Actuator and optical unit

Abstract

To miniaturize an actuator capable of connecting a lens unit and a sensor unit.SOLUTION: An actuator 10, capable of connecting a lens unit 3 having a lens installation portion 31 in which a lens 3a is installed and a first connection portion 32 with a diameter smaller than that of the lens installation portion 31, and a sensor unit 4 having a large diameter portion 41 with a diameter larger than that of the first connection portion 32 and a second connection portion 42 with a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion 41, includes: a movable body 120 having a first insertion port 125 into which the first connection portion 32 can be inserted from a first direction in an optical axis direction and a second insertion port 126 into which the second connection portion 42 can be inserted from a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a fixed body 110 holding the movable body 120 to be rotatable with at least one of intersecting directions intersecting the optical axis direction as a rotation axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuator and an optical unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various optical units have been used. Among them, an optical unit including a lens unit, a sensor unit, and an actuator capable of connecting the lens unit and the sensor unit has been used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical unit including a movable body having an imaging module in which a lens and an imaging element are provided, and a fixed body that holds the movable body in a rotatable state with a direction intersecting the optical axis direction as a rotation axis. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-21332 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a conventional optical unit including a lens unit, a sensor unit, and an actuator capable of connecting the lens unit and the sensor unit, the unit to which the lens unit and the sensor unit are fixed is attached to the actuator. For example, in the optical unit of Patent Document 1, an imaging module provided with a lens and an imaging element is attached to a movable body constituting a part of the actuator. In such a configuration including an actuator capable of connecting the lens unit and the sensor unit, it is necessary to provide an insertion port in the actuator through which the entire lens unit or the sensor unit passes, which tends to increase the size of the actuator, and therefore tends to increase the size of the optical unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The actuator of the present invention is an actuator capable of connecting a lens unit having a lens installation portion where a lens is installed and a first connection portion having a smaller diameter than the lens installation portion, and a sensor unit having a large diameter portion larger than the first connection portion and a second connection portion having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion, and is characterized in that it comprises a movable body having a first insertion opening through which the first connection portion can be inserted from a first direction in the optical axis direction, and a second insertion opening through which the second connection portion can be inserted from a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a fixed body that holds the movable body in a rotatable state with at least one of the intersecting directions that intersect with the optical axis direction as a rotation axis. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of an actuator capable of connecting a lens unit and a sensor unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a lens unit, a sensor unit, and an actuator of the optical unit of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a front view showing an actuator of the optical unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a front view showing a movable body of an actuator of the optical unit of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is a front view showing a fixed body of an actuator of the optical unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a movable body and a gimbal mechanism of an actuator of the optical unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, illustrating a movable body and a gimbal mechanism of an actuator of the optical unit in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3, illustrating a fixed body, a movable body, and a gimbal mechanism of an actuator of the optical unit in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an actuator of the optical unit of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front. [Figure 10] 2 is an exploded side view showing the lens unit, the sensor unit, and the actuator of the optical unit in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor unit and the actuator of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a side view showing the lens unit, the sensor unit, and the actuator of the optical unit in FIG. 1, with the sensor unit and the actuator shown in cross section. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] An optical unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 12. In each figure, the Z-axis direction is the direction of the optical axis AX, the X-axis direction is the direction intersecting the optical axis AX, in other words, the yawing axis direction, and the Y-axis direction is the direction intersecting the optical axis AX, in other words, the pitching axis direction. In addition, in the Z-axis direction, the +Z direction in which the arrow points is the direction toward the subject, and the -Z direction opposite to the direction in which the arrow points is the direction toward the opposite side of the subject.

[0009] <Overall configuration of optical unit> First, the overall configuration of the optical unit 1 of this embodiment will be described. The optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 2 as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the housing 2 is provided with a lens unit 3 having a lens 3a.

[0010] In addition to the lens unit 3, the housing 2 is provided with an actuator 10 and a sensor unit 4 as shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 1, a hole 2a is provided in the housing 2, and the lens unit 3 is disposed in the housing 2 such that the lens 3a is visible from the hole 2a when viewed from the optical axis direction. The actuator 10 connects the lens unit 3 and the sensor unit 4, and is configured to be able to displace the lens unit 3 within the housing 2.

[0011] <Lens unit> The lens unit 3 of this embodiment is connected to the actuator 10, and while connected to the actuator 10, is also connected to the sensor unit 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the lens unit 3 of this embodiment has a lens installation portion 31 where the lens 3a is installed, and a first connection portion 32 having a smaller diameter than the lens installation portion 31. The first connection portion 32 is connected to the actuator 10, and is also connected to the sensor unit 4.

[0012] <Sensor unit> The sensor unit 4 of this embodiment has a large diameter portion 41 having an imaging element 41a, and a second connection portion 42 to which the first connection portion 32 is connected. Here, the first connection portion 32 is cylindrical, and the second connection portion 42 is also cylindrical. Then, in a state in which the first connection portion 32 is connected to the actuator 10, the first connection portion 32 and the second connection portion 42 are connected such that the outer periphery of the first connection portion 32 fits into the inner periphery of the second connection portion 42. A flexible substrate 41b is connected to the imaging element 41a of the first connection portion 32.

[0013] <Actuator> 2 and other figures, the actuator 10 of this embodiment has a fixed body 110 fixed to the housing 2, and a movable body 120 to which the lens unit 3 and the sensor unit 4 are connected and which is displaceable relative to the fixed body 110. The actuator 10 of this embodiment has a gimbal mechanism 130 connected to the fixed body 110 and the movable body 120, as shown in Figures 6 to 8 and other figures.

[0014] The gimbal mechanism 130 allows the fixed body 110 to hold the movable body 120 in a rotatable state around at least one of the directions intersecting the optical axis direction, such as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, as a rotation axis. Furthermore, the actuator 10 of this embodiment has a magnet 141, a coil 142, and a flexible substrate 143 as shown in FIG. 9 and the like, and has a drive mechanism 140 that generates a drive force that rotates the movable body 120 relative to the fixed body 110. The flexible substrate 143 includes a flexible substrate 143A, a flexible substrate 143B, and a flexible substrate 143C that connect the coils 142 together, and a flexible substrate 143D that is connected to a terminal 144 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0015] <Movable body> 3, 4, 6, and 9, the movable body 120 has a first surface 121 and a second surface 122 that are parallel to the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) and face each other, and a third surface 123 and a fourth surface 124 that are parallel to the optical axis direction, perpendicular to the first surface 121 and the second surface 122, and face each other. A magnet 141A as the magnet 141 is provided on the first surface 121, a magnet 141C as the magnet 141 is provided on the second surface 122, a magnet 141B as the magnet 141 is provided on the third surface 123, and a magnet 141D as the magnet 141 is provided on the fourth surface 124.

[0016] 7 and 8, the movable body 120 has a first insertion opening 125 into which the first connection part 32 can be inserted from a first direction in the optical axis direction (direction from the +Z direction side to the -Z direction side), and a second insertion opening 126 into which the second connection part 42 can be inserted from a second direction opposite to the first direction (direction from the -Z direction side to the +Z direction side). When the movable body 120 to which the lens unit 3 and the sensor unit 4 are connected is displaced relative to the fixed body 110, the lens unit 3 and the sensor unit 4 are also displaced relative to the fixed body 110.

[0017] <Fixed body> As shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 9, the fixed body 110 has a first opposing surface 111 facing the first surface 121, a second opposing surface 112 facing the second surface 122, a third opposing surface 113 facing the third surface 123, and a fourth opposing surface 114 facing the fourth surface 124. As shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the movable body 120 is disposed in an area surrounded by the first opposing surface 111, the second opposing surface 112, the third opposing surface 113 and the fourth opposing surface 114 of the fixed body 110. Then, as shown in Fig. 9, a coil 142A as the coil 142 is provided on the first opposing surface 111, a coil 142C as the coil 142 is provided on the second opposing surface 112, a coil 142B as the coil 142 is provided on the third opposing surface 113, and a coil 142D as the coil 142 is provided on the fourth opposing surface 114.

[0018] 8, fixed body 110 is provided with flexible board arrangement groove 115 that is recessed inward when viewed from the optical axis direction and along which flexible board 143 is arranged. By providing flexible board arrangement groove 115, it is possible to prevent flexible board 143 from moving when movable body 120 is displaced relative to fixed body 110, and thus prevent flexible board 143 from interfering with movable body 120 and the like.

[0019] <Gimbal mechanism> 6 to 9, the gimbal mechanism 130 has a rotation member 136 having a frame-shaped top plate 131 passed through the movable body 120, four legs 132 extending from the top plate 131 along the optical axis direction, and a support portion 134 that engages with the legs 132 and supports the legs 132 in a rotatable state. Here, the rotation member 136 has, as the legs 132, first legs 132A and 132B that protrude inward from the top plate 131 as viewed from the optical axis direction and then extend along the optical axis direction as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and second legs 132C and 132D that protrude outward from the top plate 131 and then extend along the optical axis direction as shown in Figs. 6 and 8. The support portion 134 further includes first support portions 134A and 134B fixed to the movable body 120 as shown in FIG. 7 and supporting the first legs 132A and 132B in a rotatable state, and second support portions 134C and 134D fixed to the fixed body 110 as shown in FIG. 8 and supporting the second legs 132C and 132D in a rotatable state.

[0020] That is, the support portions 134 are provided at two locations on the fixed body 110 on an extension of a first line (line BB in FIG. 3) extending from a position between the first surface 121 and the third surface 123 to a position between the second surface 122 and the fourth surface 124 when viewed from the optical axis direction, and at two locations on the movable body 120 on an extension of a second line (line AA in FIG. 3) extending from a position between the first surface 121 and the fourth surface 124 to a position between the second surface 122 and the third surface 123 when viewed from the optical axis direction. 7 and 8, each support portion 134 has the same configuration and is U-shaped with an engaging portion 134a having a recess 135 formed therein to engage with a protrusion 133 provided on each leg portion 132 and a fixed portion 134b fixed to the fixed body 110 or the movable body 120 facing each other, and the gimbal mechanism 130 supports the rotating member 136 by the spring force of the U-shaped support portion 134 and holds the movable body 120 rotatably relative to the fixed body 110. That is, the gimbal mechanism 130 of this embodiment is composed of the rotating member 136 having the highly rigid top plate 131 and leg portions 132, and the U-shaped support portion 134 which is easily flexible.

[0021] <Drive mechanism> The driving mechanism 140 of this embodiment has a magnet 141A and a coil 142A provided at a position facing the magnet 141A, a magnet 141B and a coil 142B provided at a position facing the magnet 141B, a magnet 141C and a coil 142C provided at a position facing the magnet 141C, and a magnet 141D and a coil 142D provided at a position facing the magnet 141D. Here, the magnet 141A, the magnet 141B, the magnet 141C, and the magnet 141D all have the same configuration, and the coil 142A, the coil 142B, the coil 142C, and the coil 142D all have the same configuration. Of these, the magnet 141A and the coil 142A, and the magnet 141C and the coil 142C constitute a pitching axis oscillation mechanism. In addition, the magnet 141B and the coil 142B, and the magnet 141D and the coil 142D constitute a yawing axis oscillation mechanism.

[0022] Hereinafter, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment will be further described from the viewpoint of the actuator 10 with reference to Figs. 10 to 12. As described above, the actuator 10 of this embodiment is capable of connecting the lens unit 3 and the sensor unit 4. Here, as shown in Figs. 10 to 12, the lens unit 3 connectable to the actuator 10 of this embodiment is a lens unit having a first connection portion 32 with a diameter L2 that is smaller than the diameter L1 of the lens installation portion 31 where the lens 3a is installed. Also, as shown in Figs. 10 to 12, the sensor unit 4 connectable to the actuator 10 of this embodiment is a sensor unit having a large diameter portion 41 with a diameter L3 that is larger than the diameter L2 of the first connection portion 32, and a second connection portion 42 with a diameter L4 that is smaller than the large diameter portion 41.

[0023] 11 and 12, the actuator 10 of this embodiment has a movable body 120 having a first insertion opening 125 into which the first connection part 32 can be inserted from a first direction D1 (direction from the +Z direction side to the -Z direction side) in the optical axis direction, and a second insertion opening 126 into which the second connection part 42 can be inserted from a second direction D2 (direction from the -Z direction side to the +Z direction side) opposite to the first direction D1. Also, as described above, the actuator 10 is provided with a fixed body 110 that holds the movable body 120 in a rotatable state with at least one of the intersecting directions intersecting the optical axis direction as a rotation axis.

[0024] By configuring the actuator 10 of this embodiment in this way, the opening diameter L5 of the first insertion opening 125 is made equal to the diameter L2 of the first connection portion 32, and the opening diameter L6 of the second insertion opening 126 is made equal to the diameter L4 of the second connection portion 42. If the lens unit 3 and the sensor unit 4 were connected and then attached to the actuator 10 instead of the configuration of this embodiment, the actuator 10 would have to be provided with a hole with a diameter larger than the diameter L1 of the lens installation portion 31 and the diameter L3 of the large diameter portion 41, which would increase the size of the movable body 120, and ultimately the actuator 10 and the optical unit 1. By configuring the actuator 10 in the manner described above, the actuator 10 of this embodiment can be made smaller.

[0025] Describing the actuator 10 of this embodiment from another perspective, in the actuator 10 of this embodiment, the first insertion opening 125 has a smaller diameter than the lens installation portion 31 of the lens unit 3, and the second insertion opening 126 has a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 41 of the sensor unit 4. Therefore, the first insertion opening 125 and the second insertion opening 126 can be made small in diameter, and the actuator 10 can be made particularly compact.

[0026] 11 and 12, the actuator 10 of this embodiment has, in the second insertion opening 126, an abutment portion 126a with which the second connection part 42 abuts when the second connection part 42 is inserted into the second insertion opening 126 from the second direction D2. The actuator 10 of this embodiment has such a configuration, and thus can accurately position the sensor unit 4 relative to the movable body 120 in the optical axis direction.

[0027] 12, in the actuator 10 of this embodiment, the sensor unit 4 has a fitting portion 42a into which the first connection portion 32 of the lens unit 3 fits. Therefore, the actuator 10 of this embodiment is configured in this way, and therefore the position of the lens unit 3 can be accurately determined relative to the sensor unit 4 in the optical axis direction. Furthermore, as described above, the actuator 10 of this embodiment is configured to have the abutment portion 126a in the second insertion opening 126, and therefore the position of the lens unit 3 can also be accurately determined relative to the movable body 120 in the optical axis direction.

[0028] Finally, the present invention is generally described below. (1) An actuator capable of connecting a lens unit having a lens installation portion where a lens is installed and a first connection portion having a smaller diameter than the lens installation portion, and a sensor unit having a large diameter portion larger than the first connection portion and a second connection portion having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion, the actuator comprising: a movable body having a first insertion opening into which the first connection portion can be inserted from a first direction in an optical axis direction, and a second insertion opening into which the second connection portion can be inserted from a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a fixed body that holds the movable body in a rotatable state with at least one of intersecting directions that intersect with the optical axis direction as a rotation axis.

[0029] (2) In the actuator described in (1) above, the first insertion opening has a smaller diameter than the lens installation portion, and the second insertion opening has a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion.

[0030] (3) The actuator described in (1) or (2) above, characterized in that the actuator has an abutment portion against which the second connection part abuts when the second connection part is inserted into the second insertion port from the second direction.

[0031] (4) An optical unit comprising: the actuator according to any one of (1) to (3) above; the lens unit; and the sensor unit.

[0032] (5) In the optical unit described in (4) above, the sensor unit has a fitting portion into which the first connecting portion fits. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1...optical unit, 2...housing, 2a...hole, 3...lens unit, 3a...lens, 4...sensor unit, 10...actuator, 31...lens installation portion, 32...first connection portion, 41...large diameter portion, 41a...imaging element, 41b...flexible substrate, 42...second connection portion, 42a...fitting portion, 110...fixed body, 111...first opposing surface, 112...second opposing surface, 113...third opposing surface, 114...fourth opposing surface, 115...flexible substrate placement groove, 120...movable body, 121...first surface, 122...second surface, 123...third surface, 124...fourth surface, 125...first insertion opening, 126...second insertion opening, 126a...degree contact portion, 130...gimbal mechanism, 131...top plate, 132...leg, 132A...first leg , 132B...first leg portion, 132C...second leg portion, 132D...second leg portion, 133...projection portion, 134...support portion, 134a...engagement portion, 134b...fixed portion, 134A...first support portion, 134B...first support portion, 134C...second support portion, 134D...second support portion, 135...recessed portion, 136...rotating member, 140...driving mechanism, 141...magnet, 141A...magnet, 141B...magnet, 141C...magnet, 141D...magnet, 142...coil, 142A...coil, 142B...coil, 142C...coil, 142D...coil, 143...flexible substrate, 143A...flexible substrate, 143B...flexible substrate, 143C...flexible substrate, 143D...flexible substrate, 144...terminal, AX...optical axis

Claims

1. An actuator capable of connecting a lens unit having a lens installation portion on which a lens is installed and a first connection portion having a smaller diameter than the lens installation portion, and a sensor unit having a large diameter portion having a larger diameter than the first connection portion and a second connection portion having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion, a movable body having a first insertion opening into which the first connection portion can be inserted from a first direction in an optical axis direction, and a second insertion opening into which the second connection portion can be inserted from a second direction opposite to the first direction; a fixed body that holds the movable body in a rotatable state around a rotation axis in at least one direction among directions intersecting an optical axis direction; An actuator comprising:

2. 2. The actuator according to claim 1, The first insertion opening has a smaller diameter than the lens installation portion, The actuator, wherein the second insertion opening has a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion.

3. 3. The actuator according to claim 1, an actuator having an abutment portion that the second connection part abuts on when the second connection part is inserted into the second insertion opening from the second direction;

4. An actuator according to claim 1 or 2; The lens unit; The sensor unit; An optical unit comprising:

5. 5. The optical unit according to claim 4, The optical unit is characterized in that the sensor unit has a fitting portion into which the first connection portion fits.

Images