Optical unit

Abstract

Provided is an optical unit provided with a movable body having an optical module, a fixed body for holding the movable body, and a drive mechanism for rotating the movable body with respect to the fixed body so as to tilt the optical axis of the optical module, the optical unit being capable of rotating the movable body with respect to the fixed body even if the rotation angle of the movable body with respect to the fixed body becomes large. The optical module can ensure the driving force of the driving mechanism, and can be miniaturized in the optical axis direction of the optical module. In the optical unit, the drive mechanism includes a drive magnet attached to the movable body and a drive coil attached to the fixed body, and when the optical module is disposed at a predetermined reference position, the drive magnet and the drive coil face each other in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the optical module. The driving magnet is magnetized in the optical axis direction, and the magnetic pole of one surface of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction is different from the magnetic pole of the other surface of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical unit installed in a portable device or the like. Background Art

[0002] In the past, an optical unit installed in a smartphone or the like is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The optical unit described in Patent Document 1 includes: a first movable body having a camera module as an optical module; a gimbal mechanism that supports the first movable body in a rotatable manner; a second movable body that supports the first movable body via the gimbal mechanism; and a swing mechanism that swings the first movable body relative to the second movable body. In addition, the optical unit includes a fixed body that holds the first movable body and the second movable body, etc.

[0003] In the optical unit described in Patent Document 1, the swing mechanism includes a driving magnet fixed to a first movable body and a driving coil fixed to a second movable body. The driving magnet is magnetized in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the camera module, i.e., the optical axis direction. In addition, the driving magnet is magnetized into two poles formed by an N pole and an S pole arranged in the optical axis direction. The driving coil is arranged opposite to the driving magnet in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-56747 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] The inventors of the present application have developed an optical unit 100 (refer to Fig. 6A and Figure 6B ), the optical unit 100 comprises: a movable body 101, which has an optical module such as a camera module; a fixed body 102, which holds the movable body 101; and a driving mechanism 103, which is used to rotate the movable body 101 relative to the fixed body 102 in a manner that the optical axis L10 of the optical module is tilted. The driving mechanism 103 comprises a driving magnet 105 mounted on the movable body 101 and a driving coil 106 mounted on the fixed body 102. The driving coil 106 is, for example, a hollow coil formed by winding a conductive wire into a hollow shape. When the optical module is arranged at a predetermined reference position where the optical axis L10 of the optical module is not tilted, the driving magnet 105 and the driving coil 106 are opposed to each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis L10 of the optical module, that is, the optical axis direction (refer to Fig. 6A ).

[0009] When the optical module is arranged at the reference position, the driving magnet 105 and the driving coil 106 are opposed to each other in the opposing direction. In the optical unit 100 being developed by the inventors of the present application, the driving magnet 105 is magnetized in the opposing direction, and the driving magnet 105 is bipolarly magnetized so that the N pole and the S pole are arranged in the optical axis direction. The movable body 101 can rotate relative to the fixed body 102 with the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the opposing direction as the axial direction of rotation, and can rotate relative to the fixed body 102 with the rotation center C10 as the center.

[0010] like Fig. 6A and Figure 6B As shown in the figure, when the portion of the driving magnet 105 magnetized with two poles on one side in the optical axis direction is set as the first magnet portion 105a, the portion of the driving magnet 105 on the other side in the optical axis direction is set as the second magnet portion 105b, the effective side of the driving coil 106 wound in a hollow shape on one side in the optical axis direction is set as the first coil portion 106a, and the effective side of the driving coil 106 on the other side in the optical axis direction is set as the second coil portion 106b, when the optical module is configured in the reference position, as shown in the figure, Fig. 6A As shown, the magnetic flux passing through the first coil portion 106a is roughly generated from the first magnet portion 105a, and the magnetic flux passing through the second coil portion 106b is generated from the second magnet portion 105b.

[0011] Therefore, when the optical module is arranged at the reference position, when current is supplied to the driving coil 106, for example, Fig. 6A As shown, on one side of the optical axis direction, an electromagnetic force is generated roughly in the direction indicated by the arrow V11, and on the other side of the optical axis direction, an electromagnetic force is generated roughly in the direction indicated by the arrow V12. The electromagnetic force generated on one side of the optical axis direction and the electromagnetic force generated on the other side of the optical axis direction are both electromagnetic forces acting in the direction in which the movable body 101 is intended to rotate relative to the fixed body 102.

[0012] On the other hand, the inventors of the present application have found that, in the optical unit 100, in order to greatly tilt the optical axis L10 and increase the rotation angle of the movable body 101 relative to the fixed body 102 (for example, when the optical axis L10 of the optical module arranged at the reference position is tilted by about 5°), as shown in FIG. Figure 6BAs shown, a part of the magnetic flux from the first magnet part 105a to the second magnet part 105b may pass through the first coil part 106a. When a part of the magnetic flux from the first magnet part 105a to the second magnet part 105b passes through the first coil part 106a, when a current is supplied to the driving coil 106, an electromagnetic force is generated in a direction substantially indicated by an arrow V13 on one side in the optical axis direction, an electromagnetic force is generated in a direction substantially indicated by an arrow V14 on the other side in the optical axis direction, and an electromagnetic force is generated in a direction substantially indicated by an arrow V15 on one side in the optical axis direction.

[0013] The electromagnetic force in the direction indicated by the arrow V13 and the electromagnetic force in the direction indicated by the arrow V14 act in the direction in which the movable body 101 is intended to rotate relative to the fixed body 102, but the electromagnetic force in the direction indicated by the arrow V15 acts in the opposite direction to the direction in which the movable body 101 is intended to rotate relative to the fixed body 102. Therefore, in the optical unit 100, when the rotation angle of the movable body 101 relative to the fixed body 102 increases, the driving force of the driving mechanism 103 may decrease.

[0014] If the inner diameter of the driving coil 106 is increased so that a part of the magnetic flux from the first magnet portion 105a to the second magnet portion 105b does not pass through the first coil portion 106a even if the rotation angle of the movable body 101 relative to the fixed body 102 increases, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the driving force of the driving mechanism 103 even if the rotation angle of the movable body 101 relative to the fixed body 102 increases. However, in this case, since the driving coil 106 is enlarged in the optical axis direction, the optical unit 100 may be enlarged in the optical axis direction.

[0015] Therefore, the technical problem of the present invention is to provide an optical unit, in which the optical unit includes a movable body having an optical module, a fixed body holding the movable body, and a driving mechanism for rotating the movable body relative to the fixed body in a manner that tilts the optical axis of the optical module, even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body becomes larger, the driving force of the driving mechanism can be ensured, and the optical module can be miniaturized in the direction of the optical axis.

[0016] Technical solutions adopted to solve technical problems

[0017] In order to solve the above technical problems, the inventors of the present application have conducted various studies. In particular, the inventors of the present application have conducted various studies focusing on the magnetization direction of the driving magnet fixed to the movable body. As a result, the inventors of the present application have obtained the following insights: by designing the magnetization direction of the driving magnet fixed to the movable body, even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body becomes larger, the driving force of the driving mechanism can be ensured, and the optical unit can be miniaturized in the optical axis direction of the optical module.

[0018] The optical unit of the present invention is developed based on this new insight, and is characterized in that it comprises: a movable body having an optical module; a fixed body holding the movable body; and a driving mechanism for rotating the movable body relative to the fixed body in a manner that tilts the optical axis of the optical module, the driving mechanism comprising a driving magnet mounted on the movable body and a driving coil mounted on the fixed body, when the optical module is arranged in a predetermined reference position, the driving magnet and the driving coil are opposed to each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis of the optical module, i.e., the optical axis direction, the driving magnet is magnetized in the optical axis direction, and the magnetic pole of one surface of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction is different from the magnetic pole of the other surface of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction.

[0019] In the optical unit of the present invention, the driving magnet is magnetized in the direction of the optical axis, and the magnetic pole of one surface of the driving magnet in the direction of the optical axis is different from the magnetic pole of the other surface of the driving magnet in the direction of the optical axis. Therefore, according to the research of the inventor of the present application, in the present invention, for example, even if the inner diameter of the driving coil wound into a hollow shape is reduced and the driving coil is miniaturized in the direction of the optical axis, even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body is increased, it is possible to prevent the electromagnetic force acting in the direction opposite to the direction in which the movable body is intended to be rotated relative to the fixed body between the driving magnet and the driving coil. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body is increased, the driving force of the driving mechanism can be ensured, and the optical unit can be miniaturized in the direction of the optical axis of the optical module.

[0020] In addition, in the present invention, since the driving magnet is magnetized in the optical axis direction, it is similar to the Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Compared with the case where the driving magnet is magnetized with two poles in the optical axis direction as shown in the driving magnet 105, the driving magnet can be manufactured more easily. Therefore, in the present invention, the manufacturing cost of the driving magnet can be reduced.

[0021] In the present invention, for example, when a prescribed direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction when the optical module is arranged in a reference position is set as a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction when the optical module is arranged in the reference position is set as a second direction, the driving mechanism comprises: a first driving magnet, which serves as a driving magnet and is used to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body with the first direction as the axial direction of rotation; and a second driving magnet, which serves as a driving magnet and is used to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body with the second direction as the axial direction of rotation, and the driving mechanism comprises: a first driving coil, which serves as a driving coil and is arranged opposite to the first driving magnet in the second direction; and a second driving coil, which serves as a driving coil and is arranged opposite to the second driving magnet in the first direction.

[0022] In the present invention, the optical unit includes, for example, an intermediate member that rotatably holds the movable body, and the fixed body rotatably holds the intermediate member. In the present invention, for example, the optical module is a camera module.

[0023] In the present invention, for example, when the direction in which the driving magnet and the driving coil are opposed to each other when the optical module is arranged at the reference position is set as the opposing direction, when the optical module is arranged at the reference position and viewed from the opposing direction, the center of the driving magnet coincides with the center of the driving coil. In this case, the balance of the driving force of the driving mechanism is improved.

[0024] In the present invention, it is preferred that the width of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction is narrower than the width of the driving coil in the optical axis direction when the optical module is arranged in the reference position. According to the research of the inventor of the present application, if it is configured in this way, even if the driving magnet is magnetized in the optical axis direction, the density of the magnetic flux passing through the driving coil when the optical module is arranged in the reference position can be increased. Therefore, even if the driving magnet is magnetized in the optical axis direction, the driving force of the driving mechanism when the optical module is arranged in the reference position can be ensured.

[0025] In the present invention, it is preferred that when the direction in which the driving magnet and the driving coil are opposed to each other when the optical module is arranged at the reference position is set as the opposing direction, the thickness of the driving magnet in the opposing direction when the optical module is arranged at the reference position is thicker than the thickness of the driving coil in the opposing direction. If so configured, even if the driving magnet is magnetized in the optical axis direction, the density of the magnetic flux passing through the driving coil can be increased. Therefore, the driving force of the driving mechanism can be increased.

[0026] In the present invention, it is preferred that the movable body has a resin holder to which the optical module is fixed, and the driving magnet is directly fixed to the holder. If so configured, the density of the magnetic flux passing through the driving coil can be increased compared to the case where the driving magnet is fixed to the holder via a back yoke (i.e., the case where a back yoke is arranged between the driving magnet and the holder). Therefore, the driving force of the driving mechanism can be increased.

[0027] Effects of the Invention

[0028] As described above, in the present invention, in an optical unit including a movable body having an optical module, a fixed body for holding the movable body, and a driving mechanism for rotating the movable body relative to the fixed body in such a manner as to tilt the optical axis of the optical module, even if the rotation angle of the movable body relative to the fixed body becomes larger, the driving force of the driving mechanism can be ensured, and the optical unit can be miniaturized in the direction of the optical axis of the optical module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1It is a schematic plan view for explaining the structure of the optical unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 It is used to illustrate Figure 1 A schematic side view of the structure of the optical unit shown.

[0031] Figure 3A and Figure 3B It is used to illustrate Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the drive mechanism shown in FIG. Figure 3A is a diagram showing a state where the optical module is arranged at a reference position, Figure 3B This is a diagram showing a state in which the optical axis of the optical module is greatly inclined.

[0032] Figure 4 is shown for illustration Figure 1 A graph of simulation results showing the effect of the optical unit.

[0033] Figure 5 is shown for illustration Figure 1 A graph of simulation results showing the effect of the optical unit.

[0034] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram for explaining the problems of the prior art. Fig. 6A is a diagram showing a state where the optical module is arranged at a reference position, Figure 6B This is a diagram showing a state in which the optical axis of the optical module is greatly inclined.

[0035] Description of Reference Numerals

[0036] 1…optical unit; 2…camera module (optical module); 3…movable body; 4…intermediate component; 5…fixed body; 7…driving mechanism; 11…holder; 15…driving magnet (first driving magnet); 15a, 17a…side surface of the object (one surface of the driving magnet in the direction of the optical axis); 15b, 17b…opposite side surface of the object (the other surface of the driving magnet in the direction of the optical axis); 16…driving coil (first driving coil); 17…driving magnet (second driving magnet); 18…driving coil (second driving coil); L…optical axis; t1…thickness of the driving magnet in the opposite direction; t2…thickness of the driving coil in the opposite direction; W1…width of the driving magnet in the direction of the optical axis; W2…width of the driving coil in the direction of the optical axis; X…second direction, opposite direction; Y…first direction, opposite direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0038] (Overall structure of optical unit)

[0039] Figure 1 It is a schematic plan view for explaining the structure of the optical unit 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is used to illustrate Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the structure of the optical unit 1 shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , three mutually orthogonal directions are defined as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, the X direction is defined as the left-right direction, the Y direction is defined as the front-back direction, and the Z direction is defined as the up-down direction. Figure 2 The Z1 direction side of the same is set as the "upper" side, and the opposite side is Figure 2 The Z2 direction side of the same is set as the "lower" side.

[0040] The optical unit 1 of this embodiment is a small and thin unit installed in a portable device such as a smart phone. The optical unit 1 has a camera module 2, which, as an optical module, has a lens and an imaging element for shooting. In addition, the optical unit 1 has a shake correction function for avoiding the disorder of the captured image caused by the shake during shooting. The optical unit 1 is formed as a thin flat rectangular parallelepiped as a whole. The optical unit 1 of this embodiment is formed into a rectangular shape that is close to a square shape when observed from the direction of the optical axis L of the camera module 2, that is, the optical axis direction. The four side surfaces of the optical unit 1 are parallel to the ZX plane formed by the left-right direction and the up-down direction or the YZ plane formed by the front-back direction and the up-down direction.

[0041] The optical unit 1 includes: a movable body 3 having a camera module 2; an intermediate member 4 that holds the movable body 3 in a rotatable manner; and a fixed body 5 that holds the intermediate member 4 in a rotatable manner. The movable body 3 can be moved in a first intersecting direction ( Figure 1 That is, the movable body 3 can rotate relative to the intermediate member 4 with the first intersecting direction as the axial direction. Figure 1 ) is the rotation center relative to the intermediate component 4. The first intersection direction of this mode is orthogonal to the optical axis L. In addition, Figure 2 In the figure, the intermediate component 4 is omitted.

[0042] The intermediate member 4 can be arranged in a second intersecting direction ( Figure 1 That is, the intermediate member 4 can rotate relative to the fixed body 5 with the second intersecting direction as the axial direction of the second axis L2 (refer to Figure 1) is the rotation center relative to the fixed body 5. In this embodiment, the second intersection direction is orthogonal to the first intersection direction. In this way, a two-axis gimbal mechanism is formed between the movable body 3 and the fixed body 5.

[0043] In this method, when current is not supplied to the driving coil 16 and the driving coil 18 described later, the camera module 2 is configured at a predetermined reference position. When the camera module 2 is configured at the reference position, the optical axis direction of the camera module 2 is consistent with the up-down direction. In this method, the front-to-back direction (Y direction) becomes a predetermined direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction (up-down direction) when the camera module 2 is configured at the reference position, i.e., the first direction, and the left-right direction (X direction) becomes a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction (up-down direction) and the first direction (front-to-back direction) when the camera module 2 is configured at the reference position, i.e., the second direction.

[0044] In addition, in this embodiment, when the optical unit 1 performs shake correction, the inclination of the optical axis L of the camera module 2 relative to the vertical direction is about 5° at most, and the rotation angle of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 5 is relatively large. However, when the optical unit 1 performs shake correction, the inclination of the optical axis L relative to the vertical direction is about 5° at most, so the optical axis direction of the camera module 2 is roughly consistent with the vertical direction.

[0045] In addition, when the camera module 2 is arranged at the reference position, the second intersection direction (W direction) is orthogonal to the optical axis L. That is, when the camera module 2 is arranged at the reference position and the movable body 3 is not rotated relative to the intermediate member 4, the second intersection direction is orthogonal to the optical axis L. On the other hand, when the movable body 3 is rotated relative to the intermediate member 4, the second intersection direction intersects with the optical axis L, but does not intersect at a right angle.

[0046] The optical unit 1 includes a driving mechanism 7 for rotating the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 5 in such a manner that the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is tilted. The driving mechanism 7 includes: a first driving mechanism 8 for rotating the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 5 with the front-back direction as the axial direction of rotation; and a second driving mechanism 9 for rotating the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 5 with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation. The driving mechanism 7 rotates the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 5 in such a manner that the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is tilted in any direction.

[0047] The movable body 3 includes a resin holder 11 to which the camera module 2 is fixed. The holder 11 is formed into a flat square tube with both ends opened in the optical axis direction. The outer shape of the holder 11 when viewed from the optical axis direction is square. In addition, when the camera module 2 is arranged in the reference position, two of the four sides of the outer peripheral surface of the holder 11 having a square outer shape are parallel to the front-rear direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the left-right direction.

[0048] The camera module 2 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the holder 11. The holder 11 covers the lower end of the camera module 2 from the outer peripheral side. As described above, the camera module 2 has a lens and an imaging element. The imaging element is arranged on the lower end side of the camera module 2, and the subject arranged on the upper side of the camera module 2 is photographed by the camera module 2.

[0049] As described above, when the shake correction is performed in the optical unit 1, the inclination of the optical axis L of the camera module 2 relative to the vertical direction is at most about 5°, and the optical axis direction of the camera module 2 is roughly consistent with the vertical direction. Therefore, when one side in the optical axis direction (specifically, the side where the subject is arranged in the optical axis direction) is set as the subject side and the opposite side to the subject side (specifically, the side where the imaging element is arranged in the optical axis direction) is set as the opposite side to the subject, the subject side is roughly consistent with the upper side, and the opposite side to the subject is roughly consistent with the lower side.

[0050] The intermediate member 4 is a leaf spring formed by bending an elastic metal plate into a predetermined shape and is composed of a base 4a, two first arms 4b extending from the base 4a to both sides of a first intersecting direction, and two second arms 4c extending from the base 4a to both sides of a second intersecting direction.

[0051] A first fulcrum portion (not shown in the figure) serving as a fulcrum for the rotation of the movable body 3 relative to the intermediate member 4 is arranged outside the first arm portion 4b in the first intersecting direction. A second fulcrum portion (not shown in the figure) serving as a fulcrum for the rotation of the intermediate member 4 relative to the fixed body 5 is arranged outside the second arm portion 4c in the second intersecting direction. The first fulcrum portion includes, for example, a metal support member fixed to the holder 11 and a sphere arranged between the first arm portion 4b and the support member. The second fulcrum portion includes, for example, a support member fixed to a housing 12 described later constituting a part of the fixed body 5 and a sphere arranged between the second arm portion 4c and the support member.

[0052] The fixed body 5 holds the movable body 3 via the intermediate component 4. The fixed body 5 includes a frame-shaped resin shell 12 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the movable body 3 and the intermediate component 4. The intermediate component 4 is held by the shell 12 in a rotatable manner. The shell 12 is formed into a flat square cylinder with both ends opened in the up and down directions. The shape of the shell 12 when viewed from the up and down direction is a square frame. When viewed from the up and down direction, two of the four sides constituting the outer peripheral surface of the shell 12 having a square outer shape are parallel to the front-to-back direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the left-to-right direction. The shell 12 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the retaining frame 11.

[0053] 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 the change in the tilt of the movable body 3, a current is supplied to at least one of the drive coils 16 and 18 described later based on the detection result of the detection mechanism to correct the jitter.

[0054] (Constitution of the driving mechanism)

[0055] Figure 3A and Figure 3B It is used to illustrate Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the first driving mechanism 8 shown in FIG. Figure 3A 2 is a diagram showing a state where the camera module 2 is arranged at a reference position. Figure 3B This is a diagram showing a state in which the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is greatly inclined.

[0056] As described above, the drive mechanism 7 includes the first drive mechanism 8 and the second drive mechanism 9. The first drive mechanism 8 includes: the drive magnet 15 as the first drive magnet, which is attached to the movable body 3; and the drive coil 16 as the first drive coil, which is attached to the fixed body 5. The second drive mechanism 9 includes: the drive magnet 17 as the second drive magnet, which is attached to the movable body 3; and the drive coil 18 as the second drive coil, which is attached to the fixed body 5. The drive magnets 15, 17 and the drive coils 16, 18 are arranged on the lower side than the center of the optical unit 1 in the vertical direction.

[0057] When the camera module 2 is configured at the reference position, the driving magnet 15 and the driving coil 16 are opposed to each other in the left-right direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction, and the driving magnet 17 and the driving coil 18 are opposed to each other in the front-back direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction. In this embodiment, in the first driving mechanism 8, the left-right direction (X direction) becomes the direction in which the driving magnet 15 and the driving coil 16 are opposed to each other when the camera module 2 is configured at the reference position, that is, the opposing direction. In addition, in the second driving mechanism 9, the front-back direction (Y direction) becomes the direction in which the driving magnet 17 and the driving coil 18 are opposed to each other when the camera module 2 is configured at the reference position, that is, the opposing direction.

[0058] The driving magnet 15 is a permanent magnet formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The driving magnet 15 is fixed to the retaining frame 11. Specifically, the driving magnet 15 is fixed to one side surface in the left-right direction of the retaining frame 11. In addition, the driving magnet 15 is directly fixed to the side surface of the retaining frame 11. That is, there is no back yoke between the side surface of the driving magnet 15 and the side surface of the retaining frame 11, and the side surface of the driving magnet 15 is in contact with the side surface of the retaining frame 11.

[0059] The upper surface and the lower surface of the driving magnet 15 are planes that are orthogonal to the optical axis direction. The width of the driving magnet 15 in the front-to-back direction is wider than the width of the driving magnet 15 in the optical axis direction. The driving magnet 15 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped that is elongated in the front-to-back direction. The driving magnet 15 is magnetized in the optical axis direction, and the magnetic pole of the surface on the subject side of the driving magnet 15 (hereinafter referred to as "subject side 15a") is different from the magnetic pole of the surface on the opposite side of the subject of the driving magnet 15 (hereinafter referred to as "opposite side 15b"). For example, Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the magnetic pole on the side surface 15a of the object is an N pole, and the magnetic pole on the side surface 15b opposite to the object is an S pole. In this way, the driving magnet 15 is magnetized to a single pole in the optical axis direction.

[0060] The driving coil 16 is fixed to the housing 12. The driving coil 16 is arranged on one side of the driving magnet 15 in the left-right direction, and is arranged opposite to the driving magnet 15 in the left-right direction. The driving coil 16 is, for example, an air-core coil formed by winding a conductive wire into an air-core shape. The driving coil 16 has two effective sides 16a and 16b parallel to the front-back direction (see Figure 3A and Figure 3B ). The effective side 16a is arranged on the upper side of the effective side 16b. The inner diameter of the driving coil 16 is relatively small, and the interval between the effective side 16a and the effective side 16b in the vertical direction is relatively narrow. A Hall IC (not shown) for detecting the position of the movable body 3 is arranged on the inner circumference of the driving coil 16.

[0061] When the camera module 2 is arranged at the reference position, the center of the driving magnet 15 coincides with the center of the driving coil 16 when viewed from the left and right directions. Figure 2 As shown, the width W1 of the driving magnet 15 in the optical axis direction is narrower than the width W2 of the driving coil 16 in the vertical direction. That is, the width W1 of the driving magnet 15 in the optical axis direction is narrower than the width W2 of the driving coil 16 in the optical axis direction when the camera module 2 is configured at the reference position. In addition, the thickness t1 of the driving magnet 15 in the left-right direction when the camera module 2 is configured at the reference position is thicker than the thickness t2 of the driving coil 16 in the left-right direction.

[0062] The driving magnet 17 is a permanent magnet formed in the same shape as the driving magnet 15. The driving magnet 17 is fixed to one side surface of the holder 11 in the front-back direction. In addition, the driving magnet 15 is directly fixed to the side surface of the holder 11. The driving magnet 17 is arranged at the same position as the driving magnet 15 in the up-down direction. Similar to the driving magnet 15, the driving magnet 17 is magnetized in the optical axis direction, and the magnetic pole of the surface on the subject side of the driving magnet 17 (hereinafter referred to as "subject side surface 17a") is different from the magnetic pole of the surface on the opposite side of the subject of the driving magnet 17 (hereinafter referred to as "subject opposite side surface 17b"). For example, the magnetic pole of the subject side surface 17a is the N pole, and the magnetic pole of the subject opposite side surface 17b is the S pole.

[0063] The driving coil 18 is fixed to the housing 12. The driving coil 18 is arranged on one side of the driving magnet 17 in the front-back direction and is arranged opposite to the driving magnet 17 in the front-back direction. The driving coil 18 is formed in the same shape as the driving coil 16. The driving coil 18 has two effective sides 18a and 18b parallel to the left-right direction (see Figure 2 ). The effective side portion 18a is arranged on the upper side of the effective side portion 18b. A Hall IC (not shown) for detecting the position of the movable body 3 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the driving coil 18 .

[0064] When the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position and viewed from the front-to-back direction, the center of the driving magnet 17 coincides with the center of the driving coil 18. The width of the driving magnet 17 in the optical axis direction is narrower than the width of the driving coil 18 in the optical axis direction when the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position. In addition, the thickness of the driving magnet 17 in the front-to-back direction when the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position is thicker than the thickness of the driving coil 18 in the front-to-back direction.

[0065] When the camera module 2 is arranged at the reference position, the magnetic flux generated by the driving magnet 15 is as follows. Figure 3A Therefore, when the camera module 2 is arranged at the reference position, when the current is supplied to the driving coil 16, for example, Figure 3A As shown, an electromagnetic force is generated on the upper side of the first drive mechanism 8 in a direction roughly indicated by the arrow V1, and an electromagnetic force is generated on the lower side of the first drive mechanism 8 in a direction roughly indicated by the arrow V2. The electromagnetic force in the direction indicated by the arrow V1 and the electromagnetic force in the direction indicated by the arrow V2 are both electromagnetic forces acting in the direction in which the movable body 3 is intended to rotate relative to the fixed body 5. In addition, when current is supplied to the driving coil 16, the movable body 3 rotates relative to the fixed body 5 with the rotation center C as the center.

[0066] In addition, when the movable body 3 is rotated relative to the fixed body 5 with the forward and backward directions as the rotation axis to greatly tilt the optical axis L of the camera module 2 (for example, when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 arranged at the reference position is tilted by about 5°), the magnetic flux generated by the driving magnet 15 is, for example, Figure 3B Therefore, when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is greatly tilted, when current is supplied to the driving coil 16, for example, Figure 3B As shown, an electromagnetic force substantially in the direction indicated by arrow V3 is generated on the upper side of the first drive mechanism 8 , and an electromagnetic force substantially in the direction indicated by arrow V4 is generated on the lower side of the first drive mechanism 8 .

[0067] The electromagnetic force in the direction indicated by the arrow V3 and the electromagnetic force in the direction indicated by the arrow V4 are both electromagnetic forces acting in the direction in which the movable body 3 is intended to rotate relative to the fixed body 5. In addition, when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is greatly tilted with the front-to-back direction as the axis of rotation, for example, Figure 3B As shown, the distance between the opposite side 15b of the object and the effective side 16b is close, and the electromagnetic force generated on the lower side of the first drive mechanism 8 becomes larger. Alternatively, when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is greatly tilted with the front-to-back direction as the axis of rotation, the distance between the side 15a of the object and the effective side 16a is close, and the electromagnetic force generated on the upper side of the first drive mechanism 8 becomes larger.

[0068] Similarly, in the second drive mechanism 9, when the camera module 2 is arranged in the reference position, when the current is supplied to the driving coil 18, an electromagnetic force is generated on both the upper and lower sides of the second drive mechanism 9 in the direction in which the movable body 3 is intended to rotate relative to the fixed body 5. In addition, even if the movable body 3 is rotated relative to the fixed body 5 with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation to greatly tilt the optical axis L of the camera module 2, an electromagnetic force is generated on both the upper and lower sides of the second drive mechanism 9 in the direction in which the movable body 3 is intended to rotate relative to the fixed body 5.

[0069] In addition, when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is greatly tilted with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation, for example, the distance between the side surface 17a of the object and the effective side portion 18a is close, and the electromagnetic force generated on the upper side of the second drive mechanism 9 becomes larger. Alternatively, when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is greatly tilted with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation, the distance between the opposite side surface 17b of the object and the effective side portion 18b is close, and the electromagnetic force generated on the lower side of the second drive mechanism 9 becomes larger.

[0070] (Main effect of this method)

[0071] As described above, in this embodiment, the driving magnet 15 is magnetized in the optical axis direction, and the magnetic poles of the subject side surface 15a and the subject opposite side surface 15b of the driving magnet 15 are different. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the inner diameter of the driving coil 16 wound in a hollow shape is reduced and the driving coil 16 is miniaturized in the optical axis direction, and even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 with the forward and backward direction as the axial direction of rotation relative to the fixed body 5 is increased, it is possible to prevent the electromagnetic force acting in the direction opposite to the direction in which the movable body 3 is intended to rotate relative to the fixed body 5 from being generated between the driving magnet 15 and the driving coil 16.

[0072] Similarly, in this embodiment, the driving magnet 17 is magnetized in the optical axis direction, and the magnetic pole of the subject side surface 17a of the driving magnet 17 is different from the magnetic pole of the subject opposite side surface 17b. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the inner diameter of the driving coil 18 wound in a hollow shape is reduced and the driving coil 18 is miniaturized in the optical axis direction, and even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 5 with the left-right direction as the rotation axis increases, it is possible to prevent the electromagnetic force acting in the direction opposite to the direction in which the movable body 3 is intended to rotate relative to the fixed body 5 from being generated between the driving magnet 17 and the driving coil 18.

[0073] Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 with the front-back direction as the rotation axis relative to the fixed body 5 increases, and even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 with the left-right direction as the rotation axis relative to the fixed body 5 increases, the driving force of the first drive mechanism 8 and the driving force of the second drive mechanism 9 can be ensured, and the optical unit 1 can be miniaturized in the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. That is, in this embodiment, even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 5 increases, the driving force of the drive mechanism 7 can be ensured, and the optical unit 1 can be miniaturized in the optical axis direction of the camera module 2.

[0074] based on Figure 4 The simulation results shown explain in detail the effect of the present embodiment that the driving force of the driving mechanism 7 can be ensured even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 5 increases. Figure 4 The solid line curve CL1 is a graph showing an example of the change in the driving force of the first drive mechanism 8 or the second drive mechanism 9 when the inclination of the optical axis L of the camera module 2 of this embodiment is changed in the simulation. When the inclination of the optical axis L is 0°, the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position, and the optical axis direction is consistent with the up and down direction.

[0075] in addition, Figure 4 The dashed curve CL10 is a curve showing the Fig. 6A and Figure 6BGraph showing an example of variation in driving force of driving mechanism 103 when the inclination of optical axis L10 of optical module of optical unit 100 varies. In simulation, a constant current flows through driving coil 16 or driving coil 18 and a constant current flows through driving coil 106.

[0076] like Figure 4 As shown, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Compared with the optical unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 , even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 5 increases and the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is greatly inclined, the reduction in the driving force of the first driving mechanism 8 or the second driving mechanism 9 can be suppressed. That is, it is also clear from the simulation results that in this embodiment, even if the rotation angle of the movable body 3 relative to the fixed body 5 increases, the driving force of the driving mechanism 7 can be ensured.

[0077] In this embodiment, the drive magnets 15 and 17 are magnetized in a single pole in the optical axis direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the drive magnets 15 and 17 can be easily manufactured. Therefore, in this embodiment, the manufacturing cost of the drive magnets 15 and 17 can be reduced.

[0078] In this embodiment, when the camera module 2 is arranged in the reference position and viewed from the left and right directions, the center of the driving magnet 15 coincides with the center of the driving coil 16, and the width W1 of the driving magnet 15 in the optical axis direction is narrower than the width W2 of the driving coil 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the driving magnet 15 is magnetized in the optical axis direction, the density of the magnetic flux passing through the driving coil 16 when the camera module 2 is arranged in the reference position can be increased. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the driving magnet 15 is magnetized in the optical axis direction, the driving force of the first driving mechanism 8 when the camera module 2 is arranged in the reference position can be ensured.

[0079] Similarly, in this embodiment, when the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position and observed from the front-to-back direction, the center of the driving magnet 17 is consistent with the center of the driving coil 18, and the width of the driving magnet 17 in the optical axis direction is narrower than the width of the driving coil 18 in the up-down direction. Therefore, even if the driving magnet 17 is magnetized in the optical axis direction, the driving force of the second driving mechanism 9 can be ensured when the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position.

[0080] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown, the driving force of the first driving mechanism 8 or the second driving mechanism 9 when the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position (that is, the driving force of the first driving mechanism 8 or the second driving mechanism 9 when the inclination of the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is 0°) is Fig. 6A and Figure 6BIn the optical unit 100 shown, the driving force of the driving mechanism 103 is equal when the optical modules are arranged at the reference positions.

[0081] In this embodiment, when the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position, the thickness t1 of the driving magnet 15 in the left-right direction is thicker than the thickness t2 of the driving coil 16 in the left-right direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the driving magnet 15 is magnetized in the optical axis direction, the density of the magnetic flux passing through the driving coil 16 can be increased. Therefore, in this embodiment, the driving force of the first driving mechanism 8 can be increased. Similarly, in this embodiment, since the thickness of the driving magnet 17 in the front-to-back direction is thicker than the thickness of the driving coil 18 in the front-to-back direction when the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position, even if the driving magnet 17 is magnetized in the optical axis direction, the density of the magnetic flux passing through the driving coil 18 can be increased, and as a result, the driving force of the second driving mechanism 9 can be increased.

[0082] In this embodiment, the driving magnet 15 is directly fixed to the resin holder 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, the density of the magnetic flux passing through the driving coil 16 can be increased compared to the case where the driving magnet 15 is fixed to the holder 11 via a back yoke. Therefore, in this embodiment, the driving force of the first driving mechanism 8 can be increased. Similarly, in this embodiment, since the driving magnet 17 is directly fixed to the resin holder 11, the density of the magnetic flux passing through the driving coil 18 can be increased compared to the case where the driving magnet 17 is fixed to the holder 11 via a back yoke. Therefore, in this embodiment, the driving force of the second driving mechanism 9 can be increased.

[0083] In addition, Figure 5 FIG. 6 shows a curve CL2 showing an example of a change in the inclination of the optical axis L of the camera module 2 when the current flowing through the driving coil 16 of the present embodiment is changed in simulation, and a curve CL3 showing a change in the inclination of the optical axis L of the camera module 2 when the current flowing through the driving coil 16 of the present embodiment is changed in simulation. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The curve CL20 is an example of a change in the inclination of the optical axis L10 of the optical module when the current flowing through the driving coil 106 of the optical unit 100 changes. Figure 5 As shown, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, even if the inclination of the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is larger than that of the optical unit 100 , the optical axis L is easily inclined according to the current flowing through the driving coil 16 .

[0084] (Other Embodiments)

[0085] The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be variously modified without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0086] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first drive mechanism 8 may also include two drive magnets 15 and two drive coils 16 disposed on both sides of the holder 11 in the left-right direction. Similarly, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the second drive mechanism 9 may also include two drive magnets 17 and two drive coils 18 disposed on both sides of the holder 11 in the front-back direction.

[0087] In the above-mentioned manner, the thickness t1 of the driving magnet 15 in the left-right direction when the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position may be the same as the thickness t2 of the driving coil 16 in the left-right direction, or may be thinner than the thickness t2. Similarly, the thickness of the driving magnet 17 in the front-to-back direction when the camera module 2 is configured in the reference position may be the same as the thickness of the driving coil 18 in the front-to-back direction, or may be thinner than the thickness of the driving coil 18 in the front-to-back direction. In addition, in the above-mentioned manner, the width W1 of the driving magnet 15 in the optical axis direction may be the same as the width W2 of the driving coil 16 in the top-to-bottom direction, or may be wider than the width W2. Similarly, the width of the driving magnet 17 in the optical axis direction may be the same as the width of the driving coil 18 in the top-to-bottom direction, or may be wider than the width of the driving coil 18 in the top-to-bottom direction.

[0088] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the optical unit 1 may not include the intermediate member 4. In this case, for example, the optical unit 1 includes a fulcrum portion disposed on the lower side of the movable body 3, and a spring member that urges the movable body 3 toward the fulcrum portion relative to the fixed body 5, and the fixed body 5 holds the movable body 3 via the spring member. The spring member is, for example, a leaf spring, and includes a fixed body fixing portion fixed to the fixed body 5, a movable body fixing portion fixed to the movable body 3, and a plurality of arm portions connecting the fixed body fixing portion and the movable body fixing portion. In addition, the spring member may also be a wire spring.

[0089] In the above-mentioned manner, the optical unit 1 may also include a rotation mechanism for rotating the camera module 2 relative to the intermediate component 4 with the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as the rotation center. In this case, the intermediate component 4 includes a first intermediate component and a second intermediate component. The movable body 3 can rotate relative to the first intermediate component with the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as the rotation center, and the first intermediate component can rotate relative to the second intermediate component with the first axis L1 as the rotation center.

[0090] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the optical module of the optical unit 1 may be a module other than the camera module 2. For example, the optical module may be a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scanner that uses the reflection of laser light to read the distance of an object. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the drive mechanism 7 may not include the first drive mechanism 8 or the second drive mechanism 9. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the optical unit 1 may be installed in various devices other than portable devices.

[0091] (Constitution of this technology)

[0092] Furthermore, the present technology can adopt the following configurations.

[0093] (1) An optical unit, wherein:

[0094] The invention comprises: a movable body having an optical module; a fixed body holding the movable body; and a driving mechanism for rotating the movable body relative to the fixed body in such a way that the optical axis of the optical module is tilted.

[0095] The driving mechanism includes a driving magnet mounted on the movable body and a driving coil mounted on the fixed body.

[0096] When the optical module is arranged at a predetermined reference position, the driving magnet and the driving coil are opposed to each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical module.

[0097] The driving magnet is magnetized in the direction of the optical axis.

[0098] The magnetic pole of one surface of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction is different from the magnetic pole of the other surface of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction.

[0099] (2) The optical unit according to (1), wherein:

[0100] When the optical module is arranged at the reference position, a predetermined direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction is set as a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction is set as a second direction.

[0101] The driving mechanism comprises: a first driving magnet, which serves as the driving magnet and is used to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body with the first direction as the axial direction of rotation; and a second driving magnet, which serves as the driving magnet and is used to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body with the second direction as the axial direction of rotation, and the driving mechanism comprises: a first driving coil, which serves as the driving coil and is arranged opposite to the first driving magnet in the second direction; and a second driving coil, which serves as the driving coil and is arranged opposite to the second driving magnet in the first direction.

[0102] (3) The optical unit according to (2), wherein:

[0103] An intermediate member is provided for holding the movable body in a rotatable manner,

[0104] The fixing body rotatably holds the intermediate member.

[0105] (4) The optical unit according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein:

[0106] The optical module is a camera module.

[0107] (5) The optical unit according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein:

[0108] When the optical module is arranged at the reference position, the direction in which the drive magnet and the drive coil are opposed to each other is defined as an opposing direction.

[0109] When the optical module is arranged at the reference position, the center of the driving magnet coincides with the center of the driving coil when viewed from the opposing direction.

[0110] (6) The optical unit according to (5), wherein:

[0111] A width of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction is narrower than a width of the driving coil in the optical axis direction when the optical module is arranged at the reference position.

[0112] (7) The optical unit according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein:

[0113] When the optical module is arranged at the reference position, the direction in which the drive magnet and the drive coil are opposed to each other is defined as an opposing direction.

[0114] When the optical module is arranged at the reference position, a thickness of the driving magnet in the opposing direction is thicker than a thickness of the driving coil in the opposing direction.

[0115] (8) The optical unit according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein:

[0116] The movable body includes a resin holder to which the optical module is fixed.

[0117] The driving magnet is directly fixed to the holder.

Claims

1. An optical unit, characterized in that: The invention comprises: a movable body having an optical module; a fixed body holding the movable body; and a driving mechanism for rotating the movable body relative to the fixed body in such a way that the optical axis of the optical module is tilted, wherein: The driving mechanism includes a driving magnet mounted on the movable body and a driving coil mounted on the fixed body. When the optical module is arranged at a predetermined reference position, the driving magnet and the driving coil are opposed to each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical module. The driving magnet is magnetized in the direction of the optical axis. The magnetic pole of one surface of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction is different from the magnetic pole of the other surface of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction.

2. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that When a predetermined direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction when the optical module is arranged at the reference position is set as a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction when the optical module is arranged at the reference position is set as a second direction, The driving mechanism comprises: a first driving magnet, which serves as the driving magnet and is used to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body with the first direction as the axial direction of rotation; and a second driving magnet, which serves as the driving magnet and is used to rotate the movable body relative to the fixed body with the second direction as the axial direction of rotation, and the driving mechanism comprises: a first driving coil, which serves as the driving coil and is arranged opposite to the first driving magnet in the second direction; and a second driving coil serving as the driving coil and arranged to face the second driving magnet in the first direction.

3. The optical unit according to claim 2, characterized in that An intermediate member is provided for holding the movable body in a rotatable manner, The fixing body rotatably holds the intermediate member.

4. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The optical module is a camera module.

5. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that When the optical module is arranged at the reference position, the direction in which the drive magnet and the drive coil are opposed to each other is defined as an opposing direction. When the optical module is arranged at the reference position, the center of the driving magnet coincides with the center of the driving coil when viewed from the opposing direction.

6. The optical unit according to claim 5, characterized in that A width of the driving magnet in the optical axis direction is narrower than a width of the driving coil in the optical axis direction when the optical module is arranged at the reference position.

7. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that When the optical module is arranged at the reference position, the direction in which the drive magnet and the drive coil are opposed to each other is defined as an opposing direction. When the optical module is arranged at the reference position, a thickness of the driving magnet in the opposing direction is thicker than a thickness of the driving coil in the opposing direction.

8. The optical unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The movable body includes a resin holder to which the optical module is fixed. The driving magnet is directly fixed to the holding frame.

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