Housing and optical unit

Abstract

The present application aims to improve the versatility of a case that holds a movable body, on which an optical module is mounted, so as to be swingable with respect to a fixed body, and to reduce the cost. The case (100) has a movable body (110) on which an optical module (200) having a first flexible wiring substrate (263) is mounted, and a fixed body (120), and holds the movable body (110) so as to be swingable with respect to the fixed body (120), wherein a second flexible wiring substrate (163) to which the first flexible wiring substrate (263) is connected is provided, and the second flexible wiring substrate (163) is configured to be more easily bent than the first flexible wiring substrate (263).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to housings and optical units. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, various optical units have been used, which include a movable body with an optical module and a housing that can swing to hold the movable body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical unit that includes: a movable body having a camera module; and a fixed body that can swing to hold the movable body.

[0003] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-86066 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In a housing capable of pivoting a movable body containing an optical module, a structure is typically employed where the optical module is mounted on the movable body. The optical module generally includes a camera element in addition to a lens, and typically employs a structure where a flexible wiring substrate electrically connected to the camera element extends from the optical module. Here, the wiring is provided as a flexible wiring substrate to allow the movable body to pivot relative to a fixed body.

[0007] However, in conventional optical units, a specially customized flexible wiring substrate structure is used to enable the movable body to swing sufficiently relative to the fixed body. However, manufacturing the optical module with the specially constructed flexible wiring substrate and the dedicated housing for mounting the optical module incurs a burden and high cost. Therefore, a low-cost and highly versatile optical module and housing are desired. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to improve the versatility of a housing that holds a movable body with an mounted optical module in a position to swing relative to a fixed body, and to achieve cost reduction.

[0008] The housing of the present invention comprises a movable body and a fixed body, the movable body being mounted on an optical module having a first flexible wiring substrate, the housing holding the movable body swingably relative to the fixed body, characterized in that it comprises a second flexible wiring substrate for connection to the first flexible wiring substrate, the second flexible wiring substrate being configured to be more flexible than the first flexible wiring substrate.

[0009] According to this method, a second flexible wiring substrate is provided that is connected to a first flexible wiring substrate of the optical module. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the first flexible wiring substrate of the optical module into a dedicated and complex shape, thus improving versatility and reducing costs. Furthermore, the second flexible wiring substrate is configured to be more flexible than the first flexible wiring substrate. Therefore, the movable body can be held in a swinging manner relative to the fixed body with a sufficient amount of swing.

[0010] In the housing of the present invention, the second flexible wiring substrate can be configured to have a connector for connecting the first flexible wiring substrate. By adopting such a structure, the first flexible wiring substrate and the second flexible wiring substrate can be easily connected, thus forming a housing with particularly high versatility.

[0011] In the housing of the present invention, the movable body can be configured to swing relative to the fixed body about the axial direction of the optical module. By adopting such a structure, various optical modules that swing about the axial direction can be used.

[0012] In the housing of the present invention, it can be configured to have a swing shaft only in the direction of the aforementioned axis. By adopting such a structure, the thickness of the housing in the optical axis direction can be reduced. In addition, since the structure of the housing can be particularly simplified, low cost can be particularly achieved.

[0013] In the housing of the present invention, in addition to the swing axis in the axial direction, there may also be a swing axis in a direction intersecting the axial direction. By adopting such a structure, the optical module can swing relative to the housing with reference to multiple swing axes, thus enabling the use of various types of optical modules.

[0014] In the housing of the present invention, the second flexible wiring substrate may be configured to have a first extension portion extending along a first direction and a second extension portion extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction. By adopting such a structure, the second flexible wiring substrate can be flexed in various directions, and the movable body can be held oscillatingly relative to the fixed body with a particularly sufficient amount of oscillation.

[0015] In the optical unit of the present invention, it can be configured to include the housing and the optical module. By adopting such a structure, the versatility of the various components of the optical unit can be improved, and the overall cost of the optical unit can be reduced.

[0016] The housing of the present invention, which holds a movable body equipped with an optical module in a position to swing relative to a fixed body, improves versatility and reduces costs. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a top view of an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a top view of the optical module of an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3This is a top view of the housing of an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a figure with the fixing body omitted.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the second flexible wiring substrate of the housing of an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is an unfolded view of the second flexible wiring substrate of the housing of the optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a top view showing the state of the second flexible wiring substrate when the movable body swings relative to the fixed body in the rolling direction R1 in an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a top view showing the state of the second flexible wiring substrate when the movable body swings relative to the fixed body in the rolling direction R2 in an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] (Symbol Explanation)

[0025] 1: Optical unit; 100: Housing; 110: Storage frame (movable body); 111: Magnet (drive mechanism); 111A: Magnet; 111B: Magnet; 111C: Magnet; 112: Storage part; 120: Fixing body; 121: Fixing part; 122: Coil (drive mechanism); 122A: Coil; 122B: Coil; 122C: Coil; 150: Universal joint mechanism; 151: Foot; 151A: Foot; 151B: Foot; 151C: Foot; 151D: Foot; 153: Universal joint frame part; 163: Second flexible wiring board; 63A: First extension setting part; 163B: Second extension setting part; 163C: Third extension setting part; 163D: Cutout; 163E: Bending line; 163F: Bending line; 163F1: Bending line; 163F2: Bending line; 163G: Bending line; 164: Connector; 165: Connector; 170: Support part; 170A: Support part; 170B: Support part; 170C: Support part; 170D: Support part; 200: Optical module; 201: Lens; 263: First flexible wiring substrate; 264: Connector; 300: Rotating support mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following uses Figures 1 to 7 An optical unit 1 and a housing 100 constituting the optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the figures, the Z-axis direction is the optical axis direction, the X-axis direction is the direction intersecting the optical axis, in other words, the deflection axis direction, and the Y-axis direction is the direction intersecting the optical axis, in other words, the pitch axis direction.

[0027] <An overview of the overall structure of the optical unit>

[0028] First, refer to Figure 1 The structure of the optical unit 1 involved in this embodiment will be briefly described. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the optical unit 1 in this embodiment includes an optical module 200 and a housing 100. The optical module 200 is a camera module having a lens 201 and an imaging element (not shown). The housing 100 also includes a storage frame 110 for accommodating the optical module 200 in a swingable manner. Furthermore, the housing 100 is configured to allow the optical module 200 housed in the storage frame 110 to be moved in the following directions: pitch direction (Y-axis), yaw direction (X-axis), and roll direction (Z-axis).

[0029] <Optical Module>

[0030] Next, refer to Figure 2 A general description of the structure of the optical module 200 will be provided. In this embodiment, the optical module 200 is formed into a generally rectangular frame shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction corresponding to the optical axis direction, and is used, for example, as a thin camera mounted on a mobile phone or tablet PC with a camera. The optical module 200 has a lens 201 on the +Z direction side, which is the subject side, and optical devices for taking pictures are built into the rectangular frame-shaped housing. In addition, the optical module 200 is connected to a first flexible wiring substrate 263, which serves as a flexible wiring substrate on the optical module side and has a connector 264 connected to its front end.

[0031] As an example, the optical unit 1 in this embodiment has a built-in actuator (drive mechanism) for correcting pitch jitter (jatter in the direction of oscillation with the Y-axis as the oscillation axis), yaw jitter (jatter in the direction of oscillation with the X-axis as the oscillation axis), and roll jitter (jatter in the direction of oscillation with the Z-axis as the oscillation axis) generated in the optical module 200, thus forming a structure capable of correcting pitch jitter, yaw jitter, and roll jitter. Furthermore, while the optical unit 1 in this embodiment is configured to correct pitch jitter, yaw jitter, and roll jitter, it is not limited to this structure; for example, it may be configured to correct only one or two of pitch jitter, yaw jitter, and roll jitter.

[0032] <Shell>

[0033] Next, refer to Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 7 The structure of the housing 100, which is the main part of the optical unit 1 in this embodiment, will be explained. For example... Figure 1As shown, the housing 100 has a fixed body 120. Furthermore, the housing 100, as a drive mechanism for driving the storage frame 110 (which is a movable body) in the pitch direction, yaw direction, and roll direction, includes a magnet 111 and a coil 122 (see reference 120) disposed opposite to the magnet 111. Figure 3 Here, magnet 111A of magnet 111 corresponds to the drive mechanism in the direction of oscillation (pitch direction) with the Y-axis as the oscillation axis, magnet 111B of magnet 111 corresponds to the drive mechanism in the direction of oscillation (yaw direction) with the X-axis as the oscillation axis, and magnet 111C of magnet 111 corresponds to the drive mechanism in the direction of oscillation (roll direction) with the Z-axis as the oscillation axis. Additionally, as... Figure 1 As shown, the housing 100 is provided with: a universal joint mechanism 150 and a support part 170, which support the storage frame 110 so that it can swing relative to the fixed body 120 in the pitch direction and the yaw direction; and a rotation support mechanism 300, which supports the storage frame 110 so that it can swing relative to the fixed body 120 in the rolling direction.

[0034] <Storage Box>

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, the storage frame 110 is configured as a rectangular frame-shaped component, which surrounds the optical module 200 on all four sides except for the front surface (the surface on the subject side) where the lens 201 is located and the rear surface on the opposite side. As an example, the storage frame 110 in this embodiment is configured to allow the optical module 200 to be attached and detached relative to the storage section 112. However, the optical module 200 and the storage frame 110 can also be integrally formed. Using the three surfaces of the storage frame 110 that face the fixing body 120, the pitch correction magnet 111A, the deflection correction magnet 111B, and the roll correction magnet 111C are mounted on their outer surfaces.

[0036] <Fixed body>

[0037] The fixing body 120 has coils 122 (coil 122A, coil 122B, and coil 122C) mounted at positions opposite to magnet 111A, opposite to magnet 111B, and opposite to magnet 111C. In this embodiment, each coil 122 is a wound coil, but it can also be a patterned substrate (coil substrate) in which the coil 122 is patterned and inserted into the substrate wiring. Additionally, as... Figure 1 As shown, the fixing body 120 of this embodiment is composed of a rectangular frame-shaped component and a component extending outward along the X-axis direction. The rectangular frame-shaped component is configured to surround at least three sides of the storage frame 110 in the direction around the optical axis.

[0038] In this embodiment, pitch, yaw, and roll corrections are performed as follows. When the optical unit 1 jitters in at least one of the pitch, yaw, and roll directions, the jitter is detected by a Hall element (not shown), and coil 122 is energized based on the detection result. In this embodiment, the optical unit 1 uses coil 122 to correct the jitter based on the jitter detection result. That is, current flows through each coil 122 to move the storage frame 110 in the direction that cancels out the jitter of the optical unit 1, thereby correcting the jitter.

[0039] <Supporting Institutions>

[0040] The housing 100 of this embodiment serves as a support mechanism that supports the storage frame 110 so that it can swing relative to the fixed body 120 in the deflection and pitch directions. It includes a universal joint mechanism 150 and a support portion 170 connecting the universal joint mechanism 150 to the fixed body 120 and the storage frame 110. Furthermore, inside the housing 100 of this embodiment, a rotating support mechanism 300 is disposed to support the storage frame 110 so that it can swing relative to the fixed body 120 in the rolling direction. The rotating support mechanism 300 can be, for example, a bearing mechanism in which an annular upper component is fixed to the universal joint mechanism 150, and an annular lower component is fixed to the storage frame 110 or the optical module 200. The upper and lower components can rotate about an optical axis with the optical axis as the rotation axis via multiple spheres disposed between them. However, as a rotating support mechanism 300 that supports the storage box 110 so that it can swing relative to the fixed body 120 in the rolling direction, a rotating support mechanism with a conventional structure can be used without particular limitation.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the housing 100 of this embodiment has support portions 170A, 170B, 170C, and 170D as support portions 170. Support portions 170A and 170B are disposed at two opposite positions at the four corners of the rectangular frame-shaped component of the fixing body 120, and support portions 170C and 170D are disposed at two opposite positions at the four corners of the storage frame 110. In addition, the rectangular frame-shaped component of the fixing body 120 and the rectangular frame-shaped storage frame 110 are arranged with their four corners aligned, and one support portion 170A, one support portion 170B, one support portion 170C, and one support portion 170D are disposed at each of the four corners.

[0042] The universal joint mechanism 150 is a flexible mechanism formed by bending a flat metal plate. Specifically, the universal joint mechanism 150 consists of a universal joint frame portion 153, which is provided on the subject side, and feet 151 formed by bending 90° from the four corners of the universal joint frame portion 153 towards the optical axis. More specifically, the feet 151 include a foot 151A positioned opposite the support portion 170A, a foot 151B positioned opposite the support portion 170B, a foot 151C positioned opposite the support portion 170C, and a foot 151D positioned opposite the support portion 170D. Each foot 151 is supported by an opposing support portion 170. Furthermore, each foot 151 does not necessarily have to be entirely plate-shaped; only a portion of it may be formed as a plate to provide flexibility.

[0043] <Drive mechanism>

[0044] As described above, the housing 100 of this embodiment includes a magnet 111 and a coil 122 as a driving mechanism. Furthermore, the magnet 111 includes magnets 111A, 111B, and 111C, and the coil 122 is respectively positioned opposite magnet 111A, opposite magnet 111B, and opposite magnet 111C. In detail, as... Figure 3 As shown, a coil 122A is arranged at a position opposite to magnet 111A, a coil 122B is arranged at a position opposite to magnet 111B, and a coil 122C is arranged at a position opposite to magnet 111C.

[0045] <Flexible wiring substrate on the housing side>

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the fixing body 120 is wider in the -Y direction and +X direction sides of the rectangular frame-shaped component. That is, in the fixing body 120 of this embodiment, the distance between the outer wall of the rectangular frame-shaped component and the storage frame 110 widens in both the -Y and +X direction sides. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 As shown, a second flexible wiring substrate 163, serving as a flexible wiring substrate on the housing side, is disposed at a position corresponding to the gap between the outer wall portion on the -Y direction side and the +X direction side of the rectangular frame-shaped component and the storage frame 110.

[0047] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the second flexible wiring substrate 163 has a connector 164 connected to one end, which can be connected to the connector 264 connected to the first flexible wiring substrate 263. In addition, the second flexible wiring substrate 163 has a connector 165 connected to an external device at the end opposite to the side where the connector 164 is connected.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the second flexible wiring substrate 163 has: a first extension portion 163A connected to the connector 164 and extending along the X-axis direction; a second extension portion 163B bent at approximately a right angle relative to the first extension portion 163A and extending along the Y-axis direction; and a third extension portion 163C bent at approximately a right angle relative to the second extension portion 163B and extending along the X-axis direction, and connected to the connector 165. The first extension portion 163A is configured to face the -Y direction side of the storage frame 110, the second extension portion 163B is configured to face the +X direction side of the storage frame 110, and the third extension portion 163C is configured to face the Z-axis direction side. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, the end side of the second extension setting part 163B in the +Y direction is fixed to the fixing part 121 formed on the fixing body 120.

[0049] The second flexible wiring substrate 163 passes through Figure 5 The roughly L-shaped flexible wiring substrate shown in the unfolded diagram is bent to form... Figure 4 The shape shown. Specifically, from Figure 5 The unfolded diagram shows a 180° convex bend along bend line 163E, followed by a 90° concave bend along bend line 163G, and finally a 90° bend along bend line 163F. Furthermore, when bending along bend line 163F, the bend is performed such that bend line 163F1 becomes a concave bend and bend line 163F2 becomes a convex bend.

[0050] The second flexible wiring substrate 163 thus formed, as shown in the figure Figure 4 As shown, the first extension section 163A and the second extension section 163B form a two-layer structure, while the third extension section 163C forms a single-layer structure. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the second flexible wiring substrate 163 has a cutout 163D at its +Z direction side end from the first extension portion 163A to the second extension portion 163B. However, a structure without such a cutout 163D may also be used. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second flexible wiring substrate 163 is configured to be thinner than the first flexible wiring substrate 263, making it more flexible than the first flexible wiring substrate 263.

[0051] Because the second flexible wiring substrate 163 in this embodiment has such a structure, therefore, for example, Figure 6As shown, even when the storage frame 110, on which the optical module 200 is mounted, swings relative to the fixing body 120 in the rolling swing direction R1, the first extension portion 163A and the second extension portion 163B can be flexed, thereby preventing the connector 164 and connector 264, as well as the storage frame 110 and the fixing body 120, from being subjected to large loads. Furthermore, for example, as... Figure 7 As shown, even when the storage frame 110 with the optical module 200 mounted swings relative to the fixed body 120 in a rolling swing direction R2, the first extension portion 163A and the second extension portion 163B flex, thereby preventing the connection 164 and the connection 264, as well as the storage frame 110 and the fixed body 120 from being subjected to a large load. Furthermore, even when the storage frame 110 with the optical module 200 mounted swings relative to the fixed body 120 in a deflection swing direction or a pitch swing direction, the first extension portion 163A and the second extension portion 163B flex, thereby preventing the connection 164 and the connection 264, as well as the storage frame 110 and the fixed body 120 from being subjected to a large load.

[0052] As described above, the housing 100 of this embodiment includes a storage frame 110 on which an optical module 200 having a first flexible wiring substrate 263 is mounted, and a fixing body 120, and is a housing in which the storage frame 110 can be held oscillatingly relative to the fixing body 120. Furthermore, the housing 100 of this embodiment includes a second flexible wiring substrate 163 connected to the first flexible wiring substrate 263. In addition, the second flexible wiring substrate 163 is configured to be more flexible than the first flexible wiring substrate 263.

[0053] Thus, the housing 100 of this embodiment includes a second flexible wiring substrate 163 connected to the first flexible wiring substrate 263 of the optical module 200. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the first flexible wiring substrate 263 of the optical module 200 into a dedicated, complex shape, thereby improving versatility and reducing costs. Furthermore, in the housing 100 of this embodiment, the second flexible wiring substrate 163 is configured to be more flexible than the first flexible wiring substrate 263. Therefore, the storage frame 110, which is a movable body, can be held in a swinging manner relative to the fixed body 120 with a sufficient amount of swing.

[0054] Alternatively, the first flexible wiring substrate 263 may also be inelastic. By employing such a structure, the first flexible wiring substrate 263 can be manufactured with high rigidity, thus making the optical module 200 less susceptible to damage.

[0055] Furthermore, in the housing 100 of this embodiment, the second flexible wiring substrate 163 is connected to the connector 164, and the first flexible wiring substrate 263 is connected to the connector 264, which can be connected to the connector 164. In other words, in the housing 100 of this embodiment, the second flexible wiring substrate 163 has a connector 164 that connects to the first flexible wiring substrate 263.

[0056] By forming a structure in this embodiment, the housing 100 can easily connect the first flexible wiring substrate 263 and the second flexible wiring substrate 163, thus enabling it to be formed as a housing with particularly high versatility. Furthermore, "having a connector 164 for connecting the first flexible wiring substrate 263" refers to a connector that includes a structure such as in this embodiment that connects the first flexible wiring substrate 263 via other components such as a connector 264 different from the connector 164.

[0057] In addition, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the housing 100 of this embodiment is configured to allow the storage frame 110 to swing relative to the fixing body 120 with the rolling direction (Z-axis direction) serving as the axis of the optical module 200 as the swing axis. By adopting such a structure, the housing 100 of this embodiment can be used with various optical modules 200 that swing with the axis direction as the swing axis.

[0058] Furthermore, the housing 100 of this embodiment allows the storage frame 110 to swing relative to the fixed body 120 not only in the rolling direction but also in the deflection and pitch directions. That is, in addition to the swing axis in the axial direction (Z-axis direction), the housing 100 of this embodiment also has swing axes in directions intersecting the axial direction, namely the X-axis and Y-axis directions. By adopting such a structure, the housing 100 of this embodiment allows the optical module 200 to swing relative to the housing 100 with reference to multiple swing axes, thus enabling the use of various types of optical modules 200.

[0059] However, it is not limited to such a structure. For example, a structure with only an axial (rolling) swing shaft can be used. By forming such a structure, for example, it is possible to form a structure without the universal joint mechanism 150, and the thickness of the housing 100 in the optical axis direction can be reduced. In addition, since the structure of the housing 100 can be particularly simplified, low cost can be particularly achieved.

[0060] In addition, such as Figure 3As shown, the second flexible wiring substrate 163 is configured to have a first extension portion 163A extending along the X-axis direction, which is a first direction, and a second extension portion 163B extending along the Y-axis direction, which is a second direction intersecting the first direction. By forming such a structure, the housing 100 of this embodiment allows the second flexible wiring substrate 163 to flex in various directions, enabling the storage frame 110 to swing relative to the fixed body 120 with a particularly sufficient amount of oscillation. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the extension directions of the first extension portion 163A and the second extension portion 163B are approximately deviated from 90°, but this is not a limitation; the deviation of the extension directions of the first extension portion 163A and the second extension portion 163B can be less than 90° or greater than 90°.

[0061] To summarize from the perspective of the optical unit, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes the aforementioned housing 100 and optical module 200. By adopting such a structure, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment can improve the versatility of its constituent components and achieve overall cost reduction.

[0062] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various structures without departing from its spirit. For example, technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described in the invention description may be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as an essential feature in this specification, it may be appropriately deleted.

Claims

1. A housing comprising a movable body and a fixed body, the movable body being mounted on an optical module having a first flexible wiring substrate, the housing holding the movable body pivotally relative to the fixed body, characterized in that, A second flexible wiring substrate is provided for connection to the first flexible wiring substrate. The second flexible wiring substrate has a first extension portion extending along a first direction and a second extension portion extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first extension portion and the second extension portion are arranged around the movable body in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the optical module, and are arranged facing the movable body. The second flexible wiring substrate is configured to be more flexible than the first flexible wiring substrate by flexing through the first extension portion and the second extension portion.

2. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second flexible wiring substrate has a connector for connecting to the first flexible wiring substrate.

3. The housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The movable body is configured to swing relative to the fixed body with the axis of the optical module as the swing axis.

4. The housing according to claim 3, characterized in that, It has only a swing axis in the direction of the stated axis.

5. The housing according to claim 3, characterized in that, In addition to the swing axis in the axial direction, it also has a swing axis in a direction intersecting the axial direction.

6. An optical unit, characterized in that, It comprises a housing and an optical module as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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