Optical unit

Abstract

The present application provides an optical unit having a movable body with an optical module, a fixed body that holds the movable body so as to be rotatable, and a driving mechanism that rotates the movable body relative to the fixed body, and can prevent interference between a flexible printed board drawn from the optical module and the fixed body even if the angle of rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body becomes large. In the optical unit (1), the movable body (3) is rotatable from a home position to both sides of the direction of rotation of the movable body (3) relative to the fixed body (4). An opening (18d) for drawing the flexible printed board (16) to the outer circumferential side of the fixed body (4) is formed in the fixed body (4), and when the movable body (3) is disposed at the home position, the flexible printed board (16) drawn from the optical module (2) is drawn to the outer circumferential side of the fixed body (4) from the center portion of the opening (18d) in the circumferential direction centered on the center of rotation of the movable body (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical unit having a movable body and a fixed body, the movable body having optical modules such as a camera module, and the fixed body rotatably holding the movable body. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, it was known that optical units with jitter correction function were known to have jitter correction function for correcting jitter in optical images (for example, see Patent Document 1). The optical unit with jitter correction function described in Patent Document 1 includes: a movable body that holds the optical module; a fixed body that holds the movable body; a magnetic drive mechanism that rotates the movable body relative to the fixed body; a flexible printed circuit board (flexible wiring board) connected to the optical module; and a plate-shaped spring member that connects the movable body and the fixed body.

[0003] In the optical unit with jitter correction function described in Patent Document 1, the fixed body holds the movable body via a universal joint mechanism. The movable body can rotate relative to the fixed body in an axial direction about the X-axis, which is orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical module, and in an axial direction about the Y-axis, which is orthogonal to both the optical axis and the X-axis. The spring component serves to define the posture of the movable body relative to the fixed body when the magnetic drive mechanism stops. When the magnetic drive mechanism stops, the movable body is positioned relative to the fixed body at a predetermined origin position (reference position) by the force of the spring component.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-99503 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The inventors of this application have developed an optical unit comprising: a movable body having optical modules such as a camera module; a fixed body holding the movable body in a rotatable position; and a drive mechanism that uses a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical modules as the axis of rotation, causing the movable body to rotate relative to the fixed body. In this optical unit, a flexible printed circuit board extends from the optical modules to the outer periphery of the fixed body. The inventors of this application have investigated increasing the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body in such an optical unit. However, if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body becomes larger, the possibility of interference between the flexible printed circuit board extended from the optical modules and the fixed body increases when the movable body rotates relative to the fixed body.

[0008] Therefore, the technical problem of the present invention is to provide an optical unit comprising: a movable body having an optical module; a fixed body that holds the movable body in a rotatable position; and a drive mechanism that rotates the movable body relative to the fixed body, wherein interference between the flexible printed circuit board extending from the optical module and the fixed body can be prevented even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body increases.

[0009] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the optical unit of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a movable body having an optical module; a fixed body holding the movable body so as to be rotatable; a drive mechanism that uses a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical module as the axis of rotation to cause the movable body to rotate relative to the fixed body; and a flexible printed circuit board extending from the optical module. The movable body is rotatable relative to the fixed body from a predetermined origin position to both sides in the rotation direction of the movable body relative to the fixed body. The fixed body has an outer peripheral wall portion disposed radially on the outside of the movable body about the rotation center of the movable body relative to the fixed body. An opening is formed on the fixed body for extending the flexible printed circuit board to the outer peripheral side of the fixed body. The opening is formed within a predetermined range in the circumferential direction about the rotation center of the movable body relative to the fixed body. When the movable body is disposed at the origin position, the flexible printed circuit board is extended from the center of the opening in the circumferential direction about the rotation center of the movable body to the outer peripheral side of the fixed body.

[0010] In the optical unit of the present invention, the movable body is capable of rotating relative to the fixed body from a predetermined origin position to both sides in the rotational direction of the movable body relative to the fixed body. Furthermore, in the present invention, an opening for extending a flexible printed circuit board to the outer periphery of the fixed body is formed on the fixed body within a predetermined range in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body. When the movable body is positioned at the origin position, the flexible printed circuit board extended from the optical module extends from the center of the opening in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body to the outer periphery of the fixed body.

[0011] Therefore, in this invention, even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body increases, interference between the flexible printed circuit board and the fixed body can be prevented when the movable body rotates from the origin position to both sides in the rotation direction relative to the fixed body. Furthermore, in this specification, "the center portion of the circumferential opening centered on the rotation center of the movable body" includes not only the perfect center of the circumferential opening centered on the rotation center of the movable body, but also a position slightly offset from the perfect center of the circumferential opening centered on the rotation center of the movable body. That is, "the center portion of the circumferential opening centered on the rotation center of the movable body" also includes approximately the center of the circumferential opening centered on the rotation center of the movable body.

[0012] In this invention, for example, the optical module includes a flat, rigid substrate forming part of the outer peripheral surface of the optical module, and a flexible printed substrate extends from the center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body toward one side in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate. Furthermore, in this specification, "the center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body" includes not only the perfect center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body, but also a position slightly offset from the perfect center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body. That is, "the center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body" also includes approximately the center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body.

[0013] In this invention, it is preferable that the width direction of the flexible printed circuit board, which is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the flexible printed circuit board, is aligned with the first direction. With this configuration, even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body increases, the flexible printed circuit board will easily deform according to the rotation of the movable body when it rotates relative to the fixed body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flexible printed circuit board from hindering the rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body.

[0014] In this invention, for example, a portion of the flexible printed circuit board extending from the center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body to one side in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate is designated as an extension portion. When viewed from a first direction, the rotation center of the movable body relative to the fixed body is positioned on the extension line of the extension portion. That is, the extension portion extends, for example, radially outward centered on the rotation center of the movable body.

[0015] In this invention, the flexible printed substrate is extended, for example, toward the optical axis of the optical module, i.e., to one side of the optical axis direction.

[0016] In this invention, it is preferable that the flexible printed circuit board is extended from the center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body towards one side in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate, and then bent twice along the outer peripheral surface of the fixed body. With this configuration, even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body increases, the flexible printed circuit board as a whole easily deforms according to the rotational movement of the movable body relative to the fixed body. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the flexible printed circuit board from hindering the rotational movement of the movable body relative to the fixed body.

[0017] In this invention, for example, the shape of the fixing body when viewed from the first direction is rectangular, and the flexible printed circuit board is led out from the center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body to one side in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate, and then bent twice at 90° along the outer peripheral surface of the fixing body.

[0018] In this invention, the optical unit preferably has a plate-like component that is attached to a flexible printed circuit board, and the bending angle of the flexible printed circuit board is specified. With this configuration, the shape of the flexible printed circuit board, which is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the fixing body by bending twice, can be maintained.

[0019] In this invention, it is preferable to form a substrate fixing portion on the fixing body, which fixes a predetermined portion of the flexible printed circuit board after it has been bent twice. For example, when fixing a predetermined portion of the flexible printed circuit board after it has been bent twice in a portable device equipped with an optical unit, the winding of the flexible printed circuit board cannot be determined in the optical unit. However, if configured in this way, the winding of the flexible printed circuit board can be determined in the optical unit.

[0020] In this invention, the optical module is, for example, a camera module.

[0021] Invention Effects

[0022] As described above, in the present invention, in an optical unit comprising a movable body having an optical module, a fixed body that holds the movable body in a rotatable position, and a drive mechanism that rotates the movable body relative to the fixed body, interference between the flexible printed circuit board extending from the optical module and the fixed body can be prevented even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body increases. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded three-dimensional view of the optical unit shown.

[0025] Figure 3 From Figure 1 The top view shows the optical unit with its cover removed.

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the flexible printed circuit board is shown.

[0027] Figure 5 It shows the movable body relative to Figure 1 A top view of the state of the flexible printed circuit board when the fixed body rotates. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] (Overall structure of the optical unit)

[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the optical unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of optical unit 1 shown. Figure 3 From Figure 1 The top view of the optical unit 1 with the cover 19 removed.

[0031] In the following explanation, such as Figure 1 As shown, the three mutually orthogonal directions are designated as the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively. The X direction is designated as the left-right direction, the Y direction as the front-back direction, and the Z direction as the up-down direction. Additionally, one side of the left-right direction... Figure 1 The X1 direction side is set as the "left" side, and its opposite side is... Figure 1 The X2 direction side is set as the "right" side, and the front-back direction side is... Figure 1 The Y1 direction side is designated as the "front" side, and its opposite side is... Figure 1 The Y2 direction side is set as the "back" side, and the vertical side is... Figure 1 The Z1 direction side is designated as the "up" side, and its opposite side is... Figure 1 The Z2 direction side is set as the "down" side.

[0032] The optical unit 1 in this embodiment is, for example, a small and thin unit installed in a portable device such as a smartphone, and includes a camera module 2 with a lens for photography and an image sensor. The optical unit 1 is integrally formed into a thin, flat, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The optical unit 1 includes: a movable body 3 having the camera module 2; and a fixed body 4 (see reference 4) that rotatably holds the movable body 3. Figure 1 The movable body 3 is a drive mechanism 5 that rotates relative to the fixed body 4; and two spherical beads 6 and 7 that form the pivot point of rotation of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4. The camera module 2 in this embodiment is an optical module.

[0033] The optical axis L of the camera module 2 is orthogonal to the vertical direction. The movable body 3 can rotate relative to the fixed body 4 with the vertical direction, which is orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2, as its axis of rotation. That is, the movable body 3 can rotate relative to the fixed body 4 with the axis L1, which is the axis of rotation of the vertical direction, as its rotation center. The drive mechanism 5 causes the movable body 3 to rotate relative to the fixed body 4 with the vertical direction as its axis of rotation. For example, the drive mechanism 5 rotates the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4 to correct the jitter of the optical unit 1 during photography. Or, the drive mechanism 5 rotates the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4, for example, to perform panoramic photography. In this embodiment, the vertical direction (Z direction) is the first direction orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2. In addition, the vertical direction is the thickness direction of the optical unit 1.

[0034] In this embodiment, when the drive coil 23, which constitutes part of the drive mechanism 5, is de-energized, and the movable body 3 is not rotated relative to the fixed body 4 but is positioned at a predetermined origin position (reference position) relative to the fixed body 4, the direction of the optical axis L of the camera module 2 (optical axis direction) is consistent with the front-rear direction. The movable body 3 can rotate relative to the fixed body 4 from the origin position to both sides in the rotation direction of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4.

[0035] Movable body 3, for example, can move from the origin position to... Figure 3 The clockwise direction (hereinafter referred to as the "clockwise direction") and Figure 3 Rotate approximately 10° counterclockwise (hereinafter referred to as "counterclockwise direction"). In the following description, the radial direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4 is referred to as "radial direction", and the circumferential direction (circumferential direction) centered on the rotation center of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4 is referred to as "circumferential direction".

[0036] The movable body 3 is generally formed as a flat cuboid with a relatively thin vertical dimension. In addition to the camera module 2, the movable body 3 also includes a frame 8 for fixing the camera module 2 and a magnetic plate 9 fixed to the frame 8. The camera module 2 is formed as a flat cuboid with a relatively thin vertical dimension. The upper, lower, and rear surfaces, as well as the left and right sides of the camera module 2, are flat. The upper and lower surfaces of the camera module 2 are orthogonal to the vertical direction. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the left and right sides of the camera module 2 are orthogonal to the left and right direction, and the rear surface of the camera module 2 is orthogonal to the front and back direction.

[0037] The frame 8 consists of a first frame 10 covering the left and right sides and the lower surface of the camera module 2, and a second frame 11 covering the upper surface of the camera module 2. The first frame 10 and the second frame 11 are formed by bending a thin metal plate into a predetermined shape. The first frame 10 has two side portions 10a constituting the left and right sides of the first frame 10, and a bottom portion 10b constituting the bottom surface of the first frame 10. The side portions 10a are formed into rectangular flat plates. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the thickness direction of the side portions 10a is aligned with the left and right directions.

[0038] The bottom surface 10b is formed as a rectangular flat plate. The thickness direction of the bottom surface 10b is consistent with the vertical direction. A through hole 10c, extending vertically through the bottom surface 10b, is formed at the center of the bottom surface 10b. The through hole 10c is formed as a circular hole. A bead 6 is disposed on the lower side of the bottom surface 10b. The inner diameter of the through hole 10c is smaller than the outer diameter of the bead 6. The upper end of the bead 6 is disposed in the through hole 10c.

[0039] The second frame 11 includes: a rectangular flat upper surface portion 11a; and two protrusions 11b protruding outwards in the left-right direction from the upper surface portion 11a. The thickness direction of the upper surface portion 11a is consistent with the vertical direction. The upper surface portion 11a is fixed to the upper end of the first frame 10. A through hole 11c is formed in the center of the upper surface portion 11a, penetrating the upper surface portion 11a in the vertical direction. The through hole 11c is formed into a circular hole shape. A bead 7 is disposed on the upper side of the upper surface portion 11a. The inner diameter of the through hole 11c is smaller than the outer diameter of the bead 7. The lower end of the bead 7 is disposed in the through hole 11c.

[0040] Through hole 11c is positioned horizontally at the same location as through hole 10c, and when viewed from above, through hole 11c overlaps with through hole 10c. That is, beads 6 and 7 are positioned horizontally at the same location, and when viewed from above, beads 6 and 7 overlap. The centers of beads 6 and 7 are located on axis L1.

[0041] The protrusion 11b is formed such that its front end is bent downwards at a right angle into an L-shape. The front end of the downward-extending protrusion 11b becomes an engaging portion 11d that engages with the positioning recess 24d of the drive magnet 24 (described later), which forms part of the drive mechanism 5. The engaging portion 11d is formed as a rectangular flat plate. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the thickness direction of the engaging portion 11d is aligned with the left-right direction. The engaging portion 11d is positioned further outwards in the left-right direction than the side portion 10a.

[0042] The magnetic plate 9 is made of a magnetic material. The magnetic plate 9 is formed as a rectangular flat plate with the same thickness as the side surface 10a of the first frame 10. The magnetic plate 9 is fixed to the outer side surface of the side surface 10a in the left-right direction. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the thickness direction of the magnetic plate 9 is consistent with the left-right direction.

[0043] As described above, camera module 2 includes a lens and an image sensor. The image sensor is disposed at the rear end of camera module 2, and a subject disposed at the front end of camera module 2 is captured by camera module 2. Camera module 2 includes a magnetic drive mechanism for autofocus. Additionally, camera module 2 includes a rigid substrate 15 for mounting the image sensor. The rigid substrate 15 is, for example, a glass epoxy board. The rigid substrate 15 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The rigid substrate 15 constitutes part of the outer peripheral surface of camera module 2. Specifically, the rigid substrate 15 constitutes the rear surface of camera module 2.

[0044] The thickness direction of the rigid substrate 15 is aligned with the optical axis of the camera module 2. That is, the thickness direction of the rigid substrate 15 is aligned with the front-to-back direction when the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin. A flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 16 extends from the rigid substrate 15. In other words, the optical unit 1 includes an FPC 16 extending from the camera module 2. Power is supplied to the camera module 2 via the FPC 16. Furthermore, image data acquired by the imaging element is transmitted via the FPC 16 to a portable device equipped with the optical unit 1.

[0045] FPC16 extends rearward from the center of the rigid substrate 15 in the left-right direction. Additionally, FPC16 extends rearward from the center of the camera module 2 in the left-right direction, and also extends rearward from the center of the movable body 3 in the left-right direction. The specific structure of FPC16 and its routing will be described later.

[0046] The fixing body 4 includes: a shell 18, which forms the left and right sides and the lower surface of the fixing body 4; a cover 19, which forms the upper surface of the fixing body 4; and a fixing plate 20, which is fixed to the shell 18. The fixing body 4 is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. Specifically, the fixing body 4 is rectangular in shape with the left and right directions as its longer sides and the front and back directions as its shorter sides when viewed from above. The shell 18 is formed of resin material. The cover 19 is formed by bending a thin metal sheet into a predetermined shape. The fixing plate 20 is formed of a thin metal sheet. Furthermore, the fixing plate 20 is formed into a generally circular plate shape.

[0047] The housing 18 is composed of two side portions 18a forming the left-right sides of the housing 18 and a bottom portion 18b forming the lower surface of the housing 18. The movable body 3 is disposed on the upper side of the bottom portion 18b. Furthermore, the movable body 3 is disposed between the two side portions 18a in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the side portion 18a is an outer peripheral wall portion disposed radially outside the movable body 3. That is, the fixed body 4 has an outer peripheral wall portion disposed radially outside the movable body 3.

[0048] An opening 18d is formed between the rear ends of the two side portions 18a for leading the FPC 16 to the outer periphery of the housing 18. That is, an opening 18d for leading the FPC 16 to the outer periphery of the fixed body 4 is formed on the fixed body 4. The opening 18d is formed within a predetermined range in the circumferential direction. The width of the opening 18d in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the camera module 2 in the left-right direction when the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin.

[0049] The right end of the opening 18d is located on the right side of the right side of the camera module 2 when the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, and the left end of the opening 18d is located on the left side of the left side of the camera module 2 when the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin. The opening 18d also serves to prevent interference between the drive magnet 24 (described later) which is part of the drive mechanism 5 and the housing 18 when the movable body 3 rotates relative to the fixed body 4. In addition, the area between the front ends of the two side portions 18a forms an opening for photographing a subject positioned in front of the camera module 2.

[0050] A through hole 18c extending in the left-right direction is formed on the side portion 18a. A drive coil 23, which forms part of the drive mechanism 5 (described later), is disposed in the through hole 18c. An FPC fixing portion 18f protruding to the left is formed at the front end of the side portion 18a located on the left side. A predetermined portion on the front end side of the FPC 16 is fixed to the FPC fixing portion 18f. That is, the FPC fixing portion 18f, which serves as a substrate fixing portion for fixing the FPC 16, is formed on the fixing body 4.

[0051] The fixing plate 20 is fixed to the center of the upper surface of the bottom part 18b. A bead placement portion 20a, where the lower end of the bead 6 is placed, is formed at the center of the fixing plate 20. The bead placement portion 20a is formed into a generally hemispherical shape bulging downwards, and its upper surface is formed into a concave curved surface in a hemispherical shape that is recessed downwards. The bead 6 is disposed on the upper side of the bead placement portion 20a.

[0052] The cover 19 is fixed to the upper end of the housing 18. The movable body 3 is disposed on the lower side of the cover 19. A spring portion 19a is formed at the center of the cover 19 to apply force to the bead 7. That is, the cover 19 is a leaf spring. The spring portion 19a is slightly cut out and raised towards the lower side. A bead placement portion 19b is formed at the front end of the spring portion 19a, where the upper end of the bead 7 is disposed. The bead placement portion 19b is formed into a generally hemispherical shape that bulges upward, and the lower surface of the bead placement portion 19b is a concave surface that is concave towards the upper side. The bead 7 is disposed on the lower side of the bead placement portion 19b.

[0053] Spring portion 19a applies a downward force to bead 7. Through the force of spring portion 19a, bead 7 contacts the lower surface of bead placement portion 19b and the upper edge of the through hole 11c of the second frame 11 with a predetermined contact pressure. Additionally, as described above, bead 6 is positioned horizontally at the same location as bead 7, and through the force of spring portion 19a, contacts the lower edge of the through hole 10c of the first frame 10 and the upper surface of bead placement portion 20a with a predetermined contact pressure. As described above, movable body 3 can rotate relative to fixed body 4 about axis L1 passing through the centers of beads 6 and 7.

[0054] The drive mechanism 5 includes: a drive coil 23 wound into a hollow shape; a drive magnet 24 arranged radially opposite to the drive coil 23; and a magnetic plate 25 for fixing the drive magnet 24. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 5 includes the drive coil 23, the drive magnet 24, and the magnetic plate 25, respectively arranged on both sides of the movable body 3 in the left-right direction. The drive coil 23, the drive magnet 24, and the magnetic plate 25 are arranged at 180° intervals relative to the rotation center of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4.

[0055] The magnetic plate 25 is formed by bending a metal plate made of magnetic material into a predetermined shape. The magnetic plate 25 consists of a fixed portion 25a fixed to the magnetic plate 9 and two inclined portions 25b connected to the two ends of the fixed portion 25a in the front-rear direction. The fixed portion 25a is fixed to the outer side of the magnetic plate 9 in the left-right direction. The inclined portions 25b connected to the front end of the fixed portion 25a are inclined relative to the fixed portion 25a in a manner that, as they move towards the front, they move inward in the left-right direction. The inclined portions 25b connected to the rear end of the fixed portion 25a are inclined relative to the fixed portion 25a in a manner that, as they move towards the rear, they move inward in the left-right direction.

[0056] The driving magnet 24 is formed into a roughly crescent-shaped block when viewed from above. The driving magnet 24 is fixed to the fixed portion 25a of the magnetic plate 25 and, via the magnetic plate 25, to the movable body 3. The upper and lower surfaces of the driving magnet 24 are planes orthogonal to the vertical direction. The radially outer surface of the driving magnet 24 forms a magnet-side facing surface 24a opposite to the driving coil 23. The magnet-side facing surface 24a is formed into a convex curved surface. Furthermore, the magnet-side facing surface 24a is formed into an arc shape with the rotation center of the movable body 3 as its center when viewed from above. The central angle of the magnet-side facing surface 24a when viewed from above is, for example, approximately 90°. The magnet-side facing surface 24a is magnetized into two poles in the circumferential direction.

[0057] The inner surface of the radially driven magnet 24 is composed of a planar fixed surface 24b fixed to the fixed part 25a and a planar inclined surface 24c connected to both ends of the fixed surface 24b in the front-rear direction. The fixed surface 24b is fixed to the outer surface of the fixed part 25a in the left-right direction and contacts the outer surface of the fixed part 25a in the left-right direction. The inclined surface 24c connected to the front end of the fixed surface 24b is inclined relative to the fixed surface 24b in a manner that it faces inward in the left-right direction as it moves towards the front. The inclined surface 24c connected to the rear end of the fixed surface 24b is inclined relative to the fixed surface 24b in a manner that it faces inward in the left-right direction as it moves towards the rear.

[0058] A positioning recess 24d is formed at the center of the fixed surface 24b for positioning the drive magnet 24 relative to the movable body 3. The engaging portion 11d engages with the positioning recess 24d. In this embodiment, by engaging the engaging portion 11d with the positioning recess 24d, the drive magnet 24 is positioned relative to the movable body 3 in the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the two drive magnets 24 are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides.

[0059] The drive coil 23 is a hollow coil formed by winding a wire into a hollow shape. The drive coil 23 consists of a pair of effective sides 23a and 23b parallel to the vertical direction, a connecting side 23c connecting the upper ends of the pair of effective sides 23a and 23b to each other, and a connecting side 23c connecting the lower ends of the pair of effective sides 23a and 23b to each other. The effective sides 23a and 23b are the parts that contribute to the driving force of the drive mechanism 5. The drive coil 23 is bent along the opposing magnet side surface 24a, which is arc-shaped when viewed from the vertical direction. The pair of effective sides 23a and 23b are arranged with a circumferential gap.

[0060] The drive coil 23 is radially positioned outside the drive magnet 24. Additionally, the drive coil 23 is positioned laterally outside the drive magnet 24. The drive coil 23 is disposed within the through hole 18c of the housing 18, with two drive coils 23 arranged symmetrically. The drive coil 23 is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 26. The FPC 26 is fixed to the outer and lower surfaces of the housing 18 in the lateral direction, and the drive coil 23 is fixed to the mounting body 4 via the FPC 26. When current is supplied to the drive coil 23, the movable body 3 rotates relative to the mounting body 4 about axis L1.

[0061] A flat magnetic plate 27 made of magnetic material is fixed on the opposite side of the FPC26 from the side where the drive coil 23 is mounted (specifically, the outer side of the FPC26 in the left-right direction). The magnetic plate 27 is rectangular. The thickness direction of the magnetic plate 27 is the same as that in the left-right direction. When viewed from above with the movable body 3 positioned at the origin, the polarization position of the drive magnet 24, which is magnetized into two poles in the circumferential direction, is located at the same position in the circumferential direction as the center of the magnetic plate 27 in the front-back direction.

[0062] The position of the movable body 3, which is positioned at the origin, is maintained by the magnetic attraction generated between the driving magnet 24 and the magnetic plate 27. That is, the driving magnet 24 and the magnetic plate 27 function to maintain the movable body 3 in the origin position when no current is supplied to the driving coil 23. In this embodiment, the driving magnet 24 and the magnetic plate 27 constitute a position-maintaining mechanism for maintaining the movable body 3 in the origin position.

[0063] (Structure and winding of FPC)

[0064] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The image shows a 3D view of the FPC16. Figure 5 This shows the movable body 3 relative to... Figure 1 A top view showing the state of FPC16 when the fixed body 4 is rotated. Additionally, in Figure 5 The through hole 11c of the second frame 11 is omitted from the illustration.

[0065] The FPC16 is formed as a long, thin strip. The FPC16 is configured such that its width direction, which is orthogonal to its thickness direction, is aligned with its vertical direction. That is, the width direction of the FPC16 is aligned with its vertical direction. As described above, the FPC16 extends rearward from the center of the rigid substrate 15 in the left-right direction. That is, the FPC16 extends rearward from the center of the rigid substrate 15 in the circumferential direction.

[0066] In this embodiment, the FPC 16 extends radially outward from the center of the circumferentially rigid substrate 15. That is, the extension direction of the FPC 16 from the center of the circumferentially rigid substrate 15 is consistent with the radial direction. Specifically, the FPC 16 extends from the center of the circumferentially rigid substrate 15 toward the optical axis of the camera module 2, and the extension direction of the FPC 16 from the center of the circumferentially rigid substrate 15 is consistent with the optical axis of the camera module 2. Furthermore, as described above, the thickness direction of the rigid substrate 15 is consistent with the optical axis of the camera module 2, and the FPC 16 extends from the center of the circumferentially rigid substrate 15 toward the thickness direction of the rigid substrate 15.

[0067] Furthermore, when the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the FPC 16 extends from the center of the opening 18d of the circumferential housing 18 towards the outer periphery of the fixed body 4. That is, when the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the FPC 16 extends from the center of the opening 18d in the left-right direction towards the outer periphery of the fixed body 4. The FPC 16 extends from the center of the rigid substrate 15 in the circumferential direction toward one side in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate 15, and then bends twice along the outer periphery of the fixed body 4. Specifically, after the FPC 16 is extended rearward from the center of the rigid substrate 15 in the circumferential direction, it is bent twice at 90° along the outer periphery of the housing 18.

[0068] In this embodiment, the FPC 16, which extends rearward from the rigid substrate 15, is bent to the left and then passes through the left side, before being bent forward and passed through the left side again, forming a roughly square groove shape (roughly U-shaped). A predetermined portion of the front end side (front end side) of the FPC 16, after being bent twice, is fixed to the FPC fixing portion 18f of the housing 18. Specifically, a rectangular, thin, flat reinforcing plate 32 is fixed to a predetermined portion of the front end side of the FPC 16 after being bent twice, and the reinforcing plate 32 is fixed to the FPC fixing portion 18f. That is, a predetermined portion of the FPC 16 after being bent twice is fixed to the FPC fixing portion 18f via the reinforcing plate 32.

[0069] The FPC16 is composed of a fixed portion 16a fixed to a rigid substrate 15, an overlapping portion 16b that overlaps with a portion of the fixed portion 16a, an extension portion 16c extending rearward from the center of the rigid substrate 15 in the circumferential direction, a first winding portion 16d that passes through to the left from the rear end of the extension portion 16c, and a second winding portion 16e that passes through to the front from the left end of the first winding portion 16d.

[0070] The thickness direction of the fixed portion 16a and the thickness direction of the overlapping portion 16b are aligned with the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. The overlapping portion 16b is disposed on the rear side of the right side portion of the fixed portion 16a, overlapping the right side portion of the fixed portion 16a in the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. The upper end of the right side portion of the fixed portion 16a is connected to the upper end of the overlapping portion 16b, and the FPC 16 is folded back 180° at the connection between the right side portion of the fixed portion 16a and the overlapping portion 16b. The front surface of the overlapping portion 16b is fixed to the rear side of the right side portion of the fixed portion 16a using double-sided tape or the like.

[0071] The front end of the lead-out portion 16c is connected to the left end of the overlapping portion 16b. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the thickness direction of the lead-out portion 16c is aligned with the left-right direction. The FPC 16 is bent at 90° at the connection between the overlapping portion 16b and the lead-out portion 16c. As described above, the FPC 16 extends radially outward from the center of the circumferentially rigid substrate 15 (specifically, towards the side facing the optical axis of the camera module 2). Therefore, when viewed from above, the rotation center of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4 is located on the extension line of the lead-out portion 16c. Furthermore, when viewed from above, the lead-out portion 16c is positioned on the optical axis L of the camera module 2. The rear end of the lead-out portion 16c is located behind the rear end surface of the side portion 18a.

[0072] The right end of the first through-part 16d is connected to the rear end of the lead-out part 16c. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the thickness direction of the first through-part 16d is consistent with the front-rear direction. The FPC 16 is bent at 90° at the connection between the lead-out part 16c and the first through-part 16d. The first through-part 16d is disposed on the rear side of the housing 18. A gap is formed between the rear end face of the side portion 18a disposed on the left side and the first through-part 16d.

[0073] The rear end of the second through-hole 16e is connected to the left end of the first through-hole 16d. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the thickness direction of the second through-hole 16e is consistent with the left-right direction. The FPC 16 is bent at 90° at the connection between the first through-hole 16d and the second through-hole 16e. The second through-hole 16e is disposed on the left side of the housing 18. A gap is formed between the left side surface of the side portion 18a disposed on the left side and the second through-hole 16e. A reinforcing plate 32 is fixed at a predetermined position on the front end side of the second through-hole 16e. The reinforcing plate 32 is fixed to the left surface of the FPC fixing portion 18f by double-sided tape or the like.

[0074] Plate-shaped components 30 and 31 are attached to the FPC16, and these plate-shaped components 30 and 31 define the bending angles of the FPC16 at three locations, each bending at 90°. That is, the optical unit 1 includes plate-shaped components 30 and 31 that define the bending angles of the FPC16, and these plate-shaped components 30 and 31 are attached to the FPC16. Plate-shaped component 30 is formed by bending a metal plate (sheet metal) twice at 90°. Plate-shaped component 31 is formed by bending a metal plate once at 90°.

[0075] Cutouts or openings are formed on the plate-shaped components 30 and 31 to facilitate bending of the plate-shaped components 30 and 31 (see reference). Figure 4The plate-shaped component 30 is attached to the FPC 16 in such a way that it contacts the rear surface of the right side portion of the fixed portion 16a, the front surface of the overlapping portion 16b, the left surface of the lead-out portion 16c, and the front surface of the right end of the first through portion 16d. The plate-shaped component 31 is attached to the FPC 16 in such a way that it contacts the front surface of the left end of the first through portion 16d and the right surface of the rear end portion of the second through portion 16e.

[0076] In optical unit 1, when movable body 3 rotates clockwise relative to fixed body 4, FPC16... Figure 5 As shown in (A), the movable body 3 rotates clockwise relative to the fixed body 4 to the rotating end, but the lead-out portion 16c does not reach the right end of the opening 18d in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, when the movable body 3 rotates counterclockwise relative to the fixed body 4, the FPC16... Figure 5 It deforms as shown in (B). Even if the movable body 3 rotates to the counterclockwise rotation end relative to the fixed body 4, the lead-out part 16c will not reach the left end of the opening 18d in the circumferential direction.

[0077] (Main effects of this implementation method)

[0078] As described above, in this embodiment, the movable body 3 can rotate relative to the fixed body 4 from the origin position in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear ends of the two side portions 18a of the housing 18 form an opening 18d for extending the FPC 16 to the outer periphery of the fixed body 4. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the FPC 16 extending from the camera module 2 extends from the center of the circumferential opening 18d to the outer periphery of the fixed body 4.

[0079] Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4 increases, interference between the FPC 16 and the fixed body 4 during the rotation of the movable body 3 can be prevented. Specifically, even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4 increases, interference between the lead-out portion 16c and the side portion 18a during the rotation of the movable body 3 can be prevented. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the FPC 16 extends radially outward from the center of the rigid substrate 15 in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4 increases, interference between the FPC 16 and the drive magnet 24 disposed on the left side during the rotation of the movable body 3 can be prevented.

[0080] In this embodiment, the axial direction of rotation of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4, i.e., the vertical direction, is consistent with the width direction of the FPC 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4 becomes larger, the FPC 16 is still prone to deformation as the movable body 3 rotates relative to the fixed body 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the FPC 16 from hindering the rotation of the movable body 3.

[0081] In this embodiment, after the FPC16 extends rearward from the center of the rigid substrate 15 in the circumferential direction, it is bent twice along the outer peripheral surface of the fixing body 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 relative to the fixing body 4 increases, the FPC16 as a whole is prone to deformation as the movable body 3 rotates relative to the fixing body 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to effectively suppress the FPC16 from hindering the rotation of the movable body 3.

[0082] In this embodiment, plate-shaped members 30 and 31, which define the bending angle of the FPC16, are attached to the FPC16. Therefore, in this embodiment, the shape of the FPC16, which is bent twice along the outer peripheral surface of the fixing body 4, can be maintained. In addition, in this embodiment, a predetermined portion of the front end of the second through portion 16e of the FPC16 after being bent twice is fixed to the FPC fixing portion 18f of the housing 18 via a reinforcing plate 32. Therefore, the through portion of the FPC16 can be determined in the optical unit 1.

[0083] (Other implementation methods)

[0084] The above-described embodiments are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made without changing the spirit of the present invention.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the lead-out direction of the FPC16 from the center of the circumferential rigid substrate 15 may also be inclined relative to the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. That is, the thickness direction of the rigid substrate 15 may not be consistent with the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. In addition, in the above embodiment, the lead-out direction of the FPC16 from the center of the circumferential rigid substrate 15 may also deviate from the radial direction. That is, the rotation center of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4 may not be arranged on the extension line of the lead-out portion 16c when viewed from the vertical direction. Moreover, in the above embodiment, the FPC16 may also be led out rearward from a position deviating from the center of the circumferential rigid substrate 15.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the shape of the fixing body 4 when viewed from the top and bottom can also be other than rectangular. In this case, for example, the bending angle of the FPC 16, which is bent twice after being led out from the rigid substrate 15, may not be 90°. That is, in the above embodiment, the bending angle of the FPC 16, which is bent twice after being led out from the rigid substrate 15, can be either acute or obtuse.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the FPC 16, after being extended rearward from the center of the circumferential rigid substrate 15, may be bent once or more than three times. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the FPC 16, extended rearward from the center of the circumferential rigid substrate 15, may also be directly wound rearward without bending. Moreover, in the above embodiment, a predetermined portion at the front end of the second winding portion 16e of the FPC 16 may not be fixed to the FPC fixing portion 18f of the housing 18, but may be fixed to the frame of the portable device housing the optical unit 1, etc. That is, the reinforcing plate 32 may not be fixed to the FPC fixing portion 18f, but may be fixed to the frame of the portable device housing the optical unit 1, etc. Additionally, in the above embodiment, a predetermined portion at the front end of the second winding portion 16e may be directly fixed to the FPC fixing portion 18f.

[0088] In the above embodiments, the position-holding mechanism for maintaining the movable body 3 in its original position can also be a spring component such as a leaf spring. When the position-holding mechanism is a leaf spring, the leaf spring, for example, includes a fixed portion fixed to the movable body 3, a fixed portion fixed to the fixed body 4, and multiple spring portions connecting the fixed portions to each other. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the drive mechanism 5 may have only one drive coil 23 and a drive magnet 24, or it may have three or more drive coils 23 and drive magnets 24.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the drive coil 23 and the drive magnet 24 can also be arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction. In this case, the drive coil 23 can be wound with the vertical direction as the winding axis, or with the front-back direction as the winding axis. In addition, in this case, the drive magnet 24 can be arranged only on one side of the drive coil 23 in the vertical direction, or the drive magnet 24 can be arranged on both sides of the drive coil 23 in the vertical direction.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the drive coil 23 may be fixed to the movable body 3, and the drive magnet 24 may be fixed to the fixed body 4. In this case, the drive magnet 24 is arranged radially outside the drive coil 23. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the optical unit 1 may also include an optical module other than the camera module 2. For example, the optical unit 1 may also include a laser module that emits laser light as an optical module.

[0091] Symbol Explanation

[0092] 1 Optical Unit

[0093] 2. Camera module (optical module)

[0094] 3. Movable bodies

[0095] 4. Fixing body

[0096] 5. Drive mechanism

[0097] 15 Rigid substrate

[0098] 16 FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit)

[0099] 16c lead-out section

[0100] 18a Side surface (outer peripheral wall)

[0101] 18d opening

[0102] 18f FPC fixing part (substrate fixing part)

[0103] 30, 31 Plate-shaped components

[0104] L - Optical axis of the camera module (optical axis of the optical module)

[0105] Z is the first direction.

Claims

1. An optical unit, characterized in that, have: A movable body, which has an optical module; A fixed body that holds the movable body in a position to rotate; A drive mechanism that uses a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical module as the axis of rotation, causing the movable body to rotate relative to the fixed body; as well as A flexible printed circuit board, which extends from the optical module. The movable body is capable of rotating relative to the fixed body from a predetermined origin position to both sides in the rotational direction of the movable body relative to the fixed body. The fixed body has an outer peripheral wall portion, which is arranged radially on the outside of the movable body about the rotation center of the movable body relative to the fixed body. An opening is formed on the fixing body for leading the flexible printed circuit board out to the outer periphery of the fixing body. The opening is formed within a predetermined range in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body relative to the fixed body. When the movable body is positioned at the origin, the flexible printed circuit board extends from the center of the opening in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body toward the outer periphery of the fixed body. The optical module has a flat, rigid substrate that forms part of the outer peripheral surface of the optical module. The flexible printed circuit board extends from the center of the rigid circuit board in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body to one side in the thickness direction of the rigid circuit board.

2. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width direction of the flexible printed substrate, which is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the flexible printed substrate, is consistent with the first direction.

3. The optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The portion of the flexible printed circuit board that extends from the center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body toward one side in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate is designated as the lead-out portion. When viewed from the first direction, the rotation center of the movable body relative to the fixed body is arranged on the extension line of the lead-out portion.

4. The optical unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The flexible printed substrate extends out to one side of the optical axis, which is the direction of the optical axis, towards the optical module.

5. The optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, After the flexible printed circuit board is extended from the center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body to one side in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate, it is bent twice along the outer peripheral surface of the fixed body.

6. The optical unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, The shape of the fixed body when viewed from the first direction is rectangular. After the flexible printed circuit board is extended from the center of the rigid substrate in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body to one side in the thickness direction of the rigid substrate, it is bent twice at 90° along the outer peripheral surface of the fixed body.

7. The optical unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, It has a plate-shaped component that is attached to the flexible printed circuit board and specifies the bending angle of the flexible printed circuit board.

8. The optical unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, A substrate fixing part is formed on the fixing body, which fixes a predetermined part of the flexible printed substrate after it has been bent twice.

9. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The optical module is a camera module.

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