Optical unit with shake correction function

Abstract

The present application provides an optical unit with a shake correction function, in which a camera module is fixed to an inner periphery side of a holder, the strength of the holder can be ensured, and the holder can be miniaturized in a radial direction of the camera module. In the optical unit with the shake correction function, a frame-shaped holder (14) to which the camera module is fixed to an inner periphery side is composed of a metal portion (32) formed of a metal material and a resin portion (33) formed of a resin material and integrated with the metal portion (32) by insert molding. The metal portion (32) includes a magnet fixing portion (32a, 32b) formed of a magnetic material and fixing a driving magnet, and a ball contact portion (32c, 32d) for contacting a metal ball serving as a rotation fulcrum of the holder (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical unit with shake correction function installed in portable devices and the like. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, an optical unit with jitter correction function installed in portable devices and the like was known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The optical unit with jitter correction function described in Patent Document 1 includes: a movable body having an optical module; a gimbal frame that holds the movable body so that it can rotate; a fixed body that holds the gimbal frame so that it can rotate; and a jitter correction drive mechanism that causes the movable body to oscillate relative to the fixed body. The movable body is capable of rotating relative to the gimbal frame about a first axis orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical module. The gimbal frame is capable of rotating relative to the fixed body about a second axis orthogonal to both the optical axis and the first axis.

[0003] In the optical unit with jitter correction function described in Patent Document 1, the movable body includes a retainer frame for holding the optical module. The retainer frame is made of resin material. The jitter correction drive mechanism includes a drive magnet fixed to the retainer frame and a drive coil fixed to the fixed body. A magnet mounting recess for mounting the drive magnet is formed on the retainer frame. Since the retainer frame is made of resin, a plate-shaped magnetic yoke member is mounted in the magnet mounting recess.

[0004] Furthermore, in the optical unit with jitter correction function described in Patent Document 1, a first fulcrum portion is arranged at a diagonal position on the first axis of the movable body, serving as a fulcrum for the rotation of the movable body relative to the universal joint frame. The first fulcrum portion has a first metal sphere disposed between the universal joint frame and the retainer frame. Since it is difficult to fix the first spherical metal sphere to the resin retainer frame with a specified fixation strength, the first fulcrum portion includes a first metal thrust-bearing member that fixes the first sphere and is fixed to the retainer frame.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-160370 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] In the optical unit with jitter correction function described in Patent Document 1, the retainer frame is formed of resin material. Therefore, in order to ensure the strength of the retainer frame in this optical unit with jitter correction function, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the retainer frame in the radial direction of the optical module. However, if the thickness of the retainer frame in the radial direction of the optical module is increased, the retainer frame becomes larger in the radial direction of the optical module, and as a result, the optical unit with jitter correction function may become larger in the radial direction of the optical module.

[0010] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide an optical unit with a shake correction function, in which the strength of the retainer can be ensured and the retainer can be miniaturized in the radial direction of the camera module.

[0011] Technical solutions to technical problems

[0012] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the optical unit with jitter correction function of the present invention includes: a movable body having a camera module; an intermediate member holding the movable body in a rotatable manner; a fixed body holding the intermediate member in a rotatable manner; a magnetic drive mechanism for rotating the movable body relative to the fixed body to tilt the optical axis of the camera module in any direction; a first fulcrum serving as the fulcrum for the rotation of the movable body relative to the intermediate member; and a second fulcrum serving as the fulcrum for the rotation of the intermediate member relative to the fixed body. The movable body is rotatable relative to the intermediate member with a first intersecting direction intersecting the optical axis of the camera module as its rotation axis, and the intermediate member is rotatable with an axis intersecting both the first intersecting direction and the optical axis of the camera module. The second intersecting direction is the axis of rotation relative to the fixed body. The first fulcrum is disposed at both ends of the middle component in the first intersecting direction. The movable body includes a frame-shaped retainer that fixes the camera module on the inner periphery. The middle component includes two arms that constitute the ends of the middle component in the first intersecting direction. The magnetic drive mechanism includes a drive magnet fixed to the retainer and a drive coil fixed to the fixed body. The first fulcrum includes a ball disposed between the arms and the retainer. The retainer is composed of a metal part formed of metal material and a resin part formed of resin material and integrally formed with the metal part by insert molding. The metal part includes a magnet fixing part formed of magnetic material and fixing the drive magnet, and a ball contact part for the ball to contact.

[0013] In the optical unit with shake correction function of the present invention, the frame-shaped retainer on which the camera module is fixed to the inner periphery is composed of a metal part and a resin part. The metal part is formed of metal material, and the resin part is formed of resin material, and is integrally formed with the metal part by insert molding. Therefore, in the present invention, the strength of the retainer can be ensured by the function of the metal part, and the thickness of the retainer in the radial direction of the camera module can be reduced. Therefore, in the present invention, the strength of the retainer can be ensured, and the retainer can be miniaturized in the radial direction of the camera module.

[0014] Furthermore, in this invention, the metal part includes a magnet fixing part formed of magnetic material that fixes the driving magnet and a ball contact part for ball contact. Therefore, in this invention, it is not necessary to provide a yoke component and a first thrust bearing component as in the optical unit with jitter correction function described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, in this invention, the structure of the optical unit with jitter correction function can be simplified, and the optical unit with jitter correction function can be miniaturized. In addition, in this invention, since a part of the cage is a resin part formed of resin material, the cage can be made lighter compared to the case where the entire cage is made of metal material. As a result, the optical unit with jitter correction function can be made lighter.

[0015] In this invention, it is preferable that the two ends of the resin portion in the optical axis direction, which is the direction of the optical axis of the camera module, are positioned further outward in the optical axis direction than the two ends of the metal portion in the optical axis direction. With this configuration, for example, when an impact such as a drop is applied to the optical unit with shake correction function, causing the holder to move excessively in the optical axis direction, it is possible to prevent the metal portion from contacting other components constituting the optical unit with shake correction function. Therefore, damage to other components can be prevented when the holder moves excessively in the optical axis direction.

[0016] In this invention, it is preferable that the outer end of the resin portion of the holder, which is orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis (which is the optical axis of the camera module), is positioned further outward in the radial direction than the outer end of the metal portion of the holder. With this configuration, for example, when an impact such as a drop is applied to the optical unit with shake correction function, causing excessive radial movement of the holder, it is possible to prevent the metal portion from contacting other components constituting the optical unit with shake correction function. Therefore, damage to other components can be prevented when the holder moves excessively in the radial direction.

[0017] In this invention, for example, the shape of the cage when viewed from the optical axis direction, which is the direction of the optical axis of the camera module, is square or rectangular. The magnet fixing part is disposed on two adjacent sides of the four sides of the cage that is square or rectangular when viewed from the optical axis direction. The ball contact part is disposed on two corners of the four corners of the cage that is square or rectangular when viewed from the optical axis direction, located on one of the diagonals.

[0018] In this invention, it is preferable that one of the two ball contact portions is disposed circumferentially between the two magnet fixing portions and integrally formed with the two magnet fixing portions. With this configuration, the handling of components during cage manufacturing becomes easier compared to the case where the two magnet fixing portions and the ball contact portion are separately formed.

[0019] In this invention, it is preferred that the intermediate component is a leaf spring, the arm is disposed on the inner circumference side of the cage and applies force to the ball toward the cage, and the cage is composed of a first cage portion and a second cage portion that are divided on the diagonal side on the other side where the ball contact portion is not disposed when viewed from the optical axis direction, and the separately formed first cage portion and second cage portion are fixed to each other.

[0020] When the frame-shaped cage is integrally formed using insert molding, and the two arms that apply force to the ball towards the cage are positioned on the inner circumference of the cage, it is necessary to position the two arms on the inner circumference of the cage while they are elastically deformed to fit within the cage. Therefore, if the optical unit with jitter correction function is miniaturized, and the cage and intermediate components are also miniaturized, it becomes difficult to position the two arms on the inner circumference of the cage. However, if it is configured this way, by fixing the first and second cage portions together with the two arms positioned between them, it is possible to position the two arms on the inner circumference of the cage. Therefore, it is easy to position the two arms on the inner circumference of the cage.

[0021] Invention Effects

[0022] As described above, in the present invention, in an optical unit with a jitter correction function having a retainer that fixes the camera module on the inner circumferential side, the strength of the retainer can be ensured, and the retainer can be miniaturized in the radial direction of the camera module. Attached Figure Description

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

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the optical unit with jitter correction function is shown.

[0025] Figure 3 It is used for explanation Figure 2 An enlarged view of the structure of part E.

[0026] Figure 4 It is Figure 2 The top view shows the cage, magnetic drive mechanism, and ball extraction.

[0027] Figure 5 It is represented from another direction Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the cage shown.

[0028] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the metal part shown.

[0029] Figure 7 It means Figure 5 A top view of the first and second retainer sections before they are fixed.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0031] 1…Optical unit (optical unit with shake correction function); 2…Camera module; 3…Moveable body; 4…Intermediate part; 4b…Arm part; 5…Fixed body; 8, 9…Magnetic drive mechanism; 12…First fulcrum part; 13…Second fulcrum part; 14…Cage; 21…Sphere; 24, 26…Drive magnet; 25, 27…Drive coil; 32…Metal part; 32a, 32b…Magnet fixing part; 32c, 32d…Sphere contact part; 33…Resin part; 35…First cage part; 36…Second cage part; L…Optical axis of camera module; V…First intersecting direction; W…Second intersecting direction. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] (Overall structure of the optical unit with jitter correction function)

[0034] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the optical unit 1 with jitter correction function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the optical unit 1 with jitter correction function shown. Figure 3 It is used for explanation Figure 2 An enlarged view of the structure of part E. Figure 4 It is Figure 2 The top view showing the cage 14, magnetic drive mechanisms 8 and 9, and ball 21 pulled out.

[0035] In the following explanation, such as Figure 1As 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 "right" side, and its opposite side is... Figure 1 The X2 direction side is set as the "left" 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 "bottom" side.

[0036] The optical unit 1 with shake correction function in this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "optical unit 1") 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 includes a shake correction function to prevent image distortion caused by camera shake during photography. The optical unit 1 is integrally formed as a thin, flat cuboid. The optical unit 1 in this embodiment is formed such that its shape is square when viewed from the optical axis direction, which is the optical axis L of the camera module 2. The four sides of the optical unit 1 are parallel to the ZX plane formed by the left-right and up-down directions or the YZ plane formed by the front-back and up-down directions.

[0037] Optical unit 1 includes: a movable body 3 with camera module 2 (see reference) Figure 1 The movable body 3 is held in place as a rotatable intermediate component 4; the intermediate component 4 is held in place as a rotatable fixed body 5 (see reference). Figure 1 The movable body 3 can move in a first intersecting direction that intersects the optical axis L of the camera module 2. Figure 1 The movable body 3 rotates relative to the intermediate component 4 with the V direction (e.g., the direction of rotation of the first axis L1 with the first intersecting direction as the axis of rotation) as the axis of rotation. That is, the movable body 3 can rotate with the first axis L1 (refer to the first axis L1 with the first intersecting direction as the axis of rotation of the first axis L1) as the axis of rotation of the intermediate component 4. Figure 4 The rotation center is 4, which rotates relative to the intermediate component 4. The first intersecting direction of this method is orthogonal to the optical axis L.

[0038] The intermediate component 4 can be positioned in a second intersecting direction that intersects the first intersecting direction and the optical axis L of the camera module 2. Figure 1 The intermediate component 4 can rotate relative to the fixed body 5 with the W direction (etc.) as the axis of rotation. That is, the intermediate component 4 can rotate with respect to the second axis L2 (refer to the second intersecting direction) as the axis of rotation. Figure 4The movable body 3 rotates relative to the fixed body 5, with the rotation center being the fixed body 5. In this configuration, the second intersecting direction is orthogonal to the first intersecting direction. Thus, a two-axis gimbal mechanism is formed between the movable body 3 and the fixed body 5.

[0039] In this configuration, when no current is supplied to the drive coils 25 and 27 (described later), the movable body 3 is positioned at a predetermined reference position, and the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is also positioned at a predetermined reference position. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the reference position and the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is at the reference position, the direction of the optical axis of the camera module 2 is aligned with the vertical direction. Furthermore, the tilt of the optical axis L of the camera module 2 relative to the vertical direction is very small during jitter correction. Therefore, the direction of the optical axis of the camera module 2 is approximately aligned with the vertical direction.

[0040] Furthermore, when the movable body 3 is positioned at the reference position, the second intersecting direction (W direction) is orthogonal to the optical axis L. That is, when the movable body 3 is positioned at the reference position and does not rotate relative to the intermediate member 4, the second intersecting direction is orthogonal to the optical axis L. On the other hand, when the movable body 3 rotates relative to the intermediate member 4, the second intersecting direction intersects the optical axis L, but not at a right angle. When viewed from above, the second intersecting direction (W direction) is relative to the front-back direction. Figure 4 It is offset by about 45 degrees clockwise.

[0041] The optical unit 1 includes magnetic drive mechanisms 8 and 9 (see reference) for rotating the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 5 to tilt the optical axis L of the camera module 2 in any direction. Figure 4 Furthermore, the optical unit 1 includes a first fulcrum portion 12 serving as a fulcrum for the rotation of the movable body 3 relative to the intermediate member 4, and a second fulcrum portion 13 serving as a fulcrum for the rotation of the intermediate member 4 relative to the fixed body 5. The first fulcrum portion 12 is disposed on both ends of the intermediate member 4 in the first intersecting direction, and the second fulcrum portion 13 is disposed on both ends of the intermediate member 4 in the second intersecting direction.

[0042] The movable body 3 is generally formed as a flat, roughly rectangular parallelepiped with a relatively thin thickness along the optical axis. The movable body 3 includes a frame-shaped retainer 14 that secures the camera module 2 to its inner periphery. The retainer 14 is formed as a square frame, and its shape is square when viewed from the optical axis. Furthermore, when the movable body 3 is positioned in the reference position, two of the four sides of the outer periphery of the square-shaped retainer 14 are parallel to the front-back direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the left-right direction. The specific structure of the retainer 14 will be described later.

[0043] The camera module 2 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the retainer 14 such that the outer peripheral side of the lower end of the camera module 2 is covered by the retainer 14. As described above, the camera module 2 has a lens and an image sensor. The image sensor is disposed on the lower end side of the camera module 2, and the camera module 2 captures images of a subject disposed on the upper side of the camera module 2. The camera module 2 includes a wiring board 15 (see reference 15) for mounting the image sensor. Figure 2 The wiring substrate 15 is a rigid substrate such as a glass epoxy board. A flexible printed circuit board (not shown) is led out from the wiring substrate 15.

[0044] As described above, the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is tilted very little relative to the vertical direction when performing shake correction, and the optical axis direction of the camera module 2 is approximately consistent with the vertical direction. Therefore, if one side of the optical axis direction of the camera module 2 (specifically, the side where the subject is arranged in the optical axis direction of the camera module 2) is designated as the subject side, and the opposite side of the subject side (specifically, the side where the imaging element is arranged in the optical axis direction of the camera module 2) is designated as the opposite side of the subject, then the subject side is approximately consistent with the upper side, and the opposite side of the subject is approximately consistent with the lower side.

[0045] The intermediate component 4 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel. Furthermore, the intermediate component 4 is a leaf spring formed by bending a flexible metal plate into a predetermined shape. The intermediate component 4 consists of a base 4a positioned above the retainer 14, two arms 4b extending from the base 4a in a first intersecting direction, and two arms 4c extending from the base 4a in a second intersecting direction. The base 4a is formed into a roughly square frame shape. The upper end of the camera module 2 is disposed on the inner periphery of the base 4a.

[0046] The arm portion 4b is connected to both ends of the base portion 4a in the first intersecting direction. The arm portion 4b forms the end of the intermediate member 4 in the first intersecting direction. The arm portion 4b is bent downward. The front end portion 4d of the arm portion 4b is formed as a flat plate with the first intersecting direction as its thickness direction. The front end portion 4d is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the retainer 14. In addition, the front end portion 4d is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the camera module 2. A hemispherical recess 4e is formed at the lower end of the front end portion 4d, and a portion of the sphere 21 (described later) constituting the first fulcrum portion 12 is disposed in this recess 4e. Figure 3 The recess 4e is recessed inward toward the first intersecting direction.

[0047] The arm portion 4c is connected to both ends of the base portion 4a in the second intersecting direction. The arm portion 4c forms the end of the intermediate member 4 in the second intersecting direction. The arm portion 4c is bent downward. The front end portion 4f of the arm portion 4c is formed as a flat plate with the second intersecting direction as its thickness direction. The front end portion 4f is disposed on the outer periphery of the retainer 14. In addition, the front end portion 4f is disposed in the placement hole 17a described later. A hemispherical recess 4g is formed at the lower end of the front end portion 4f, and a part of the sphere 23 described later, which forms part of the second fulcrum portion 13, is disposed in the recess 4g (see reference). Figure 2 The recessed part 4g is recessed inward toward the second intersection direction.

[0048] The fixed body 5 includes: a frame-shaped housing 17 disposed on the outer periphery of the movable body 3 and the intermediate member 4; a cover member 18 covering the lower part of the housing 17; and a cover member 19 covering the sides and top of the housing 17. The intermediate member 4 is rotatably held in the housing 17. The housing 17 is formed of resin material. The housing 17 is formed as a flat, four-cornered cylindrical shape with openings at both ends in the vertical direction. When viewed from the vertical direction, the shape of the housing 17 is a square frame.

[0049] When viewed from above, two of the four sides of the outer periphery of the square-shaped housing 17 are parallel to the front-back direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the left-right direction. A mounting hole 17a is formed on the housing 17 (see reference). Figure 2 The mounting hole 17a is used to mount and fix the support member 22, which forms part of the second fulcrum portion 13 (described later). The mounting hole 17a is formed at both ends of the housing 17 in the second intersecting direction. That is, the mounting hole 17a is formed at the corner of the left front end and the corner of the right rear end of the housing 17.

[0050] The cover member 18 is formed in the shape of a bottomed square tube, having a flat, square bottom 18a and a square tube-shaped cylindrical portion 18b rising upwards from the bottom 18a. The cover member 18 has a square shape when viewed from above. When viewed from above, two of the four sides of the outer periphery of the square-shaped cover member 18 are parallel to the front-back direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the left-right direction. The bottom 18a forms the bottom surface of the optical unit 1. The cylindrical portion 18b covers the outer periphery of the lower end of the cylindrical portion 19b (described later), which forms part of the cover member 19. The cylindrical portion 18b forms part of the side surface of the optical unit 1.

[0051] The cover component 19 consists of a flat cover portion 19a covering the upper end face of the housing 17 and a four-cornered cylindrical portion 19b extending downward from the cover portion 19a. The cover portion 19a is formed into a square frame shape. The cover component 19 has a square shape when viewed from above. When viewed from above, two of the four sides of the outer peripheral surface of the square-shaped cover component 19 are parallel to the front-back direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the left-right direction. A portion of the camera module 2 and the intermediate component 4 are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cover portion 19a. The cylindrical portion 19b covers the outer peripheral side of the housing 17. The cylindrical portion 19b forms part of the side surface of the optical unit 1.

[0052] The first fulcrum portion 12 includes a spherical ball 21 disposed between the arm portion 4b and the cage 14. In this embodiment, the ball 21 is the first fulcrum portion 12. The ball 21 is formed of a metallic material. The ball 21 is fixed to the cage 14. A portion of the ball 21 is disposed in a recess 4e of the arm portion 4b. The ball 21 contacts the recess 4e from the outside in the first intersecting direction. The ball 21 exerts a force toward the cage 14 due to the elasticity of the arm portion 4b. That is, the arm portion 4b exerts a force on the ball 21 toward the cage 14. In addition, the arm portion 4b exerts a force on the ball 21 from the outside in the first intersecting direction.

[0053] The second fulcrum 13 has a support member 22 fixed to the fixing body 5 and a spherical sphere 23 disposed between the arm 4c and the support member 22 (see reference). Figure 2 The support member 22 is formed by bending a flat metal plate into a predetermined shape. The support member 22 is disposed in the mounting hole 17a. Furthermore, the support member 22 is fixed to the mounting hole 17a. That is, the support member 22 is fixed to the housing 17. The sphere 23 is formed of a metallic material. The sphere 23 is fixed to the support member 22.

[0054] A portion of the sphere 23 is disposed within the recess 4g of the arm 4c. The sphere 23 contacts the recess 4g from the outside in the second intersecting direction. The support member 22 and the sphere 23 exert force toward the housing 17 due to the elasticity of the second arm 4c. That is, the second arm 4c exerts force on the support member 22 and the sphere 23 toward the housing 17. In addition, the second arm 4c exerts force on the support member 22 and the sphere 23 from the outside in the second intersecting direction.

[0055] The magnetic drive mechanism 8 has a drive magnet 24 and a drive coil 25 arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction. The magnetic drive mechanism 9 has a drive magnet 26 and a drive coil 27 arranged opposite each other in the front-back direction. The drive magnets 24 and 26 are formed into rectangular flat plates. The drive magnets 24 and 26 are fixed to the cage 14. The drive coils 25 and 27 are, for example, hollow coils formed by winding wire into a hollow shape.

[0056] A drive magnet 24 is fixed to the left side of the retainer 14. A drive coil 25 is disposed in a through hole formed on the left side of the housing 17. The drive coil 25 is also mounted on a flexible printed circuit board 28 (hereinafter referred to as "FPC28"). The magnetic drive mechanism 8 causes the movable body 3 to rotate relative to the fixed body 5 about an axis orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0057] A drive magnet 26 is fixed to the rear side of the retainer 14. A drive coil 27 is disposed in a through hole formed in the rear part of the housing 17. The drive coil 27 is also mounted on the FPC 28. The magnetic drive mechanism 9 causes the movable body 3 to rotate relative to the fixed body 5 about an axis orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and parallel to the left-right direction. The FPC 28 passes through the rear, left, and front sides of the housing 17. The FPC 28 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the housing 17. That is, the drive coils 25 and 27 are fixed to the fixed body 5 via the FPC 28.

[0058] In the optical unit (1), when a change in the tilt of the movable body 3 is detected by a predetermined detection mechanism for detecting changes in the tilt of the movable body 3, current is supplied to at least one of the drive coil (25) and the drive coil 27 based on the detection result of the detection mechanism, thereby correcting the jitter. The magnetic drive mechanism 8 and the magnetic drive mechanism 9 cause the movable body 3 to rotate relative to the fixed body 5 with at least one of the first axis L1 and the second axis L2 as the rotation center.

[0059] (Structure of the cage)

[0060] Figure 5 It is represented from another direction Figure 2 A perspective view of the cage 14 shown. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A perspective view of the metal part 32 shown. Figure 7 It means Figure 5 The top view of the first retainer portion 35 and the second retainer portion 36 before they are fixed.

[0061] As described above, the cage 14 has a square shape when viewed from the optical axis direction. In this embodiment, as... Figure 4 As shown, the cage 14, which has a square shape when viewed from the optical axis, has chamfered corners. The cage 14 is composed of a metal part 32 and a resin part 33. The metal part 32 is formed of metal material, and the resin part 33 is formed of resin material and is integrally formed with the metal part 32 by insert molding. That is, the cage 14 is composed of a metal part 32 and a resin part 33 integrally formed with the metal part 32 by insert molding.

[0062] like Figure 6As shown, the metal part 32 is formed into a flat, four-cornered cylindrical shape with openings at both ends along the optical axis. When viewed from the optical axis, the metal part 32 has a square shape. In this embodiment, the four corners of the square-shaped metal part 32 are chamfered. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the entire metal part 32 is formed of a magnetic material. The metal part 32 includes a magnet fixing part 32a for fixing the driving magnet 24, a magnet fixing part 32b for fixing the driving magnet 26, and ball contact parts 32c and 32d for contact with the ball 21.

[0063] like Figures 4-6 As shown, a portion of the left side of the retainer 14 is a magnet fixing part 32a, and a portion of the rear side of the retainer 14 is a magnet fixing part 32b. That is, when viewed from the optical axis, the magnet fixing parts 32a and 32b are positioned on two adjacent sides of the four sides of the square-shaped retainer 14. The magnet fixing parts 32a and 32b are formed as flat plates. When the movable body 3 is positioned at the reference position, the thickness direction of the magnet fixing part 32a is consistent with the left-right direction, and the thickness direction of the magnet fixing part 32b is consistent with the front-back direction.

[0064] Furthermore, the left rear corner of the retainer 14 is a ball contact portion 32c, and the right front corner of the retainer 14 is a ball contact portion 32d. That is, when viewed from the optical axis, the ball contacts 32c and 32d are located at two diagonal points on one side of the four corners of the square-shaped retainer 14. Additionally, the ball contact portion 32c is positioned circumferentially between the magnet fixing portions 32a and 32b of the frame-shaped retainer 14. In other words, one of the two ball contacts 32c and 32d is positioned circumferentially between the two magnet fixing portions 32a and 32b of the retainer 14.

[0065] The ball contact portions 32c and 32d are formed as flat plates with the thickness direction of the first intersecting direction. A through hole 32e, in which a portion of the ball 21 is disposed, is formed at the center of the ball contact portions 32c and 32d. The through hole 32e serves to position the ball 21. The ball 21 is fixed to the ball contact portions 32c and 32d from the inside of the first intersecting direction, with a large portion of the ball 21 disposed inside the ball contact portions 32c and 32d in the first intersecting direction. The ball 21 is, for example, welded to the ball contact portions 32c and 32d.

[0066] The resin portion 33 covers a portion of the metal portion 32 from the radially outer side of the retainer 14, which is orthogonal to the optical axis, and also covers portions of the metal portion 32 from both sides in the optical axis direction. Specifically, the resin portion 33 covers the portion of the metal portion 32 from the radially outer side of the retainer 14, excluding the magnet fixing portions 32a, 32b and the ball contact portions 32c, 32d. Furthermore, the resin portion 33 covers the portion of the metal portion 32 from the subject side (upper side), excluding the magnet fixing portions 32a, 32b and the ball contact portions 32c, 32d, and from the opposite side (lower side) of the subject, excluding the ball contact portions 32c, 32d. Additionally, the flexible printed circuit board leading from the wiring board 15 passes through the right side of the metal portion 32 on the opposite side of the subject; at this point where the flexible printed circuit board passes, the opposite side of the metal portion 32 is not covered by the resin portion 33 (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0067] The two ends of the resin portion 33 in the optical axis direction are positioned further outward in the optical axis direction than the two ends of the metal portion 32. That is, the subject-side end (upper end) of the resin portion 33 is positioned further towards the subject than the subject-side end (upper end) of the metal portion 32, and the subject-opposite end (lower end) of the resin portion 33 is positioned further away from the subject than the subject-opposite end (lower end) of the metal portion 32. Furthermore, the outer end of the resin portion 33 in the radial direction of the holder 14 is positioned further outward in the radial direction of the holder 14 than the outer end of the metal portion 32 in the radial direction of the holder 14. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the resin portion 33 is positioned further outward than the outer peripheral surface of the metal portion 32.

[0068] The driving magnet 24 is fixed to the left side of the magnet fixing part 32a. The driving magnet 26 is fixed to the rear side of the magnet fixing part 32b. The driving magnet 24, fixed to the left side of the magnet fixing part 32a, is positioned in the circumferential direction of the holder 14 by the resin part 33, and is positioned on the opposite side of the subject. The driving magnet 26, fixed to the rear side of the magnet fixing part 32b, is positioned in the circumferential direction of the holder 14 by the resin part 33, and is positioned on the opposite side of the subject. That is, the resin part 33 serves to position the driving magnets 24 and 26.

[0069] On the right and front sides of the retainer 14 without drive magnets 24 and 26, upwardly protruding protrusions 33a are formed on the resin portion 33. The protrusions 33a formed on the resin portion 33 on the right side of the retainer 14 are positioned at the center of the right side of the retainer 14 in the front-rear direction, while the protrusions 33a formed on the resin portion 33 on the front side of the retainer 14 are positioned at the center of the front side of the retainer 14 in the left-right direction. The protrusions 33a serve to restrict the movement of the retainer 14 towards the subject.

[0070] Furthermore, when viewed from the optical axis, the cage 14 of this configuration is composed of a first cage portion 35 and a second cage portion 36, which are divided along a diagonal line on the other side where the ball contact portions 32c and 32d are not located (i.e., along the diagonal line connecting the corner of the right rear end and the corner of the left front end of the cage 14). (Refer to...) Figure 7 The first retainer portion 35 and the second retainer portion 36, which are formed separately, are fixed to each other. The metal portion 32 is composed of a first metal portion 37 and a second metal portion 38, which are divided along the diagonal line between the corner of the right rear end and the corner of the left front end of the connecting retainer 14. The first metal portion 37 and the second metal portion 38 are formed by bending a metal plate into a predetermined shape.

[0071] The first metal portion 37 constitutes the left and rear portions of the metal portion 32. The first metal portion 37 includes magnet fixing portions 32a and 32b and a ball contact portion 32c. That is, the ball contact portion 32c is integrally formed with the two magnet fixing portions 32a and 32b. The first retainer portion 35 is composed of the first metal portion 37 and a resin portion 33 that is integrally formed with the first metal portion 37 by insert molding. The first retainer portion 35 constitutes the left and rear portions of the retainer 14.

[0072] The second metal portion 38 constitutes the right side and front side of the metal portion 32, and includes a ball contact portion 32d. The second retainer portion 36 is composed of the second metal portion 38 and a resin portion 33 integrally formed with the second metal portion 38 by insert molding. The second retainer portion 36 constitutes the right side and front side of the retainer 14.

[0073] The first retainer portion 35 and the second retainer portion 36 are fixed to each other at the right rear corner and the left front corner of the retainer 14, for example, by adhesive. Alternatively, the first retainer portion 35 and the second retainer portion 36 are fixed to each other at the right rear corner and the left front corner of the retainer 14, for example, by welding the first metal portion 37 and the second metal portion 38 together. Positioning protrusions and recesses are formed at the right rear corner and the left front corner of the retainer 14, for example, on the resin portion 33 of the first retainer portion 35 and the resin portion 33 of the second retainer portion 36.

[0074] In this embodiment, the ball 21 is fixed to the ball contact portions 32c and 32d before the first retainer portion 35 and the second retainer portion 36 are fixed together. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first retainer portion 35 and the second retainer portion 36 are fixed together with the two arms 4b of the intermediate component 4 positioned between the separately formed first retainer portion 35 and the second retainer portion 36 (see reference). Figure 7 ).

[0075] (The main effects of this method)

[0076] As described above, in this embodiment, the retainer 14 is composed of a metal portion 32 and a resin portion 33. The metal portion 32 is formed of a metal material, and the resin portion 33 is formed of a resin material, and is integrally formed with the metal portion 32 by insert molding. Therefore, in this embodiment, the strength of the retainer 14 can be ensured by the function of the metal portion 32, and the thickness of the retainer 14 in the radial direction of the camera module 2 can be reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the strength of the retainer 14 can be ensured, and the retainer 14 can be miniaturized in the radial direction of the camera module 2. In addition, in this embodiment, since a part of the retainer 14 is the resin portion 33, the retainer 14 can be made lighter compared to the case where the entire retainer 14 is formed of a metal material, and as a result, the optical unit 1 can be made lighter.

[0077] In this embodiment, the metal part 32 includes magnet fixing parts 32a and 32b for fixing the driving magnets 24 and 26. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the metal part 32 is formed of a magnetic material. Therefore, in this embodiment, a magnetic yoke component is not required, unlike the optical unit with jitter correction function described in Patent Document 1. Additionally, in this embodiment, the metal part 32 includes ball contact parts 32c and 32d for fixing the metal ball 21, eliminating the need for a first thrust bearing component, unlike the optical unit with jitter correction function described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure of the optical unit 1 can be simplified, allowing for miniaturization of the optical unit 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the metal part 32 of the holder 14 that fixes the camera module 2 on the inner periphery is formed into a quadrangular cylindrical shape and is made of a magnetic material; therefore, the metal part 32 also serves to magnetically shield the camera module 2.

[0078] In this configuration, the two ends of the resin portion 33 in the optical axis direction are positioned further outward in the optical axis direction than the two ends of the metal portion 32 in the optical axis direction. Therefore, in this configuration, for example, when an impact such as a drop is applied to the optical unit 1 causing excessive movement of the retainer 14 in the optical axis direction, contact between the metal portion 32 and other components constituting the optical unit 1 can be prevented. Thus, in this configuration, damage to other components can be prevented when the retainer 14 moves excessively in the optical axis direction.

[0079] In this configuration, the outer end of the radially extending resin portion 33 of the retainer 14 is positioned radially outer of the retainer 14 than the outer end of the radially extending metal portion 32. Therefore, in this configuration, for example, when an impact such as a drop is applied to the optical unit 1 causing excessive radial movement of the retainer 14, contact between the metal portion 32 and the resin housing 17 can be prevented. Thus, in this configuration, damage to the housing 17 during excessive radial movement of the retainer 14 can be prevented, and dust generation caused by contact between the metal portion 32 and the housing 17 can be prevented.

[0080] (Other implementation methods)

[0081] The above-described method is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but it is not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made without changing the spirit of the present invention.

[0082] In the above-described manner, the retainer 14 is formed by fixing the separately formed first retainer portion 35 and second retainer portion 36 together. However, the retainer 14 can also be integrally formed by insert molding. However, when the frame-shaped retainer 14 is integrally formed by insert molding, when the two arms 4b are disposed on the inner circumference of the retainer 14, it is necessary to place the two arms 4b on the inner circumference of the retainer 14 while the arms 4b are elastically deformed to the inner circumference of the retainer 14. Therefore, if the optical unit 1 is miniaturized and the retainer 14 and intermediate component 4 are miniaturized, it is difficult to place the two arms 4b on the inner circumference of the retainer 14.

[0083] In this regard, as described above, when the retainer 14 is formed by fixing the separately formed first retainer portion 35 and second retainer portion 36 together, as mentioned above, by fixing the first retainer portion 35 and second retainer portion 36 together with two arms 4b arranged between the separately formed first retainer portion 35 and second retainer portion 36, the two arms 4b can be arranged on the inner circumference of the retainer 14. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the two arms 4b on the inner circumference of the retainer 14.

[0084] In the above-described manner, the magnet fixing part 32a, the magnet fixing part 32b, and the ball contact part 32c can also be formed separately. However, as described above, when the magnet fixing part 32a, the magnet fixing part 32b, and the ball contact part 32c are formed integrally, the handling of the components when manufacturing the cage 14 becomes easier. Alternatively, in the above-described manner, the metal part 32 can also be composed of the magnet fixing parts 32a, 32b, and the ball contact parts 32c, 32d. In this case, the magnet fixing parts 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d are formed separately, and the metal part 32 is not formed in a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, in this case, the magnet fixing parts 32a, 32b are formed of a magnetic material, but the ball contact parts 32c, 32d can also be formed of a non-magnetic material.

[0085] In the above-described manner, the ball 21 can also be fixed to the front end 4d of the arm 4b. In this case, the ball 21 is not fixed to the ball contact portions 32c and 32d. Alternatively, in this case, for example, a recess is formed on the ball contact portions 32c and 32d to accommodate a portion of the ball 21, and the ball 21 contacts this recess from the inside of the first intersecting direction. Alternatively, in the above-described manner, the ball 23 can also be fixed to the front end 4f of the arm 4c. In this case, the ball 23 is not fixed to the support member 22. Alternatively, a recess is formed on the support member 22 to accommodate a portion of the ball 23, and the ball 23 contacts this recess from the inside of the second intersecting direction.

[0086] In the above configuration, the driving magnet 24 can also be fixed to the right side of the retainer 14. In this case, a portion of the right side of the retainer 14 is a magnet fixing part 32a, and the driving coil 25 is disposed in a through hole formed on the right side of the housing 17. Alternatively, in the above configuration, the driving magnet 26 can also be fixed to the front side of the retainer 14. In this case, a portion of the front side of the retainer 14 is a magnet fixing part 32b, and the driving coil 27 is disposed in a through hole formed on the front side of the housing 17. Thus, in the above configuration, the ball contact part 32c may not be disposed between the magnet fixing parts 32a and 32b in the circumferential direction of the retainer 14.

[0087] In the above-described manner, the optical unit 1 may also include a rotation mechanism that allows the camera module 2 to rotate relative to the intermediate component 4 about the optical axis L of the camera module 2. In this case, the intermediate component 4 includes a first intermediate component and a second intermediate component. The movable body 3 is capable of rotating relative to the first intermediate component about the optical axis L of the camera module 2, and the first intermediate component is capable of rotating relative to the second intermediate component about the first axis L1.

[0088] In the above-described manner, the metal portion 32 may also have a portion disposed further outward in the optical axis direction than both ends of the resin portion 33 in the optical axis direction. Furthermore, in the above-described manner, the metal portion 32 may also have a portion disposed further outward in the radial direction of the retainer 14 than the outer ends of the resin portion 33 in the radial direction of the retainer 14. Moreover, in the above-described manner, the two arm portions 4b may also be disposed on the outer periphery of the retainer 14.

[0089] In the above configuration, the shape of the holder 14 when viewed from the optical axis can also be rectangular. Furthermore, in the above configuration, the first intersecting direction (V direction) may not be orthogonal to the optical axis L, and the second intersecting direction (W direction) may not be orthogonal to the first intersecting direction. Additionally, in the above configuration, the optical unit 1 can be installed in various devices other than portable devices.

Claims

1. An optical unit with jitter correction function, characterized in that, Include: A movable body with a camera module; An intermediate component holds the movable body in a rotatable manner; A fixing body holds the intermediate component in a rotatable manner; A magnetic drive mechanism is used to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body, so that the optical axis of the camera module can be tilted in any direction. The first fulcrum serves as the fulcrum for the rotation of the movable body relative to the intermediate component; as well as The second fulcrum serves as the fulcrum for the rotation of the intermediate component relative to the fixed body. The movable body is capable of rotating relative to the intermediate component with a first intersecting direction that intersects the optical axis of the camera module as its rotation axis. The intermediate component is capable of rotating relative to the fixed body with a second intersecting direction that intersects the first intersecting direction and the optical axis of the camera module as its rotation axis. The first fulcrum is disposed on both ends of the intermediate component in the first intersecting direction. The movable body includes a frame-shaped retainer on the inner periphery of which the camera module is fixed. The intermediate component includes two arms that form the end portion of the intermediate component in the first intersecting direction. The magnetic drive mechanism includes a drive magnet fixed to the cage and a drive coil fixed to the fixed body. The first fulcrum portion includes a ball disposed between the arm portion and the cage. The retainer comprises a metal part and a resin part. The metal part is formed of a metal material, and the resin part is formed of a resin material and is integrally formed with the metal part by insert molding. The metal part includes a magnet fixing part and a ball contact part. The magnet fixing part is formed of magnetic material and fixes the driving magnet. The ball contact part is for the ball to contact.

2. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two ends of the resin portion, which is in the direction of the optical axis of the camera module, are positioned further outward in the optical axis direction than the two ends of the metal portion in the optical axis direction.

3. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The outer end of the resin portion of the holder, which is orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis that is the optical axis of the camera module, is positioned further radially outward than the outer end of the metal portion of the holder.

4. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cage, when viewed from the optical axis direction (which is the optical axis of the camera module), has a square or rectangular shape. The magnet fixing part is disposed on two adjacent sides of the four sides of the cage, which is square or rectangular in shape when viewed from the optical axis direction. The spherical contact portion is disposed at two of the four corners of the cage, which is square or rectangular in shape when viewed from the optical axis direction, on one of the diagonal corners.

5. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 4, characterized in that, One of the two ball contact portions is disposed circumferentially between the two magnet fixing portions of the cage and is integrally formed with the two magnet fixing portions.

6. The optical unit with jitter correction function according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The intermediate component is a leaf spring. The arm is positioned on the inner circumferential side of the cage and applies force to the ball toward the cage. The cage is composed of a first cage portion and a second cage portion, which are divided diagonally on the opposite side from which the spherical contact portion is located when viewed from the optical axis direction. The first and second retainer portions, which are formed separately, are fixed to each other.

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