Optical unit
By radially arranging the drive coil and magnet outside the optical module in the optical unit and polarizing the opposing surfaces in a specific manner, the problems of reduced driving force and difficulty in miniaturizing the optical unit are solved, achieving compact and efficient driving force output.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SANKYO SEIKI MFG CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
Smart Images
Figure CN115701558B_ABST
Abstract
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, optical units with jitter correction function for correcting jitter in optical images were known (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; and a magnetic drive mechanism that rotates the movable body relative to the fixed body. The magnetic drive mechanism has a plate-shaped magnet and a coil facing the magnet in the optical axis direction of the optical module. The fixed body holds the movable body via a universal joint mechanism, and the movable body can rotate relative to the fixed body in an axial direction about the X-axis orthogonal to the optical axis direction, and in an axial direction about the Y-axis orthogonal to both the optical axis direction and the X-axis direction.
[0003] In the optical unit with jitter correction function described in Patent Document 1, for example, the facing surface of the magnet opposite the coil is a convex surface, and the facing surface of the coil opposite the magnet is a concave surface. Therefore, in this optical unit with jitter correction function, even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body increases, the distance between the magnet and the coil can be kept constant. As a result, even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body increases, the reduction of the driving force of the magnetic drive mechanism can be suppressed.
[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 that holds 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. The inventors of this application have investigated how, in such an optical unit, a drive coil and a drive magnet are arranged opposite each other along the axis of rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body, such that even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body increases, the distance between the drive coil and the drive magnet constituting the drive mechanism can be kept constant, thus suppressing a decrease in the driving force of the drive mechanism.
[0008] On the other hand, since the optical unit is used in portable devices such as smartphones, even if the driving coil and the driving magnet are arranged opposite each other in the axis of rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body, it is preferable that the movable body is small in the axis of rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body.
[0009] 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 uses a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical module as the axis of rotation to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body, wherein even if the drive coil and drive magnet constituting the drive mechanism are arranged opposite each other in the axis of rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body, miniaturization can be achieved in the axis of rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body.
[0010] 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 that holds the movable body in a rotatable position; and a drive mechanism that uses a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical module as the axis of rotation to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body. The drive mechanism comprises: a drive coil wound into a hollow shape; and a drive magnet disposed opposite to the drive coil in the first direction. The drive coil and the drive magnet are disposed radially about the rotation center of the movable body on the outside of the optical module. The thickness of the drive magnet in the first direction is thinner than the thickness of the optical module in the first direction. The drive magnet is disposed in the first direction between one end of the optical module in the first direction and the other end of the optical module in the first direction.
[0011] In the optical unit of the present invention, the thickness of the driving magnet disposed radially outside the optical module about the rotation center of the movable body in the first direction is thinner than the thickness of the optical module in the first direction. The driving magnet is disposed in the first direction between one end of the optical module in the first direction and the other end of the optical module in the first direction. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the driving coil and the driving magnet are disposed opposite each other in the first direction, which is the axis of rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body, the optical unit can be miniaturized in the first direction compared to the case where the driving magnet protrudes outward from the first direction end of the optical module in the first direction.
[0012] Furthermore, in this invention, the driving coil and the driving magnet are arranged opposite each other in the first direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the driving coil and the driving magnet are arranged opposite each other in the radial direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body relative to the fixed body, the optical unit can be miniaturized in the radial direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body relative to the fixed body.
[0013] In this invention, for example, a drive coil and a drive magnet are arranged radially on both sides of an optical module about the rotation center of a movable body. The drive magnet is fixed to the movable body, and the drive coil is fixed to a fixed body. In the movable side portion composed of the movable body and the drive magnet, when the outer peripheral surface of the largest portion radially about the rotation center of the movable body is designated as the outermost peripheral surface, the outer surface of the drive magnet radially about the rotation center of the movable body is formed into a convex curved surface and constitutes at least a portion of the outermost peripheral surface. The shape of the convex curved surface, when viewed from a first direction, is an arc shape with the rotation center of the movable body as the center of curvature. In this case, the outer surface of the drive magnet radially about the rotation center of the movable body constitutes at least a portion of the outermost peripheral surface, and the drive magnet becomes larger radially about the rotation center of the movable body, thus increasing the driving force of the drive mechanism.
[0014] In this invention, for example, the driving coil is wound with the first direction as the winding axis, and the opposing surfaces of the driving magnet opposite to the driving coil are polarized into two poles in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body.
[0015] In this invention, the drive coil preferably comprises a pair of effective edges, a first connecting edge, and a second connecting edge. The pair of effective edges are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body. The first connecting edge connects the outer ends of the pair of effective edges radially towards each other, centered on the rotation center of the movable body. The second connecting edge connects the inner ends of the pair of effective edges radially towards each other, centered on the rotation center of the movable body. The pair of effective edges extend from the first connecting edge toward the rotation center of the movable body in a manner that they approach each other radially inward towards the rotation center of the movable body. With this configuration, when current is supplied to the drive coil, the direction of the driving force of the drive mechanism is easily oriented circumferentially towards the rotation center of the movable body. Therefore, the driving force of the drive mechanism on the movable body can be improved.
[0016] In this invention, for example, the driving coil may be wound with the direction orthogonal to the first direction as the winding axis, and the opposite face of the driving magnet opposite to the driving coil is magnetized into a single pole.
[0017] In this invention, for example, the driving magnet is disposed only on one side of the driving coil in the first direction. In this case, the structure of the optical unit can be simplified. Alternatively, in this invention, for example, the driving magnet may also be disposed on both sides of the driving coil in the first direction. In this case, the driving force of the driving mechanism can be increased.
[0018] Invention Effects
[0019] 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 with the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical module as the axis of rotation, even if the drive coil and drive magnet constituting the drive mechanism are arranged opposite each other in the axis of rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body, the optical unit can be miniaturized in the axis of rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded three-dimensional view of the optical unit shown.
[0022] Figure 3 (A) is to Figure 1 The movable body shown is pulled out using a magnet, as shown in the top view. Figure 3 (B) is to Figure 2 The camera module, first frame, and driving coil shown are illustrated in a top view.
[0023] Figure 4 It is Figure 1 The movable body and drive mechanism shown are shown in the rear view with the carcass and drive mechanism removed.
[0024] Figure 5 These are diagrams illustrating the structure of a drive mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a rear view.
[0025] Figure 6 These are diagrams illustrating the structure of a drive mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a rear view.
[0026] Figure 7 These are diagrams illustrating the structure of a drive mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a rear view. Detailed Implementation
[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0028] (Overall structure of the optical unit)
[0029] 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 (A) is to Figure 1The top view showing the movable body 3 and the driving magnet 24 being pulled out. Figure 3 (B) is to Figure 2 The top view showing the camera module 2, the first frame 10, and the driving coil 23 is shown.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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 rotates relative to the fixed body 4; the movable body 3 is supported by a drive mechanism 5; and two spherical beads 6 and 7 form the pivot point for the rotation of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4. In this embodiment, the camera module 2 is an optical module.
[0032] The optical axis L of camera module 2 (refer to) Figure 3 The movable body 3 is orthogonal to the vertical direction (B, etc.). The movable body 3 can rotate relative to the fixed body 4 about the vertical direction, which is orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2. That is, the movable body 3 can rotate about the axis L1 (refer to the vertical direction) with the vertical direction as the axis of rotation. Figure 3 The movable body 3 rotates relative to the fixed body 4 with the (B) as the rotation center. The drive mechanism 5 rotates the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4 with the vertical direction as the rotation axis. 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 a 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.
[0033] 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 (optical axis direction) of the camera module 2 is consistent with the front-rear direction. For example, with the origin position as a reference, the movable body 3 can move in different directions... 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".
[0034] The movable body 3 is generally formed into a flat cuboid shape with a relatively thin vertical section. In addition to the camera module 2, the movable body 3 also includes a frame 8 for fixing the camera module 2 (see reference). Figure 1 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 planar. 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.
[0035] 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 is 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 consistent with the left and right direction.
[0036] 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.
[0037] The second frame 11 is a thin metal plate. Furthermore, the second frame 11 is a magnetic plate made of a magnetic material. The thickness direction of the second frame 11 is aligned with the vertical direction. The second frame 11 is fixed to the upper end of the first frame 10. The width of the second frame 11 in the left-right direction is wider than its width in the front-back direction. The left-right end faces 11a of the second frame 11 are formed into convex curved surfaces. When viewed from the vertical direction, the shape of the end faces 11a is an arc with the center of curvature of the movable body 3 as its center. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the front-back end faces 11b of the second frame 11 are orthogonal to the front-back direction.
[0038] A through hole 11c, extending vertically through the second frame 11, is formed at the center of the second frame 11. The through hole 11c is circular. A bead 7 is disposed on the upper side of the second frame 11. 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. The through hole 11c is positioned horizontally at the same location as the through hole 10c, and when viewed vertically, the through hole 11c overlaps with the through hole 10c. That is, beads 6 and 7 are positioned horizontally at the same location, and when viewed vertically, beads 6 and 7 overlap. The centers of beads 6 and 7 are located on the axis L1. Furthermore, in Figure 3 In (A), the through hole 11c of the second frame 11 is omitted.
[0039] 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.
[0040] As described above, the camera module 2 includes a lens and an image sensor. The image sensor is disposed at the rear end of the camera module 2, and a subject disposed at the front end of the camera module 2 is captured by the camera module 2. The camera module 2 includes a circuit board 15 on which the image sensor is mounted. The circuit board 15 forms the rear surface of the camera module 2. In addition, the camera module 2 of this embodiment includes a magnetic drive mechanism for autofocus.
[0041] A flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 16 extends from the circuit board 15 constituting the rear surface of the camera module 2. The FPC 16 extends rearward from the center of the circuit board 15 in the left-right direction. Additionally, the FPC 16 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. After extending rearward from the circuit board 15, the FPC 16 is wound to the left and then forward. The front end of the FPC 16 is fixed to the housing 18, which constitutes the fixing body 4 (described later). The FPC 16 is bent into a generally rectangular groove shape (generally U-shaped).
[0042] The fixing body 4 includes: a housing 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; a fixing plate 20 and a magnetic plate 21, which are fixed to the housing 18. The housing 18 is formed of resin material. The housing 18 is composed of two side portions 18a forming the left and 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 between the two side portions 18a in the left and right direction. In addition, the movable body 3 is disposed on the upper side of the bottom portion 18b.
[0043] The inner surface of the radially oriented side portion 18a is formed as a concave curved surface. When viewed from above, the shape of this inner surface is an arc with the rotation center of the movable body 3 as its center of curvature. Through holes 18c are formed at both ends of the bottom portion 18b in the left and right directions for accommodating the drive coil 23, which forms part of the drive mechanism 5 (described later). The through holes 18c penetrate the bottom portion 18b in the vertical direction. 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. The front end of the FPC 16 is fixed to the FPC fixing portion 18f by double-sided tape or the like.
[0044] The fixing plate 20 is formed of a thin metal plate. Furthermore, the fixing plate 20 is formed in a generally circular plate shape. 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 in a generally hemispherical shape bulging downwards, and the upper surface of the bead placement portion 20a is formed as 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.
[0045] The cover 19 is a thin metal plate. 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 bulging upwards, and the lower surface of the bead placement portion 19b is a concave surface in the shape of a hemispherical shape recessed towards the upper side. The bead 7 is disposed on the lower side of the bead placement portion 19b.
[0046] 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.
[0047] The magnetic plate 21 is a thin metal plate. Furthermore, the magnetic plate 21 is formed of a magnetic material. The thickness direction of the magnetic plate 21 is aligned with the vertical direction. The magnetic plate 21 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom part 18b. The magnetic plate 21 is formed with the same shape as the second frame 11. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the second frame 11 and the magnetic plate 21 are positioned at the same horizontal position, and when viewed from the vertical direction, the second frame 11 and the magnetic plate 21 completely overlap.
[0048] (Structure of the drive mechanism)
[0049] Figure 4 It is Figure 1 The movable body 3 and the drive mechanism 5 shown are shown in the rear view after being pulled out.
[0050] The drive mechanism 5 includes a drive coil 23 wound into a hollow shape and a drive magnet 24 disposed opposite to the drive coil 23 in the vertical direction. The drive coil 23 and the drive magnet 24 are arranged radially on the outer side of the camera module 2. In this embodiment, the drive coil 23 and the drive magnet 24 are arranged radially on both sides of the camera module 2. Specifically, the drive coil 23 and the drive magnet 24 are respectively disposed on both sides of the camera module 2 in the left-right direction, sandwiching the camera module 2 in the left-right direction. That is, the drive mechanism 5 has two drive coils 23 and two drive magnets 24. The drive coils 23 and the drive magnets 24 are arranged at a 180° interval relative to the rotation center of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 4.
[0051] The driving magnet 24 is formed in a block shape. The upper and lower surfaces of the driving magnet 24 are planes orthogonal to the vertical direction. The inner surfaces of the driving magnet 24 in the left-right direction are planes. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the inner surfaces of the driving magnet 24 in the left-right direction are orthogonal to the left-right direction. The end face 24b of the driving magnet 24 in the front-back direction is a plane. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the end face 24b of the driving magnet 24 is orthogonal to the front-back direction.
[0052] The outer surface 24a of the driving magnet 24 in the left-right direction (i.e., the outer surface 24a of the driving magnet 24 in the radial direction) is formed as a convex curved surface. That is, the outer surface 24a of the driving magnet 24 is a convex curved surface that bulges outward in the left-right direction. When viewed from above, the shape of the outer surface 24a is an arc with the rotation center of the movable body 3 as the center of curvature. The central angle of the outer surface 24a when viewed from above is, for example, about 90°. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the origin, the two driving magnets 24 are arranged symmetrically from left to right.
[0053] The driving magnet 24 is fixed to the lower surface of the second frame 11. That is, the driving magnet 24 is fixed to the movable body 3. The width of the driving magnet 24 in the front-rear direction is equal to the width of the second frame 11 in the front-rear direction. The radius of curvature of the outer surface 24a of the driving magnet 24, which is an arc-shaped convex surface, is equal to the radius of curvature of the end face 11a of the second frame 11, which is also an arc-shaped convex surface. The driving magnet 24 is fixed to the lower surface of the second frame 11 in such a way that the end face 24b of the driving magnet 24 in the front-rear direction is aligned with the end face 11b of the second frame 11 in the front-rear direction, and the outer surface 24a of the driving magnet 24 is aligned with the end face 11a of the second frame 11 in the radial direction (see reference). Figure 3 (A)).
[0054] In the movable side portion 25, which is composed of the movable body 3 and the drive magnet 24 fixed to the movable body 3, if the outer peripheral surface of the largest radial portion is designated as the outermost peripheral surface 25a, then in this embodiment, the outer surface 24a of the drive magnet 24 and the end face 11a of the second frame 11 become the outermost peripheral surface 25a. That is, the outer surface 24a of the drive magnet 24 constitutes a part of the outermost peripheral surface 25a. A magnetic plate 9 is disposed between the side of the camera module 2 in the left-right direction and the drive magnet 24. The magnetic plate 9 serves as a magnetic shield to prevent magnetic interference between the magnetic drive mechanism for autofocus of the camera module 2 and the drive mechanism 5.
[0055] The thickness (vertical thickness) of the driving magnet 24 is thinner than the thickness (vertical thickness) of the camera module 2. For example... Figure 4As shown, the upper surface of the driving magnet 24 is disposed below the upper surface of the camera module 2, and the lower surface of the driving magnet 24 is disposed above the lower surface of the camera module 2. That is, the driving magnet 24 is disposed vertically between the upper and lower surfaces of the camera module 2. Specifically, the driving magnet 24 is disposed vertically between the upper end of the camera module 2 (which is one end of its vertical direction) and the lower end of the camera module 2 (which is the other end of its vertical direction), and falls within the height range of the camera module 2.
[0056] The lower surface of the driving magnet 24 becomes the opposing surface 24c, which is opposite to the driving coil 23. That is, in this embodiment, the driving magnet 24 is disposed on the upper side of the driving coil 23, and the driving magnet 24 is disposed only on one side of the driving coil 23 in the vertical direction. The opposing surface 24c is magnetized into two poles in the circumferential direction. That is, the opposing surface 24c is magnetized in such a way that the magnetic poles on one side of the opposing surface 24c in the circumferential direction and the magnetic poles on the other side of the opposing surface 24c in the circumferential direction are different magnetic poles, and thus polarized into two poles in the circumferential direction. Specifically, when the movable body 3 is disposed at the origin position, the center of the driving magnet 24 in the front-rear direction becomes the polarization position (magnetization polarization line) 24e, and the opposing surface 24c is polarized into two poles with the polarization position 24e as the boundary.
[0057] The drive coil 23 is a hollow coil formed by winding a wire into a hollow shape. The drive coil 23 is wound with the vertical direction as the winding axis. For example... Figure 3 As shown in (B), the drive coil 23 includes: a pair of effective edges 23a arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction; a first connecting edge 23b connecting the radially outer ends of the pair of effective edges 23a to each other; and a second connecting edge 23c connecting the radially inner ends of the pair of effective edges 23a to each other. The effective edges 23a are the parts that contribute to the driving force of the drive mechanism 5.
[0058] The first connecting edge 23b connects the outer ends of a pair of effective edges 23a in the left-right direction to each other. The second connecting edge 23c connects the inner ends of a pair of effective edges 23a in the left-right direction to each other. The first connecting edge 23b and the second connecting edge 23c are arranged parallel to the front-back direction. Figure 3 As shown in (B), a pair of effective edges 23a extend from the first connecting edge 23b toward the rotation center side of the movable body 3 in a manner that they approach each other as they move toward the radially inward side. The length (length in the front-to-back direction) of the second connecting edge 23c is shorter than the length (length in the front-to-back direction) of the first connecting edge 23b.
[0059] A drive coil 23 is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 26. Specifically, the lower end face of the drive coil 23 is mounted on the upper surface of the FPC 26. Furthermore, two drive coils 23 are mounted on a shared FPC 26. The FPC 26 is fixed to the lower surface of the housing 18. That is, the drive coil 23 is fixed to the mounting body 4 via the FPC 26. The lower end of the drive coil 23 is disposed in a through hole 18c. The drive coil 23 and the FPC 26 are disposed on the upper side of the magnetic plate 21. When current is supplied to the drive coil 23, the movable body 3 rotates relative to the mounting body 4 about axis L1.
[0060] In this embodiment, even if the movable body 3 rotates relative to the fixed body 4 to the clockwise rotation end, the polarization position 24e of the driving magnet 24 will not reach the effective edge 23a disposed on the clockwise side in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, even if the movable body 3 rotates relative to the fixed body 4 to the counterclockwise rotation end, the polarization position 24e will not reach the effective edge 23a disposed on the counterclockwise side in the circumferential direction. That is, the interval between a pair of effective edges 23a in the circumferential direction is set such that the polarization position 24e does not reach the effective edge 23a throughout the entire rotation range of the movable body 3.
[0061] (Main effects of this implementation method)
[0062] As described above, in this embodiment, the thickness of the driving magnet 24 in the vertical direction is thinner than the thickness of the camera module 2 in the vertical direction, and the driving magnet 24 is disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the camera module 2 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the driving coil 23 and the driving magnet 24 are disposed opposite each other in the vertical direction, compared to the case where the driving magnet 24 protrudes outward from the upper or lower end of the camera module 2 in the vertical direction, the optical unit 1 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the driving coil 23 and the driving magnet 24 are disposed opposite each other in the vertical direction, so compared to the case where the driving coil 23 and the driving magnet 24 are disposed opposite each other in the radial direction, the optical unit 1 can be miniaturized in the radial direction.
[0063] In this embodiment, the outer surface 24a of the radially driven magnet 24 forms part of the outermost peripheral surface 25a of the movable body 3, and the driven magnet 24 becomes larger in the radial direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the driving force of the drive mechanism 5 can be increased. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pair of effective edges 23a of the drive coil 23 extend from the first connecting edge 23b toward the rotation center side of the movable body 3 in a manner that they approach each other toward the radially inward direction. Therefore, when current is supplied to the drive coil 23, the direction of the driving force of the drive mechanism 5 is easily circumferential. Therefore, in this embodiment, the driving force of the drive mechanism 5 on the movable body 3 can be increased.
[0064] (Example 1 of a change in the drive mechanism)
[0065] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of the drive mechanism 5 according to another embodiment of the present invention; (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a rear view. Additionally, in Figure 5 In this document, structures identical to those described in the above embodiments are labeled with the same reference numerals.
[0066] In the above embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, drive magnets 24 can also be arranged on both sides of the drive coil 23 in the vertical direction. In this case, a magnetic plate 21 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom part 10b of the first frame 10. The magnetic plate 21 is not part of the fixed body 4, but constitutes part of the movable body 3. The drive magnets 24 arranged on the lower side of the drive coil 23 are fixed to the upper surface of the magnetic plate 21. The drive magnets 24 arranged on the upper side of the drive coil 23 and the drive magnets 24 arranged on the lower side of the drive coil 23 are arranged at the same position in the horizontal direction. In this modified example, the lower surface of the drive magnets 24 arranged on the upper side of the drive coil 23 and the upper surface of the drive magnets 24 arranged on the lower side of the drive coil 23 become opposing surfaces 24c opposite to the drive coil 23.
[0067] The opposing surfaces 24c are magnetized into two poles in the circumferential direction. The magnetic poles of the front portion of the opposing surface 24c of the driving magnet 24 located above the driving coil 23 (the magnetic poles of one side of the opposing surface 24c in the circumferential direction) are different from the magnetic poles of the front portion of the opposing surface 24c of the driving magnet 24 located below the driving coil 23 (the magnetic poles of one side of the opposing surface 24c in the circumferential direction). The magnetic poles of the rear portion of the opposing surface 24c of the driving magnet 24 located above the driving coil 23 (the magnetic poles of the other side of the opposing surface 24c in the circumferential direction) are different from the magnetic poles of the rear portion of the opposing surface 24c of the driving magnet 24 located below the driving coil 23 (the magnetic poles of the other side of the opposing surface 24c in the circumferential direction).
[0068] The upper surface of the driving magnet 24, located above the driving coil 23, is positioned lower than the upper surface of the camera module 2. The lower surface of the driving magnet 24, located below the driving coil 23, is positioned at the same vertical direction as the lower surface of the camera module 2. In other words, the two driving magnets 24 are positioned vertically between the upper and lower surfaces of the camera module 2.
[0069] In this modified example, a flat protective plate 28 is fixed to the underside of the portion of the FPC26 where the drive coil 23 is mounted. The protective plate 28 is made of a non-magnetic material. The protective plate 28 serves to prevent damage to the FPC26 caused by contact between the drive magnet 24, which is located under the drive coil 23, and the FPC26. No through hole 18c is formed on the bottom portion 18b of the housing 18, but a through hole for mounting the drive coil 23 is formed on the side portion 18a.
[0070] In this modified example, since the driving magnets 24 are arranged on both sides of the driving coil 23 in the vertical direction, the driving force of the driving mechanism 5 can be increased. In addition, as in the above embodiment, when the driving magnets 24 are arranged only on one side of the driving coil 23 in the vertical direction, the structure of the optical unit 1 can be simplified.
[0071] (Example 2 of the modification of the drive mechanism)
[0072] Figure 6 These are diagrams illustrating the structure of the drive mechanism 5 according to another embodiment of the present invention; (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a rear view. Additionally, in Figure 6 In this document, structures identical to those described in the above embodiments are labeled with the same reference numerals.
[0073] In the above embodiment, the drive coil 23 is wound with the vertical direction as the winding axis, but the drive coil 23 can also be wound with the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction (i.e., the horizontal direction) as the winding axis. For example, as Figure 6 As shown, the drive coil 23 can also be wound with the back-and-forth direction as the winding axis. Figure 6 In the modified example shown, the driving magnet 24 is only disposed on the upper side of the driving coil 23.
[0074] In this modified example, the opposing surface 24c of the drive magnet 24, which is opposite to the drive coil 23, is magnetized into a single pole. Furthermore, in this modified example, a magnetic component 30 made of magnetic material is disposed on the inner circumference of the drive coil 23, and the fixing body 4 does not have a magnetic plate 21. Additionally, in this modified example, through holes for arranging the drive coil 23 are formed on the side surface 18a and bottom surface 18b of the housing 18.
[0075] (Example 3 of the modification of the drive mechanism)
[0076] Figure 7 These are diagrams illustrating the structure of the drive mechanism 5 according to another embodiment of the present invention; (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a rear view. Additionally, in Figure 7 In this document, structures identical to those described in the above embodiments are labeled with the same reference numerals.
[0077] exist Figure 6 In the example of the change shown, such as Figure 7 As shown, drive magnets 24 can also be arranged on both sides of the drive coil 23 in the vertical direction. In this case, with Figure 5 Similarly, in the modified example shown, a magnetic plate 21 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom part 10b of the first frame 10, and the magnetic plate 21 constitutes part of the movable body 3. A drive magnet 24 disposed below the drive coil 23 is fixed to the upper surface of the magnetic plate 21. The drive magnet 24 disposed above the drive coil 23 and the drive magnet 24 disposed below the drive coil 23 are arranged in the same position in the horizontal direction.
[0078] In this modified example, the lower surface of the drive magnet 24 disposed above the drive coil 23 and the upper surface of the drive magnet 24 disposed below the drive coil 23 become opposing surfaces 24c opposite to the drive coil 23. The opposing surfaces 24c are magnetized to a single pole. The magnetic pole of the opposing surface 24c of the drive magnet 24 disposed above the drive coil 23 is different from the magnetic pole of the opposing surface 24c of the drive magnet 24 disposed below the drive coil 23. Furthermore, in this modified example, the... Figure 5 Similarly, in the modified example shown, a protective plate 28 is fixed to the underside of the portion of the FPC26 where the drive coil 23 is mounted. A through hole for mounting the drive coil 23 is formed on the side 18a of the housing 18.
[0079] (Other implementation methods)
[0080] The above-described embodiments and variations 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.
[0081] In the above embodiments, a protective plate or strip may also be installed on at least one of the opposing surface 24c of the driving magnet 24 and the upper surface of the driving coil 23 to prevent damage to the driving coil 23 or the driving magnet 24 caused by contact between the driving coil 23 and the driving magnet 24. In this case, the protective plate or strip is formed of a non-magnetic material. Similarly, in Figure 6In the modified example shown, a protective plate or protective strip may also be installed on at least one of the opposing surface 24c of the driving magnet 24 and the upper surface of the driving coil 23. Additionally, in Figure 5 The example of the change or Figure 7 In the modified example shown, a protective plate or protective strip may also be installed on at least one of the opposite surface 24c of the driving magnet 24 disposed on the upper side of the driving coil 23 and on the top of the driving coil 23.
[0082] In the above embodiment, the radius of curvature of the outer surface 24a of the driving magnet 24, which is an arc-shaped convex surface, may be larger than the radius of curvature of the end face 11a of the second frame 11, which is also an arc-shaped convex surface, and the outermost peripheral surface 25a may be formed only by the outer surface 24a of the driving magnet 24. Alternatively, in the above embodiment, the radius of curvature of the outer surface 24a of the driving magnet 24 may be smaller than the radius of curvature of the end face 11a of the second frame 11.
[0083] In the above embodiments, the driving coil 23 may be wound into an elongated oval shape, with the length of the first connecting edge 23b equal to the length of the second connecting edge 23c. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the driving mechanism 5 may have only one driving coil 23 and a driving magnet 24, or it may have three or more driving coils 23 and driving magnets 24. Moreover, in the above embodiments, the driving coil 23 may be fixed to the movable body 3, and the driving magnet 24 may be fixed to the fixed body 4. Additionally, in the above embodiments, the optical unit 1 may include an optical module other than the camera module 2. For example, the optical unit 1 may include a laser module that emits laser light as an optical module. Furthermore, the optical unit 1 may include an optical module with optical components such as lenses or prisms.
[0084] Symbol Explanation
[0085] 1 Optical Unit
[0086] 2. Camera module (optical module)
[0087] 3. Movable bodies
[0088] 4. Fixing body
[0089] 5. Drive mechanism
[0090] 23. Driving coil
[0091] 23a Effective edge
[0092] 23b First connecting edge
[0093] 23c Second connecting edge
[0094] 24. Drive magnets
[0095] 24a Outer surface of the driving magnet
[0096] 24c opposite face
[0097] 25 Movable side section
[0098] 25a Outermost circumference
[0099] L - Optical axis of the camera module (optical axis of the optical module)
[0100] Z is the first direction.
Claims
1. An optical unit, characterized by have: A movable body, which has an optical module; A fixed body that holds the movable body in a position to rotate; and 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. The drive mechanism includes: a drive coil wound into a hollow shape; and a drive magnet disposed opposite to the drive coil in the first direction. The driving coil and the driving magnet are arranged radially around the rotation center of the movable body on the outside of the optical module. The thickness of the driving magnet in the first direction is thinner than the thickness of the optical module in the first direction. The driving magnet is disposed in the first direction between one end of the optical module in the first direction and the other end of the optical module in the first direction. The driving coil and the driving magnet are arranged radially on both sides of the optical module with the rotation center of the movable body as the center. The driving magnet is fixed to the movable body. The driving coil is fixed to the fixing body. In the movable side portion consisting of the movable body and the driving magnet, when the outer peripheral surface of the portion with the largest radial direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body is designated as the outermost peripheral surface, The outer surface of the driving magnet, centered on the rotation center of the movable body, is formed as a convex curved surface and constitutes at least a part of the outermost peripheral surface. The shape of the convex curved surface when viewed from the first direction is an arc with the rotation center of the movable body as the center of curvature.
2. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving coil is wound with the first direction as the winding axis. The opposing surfaces of the driving magnet, which are opposite to the driving coil, are polarized into two poles in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body.
3. The optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive coil comprises a pair of effective edges, a first connecting edge, and a second connecting edge. The pair of effective edges are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation center of the movable body. The first connecting edge connects the outer ends of the pair of effective edges radially around the rotation center of the movable body, and the second connecting edge connects the inner ends of the pair of effective edges radially around the rotation center of the movable body. The pair of effective edges extend from the first connecting edge toward the rotation center side of the movable body in a manner that they approach each other radially inward toward the rotation center of the movable body.
4. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving coil is wound with the winding axis orthogonal to the first direction. The opposing face of the driving magnet opposite to the driving coil is magnetized into a single pole.
5. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The driving magnet is disposed only on one side of the driving coil in the first direction.
6. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The driving magnets are arranged on both sides of the driving coil in the first direction.