protrusions 60, 60 formed at the +X+Y and -XY ends of the mover 14, projecting from the mover body 20 in the +X and -X directions. Furthermore, fixing posts 32, 32 are provided at the -X+Y and +XY ends of the stator 12.

[0096] The first and second driving bodies 24 and 26, similar to the first embodiment, extend in the Y direction and are composed of shape-memory alloy portions 28 and 30, respectively. However, in the second embodiment, a first portion 62 extending from the fixed post 32 toward the connecting protrusion 60 and a second portion 64 extending from the connecting protrusion 60 back to the fixed post 32 are formed. The first and second portions 62 and 64 are connected by a portion fixed to the connecting protrusion 60, forming a U-shaped turn. Furthermore, the Z-direction spacing between the first and second driving bodies 24 and 26 is greater for the portion fixed to the fixed post 32 than for the portion fixed to the connecting protrusion 60. Specifically, the first portion 62 of the first driving body 24 gradually descends from the fixed post 32 toward the connecting protrusion 60, makes a U-turn at the connecting protrusion 60, and then the second portion 64 gradually ascends toward the fixed post 32. The second driving body 26 exhibits the opposite behavior. Its first portion 62 slowly rises from the fixed column 32 toward the connecting protrusion 60, makes a U-turn at the connecting protrusion 60, and then its second portion 64 slowly descends toward the fixed column 32. In other words, the first and second driving bodies 24, 26 tilt in opposite directions. Consequently, the width between the first and second driving bodies 24, 26 in the direction of the mover's movement, or in the Z direction, narrows toward the mover.

[0097] The set of the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 is provided on both sides of the mover 14 in the X direction and is provided in a two-rotationally symmetrical manner (180-degree symmetric).

[0098] In the second embodiment, the mover 14 is movably supported by the U-turned first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 , and the intermediate support member 34 shown in the first embodiment is omitted.

[0099] In this second embodiment, for example, when power is applied to the upper first driving body 24 on the +X side, the first driving body 24 heats up due to Joule heat. Once the temperature reaches a certain level, the first driving body 24 contracts. However, the second driving body 26 does not contract, so the first and second driving bodies 24, 26, as a whole, bend toward the +Z side, causing the mover 14 to move in the +Z direction. In this case, the contraction of the first driving body 24 causes the mover 14 to tilt counterclockwise when viewed from the +X direction.

[0100] In this case, the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 rotate counterclockwise, respectively, with the portion fixed to the fixed column 32 as the center, when viewed from the +X direction. On the side of the connecting protrusion 60 of the mover 14, the first driving body 24 is tilted as described above, so that the fixed portion of the connecting protrusion 60 of the first driving body 24 moves in a direction away from the fixed column 32. On the other hand, the second driving body 26 is tilted in the opposite direction, so that the fixed portion of the connecting protrusion 60 of the second driving body 26 moves in a direction closer to the fixed column 32. Therefore, when viewed from the +X direction, the connecting protrusion 60 rotates clockwise. Therefore, the tilt of the mover 14 caused by the contraction of one of the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 can be offset by the tilt of the mover 14 caused by the counter-tilting of the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26. Therefore, the tilt of the mover 14 can be suppressed without providing the guide portion 42 of the first embodiment.

[0101] Moreover, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, the U-turns of the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 form a double line, but one of the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 can be a double line, and the other one may not be a double line. Moreover, the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 are quadratically symmetrical, but the supporting structure can be changed, such as quadratically symmetrical (90-degree symmetrical). Since it is a rotationally symmetrical structure, even if a structure that causes the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 to tilt inversely is not adopted, the tilt of the mover 14 can be suppressed. That is, for example, in Figure 8 In the embodiment, the mover 14 moves in the +Z direction due to the contraction of the two first driving bodies 24, but at the same time, it gradually tilts in the Y direction, with the end portion on the side of the connecting protrusion 60 rising and the end portion on the opposite side lowering. However, since the two ends of the lowered and tilted end portion receive a force in the +Z direction through the connecting protrusion 60 on the opposite side of the X direction, the tilt of the mover 14 is suppressed.

[0102] In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0103] Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 A lens driving device 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0104] In this third embodiment, the first driving body 24 includes a first shape memory alloy portion 66 having one end fixed to the fixing post 32, a second shape memory alloy portion 68 having one end connected to the connecting protrusion 60, and an intermediate connecting terminal portion 70 connecting the other end of the first shape memory alloy portion 66 with the other end of the second shape memory alloy portion 68. The first shape memory alloy portion 66 is positioned on the upper side in the Z direction, and the second shape memory alloy portion 68 is positioned on the lower side in the Z direction. The first shape memory alloy portion 66 and the second shape memory alloy portion 68 are electrically connected at the intermediate connecting terminal portion 70.

[0105] The second driving body 26 is similar to the first driving body 24 and includes a first shape memory alloy portion 66 with one end fixed to the fixed column 32, a second shape memory alloy portion 68 with one end connected to the connecting protrusion 60, and an intermediate connecting terminal portion 70 connecting the other end of the first shape memory alloy portion 66 with the other end of the second shape memory alloy portion 68. The first shape memory alloy portion 66 is positioned on the lower side in the Z direction, and the second shape memory alloy portion 68 is positioned on the upper side in the Z direction. The first shape memory alloy portion 66 and the second shape memory alloy portion 68 are electrically connected at the intermediate connecting terminal portion 70 but are insulated from the first driving body 24. In other words, the first and second driving bodies 24 and 26 interchange the positions of the first and second shape memory alloy portions 66 and 68 in the direction of movement of the mover 14, with the intermediate connecting terminal portion 70 serving as the boundary.

[0106] The intermediate support member 34 is disposed between the first and second driving bodies 24 and 26 . The second shape memory alloy portions 68 of the first and second driving bodies 24 and 26 are electrically connected to the intermediate support member 34 at the connection protrusions 60 , but are insulated from each other at the fixing posts 32 .

[0107] In the third embodiment, for example, if the first driving body 24 is energized, Figure 11As shown, the first shape memory alloy 66 of the upper first driving body 24 and the second shape memory alloy 68 of the lower first driving body 24 contract. Consequently, the first shape memory alloy 66 deforms, bulging downward, while the second shape memory alloy 68 deforms, bulging upward. As viewed in the +Z direction, the intermediate connecting terminal 70 tilts counterclockwise. The tilts of the connecting protrusion 60 are offset by the first and second shape memory alloy portions 66, 68, suppressing the tilt of the mover 14 and allowing it to move in the +Z direction.

[0108] Figure 12 as well as Figure 13 A lens driving device 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0109] In the fourth embodiment, connection terminal fixing portions 74 protrude from four corners of the mover body 20 , and mover-side connection terminals 76 are fixed to the connection terminal fixing portions 74 .

[0110] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, in addition to the first driving body 24 and the second driving body 26 , there are also a third driving body 78 and a fourth driving body 80 . Figure 13 Shows the configuration in Figure 12 The first driving body 24, the second driving body 26, the third driving body 78 and the fourth driving body 80 are arranged side by side, and their extension direction is rotationally symmetrical and arranged in a 90-degree cycle. Figure 13 , the third driving body 78 is away from the second driving body 26 in the -Y direction, arranged parallel to the second driving body 26 in the X direction, and co-located in the Z direction. The fourth driving body 80 is away from the first driving body 24 in the -Y direction, arranged parallel to the first driving body 24 in the X direction, and co-located in the Z direction.

[0111] Furthermore, the first driving body 24, the second driving body 26, the third driving body 78, and the fourth driving body 80 are arranged to surround the intermediate support member 34. An insulating portion 82 is arranged around the intermediate support member 34, and a conductive portion 84 is arranged at the center. The insulating portion 82 is integrally fixed to the first driving body 24, the second driving body 26, the third driving body 78, the fourth driving body 80, and the conductive portion 84 in a non-contact manner.

[0112] In the fourth embodiment, a group consisting of the first driving body 24 , the second driving body 26 , the third driving body 78 , and the fourth driving body 80 is arranged around the movable member 14 to form four-fold rotational symmetry (90-degree symmetry).

[0113] In this fourth embodiment, for example, by energizing the first and fourth driving bodies 24 and 80 or the second and third driving bodies 26 and 78, the mover 14 can be moved in the ±Z directions. Furthermore, by energizing the first and second driving bodies 24 and 26, which are positioned on the -Y side of the mover body 20, and the third and fourth driving bodies 78 and 80, which are positioned on the +Y side, the mover 14 can be moved in the +Y direction; energizing the other driving bodies can move the mover 14 in the -Y direction. Furthermore, by energizing the first and second driving bodies 24 and 26, which are positioned on the -X side of the mover body 20, and the third and fourth driving bodies 78 and 80, which are positioned on the +X side, the mover 14 can be moved in the +X direction; energizing the other driving bodies can move the mover 14 in the -X direction. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, even with a set consisting of the first driving body 24 , the second driving body 26 , the third driving body 78 , and the fourth driving body 80 , the mover 14 can be moved in the ±Z direction, the ±Y direction, or the ±X direction.

[0114] Figure 14 A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0115] Compared to the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment has the first, second, third, and fourth driving bodies 24, 26, 78, and 80 staggered by 45 degrees. The second and third driving bodies 26, 78 are also swapped. The first, second, third, and fourth driving bodies 24, 26, 78, and 80 are still arranged side by side. However, due to their different order, their extension directions are rotationally symmetrical, arranged in a cyclical arrangement at 90-degree intervals. Furthermore, in the Z direction, the first, second, and third driving bodies 24, 26, and fourth driving bodies 80 are arranged sequentially. Furthermore, in the Y direction, the third, third, and fourth driving bodies 80 are arranged sequentially.

[0116] In this fifth embodiment, energizing each first driver 24 causes the mover 14 to move in the +Z direction, while energizing each second driver 26 causes it to move in the -Z direction. Furthermore, by energizing the third driver 78, which is located on the -Y side of the mover body 20, and the fourth driver 80, which is located on the +Y side, the mover 14 can be moved in the +Y direction; energizing the other driver, the mover 14 can be moved in the -Y direction. Furthermore, by energizing the third driver 78, which is located on the -X side of the mover body 20, and the fourth driver 80, which is located on the +X side, the mover 14 can be moved in the +X direction; energizing the other driver, the mover 14 can be moved in the -X direction. Thus, by energizing a specific one of the drivers located in various locations, the mover 14 can be independently moved in each of the X, Y, and Z directions. Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, even with a set consisting of the first driving body 24 , the second driving body 26 , the third driving body 78 , and the fourth driving body 80 , the mover 14 can be moved in the ±Z direction, the ±Y direction, or the ±X direction.

[0117] Figure 15 A sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0118] Unlike the fourth and fifth embodiments in which four driving bodies are provided, namely the first driving body 24, the second driving body 26, the third driving body 78 and the fourth driving body 80, the sixth embodiment has only three driving bodies, namely the first driving body 24, the second driving body 26 and the third driving body 78. The first driving body 24, the second driving body 26 and the third driving body 78 are arranged side by side with each other, and their extension directions are rotationally symmetrical and arranged in a cycle with intervals of 120 degrees. The first driving body 24 and the third driving body 78 are arranged in the Y direction, and the composite body of the first driving body 24 and the third driving body 78 and the second driving body 26 are arranged in the Z direction. Moreover, in the sixth embodiment, the intermediate support member 34 is composed of a conductive portion 84, and the first driving body 24, the second driving body 26 and the third driving body 78 are provided with insulating portions 82 around each other to form a whole. Figure 15 In the embodiment, by energizing the first driving body 24 and the third driving body 78 or the second driving body 26, the mover 14 can be moved in the Z direction. By energizing the first driving body 24 or the third driving body 78, the mover 14 can be moved in the Y direction. Figure 12 The same as the case of FIG. 2 , the group consisting of the first driving body 24 , the second driving body 26 and the third driving body 78 can be arranged around the mover 14 to form four-fold rotational symmetry (90-degree symmetry).

[0119] In the above-described embodiments, only examples in which the present invention is applied to a lens driving device or a camera are described. However, the present invention is also applicable to electronic equipment having a camera.

Claims

1. A lens driving device, characterized in that: include stator, a mover supported so as to be movably supported relative to the stator and having a lens holding portion for holding the lens; a first driving body and a second driving body which are arranged at intervals in the moving direction of the mover, extend in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the mover and have a shape memory alloy portion; The first driving body and the second driving body have one end connected to the stator and the other end connected to the mover; An intermediate support member is disposed between the first driving body and the second driving body in a direction intersecting with the moving direction of the mover, wherein one end of the intermediate support member is connected to the stator and the other end thereof is connected to the mover; When the mover is in a state of being moved, the first driving body or the second driving body is blocked from being energized, and the elastic force of the intermediate supporting member acts on the mover to return the mover to its original position.

2. The lens driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The intermediate supporting member is made of a conductive material, and is electrically connected to either the first driving body or the second driving body.

3. The lens driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The first driving body, the second driving body and the mover are connected via an elastic body, and the elastic body is deformed to allow the mover to move.

4. The lens driving device according to claim 1, wherein: A guide portion is provided between the stator and the mover, and the guide portion guides the mover so that the mover can move freely relative to the stator.

5. The lens driving device according to claim 4, wherein: The guide portion includes a sphere disposed between the stator and the mover.

6. The lens driving device according to claim 5, wherein: The guide portion includes a regulating component for regulating the movement of the ball in the moving direction of the mover.

7. The lens driving device according to claim 5, wherein: The guide portion includes a guide groove in which the ball is embedded in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the mover.

8. The lens driving device according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the first driving body and the second driving body has a first portion extending from the stator to the mover and a second portion extending from the mover back to the stator.

9. The lens driving device according to claim 1, wherein: The width of the mover between the first driving body and the second driving body in the moving direction becomes narrower toward the mover.

10. The lens driving device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first driving body and the second driving body includes a first shape memory alloy portion connected to the stator, a second shape memory alloy portion connected to the mover, and an intermediate connection terminal connecting the first shape memory alloy portion and the second shape memory alloy portion. The first shape memory alloy portion and the second shape memory alloy portion of each of the first driving body and the second driving body are located on different sides of the intermediate connecting terminal in the moving direction of the mover, and the first driving body and the second driving body exchange positions of the first shape memory alloy portion and the second shape memory alloy portion with the intermediate connecting terminal portion as a boundary.

11. The lens driving device according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of groups of the first driving bodies and the second driving bodies are arranged around the mover in rotational symmetry.

12. The lens driving device according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a third driving body connecting the stator and the mover, the third driving body is arranged side by side with the first driving body and the second driving body, the first driving body and the second driving body are rotationally symmetrical in their extension direction and are arranged in a cycle at intervals of 120 degrees.

13. The lens driving device according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a third driving body and a fourth driving body connecting the stator and the mover. The third driving body and the fourth driving body are arranged side by side with the first driving body and the second driving body. The first driving body and the second driving body are rotationally symmetrical in their extension direction and are arranged in a cycle at intervals of 90 degrees.

14. The lens driving device according to claim 13, wherein: The third driving body and the fourth driving body are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the mover.

15. The lens driving device according to claim 12, wherein: The first drive body, the second drive body and the third drive body are designed as parts of a single piece.

16. The lens driving device according to claim 13, wherein: The first drive body, the second drive body, the third drive body and the fourth drive body are designed as parts of a single piece.

17. A photographic device, characterized in that: The lens driving device comprises the lens driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. An electronic device, characterized in that: A photographic device comprising the photographic device of claim 17.

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