Optical unit

Abstract

An optical unit suppresses resonance without increasing the movable load of a movable body relative to a fixed body. An optical unit (10) is provided with: a movable body (14) provided with an optical module (12); a fixed body (16); and a gimbal mechanism (200) having a first leg section (27a) and a second leg section (27b) as leg sections (27), and having a first support section (20a) which is fixed to the fixed body and supports the first leg section in a rotatable state, and a second support section (20b) which is fixed to the movable body (14) and supports the second leg section in a rotatable state as support sections (20). In a relative range (R) between the leg part and the support part, the leg part (27) is provided with an engagement part (203), the support part is provided with an engaged part (202), and at least a part of the buffer member (D) is disposed at a position (P) overlapping the relative range (R) in the optical axis direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an optical unit. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various optical units including a movable body, a fixed body, and a gimbal mechanism for supporting the movable body so as to be movable relative to the fixed body are used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical unit including a movable body, a fixed body, and a gimbal mechanism, and including a gel-like cushioning member at the bottom of the gimbal mechanism for returning the movable body to an origin position. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-71493 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, in the conventional optical unit including a movable body, a fixed body, and a gimbal mechanism, such as the optical unit of Patent Document 1, when the movable body is moved relative to the fixed body, resonance corresponding to the spring constant of the gimbal mechanism and the mass of the movable body may occur, and the amount of movement of the movable body relative to the fixed body may increase. The optical unit of Patent Document 1 can appropriately restore the movable body to the origin position by providing a gel-like buffer member at the lower part of the gimbal mechanism, but it does not have a structure to suppress resonance. In addition, in order to suppress resonance, a method such as increasing the spring constant of the gimbal mechanism is considered, but if the spring constant of the gimbal mechanism is increased, the movable load of the movable body relative to the fixed body may increase. Technical solutions to solve problems

[0005] The optical unit of the present invention comprises: a movable body having an optical module; a fixed body which holds the movable body in a state where it can rotate with at least one of the directions intersecting the optical axis direction as a rotation axis; and a gimbal mechanism having a rotating component and a supporting portion, wherein the rotating component has a flat plate portion facing the optical axis direction and a plurality of legs extending from the flat plate portion along the optical axis direction, wherein the supporting portion engages with the legs and supports the legs in a state where it can rotate, wherein the gimbal mechanism comprises a first leg and a second leg as the legs, and a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion as the supporting portion, wherein the first supporting portion is fixed to the fixed body and supports the first leg in a state where it can rotate, and the second supporting portion is fixed to the movable body and supports the second leg in a state where it can rotate, wherein an engaging portion is provided on the leg within a relative range between the leg and the supporting portion, and an engaged portion engaged with the engaging portion is provided on the supporting portion, and wherein at least a portion of the buffer component is arranged at a position overlapping with the relative range in the optical axis direction. Effects of the Invention

[0006] The optical unit of the present invention can suppress resonance without increasing the movable load of the movable body with respect to the fixed body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 1 is a top view of the optical unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a stereoscopic diagram of the optical unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the optical unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing a part of the gimbal mechanism of the optical unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention and its surroundings. Figure 5 It is a perspective view of a gimbal mechanism of an optical unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing a part of the gimbal mechanism of the optical unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 It is a perspective view of a rotating component of a gimbal mechanism of an optical unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 8 It is a perspective view of a support portion of a gimbal mechanism of an optical unit according to Example 1 of the present invention. Fig. 9 This is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the gimbal mechanism of the optical unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 This is a side cross-sectional view showing a part of the gimbal mechanism of the optical unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig.11 This is a graph showing the relationship between the frequency and the amplification value when the movable body is moved relative to the fixed body in the optical unit etc. according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig.12 It is a perspective view of a support portion of a gimbal mechanism of an optical unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig.13 This is a side cross-sectional view showing a part of a gimbal mechanism of an optical unit according to Example 2 of the present invention and a part of a surrounding fixed body. Fig.14 This is a side cross-sectional view showing a part of a gimbal mechanism of an optical unit according to Example 2 of the present invention and a part of a movable body therearound. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In each embodiment, the same structure is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description is only given in the first embodiment, and the description of the structure is omitted in the subsequent embodiments.

[0009] [Example 1] First, use Figures 1 to 11 The optical unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described. Figure 2 In the figure, the dashed line with the symbol L represents the optical axis, the dashed line with the symbol L1 represents the first axis line intersecting the optical axis, and the dashed line with the symbol L2 represents the second axis line L2 intersecting the optical axis L and the first axis line L1. In addition, in each figure, the Z-axis direction is the optical axis direction, the X-axis direction is the direction intersecting the optical axis, in other words, the yaw axis direction, and the Y-axis direction is the direction intersecting the optical axis, in other words, the pitch axis direction.

[0010] <Overview of the Overall Structure of the Optical Unit> Reference Figures 1 to 3 , the structure of the optical unit 10 of this embodiment is described. The optical unit 10 includes: a movable body 14, which includes an optical module 12; and a fixed body 16, which holds the movable body 14 in a state that can be displaced in a direction (pitch direction) with the Y-axis direction as a rotation axis and a direction (yaw direction) with the X-axis direction as a rotation axis. In addition, a rotation drive mechanism 18 that drives the movable body 14 in the pitch direction and the yaw direction is provided. Moreover, the optical unit 10 includes: a support portion 20, which supports the movable body 14 so that it can rotate in the pitch direction and the yaw direction relative to the fixed body 16; and a rotating member 21, which includes a flat plate portion 25 provided with a plurality of legs 27, and the support portion 20 and the rotating member 21 constitute a gimbal mechanism 200. The rotating member 21 includes, on the flat plate portion 25, a first leg 27a extending from both ends of the first axis L1 in the optical axis direction and a second leg 27b extending from both ends of the second axis L2 in the optical axis direction as the legs 27.

[0011] <Optical Module> In the present embodiment, the optical module 12 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape, and is used, for example, as a thin camera mounted on a mobile phone with a camera or a tablet PC, etc. The optical module 12 has a lens 12a on the subject side, and an optical device for taking a picture is built into a rectangular frame-shaped housing 12b. As an example, the optical unit 10 in the present embodiment has an actuator built into it, and the actuator corrects the pitch shake (shake in the rotation direction with the Y-axis direction as the rotation axis) and the yaw shake (shake in the rotation direction with the X-axis direction as the rotation axis) generated in the optical module 12, and the optical unit 10 is configured to correct the pitch shake and the yaw shake.

[0012] In addition, in the present embodiment, the optical unit 10 is configured to correct both the pitch shake and the yaw shake, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the optical unit 10 may be configured to correct only one of the pitch shake and the yaw shake.

[0013] <Image capture element> like Figure 3 As shown, the optical module 12 includes an imaging element 50 on the side opposite to the subject side. A first flexible wiring board 51a is connected to the imaging element 50. Here, the imaging element 50 of this embodiment has a connection portion (not shown) to which the first flexible wiring board 51a is connected.

[0014] <Movable body> exist Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment, the movable body 14 includes an optical module 12, a retaining frame 22, and magnets 24A and 24B. The retaining frame 22 is configured as a rectangular frame-shaped component, and the rectangular frame-shaped component is arranged to surround the remaining four surfaces of the optical module 12 except for the front surface (the surface on the subject side) provided with the lens 12a and the rear surface on the opposite side. The retaining frame 22 of this embodiment is configured as an example to enable the optical module 12 to be loaded and unloaded. Magnets 24A and 24B for pitch and yaw correction are mounted on their outer surfaces by utilizing the two surfaces of the retaining frame 22 that are opposite to the fixed body 16. In addition, in Figure 3 In order to facilitate understanding of the installation positions of the magnets 24A and 24B, the magnets 24A and 24B are shown in a state where they are located away from the holding frame 22 . However, the magnets 24A and 24B are mounted on the holding frame 22 .

[0015] <Fixed body> exist Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment, the fixed body 16 includes a fixed frame 28 and coils 32A and 32B. In the present embodiment, the fixed frame 28 is composed of a first front cover portion 28a surrounding the movable body 14 on the subject side, a side cover portion 28b surrounding the four surfaces of the holding frame 22, a second front cover portion 28c provided on the subject side and carrying the first flexible wiring substrate 51a, and a rear cover portion 28d covering the side opposite to the subject side. Figure 3 In order to easily understand the position of the coils 32A and 32B relative to the magnets 24A and 24B, the coils 32A and 32B are shown as being located away from the side cover 28b, but the coils 32A and 32B are attached to the side cover 28b. The coils 32A and 32B are connected to the second flexible wiring substrate 51b.

[0016] like Figure 3As shown, in the present embodiment, when the movable body 14 is arranged in the fixed body 16, the magnet 24A and the coil 32A, and the magnet 24B and the coil 32B are in a relative state. In addition, in the present embodiment, the pair of the magnet 24A and the coil 32A, and the pair of the magnet 24B and the coil 32B constitute the rotation drive mechanism 18. The pitch and yaw correction of the movable body 14 is performed by the rotation drive mechanism 18. In addition, in the present embodiment, the coil 32A and the coil 32B are configured as a winding coil as an example, but it can also be a pattern substrate (coil substrate) in which the coil is integrated as a pattern in the substrate wiring.

[0017] In addition, the pitch and yaw correction is performed as follows. When the optical unit 10 shakes in both or one of the pitch and yaw directions, the shake is detected by a shake detection sensor (gyroscope) not shown, and the rotation drive mechanism 18 is driven based on the result. Then, the rotation drive mechanism 18 uses a magnetic sensor (Hall element) or the like to correct the shake of the optical unit 10 with high accuracy. That is, a current flows through each coil 32A and 32B to move the movable body 14 in a direction to eliminate the shake of the optical unit 10, thereby correcting the shake.

[0018] In the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, a rotation drive mechanism 18 is provided for rotating the movable body 14 relative to the fixed body 16 with the first axis L1 and the second axis L2 as the rotation axis. The movable body 14 rotates in the pitch axis direction and the yaw axis direction by a combination of rotations around the first axis L1 and the second axis L2. In addition, the "rotation" in this specification does not necessarily mean a rotation of 360°, and includes a case of swinging in the rotation direction.

[0019] The drive source for correcting the shake is not limited to the voice coil motor composed of each pair of coils 32A and 32B and magnets 24A and 24B as in the rotation drive mechanism 18. As other drive sources, a stepping motor or a piezoelectric element may be used.

[0020] Next, refer to Figures 4 to 11 The gimbal mechanism 200, which is a main part of the optical unit 10 of this embodiment, is described in detail. Figures 4 to 10 and the optical unit 10 of Example 2 described later. Figure 12 to Figure 14 , the supporting structure of the first leg portion 27a by the first supporting portion 20a is shown, but the supporting structure of the second leg portion 27b by the second supporting portion 20b is also the same structure.

[0021] <Gimbal Mechanism> The gimbal mechanism 200 includes: a rotating member 21 having elasticity formed by bending a metal flat plate material; and a support portion 20 for supporting the rotating member 21. Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the rotating member 21 has a flat plate portion 25, and is composed of two first legs 27a and two second legs 27b formed by bending approximately 90 degrees along the optical axis direction from the four corners of the flat plate portion 25 to the side opposite to the subject side. Each of the two first legs 27a and the two second legs 27b is provided with a Figure 7 ) is a concave portion 203 that is recessed inwardly on the side opposite to the first leg 27a. In addition, the first leg 27a and the second leg 27b may not be entirely plate-shaped, but may be formed in a plate-shaped manner to exert elasticity in only a portion thereof. The rotating member 21 of this embodiment has such a structure that can apply pressure in the outer direction O.

[0022] The support portion 20 supports the movable body 14 so as to be rotatable relative to the fixed body 16 about the first axis L1 and the second axis L2 as rotation axes. Figure 5 As shown in the figure, as the support part 20, there are two first support parts 20a supporting the first leg part 27a and two second support parts 20b supporting the second leg part 27b. And, the first support part 20a is arranged at two opposite positions among the four corners of the rectangular frame-shaped part in the side cover part 28b of the fixed body 16, and the second support part 20b is arranged at two opposite positions among the four corners of the holding frame 22 of the rectangular frame-shaped movable body 14. That is, the first support part 20a is fixed to the fixed body 16, and the second support part 20b is fixed to the movable body 14. In addition, the rectangular frame-shaped part of the side cover part 28b and the rectangular frame-shaped movable body 14 are arranged so that the positions of the four corners are aligned, and the first support part 20a and the second support part 20b are arranged one at each of the four corners.

[0023] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the gimbal mechanism 200 of the present embodiment includes a first support portion 20a and a second support portion 20b as the support portion 20. Here, the first support portion 20a and the second support portion 20b have the same structure. Specifically, Figure 8 As shown in the figures, the first support part 20a and the second support part 20b of the support part 20 each include a side plate part 211, a convex part 202 (sphere 202A) formed on the side plate part 211, a bottom plate part 210, and a protruding part 201. In addition, in each support part 20, the convex part 202 is formed by welding a metal sphere 202A to a circular hole formed on the metal side plate part 211.

[0024] <Supporting structure for supporting a rotating member using a supporting mechanism> like Figure 7 and Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , a concave portion 203 having a spherical concave surface B1 is provided on the first leg portion 27a. Figure 8and Fig.10 As shown in the figures, the first support part 20a is provided with a convex part 202 having a spherical convex surface B2, and the first leg part 27a is supported by the first support part 20a through the contact between the spherical concave surface B1 and the spherical convex surface B2. In addition, the first leg part 27a and the second leg part 27b have the same structure, and the first support part 20a and the second support part 20b have the same structure, so the second leg part 27b is provided with a concave part 203 having a spherical concave surface B1, and the second support part 20b is provided with a convex part 202 having a spherical convex surface B2, and the second leg part 27b is supported by the second support part 20b through the contact between the spherical concave surface B1 and the spherical convex surface B2. Moreover, each of the two first legs 27a and each of the two second legs 27b is structured to apply pressure toward the outward direction O, so that through this pressure, each spherical concave surface B1 is pressed relative to the corresponding spherical convex surface B2, and the first leg 27a and the second leg 27b are supported by the corresponding first support part 20a and the second support part 20b.

[0025] In addition, the fixed body 16 of this embodiment has a fixing portion 127 for fixing the first supporting portion 20a, and the movable body 14 of this embodiment has a fixing portion 227 for fixing the second supporting portion 20b. The fixing portion 127 and the fixing portion 227 have the same structure, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the support portion 20 mounted on the leg portion 27 is inserted and fixed along the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction). Figure 6 As shown, at any of the supporting locations where the leg portion 27 is supported by the support portion 20 , the leg portion 27 is supported in a state where it can swing in the swing direction S relative to the support portion 20 .

[0026] Here, to summarize, the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment comprises: a movable body 14, which comprises an optical module 12; and a fixed body 16, which holds the movable body 14 in a state where it can rotate with at least one of the directions intersecting the optical axis direction (Z axis direction) (X axis direction and Y axis direction) as a rotation axis. In addition, the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment comprises a gimbal mechanism 200, which comprises: a rotating member 21, which comprises a flat plate portion 25 facing the optical axis direction and a plurality of legs 27 extending from the flat plate portion 25 in the optical axis direction; and a support portion 20, which engages with the legs 27 and supports the legs 27 in a rotatable state. Here, the gimbal mechanism 200 has a first leg 27a and a second leg 27b as the leg 27, and has a first support portion 20a fixed to the fixed body 16 and supporting the first leg 27a in a rotatable state, and a second support portion 20b fixed to the movable body 14 and supporting the second leg 27b in a rotatable state as the support portion 20.

[0027] Furthermore, in the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, as Fig.10As shown, in the gimbal mechanism 200, in the relative range R between the leg 27 and the support 20, a concave portion 203 as an engaging portion is provided on the leg 27, and a convex portion 202 as an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion 203 is provided on the support 20. Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , a gel-like substance functioning as a buffer member D is disposed at a position P overlapping with the opposing range R in the optical axis direction.

[0028] In this way, by configuring at least a portion of the buffer member D at the position P overlapping the relative range R in the optical axis direction, it is possible to suppress resonance when the movable body 14 is moved relative to the fixed body 16. In addition, by adjusting the viscoelasticity of the buffer member D according to the use mode of the optical unit 10, etc., it is also possible to suppress an increase in the movable load of the movable body 14 relative to the fixed body 16.

[0029] here, Fig.11 The present invention is a graph showing a comparison between the relationship between the frequency and the amplification value when the movable body 14 is moved relative to the fixed body 16 in the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment (in the presence of a gel-like substance) and the relationship between the frequency and the amplification value when the movable body 14 is moved relative to the fixed body 16 in the optical unit 10 of a comparative example in which the gel-like substance is removed from the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment (in the absence of a gel-like substance). Fig.11 This is a graph assuming that, ideally, the frequency is increased until a constant amplification value is reached at the frequency of the resonance point, and the amplification value gradually decreases after the frequency of the resonance point. In the optical unit 10 of the comparative example, the amplification value increases at the frequency of the resonance point (the undesired movement amount of the movable body 14 relative to the fixed body 16 increases), but in the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, the increase amount of the amplification value at the frequency of the resonance point also decreases. That is, in the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, it is shown that the resonance when the movable body 14 is moved relative to the fixed body 16 is suppressed.

[0030] In the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, the buffer member D is a gel-like substance. Here, the gel-like substance refers to a substance that has no fluidity and has at least viscoelasticity to such an extent that a part of the buffer member D does not flow or fall due to the influence of gravity and disappear. Therefore, fluid liquid oil and the like are not included. By using a gel-like substance as the buffer member D, the viscoelasticity and the like can be easily adjusted according to the use mode of the optical unit 10 and the like, and the buffer member D can be configured inexpensively.

[0031] However, the cushioning member D is not limited to the gel-like material. For example, a sheet-like elastic member may be used as the cushioning member D. By using a sheet-like elastic member as the cushioning member D, it is easy to arrange the cushioning member D at a desired position.

[0032] In addition, as described above, in the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, the engaging portion provided on the leg 27 is the recessed portion 203, and the engaged portion provided on the support portion 20 is the convex portion 202 engaged with the recessed portion 203. Thus, it is preferable that the engaging portion has a convex portion or a recessed portion, and the engaged portion has a recessed portion or a convex portion engaged with the convex portion or the recessed portion of the engaging portion. This is because the support portion 20 fixed to the fixed body 16 or the movable body 14 can be easily and appropriately engaged with the leg 27 of the rotating member 21 by using the spring pressure of the gimbal mechanism 200 or the like. In addition, in the present embodiment, the engaging portion provided on the leg 27 is the recessed portion 203, and the engaged portion provided on the support portion 20 is the convex portion 202, but the engaging portion provided on the leg 27 may be a convex portion, and the engaged portion provided on the support portion 20 may be a recessed portion.

[0033] In addition, if Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, in the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, the gimbal mechanism 200 is provided with a buffer member D between the concave portion 203 provided in the engaging portion of the leg portion 27 and the convex portion 202 provided in the engaged portion of the support portion 20. In this way, it is preferable to arrange the buffer member D between the convex portion or concave portion provided in the engaging portion of the leg portion 27 and the concave portion or convex portion provided in the engaged portion of the support portion 20. This is because by arranging the buffer member D at such a position, it is possible to particularly effectively suppress an increase in a movable load of the movable body 14 relative to the fixed body 16 when the movable body 14 is moved relative to the fixed body 16, and it is possible to particularly effectively suppress resonance.

[0034] In addition, if Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , in the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, the concave portion 203 of the engaging portion provided on the leg portion 27 and the convex portion 202 of the engaged portion provided on the support portion 20 abut at the spherical concave surface B1 and the spherical convex surface B2. In this way, the convex portion or concave portion of the engaging portion provided on the leg portion 27 and the concave portion or convex portion of the engaged portion provided on the support portion 20 are preferably spherical. This is because it is particularly effective to suppress an increase in the movable load of the movable body 14 relative to the fixed body 16 when the movable body 14 is moved relative to the fixed body 16.

[0035] [Example 2] Next, use Figure 12 to Figure 14 The optical unit 10 according to the second embodiment will be described. Fig.12 is the same as the optical unit 10 of Example 1 Figure 8 The optical unit 10 of this embodiment has the same structure and features as the optical unit 10 of the first embodiment except for the parts described below.

[0036] In the optical unit 10 of the first embodiment, the support portion 20 is formed by welding a ball 202A to a circular hole formed in the flat side plate portion 211 to form the convex portion 202. On the other hand, in the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, Figure 12 to Figure 14 As shown, the convex portion 202 is configured by deforming a portion of the flat plate-like side plate portion 211 to form a semicircular protrusion 202B.

[0037] In other words, in the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, the convex portion 202 of the support portion 20 as the engaged portion is formed integrally with the side plate portion 211. In this way, by forming the concave portion or convex portion of the engaged portion provided on the support portion 20 integrally with the constituent components of the support portion 20, the concave portion or convex portion of the engaged portion can be simply formed. In addition, in the optical unit 10 of the first embodiment and the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, the side plate portion 211, the bottom plate portion 210 and the protruding portion 201 are integrally formed. By adopting such a structure, the support portion 20 can be simply formed.

[0038] On the other hand, the rotating member 21 of the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment has the same structure as the rotating member 21 of the optical unit 10 of the first embodiment, but in the optical unit 10 of the first embodiment and the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, the recessed portion of the engaging portion is formed integrally with the leg 27 in each leg 27. Thus, by forming the convex portion or the recessed portion of the engaging portion integrally with the leg 27, the convex portion or the recessed portion of the engaging portion can be formed simply. In addition, in the optical unit 10 of the first embodiment and the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, the flat plate portion 25 and the leg 27 are integrally formed. By adopting such a structure, the rotating member 21 can be formed simply.

[0039] In addition, if Fig.13 As shown, in the optical unit 10 of the present embodiment, the fixing portion 127 of the fixing body 16 constitutes a first pocket structure 127a for accommodating the first supporting portion 20a, and the gel-like substance as the buffer member D is arranged in the first pocket structure 127a. In this way, by arranging the gel-like substance in the first pocket structure 127a, it is possible to prevent the gel-like substance from being torn and scattered. In addition, the pocket structure refers to a structure having an opening that allows the member to move forward and backward, and the front end side of the moving forward and backward direction and the direction intersecting the moving forward and backward direction are closed.

[0040] On the other hand, Fig.14 As shown, in the optical unit 10 of this embodiment, the fixing portion 227 of the movable body 14 constitutes a second pocket structure 227a for accommodating the second supporting portion 20b, and the gel-like substance as the buffer member D is arranged in the second pocket structure 227a. In this way, by arranging the gel-like substance in the second pocket structure 227a, it is possible to prevent the gel-like substance from being torn and scattered.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented in various structures within the scope of its purpose. For example, in order to solve part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve part or all of the above-mentioned effects, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each mode recorded in the invention content column can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, if the technical features are not described as necessary technical features in this specification, they can be appropriately deleted.

[0042] Finally, the present invention will be fully described below. (1) An optical unit comprises: a movable body having an optical module; a fixed body which holds the movable body in a state where it can rotate with at least one of the directions intersecting the optical axis direction as a rotation axis; and a gimbal mechanism having a rotating component and a supporting portion, wherein the rotating component has a flat plate portion facing the optical axis direction and a plurality of legs extending from the flat plate portion along the optical axis direction, wherein the supporting portion engages with the legs to support the legs in a state where they can rotate, wherein the gimbal mechanism comprises a first leg portion and a second leg portion as the legs, and a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion as the supporting portion, wherein the first supporting portion is fixed to the fixed body and supports the first leg portion in a state where it can rotate, and the second supporting portion is fixed to the movable body and supports the second leg in a state where it can rotate, wherein an engaging portion is provided on the leg portion within a relative range between the leg portion and the supporting portion, and an engaged portion engaged with the engaging portion is provided on the supporting portion, and wherein at least a portion of a buffer component is arranged at a position overlapping with the relative range in the optical axis direction. (2) In the optical unit described in (1) above, the engaging portion has a convex portion or a concave portion, and the engaged portion has a concave portion or a convex portion that engages with the convex portion or the concave portion of the engaging portion. (3) In the optical unit described in (2) above, the leg portion is integrally formed with the convex portion or the concave portion of the engaging portion. (4) In the optical unit described in (2) or (3) above, the support portion is integrally formed with the concave portion or the convex portion of the engaged portion. (5) In the optical unit described in any one of (2) to (4) above, the gimbal mechanism includes the buffer member disposed between the convex portion or the concave portion of the engaging portion and the concave portion or the convex portion of the engaged portion. (6) In the optical unit described in any one of (2) to (5) above, the convex portion or the concave portion of the engaging portion and the concave portion or the convex portion of the engaged portion are spherical. (7) In the optical unit described in any one of (1) to (6) above, the buffer member is a gel-like substance. (8) In the optical unit described in (7) above, the fixing body has a first pocket structure for housing the first supporting portion, and the gel-like substance is arranged in the first pocket structure. (9) In the optical unit described in (7) or (8) above, the movable body has a second pocket structure for housing the second support portion, and the gel-like substance is arranged in the second pocket structure. (10) In the optical unit described in any one of (1) to (9) above, the buffer member is a sheet-shaped elastic member. Explanation of symbols

[0052] 10 optical unit; 12 optical module; 12a lens; 12b housing; 14 movable body; 16 fixed body; 18 rotation drive mechanism; 20 support portion; 20a first support portion; 20b second support portion; 21 rotating member; 22 holding frame; 24A magnet; 24B magnet; 25 flat plate portion; 27 foot portion; 27a first foot portion; 27b second foot portion; 28 fixed frame; 28a first front cover portion; 28b side cover portion; 28c second front cover portion; 28d rear cover portion; 3 2A coil; 32B coil; 50 imaging element; 51a first flexible wiring substrate; 51b second flexible wiring substrate; 127 fixing portion; 127a first pocket structure; 200 gimbal mechanism; 201 protrusion; 202 protrusion (engaged portion); 202A sphere; 202B protrusion; 203 recess (engaging portion); 210 bottom plate; 211 side plate; 227 fixing portion; 227a second pocket structure; B1 concave surface of ball; B2 convex surface of ball; D buffer component; L optical axis.

Claims

1. An optical unit, characterized in that: have: A movable body having an optical module; a fixed body that holds the movable body in a state where it can rotate about at least one of the directions intersecting the optical axis direction as a rotation axis; as well as The gimbal mechanism comprises a rotating member and a supporting portion, wherein the rotating member comprises a flat plate portion facing the optical axis direction and a plurality of legs extending from the flat plate portion in the optical axis direction, wherein the supporting portion engages with the legs and supports the legs in a rotatable state, In the gimbal mechanism, As the leg, there are a first leg and a second leg, As the support portion, there is provided: a first support portion fixed to the fixed body and supporting the first leg portion in a rotatable state; and a second support portion fixed to the movable body and supporting the second leg portion in a rotatable state, In the relative range between the leg and the support, the leg is provided with an engaging portion, and the support is provided with an engaged portion engaged with the engaging portion. At least a portion of the buffer member is disposed at a position overlapping the opposing range in the optical axis direction.

2. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The engaging portion has a convex portion or a concave portion, The engaged portion has a concave portion or a convex portion that engages with the convex portion or the concave portion of the engaging portion.

3. The optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that The leg portion is integrally formed with a convex portion or a concave portion of the engaging portion.

4. The optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that The support portion is integrally formed with a concave portion or a convex portion of the engaged portion.

5. The optical unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The gimbal mechanism includes the buffer member disposed between the convex portion or the concave portion of the engaging portion and the concave portion or the convex portion of the engaged portion.

6. The optical unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The convex part or the concave part of the engaging part and the concave part or the convex part of the engaged part are spherical.

7. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The buffer member is a gel-like substance.

8. The optical unit according to claim 7, characterized in that The fixing body has a first pocket structure for accommodating the first supporting part. The gel-like substance is disposed in the first pocket structure.

9. The optical unit according to claim 7, characterized in that: The movable body has a second pocket structure for accommodating the second support portion. The gel-like substance is disposed in the second pocket structure.

10. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The buffer member is a sheet-shaped elastic member.

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