Optical unit with shake correction function

Abstract

An optical unit with a shake correction function has a second intermediate member which rotatably holds a first intermediate member in a first direction as an axis of rotation, and a fixed body which rotatably holds the second intermediate member in a second direction as an axis of rotation, can reliably suppress the shake of the first intermediate member in the first direction with respect to the second intermediate member and the shake of the second intermediate member in the second direction with respect to the fixed body, and can be miniaturized. In the optical unit with the shake correction function, the distance (D1) between the outer side end of one first spring portion for suppressing the shake of the first intermediate member in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance (D2) between the outer side end of the other first spring portion and the optical axis, and the distance (D3) between the outer side end of one second spring portion for suppressing the shake of the second intermediate member in the second direction and the optical axis is longer than the distance (D4) between the outer side end of the other second spring portion and the optical axis.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an optical unit with a shake correction function mounted on a portable device or the like. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, an optical unit with a shake correction function mounted on a portable device or the like is known (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). The optical unit with a shake correction function described in Patent Literature 1 has an optical unit main body portion housed in a housing. The optical unit main body portion has an imaging module having a lens and an imaging element. In the optical unit with a shake correction function, the imaging module is rotated about an optical axis of the lens, a first axis orthogonal to the optical axis, and a second axis orthogonal to the optical axis and the first axis to perform shake correction.

[0003] In the optical unit with a shake correction function described in Patent Literature 1, the optical unit main body portion has a movable body having the imaging module, a rotation support mechanism that supports the movable body so as to be rotatable about the optical axis, a gimbal mechanism that supports the rotation support mechanism so as to be rotatable about the first axis and about the second axis, and a fixed body that supports the movable body via the gimbal mechanism and the rotation support mechanism. The rotation support mechanism has a plate-shaped roller fixed to the movable body, a plate-shaped holder having an opposite portion opposite to the plate-shaped roller in the direction of the optical axis, and a rotation mechanism that can rotate the plate-shaped roller and the plate-shaped holder about the optical axis.

[0004] The gimbal mechanism has a gimbal frame, a first connection mechanism that connects the gimbal frame and the plate-shaped holder so as to be rotatable about the first axis, and a second connection mechanism that connects the gimbal frame and the fixed body so as to be rotatable about the second axis. The gimbal frame is a plate spring made of metal. The gimbal frame has a gimbal frame main body portion, a pair of first axis side gimbal frame extension portions that protrude from the gimbal frame main body portion to both sides in the direction of the first axis, and a pair of second axis side gimbal frame extension portions that protrude from the gimbal frame main body portion to both sides in the direction of the second axis.

[0005] The first connection mechanism has a first axis side shaft that protrudes from the gimbal frame to the plate-shaped holder side on the first axis, and a first axis side concave curved surface provided to the plate-shaped holder and rotatably contacted by a front end of the first axis side shaft. The first axis side shaft is fixed to the first axis side gimbal frame extension portion. The first axis side gimbal frame extension portion exerts a force on the first axis side shaft toward the first axis side concave curved surface, and the front end of the first axis side shaft is contacted to the first axis side concave curved surface with a prescribed contact pressure. Thus, in the direction of the first axis line, the wobble of the plate-shaped holder with respect to the gimbal frame is suppressed.

[0006] The second connecting mechanism includes a second shaft side shaft that protrudes from the fixed body toward the gimbal frame on the second shaft, and a second shaft side concave curved surface that is provided to the gimbal frame and contacts the front end of the second shaft side shaft. The second shaft side concave curved surface is formed in the second shaft side gimbal frame extension. The second shaft side gimbal frame extension exerts a force on the second shaft side concave curved surface toward the second shaft side shaft, and the front end of the second shaft side shaft contacts the second shaft side concave curved surface with a predetermined contact pressure. Thus, in the second shaft line direction, the wobble of the gimbal frame relative to the fixed body is suppressed.

[0007] Prior Art Documents

[0008] Patent Documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-28655

[0010] In the optical unit with a wobble correction function described in Patent Document 1, in order to perform appropriate wobble correction, it is preferable to reliably suppress the wobble of the plate-shaped holder relative to the gimbal frame in the first shaft line direction and the wobble of the gimbal frame relative to the fixed body in the second shaft line direction. In addition, the optical unit with a wobble correction function described in Patent Document 1 is installed in a portable device, and thus it is preferable to be more compact. SUMMARY

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present application is to provide an optical unit with a wobble correction function that includes a first intermediate member that holds a movable body having a camera module, a second intermediate member that holds the first intermediate member so that the first intermediate member can rotate in a first direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the camera module, and a fixed body that holds the second intermediate member so that the second intermediate member can rotate in a second direction that intersects the optical axis of the camera module and intersects the first direction, wherein the wobble of the first intermediate member relative to the second intermediate member in the first direction and the wobble of the second intermediate member relative to the fixed body in the second direction can be reliably suppressed, and the compactness can be achieved.

[0012] To solve the above problems, an optical unit with a shake correction function according to the present application is characterized by comprising: a movable body having a camera module; a first intermediate member holding the movable body; a second intermediate member holding the first intermediate member so as to be rotatable; and a fixed body holding the second intermediate member so as to be rotatable, the first intermediate member being rotatable with respect to the second intermediate member with a first direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the camera module as an axis of rotation, the second intermediate member being rotatable with respect to the fixed body with a second direction intersecting the optical axis of the camera module and intersecting the first direction as an axis of rotation, the second direction being orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module when the optical axis of the camera module is at a prescribed reference position, the second intermediate member comprising: a pair of first spring portions having elasticity for suppressing a shake of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction; and a pair of second spring portions having elasticity for suppressing a shake of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction, one of the pair of first spring portions extending to one outer side in the first direction when viewed from a direction of the optical axis of the camera module, the other of the pair of first spring portions extending to an opposite side of the one of the pair of first spring portions, one of the pair of second spring portions extending to one outer side in the second direction, the other of the pair of second spring portions extending to an opposite side of the one of the pair of second spring portions, a distance between an outer side end in the first direction of the one of the pair of first spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module being longer than a distance between an outer side end in the first direction of the other of the pair of first spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module when viewed from the direction of the optical axis of the camera module in a state where the optical axis of the camera module is at the reference position, and a distance between an outer side end in the second direction of the one of the pair of second spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module being longer than a distance between an outer side end in the second direction of the other of the pair of second spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module.

[0013] In the optical unit with a shake correction function according to the present application, the second intermediate member comprises: a pair of first spring portions having elasticity for suppressing a shake of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction; and a pair of second spring portions having elasticity for suppressing a shake of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction. In addition, in the present application, a distance between an outer side end in the first direction of one of the pair of first spring portions extending to one outer side in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than a distance between an outer side end in the first direction of the other of the pair of first spring portions extending to an opposite side of the one of the pair of first spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module when viewed from a direction of the optical axis of the camera module in a state where the optical axis of the camera module is at a reference position, and a distance between an outer side end in the second direction of one of the pair of second spring portions extending to one outer side in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than a distance between an outer side end in the second direction of the other of the pair of second spring portions extending to an opposite side of the one of the pair of second spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module.

[0014] Therefore, in the present application, the spring constant of one first spring portion can be reduced, the deviation of the acting force of the pair of first spring portions can be suppressed, and the spring constant of one second spring portion can be reduced, the deviation of the acting force of the pair of second spring portions can be suppressed. Therefore, in the present application, the sway of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction can be reliably suppressed by the pair of first spring portions, and the sway of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction can be reliably suppressed by the pair of second spring portions.

[0015] In addition, in the present application, the distance between the outer side end of the other first spring portion in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module is shorter than the distance between the outer side end of one first spring portion in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module, and the distance between the outer side end of the other second spring portion in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module is shorter than the distance between the outer side end of one second spring portion in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module, and thus, the optical unit with the shake correction function can be miniaturized.

[0016] In the present application, it is preferable that the width of the other first spring portion is narrower than the width of one first spring portion and the width of the other second spring portion is narrower than the width of one second spring portion when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis of the camera module is located at the reference position.

[0017] If so configured, the spring constant of the other first spring portion and the spring constant of the other second spring portion can be reduced, and thus, the deviation of the acting force of the pair of first spring portions and the deviation of the acting force of the pair of second spring portions can be effectively suppressed. Therefore, the sway of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction and the sway of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction can be more reliably suppressed. In addition, if so configured, the spring constant of one first spring portion and the spring constant of the other first spring portion can be made identical, and the spring constant of one second spring portion and the spring constant of the other second spring portion can be made identical, and thus, the pair of first spring portions can be deformed in good balance, and the pair of second spring portions can be deformed in good balance.

[0018] In the present application, the optical unit with a shake correction function preferably includes a first magnetic drive mechanism for rotating a movable body with respect to a fixed body about an optical axis of the camera module as a rotation center, and a second magnetic drive mechanism and a third magnetic drive mechanism for rotating the movable body with respect to the fixed body to tilt the optical axis of the camera module in an arbitrary direction, a first intermediate member holds the movable body so that the movable body can be rotated about the optical axis of the camera module as the rotation center, the second magnetic drive mechanism includes a second drive magnet and a second drive coil, the second drive magnet and the second drive coil are disposed opposite each other in a first optical axis orthogonal direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module and inclined with respect to a first direction and a second direction when the optical axis of the camera module is located at a reference position, the third magnetic drive mechanism includes a third drive magnet and a third drive coil, the third drive magnet and the third drive coil are disposed opposite each other in a second optical axis orthogonal direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module and the first optical axis orthogonal direction and inclined with respect to the first direction and the second direction when the optical axis of the camera module is located at the reference position, the fixed body includes an intermediate member holding portion that holds the second intermediate member so as to be rotatable, an outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion when viewed from the optical axis direction when the optical axis of the camera module is located at the reference position is a square or a rectangular shape, two sides of the intermediate member holding portion whose outer shape when viewed from the optical axis direction when the optical axis of the camera module is located at the reference position is a square or a rectangular shape are parallel to the second optical axis orthogonal direction, the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are disposed along one of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the second optical axis orthogonal direction, the third magnetic drive mechanism is disposed along one of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the first optical axis orthogonal direction, a distance between an outer side end of one of the first spring portions extending toward one side where the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are disposed in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than a distance between an outer side end of the other of the first spring portions in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module, a distance between an outer side end of one of the second spring portions extending toward one side where the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are disposed in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than a distance between an outer side end of the other of the second spring portions in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module.

[0019] If so configured, the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are disposed along one of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the second optical axis orthogonal direction, and the third magnetic drive mechanism is disposed along one of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the first optical axis orthogonal direction. Therefore, in a portable device or the like equipped with the optical unit with a shake correction function, it is only necessary to dispose various components in a manner that does not cause magnetic interference in respective regions along the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a reduction in design freedom of the portable device or the like equipped with the optical unit with a shake correction function.

[0020] In addition, if configured as such, the distance between the outer end in the first direction of one of the first spring portions extending toward the side on which the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end in the first direction of the other first spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module, and the distance between the outer end in the second direction of one of the second spring portions extending toward the side on which the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end in the second direction of the other second spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module, so even if the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged along the edge of the intermediate member holding portion in parallel with the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis, interference of one of the first spring portions and one of the second spring portions with the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism can be prevented.

[0021] In the present application, the optical unit with the shake correction function has, for example, a flexible printed board drawn out from the movable body toward the side in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis. In this case, the movable body is more difficult to turn in the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis as the axis of turning than in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis as the axis of turning under the influence of the flexible printed board. However, since only the third magnetic drive mechanism is arranged along the edge of the intermediate member holding portion in parallel with the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis, the third drive magnet or the third drive coil constituting the third magnetic drive mechanism can be increased in size to increase the driving force of the third magnetic drive mechanism. Therefore, even if the movable body is difficult to turn in the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis as the axis of turning under the influence of the flexible printed board, the movable body can be properly turned in the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis as the axis of turning.

[0022] In the present application, it is preferable that the first magnetic drive mechanism have two sets of the first drive magnet and the first drive coil arranged opposite to each other in the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis, and the second magnetic drive mechanism have one set of the second drive magnet and the second drive coil, the first drive magnet being arranged on both sides of the second drive magnet in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis, and the first drive coil being arranged on both sides of the second drive coil in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis.

[0023] If so configured, the optical unit with the shake correction function can be downsized in the second optical axis orthogonal direction, as compared with a case where the second driving magnets are arranged on both sides of the first driving magnets in the second optical axis orthogonal direction and the second driving coils are arranged on both sides of the first driving coils in the second optical axis orthogonal direction. In addition, if so configured, the second driving magnets can be arranged at the center in the second optical axis orthogonal direction, and therefore, for example, in a case where a magnetic sensor for detecting a rotational position of a movable body with respect to a fixed body in a rotational direction orthogonal to the second optical axis is arranged opposite the second driving magnets in the first optical axis orthogonal direction, the amount of shift in the optical axis direction between the second driving magnets and the magnetic sensor when the movable body is rotated with respect to the fixed body in the rotational direction orthogonal to the first optical axis can be suppressed. Therefore, using the second driving magnets and the magnetic sensor, the rotational position of the movable body with respect to the fixed body in the rotational direction orthogonal to the second optical axis can be appropriately detected.

[0024] In the present application, it is preferable that the first driving magnets be composed of two magnetized portions polarized in the second optical axis orthogonal direction, and the magnetic poles of the first driving magnets on the second driving magnet side be the same magnetic poles. If so configured, even if the first driving magnets are arranged on both sides of the second driving magnets in the second optical axis orthogonal direction, the balance of the magnetic force generated by the two first driving magnets with respect to the second driving magnet becomes better. Therefore, the influence of the first magnetic driving mechanism on the magnetic circuit of the second magnetic driving mechanism can be reduced.

[0025] Effects of the Invention

[0026] As described above, in the optical unit with the shake correction function having the first intermediate member holding the movable body having the camera module, the second intermediate member holding the first intermediate member so that the first intermediate member can be rotated in a rotational direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module, and the fixed body holding the second intermediate member so that the second intermediate member can be rotated in a rotational direction crossing the optical axis of the camera module and crossing the first direction, the sway of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction and the sway of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction can be reliably suppressed, and the optical unit with the shake correction function can be downsized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the optical unit with the shake correction function according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the optical unit with the shake correction function according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 is a plan view of the optical unit with the shake correction function according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 3 isFigure 1 An exploded perspective view of the optical unit with a shake correction function.

[0030] Figure 4 Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the second intermediate member 5, the second fulcrum portion 13, and the like.

[0031] Figure 5 Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of the retainer 16, the first intermediate member 4, and the first fulcrum portion 12, and the like.

[0032] Figure 6 Figure 2 A plan view of the retainer 16, the first magnetic drive mechanism 7, the second magnetic drive mechanism 8, and the third magnetic drive mechanism 9, and the like.

[0033] Figure 7 Figure 6 A front view of the first drive coil and the second drive coil.

[0034] Figure 8 Figure 2 A plan view of the second intermediate member 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0036] (Overall structure of the optical unit with a shake correction function)

[0037] Figure 1 A perspective view of the optical unit 1 with a shake correction function according to the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 Figure 1 A plan view of the optical unit 1 with a shake correction function. Figure 3 Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the optical unit 1 with a shake correction function. Figure 4 Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the second intermediate member 5, the second fulcrum portion 13, and the like. Figure 5 Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of the retainer 16, the first intermediate member 4, and the first fulcrum portion 12, and the like. Figure 6 Figure 2 A plan view of the retainer 16, the first magnetic drive mechanism 7, the second magnetic drive mechanism 8, and the third magnetic drive mechanism 9, and the like.

[0038] In the following description, as Figure 1 ​​​​​​​​​​As shown in FIG. 1, three directions orthogonal to each other are respectively set as an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction, the X direction is set as a left-right direction, the Y direction is set as a front-rear direction, and the Z direction is set as an up-down direction. In addition, one side of the left-right direction, i.e., the right side, is set as the "right" side, and the opposite side, i.e., the left side, is set as the "left" side. Figure 1 In addition, one side of the front-rear direction, i.e., the front side, is set as the "front" side, and the opposite side, i.e., the rear side, is set as the "rear" side. Figure 1 In addition, one side of the front-rear direction, i.e., the front side, is set as the "front" side, and the opposite side, i.e., the rear side, is set as the "rear" side. Figure 1 In addition, one side of the front-rear direction, i.e., the front side, is set as the "front" side, and the opposite side, i.e., the rear side, is set as the "rear" side. Figure 1 In addition, one side of the front-rear direction, i.e., the front side, is set as the "front" side, and the opposite side, i.e., the rear side, is set as the "rear" side. Figure 1 In addition, one side of the front-rear direction, i.e., the front side, is set as the "front" side, and the opposite side, i.e., the rear side, is set as the "rear" side. Figure 1 In addition, one side of the front-rear direction, i.e., the front side, is set as the "front" side, and the opposite side, i.e., the rear side, is set as the "rear" side.

[0039] The optical unit 1 of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "optical unit 1") is, for example, a small and thin unit mounted on a portable device such as a smartphone, and has a camera module 2 having a lens for photographing and an imaging element. The optical unit 1 is formed as a flat and substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thin thickness as a whole. In addition, the optical unit 1 has a shake correction function for avoiding the occurrence of disorder in a photographed image in the case where shake occurs at the time of photographing.

[0040] The optical unit 1 includes a movable body 3 having the camera module 2, a first intermediate member 4 that holds the movable body 3, a second intermediate member 5 that rotatably holds the first intermediate member 4, and a fixed body 6 that rotatably holds the second intermediate member 5. In the present embodiment, the first intermediate member 4 holds the movable body 3 in a manner such that the movable body 3 is rotatable about the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as a center of rotation. That is, the movable body 3 is rotatable about the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as a center of rotation with respect to the first intermediate member 4.

[0041] The first intermediate member 4 is rotatable with respect to the second intermediate member 5 about a first direction (V direction) orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2. That is, the first intermediate member 4 is rotatable about a first axis L1 (see FIG. 2) having the first direction as an axis direction with respect to the second intermediate member 5. The second intermediate member 5 is rotatable with respect to the fixed body 6 about a second direction (W direction) intersecting the first direction and intersecting the optical axis L of the camera module 2. That is, the second intermediate member 5 is rotatable about a second axis L2 (see FIG. 2) having the second direction as an axis direction with respect to the fixed body 6. The second direction of the present embodiment is orthogonal to the first direction. In this way, a 2-axis gimbal mechanism is configured between the movable body 3 and the fixed body 6. Figure 2 Figure 2 Figure 2 Figure 2 ​​​​

[0042] In the present embodiment, when the first intermediate member 4 and the second intermediate member 5 are disposed at the prescribed reference positions and the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is located at the prescribed reference position, the direction of the optical axis L of the camera module 2, that is, the optical axis direction, coincides with the up-down direction. In addition, when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is located at the reference position, the second direction is orthogonal to the optical axis L. More specifically, when the first intermediate member 4 is disposed at the prescribed reference position without rotating with respect to the second intermediate member 5, the second direction is orthogonal to the optical axis L. On the other hand, when the first intermediate member 4 rotates with respect to the second intermediate member 5, the second direction intersects the optical axis L, but does not intersect at a right angle.

[0043] The first direction is a direction that is offset by about 45° from the front-rear direction toward the Figure 2 clockwise direction when viewed from the up-down direction. The front-rear direction (Y direction) of the present embodiment is a first optical axis orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is located at the reference position and that is inclined with respect to the first direction and the second direction. In addition, the left-right direction (X direction) is a second optical axis orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the front-rear direction that is the first optical axis orthogonal direction and to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is located at the reference position and that is inclined with respect to the first direction and the second direction.

[0044] The optical unit 1 includes a first magnetic drive mechanism 7 for rotating the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 with the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as the center of rotation, and a second magnetic drive mechanism 8 and a third magnetic drive mechanism 9 for rotating the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 to tilt the optical axis L of the camera module 2 in an arbitrary direction. At both end portions of the first intermediate member 4 in the first direction, a first fulcrum portion 12 is disposed that becomes a fulcrum of rotation of the first intermediate member 4 with respect to the second intermediate member 5. At both end portions of the second intermediate member 5 in the second direction, a second fulcrum portion 13 is disposed that becomes a fulcrum of rotation of the second intermediate member 5 with respect to the fixed body 6. Between the movable body 3 and the first intermediate member 4, a rotation support portion 14 is disposed for enabling the movable body 3 to rotate with respect to the first intermediate member 4.

[0045] The movable body 3 is formed as a flat rectangular parallelepiped with a small thickness in the optical axis direction as a whole. The movable body 3 has a holder 16 that holds the camera module 2 and a rotation member 17 that is fixed to the holder 16. The holder 16 is formed of a resin material. The holder 16 is formed in a square frame shape, and the outer shape of the holder 16 when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the first intermediate member 4 and the second intermediate member 5 are disposed at the prescribed reference positions is a square. The camera module 2 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the holder 16 in a manner that the outer peripheral side of the camera module 2 is covered by the holder 16.

[0046] Furthermore, when the movable body 3, the first intermediate component 4, and the second intermediate component 5 are positioned at a predetermined reference position, two of the four sides of the square-shaped retainer 16 are parallel to the front-rear direction, and the remaining two sides of the retainer 16 are parallel to the left-right direction. Additionally, the two ends of the retainer 16 in the first direction are chamfered to form planes approximately orthogonal to the first direction. Similarly, the two ends of the retainer 16 in the second direction are chamfered to form planes approximately orthogonal to the second direction.

[0047] like Figure 6 As shown, recesses 16a and 16b are formed on the rear side of the retainer 16. Recess 16a is configured with a first drive magnet 35 (described later), which forms part of the first magnetic drive mechanism 7, and recess 16b is configured with a second drive magnet 37 (described later), which forms part of the second magnetic drive mechanism 8. Recess 16c is formed on the left side of the retainer 16, and recess 16c is configured with a third drive magnet 39 (described later), which forms part of the third magnetic drive mechanism 9.

[0048] The rotating component 17 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel. Furthermore, the rotating component 17 is formed by bending a metal plate into a predetermined shape. The rotating component 17 includes a mounted portion 17a placed on the rotating support portion 14 and a fixed portion 17b fixed to the retainer 16. The mounted portion 17a is formed in an annular shape. Alternatively, the mounted portion 17a is formed in a generally flat plate shape. The thickness direction of the mounted portion 17a is aligned with the optical axis direction.

[0049] The mounting portion 17a is disposed on the upper side of the holder 16. An annular groove (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the mounting portion 17a, and a sphere 31 (described later) forming part of the rotating support portion 14 is disposed in this groove. This groove is recessed upwards. Furthermore, this groove is formed in an annular shape centered on the optical axis L of the camera module 2. The upper end of the camera module 2 is disposed on the inner circumference of the mounting portion 17a.

[0050] The fixed portion 17b is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the mounted portion 17a. In this embodiment, the fixed portions 17b are connected to both sides of the outer peripheral surface of the mounted portion 17a in the front-back and left-right directions, and the four fixed portions 17b are arranged at 90° intervals around the optical axis L. The front end of the fixed portion 17b is bent downward. The front end of the fixed portion 17b is fixed to the retainer 16. In addition, a flat plate-shaped protrusion 17c is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the mounted portion 17a. The protrusion 17c protrudes from the mounted portion 17a to both sides in the second direction. The thickness direction of the protrusion 17c is consistent with the optical axis direction.

[0051] As described above, the camera module 2 includes a lens and an image sensor. The image sensor is positioned at the lower end of the camera module 2, and the camera module 2 captures images of a subject positioned above the camera module 2. A flexible printed circuit board 18 extends from the lower end of the camera module 2. The flexible printed circuit board 18 extends to the right from the camera module 2. That is, the optical unit 1 includes a flexible printed circuit board 18 extending to the right from the movable body 3.

[0052] The first intermediate component 4 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel. Furthermore, the first intermediate component 4 is formed by bending a metal plate into a predetermined shape. The first intermediate component 4 has a mounting portion 4a for mounting the rotating support portion 14 and two arm portions 4b extending from the mounting portion 4a to both sides in a first direction. The mounting portion 4a is formed in an annular shape. Alternatively, the mounting portion 4a is formed in a generally flat plate shape. The thickness direction of the mounting portion 4a is aligned with the optical axis direction.

[0053] The mounting portion 4a is disposed on the upper side of the holder 16. Additionally, the mounting portion 4a is disposed on the lower side of the mounted portion 17a of the rotating member 17. Figure 5 As shown, an annular groove 4c is formed on the upper surface of the mounting portion 4a, and a portion of a sphere 31 (described later) that forms part of the rotating support portion 14 is disposed in the groove 4c. The groove 4c is recessed downwards. Furthermore, the groove 4c is formed in an annular shape centered on the optical axis L of the camera module 2. The upper end of the camera module 2 is disposed on the inner circumference side of the mounting portion 4a.

[0054] Arm 4b is connected to the outer peripheral surface of mounting portion 4a. The front end of arm 4b is bent downwards. The front end portion 4d of arm 4b is formed into a flat plate. The thickness direction of the front end portion 4d is approximately the same as that of the first direction. The front end portion 4d is positioned on the outer side of the retainer 16 in the first direction. In addition, a magnet mounting portion 4e is connected to the outer peripheral surface of mounting portion 4a. The magnet mounting portion 4e protrudes from mounting portion 4a to both sides in the second direction.

[0055] A magnet 19 is mounted on the upper surface of the magnet mounting part 4e (see reference). Figure 5 Magnet 19 is disposed below the protrusion 17c of the rotating member 17. Magnet 19 magnetically attracts the protrusion 17c. Magnet 19 is magnetized into two poles in the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 4a, which is formed in a ring shape. That is, magnet 19 is composed of two magnetized portions that are polarized in the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 4a.

[0056] The second intermediate component 5 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel. Furthermore, the second intermediate component 5 is a leaf spring formed by bending a flexible metal plate into a predetermined shape. The second intermediate component 5 consists of a base 5a disposed on the upper side of the rotating component 17 and the first intermediate component 4, two arms 5b extending from the base 5a to both sides in a first direction, and two arms 5c extending from the base 5a to both sides in a second direction. A circular through hole is formed in the center of the base 5a. The base 5a is square in shape. The arms 5b and 5c extend from the four corners of the square-shaped base 5a toward the outside of the base 5a. The upper end of the camera module 2 is disposed on the inner periphery of the base 5a.

[0057] The front end of arm 5b is bent downwards. The front end portion 5d of arm 5b is formed into a flat plate. The thickness direction of the front end portion 5d is approximately aligned with the first direction. The front end portion 5d is positioned outside the front end portion 4d of arm 4b in the first direction. The front end portion 5c is bent downwards. The front end portion 5e of arm 5c is formed into a flat plate. The thickness direction of the front end portion 5e is approximately aligned with the second direction. The front end portion 5e is positioned outside the magnet mounting portion 4e in the second direction.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, a recess 5f is formed at the front end portion 5d, and a portion of a sphere 27 (described later), which forms part of the first fulcrum portion 12, is disposed in this recess 5f. The recess 5f is hemispherical. The recess 5f is recessed inward toward the first direction. A recess 5g is formed at the front end portion 5e, and a portion of a sphere 29 (described later), which forms part of the second fulcrum portion 13, is disposed in this recess 5g. The recess 5g is hemispherical. The recess 5g is recessed inward toward the second direction. A more specific structure of the second intermediate member 5 will be described later.

[0059] The fixing body 6 includes: a housing 21 having a quadrangular cylindrical intermediate component holding portion 21a that rotatably holds the second intermediate component 5; a cover 22 fixed to the upper surface of the housing 21; and a base plate 23 fixed to the lower surface of the housing 21. The housing 21 is formed of resin material. The housing 21 is composed of the aforementioned intermediate component holding portion 21a and a quadrangular cylindrical FPC receiving portion 21b that houses the flexible printed circuit board 18 on its inner peripheral side.

[0060] like Figure 3As shown, the intermediate member holding portion 21a is formed in a quadrangular cylindrical shape with both ends open in the up-down direction. The intermediate member holding portion 21a is disposed outside the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 in the radial direction centered on the optical axis L. The outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion 21a is a square. More specifically, the outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion 21a when viewed in the up-down direction is a square. That is, the outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion 21a when viewed in the optical axis direction of the camera module 2 is a square when the first intermediate member 4 and the second intermediate member 5 are disposed at a prescribed reference position and the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is located at a prescribed reference position.

[0061] Of the four sides of the intermediate member holding portion 21a whose outer shape is a square, two sides are parallel to the front-rear direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the left-right direction. A through-hole 21c is formed in the rear surface portion of the intermediate member holding portion 21a, and the first drive coil 36 that constitutes a part of the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second drive coil 38 that constitutes a part of the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 (see Figure 3 ) are disposed in the through-hole 21c. A through-hole 21d is formed in the left surface portion of the intermediate member holding portion 21a, and the third drive coil 40 that constitutes a part of the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 (see Figure 3 ) is disposed in the through-hole 21d.

[0062] The FPC housing portion 21b is formed in a quadrangular cylindrical shape with both ends open in the up-down direction. The FPC housing portion 21b is connected to the right side surface of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. The cover 22 covers the housing 21 from the upper side. A through-hole in which the second intermediate member 5 and the like are disposed is formed in the cover 22. The bottom plate 23 plugs the opening of the lower surface of the housing 21 (that is, the opening of the lower surface of the intermediate member holding portion 21a and the FPC housing portion 21b).

[0063] The first fulcrum portion 12 has a support member 26 that is fixed to the front end portion 4d of the arm portion 4b of the first intermediate member 4 and a spherical ball 27 that is fixed to the support member 26 (see Figure 5 ). The support member 26 and the ball 27 are formed of a metal material. The support member 26 has a flat plate-shaped fixing portion 26a that fixes the ball 27. The thickness direction of the fixing portion 26a coincides with the first direction. The ball 27 is fixed to the inner side surface of the fixing portion 26a in the first direction. The fixing portion 26a is disposed outside the front end portion 4d in the first direction. The front end portion 5d of the arm portion 5b of the second intermediate member 5 is disposed between the front end portion 4d and the fixing portion 26a in the first direction. A part of the ball 27 is disposed in the recessed portion 5f. Due to the elasticity of the two arm portions 5b, the ball 27 is in contact with the bottom surface of the recessed portion 5f at a prescribed contact pressure.

[0064] The second fulcrum portion 13 includes a support member 28 fixed to the intermediate member holding portion 21a and a spherical ball 29 fixed to the support member 28 (see FIG. 10). Figure 4 The support member 28 and the ball 29 are formed of a metal material. The support member 28 includes a flat plate-shaped fixing portion 28a that fixes the ball 29. The thickness direction of the fixing portion 28a coincides with the second direction. The ball 29 is fixed to the inner side surface of the fixing portion 28a in the second direction. The fixing portion 28a is disposed outside the front end portion 5e of the arm portion 5c of the second intermediate member 5 in the second direction. A part of the ball 29 is disposed in the recessed portion 5g. Due to the elasticity of the two arm portions 5c, the ball 29 is in contact with the bottom surface of the recessed portion 5g at a prescribed contact pressure.

[0065] The rotation support portion 14 includes a ball holding member 30 formed in a flat plate shape and a circular ring shape and a plurality of balls 31 in a spherical shape held to the ball holding member 30 (see FIG. 11). Figure 5 The rotation support portion 14 of the present embodiment includes six balls 31. The ball holding member 30 and the balls 31 are formed of a metal material. The ball holding member 30 is disposed so that the thickness direction of the ball holding member 30 coincides with the optical axis direction. In addition, the ball holding member 30 is disposed so that the center of the ball holding member 30 coincides with the optical axis L. The ball holding member 30 is disposed between the placed portion 17a and the placement portion 4a in the optical axis direction.

[0066] A plurality of (specifically, six) through holes for holding the balls 31 are formed in the ball holding member 30. The six through holes are formed in the ball holding member 30 at an equiangular angle interval with the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as the center. A part of the balls 31 held in the through holes of the ball holding member 30 is disposed in the groove portion formed in the lower surface of the placed portion 17a and the groove portion 4c formed in the upper surface of the placement portion 4a.

[0067] The balls 31 are in contact with the bottom surface of the groove portion of the placed portion 17a and the bottom surface of the groove portion 4c of the placement portion 4a at a prescribed contact pressure by the magnetic attractive force generated between the magnet 19 and the protrusion portion 17c. In addition, as described above, the magnet 19 is magnetized into two poles in the circumferential direction of the placement portion 4a formed in a circular ring shape, and the magnet 19 and the protrusion portion 17c function to hold the movable body 3 at a prescribed reference position in the rotation direction of the movable body 3 with the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as the center. Specifically, the magnet 19 and the protrusion portion 17c function to hold the movable body 3 at a prescribed reference position in the rotation direction of the movable body 3 with the optical axis L as the center when no current is supplied to the first driving coil 36 that constitutes a part of the first magnetic driving mechanism 7.

[0068] In the optical unit 1, when a change in the tilt of the movable body 3 is detected by a prescribed detection mechanism for detecting a change in the tilt of the movable body 3, a current is supplied to at least any one of the first drive coil 36 described later that constitutes a part of the first magnetic drive mechanism 7, the second drive coil 38 described later that constitutes a part of the second magnetic drive mechanism 8, and the third drive coil 40 described later that constitutes a part of the third magnetic drive mechanism 9, on the basis of the detection result of the detection mechanism, so that the shake is corrected.

[0069] (Structure of the first to third magnetic drive mechanisms and the periphery thereof)

[0070] Figure 7 is extracted from the front view shown in FIG. 6. Figure 6

[0071] The first magnetic drive mechanism 7 has the first drive magnet 35 and the first drive coil 36 that are arranged opposite to each other in the front-rear direction. The first magnetic drive mechanism 7 of the present embodiment has two sets of the first drive magnet 35 and the first drive coil 36. That is, the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 has two first drive magnets 35 and two first drive coils 36. The second magnetic drive mechanism 8 has the second drive magnet 37 and the second drive coil 38 that are arranged opposite to each other in the front-rear direction. The second magnetic drive mechanism 8 of the present embodiment has one set of the second drive magnet 37 and the second drive coil 38. The third magnetic drive mechanism 9 has the third drive magnet 39 and the third drive coil 40 that are arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction. The third magnetic drive mechanism 9 of the present embodiment has one set of the third drive magnet 39 and the third drive coil 40.

[0072] The second drive magnet 37 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The second drive magnet 37 is fixed to the recessed portion 16b of the holder 16. That is, the second drive magnet 37 is fixed to the rear surface side of the holder 16. In addition, the second drive magnet 37 is fixed to the center portion in the left-right direction of the holder 16 when the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 are arranged at the prescribed reference positions.

[0073] When the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 are arranged at the prescribed reference positions, the thickness direction of the second drive magnet 37 coincides with the front-rear direction. In addition, two of the four sides of the second drive magnet 37 that is formed in a rectangular plate shape are parallel to the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. The second drive magnet 37 is magnetized into two poles in the up-down direction. That is, the second drive magnet 37 is constituted by two magnetization portions that are polarized in the up-down direction.

[0074] ​The second drive coil 38 is, for example, an air core coil formed by winding a wire into an air core shape. The second drive coil 38 is composed of two straight line portions 38a in a straight line shape parallel to the left-right direction and two circular arc portions 38b in a circular arc shape connecting both ends of the left-right direction of the two straight line portions 38a (see Figure 7 ). The second drive coil 38 is mounted on a flexible printed board 42 (see Figure 4 ). The flexible printed board 42 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate member holding portion 21a.

[0075] The second drive coil 38 is disposed in the through hole 21c of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. That is, the second drive coil 38 is disposed in the rear side portion of the intermediate member holding portion 21a, and is disposed at the rear side of the second drive magnet 37. In addition, the second drive coil 38 is disposed at the center portion of the left-right direction of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. The second magnetic drive mechanism 8 rotates the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 about an axis orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and parallel to the left-right direction as a rotation center.

[0076] The third drive magnet 39 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The third drive magnet 39 is fixed to the recessed portion 16c of the holder 16. That is, the third drive magnet 39 is fixed to the left side surface side of the holder 16. In addition, the third drive magnet 39 is fixed to the center portion of the front-rear direction of the holder 16 when the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 are disposed at the prescribed reference position.

[0077] When the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 are disposed at the prescribed reference position, the thickness direction of the third drive magnet 39 coincides with the left-right direction. In addition, two of the four sides of the third drive magnet 39 formed in a rectangular plate shape are parallel to the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. Like the second drive magnet 37, the third drive magnet 39 is magnetized into two poles in the up-down direction. That is, the third drive magnet 39 is composed of two magnetization portions polarized in the up-down direction. The width of the optical axis direction of the third drive magnet 39 is equal to the width of the optical axis direction of the second drive magnet 37. The width of the front-rear direction of the third drive magnet 39 is wider than the width of the left-right direction of the second drive magnet 37.

[0078] The third drive coil 40 is, for example, a coreless coil formed by winding a wire in a coreless manner. The third drive coil 40 is composed of two straight line portions in a straight line shape parallel to the front-rear direction and two arc portions in an arc shape connecting both ends of the front-rear direction of the two straight line portions. The third drive coil 40 is mounted on the flexible printed board 42. The width of the third drive coil 40 in the optical axis direction is equal to the width of the second drive coil 38 in the optical axis direction. The width of the third drive coil 40 in the front-rear direction is wider than the width of the second drive coil 38 in the left-right direction.

[0079] The third drive coil 40 is disposed in the through hole 21d of the middle member holding portion 21a. That is, the third drive coil 40 is disposed in the left side portion of the middle member holding portion 21a, on the left side of the third drive magnet 39. In addition, the third drive coil 40 is disposed at the center portion in the front-rear direction of the middle member holding portion 21a. The third magnetic drive mechanism 9 rotates the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 about an axis orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and parallel to the front-rear direction as a center of rotation.

[0080] The first drive magnet 35 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The first drive magnet 35 is fixed to the recessed portion 16a of the holder 16. That is, the first drive magnet 35 is fixed to the rear surface side of the holder 16. When the movable body 3, the first middle member 4, and the second middle member 5 are disposed at a prescribed reference position, the thickness direction of the first drive magnet 35 coincides with the front-rear direction. In addition, two of the four sides of the first drive magnet 35 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape are parallel to the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. The first drive magnet 35 is disposed on both sides in the left-right direction of the second drive magnet 37.

[0081] The first drive magnet 35 is magnetized in two poles in the left-right direction. That is, the first drive magnet 35 is composed of two magnetization portions polarized in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the magnetic poles of the two first drive magnets 35 on the side of the second drive magnet 37 are the same magnetic poles. That is, the magnetic pole on the right side of the first drive magnet 35 disposed on the left side of the second drive magnet 37 and the magnetic pole on the left side of the first drive magnet 35 disposed on the right side of the second drive magnet 37 are the same magnetic poles.

[0082] The first drive coil 36 is, for example, a coreless coil formed by winding a wire in a coreless manner. The first drive coil 36 is composed of two straight line portions 36a in a straight line shape parallel to the optical axis direction and two arc portions 36b in an arc shape connecting both ends of the optical axis direction of the two straight line portions 36a (see FIG. 6). Figure 7). As described above, in the present embodiment, the magnetic pole of the first driving magnet 35 arranged on the left side of the second driving magnet 37 on the right side thereof is the same magnetic pole as the magnetic pole of the first driving magnet 35 arranged on the right side of the second driving magnet 37 on the left side thereof, and thus the winding direction of one of the two first driving coils 36 is opposite to the winding direction of the other first driving coil 36.

[0083] The first driving coil 36 is mounted on the flexible printed board 42. The first driving coil 36 is arranged in the through-hole 21c of the middle member holding portion 21a. That is, the first driving coil 36 is arranged in the rear side portion of the middle member holding portion 21a, on the rear side of the first driving magnet 35. In addition, the first driving coil 36 is arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the second driving coil 38.

[0084] As described above, the first driving magnet 35 and the second driving magnet 37 are fixed on the rear surface side of the holder 16, and the first driving coil 36 and the second driving coil 38 are arranged in the rear side portion of the middle member holding portion 21a. In addition, the third driving magnet 39 is fixed on the left surface side of the holder 16, and the third driving coil 40 is arranged in the left side portion of the middle member holding portion 21a.

[0085] That is, the first magnetic driving mechanism 7 and the second magnetic driving mechanism 8 are arranged along one of the two sides of the middle member holding portion 21a in parallel with the left-right direction (specifically, the rear side), and the third magnetic driving mechanism 9 is arranged along one of the two sides of the middle member holding portion 21a in parallel with the front-rear direction (specifically, the left side). That is, the first magnetic driving mechanism 7, the second magnetic driving mechanism 8, and the third magnetic driving mechanism 9 are arranged along the two sides of the middle member holding portion 21a, which has a square shape when viewed from the up-down direction.

[0086] A magnetic sensor 43 (refer to FIG. 2) for detecting the rotational position of the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 with the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as the center of rotation is arranged opposite to the first driving magnet 35. Figure 4 A magnetic sensor 44 (refer to FIG. 2) for detecting the rotational position of the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 with an axis orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and parallel to the left-right direction as the center of rotation is arranged opposite to the second driving magnet 37. Figure 4 A magnetic sensor 45 (refer to FIG. 2) for detecting the rotational position of the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 with an axis orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and parallel to the front-rear direction as the center of rotation is arranged opposite to the third driving magnet 39. Figure 4

[0087] ​The magnetic sensors 43 to 45 are Hall sensors having Hall elements. The magnetic sensors 43 to 45 are mounted on the flexible printed board 42. The magnetic sensor 43 is disposed on the inner periphery side of the first driving coil 36 which is an air core coil. The magnetic sensor 44 is disposed on the inner periphery side of the second driving coil 38 which is an air core coil. The magnetic sensor 45 is disposed on the inner periphery side of the third driving coil 40 which is an air core coil.

[0088] A second magnetic plate made of a magnetic material is fixed on the surface of the flexible printed board 42 opposite to the surface on which the second driving coil 38 is mounted, and a third magnetic plate made of a magnetic material is fixed on the surface of the flexible printed board 42 opposite to the surface on which the third driving coil 40 is mounted. The positions of the first intermediate member 4 and the second intermediate member 5 disposed in the reference positions are maintained by the magnetic attractive force generated between the second driving magnet 37 and the second magnetic plate and the magnetic attractive force generated between the third driving magnet 39 and the third magnetic plate. That is, the second driving magnet 37, the second magnetic plate, the third driving magnet 39, and the third magnetic plate function to maintain the posture of the first intermediate member 4 and the second intermediate member 5 when no current is supplied to the second driving coil 38 or the third driving coil 40.

[0089] (Structure of Second Intermediate Member)

[0090] Figure 8 is Figure 2 is a plan view of the second intermediate member 5.

[0091] As described above, the second intermediate member 5 has two arm portions 5b (a pair of arm portions 5b) extending from the base portion 5a to both sides in the first direction and two arm portions 5c (a pair of arm portions 5c) extending from the base portion 5a to both sides in the second direction. In addition, the ball 27 fixed to the support member 26 fixed to the front end portion 4d of the arm portion 4b of the first intermediate member 4 is in contact with the bottom surface of the recess 5f formed in the arm portion 5b at a prescribed contact pressure due to the elasticity of the two arm portions 5b, and the ball 29 fixed to the support member 28 fixed to the intermediate member holding portion 21a is in contact with the bottom surface of the recess 5g formed in the arm portion 5c at a prescribed contact pressure due to the elasticity of the two arm portions 5c.

[0092] In this embodiment, the elasticity of the two arms 5b causes the ball 27 to contact the bottom surface of the recess 5f with a predetermined contact pressure, thereby suppressing the wobbling of the first intermediate member 4 relative to the second intermediate member 5 in the first direction. Furthermore, the elasticity of the two arms 5c causes the ball 29 to contact the bottom surface of the recess 5g with a predetermined contact pressure, thereby suppressing the wobbling of the second intermediate member 5 relative to the fixed body 6 in the second direction. In this embodiment, the two arms 5b form a pair of first springs with elasticity for suppressing the wobbling of the first intermediate member 4 relative to the second intermediate member 5 in the first direction, and the two arms 5c form a pair of second springs with elasticity for suppressing the wobbling of the second intermediate member 5 relative to the fixed body 6 in the second direction.

[0093] Furthermore, as described above, the arm 5b extends from the base 5a to both sides in the first direction. That is, when viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera module 2, one of the two arms 5b extends outward in the first direction, and the other arm 5b extends to the opposite side of the first arm 5b. Specifically, when viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera module 2, one arm 5b extends diagonally to the left rearward side, and the other arm 5b extends diagonally to the right frontward side. In the following description, when the two arms 5b are shown separately, the arm 5b extending diagonally to the left rearward side is designated as "one side arm 5b", and the other arm 5b extending diagonally to the right frontward side is designated as "the other side arm 5b".

[0094] Furthermore, the arm 5c extends from the base 5a to both sides in the second direction. That is, when viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera module 2, one of the two arms 5c extends outward in the second direction, and the other arm 5c extends to the opposite side of the first arm 5c. Specifically, when viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera module 2, one arm 5c extends diagonally to the right rear, and the other arm 5c extends diagonally to the left front. In the following description, when the two arms 5c are shown separately, the arm 5c extending diagonally to the right rear is designated as "one side arm 5c", and the other arm 5c extending diagonally to the left front is designated as "the other side arm 5c".

[0095] In this embodiment, when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is at a reference position and viewed from the optical axis direction, the distance D1 between the outer end of one arm 5b in the first direction and the optical axis L (refer to...) Figure 8 The distance D2 between the outer end of the other arm 5b in the first direction and the optical axis L (refer to) Figure 8) long. That is, the distance D1 from the optical axis L to the outer side end in the first direction of the one-side arm portion 5b extending to one side where the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged is longer than the distance D2 from the optical axis L to the outer side end in the first direction of the other-side arm portion 5b. That is, when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is located at the reference position, the length of the first direction of the one-side arm portion 5b is longer than the length of the first direction of the other-side arm portion 5b.

[0096] Specifically, the distance D1 is the shortest distance in the first direction between the outer side surface of the front end portion 5d of the one-side arm portion 5b and the optical axis L when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis L is located at the reference position. Specifically, the distance D2 is the shortest distance in the first direction between the outer side surface of the front end portion 5d of the other-side arm portion 5b and the optical axis L when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis L is located at the reference position.

[0097] The width (that is, the width of the arm portion 5b in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the arm portion 5b and the first direction) of the two arm portions 5b is constant when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis L is located at the reference position. In addition, the width H1 (refer to Figure 8 ) of the one-side arm portion 5b is equal to the width H2 (refer to Figure 8 ) of the other-side arm portion 5b. In addition, the width of the two arm portions 5b can also narrow as it goes from the base end toward the front end of the arm portion 5b (that is, as it goes from the inner side end toward the outer side end in the first direction). In this case, the width of the two arm portions 5b can continuously narrow as it goes from the base end toward the front end of the arm portion 5b, or it can narrow in steps.

[0098] In addition, the distance D3 (refer to Figure 8 ) between the outer side end in the second direction of the one-side arm portion 5c and the optical axis L when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is located at the reference position is longer than the distance D4 (refer to Figure 8 ) between the outer side end in the second direction of the other-side arm portion 5c and the optical axis L. That is, the distance D3 from the optical axis L to the outer side end in the second direction of the one-side arm portion 5c extending to one side where the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged is longer than the distance D4 from the optical axis L to the outer side end in the second direction of the other-side arm portion 5c. That is, when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is located at the reference position, the length of the second direction of the one-side arm portion 5c is longer than the length of the second direction of the other-side arm portion 5c.

[0099] Specifically, the distance D3 is the shortest distance in the second direction between the outer side surface of the front end portion 5e of the one side arm portion 5c and the optical axis L in the second direction when viewed from the optical axis direction in the state where the optical axis L is located at the reference position. Specifically, the distance D4 is the shortest distance in the second direction between the outer side surface of the front end portion 5e of the other side arm portion 5c and the optical axis L in the second direction when viewed from the optical axis direction in the state where the optical axis L is located at the reference position. The distance D3 is longer than the distance D1, and the distance D4 is longer than the distance D2. In addition, the distance D4 is shorter than the distance D1.

[0100] The width of the two arm portions 5c (i.e., the width of the arm portions 5c in the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the arm portions 5c and the second direction) narrows as it goes from the base end toward the front end of the arm portions 5c (i.e., as it goes from the inner side end toward the outer side end in the second direction) when viewed from the optical axis direction in the state where the optical axis L is located at the reference position. Specifically, the width of the two arm portions 5c continuously narrows as it goes from the base end toward the front end of the arm portions 5c. In addition, the width of the two arm portions 5c can also stepwise narrow as it goes from the base end toward the front end of the arm portions 5c. Furthermore, the width of the two arm portions 5c can be constant.

[0101] The width H3 (see Figure 8 ) of the base end of the one side arm portion 5c is equal to the width H4 (see Figure 8 ) of the base end of the other side arm portion 5c. In addition, the width H5 (see Figure 8 ) of the outer side end in the second direction of the one side arm portion 5c is equal to the width H6 (see Figure 8 ) of the outer side end in the second direction of the other side arm portion 5c.

[0102] (Main effects of the present embodiment)

[0103] As described above, in the present embodiment, the second intermediate member 5 has a pair of arm portions 5b for suppressing the sway of the first intermediate member 4 with respect to the second intermediate member 5 in the first direction, and a pair of arm portions 5c for suppressing the sway of the second intermediate member 5 with respect to the fixed body 6 in the second direction. In addition, in the present embodiment, the distance D1 from the outer side end in the first direction of the one side arm portion 5b to the optical axis L is longer than the distance D2 from the outer side end in the first direction of the other side arm portion 5b to the optical axis L, and the distance D3 from the outer side end in the second direction of the one side arm portion 5c to the optical axis L is longer than the distance D4 from the outer side end in the second direction of the other side arm portion 5c to the optical axis L when viewed from the optical axis direction in the state where the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is located at the reference position.

[0104] Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the spring constant of the one-side arm portion 5b, suppress the deviation of the force of the pair of arm portions 5b, and reduce the spring constant of the one-side arm portion 5c, suppress the deviation of the force of the pair of arm portions 5c. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably suppress the shake of the first intermediate member 4 with respect to the second intermediate member 5 in the first direction by the pair of arm portions 5b, and reliably suppress the shake of the second intermediate member 5 with respect to the fixed body 6 in the second direction by the pair of arm portions 5c. In addition, in the present embodiment, the distance D2 is shorter than the distance Dl, and the distance D4 is shorter than the distance D3, and thus it is possible to downsize the optical unit 1.

[0105] In the present embodiment, the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged along the edge of the rear side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a in parallel with the left-right direction, and the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 is arranged along the edge of the left side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a in parallel with the front-rear direction. Therefore, in a portable device or the like in which the optical unit 1 of the present embodiment is installed, it is only necessary to arrange various components in a manner that does not cause magnetic interference in the regions along the two edges of the intermediate member holding portion 21a, respectively. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the degree of freedom of design of a portable device or the like in which the optical unit 1 is installed.

[0106] In addition, in the present embodiment, the distance Dl between the outer side end in the first direction of the one-side arm portion 5b extending to the side on which the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged and the optical axis L is longer than the distance D2 between the outer side end in the first direction of the other-side arm portion 5b and the optical axis L, and the distance D3 between the outer side end in the second direction of the one-side arm portion 5c extending to the side on which the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged and the optical axis L is longer than the distance D4 between the outer side end in the second direction of the other-side arm portion 5c and the optical axis L, and thus even if the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged along the edge of the rear side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a, it is possible to prevent interference of the one-side arm portions 5b, 5c with the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8.

[0107] In the present embodiment, the flexible printed board 18 is drawn out to the right side from the camera module 2, and thus, it is more difficult to rotate the movable body 3 in the axial direction in which the front-rear direction is the axis of rotation than in the axial direction in which the left-right direction is the axis of rotation, with the influence of the flexible printed board 18. However, in the present embodiment, only the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 is arranged along one side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a in parallel with the front-rear direction, and thus, as described above, it is possible to make the width in the front-rear direction of the third drive magnet 39 wider than the width in the left-right direction of the second drive magnet 37, and to make the width in the front-rear direction of the third drive coil 40 wider than the width in the left-right direction of the second drive coil 38, and to increase the driving force of the third magnetic drive mechanism 9. Thus, in the present embodiment, even if it is difficult to rotate the movable body 3 in the axial direction in which the front-rear direction is the axis of rotation with the influence of the flexible printed board 18, it is possible to appropriately rotate the movable body 3 in the axial direction in which the front-rear direction is the axis of rotation.

[0108] In the present embodiment, the first drive magnet 35 is arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the second drive magnet 37, and the first drive coil 36 is arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the second drive coil 38. Thus, in the present embodiment, it is possible to downsize the optical unit 1 in the left-right direction, compared with the case in which the second drive magnet 37 is arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the first drive magnet 35, and the second drive coil 38 is arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the first drive coil 36. For example, it is possible to downsize the optical unit 1 in the left-right direction by an amount corresponding to the two circular arc portions 38b of the second drive coil 38.

[0109] In addition, in the present embodiment, the second drive magnet 37 is arranged between the two first drive magnets 35 in the left-right direction, and thus, it is possible to fix the second drive magnet 37 at the center portion in the left-right direction of the holder 16, and it is possible to arrange the magnetic sensor 44 arranged opposite the second drive magnet 37 on the axis of the rotation center axis of the movable body 3 that rotates by the driving force of the third magnetic drive mechanism 9. Thus, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the amount of shift in the optical axis direction of the second drive magnet 37 and the magnetic sensor 44 when the movable body 3 rotates relative to the fixed body 6 in the axial direction in which the front-rear direction is the axis of rotation. As a result, in the present embodiment, using the second drive magnet 37 and the magnetic sensor 44, it is possible to appropriately detect the rotational position of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 6 in the axial direction in which the left-right direction is the axis of rotation.

[0110] In the present embodiment, the magnetic pole on the right side of the first driving magnet 35 arranged on the left side of the second driving magnet 37 is the same magnetic pole as the magnetic pole on the left side of the first driving magnet 35 arranged on the right side of the second driving magnet 37. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the first driving magnet 35 is arranged on both sides of the second driving magnet 37 in the left-right direction, the balance of the magnetic force generated by the two first driving magnets 35 with respect to the second driving magnet 37 is good. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the influence of the magnetic circuit of the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 on the second magnetic drive mechanism 8.

[0111] (Other Embodiments)

[0112] The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present application, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present application.

[0113] In the above-described embodiment, the width H2 of the other-side arm portion 5b can be narrower than the width Hl of the one-side arm portion 5b when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis L is located at the reference position. In the above-described embodiment, the width H4 of the base end of the other-side arm portion 5c can be narrower than the width H3 of the base end of the one-side arm portion 5c, and the width H6 of the outer end in the second direction of the other-side arm portion 5c can be narrower than the width H5 of the outer end in the second direction of the one-side arm portion 5c when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis L is located at the reference position.

[0114] In this case, since it is possible to reduce the spring constant of the other-side arm portions 5b, 5c, it is possible to effectively suppress the deviation of the force of the pair of arm portions 5b and the deviation of the force of the pair of arm portions 5c. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress the sway of the first intermediate member 4 with respect to the second intermediate member 5 in the first direction and the sway of the second intermediate member 5 with respect to the fixed body 6 in the second direction. In this case, since it is possible to make the spring constant of the one-side arm portion 5b consistent with the spring constant of the other-side arm portion 5b, it is possible to deform the pair of arm portions 5b in balance. Since it is possible to make the spring constant of the one-side arm portion 5c consistent with the spring constant of the other-side arm portion 5c, it is possible to deform the pair of arm portions 5c in balance.

[0115] In the above-described embodiment, the magnetic pole on the right side of the first driving magnet 35 arranged on the left side of the second driving magnet 37 can be different from the magnetic pole on the left side of the first driving magnet 35 arranged on the right side of the second driving magnet 37. In this case, the winding direction of one of the two first driving coils 36 is the same as the winding direction of the other first driving coil 36.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the second driving magnets 37 can be arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the first driving magnet 35, and the second driving coils 38 can be arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the first driving coil 36. In the above embodiment, the first magnetic driving mechanism 7 and the third magnetic driving mechanism 9 can also be arranged along the edge on the left side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a, as long as the movable body 3 is appropriately rotated with the front-rear direction as the axis of rotation. In this case, the first driving magnet 35 can be arranged on both sides in the front-rear direction of the third driving magnet 39, and the first driving coil 36 can be arranged on both sides in the front-rear direction of the third driving coil 40, or the third driving magnet 39 can be arranged on both sides in the front-rear direction of the first driving magnet 35, and the third driving coil 40 can be arranged on both sides in the front-rear direction of the first driving coil 36. In this case, the distance D4 is longer than the distance D3.

[0117] In the above embodiment, as long as the movable body 3 is appropriately rotated with the front-rear direction as the axis of rotation, one set of the first driving magnet 35 and the first driving coil 36 and the second magnetic driving mechanism 8 can be arranged along the edge on the rear side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a, and the other set of the first driving magnet 35 and the first driving coil 36 and the third magnetic driving mechanism 9 can be arranged along the edge on the left side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the movable body 3 can also be fixed to the first intermediate member 4 so as not to be rotatable relative to the first intermediate member 4. In this case, the first magnetic driving mechanism 7 and the rotation support portion 14 are not needed. In this case, the first intermediate member 4 can also be fixed to the holder 16. In the case where the first intermediate member 4 is fixed to the holder 16, the rotation member 17 is not needed.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion 21a when viewed in the up-down direction can also be rectangular. In this case, for example, the first direction and the second direction are not orthogonal. That is, in the above embodiment, the first direction and the second direction can also be non-orthogonal. In the above embodiment, the first driving coil 36, the second driving coil 38, and the third driving coil 40 can be mounted to the holder 16, and the first driving magnet 35, the second driving magnet 37, and the third driving magnet 39 can be mounted to the intermediate member holding portion 21a. In the above embodiment, the housing 21 can also not have the FPC housing portion 21b. That is, the housing 21 can also be constituted only by the intermediate member holding portion 21a.

[0120] Symbol Explanation

[0121] 1 Optical unit (optical unit with shake correction function)

[0122] 2 camera module

[0123] 3 movable body

[0124] 4 first intermediate member

[0125] 5 second intermediate member

[0126] 5b arm portion (first spring portion)

[0127] 5c arm portion (second spring portion)

[0128] 6 fixed body

[0129] 7 first magnetic drive mechanism

[0130] 8 second magnetic drive mechanism

[0131] 9 third magnetic drive mechanism

[0132] 18 flexible printed board

[0133] 21a intermediate member holding portion

[0134] 35 first drive magnet

[0135] 36 first drive coil

[0136] 37 second drive magnet

[0137] 38 second drive coil

[0138] 39 third drive magnet

[0139] 40 third drive coil

[0140] D1 distance between an outer side end in a first direction of one first spring portion and an optical axis of the camera module

[0141] D2 distance between an outer side end in a first direction of the other first spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module

[0142] D3 distance between an outer side end in a second direction of one second spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module

[0143] D4 distance between an outer side end in a second direction of the other second spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module

[0144] H1 width of one first spring portion

[0145] H2 width of the other first spring portion

[0146] H3, H5 width of one second spring portion

[0147] H4, H6 width of another second spring portion

[0148] L optical axis of the camera module

[0149] V first direction

[0150] W second direction

[0151] X second optical axis orthogonal direction

[0152] Y first optical axis orthogonal direction

Claims

1. An optical unit with jitter correction function, characterized in that, have: A movable body, which has a camera module; A first intermediate component, which holds the movable body; A second intermediate component, which holds the first intermediate component in a rotatable manner; and A fixing body that holds the second intermediate component in a position to rotate. The first intermediate component is capable of rotating relative to the second intermediate component with a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module as its rotation axis. The second intermediate component is capable of rotating relative to the fixed body with a second direction that intersects the optical axis of the camera module and the first direction as its rotation axis. When the optical axis of the camera module is located at a predetermined reference position, the second direction is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module. The second intermediate component includes: a pair of first spring portions, the pair of first spring portions having elasticity for suppressing the swaying of the first intermediate component relative to the second intermediate component in the first direction; And a pair of second spring portions, the pair of second spring portions having elasticity for suppressing the swaying of the second intermediate component relative to the fixed body in the second direction. When viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera module, one of the pair of first spring portions extends outward in the first direction, and the other first spring portion extends outward in the opposite direction of the first spring portion, i.e., the other outward in the first direction. Similarly, one of the pair of second spring portions extends outward in the second direction, and the other second spring portion extends outward in the opposite direction of the first spring portion, i.e., the other outward in the second direction. When the optical axis of the camera module is located at the reference position and viewed from the optical axis direction, the distance between the outer end of the first direction of one first spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the first direction of the other first spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module, and the distance between the outer end of the second direction of one second spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the second direction of the other second spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module.

2. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis of the camera module located at the reference position, the width of one of the first spring portions is narrower than the width of one of the first spring portions, and the width of the other of the second spring portions is narrower than the width of one of the second spring portions.

3. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, have: A first magnetic drive mechanism is used to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body about the optical axis of the camera module as the rotation center; and The second and third magnetic drive mechanisms are used to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body, so that the optical axis of the camera module can be tilted in any direction. The first intermediate component holds the movable body so that the movable body can rotate about the optical axis of the camera module as the rotation center. The second magnetic drive mechanism includes a second drive magnet and a second drive coil. When the optical axis of the camera module is located at the reference position, the second drive magnet and the second drive coil are arranged opposite each other in a first optical axis orthogonal direction to the optical axis of the camera module and inclined relative to the first direction and the second direction. The third magnetic drive mechanism includes a third drive magnet and a third drive coil. When the optical axis of the camera module is located at the reference position, the third drive magnet and the third drive coil are arranged opposite each other in a second optical axis orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module and the first optical axis, and inclined relative to the first direction and the second direction. The fixing body includes an intermediate component holding part that holds the second intermediate component in a rotatable manner. When the optical axis of the camera module is located at the reference position and viewed from the direction of the optical axis, the shape of the intermediate component holding part is square or rectangular. When the optical axis of the camera module is located at the reference position, two of the four sides of the middle component holding part, which has a square or rectangular shape when viewed from the direction of the optical axis, are parallel to the orthogonal direction of the second optical axis. The first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged along one side of the intermediate component holding portion, which is parallel to the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis. The third magnetic drive mechanism is arranged along one side of the intermediate component holding portion, which is parallel to the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis. The distance between the outer end of one of the first spring portions extending toward the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are configured and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the other first spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module. The distance between the outer end of the second spring portion in the second direction extending toward the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are configured and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the second spring portion in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module.

4. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 3, characterized in that, It has a flexible printed substrate extending from the movable body to one side in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis.

5. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first magnetic drive mechanism includes two sets of first drive magnets and first drive coils arranged opposite each other in the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis. The second magnetic drive mechanism includes a set of second drive magnets and a second drive coil. The first driving magnet is disposed on both sides of the second driving magnet in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis. The first driving coil is arranged on both sides of the second driving coil in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis.

6. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first magnetic drive mechanism includes two sets of first drive magnets and first drive coils arranged opposite each other in the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis. The second magnetic drive mechanism includes a set of second drive magnets and a second drive coil. The first driving magnet is disposed on both sides of the second driving magnet in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis. The first driving coil is arranged on both sides of the second driving coil in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis.

7. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first driving magnet is composed of two magnetized parts that are polarized in a direction orthogonal to the second optical axis. The magnetic poles of the two first driving magnets on the side closest to the second driving magnet are the same.

Images