Anti-vibration mechanism for imaging device, optical system, camera, and electronic apparatus

Abstract

An anti-vibration mechanism for an imaging device is provided in an imaging device including a camera shake correction mechanism. Provided is an optical system which, in an imaging device provided with an optical system that moves in the direction of an optical axis and includes a focus adjustment mechanism, has an anti-vibration mechanism that performs camera shake correction by preventing vibration of an imaging element, and which, in order from the object side, is provided with an imaging lens group, an anti-vibration mechanism, and an imaging element on the anti-vibration mechanism. The image pickup element on the anti-vibration mechanism is rotated with respect to the optical axis of the image pickup lens group, and camera shake correction is performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vibration damping mechanism, optical system, camera, and electronic device for a camera with shaky hand correction function. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of imaging technology, lens-driven imaging devices are widely used in a large number of video recording devices. Various portable electronic devices (such as mobile phones and tablets) that utilize lens-driven imaging devices are particularly popular with consumers.

[0003] The drive mechanism of the lens drive device for common portable electronic devices is generally composed of an autofocus mechanism that adjusts the focus in the optical axis direction and a hand tremor correction mechanism that drives in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

[0004] These two functions are achieved using a coil and a magnet, with the coil fixed to the outer periphery of the lens holder. When current is applied to the coil, the electromagnetic force causes the coil to move the lens holder along the optical axis of the lens, thereby enabling focusing. Additionally, when the user is hand-holding the electronic device for shooting, the lens drive mechanism can be corrected for shake caused by hand tremors by driving it in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0005] However, in small devices such as mid-range telescopes with long optical lengths, for example, the hand shake correction mechanism presents a challenge in being made thinner and smaller in an integrated mechanism due to the length of the drive and the weight of the lens.

[0006] Furthermore, since the autofocus mechanism that is driven in the optical axis direction to adjust the focus and the lens movement shakiness correction mechanism that drives the lens in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis are integrated into one unit, mechanisms for suppressing their inherent vibrations and adjustments for lens centering are also required. Therefore, the necessity for intricate assembly and the design difficulty tend to increase.

[0007] Furthermore, since the autofocus mechanism for adjusting the focus is driven in the direction of the optical axis and the lens movement tremor correction mechanism is driven in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis, the lens barrel can move in three dimensions, making it difficult to counteract the impact when it falls, and so on.

[0008] To address these issues, mechanisms exist for driving the camera element. However, in structures where leaf springs are used in the support components, deformation during a fall may hinder normal driving, or the weight of the upper lens unit may cause tilting or sinking.

[0009] Therefore, it is necessary to provide new camera devices that can solve the above problems.

[0010] Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-113545 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-133740 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-330678 Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-337987 Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-224262 Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-15772 Patent Document 7: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-225428 Patent Document 8: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-52248 Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to realize a vibration-damping mechanism that saves space without making the camera device larger in the process of hand shaking correction of a camera device with folded optics.

[0012] The object of the present invention is achieved in the following manner. Furthermore, in the following description, to facilitate understanding of the invention, reference numerals and the like in the drawings are enclosed in parentheses; however, the constituent elements of the invention are not limited to these reference numerals and should be interpreted broadly to the extent that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0013] A vibration damping mechanism for a camera device, wherein the camera device includes an optical system that moves along an optical axis, the optical system including a focus adjustment mechanism; having two mutually orthogonal axes passing through approximately the principal point of a lens and in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; the vibration damping mechanism is disposed in the camera device, the vibration damping mechanism including an imaging element, and performing hand shakiness correction by rotating the imaging element about the two axes; The vibration damping mechanism is positioned closer to the image side than the camera lens group, and can rotate relative to the optical axis with the approximate principal point of the lens as the center; The vibration damping mechanism further includes a ball member for smoothly rotatably holding the camera element in the frame assembly; the driving member for driving the camera element to rotate is an electric actuator; The frame assembly includes a rotatable movable frame for rotating about the two axes. The vibration damping mechanism also includes a base for placing the camera element, the base having a support member groove; The frame assembly further includes a support frame, on which a first support member groove of the support frame is provided opposite to the support member groove of the base; the support member groove of the base and the first support member groove of the support frame are used to hold the ball member. The movable frame has a support member groove for the movable frame, and the support frame has a second support member groove for the support frame opposite to the support member groove of the movable frame; the support member groove of the movable frame and the second support member groove of the support frame are used to hold the ball member. The extension directions of the support member groove of the base, the first support member groove of the support frame, the second support member groove of the support frame, and the support member groove of the movable frame are all inclined relative to the optical axis direction. Wherein, the end of the support member groove of the base and the first support member groove of the support frame that is away from the image side is away from the optical axis relative to the end that is near the image side; The vibration damping mechanism also includes an integrated circuit for driving the electric actuator and a position detection element during driving; The vibration damping mechanism also includes a flexible substrate for transmitting signals from the camera element; The vibration damping mechanism also includes a circuit for supplying power to a device for driving the lens.

[0014] Preferably, the electric actuator includes a vibration damping coil; The anti-vibration coil is clamped between two anti-vibration magnets.

[0015] Preferably, the vibration damping mechanism has a circuit mounted on the upper part for supplying a position detection signal line to the device driving the lens.

[0016] Preferably, a magnetic yoke is provided on the movable frame; The direction of the force applied by the electric actuator is the same as the direction of mutual attraction between the anti-vibration magnet and the magnetic yoke.

[0017] Preferably, the base is a plate made of metal; The support frame is a resin component; The base and the support frame are integrally formed.

[0018] Preferably, the flexible substrate for energizing the electric actuator is disposed in the optical axis direction of the frame holding the camera element and located on the back side of the camera element, and is bent at least twice in a manner corresponding to each axis of rotation.

[0019] Preferably, the flexible substrate for energizing the electric actuator is arranged in a direction of rotation centered on the two axes that hold the camera element, and is bent at least twice at a location closer to the outside of the electric actuator in a manner corresponding to each axis of rotation.

[0020] An optical system comprising the aforementioned vibration damping mechanism.

[0021] Preferably, the optical system includes a focus adjustment mechanism, which is a focus adjustment mechanism having a shaky correction mechanism that allows the lens to be moved.

[0022] Preferably, the optical system includes a focus adjustment mechanism, which is a focus adjustment mechanism having a zoom mechanism capable of retracting the lens in multiple stages.

[0023] In addition, the present invention includes imaging devices such as cameras equipped with the above-described optical system.

[0024] In addition, the present invention includes portable electronic devices such as smartphones equipped with the aforementioned camera.

[0025] As an advantage of the present invention, the anti-shake mechanism for the camera device of the present invention corrects hand shake by using two frames to rotate the camera element around two axes that are orthogonal to each other in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, with the lens passing through the approximate principal point of the lens. As a result, the unit including the focus adjustment mechanism and the lens disposed on the camera element is thinner and smaller, eliminating the lens movement hand shake correction mechanism. Since the components of the focus adjustment mechanism and the shake correction mechanism are separated to suppress inherent vibration, the design difficulty can be reduced. Since the lens barrel does not need to move in three dimensions at the same time, the design difficulty of impact countermeasures when falling is also reduced, and the centering of the lens barrel becomes easier. Since the lens does not move in the plane direction, the lens protrusion opening of smartphones and the like can be minimized.

[0026] In the mechanism that drives the camera element, since the support component does not use a leaf spring, it can suppress the possibility of deformation during falling that could hinder the drive, suppress tilting and sinking caused by the weight of the upper lens unit, and reduce the impact on the performance of the image plane.

[0027] Furthermore, since the permanent magnet and yoke of the electromagnetic actuator, which serves as the force-applying component, can be used to remove wobbling and apply force, no other components are required for applying force, which helps to reduce the size of the components and make assembly easier.

[0028] Furthermore, the focus adjustment mechanism may also have a zoom mechanism for retracting the lens. As another combination, in the case of a tilting hand-shake correction mechanism that tilts the lens to prevent vibration, it can be combined with a camera device anti-shake mechanism to perform 4-axis hand-shake correction.

[0029] These advantages enable the implementation of more efficient anti-vibration mechanisms in miniaturized portable electronic devices, thereby improving the quality of camera images. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the structure of the flexible substrate passing through the lower side of the camera element in the anti-vibration mechanism for the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the structure of the flexible substrate passing through the side of the vibration damping mechanism in the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the flexible substrate passing through the lower side of the camera element in the vibration damping mechanism for the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view (AA) of the structure of the flexible substrate passing through the side of the vibration damping mechanism in the vibration damping mechanism of the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible substrate from one angle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the flexible substrate from another angle.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible substrate from one angle, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the flexible substrate from another angle.

[0038] Figure 9 It is an autofocusing mechanism having the focus adjustment mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 10 for Figure 9 Side view.

[0040] Figure 11 It is a telescopic zoom mechanism having the focus adjustment mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Side view.

[0042] Figure 13 It is a portable electronic device (portable information terminal) equipped with the anti-vibration mechanism for camera devices of the present invention.

[0043] Figure Labels 10-a … Base A 10-b … Base B 10-c … Supporting member groove of the base 11-a… Shell A 11-b … Shell B 12-a … Support frame 12-b … First support member groove of the support frame 12-c … Second support member groove of the support frame 13-a … Move box 13-b … Supporting member groove of the movable frame 14 … Camera element support frame 15 … balls 20 … Cover plate 30 … Lens 30-a … Lens incident surface 30-b … Lens exit surface 31 … Automatic focusing mechanism with focus adjustment mechanism 32 … Telescopic zoom mechanism with focus adjustment mechanism 40 … Camera element 50 … Flexible substrate A 51 … Flexible substrate B 52 … Folded portion of flexible substrate A 53 … Folded portion of flexible substrate B 60 … Vibration damping unit 70 … anti-vibration coil 71 … Vibration-resistant Hall effect sensor 72 … anti-vibration yoke 74 … Vibration-damping magnet A 75 … Vibration-damping magnet B 100 … Vibration damping mechanism for camera devices 200 … Portable information devices. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Figures 1-4 This is a diagram showing the vibration damping mechanism 100 and vibration damping unit 60 for the camera device of the present invention.

[0046] Figures 1-12 The present invention illustrates a camera device and its constituent elements according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] The camera optical system of the camera device anti-vibration mechanism 100 is an optical system consisting of a lens 30, an autofocus mechanism 31 that drives the lens 30 and has a focus adjustment mechanism or a telescopic zoom mechanism 32 that drives the lens 30 and includes a focus adjustment mechanism, and a camera element 40, starting from the object side.

[0048] A light beam from the subject, incident along the optical axis from the lens incident surface 30-a of the lens 30, exits from the lens exit surface 30-b and forms an image on the imaging surface of the imaging element 40.

[0049] The vibration damping mechanism 100 for the camera device has a base A10-a, which can be a plate made of metal. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in the space formed by the base A10-a and the housing A11-a with the space of the anti-vibration unit 60, there is an anti-vibration magnet B75 fixed to the base 10-a and an anti-vibration magnet A74 fixed to the housing A11-a.

[0050] The vibration damping mechanism 100 for the camera device has a ball joint for smoothly rotatably holding the camera element 40 in the frame assembly. The drive member for driving the rotation of the camera element 40 is an electric actuator. This electric actuator may be a vibration damping coil 70.

[0051] The ball 15 is supported between the support frame 12-a on the base A10-a and the movable frame 13-a that can be supported on the support frame 12-a. The base A10-a is also equipped with an electric actuator component for movement, namely the anti-vibration coil 70, as well as a camera element support frame 14 and an anti-vibration magnetic yoke 72. The camera element 40 and a flexible substrate A50 for transmitting signal lines and power lines to the camera element 40 and the electric actuator are installed on the camera element support frame 14 to exchange signals and power from the outside.

[0052] The support frame 12-a can be a resin part, and the base A10-a can be integrally formed with the support frame 12-a.

[0053] In addition, a vibration-damping Hall sensor 71 is mounted on the flexible substrate A50, configured to read the magnetic force of the vibration-damping magnet B75 and provide feedback.

[0054] The bottom surface of the base A10-a has an opening for the flexible substrate A50 to the outside, which is closed by the cover plate 20.

[0055] The anti-vibration coil 70 on the aforementioned movable frame 13-a is configured in a manner that is clamped by the anti-vibration magnet B75 fixed to the base 10-a and the anti-vibration magnet A74 fixed to the housing A11-a. The electromagnetic force generated by the energized anti-vibration coil 70 acts efficiently on the anti-vibration magnet A74 and the anti-vibration magnet B75.

[0056] The camera element support frame 14, anti-vibration coil 70, anti-vibration Hall sensor 71, anti-vibration magnetic yoke 72, and flexible substrate A or flexible substrate B installed in the movable frame 13-a are driven by the electromagnetic force caused by the energization of the anti-vibration coil 70 and the action of the fixed anti-vibration magnet A74 and anti-vibration magnet B75 to perform anti-vibration operation.

[0057] The anti-vibration magnetic yoke 72 is set and fixed to the side of the movable frame 13-a that is not opposite to the anti-vibration magnet B75.

[0058] The aforementioned bases A10-a and B10-b have support member grooves 10-c for holding the ball 15 that slides with the support frame 12-a. Additionally, a first support member groove 12-b for the support frame is also formed on the opposite portion of the support frame 12-a. Furthermore, a second support member groove 12-c for the support frame is formed on the opposite portion of the support frame 12-a and the moving frame 13-a, and a support member groove 13-b for the moving frame is also formed on the moving frame 13-a. These support member grooves are designed to maintain surface accuracy in a manner that allows the ball 15 to rotate smoothly.

[0059] Regarding the aforementioned base support member groove 10-c, the first support member groove 12-b of the support frame, the second support member groove 12-c of the support frame, and the support member groove 13-b of the movable frame, since the excavation is a groove in the corresponding direction of movement, it also has the effect of restricting the direction of movement and preventing rotation in directions other than the intended direction of movement.

[0060] The support and sliding parts of the aforementioned base support member groove 10-c, the first support member groove 12-b of the support frame, the second support member groove 12-c of the support frame, and the support member groove 13-b of the movable frame use balls 15, which can slide under low load and can reliably remove sway by the aforementioned pressure.

[0061] The aforementioned sway removal operates from the anti-vibration magnetic yoke 72 mounted on the movable frame 13-a to the anti-vibration magnet B75 mounted on the base A10-a, consistent with the direction determining the distance between the base A10-a and the support frame 12-a and the movable frame 13-a, enabling stable position detection. The anti-vibration magnetic yoke 72, which opposes the anti-vibration magnet B75 mounted on the base A10-a, is thinner than the anti-vibration magnet B75 and is designed to generate an attractive force that centers the movable frame 13-a. That is, when the movable frame 13-a moves, it functions as a magnetic spring that holds it in a predetermined position (in this embodiment, the center of the movement range).

[0062] As previously described, the support frame 12-a is movably held on the base A10-a by means of the ball 15, and the movable frame 13-a is movably held on the support frame 12-a by means of the ball 15.

[0063] In addition, the anti-vibration magnetic yoke 72 disposed on the moving frame 13-a is forced in the direction of the anti-vibration magnet B75 disposed on the base A10-a or the base B10-b. The anti-vibration magnetic yoke 72 maintains the center of the moving direction and has the functions of preventing detachment via the support frame 12-a and eliminating wobbling between blocks. It also effectively utilizes the leakage flux of the anti-vibration coil 70 as driving force, enabling significant component reduction.

[0064] By setting the aforementioned anti-vibration Hall sensor 71, the magnetism of the anti-vibration magnet B75 installed on the base A10-a can be detected, as well as the positions of the moving frame 13-a and the support frame 12-a. Therefore, more precise vibration correction and adjustment can be performed to achieve accurate control.

[0065] The aforementioned anti-vibration coil 70 can be a coil winding mounted and fixed on the camera element support frame 14 and the moving frame 13, or it can be a conductive pattern directly formed on the flexible substrate A50.

[0066] The flexible substrate A50 of the image sensor vibration damping device 100 is bent toward the lower side of the image sensor 40 to reduce the reaction force of the flexible substrate A50 in a way that it can be driven freely in the driving direction of the two axes. Therefore, it can be folded at least once in each of the two axes, and wiring including signal lines and power lines can be made on the outside of the new mechanism 100 required by the image sensor, as in the folded portion 52 of the flexible substrate A.

[0067] The aforementioned flexible substrate A50 is used to transmit all signal lines and power lines of the camera element 40 and the anti-vibration mechanism 100 for the camera element, and also serves as a guide for holding the lens 30, an autofocus mechanism 31 with a focus adjustment mechanism, and signal lines and power lines of other devices related to the lens 30.

[0068] The aforementioned flexible substrate A50 can also be disposed on the side of the vibration damping mechanism for the camera element, just like the flexible substrate B51. In this case, it can be constructed as the folded portion 53 of the flexible substrate B. In this case, it can also be constructed by a component having a space for accommodating the flexible substrate B51, such as the base B10-b and the housing B11-b.

[0069] In this case, it still has all the aforementioned signal lines and power lines.

[0070] In this embodiment, the device for driving the aforementioned lens may be a telescopic zoom mechanism 32 with a focus adjustment mechanism or a tilting hand shake correction mechanism for tilting lenses to prevent vibration (not shown).

[0071] The aforementioned anti-vibration mechanism 100 for the camera device can, for example, be used as... Figure 13 The anti-vibration mechanism 100 for the camera device of the portable information device 200, such as the so-called smartphone, feature phone, or tablet device shown.

[0072] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All equivalent modifications or variations made by those skilled in the art based on the content disclosed in the present invention are included within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vibration damping mechanism for a camera device, characterized in that, The camera device includes an optical system that moves along the optical axis, the optical system including a focus adjustment mechanism; having two mutually orthogonal axes passing through approximately the principal point of the lens and in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; the anti-shake mechanism is disposed in the camera device, the anti-shake mechanism including an imaging element, and performing hand shake correction by rotating the imaging element around the two axes; The vibration damping mechanism is positioned closer to the image side than the camera lens group, and can rotate relative to the optical axis with the approximate principal point of the lens as the center; The vibration damping mechanism further includes a ball member for smoothly rotatably holding the camera element in the frame assembly; the driving member for driving the camera element to rotate is an electric actuator; The frame assembly includes a rotatable movable frame for rotating about the two axes. The vibration damping mechanism also includes a base for placing the camera element, the base having a support member groove; The frame assembly further includes a support frame, on which a first support member groove of the support frame is provided opposite to the support member groove of the base; the support member groove of the base and the first support member groove of the support frame are used to hold the ball member. The movable frame has a support member groove for the movable frame, and the support frame has a second support member groove for the support frame opposite to the support member groove of the movable frame; the support member groove of the movable frame and the second support member groove of the support frame are used to hold the ball member. The extension directions of the support member groove of the base, the first support member groove of the support frame, the second support member groove of the support frame, and the support member groove of the movable frame are all inclined relative to the optical axis direction. Wherein, the end of the support member groove of the base and the first support member groove of the support frame that is away from the image side is away from the optical axis relative to the end that is near the image side; The vibration damping mechanism also includes an integrated circuit for driving the electric actuator and a position detection element during driving; The vibration damping mechanism also includes a flexible substrate for transmitting signals from the camera element; The vibration damping mechanism also includes a circuit for supplying power to a device for driving the lens.

2. The vibration damping mechanism for a camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electric actuator includes a vibration damping coil; The anti-vibration coil is clamped between two anti-vibration magnets.

3. The vibration damping mechanism for a camera device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The vibration damping mechanism has a circuit mounted on the upper part for supplying a position detection signal line to the device driving the lens.

4. The vibration damping mechanism for a camera device according to claim 2, characterized in that, A magnetic yoke is provided on the movable frame; The direction of the force applied by the electric actuator is the same as the direction of mutual attraction between the anti-vibration magnet and the magnetic yoke.

5. The vibration damping mechanism for a camera device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The base is a plate made of metal. The support frame is a resin component; The base and the support frame are integrally formed.

6. The vibration damping mechanism for a camera device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The flexible substrate for energizing the electric actuator is disposed in the optical axis direction of the frame holding the camera element and located on the back side of the camera element, and is bent at least twice in a manner corresponding to each axis of rotation.

7. The vibration damping mechanism for a camera device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The flexible substrate for energizing the electric actuator is disposed in the direction of rotation about the two axes of the frame holding the camera element, and is bent at least twice at a distance closer to the outside of the electric actuator in a manner corresponding to each axis of rotation.

8. An optical system, characterized in that, The optical system includes the vibration damping mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. The optical system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The optical system includes a focus adjustment mechanism, which is a focus adjustment mechanism with a shaky correction mechanism that allows the lens to be moved.

10. The optical system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The focus adjustment mechanism is a focus adjustment mechanism with a zoom mechanism capable of retracting the lens in multiple stages.

11. A camera, characterized in that, An optical system comprising any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. A portable electronic device, characterized in that, It has the camera as described in claim 11.

Images