Lens driving device and camera module

Abstract

To provide a lens driving device which can suppress occurrence of sound in a stopper part.SOLUTION: A lens driving device 101 includes a fixed side member FB including a base member 18, a lens holding member 2 having a cylindrical part 12 capable of holding a lens body, and a plurality of shape memory alloy wires SA for moving the lens holding member 2 with respect to the fixed side member FB. The fixed side member FB has a fixed side contact part FC constituting a stopper part ST for restricting movement of the lens holding member 2. The lens holding member 2 has an elastic body part 7 formed of a material softer than a synthetic resin material constituting the cylindrical part 12 of the lens holding member 2. The elastic body part 7 has a movable side contact part MC facing the fixed side contact part FC of the stopper part ST so as to come in contact therewith.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lens driving device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a lens driving device is known in which a lens holding member is moved by a shape memory alloy wire (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-074138 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This lens driving device has a spacer member disposed above the lens holding member, and the spacer member and the lens holding member form a stopper portion that limits excessive upward movement of the lens holding member.

[0005] Therefore, when vibration or the like is applied to the lens driving device, causing the lens holding member to move and the spacer member and the lens holding member to come into contact with each other, there is a risk that a collision noise will be generated.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a lens driving device that can suppress the generation of noise at the stopper portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A lens driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a lens driving device comprising a fixed side member including a base member, a lens holding member having a cylindrical portion capable of holding a lens body, and a plurality of shape memory alloy wires for moving the lens holding member relative to the fixed side member, wherein the fixed side member has a fixed side abutment portion that constitutes a stopper portion that limits the movement of the lens holding member, and the lens holding member has an elastic body portion formed of a material softer than the synthetic resin material that constitutes the cylindrical portion of the lens holding member, and the elastic body portion has a movable side abutment portion that faces the fixed side abutment portion of the stopper portion and is capable of abutting against it. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The above-described lens driving device can suppress the generation of noise at the stopper portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lens driving device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens driving device. [Diagram 3] 11 is a perspective view of a metal member connected to each of the lens holding member and the base member. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a metal member having a shape memory alloy wire attached thereto. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a leaf spring, a shape memory alloy wire, a metal member, and a conductive member. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a connection structure that connects a fixed metal member and a conductive member. [Figure 9] 2 is a perspective view of a spacer member, a lens holding member, an upper cover member, and a base member. FIG. [Figure 10] 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a top view of a conductive member. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the lens holding member. [Figure 12] 4 is a perspective view of an elastic body portion and a lens holding member. FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is a top view of the lens holding member and base member to which the elastic portion and the first magnetic member are attached. FIG. [Figure 14] 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a lens holding member, an elastic body portion, a first magnetic member, a base member, and a conductive member. FIG. [Figure 15] 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a lens holding member, an elastic portion, a base member, and a conductive member. FIG. [Figure 16] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lens holding member, the elastic body portion, the first magnetic member, the base member, and the conductive member. FIG. [Figure 17] 11 is a top view of the lens holding member and base member to which the elastic portion and the first magnetic member are attached. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A lens driving device 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the lens driving device 101. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 1 is an upper perspective view of the lens driving device 101, and the lower view of Fig. 1 is a lower perspective view of the lens driving device 101. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens driving device 101.

[0011] 1 and 2, X1 represents one direction of the X axis constituting the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and X2 represents the other direction of the X axis. Y1 represents one direction of the Y axis constituting the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and Y2 represents the other direction of the Y axis. Similarly, Z1 represents one direction of the Z axis constituting the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and Z2 represents the other direction of the Z axis. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the X1 side of the lens driving device 101 corresponds to the front side (front side) of the lens driving device 101, and the X2 side of the lens driving device 101 corresponds to the rear side (rear side) of the lens driving device 101. Furthermore, the Y1 side of the lens driving device 101 corresponds to the right side of the lens driving device 101, and the Y2 side of the lens driving device 101 corresponds to the left side of the lens driving device 101. Moreover, the Z1 side of the lens driving device 101 corresponds to the upper side (subject side) of the lens driving device 101, and the Z2 side of the lens driving device 101 corresponds to the lower side (imaging element side) of the lens driving device 101. The same applies to the other figures.

[0012] 1 and 2, the lens driving device 101 includes a cover member 4 that is a part of a fixed-side member FB. The cover member 4 includes an upper cover member 4U and a lower cover member 4L.

[0013] The cover member 4 is configured to function as a housing that covers each component. In this embodiment, the cover member 4 is made of a non-magnetic metal. However, the cover member 4 may be made of a magnetic metal. As shown in FIG. 1, the cover member 4 has a box-like outer shape that defines a storage section 4s.

[0014] The upper cover member 4U has a rectangular cylindrical first outer peripheral wall portion 4A and a rectangular annular flat top plate portion 4B provided so as to be continuous with the upper end (the end on the Z1 side) of the first outer peripheral wall portion 4A. A circular opening 4k is formed in the center of the top plate portion 4B. The first outer peripheral wall portion 4A includes a first side plate portion 4A1 to a fourth side plate portion 4A4. The first side plate portion 4A1 and the third side plate portion 4A3 face each other, and the second side plate portion 4A2 and the fourth side plate portion 4A4 face each other. The first side plate portion 4A1 and the third side plate portion 4A3 extend perpendicular to the second side plate portion 4A2 and the fourth side plate portion 4A4.

[0015] Similarly, the lower cover member 4L has a rectangular cylindrical second outer peripheral wall portion 4C and a rectangular annular flat bottom plate portion 4D provided so as to be continuous with the lower end (the end on the Z2 side) of the second outer peripheral wall portion 4C. A circular opening 4m is formed in the center of the bottom plate portion 4D. The second outer peripheral wall portion 4C includes a first side plate portion 4C1 to a fourth side plate portion 4C4. The first side plate portion 4C1 and the third side plate portion 4C3 face each other, and the second side plate portion 4C2 and the fourth side plate portion 4C4 face each other. The first side plate portion 4C1 and the third side plate portion 4C3 extend perpendicularly to the second side plate portion 4C2 and the fourth side plate portion 4C4.

[0016] The upper cover member 4U is joined to the lower cover member 4L by an adhesive as shown in Fig. 1. The second outer peripheral wall portion 4C is disposed so as to partially cover the first outer peripheral wall portion 4A.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 4 accommodates the spacer member 1, the lens holding member 2, the metal member 5, the leaf spring 6, the base member 18, the shape memory alloy wire SA, and the like.

[0018] The movable member MB includes a lens holding member 2 capable of holding a lens body (not shown), a shape memory alloy wire SA as a drive mechanism MK for moving the lens holding member 2 along the optical axis OA related to the lens body, and a leaf spring 6 for supporting the lens holding member 2 movably along the optical axis OA. The lens body is, for example, a cylindrical lens barrel equipped with at least one lens, and is configured so that its central axis is aligned with the optical axis OA.

[0019] The spacer member 1 is arranged so as to prevent the lens holding member 2 made of synthetic resin from colliding with the cover member 4 made of metal when the lens holding member 2 moves in the Z1 direction. That is, the spacer member 1 is made of synthetic resin and arranged so as to form a space between the lens holding member 2 and the top plate portion 4B of the cover member 4. The spacer member 1 is fixed to the upper cover member 4U by an adhesive. Specifically, the spacer member 1 and the lens holding member 2 constitute a first stopper portion ST1 that limits excessive movement of the lens holding member 2 in the Z1 direction (upward), which is one of the stopper portions ST that limit excessive movement of the lens holding member 2. In this embodiment, the lens holding member 2 is configured to come into contact with the spacer member 1 when it moves in the Z1 direction by a predetermined distance. With this configuration, the spacer member 1 can prevent the lens holding member 2 made of synthetic resin from coming into contact with the upper cover member 4U made of metal, and prevent wear of the lens holding member 2 due to such contact. However, if a space can be formed between the lens holding member 2 and the top plate portion 4B of the upper cover member 4U by another structure or the like, the spacer member 1 may be omitted.

[0020] The lens holding member 2 is formed by injection molding a synthetic resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the lens holding member 2 includes a cylindrical portion 12 formed to extend along the optical axis OA, and a movable side base portion 2D and a protruding portion 2S formed to protrude radially outward from the cylindrical portion 12. In this embodiment, a spiral groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12 so that adhesive spreads between the lens body and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12. Note that the spiral groove may be omitted.

[0021] The movable side base portion 2D includes a first movable side base portion 2D1 and a second movable side base portion 2D2. The first movable side base portion 2D1 and the second movable side base portion 2D2 are arranged to extend in opposite directions with the optical axis OA in between. Similarly, the protruding portion 2S includes a first protruding portion 2S1 and a second protruding portion 2S2. The first protruding portion 2S1 and the second protruding portion 2S2 are arranged to extend in opposite directions with the optical axis OA in between. Specifically, the movable side base portion 2D and the protruding portion 2S are arranged to correspond to the four corners of the lens holding member 2 having a substantially rectangular outer shape in a top view, and are arranged alternately. A part of the leaf spring 6 is placed on each of the two movable side base portions 2D.

[0022] The driving mechanism MK includes a shape memory alloy wire SA, which is an example of a shape memory actuator. In this embodiment, the shape memory alloy wire SA includes a first wire SA1 to an eighth wire SA8. When a current flows through the shape memory alloy wire SA, the temperature increases and the wire contracts in response to the increase in temperature. The driving mechanism MK can move the lens holding member 2 up and down along the optical axis OA by utilizing the contraction of the shape memory alloy wire SA. The shape memory alloy wire SA is configured such that when one or more of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 contract, the lens holding member 2 moves, and the other one or more wires are stretched by the movement.

[0023] The leaf spring 6 is configured to support the lens holding member 2 movably in a direction parallel to the optical axis OA relative to the fixed side member FB (base member 18). In this embodiment, the leaf spring 6 is made of a metal plate whose main material is, for example, a copper alloy, a titanium-copper alloy (titanium-copper), or a copper-nickel alloy (nickel-tin-copper). Specifically, the leaf spring 6 includes a first leaf spring 6A and a second leaf spring 6B.

[0024] The base member 18 is formed by injection molding using a synthetic resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP). In this embodiment, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 5, the base member 18 has a substantially rectangular outline in top view, and has an opening 18K at the center. Specifically, the base member 18 has a rectangular annular base portion 18B disposed so as to surround the circular opening 18K. The base portion 18B has four sides 18E (a first side portion 18E1 to a fourth side portion 18E4).

[0025] The leaf spring 6 is configured to connect a movable-side pedestal portion 2D formed on the lens holding member 2 and a fixed-side pedestal portion 18D formed on the base member 18. The fixed-side pedestal portion 18D is a portion that protrudes upward from the base portion 18B of the base member 18, and includes a first fixed-side pedestal portion 18D1 and a second fixed-side pedestal portion 18D2.

[0026] More specifically, the first plate spring 6A is configured to connect the first movable-side pedestal portion 2D1 formed on the lens holding member 2 to each of the first fixed-side pedestal portion 18D1 and the second fixed-side pedestal portion 18D2 formed on the base member 18. Similarly, the second plate spring 6B is configured to connect the second movable-side pedestal portion 2D2 formed on the lens holding member 2 to each of the first fixed-side pedestal portion 18D1 and the second fixed-side pedestal portion 18D2 formed on the base member 18.

[0027] The metal member 5 is configured so that an end of the shape memory alloy wire SA is fixed. In this embodiment, the metal member 5 is formed of a non-magnetic metal, and includes a fixed-side metal member 5F and a movable-side metal member 5M. The fixed-side metal member 5F is configured so as to be fixed to the fixed-side pedestal portion 18D of the base member 18. The movable-side metal member 5M is configured so as to be fixed to the movable-side pedestal portion 2D of the lens holding member 2. The fixed-side metal member 5F may be embedded in the fixed-side pedestal portion 18D of the base member 18, and the movable-side metal member 5M may be embedded in the movable-side pedestal portion 2D of the lens holding member 2.

[0028] More specifically, the fixed metal member 5F is also referred to as a fixed terminal plate and includes a first fixed terminal plate 5F1 to an eighth fixed terminal plate 5F8. The movable metal member 5M is also referred to as a movable terminal plate and includes a first movable terminal plate 5M1 to a fourth movable terminal plate 5M4.

[0029] Next, the positional relationship between each of the lens holding member 2 and the base member 18 and the metal member 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The upper view of Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lens holding member 2 to which a movable side metal member 5M (movable side terminal plate) and a leaf spring 6 are attached. The lower view of Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the base member 18 to which a fixed side metal member 5F (fixed side terminal plate) is attached. For clarity, in the upper view of Fig. 3, a dot pattern is applied to the movable side metal member 5M and the leaf spring 6, and in the lower view of Fig. 3, a dot pattern is applied to the fixed side metal member 5F.

[0030] In the example shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 3, the first movable side terminal plate 5M1 is fixed to the outer surface (right mounting surface) of the side wall on the Y1 side of the first movable side pedestal portion 2D1. Specifically, the first movable side terminal plate 5M1 is fixed to the first movable side pedestal portion 2D1 by an adhesive in a state in which a square-shaped protrusion 2V formed on the first movable side pedestal portion 2D1 and protruding outward (to the Y1 side) is engaged with a rectangular hole AH (see the left diagram of Fig. 4) formed in the first movable side terminal plate 5M1. The adhesive is, for example, a light-curing adhesive. The light-curing adhesive is, for example, an ultraviolet-curing adhesive or a visible light-curing adhesive. Similarly, the second movable side terminal plate 5M2 is fixed to the outer surface (rear mounting surface) of the side wall on the X2 side of the first movable side base portion 2D1, the third movable side terminal plate 5M3 is fixed to the outer surface (front mounting surface) of the side wall on the X1 side of the second movable side base portion 2D2, and the fourth movable side terminal plate 5M4 is fixed to the outer surface (left mounting surface) of the side wall on the Y2 side of the second movable side base portion 2D2.

[0031] In the example shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 3, the first fixed side terminal plate 5F1 and the second fixed side terminal plate 5F2 are fixed to the outer surface (right mounting surface) of the side wall on the Y1 side of the first fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 arranged along the second side portion 18E2 of the base member 18. Specifically, the first fixed side terminal plate 5F1 and the second fixed side terminal plate 5F2 are fixed to the first fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 by an adhesive in a state in which two round protrusions 18V protruding outward (to the Y1 side) formed on the first fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 and through holes RH (see the left diagram of FIG. 4) formed on each of the first fixed side terminal plate 5F1 and the second fixed side terminal plate 5F2 are engaged with each other. The adhesive is, for example, a photocurable adhesive. The photocurable adhesive is, for example, an ultraviolet-curable adhesive or a visible-light-curable adhesive. Similarly, the third fixed side terminal plate 5F3 and the fourth fixed side terminal plate 5F4 (not visible in the lower view of FIG. 3) are fixed to the outer surface (rear mounting surface) of the X2 side wall of the second fixed side pedestal portion 18D2 arranged along the third side portion 18E3 of the base member 18. The fifth fixed side terminal plate 5F5 and the sixth fixed side terminal plate 5F6 are fixed to the outer surface (front mounting surface) of the X1 side wall of the first fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 arranged along the first side portion 18E1 of the base member 18. The seventh fixed side terminal plate 5F7 and the eighth fixed side terminal plate 5F8 (not visible in the lower view of FIG. 3) are fixed to the outer surface (left mounting surface) of the Y2 side wall of the second fixed side pedestal portion 18D2 arranged along the fourth side portion 18E4 of the base member 18.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the shape memory alloy wires SA extend along the inner surface of the first outer circumferential wall portion 4A of the upper cover member 4U, and are configured to movably support the movable-side member MB with respect to the fixed-side member FB. In this embodiment, the shape memory alloy wires SA include the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8, and are configured to movably support the lens holding member 2 as the movable-side member MB with respect to the base member 18 as the fixed-side member FB. As shown in Fig. 2, each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 has one end fixed to the movable-side metal member 5M by crimping, welding, or the like, and the other end fixed to the fixed-side metal member 5F by crimping, welding, or the like.

[0033] Next, referring to FIG. 4, the metal member 5 to which the shape memory alloy wire SA is attached will be described. The left diagram of FIG. 4 is a diagram of the first wire SA1 attached to the first movable side terminal plate 5M1 and the first fixed side terminal plate 5F1, respectively, and the second wire SA2 attached to the first movable side terminal plate 5M1 and the second fixed side terminal plate 5F2, respectively, as viewed from the Y1 side. The right diagram of FIG. 4 is a diagram of the first wire SA1 attached to the first movable side terminal plate 5M1 and the first fixed side terminal plate 5F1, respectively, and the second wire SA2 attached to the first movable side terminal plate 5M1 and the second fixed side terminal plate 5F2, respectively, as viewed from the X1 side. The positional relationship of each member shown in the left diagram of FIG. 4 and the right diagram of FIG. 4 corresponds to the positional relationship when the lens driving device 101 is assembled. In the left diagram of FIG. 4 and the right diagram of FIG. 4, other members are omitted from the illustration for clarity. In addition, the following description referring to the left diagram of Figure 4 and the right diagram of Figure 4 relates to the combination of the first wire SA1 and the second wire SA2, but can be similarly applied to the combination of the third wire SA3 and the fourth wire SA4, the combination of the fifth wire SA5 and the sixth wire SA6, and the combination of the seventh wire SA7 and the eighth wire SA8.

[0034] Specifically, one end of the first wire SA1 is fixed to the first movable terminal plate 5M1 at a lower holding portion J3 of the first movable terminal plate 5M1, and the other end of the first wire SA1 is fixed to the first fixed terminal plate 5F1 at a holding portion J2 of the first fixed terminal plate 5F1. Similarly, one end of the second wire SA2 is fixed to the first movable terminal plate 5M1 at an upper holding portion J1 of the first movable terminal plate 5M1, and the other end of the second wire SA2 is fixed to the second fixed terminal plate 5F2 at a holding portion J4 of the second fixed terminal plate 5F2.

[0035] The holding portion J1 is formed by bending a part of the first movable terminal plate 5M1. Specifically, the part of the first movable terminal plate 5M1 is bent while sandwiching one end of the second wire SA2 to form the holding portion J1. The one end of the second wire SA2 is fixed to the holding portion J1 by welding. The same is true for the holding portions J2 to J4.

[0036] The first wire SA1 and the second wire SA2 are arranged so as to be twisted relative to each other, as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 4. In other words, the first wire SA1 and the second wire SA2 are arranged so as not to contact (be non-contacting) each other.

[0037] Next, the base member 18, which is a part of the fixed-side member FB, will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the base member 18. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the base member 18 with the conductive member CM removed, the center view of Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the conductive member CM embedded in the base member 18, and the lower view of Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the base member 18 with the conductive member CM embedded. Note that in the lower view of Fig. 5, a dot pattern is applied to the conductive member CM for clarity.

[0038] The base member 18 is configured to function as a wire supporting member that supports the other ends of the first wires SA1 to the eighth wires SA8. With this configuration, the movable member MB is supported by the first wires SA1 to the eighth wires SA8 in a state in which it can move in the Z-axis direction, which is a direction parallel to the optical axis OA.

[0039] A fixed-side pedestal portion 18D is formed on the upper surface, which is the surface on the subject side (the surface on the Z1 side) of the base member 18. The fixed-side pedestal portion 18D includes a first fixed-side pedestal portion 18D1 and a second fixed-side pedestal portion 18D2. The first fixed-side pedestal portion 18D1 and the second fixed-side pedestal portion 18D2 are disposed to face each other with the optical axis OA in between.

[0040] A conductive member CM as shown in the center diagram of Fig. 5 is embedded in the base member 18 by insert molding. In this embodiment, the conductive member CM is made of a magnetic metal such as iron. The conductive member CM is configured to have a first terminal portion TM1 to an eleventh terminal portion TM11 that protrude from the lower surface (surface on the Z2 side) of the base member 18 and extend downward (in the Z2 direction), and a ninth bonding surface portion CP9 and a tenth bonding surface portion CP10 that are exposed on the upper surface (surface on the Z1 side) of the base member 18.

[0041] Specifically, the conductive member CM includes a first conductive member CM1 to an eleventh conductive member CM11. The first conductive member CM1 includes a first terminal portion TM1 and a first connection portion ED1. The second conductive member CM2 includes a second terminal portion TM2 and a second connection portion ED2. The third conductive member CM3 includes a third terminal portion TM3 and a third connection portion ED3. The fourth conductive member CM4 includes a fourth terminal portion TM4 and a fourth connection portion ED4. The fifth conductive member CM5 includes a fifth terminal portion TM5 and a fifth connection portion ED5. The sixth conductive member CM6 includes a sixth terminal portion TM6 and a sixth connection portion ED6. The seventh conductive member CM7 includes a seventh terminal portion TM7 and a seventh connection portion ED7. The eighth conductive member CM8 includes an eighth terminal portion TM8 and an eighth connection portion ED8. The ninth conductive member CM9 includes a ninth terminal portion TM9 and a ninth bonding surface portion CP9. The tenth conductive member CM10 includes a tenth terminal portion TM10 and a tenth bonding surface portion CP10. The eleventh conductive member CM11 includes an eleventh terminal portion TM11 and an eleventh connection portion ED11.

[0042] The first terminal portion TM1 to the fourth terminal portion TM4, the tenth terminal portion TM10, and the eleventh terminal portion TM11 are arranged along a third side portion 18E3 of the base member 18. The fifth terminal portion TM5 to the ninth terminal portion TM9 are arranged along a first side portion 18E1 of the base member 18.

[0043] That is, the first connection portion ED1 of the first conductive member CM1 is disposed along the second side portion 18E2 of the base member 18, and the first terminal portion TM1 of the first conductive member CM1 is disposed along the third side portion 18E3, not the second side portion 18E2, of the base member 18. Similarly, the second connection portion ED2 of the second conductive member CM2 is disposed along the second side portion 18E2 of the base member 18, and the second terminal portion TM2 of the second conductive member CM2 is disposed along the third side portion 18E3, not the second side portion 18E2, of the base member 18.

[0044] Further, the seventh connection portion ED7 of the seventh conductive member CM7 is disposed along the fourth side portion 18E4 of the base member 18, and the seventh terminal portion TM7 of the seventh conductive member CM7 is disposed along the first side portion 18E1 rather than the fourth side portion 18E4 of the base member 18. Similarly, the eighth connection portion ED8 of the eighth conductive member CM8 is disposed along the fourth side portion 18E4 of the base member 18, and the eighth terminal portion TM8 of the eighth conductive member CM8 is disposed along the first side portion 18E1 rather than the fourth side portion 18E4 of the base member 18.

[0045] In this manner, the first terminal portion TM1 to the eleventh terminal portion TM11 are arranged along the first side portion 18E1 or the third side portion 18E3 of the base member 18, and are not arranged along the second side portion 18E2 and the fourth side portion 18E4 of the base member 18.

[0046] Next, the positional relationship between the leaf spring 6, the shape memory alloy wire SA, the metal member 5, and the conductive member CM will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the leaf spring 6, the shape memory alloy wire SA, the metal member 5, and the conductive member CM. Specifically, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of each member (leaf spring 6, shape memory alloy wire SA, metal member 5, and conductive member CM), and Fig. 7 is a top view of each member. Note that in Fig. 7, the shape memory alloy wire SA and the conductive member CM are omitted for clarity. Also, in Fig. 7, a dot pattern is applied to the leaf spring 6.

[0047] 7, the leaf spring 6 includes a first leaf spring 6A and a second leaf spring 6B. The first leaf spring 6A has a first portion 6A1 fixed to a first fixed-side pedestal portion 18D1 (see FIG. 2) of the base member 18, a second portion 6A2 fixed to a second fixed-side pedestal portion 18D2 (see FIG. 2) of the base member 18, a third portion 6A3 fixed to a first movable-side pedestal portion 2D1 (see FIG. 2) of the lens holding member 2, a fourth portion 6A4 connecting the first portion 6A1 and the third portion 6A3, and a fifth portion 6A5 connecting the second portion 6A2 and the third portion 6A3.

[0048] The first portion 6A1 is formed with a first through hole 6AH1 and a second through hole 6AH2, through which a round protruding portion 18T (see the lower diagram of FIG. 3) formed on the first fixed side base portion 18D1 and protruding upward is inserted. In this embodiment, the leaf spring 6 and the protruding portion 18T are fixed to each other by hot crimping or cold crimping the protruding portion 18T. However, the leaf spring 6 and the protruding portion 18T may also be fixed to each other by an adhesive.

[0049] The second portion 6A2 is formed with a third through hole 6AH3 through which a round protruding portion 18T (see the lower diagram of FIG. 3) formed on the second fixed side pedestal portion 18D2 protruding upward is inserted, and a fourth through hole 6AH4 used for joining the tenth joining surface portion CP10 (see the lower diagram of FIG. 5) of the tenth conductive member CM10. In this embodiment, the leaf spring 6 and the conductive member CM are joined by welding such as laser welding. However, the leaf spring 6 and the conductive member CM may also be joined by solder, a conductive adhesive, or the like.

[0050] The third portion 6A3 is formed with a fifth through hole 6AH5 and a sixth through hole 6AH6, through which a round protruding portion 2T (see the upper diagram of FIG. 3) formed on the first movable-side pedestal portion 2D1 and protruding upward is inserted. In this embodiment, the leaf spring 6 and the protruding portion 2T are fixed by hot crimping or cold crimping the protruding portion 2T. However, the leaf spring 6 and the protruding portion 2T may also be fixed with an adhesive.

[0051] Similarly, the second leaf spring 6B has a first portion 6B1 fixed to the first fixed side base portion 18D1 (see Figure 2) of the base member 18, a second portion 6B2 fixed to the second fixed side base portion 18D2 (see Figure 2) of the base member 18, a third portion 6B3 fixed to the second movable side base portion 2D2 (see Figure 2) of the lens holding member 2, a fourth portion 6B4 connecting the first portion 6B1 and the third portion 6B3, and a fifth portion 6B5 connecting the second portion 6B2 and the third portion 6B3.

[0052] The first portion 6B1 is formed with a first through hole 6BH1 through which a round protrusion 18T (see the lower diagram of Figure 3) formed on the first fixed side base portion 18D1 protruding upward is inserted, and a second through hole 6BH2 used for joining to the ninth bonding surface portion CP9 (see the lower diagram of Figure 5) of the ninth conductive member CM9.

[0053] The second portion 6B2 is formed with a third through hole 6BH3 and a fourth through hole 6BH4, through which a round protrusion 18T (see the lower diagram in Figure 3) formed on the second fixed side base portion 18D2 and protruding upward is inserted.

[0054] The third portion 6B3 is formed with a fifth through hole 6BH5 and a sixth through hole 6BH6, through which the upwardly protruding circular protrusion 2T (see the upper diagram in Figure 3) formed on the second movable-side pedestal portion 2D2 is inserted.

[0055] The fourth portion 6A4 and the fifth portion 6A5 of the first leaf spring 6A and the fourth portion 6B4 and the fifth portion 6B5 of the second leaf spring 6B are elastically deformable arms having multiple bent portions. Therefore, the lens holding member 2 is movable relative to the base member 18 (fixed member FB) not only in a direction parallel to the optical axis OA but also in a direction intersecting the optical axis OA.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 7, the first leaf spring 6A and the second leaf spring 6B have substantially the same shape. Specifically, the first leaf spring 6A and the second leaf spring 6B are configured to have two-fold rotational symmetry with respect to the optical axis OA. Therefore, this configuration can reduce the number of parts of the lens driving device 101. In addition, the first leaf spring 6A and the second leaf spring 6B can support the lens holding member 2 in the air in a well-balanced manner. In addition, the leaf spring 6 does not adversely affect the weight balance of the movable member MB supported by eight shape memory alloy wires SA (first wire SA1 to eighth wire SA8).

[0057] 6, the first connection portion ED1 of the first conductive member CM1 is joined to the connection portion CT1 of the first fixed side terminal plate 5F1 by soldering. That is, the first connection portion ED1 and the connection portion CT1 are joined with their surfaces substantially parallel to each other. Similarly, the second connection portion ED2 of the second conductive member CM2 is joined to the connection portion CT2 of the second fixed side terminal plate 5F2 by soldering, the third connection portion ED3 of the third conductive member CM3 is joined to the connection portion CT3 of the third fixed side terminal plate 5F3 by soldering, and the fourth connection portion ED4 of the fourth conductive member CM4 is joined to the connection portion CT4 of the fourth fixed side terminal plate 5F4 by soldering. In addition, the fifth connection portion ED5 of the fifth conductive member CM5 is joined to the connection portion CT5 of the fifth fixed side terminal plate 5F5 by soldering, the sixth connection portion ED6 of the sixth conductive member CM6 is joined to the connection portion CT6 of the sixth fixed side terminal plate 5F6 by soldering, the seventh connection portion ED7 of the seventh conductive member CM7 is joined to the connection portion CT7 of the seventh fixed side terminal plate 5F7 by soldering, and the eighth connection portion ED8 of the eighth conductive member CM8 is joined to the connection portion CT8 of the eighth fixed side terminal plate 5F8 by soldering.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 7, the connection portion CT9 of the first movable terminal plate 5M1 is joined vertically to the third portion 6A3 of the first leaf spring 6A by soldering. That is, the connection portion CT9 and the third portion 6A3 are joined in a state in which their surfaces are substantially perpendicular to each other. Similarly, the connection portion CT10 of the second movable terminal plate 5M2 is joined vertically to the third portion 6A3 of the first leaf spring 6A by soldering, the connection portion CT11 of the third movable terminal plate 5M3 is joined vertically to the third portion 6B3 of the second leaf spring 6B by soldering, and the connection portion CT12 of the fourth movable terminal plate 5M4 is joined vertically to the third portion 6B3 of the second leaf spring 6B by soldering.

[0059] 7, the first fixed side terminal plate 5F1 is disposed away from the first portion 6A1 of the first leaf spring 6A and is not in contact with the first portion 6A1 of the first leaf spring 6A. Similarly, the third fixed side terminal plate 5F3 is not in contact with the second portion 6A2 of the first leaf spring 6A, the fifth fixed side terminal plate 5F5 is not in contact with the first portion 6B1 of the second leaf spring 6B, and the seventh fixed side terminal plate 5F7 is not in contact with the second portion 6B2 of the second leaf spring 6B.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, the ninth joint surface portion CP9 (see the center diagram of FIG. 5) of the ninth conductive member CM9 is joined in parallel to the first portion 6B1 of the second leaf spring 6B by welding such as laser welding at the second through hole 6BH2 formed in the first portion 6B1 of the second leaf spring 6B. That is, the ninth joint surface portion CP9 and the first portion 6B1 are joined in a state in which their surfaces are substantially parallel to each other. Similarly, the tenth joint surface portion CP10 (see the center diagram of FIG. 5) of the tenth conductive member CM10 is joined in parallel to the second portion 6A2 of the first leaf spring 6A by welding such as laser welding at the fourth through hole 6AH4 formed in the second portion 6A2 of the first leaf spring 6A.

[0061] When the first terminal TM1 of the first conductive member CM1 is connected to a high potential and the tenth terminal TM10 of the tenth conductive member CM10 is connected to a low potential, a current flows from the first terminal TM1 through the first conductive member CM1 to the first fixed terminal plate 5F1. The current then flows through the first fixed terminal plate 5F1, the first wire SA1, and the first movable terminal plate 5M1. The current then flows through the third portion 6A3, the fifth portion 6A5, and the second portion 6A2 of the first leaf spring 6A, and then through the tenth conductive member CM10 to the tenth terminal TM10.

[0062] When the second terminal TM2 of the second conductive member CM2 is connected to a high potential and the tenth terminal TM10 of the tenth conductive member CM10 is connected to a low potential, a current flows from the second terminal TM2 through the second conductive member CM2 to the second fixed terminal plate 5F2. The current then flows through the second fixed terminal plate 5F2, the second wire SA2, and the first movable terminal plate 5M1. The current then flows through the third portion 6A3, the fifth portion 6A5, and the second portion 6A2 of the first leaf spring 6A, and then through the tenth conductive member CM10 to the tenth terminal TM10.

[0063] Whether the first terminal portion TM1 of the first conductive member CM1 is connected to a high potential or the second terminal portion TM2 of the second conductive member CM2 is connected to a high potential, the path of the current flowing from the first movable side terminal plate 5M1 to the tenth terminal portion TM10 is the same.

[0064] The control device external to the lens driving device 101 as described above can control the contraction of each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 by controlling the voltages applied to the terminal portions of the first conductive member CM1 to the tenth conductive member CM10. The control device may be disposed inside the lens driving device 101. The control device may also be a component of the lens driving device 101.

[0065] Lens driving device 101 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is attached, for example, on an external board (not shown) on which an imaging element (not shown) is mounted. The camera module is composed of, for example, the external board, lens driving device 101, a lens body attached to lens holding member 2, and an imaging element mounted on the external board so as to face the lens body. The camera module may include a control device composed of a microcomputer or the like including a CPU, a memory, and the like.

[0066] The control device may use, for example, a driving force along a direction parallel to the optical axis OA caused by contraction of the shape memory alloy wire SA as the driving mechanism MK to move the lens holding member 2 along a direction parallel to the optical axis OA on the Z1 side (subject side) of the imaging element. By moving the lens holding member 2 in this manner, the control device may realize an autofocus adjustment function, which is one of the lens adjustment functions. Specifically, the control device may move the lens holding member 2 in a direction away from the imaging element to enable macro photography, and move the lens holding member 2 in a direction approaching the imaging element to enable infinity photography.

[0067] The control device may also control the current flowing through the shape memory alloy wires SA to move the lens holding member 2 in a direction intersecting the optical axis OA. In this way, the control device may achieve a camera shake correction function.

[0068] Next, an example of a connection structure for connecting the fixed side metal member 5F (fixed side terminal plate) and the conductive member CM will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a connection structure for connecting the fixed side metal member 5F (fixed side terminal plate) and the conductive member CM. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 8 is an overall perspective view of the base member 18 to which the fixed side metal member 5F (fixed side terminal plate) is attached. The lower view of FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of the range R1 surrounded by the dashed line shown in the upper view of FIG. 8, as viewed from the Y1 side. Note that in FIG. 8, for clarity, a coarse dot pattern is applied to the fixed side metal member 5F (fixed side terminal plate) and a fine dot pattern is applied to the conductive member CM.

[0069] As shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 8, the first fixed side terminal plate 5F1 is attached to the outer surface (right mounting surface) of the side wall on the Y1 side of the first fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 of the base member 18 with a photocurable adhesive. The connection portion CT1 of the first fixed side terminal plate 5F1 is joined to the first connection portion ED1 of the first conductive member CM1 via a bonding material SD. The bonding material SD is, for example, solder or a conductive adhesive. In the lower diagram of Fig. 8, a cross pattern is applied to the bonding material SD for clarity.

[0070] Similarly, the second fixed side terminal plate 5F2 is attached by a light-curing adhesive to the outer surface (right mounting surface) of the side wall on the Y1 side of the first fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 of the base member 18. The connection portion CT2 of the second fixed side terminal plate 5F2 is joined to the second connection portion ED2 of the second conductive member CM2 via the bonding material SD.

[0071] Next, a configuration for restricting the movement of the lens holding member 2 relative to the base member 18 when the shape memory alloy wire SA is not energized will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the spacer member 1, the lens holding member 2, the upper cover member 4U, and the base member 18.

[0072] As shown in Figure 9, the lens holding member 2 has a cylindrical portion 12 that extends in the optical axis direction and houses the lens body therein, and a movable side base portion 2D and a protruding portion 2S that protrude from the cylindrical portion 12 toward the corner 4E at a position corresponding to the corner 4E of the upper cover member 4U.

[0073] Specifically, the upper cover member 4U has four corners 4E. The four corners 4E include a first corner 4E1 disposed between the first side plate portion 4A1 and the fourth side plate portion 4A4, a second corner 4E2 disposed between the first side plate portion 4A1 and the second side plate portion 4A2, a third corner 4E3 disposed between the second side plate portion 4A2 and the third side plate portion 4A3, and a fourth corner 4E4 disposed between the third side plate portion 4A3 and the fourth side plate portion 4A4.

[0074] The lens holding member 2 has a second movable side base portion 2D2 protruding from the cylindrical portion 12 toward the first corner portion 4E1, a first protrusion portion 2S1 protruding from the cylindrical portion 12 toward the second corner portion 4E2, the first movable side base portion 2D1 protruding from the cylindrical portion 12 toward the third corner portion 4E3, and a second protrusion portion 2S2 protruding from the cylindrical portion 12 toward the fourth corner portion 4E4.

[0075] The protruding portion 2S is formed with a housing portion HR that opens upward (Z1 direction). The first magnetic member 10 is housed in the housing portion HR and fixed thereto by adhesive. Specifically, the first protruding portion 2S1 is formed with a first housing portion HR1 that opens upward, and the second protruding portion 2S2 is formed with a second housing portion HR2 that opens upward. The first housing portion HR1 houses a first magnet 10A, and the second housing portion HR2 houses a second magnet 10B.

[0076] The first magnetic member 10 is a member for generating a magnetic attraction force between itself and the second magnetic member MG (see FIG. 10) attached to the base member 18. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the first magnetic member 10 includes a first magnet 10A and a second magnet 10B. Both the first magnet 10A and the second magnet 10B are two-pole permanent magnets. However, the first magnetic member 10 does not have to be a magnet as long as it can generate a magnetic attraction force between itself and the second magnetic member MG. In this case, the first magnetic member 10 may be, for example, a magnetic metal or a magnetic resin material. In addition, the first magnetic member 10 may be embedded in the lens holding member 2 by insert molding or the like, or may be attached to the lens holding member 2.

[0077] Next, referring to FIG. 10, the positional relationship between the first magnetic member 10 and the second magnetic member MG when the shape memory alloy wire SA is not energized will be described. FIG. 10 shows the positional relationship between the first magnetic member 10 attached to the lens holding member 2 and the second magnetic member MG included in the conductive member CM embedded in the base member 18 when the shape memory alloy wire SA is not energized. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first magnetic member 10 and the conductive member CM, and the lower view of FIG. 10 is a top view of the conductive member CM. Note that in the upper view of FIG. 10 and the lower view of FIG. 10, members other than the first magnetic member 10 and the conductive member CM are omitted for clarity. In addition, in the upper view of FIG. 10 and the lower view of FIG. 10, a dot pattern is applied to the second magnetic member MG, which is a part of the conductive member CM embedded in the base member 18, for clarity. In addition, in the lower view of FIG. 10, the outline of the first magnetic member 10 is shown by a dotted line for clarity.

[0078] The second magnetic member MG is a member for generating a magnetic attraction force between itself and the first magnetic member 10 attached to the lens holding member 2. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the second magnetic member MG includes a first metal plate MG1 and a second metal plate MG2. The first metal plate MG1 and the second metal plate MG2 are both formed of a magnetic metal. Specifically, the first metal plate MG1 is formed as a part of the second conductive member CM2, and the second metal plate MG2 is formed as a part of the eighth conductive member CM8. However, the second magnetic member MG does not have to be a magnetic metal as long as it can generate a magnetic attraction force between itself and the first magnetic member 10. In this case, the second magnetic member MG may be a magnet. The second magnetic member MG may be configured as a member independent of the conductive member CM. In this case, the conductive member CM is preferably formed of a non-magnetic material such as a non-magnetic metal. The second magnetic member MG does not have to be embedded in the base member 18, and may be attached to the base member 18.

[0079] When no current is flowing through the shape memory alloy wire SA, as shown in the upper and lower figures of Figure 10, the first magnetic member 10 is positioned within the accommodating portion HR formed in the protruding portion 2S of the lens holding member 2 so as to be located directly above the second magnetic member MG, a predetermined distance away from the second magnetic member MG.

[0080] 10, the first magnetic member 10 and the second magnetic member MG are configured such that the area of ​​an upper opposing surface CSU of the first magnetic member 10 facing the second magnetic member MG is approximately equal to the area of ​​a lower opposing surface CSL of the second magnetic member MG facing the first magnetic member 10. If the area of ​​the upper opposing surface CSU and the area of ​​the lower opposing surface CSL are significantly different, the positional relationship between the first magnetic member 10 and the second magnetic member MG will vary when the first magnetic member 10 is attracted to the second magnetic member MG by the magnetic attraction force generated between the first magnetic member 10 and the second magnetic member MG and comes to rest.

[0081] 10, the first magnet 10A and the first metal plate MG1 are configured so that the area of ​​the upper facing surface CSU1 of the first magnet 10A facing the first metal plate MG1 is approximately equal to the area of ​​the lower facing surface CSL1 of the first metal plate MG1 facing the first magnet 10A. Also, the second magnet 10B and the second metal plate MG2 are configured so that the area of ​​the upper facing surface CSU2 of the second magnet 10B facing the second metal plate MG2 is approximately equal to the area of ​​the lower facing surface CSL2 of the second metal plate MG2 facing the second magnet 10B.

[0082] 10, the first magnetic member 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, but may have other outer shapes, such as a cylinder or a hexagonal prism. That is, in the example shown in Fig. 10, the upper facing surface CSU has a rectangular outer shape, but may have other outer shapes, such as a circle or a hexagon. In this case, the lower facing surface CSL is preferably configured to have the same outer shape as the upper facing surface CSU.

[0083] 9, the base member 18 has a fixed side pedestal portion 18D and a stopper protrusion portion 18S protruding upward from the base portion 18B at a position corresponding to the corner portion 4E of the upper cover member 4U. The stopper protrusion portion 18S includes a first stopper protrusion portion 18S1 and a second stopper protrusion portion 18S2. Specifically, the base member 18 has a second stopper protrusion portion 18S2 provided in the vicinity of the first corner portion 4E1, a first fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 provided in the vicinity of the second corner portion 4E2, the first stopper protrusion portion 18S1 provided in the vicinity of the third corner portion 4E3, and a second fixed side pedestal portion 18D2 provided in the vicinity of the fourth corner portion 4E4.

[0084] The fixed side base portion 18D is formed with a stopper recess SB that opens upward (Z1 direction) and inward (direction approaching the optical axis OA). Specifically, the first fixed side base portion 18D1 is formed with a first stopper recess SB1 that opens upward and inward, and the second fixed side base portion 18D2 is formed with a second stopper recess SB2 that opens upward and inward. The stopper recess SB accommodates the protruding portion 2S that functions as a stopper protrusion.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 11, the lens holding member 2 has a stopper recess CV formed on the lower surface (Z2 side surface) of the movable base portion 2D. Fig. 11 is a detailed view of the lens holding member 2. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the lens holding member 2. The center view of Fig. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the lens holding member 2. The lower view of Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the range R2 surrounded by the dashed line shown in the center view of Fig. 11. Note that in Fig. 11, a dot pattern is added to the stopper recess CV for clarity.

[0086] Specifically, each of the first movable pedestal portion 2D1 and the second movable pedestal portion 2D2 includes a cylindrical wall portion TW that is substantially hexagonal in a bottom view, and an upper wall portion UW that is provided to connect the upper portion of the cylindrical wall portion TW. A first stopper recess CV1 that is partitioned by the cylindrical wall portion TW and the upper wall portion UW is formed on the lower surface of the first movable pedestal portion 2D1, and a second stopper recess CV2 that is partitioned by the cylindrical wall portion TW and the upper wall portion UW is formed on the lower surface of the second movable pedestal portion 2D2. A through portion TH is formed in the upper wall portion UW that constitutes the inner bottom surface IBF that is the surface on the Z1 side of each of the first stopper recess CV1 and the second stopper recess CV2. In the illustrated example, the through portion TH is a substantially rectangular through hole that is closed all around and extends in the Z-axis direction, but may be a cutout that is partially open.

[0087] As described above, the stopper recess CV has the first stopper recess CV1 and the second stopper recess CV2. The stopper recess CV is configured to receive the stopper protrusion 18S (see FIG. 9) formed on the base member 18 in a non-contact manner. The stopper protrusion 18S includes the first stopper protrusion 18S1 and the second stopper protrusion 18S2 as described above.

[0088] The stopper recess CV is configured to cooperate with the stopper protrusion 18S to limit excessive movement of the lens holding member 2. Specifically, the stopper recess CV is configured to come into contact with the stopper protrusion 18S when the movement of the lens holding member 2 becomes excessively large, thereby limiting the excessive movement of the lens holding member 2. The excessive movement of the lens holding member 2 includes at least one of excessive rotation of the lens holding member 2 about the optical axis OA, excessive translation of the lens holding member 2 in the X-axis direction, and excessive translation of the lens holding member 2 in the Y-axis direction.

[0089] More specifically, the first stopper recess CV1 is configured to receive the first stopper protrusion 18S1 in a non-contact manner in the neutral state, and the second stopper recess CV2 is configured to receive the second stopper protrusion 18S2 in a non-contact manner in the neutral state. The neutral state of the lens driving device 101 means, for example, a state in which the lens holding member 2 is located in the middle of the movable range in each of three mutually orthogonal axial directions (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction). Typically, in the neutral state of the lens driving device 101, the lens holding member 2 is located in the middle of the movable range in each of the three axial directions. However, the initial state of the lens driving device 101 when power is not supplied to the shape memory alloy wire SA may be the neutral state.

[0090] Further, the stopper recess SB (see FIG. 9) of the base member 18 is configured to receive the protrusion 2S (stopper protrusion) of the lens holding member 2 without contact in the neutral state. The stopper recess SB is configured to cooperate with the stopper protrusion (protrusion 2S) to limit excessive movement of the lens holding member 2. Specifically, the stopper recess SB is configured to come into contact with the stopper protrusion (protrusion 2S) to limit excessive movement of the lens holding member 2 when the movement of the lens holding member 2 becomes excessively large.

[0091] More specifically, the stopper recess SB (see FIG. 9) includes a first stopper recess SB1 formed on the inside of the first fixed-side pedestal portion 18D1 and a second stopper recess SB2 formed on the inside of the second fixed-side pedestal portion 18D2. The first stopper recess SB1 is configured to receive the first stopper convex portion (first protruding portion 2S1) in a non-contact manner in the neutral state, and the second stopper recess SB2 is configured to receive the second stopper convex portion (second protruding portion 2S2) in a non-contact manner in the neutral state.

[0092] In this way, the stopper recess CV (movable side base portion 2D) and the stopper protrusion (protrusion portion 2S) in the lens holding member 2, as well as the stopper recess SB (fixed side base portion 18D) and the stopper protrusion 18S in the base member 18, form a stopper portion ST that limits excessive movement of the lens holding member 2.

[0093] Specifically, the stopper portion ST is configured to limit the movement of the lens holding member 2 relative to the fixed-side member FB by bringing a part of the fixed-side member FB into contact with a part of the lens holding member 2. An elastic portion 7 is provided on the part of the lens holding member 2 that comes into contact with the part of the fixed-side member FB.

[0094] The elastic body portion 7 is formed of a material softer than the synthetic resin material constituting the cylindrical portion 12 of the lens holding member 2. For example, the elastic body portion 7 is formed of polyimide resin, silicone rubber, elastomer, or the like, which is softer than the synthetic resin material such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP) constituting the cylindrical portion 12. In this embodiment, the elastic body portion 7 is formed of silicone rubber, which is easy to mold (double molding).

[0095] In the illustrated example, the elastic body portion 7 is integrated with the lens holding member 2 by double molding. Specifically, the elastic body portion 7 includes a first elastic body portion 7A integrated with the movable-side pedestal portion 2D of the lens holding member 2, and a second elastic body portion 7B integrated with the protruding portion 2S of the lens holding member 2. Note that double molding is also called two color molding or double shot molding.

[0096] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the elastic body portion 7 and the lens holding member 2. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 12 is an upper perspective view of the elastic body portion 7 and the lens holding member 2, and the lower view of Fig. 12 is a lower perspective view of the elastic body portion 7 and the lens holding member 2. Note that, for the sake of explanation, Fig. 12 shows a state in which the lens holding member 2 and the elastic body portion 7 are separated, but in reality, the lens holding member 2 and the elastic body portion 7 are integrated and inseparable (see Fig. 9). In other words, the elastic body portion 7 constitutes a part of the lens holding member 2.

[0097] More specifically, the first elastic body 7A includes a first right rear elastic body 7A1 provided on the first movable pedestal 2D1 and a first left front elastic body 7A2 provided on the second movable pedestal 2D2. The first right rear elastic body 7A1 and the first left front elastic body 7A2 are formed to have the same shape and size. Each of the first right rear elastic body 7A1 and the first left front elastic body 7A2 includes an upper part UP1 arranged in a state where a part of the upper part UP1 is in contact with the upper surface of the upper wall part UW of the movable pedestal 2D, a lower part LP1 arranged in a state where the upper surface (inner bottom surface IBF) and the inner circumferential surface IF of the stopper recess CV (see FIG. 11), and a first connecting part CN1 arranged in the through part TH and connecting the upper part UP1 and the lower part LP1. The lower portion LP1 includes a ceiling surface portion CW provided on the lower surface (inner bottom surface IBF, which is the ceiling surface of the stopper recess CV) of the upper wall portion UW of the lens holding member 2, and an inner surface portion SW provided on the inner surface IF of the cylindrical wall portion TW (see the lower diagram of Figure 11).

[0098] The second elastic body portion 7B includes a second right front elastic body portion 7B1 provided on the first protruding portion 2S1 and a second left rear elastic body portion 7B2 provided on the second protruding portion 2S2. Each of the second right front elastic body portion 7B1 and the second left rear elastic body portion 7B2 includes an upper portion UP2 arranged in contact with the upper surface of the protruding portion 2S, a lower portion LP2 arranged in contact with the lower surface of the protruding portion 2S, and a second connecting portion CN2 arranged in contact with the side surface of the protruding portion 2S to connect the upper portion UP2 and the lower portion LP2.

[0099] The stopper portion ST that limits the movement of the lens holding member 2 is composed of a combination of a movable-side contact portion MC and a fixed-side contact portion FC that come into contact with each other, as shown in Fig. 9. Specifically, the stopper portion ST includes a first stopper portion ST1 that limits the movement of the lens holding member 2 to the Z1 side (upward), a second stopper portion ST2 that limits the movement of the lens holding member 2 to the Z2 side (downward), and a third stopper portion ST3 and a fourth stopper portion ST4 that limit the movement of the lens holding member 2 in a direction intersecting with the optical axis direction.

[0100] The first stopper portion ST1 is constituted by a combination of a first movable side abutment portion MC1 and a first fixed side abutment portion FC1, the second stopper portion ST2 is constituted by a combination of a second movable side abutment portion MC2 and a second fixed side abutment portion FC2, the third stopper portion ST3 is constituted by a combination of a third movable side abutment portion MC3 and a third fixed side abutment portion FC3, and the fourth stopper portion ST4 is constituted by a combination of a fourth movable side abutment portion MC4 and a fourth fixed side abutment portion FC4. That is, the movable side abutment portion MC includes the first movable side abutment portion MC1 to the fourth movable side abutment portion MC4, and the fixed side abutment portion FC includes the first fixed side abutment portion FC1 to the fourth fixed side abutment portion FC4.

[0101] In the illustrated example, the first movable contact portion MC1 includes an upper portion UP1 of the first right rear elastic body portion 7A1, an upper portion UP1 of the first left front elastic body portion 7A2, an upper portion UP2 of the second right front elastic body portion 7B1, and an upper portion UP2 of the second left rear elastic body portion 7B2 as shown in Fig. 9. Also, the first fixed contact portion FC1 includes four corners 1E (first corner 1E1 to fourth corner 1E4) of the spacer member 1 as shown in Fig. 9.

[0102] In addition, the second movable side abutment portion MC2 includes the ceiling surface portion CW of the lower portion LP1 of the first right rear elastic body portion 7A1 (see the lower diagram of Figure 12), the ceiling surface portion CW of the lower portion LP1 of the first left front elastic body portion 7A2 (see the lower diagram of Figure 12), the lower portion LP2 of the second right front elastic body portion 7B1 (see Figure 9), and the lower portion LP2 of the second left rear elastic body portion 7B2 (see Figure 9). In addition, the second fixed side abutment portion FC2 includes the tip surface FEF (see Figure 9) of the first stopper convex portion 18S1 of the base member 18, the tip surface FEF (see Figure 9) of the second stopper convex portion 18S2 of the base member 18, the bottom surface BTF (see the upper figure in Figure 13) of the first stopper recess SB1 in the first fixed side base portion 18D1 of the base member 18, and the bottom surface BTF (see the upper figure in Figure 13) of the second stopper recess SB2 in the second fixed side base portion 18D2 of the base member 18.

[0103] The third movable contact portion MC3 includes an inner peripheral surface portion SW (see the lower diagram in FIG. 12) of the lower portion LP1 of the first right rear elastic body portion 7A1 and an inner peripheral surface portion SW (see the lower diagram in FIG. 12) of the lower portion LP1 of the first left front elastic body portion 7A2. The third fixed contact portion FC3 includes a side surface SDF (see FIG. 9) of the first stopper convex portion 18S1 of the base member 18 and a side surface SDF (see FIG. 9) of the second stopper convex portion 18S2 of the base member 18.

[0104] 9, the fourth movable contact portion MC4 includes the second connecting portion CN2 of the second right front elastic body portion 7B1 and the second connecting portion CN2 of the second left rear elastic body portion 7B2. The fourth fixed contact portion FC4 includes the first stopper recess SB1 in the first fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 of the base member 18 and the second stopper recess SB2 in the second fixed side pedestal portion 18D2 of the base member 18.

[0105] Next, the stopper portion ST that restricts the movement of the lens holding member 2 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a top view of the lens holding member 2 to which the elastic body portion 7 and the first magnetic member 10 are attached, and the base member 18 in which the second magnetic member MG is embedded. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 13 is a top view showing the entire lens holding member 2 and the base member 18, and the lower view of Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of the range R3 surrounded by the dashed line shown in the upper view of Fig. 13. Note that in Fig. 13, for clarity, a dot pattern is applied to the lens holding member 2, and a cross pattern is applied to the elastic body portion 7.

[0106] As described above, the fourth stopper portion ST4 is configured by a combination of the fourth movable-side abutment portion MC4 and the fourth fixed-side abutment portion FC4. Specifically, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 13, the fourth stopper portion ST4 includes a combination of the second left rear elastic portion 7B2 having an outer peripheral surface CF (surface represented by a dotted line) and the second fixed-side pedestal portion 18D2 (second stopper recess SB2) as a wall portion having an inner peripheral surface SF (surface represented by a broken line) facing so as to cover the outer peripheral surface CF. The outer peripheral surface CF and the inner peripheral surface SF face each other with a gap therebetween, and are disposed so as to be closest to each other at a portion extending parallel to the X-axis and a portion extending parallel to the Y-axis. Similarly, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 13, the fourth stopper portion ST4 includes a combination of the second right front elastic portion 7B1 having an outer peripheral surface and the first fixed-side pedestal portion 18D1 (first stopper recess SB1) as a wall portion having an inner peripheral surface facing so as to cover the outer peripheral surface.

[0107] With this configuration, when the lens holding member 2 tries to rotate excessively around the optical axis OA in the direction indicated by the arrow AR20 in the upper diagram of Fig. 13, the right portion CFR of the outer peripheral surface CF of the second left rear elastic body portion 7B2 comes into contact with the right portion SFR of the inner peripheral surface SF of the second fixed side pedestal portion 18D2 (second stopper recess SB2) in the fourth stopper portion ST4, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 13. As a result, the excessive rotation of the lens holding member 2 around the optical axis OA is prevented by this contact. The same applies to the contact between the outer peripheral surface of the second right front elastic body portion 7B1 and the inner peripheral surface of the first fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 (first stopper recess SB1), and these contacts occur at approximately the same timing.

[0108] Also, when the lens holding member 2 tries to rotate excessively around the optical axis OA in the direction indicated by the arrow AR21 in the upper diagram of Fig. 13, the left portion CFL of the outer peripheral surface CF of the second left rear elastic body portion 7B2 comes into contact with the left portion SFL of the inner peripheral surface SF of the second fixed side pedestal portion 18D2 (second stopper recess SB2) in the fourth stopper portion ST4, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 13. As a result, the excessive rotation of the lens holding member 2 around the optical axis OA is prevented by this contact. The same applies to the contact between the outer peripheral surface of the second right front elastic body portion 7B1 and the inner peripheral surface of the first fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 (first stopper recess SB1), and these contacts occur at approximately the same timing.

[0109] Next, referring to FIG. 14, an example of the state of the lens driving device 101 when the stopper part ST functions will be described. FIG. 14 shows a cross section of the lens holding member 2, the elastic body part 7, the first magnetic member 10, the base member 18, and the conductive member CM in a plane perpendicular to the XY plane, including the dashed line L1 in the upper diagram of FIG. 13. Specifically, the central diagram of FIG. 14 shows the positional relationship of each member in a neutral state, the left diagram of FIG. 14 shows the positional relationship of each member when the lens holding member 2 moves downward (to the Z2 side), and the right diagram of FIG. 14 shows the positional relationship of each member when the lens holding member 2 moves upward (to the Z1 side). In FIG. 14, the direction of movement of the lens holding member 2 in the Z-axis direction is indicated by a black block arrow.

[0110] 14, when the lens holding member 2 moves a predetermined distance DS1 downward from the neutral state, a lower portion LP2 as the second movable-side abutment portion MC2 constituting the second stopper portion ST2 and a bottom surface BTF as the second fixed-side abutment portion FC2 constituting the second stopper portion ST2 come into contact with each other at a contact surface CTS1 indicated by a dotted circle, thereby restricting further downward movement of the lens holding member 2. The lower portion LP2 is a part of the second right front elastic body portion 7B1, and the bottom surface BTF is a part of the first stopper recess SB1 in the first fixed-side pedestal portion 18D1 of the base member 18.

[0111] 14, when the lens holding member 2 moves a predetermined distance DS2 upward from the neutral state, an upper portion UP2 as the first movable-side contact portion MC1 constituting the first stopper portion ST1 and a ceiling surface CLF as the first fixed-side contact portion FC1 constituting the first stopper portion ST1 come into contact with each other at a contact surface CTS2 indicated by a dotted circle, thereby restricting further upward movement of the lens holding member 2. The upper portion UP2 is a part of the second right front elastic portion 7B1, and the ceiling surface CLF is a part of the second corner portion 1E2 of the spacer member 1.

[0112] Next, referring to FIG. 15, another example of the state of the lens driving device 101 when the stopper part ST functions will be described. FIG. 15 shows a cross section of the lens holding member 2, the elastic body part 7, the base member 18, and the conductive member CM in a plane perpendicular to the XY plane, including the dashed line L2 in the upper diagram of FIG. 13. Specifically, the central diagram of FIG. 15 shows the positional relationship of each member in a neutral state, the left diagram of FIG. 15 shows the positional relationship of each member when the lens holding member 2 moves downward (to the Z2 side), and the right diagram of FIG. 15 shows the positional relationship of each member when the lens holding member 2 moves upward (to the Z1 side). In FIG. 15, the direction of movement of the lens holding member 2 in the Z-axis direction is indicated by a black block arrow.

[0113] 15, when the lens holding member 2 moves a predetermined distance DS1 downward from the neutral state, the ceiling surface portion CW as the second movable side abutment portion MC2 constituting the second stopper portion ST2 and the tip surface FEF as the second fixed side abutment portion FC2 constituting the second stopper portion ST2 come into contact with each other at a contact surface CTS3 indicated by a dotted circle, restricting further downward movement of the lens holding member 2. The ceiling surface portion CW is a part of the lower portion LP1 of the first right rear elastic portion 7A1, and the tip surface FEF is a part of the first stopper protrusion 18S1 of the base member 18.

[0114] 15, when the lens holding member 2 moves a predetermined distance DS2 upward from the neutral state, an upper portion UP1 as the first movable-side abutment portion MC1 constituting the first stopper portion ST1 and a ceiling surface CLF as the first fixed-side abutment portion FC1 constituting the first stopper portion ST1 come into contact with each other at a contact surface CTS4 indicated by a dotted circle, thereby restricting further upward movement of the lens holding member 2. The upper portion UP1 is a part of the first right rear elastic body portion 7A1, and the ceiling surface CLF is a part of the third corner portion 1E3 of the spacer member 1.

[0115] Next, referring to FIG. 16, a further example of the state of the lens driving device 101 when the stopper portion ST functions will be described. FIG. 16 shows a cross section of the lens holding member 2, the elastic body portion 7, the first magnetic member 10, the base member 18, and the conductive member CM in a plane parallel to the XY plane, including the dashed line L3 in the central view of FIG. 14 and the dashed line L4 in the central view of FIG. 15. Specifically, the central view of FIG. 16 shows the positional relationship of each member in a neutral state, the upper view of FIG. 16 shows the positional relationship of each member when the lens holding member 2 moves to the right (Y1 side), and the lower view of FIG. 16 shows the positional relationship of each member when the lens holding member 2 moves to the left (Y2 side). In FIG. 16, the direction of movement of the lens holding member 2 in the Y-axis direction is indicated by a black block arrow.

[0116] Specifically, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 16, when the lens holding member 2 moves a predetermined distance DS3 to the right from the neutral state, contact surfaces CTS11 and CTS13 represented by dotted circles come into contact with the left side portion of the inner surface portion SW as the third movable side abutment portion MC3 constituting the third stopper portion ST3 and the left side portion of the side surface SDF as the third fixed side abutment portion FC3 constituting the third stopper portion ST3, and contact surfaces CTS12 and CTS14 represented by dotted circles come into contact with the right side portion of the second connecting portion CN2 as the fourth movable side abutment portion MC4 constituting the fourth stopper portion ST4 and the right side portion of the inner surface SF as the fourth fixed side abutment portion FC4 constituting the fourth stopper portion ST4, thereby restricting further movement of the lens holding member 2 to the right. The inner surface portion SW is part of the lower portion LP1 of the first elastic body portion 7A, the side surface SDF is part of the stopper protrusion portion 18S of the base member 18, the second connecting portion CN2 is part of the second elastic body portion 7B, and the inner surface SF is part of the stopper recess portion SB.

[0117] Furthermore, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 16, when the lens holding member 2 moves a predetermined distance DS4 to the left from the neutral state, contact surfaces CTS15 and CTS17 represented by dotted circles come into contact with the right side portion of the inner surface portion SW as the third movable side abutment portion MC3 constituting the third stopper portion ST3 and the right side portion of the side surface SDF as the third fixed side abutment portion FC3 constituting the third stopper portion ST3, and contact surfaces CTS16 and CTS18 represented by dotted circles come into contact with the left side portion of the second connecting portion CN2 as the fourth movable side abutment portion MC4 constituting the fourth stopper portion ST4 and the left side portion of the inner surface SF as the fourth fixed side abutment portion FC4 constituting the fourth stopper portion ST4, thereby restricting further movement of the lens holding member 2 to the left.

[0118] Note that the above explanation with reference to Figure 16 relates to the state of the lens driving device 101 when the stopper portion ST functions when the lens holding member 2 moves from the neutral state to the right or left, but it also applies to the state of the lens driving device 101 when the stopper portion ST functions when the lens holding member 2 moves from the neutral state to the front or rear.

[0119] Next, another configuration example of the elastic body portion 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a top view of the lens holding member 2 to which the elastic body portion 7 and the first magnetic member 10 are attached, and the base member 18 in which the conductive member CM is embedded. Specifically, Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of the area R3 surrounded by the dashed line shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 13, and corresponds to the lower diagram of Fig. 13. Note that in Fig. 17, for clarity, a dot pattern is applied to the lens holding member 2, and a cross pattern is applied to the elastic body portion 7.

[0120] In the example shown in FIG. 17, the elastic body 7 is integrated with the lens holding member 2 by double molding. Specifically, the second left rear elastic body 7B2, which is one of the second elastic body parts 7B constituting the elastic body 7, is integrated with the second protruding part 2S2 so as to cover the surface (upper surface, side surface, and lower surface) of the second protruding part 2S2, and a recess RC is formed on the upper surface of the upper part UP2. The recess RC is a structure for accommodating the gate mark GM, which is a protrusion formed during double molding. That is, the recess RC is provided so that the upper end of the gate mark GM does not protrude above the upper surface of the upper part UP2. With this structure, the lens driving device 101 can prevent the upper end of the gate mark GM, not the upper surface of the upper part UP2, from coming into contact with the ceiling surface CLF of the spacer member 1 when the lens holding member 2 moves upward by a predetermined distance DS2 from the neutral state as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 14, thereby preventing the maximum upward movement of the lens holding member 2 from becoming small. In addition, the upper portion UP2 is part of the second left rear elastic body portion 7B2 that functions as the first movable side abutment portion MC1 that constitutes the first stopper portion ST1, and the ceiling surface CLF is part of the fourth corner portion 1E4 of the spacer member 1 that functions as the first fixed side abutment portion FC1 that constitutes the first stopper portion ST1.

[0121] The same is true for the first right rear elastic portion 7A1, the first left front elastic portion 7A2, and the second right front elastic portion 7B1. That is, the recess RC may be provided on the upper surface of the upper portion UP1 of each of the first right rear elastic portion 7A1 and the first left front elastic portion 7A2, or may be provided on the upper surface of the upper portion UP2 of the second right front elastic portion 7B1.

[0122] Alternatively, the recess RC may be provided in another portion of the second left rear elastic portion 7B2, such as the lower surface of the lower portion LP2 of the second left rear elastic portion 7B2. The same applies to the first right rear elastic portion 7A1, the first left front elastic portion 7A2, and the second right front elastic portion 7B1.

[0123] As described above, the lens driving device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fixed-side member FB including a base member 18, a lens holding member 2 having a cylindrical portion 12 capable of holding a lens body, and a plurality of shape memory alloy wires SA for moving the lens holding member 2 relative to the fixed-side member FB, as shown in Fig. 2. The fixed-side member FB has a fixed-side abutment portion FC constituting a stopper portion ST for restricting the movement of the lens holding member 2, as shown in Fig. 9. The lens holding member 2 has an elastic body portion 7 formed of a material softer than the synthetic resin material constituting the cylindrical portion 12 of the lens holding member 2. The elastic body portion 7 has a movable-side abutment portion MC opposed to the fixed-side abutment portion FC of the stopper portion ST so as to be able to abut against it.

[0124] With this configuration, the lens driving device 101 can reduce the sound generated when the fixed-side contact portion FC and the movable-side contact portion MC come into contact with each other, compared to a configuration not including the elastic body portion 7, for example, a configuration in which the movable-side contact portion MC is made of the same material as the synthetic resin material constituting the cylindrical portion 12 of the lens holding member 2. This is because the elastic body portion 7 absorbs the impact when the fixed-side contact portion FC and the movable-side contact portion MC come into contact with each other. As a result, the lens driving device 101 can suppress the generation of abnormal sounds. In addition, the lens driving device 101 can suppress the generation of foreign matter such as dust caused by repeated collisions between the fixed-side contact portion FC and the movable-side contact portion MC. That is, such foreign matter is more likely to be generated as the lens body becomes heavier, but this configuration can suppress the generation of foreign matter even when the lens body is heavy. The lens driving device 101 is mounted on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, and a collision between the fixed-side contact portion FC and the movable-side contact portion MC occurs, for example, when a user of the smartphone shakes or drops the smartphone.

[0125] 9, the stopper portion ST may have a first stopper portion ST1 that limits movement of the lens holding member 2 toward the subject side (Z1 side), and a second stopper portion ST2 that limits movement of the lens holding member 2 toward the imaging element side (Z2 side).The elastic body portion 7 may have a first movable side abutment portion MC1 that faces the first fixed side abutment portion FC1 of the first stopper portion ST1 so as to be able to come into contact with it, and a second movable side abutment portion MC2 (see also the lower diagram in FIG. 12) that faces the second fixed side abutment portion FC2 (see also the upper diagram in FIG. 13) of the second stopper portion ST2 so as to be able to come into contact with it.

[0126] With this configuration, the lens driving device 101 can reduce the sound generated when the fixed side abutment portion FC and the movable side abutment portion MC abut, not only when the lens holding member 2 moves toward the subject side (Z1 side), but also when the lens holding member 2 moves toward the imaging element side (Z2 side).

[0127] The first movable contact portion MC1 and the second movable contact portion MC2 may be formed integrally and continuously as shown in FIG. 12, or may be formed as separate independent members.

[0128] The structure in which the first movable contact portion MC1 and the second movable contact portion MC2 are integrated has the advantage of improving the dimensional accuracy of the first movable contact portion MC1 and the second movable contact portion MC2 compared to a structure in which the first movable contact portion MC1 and the second movable contact portion MC2 are separate. Also, when the elastic body portion 7 is formed by double molding, the integrated structure has the advantage of being more productive compared to a structure in which the elastic body portion 7 is separate.

[0129] 12, the movable-side pedestal portion 2D of the lens holding member 2 may have an upper wall portion UW in which a through-hole TH is formed, which penetrates in the optical axis direction. In this case, the elastic body portion 7 (first elastic body portion 7A) may have a first connecting portion CN1 arranged at the through-hole TH. The first movable-side contact portion MC1 and the second movable-side contact portion MC2 may be connected by the first connecting portion CN1. Furthermore, the first movable contact portion MC1 may be disposed in contact with the upper surface of the upper wall portion UW, and the second movable contact portion MC2 may be disposed in contact with the lower surface (ceiling surface (inner bottom surface IBF of the stopper recess CV (see the upper diagram of FIG. 11)) of the upper wall portion UW. Furthermore, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 12, the elastic body portion 7 (first elastic body portion 7A) may be configured such that the (maximum) width WD0 of the first connecting portion CN1 in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis OA is smaller than the (maximum) width WD1 of the first movable contact portion MC1 and smaller than the (maximum) width WD2 of the second movable contact portion MC2. Note that, when the width WD0 , width WD1, and width WD2 are all width dimensions in the tangential direction of a circle centered on the optical axis OA. In other words, the elastic body portion 7 (first elastic body portion 7A) may be configured so that the cross-sectional shapes of the upper portion UP1 and the lower portion LP1 (ceiling surface portion CW) are larger than the cross-sectional shape of the first connecting portion CN1, and as a result, the upper portion UP1 and the lower portion LP1 may be configured so that they cannot pass through the through-hole TH. In other words, the first connecting portion CN1 may be a constricted portion that is narrower than the upper portion UP1 located above it and the lower portion LP1 (ceiling surface portion CW) located below it.

[0130] Compared with a configuration in which the cross-sectional shape of the first connecting portion CN1 is larger than the cross-sectional shape of the upper portion UP1 or the lower portion LP1, this configuration has the effect of suppressing the elastic body portion 7 (first elastic body portion 7A) from coming off the lens holding member 2. This configuration also has the effect of facilitating integration of the elastic body portion 7 (first elastic body portion 7A) with the lens holding member 2 by double molding. This configuration also has the effect of making it possible to make the portion of the upper portion UP1 that functions as the first movable side abutment portion MC1 wider than the cross-sectional shape of the first connecting portion CN1, while reducing the amount of material used.

[0131] Also, the lens holding member 2 may have a pair of movable side pedestal parts 2D protruding outward from the cylindrical part 12, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 3. In this case, the pair of movable side pedestal parts 2D may be arranged at positions facing each other across the optical axis OA. And, a movable side metal member 5M to which one end of the shape memory alloy wire SA is fixed may be fixed to each of the pair of movable side pedestal parts 2D. Also, each of the pair of movable side pedestal parts 2D may be formed in a concave shape with an open lower side and may have a cylindrical wall part TW, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 11. In this case, the upper wall part UW in which the through part TH is formed may be located so as to connect the upper part of the cylindrical wall part TW. Also, the base member 18 may have a base part 18B and a pair of stopper convex parts 18S protruding upward from the base part 18B, as shown in FIG. 9. In this case, the pair of stopper convex parts 18S may be arranged at positions facing each other across the optical axis OA. In addition, each of the pair of stopper convex parts 18S may be disposed inside the cylindrical wall part TW of each of the pair of movable side pedestal parts 2D in the neutral state of the lens driving device 101. Then, the tip surface FEF of each of the pair of stopper convex parts 18S may constitute the second fixed side abutment part FC2 of the second stopper part ST2. Also, the side surface SDF of each of the pair of stopper convex parts 18S may constitute the third fixed side abutment part FC3 of the third stopper part ST3 that limits the movement of the lens holding member 2 in the direction intersecting with the optical axis direction. Then, as shown in the upper view of FIG. 12, the elastic body part 7 (first elastic body part 7A) may have a ceiling surface part CW provided on the lower surface of the upper wall part UW (the inner bottom surface IBF (see the upper view of FIG. 11) which is the ceiling surface of the stopper recess part CV) and an inner peripheral surface part SW provided on the inner peripheral surface IF of the cylindrical wall part TW (see the lower view of FIG. 11). In this case, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 12, the ceiling surface portion CW forms a second movable side abutment portion MC2 that abuts against the second fixed side abutment portion FC2 (see Figure 9), and the inner surface portion SW forms a third movable side abutment portion MC3 that abuts against the third fixed side abutment portion FC3 (see Figure 9), and the second movable side abutment portion MC2 and the third movable side abutment portion MC3 may be formed so as to be continuous and integral.

[0132] With this configuration, the lens driving device 101 can reduce the sound generated when the third fixed-side contact portion FC3 and the third movable-side contact portion MC3 come into contact with each other when the lens holding member 2 moves in a direction intersecting the optical axis direction (for example, the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction), when the lens holding member 2 rotates around the optical axis OA, or when the lens holding member 2 moves in a combination of these. As a result, the lens driving device 101 can suppress the generation of abnormal noise.

[0133] Moreover, the inner circumferential surface portion SW may be provided over the entire inner circumferential surface IF of the cylindrical wall portion TW, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 12. In other words, the inner circumferential surface portion SW may be provided so as to cover each of six flat surfaces constituting the inner circumferential surface IF of the cylindrical wall portion TW, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 12.

[0134] This configuration brings about the advantage that the elastic body portion 7 (first elastic body portion 7A) is less likely to peel off from the inner circumferential surface IF compared to a case in which the inner circumferential surface portion SW is provided so as to cover only a portion of the inner circumferential surface IF of the cylindrical wall portion TW.

[0135] 12, the lens holding member 2 may have a pair of protruding portions 2S protruding outward from the cylindrical portion 12 at positions facing each other across the optical axis OA. In this case, the elastic body portion 7 (second elastic body portion 7B) may have a first movable side abutment portion MC1 (upper portion UP2) provided on the upper surface of the protruding portion 2S, a second movable side abutment portion MC2 (lower portion LP2) provided on the lower surface of the protruding portion 2S, and a second connecting portion CN2 provided on the side surface of the protruding portion 2S and connecting the first movable side abutment portion MC1 and the second movable side abutment portion MC2.

[0136] Compared with a configuration in which the first movable side contact portion MC1 and the second movable side contact portion MC2 are separate, this configuration has the advantage of being able to prevent the elastic body portion 7 (second elastic body portion 7B) from coming off the lens holding member 2. In addition, this configuration has the advantage of making it easier to integrate the elastic body portion 7 (second elastic body portion 7B) with the lens holding member 2 by double molding.

[0137] 9, the base member 18 may have a base portion 18B and a pair of outer wall portions (fixed side pedestal portions 18D) arranged to cover the outer sides of the pair of protruding portions 2S. The outer wall portions (fixed side pedestal portions 18D) may constitute a fourth fixed side abutment portion FC4 of the fourth stopper portion ST4 that limits the movement of the lens holding member 2 in a direction intersecting the optical axis direction (for example, the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction). In this case, the second connecting portion CN2 of the second elastic body portion 7B may constitute a fourth movable side abutment portion MC4 that is formed continuously with the outer side surface of the protruding portion 2S and faces the fourth fixed side abutment portion FC4 so as to be able to abut against the fourth fixed side abutment portion FC4, as shown in FIG. 12. The fixed side metal member 5F to which the other end of the shape memory alloy wire is fixed may be fixed to the outer side surface of the outer wall portion (fixed side pedestal portions 18D), as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 3.

[0138] With this configuration, the lens driving device 101 can reduce the sound generated when the fourth fixed-side contact portion FC4 and the fourth movable-side contact portion MC4 come into contact with each other when the lens holding member 2 moves in a direction intersecting the optical axis direction (for example, the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction), when the lens holding member 2 rotates around the optical axis OA, or when the lens holding member 2 moves in a combination of these. As a result, the lens driving device 101 can suppress the generation of abnormal noise.

[0139] 9, the fixed-side member FB may include a cover member 4 (upper cover member 4U) having an outer circumferential wall portion (first outer circumferential wall portion 4A) and a top plate portion 4B and fixed to the base member 18 with the lens holding member 2 housed therein, and a spacer member 1 made of synthetic resin that is disposed between the lens holding member 2 and the top plate portion 4B and fixed to the cover member 4 (upper cover member 4U). In this case, the first fixed-side abutment portion FC1 of the first stopper portion ST1 may be provided on the spacer member 1.

[0140] This configuration has the effect of preventing the elastic body portion 7 functioning as the first movable contact portion MC1 from directly contacting the cover member 4 (upper cover member 4U). Therefore, this configuration has the effect of preventing problems caused by the cover member 4 (upper cover member 4U) and the elastic body portion 7 coming into direct contact with each other, regardless of whether the cover member 4 (upper cover member 4U) is made of metal or synthetic resin.

[0141] Furthermore, the elastic body portion 7 may be integrated with the lens holding member 2 by double molding. In this case, as shown in Fig. 17, the gate mark portion GM formed during double molding may be located in the recess RC of the movable contact portion MC.

[0142] This configuration has the effect of preventing, when the lens holding member 2 moves upward by a predetermined distance DS2 from the neutral state as shown in the right diagram of Figure 14, the upper end of the gate mark portion GM, rather than the upper surface of the upper portion UP2 functioning as the first movable side abutment portion MC1 of the first stopper portion ST1, from coming into contact with the ceiling surface CLF of the spacer member 1 functioning as the first fixed side abutment portion FC1 of the first stopper portion ST1, thereby reducing the maximum amount of upward movement of the lens holding member 2.

[0143] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications and substitutions may be applied to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, each of the features described with reference to the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined as long as there is no technical contradiction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Spacer member 1E Corner 1E1 First corner 1E2 Second corner 1E3 Third corner 1E4 Fourth corner 2 Lens holding member 2D Movable-side pedestal 2D1 First movable-side pedestal 2D2 Second movable-side pedestal 2S Protruding portion 2S1 First protruding portion 2S2 Second protruding portion 2T Protruding portion 2V Projecting portion 4 Cover member 4A First outer peripheral wall portion 4A1 First side plate portion 4A2 Second side plate portion 4A3 Third side plate portion 4A4 Fourth side plate portion 4B Top plate portion 4C Second outer peripheral wall portion 4C1...First side plate portion 4C2...Second side plate portion 4C3...Third side plate portion 4C4...Fourth side plate portion 4D...Bottom plate portion 4E...Corner portion 4E1...First corner portion 4E2...Second corner portion 4E3...Third corner portion 4E4...Fourth corner portion 4k...Opening 4L...Lower cover member 4m...Opening 4s...Storage section 4U...Upper cover member 5...Metal member 5F...Fixed side metal member 5F1...First fixed side terminal plate 5F2...Second fixed side terminal plate 5F3...Third fixed side terminal plate 5F4...Fourth fixed side terminal plate 5F5...Fifth fixed side terminal plate 5F6...6th fixed side terminal plate 5F7...7th fixed side terminal plate 5F8...8th fixed side terminal plate 5M...Movable side metal member 5M1...1st movable side terminal plate 5M2...2nd movable side terminal plate 5M3...3rd movable side terminal plate 5M4...4th movable side terminal plate 6...Leaf spring 6A...1st leaf spring 6A1...1st part 6A2...2nd part 6A3...3rd part 6A4...4th part 6A5...5th part 6AH1...1st through hole 6AH2...2nd through hole 6AH3...3rd through hole 6AH4...4th through hole 6AH5...5th through hole 6AH6...6th through hole 6B...2nd leaf spring 6B1...First part 6B2...Second part 6B3...Third part 6B4...Fourth part 6B5...Fifth part 6BH1...First through hole 6BH2...Second through hole 6BH3...Third through hole 6BH4...Fourth through hole 6BH5...Fifth through holeDESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 6BH6 Sixth through hole 7 Elastic body portion 7A First elastic body portion 7A1 First right rear elastic body portion 7A2 First left front elastic body portion 7B Second elastic body portion 7B1 Second right front elastic body portion 7B2 Second left rear elastic body portion 10 First magnetic member 10A First magnet 10B Second magnet 12 Cylindrical portion 18 Base member 18B Base portion 18D Fixed side pedestal portion 18D1 First fixed side pedestal portion 18D2 Second fixed side pedestal portion 18E Side portion 18E1 First side portion 18E2 Second side portion 18E3 Third side portion 18E4...Fourth side 18K...Opening 18S...Convex part for stopper 18S1...Convex part for first stopper 18S2...Convex part for second stopper 18T...Protrusion 18V...Protrusion 101...Lens drive unit AH...Rectangular hole BTF...Bottom surface CF...Outer periphery CFL...Left side part CFR...Right side part CLF...Ceiling surface CM...Conductive member CM1...First conductive member CM2...Second conductive member CM3...Third conductive member CM4...Fourth conductive member CM5...Fifth conductive member CM6...Sixth conductive member CM7...Seventh conductive member CM8...Eighth conductive member CM9...Ninth conductive member CM10...Tenth conductive member CM11...Eleventh conductive member CN1...First connecting part CN2...Second connecting part CP9...Ninth connecting surface CP10...Tenth connecting surface CSL...Lower opposing surface CSL1...Lower opposing surface CSL2...Lower opposing surface CSU...Upper opposing surface CSU1...Upper opposing surface CSU2...Upper opposing surface CT1~CT12...Connections CV...Concave for stopper CV1...First concave for stopper CV2...Second concave for stopper CW...Ceiling surface ED1...First connecting part ED2...Second connecting part ED3...Third connecting part ED4...Fourth connecting part ED5...Fifth connecting part ED6...Sixth connecting part ED7...Seventh connecting part ED8...8th connection part ED11...11th connection part FB...Fixed side member FC...Fixed side contact part FC1...1st fixed side contact part FC2...2nd fixed side contact part FC3...3rd fixed side contact part FC4...4th fixed side contact part FEF...End surface GM...Gate mark partHR···Accommodating section HR1···First housing section HR2···Second housing section IBF··Inner bottom surface IF··Inner peripheral surface J1~J4···Retaining section LP1, LP2···Lower section MC···Movable-side contact section MC1···First movable-side contact section MC2···Second movable-side contact section MC3···Third movable-side contact section MC4···Fourth movable-side contact section MB···Movable-side member MG···Second magnetic member MG1···First metal plate MG2···Second metal plate MK···Drive mechanism OA···Optical axis RC···Recess RH···Through hole SA···Shape memory alloy wire SA1···First wire SA2···Second wire SA3···Third wire SA4···Fourth wire SA5···Fifth wire SA6...6th wire SA7...7th wire SA8...8th wire SB...Concave for stopper SB1...Concave for 1st stopper SB2...Concave for 2nd stopper SD...Jointing material SDF...Side surface SF...Inner surface SFL...Left side part SFR...Right side part ST...Stopper part ST1...1st stopper part ST2...2nd stopper part ST3...3rd stopper part ST4...4th stopper part SW...Inner surface part TH...Penetration part TM1...1st terminal part TM2...2nd terminal part TM3...3rd terminal part TM4...4th terminal part TM5...5th terminal part TM6...6th terminal part TM7...7th terminal part TM8...8th terminal part TM9...9th terminal part TM10: 10th terminal part TM11: 11th terminal part TW: Cylindrical wall part UP1, UP2: Upper part UW: Upper wall part

Claims

1. A fixed member including a base member; a lens holding member having a cylindrical portion capable of holding a lens body; a plurality of shape memory alloy wires for moving the lens holding member relative to the fixed member, the fixed member has a fixed contact portion that constitutes a stopper portion that limits the movement of the lens holding member, the lens holding member has an elastic portion formed of a material softer than a synthetic resin material constituting the cylindrical portion of the lens holding member, The lens driving device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body portion has a movable contact portion that faces the fixed contact portion of the stopper portion so as to be able to come into contact with the movable contact portion.

2. the stopper portion includes a first stopper portion that limits movement of the lens holding member toward a subject side, and a second stopper portion that limits movement of the lens holding member toward an image pickup element side, the elastic body portion has a first movable side abutment portion opposed to and capable of abutting with a first fixed side abutment portion of the first stopper portion, and a second movable side abutment portion opposed to and capable of abutting with a second fixed side abutment portion of the second stopper portion, The lens driving device according to claim 1 .

3. The first movable contact portion and the second movable contact portion are formed continuously and integrally. The lens driving device according to claim 2 .

4. the lens holding member has an upper wall portion having a through-hole formed therein that penetrates in the optical axis direction, The elastic body portion has a first connecting portion disposed in the through portion, the first movable contact portion and the second movable contact portion are connected by the first connecting portion, The first movable contact portion is disposed in a state of contacting an upper surface of the upper wall portion, The second movable contact portion is disposed in a state of contacting a lower surface of the upper wall portion, a width of the first connecting portion in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is smaller than a width of the first movable-side contact portion and is smaller than a width of the second movable-side contact portion; The lens driving device according to claim 3 .

5. the lens holding member has a pair of movable base portions protruding outward from the cylindrical portion, The pair of movable base portions are disposed at positions facing each other across the optical axis, A movable metal member to which one end of the shape memory alloy wire is fixed is fixed to each of the pair of movable base portions, Each of the pair of movable base portions is formed in a concave shape with an open lower side and has a cylindrical wall portion, the upper wall portion in which the through-hole is formed is located so as to connect an upper portion of the cylindrical wall portion, The base member has a base portion and a pair of stopper projections protruding upward from the base portion, The pair of stopper protrusions are disposed at positions facing each other across the optical axis, the pair of stopper protrusions are disposed inside the cylindrical wall portions of the pair of movable-side pedestals, a tip end surface of each of the pair of stopper projections constitutes the second fixed side abutment portion of the second stopper portion, each side surface of the pair of stopper protrusions constitutes a third fixed-side abutment portion of a third stopper portion that limits movement of the lens holding member in a direction intersecting with the optical axis direction; the elastic body portion has a ceiling surface portion provided on a lower surface of the upper wall portion and an inner circumferential surface portion provided on an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall portion, the ceiling surface portion constitutes the second movable-side abutment portion that faces the second fixed-side abutment portion so as to be able to abut against the second fixed-side abutment portion, the inner circumferential surface portion constitutes a third movable-side abutment portion that faces the third fixed-side abutment portion so as to be able to abut against the third fixed-side abutment portion, The second movable contact portion and the third movable contact portion are formed continuously and integrally.

5. The lens driving device according to claim 4.

6. The inner circumferential surface portion is provided over the entire inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall portion.

6. The lens driving device according to claim 5.

7. the lens holding member has a pair of protruding portions protruding outward from the cylindrical portion at positions facing each other across an optical axis, the elastic body portion has the first movable side abutment portion provided on an upper surface of the protruding portion, the second movable side abutment portion provided on a lower surface of the protruding portion, and a second connecting portion provided on a side surface of the protruding portion and connecting the first movable side abutment portion and the second movable side abutment portion, The lens driving device according to claim 2 .

8. the base member has a base portion and a pair of outer wall portions arranged to cover outer sides of the pair of protruding portions, the outer wall portion constitutes a fourth fixed side abutment portion of a fourth stopper portion that limits movement of the lens holding member in a direction intersecting with the optical axis direction, The second connecting portion is formed continuously with an outer surface of the protruding portion and constitutes a fourth movable-side abutment portion opposed to the fourth fixed-side abutment portion so as to be able to abut against the fourth fixed-side abutment portion. The lens driving device according to claim 7.

9. the fixed-side member includes a cover member having an outer peripheral wall portion and a top plate portion, and fixed to the base member with the lens holding member housed therein; and a spacer member made of a synthetic resin, which is disposed between the lens holding member and the top plate portion and fixed to the cover member, The first fixed side contact portion of the first stopper portion is provided on the spacer member.

9. The lens driving device according to claim 2,

10. The elastic body portion is integrated with the lens holding member by double molding, The gate mark formed during the double molding is in a recess in the movable contact portion.

9. The lens driving device according to claim 1.

11. A lens driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The lens body; An imaging element facing the lens body, Camera module.

Images