Module driving device

Abstract

To provide a module driving device that can suppress power consumption.SOLUTION: A module driving device MD comprises a module holder 2, a connection member 3, a fixed-side member FB, and shape memory alloy wires SA. A first movable portion MB1, including the module holder 2, includes a third magnetic member MG3, and the fixed-side member FB includes a fourth magnetic member MG4. The fourth magnetic member MG4 is formed of a magnet 8. The magnetic force acting between the third magnetic member MG3 and the fourth magnetic member MG4 maintains a posture of the module holder 2 in an initial state in which a driving portion DM is not driven. A movable-side member MB includes the first magnetic member MG1, and the fixed-side member FB includes the second magnetic member MG2. The first magnetic member MG1 is formed of the magnet 8. Magnetic force acting between the first magnetic member MG1 and the second magnetic member MG2 maintains a posture of the connection member 3 in the initial state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a module driving device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a camera module driving device has been known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above-described device is configured to be able to swing a camera module held by a movable-side member using a shape memory alloy wire.

[0005] However, even when shooting is performed in a state where the camera module is not being swung, the above-described device needs to continuously supply current to the shape memory alloy wire in order to maintain that state. Therefore, when shooting, such as video shooting, takes a long time, there is a risk that the power consumption will increase.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a module driving device capable of suppressing power consumption.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A module driving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a module holder capable of holding an optical module having a lens body and an imaging element, a connecting member connected to the module holder so that the module holder can swing around a first axis intersecting the optical axis direction, and a connecting member connected to the connecting member so that the connecting member can swing around a second axis intersecting the optical axis direction and perpendicular to the axial direction of the first axis. A driving unit configured to have a plurality of shape memory alloy wires for moving the module holder relative to the fixed-side member, the driving unit having a first magnetic member, a second magnetic member, a third magnetic member, and a fourth magnetic member, the first movable part including the module holder having the third magnetic member, at least one of the second movable part including the connecting member and the fixed-side member having the fourth magnetic member, at least one of the third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member being constituted by a magnet, and the posture of the module holder being maintained in an initial state where the driving unit is not driven by a magnetic force acting between the third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member. The movable-side member including the first movable part and the second movable part has the first magnetic member, the fixed-side member has the second magnetic member, at least one of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member is constituted by a magnet, and the posture of the connecting member in the initial state is maintained by a magnetic force acting between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The above-described module driving device can suppress power consumption.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a module driving device MD according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The module driving device MD is configured to be able to tilt an optical module OM. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the optical module OM and the module driving device MD. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 1 (the figure above the block arrow) is a perspective view of the module driving device MD with the optical module OM attached, and the lower view of FIG. 1 (the figure below the block arrow) is a perspective view of the module driving device MD with the optical module OM removed. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical module OM and the module driving device MD. FIG. 3 is a more detailed exploded perspective view of the module driving device MD.

[0011] In FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, X1 represents one direction of the X-axis that constitutes a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and X2 represents the other direction of the X-axis. Also, Y1 represents one direction of the Y-axis that constitutes a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and Y2 represents the other direction of the Y-axis. Similarly, Z1 represents one direction of the Z-axis that constitutes a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and Z2 represents the other direction of the Z-axis. In FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the X1 side of the module driving device MD corresponds to the front side (front face side) of the module driving device MD, and the X2 side of the module driving device MD corresponds to the rear side (rear face side) of the module driving device MD. Also, the Y1 side of the module driving device MD corresponds to the left side of the module driving device MD, and the Y2 side of the module driving device MD corresponds to the right side of the module driving device MD. Also, the Z1 side of the module driving device MD corresponds to the upper side (subject side) of the module driving device MD, and the Z2 side of the module driving device MD corresponds to the lower side (imaging element side) of the module driving device MD. The same applies to other figures.

[0012] The optical module OM is a module including an optical element driving device that drives an optical element. In the illustrated example, the optical module OM includes a lens driving device LD, which is an example of an optical element driving device that drives a lens body LS, which is an example of an optical element. The lens body LS is, for example, a cylindrical lens barrel provided with at least one lens, and is configured such that its central axis line extends along the optical axis OA.

[0013] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical module OM includes a lens body LS, a lens driving device LD, an imaging element IS, a spacer SP, and a substrate FC.

[0014] The lens driving device LD is configured to be able to move the lens body LS along the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) by using a shape memory alloy wire. Note that the optical axis direction includes the axial direction of the optical axis OA and the directions parallel to the axial direction of the optical axis OA. Also, the lens driving device LD is configured to be able to move the lens body LS along the directions perpendicular to the optical axis direction (the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction respectively) by using a shape memory alloy wire. In the illustrated example, the lens driving device LD is configured to move the lens body LS by using a shape memory alloy wire, but it may be configured to move the lens body by using a member or mechanism other than the shape memory alloy wire, such as a voice coil motor or a piezoelectric element.

[0015] The movable-side cover member 4 is configured to function as a housing that covers each member constituting the lens driving device LD. In the illustrated example, the movable-side cover member 4 is formed of a non-magnetic metal such as austenitic stainless steel. However, the movable-side cover member 4 may be formed of a magnetic metal.

[0016] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the movable-side cover member 4 is a bottomless box-shaped member and has an outer shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. Also, the movable-side cover member 4 has a rectangular cylindrical side plate portion 4A and a rectangular annular and flat top plate portion 4B provided so as to be continuous with the upper end (the end on the Z1 side) of the side plate portion 4A. A circular opening 4K is formed at the center of the top plate portion 4B. The side plate 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. And 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.

[0017] The spacer SP is configured to accommodate the imaging device IS. In the illustrated example, the spacer SP is a substantially rectangular frame-shaped member formed of a synthetic resin, and its upper surface is joined to the lower surface of the lens driving device LD by an adhesive. A rectangular opening SPK for exposing the imaging device IS is formed in the spacer SP. A concave portion that is recessed upward with the lower side open is formed on the lower surface of the spacer SP surrounding the opening SPK, and the imaging device IS is disposed within the concave portion (not shown). In the illustrated example, the imaging device IS and the spacer SP are not in contact with each other.

[0018] The substrate FC is a member for realizing an electrical connection between each of the module driving device MD and the lens driving device LD and a device outside the module driving device MD such as the control device CTR (FIG. 1). In the illustrated example, the substrate FC is a flexible printed circuit board, and has an outer portion FC1 fixed to the module driving device MD, an inner portion FC2 fixed to the spacer SP, and a connecting portion FC3 connecting the outer portion FC1 and the inner portion FC2. The connecting portion FC3 includes a left connecting portion FC3L and a right connecting portion FC3R. The module driving device MD is fixed to another external substrate (not shown) outside the outer portion FC1. The other external substrate is connected to the outer portion FC1 of the substrate FC. The imaging device IS is mounted on the inner portion FC2. Also, the spacer SP is disposed between the inner portion FC2 and the lens driving device LD so as to ensure a distance between the imaging device IS and the lens driving device LD.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the module driving device MD includes a cover member 1 that is a part of the fixed-side member FB. The cover member 1 is configured to function as a housing HS that covers each member constituting the module driving device MD. In the illustrated example, the cover member 1 is formed of a non-magnetic metal such as austenitic stainless steel. However, the cover member 1 may be formed of a magnetic metal.

[0020] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 1 is a bottomless box-shaped member and has an outer shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. Further, the cover member 1 has a rectangular cylindrical side plate portion 1A and a rectangular annular and flat top plate portion 1B provided so as to be continuous with the upper end (the end on the Z1 side) of the side plate portion 1A. A rectangular opening 1K is formed at the center of the top plate portion 1B. The side plate portion 1A includes a first side plate portion 1A1 to a fourth side plate portion 1A4. The first side plate portion 1A1 and the third side plate portion 1A3 face each other, and the second side plate portion 1A2 and the fourth side plate portion 1A4 face each other. And the first side plate portion 1A1 and the third side plate portion 1A3 extend perpendicularly to the second side plate portion 1A2 and the fourth side plate portion 1A4.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, inside the cover member 1, a module holder 2, a connecting member 3, a metal member 5, a flexible metal member 6, a sphere 7, a magnet 8, an inner conductive member 9, a central conductive member 10, an outer conductive member 11, a part of a base member 18, a shape memory alloy wire SA, etc. are accommodated. A first movable part MB1 including the module holder 2 and a second movable part MB2 including the connecting member 3 constitute a movable side member MB, and the cover member 1 and the base member 18 constitute a fixed side member FB. And as shown in FIG. 1, the cover member 1 is joined to the base member 18 by an adhesive.

[0022] The module holder 2 is a member that holds the optical module OM and is formed by injection molding a synthetic resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP). In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 3, the module holder 2 is a rectangular frame-shaped member and has a frame body 2A and a support body arrangement portion 2M that protrudes outward from the frame body 2A. The frame body 2A includes a first side portion 2A1 to a fourth side portion 2A4. The first side portion 2A1 and the third side portion 2A3 face each other, and the second side portion 2A2 and the fourth side portion 2A4 face each other. And the first side portion 2A1 and the third side portion 2A3 extend perpendicular to the second side portion 2A2 and the fourth side portion 2A4. In the illustrated example, the outer peripheral surface of the side plate portion 4A of the movable side cover member 4 of the optical module OM is configured to be joined to the inner peripheral surface of the frame body 2A of the module holder 2 with an adhesive. And the support body arrangement portion 2M includes a first support body arrangement portion 2M1 that protrudes forward from the first side portion 2A1 and a second support body arrangement portion 2M2 that protrudes rearward from the third side portion 2A3.

[0023] The connecting member 3 is a member that connects the module holder 2 and the fixed side member FB and is formed by injection molding a synthetic resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP). In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 2, the connecting member 3 is a rectangular frame-shaped member that is disposed inside the base member 18 and outside the module holder 2 and has a frame body 3A. The frame body 3A has a first side portion 3A1 and a third side portion 3A3 that are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the first axis AX1, which is one of the axes AX, and extend in the axial direction of the second axis AX2, which is another one of the axes AX, and a second side portion 3A2 and a fourth side portion 3A4 that are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the second axis AX2 and extend in the axial direction of the first axis AX1.

[0024] The connecting member 3 is connected to the module holder 2 via two of the four spheres 7 (the first support body SB1) and is connected to the base member 18 via the remaining two of the four spheres 7 (the second support body SB2).

[0025] The sphere 7 is an example of a support SB that supports the connecting member 3. In the illustrated example, the sphere 7 includes a first sphere 7A, a second sphere 7B, a third sphere 7C, and a fourth sphere 7D. The first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C constitute a first support SB1, and the second sphere 7B and the fourth sphere 7D constitute a second support SB2. In the illustrated example, the sphere 7 is a member formed of a magnetic metal such as ferritic stainless steel or iron. However, the sphere 7 may be formed of a material other than metal such as ceramic. Also, the sphere 7 is preferably formed of a magnetic material such as a magnetic metal, but may be formed of a non-magnetic material. Further, the sphere 7 is fixed to the connecting member 3 by an adhesive, but may be fixed to the connecting member 3 by other methods such as embedding. For example, the sphere 7 formed of metal may be welded to the metal embedded in the connecting member 3 by insert molding. Also, if the lower surface of the support SB is formed in a convex curved surface shape, it may have a shape other than a sphere such as a hemisphere or a semi-cylindrical body.

[0026] In the illustrated example, the first axis AX1 is arranged so as to pass through the centers of the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C, and the second axis AX2 is arranged so as to pass through the centers of the second sphere 7B and the fourth sphere 7D.

[0027] The magnet 8 is an example of a magnetic member MG used to maintain the posture of the movable side member MB. In the illustrated example, the magnet 8 includes a first magnet 8A, a second magnet 8B, a third magnet 8C, and a fourth magnet 8D. The first magnet 8A and the third magnet 8C fixed to the module holder 2 constitute a first magnetic member MG1, and the second magnet 8B and the fourth magnet 8D fixed to the base member 18 constitute a fourth magnetic member MG4. In the illustrated example, each of the first magnet 8A to the fourth magnet 8D is a permanent magnet magnetized with two poles in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0028] The drive unit DM includes a shape memory alloy wire SA, which is an example of a shape memory actuator. In the illustrated example, the shape memory alloy wire SA includes first to eighth wires SA1 to SA8 as shown in FIG. 3. When an electric current flows through the shape memory alloy wire SA, its temperature rises, and it contracts in response to the rise in temperature. The drive unit DM can swing the optical module OM by utilizing the contraction of the shape memory alloy wire SA.

[0029] The base member 18 is formed by injection molding using a synthetic resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP). In the illustrated example, the base member 18 is a substantially rectangular frame-shaped member as shown in FIG. 3, and has a frame body 18A and a support body arrangement portion 18M that projects upward from the frame body 18A. The frame body 18A includes first to fourth side portions 18A1 to 18A4. The first side portion 18A1 and the third side portion 18A3 face each other, and the second side portion 18A2 and the fourth side portion 18A4 face each other. The first side portion 18A1 and the third side portion 18A3 extend perpendicular to the second side portion 18A2 and the fourth side portion 18A4. The support body arrangement portion 18M includes a first support body arrangement portion 18M1 that projects upward from the second side portion 18A2 and a second support body arrangement portion 18M2 that projects upward from the fourth side portion 18A4. Note that the base member 18 and the cover member 1 together form the housing HS.

[0030] The flexible metal member 6 is configured to connect the fixed-side member FB (base member 18) and the movable-side member MB (module holder 2 and connecting member 3). In the illustrated example, the flexible metal member 6 is a conductive connecting member that connects the movable-side member MB and the fixed-side member FB, and is formed of a metal plate mainly made of, for example, a copper alloy, a titanium copper-based alloy (titanium copper), or a copper nickel alloy (nickel silver copper).

[0031] Specifically, the flexible metal member 6 includes a first flexible metal member 6A, a second flexible metal member 6B, a third flexible metal member 6C, a fourth flexible metal member 6D, a fifth flexible metal member 6E, and a sixth flexible metal member 6F. The first flexible metal member 6A has a first portion 6A1 fixed to the base member 18, a second portion 6A2 fixed to the connecting member 3, and a third portion 6A3 fixed to the module holder 2. Between the first portion 6A1 and the second portion 6A2, and between the second portion 6A2 and the third portion 6A3, they are connected by an elastically deformable elastic deformation portion. The second flexible metal member 6B has a first portion 6B1 fixed to the base member 18 and a second portion 6B2 fixed to the connecting member 3. Between the first portion 6B1 and the second portion 6B2, they are connected by an elastic deformation portion. The third flexible metal member 6C has a first portion 6C1 fixed to the base member 18 and a second portion 6C2 fixed to the connecting member 3. Between the first portion 6C1 and the second portion 6C2, they are connected by an elastic deformation portion. The fourth flexible metal member 6D has a first portion 6D1 fixed to the base member 18, a second portion 6D2 fixed to the connecting member 3, and a third portion 6D3 fixed to the module holder 2. Between the first portion 6D1 and the second portion 6D2, and between the second portion 6D2 and the third portion 6D3, they are connected by an elastic deformation portion. The fifth flexible metal member 6E has a first portion 6E1 fixed to the base member 18 and a second portion 6E2 fixed to the connecting member 3. Between the first portion 6E1 and the second portion 6E2, they are connected by an elastic deformation portion. The sixth flexible metal member 6F has a first portion 6F1 fixed to the base member 18 and a second portion 6F2 fixed to the connecting member 3. Between the first portion 6F1 and the second portion 6F2, they are connected by an elastic deformation portion. Also, the joining of the flexible metal member 6 to each of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, and the base member 18 is achieved by welding to a metal member embedded or fixed in each of the flexible metal member 6, the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, and the base member 18. However, the joining of the flexible metal member 6 to each of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, and the base member 18 may be achieved by other methods such as an adhesive or caulking, or may be achieved by combining a plurality of joining methods.

[0032] The metal member 5 is a member to which the end of the shape memory alloy wire SA is fixed. In the illustrated example, the metal member 5 is a member formed of a non-magnetic metal such as phosphor bronze, and includes a proximal metal member 5F and a distal metal member 5M. The proximal metal member 5F is configured to be fixed at a position close to the axis AX, and the distal metal member 5M is configured to be fixed at a position far from the axis AX.

[0033] More specifically, the proximal metal member 5F is also referred to as a proximal terminal plate and includes a first proximal metal member 5F1 to an eighth proximal metal member 5F8. The distal metal member 5M is also referred to as a distal terminal plate and includes a first distal metal member 5M1 to an eighth distal metal member 5M8. The first proximal metal member 5F1 to the fourth proximal metal member 5F4 are fixed at positions close to the first axis AX1, and the first distal metal member 5M1 to the fourth distal metal member 5M4 are fixed at positions far from the first axis AX1. Also, the fifth proximal metal member 5F5 to the eighth proximal metal member 5F8 are fixed at positions close to the second axis AX2, and the fifth distal metal member 5M5 to the eighth distal metal member 5M8 are fixed at positions far from the second axis AX2.

[0034] Each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 has one end fixed to the proximal metal member 5F by crimping or welding or the like, and the other end fixed to the distal metal member 5M by crimping or welding or the like. And each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 contracts when an electric current flows, becomes linear along the axis AX in a plan view along the optical axis direction, and is configured to be able to swing the optical module OM with respect to the fixed-side member FB. In the illustrated example, each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 has one end (lower end) fixed at a position close to the axis AX and the other end (upper end) fixed at a position far from the axis AX, but one end (lower end) may be fixed at a position far from the axis AX and the other end (upper end) may be fixed at a position close to the axis AX.

[0035] The inner conductive member 9, the central conductive member 10, and the outer conductive member 11 are members provided so that an electric current can flow through the shape memory alloy wire SA. In the illustrated example, the inner conductive member 9 is embedded in the module holder 2 by insert molding, the central conductive member 10 is embedded in the connecting member 3 by insert molding, and the outer conductive member 11 is embedded in the base member 18 by insert molding. That is, in a plan view, the inner conductive member 9 is disposed inside the central conductive member 10, and the outer conductive member 11 is disposed outside the central conductive member 10.

[0036] Next, referring to FIG. 4, the positional relationship between the module holder 2 and each of the proximal metal member 5F, the flexible metal member 6, the sphere 7, the magnet 8, and the inner conductive member 9 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the module holder 2, the proximal metal member 5F, the flexible metal member 6, the sphere 7, the magnet 8, and the inner conductive member 9. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 4 (the figure above the block arrow) is a perspective view of the module holder 2, the proximal metal member 5F, the flexible metal member 6, the sphere 7, the magnet 8, and the inner conductive member 9 in a separated state, and the central view of FIG. 4 (the figure below the block arrow) is an upper perspective view of the module holder 2 to which the proximal metal member 5F, the flexible metal member 6, the sphere 7, and the magnet 8 are attached and the inner conductive member 9 is embedded, and the lower view of FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the module holder 2 to which the proximal metal member 5F, the flexible metal member 6, and the sphere 7 are attached and the inner conductive member 9 is embedded. In the lower view of FIG. 4, the magnet 8 is removed from the module holder 2 for easier explanation.

[0037] The inner conductive member 9 is formed of a magnetic metal such as ferrite stainless steel or iron. In the illustrated example, the inner conductive member 9 includes a first inner conductive member 9A and a second inner conductive member 9B. The first inner conductive member 9A has a first portion 9A1 exposed on the upper surface of the first side portion 2A1 of the module holder 2, a second portion 9A2 exposed on the upper surface of the third side portion 2A3 of the module holder 2, a third portion 9A3 exposed on the lower surface of the first support arrangement portion 2M1 of the module holder 2, a fourth portion 9A4 exposed on the lower surface of the second support arrangement portion 2M2 of the module holder 2, and a fifth portion 9A5 that constitutes the third magnetic member MG3 of the magnetic member MG. Similarly, the second inner conductive member 9B has a first portion 9B1 exposed on the upper surface of the first side portion 2A1 of the module holder 2, a second portion 9B2 exposed on the upper surface of the third side portion 2A3 of the module holder 2, a third portion 9B3 exposed on the lower surface of the first support arrangement portion 2M1 of the module holder 2, a fourth portion 9B4 exposed on the lower surface of the second support arrangement portion 2M2 of the module holder 2, and a fifth portion 9B5 that constitutes the third magnetic member MG3 of the magnetic member MG.

[0038] The first proximal metal member 5F1 and the second proximal metal member 5F2 are joined to the outer surface (front surface) of the first support arrangement portion 2M1 of the module holder 2 by an adhesive or caulking. Similarly, the third proximal metal member 5F3 and the fourth proximal metal member 5F4 are joined to the outer surface (rear surface) of the second support arrangement portion 2M2 of the module holder 2 by an adhesive or caulking.

[0039] Further, the first proximal metal member 5F1 has a first fixing portion CF1 that is overlapped and joined to the third portion 9B3 of the second inner conductive member 9B on the lower surface of the first support body arrangement portion 2M1. The first fixing portion CF1 is formed by bending the lower portion of the first proximal metal member 5F1 into an L shape. The same applies to the second fixing portion CF2 of the second proximal metal member 5F2 that is overlapped and joined to the third portion 9A3 of the first inner conductive member 9A, the third fixing portion CF3 of the third proximal metal member 5F3 that is overlapped and joined to the fourth portion 9A4 of the first inner conductive member 9A, and the fourth fixing portion CF4 of the fourth proximal metal member 5F4 that is overlapped and joined to the fourth portion 9B4 of the second inner conductive member 9B.

[0040] The third portion 6A3 of the first flexible metal member 6A is overlapped and joined to each of the first portion 9A1 of the first inner conductive member 9A and the first portion 9B1 of the second inner conductive member 9B on the upper surface of the first side portion 2A1 of the module holder 2. Similarly, the third portion 6D3 of the fourth flexible metal member 6D is overlapped and joined to each of the second portion 9A2 of the first inner conductive member 9A and the second portion 9B2 of the second inner conductive member 9B on the upper surface of the third side portion 2A3 of the module holder 2.

[0041] Of the four spheres 7, each of the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C that constitute the first support body SB1 is housed in a recess 2R formed on the upper surface of the support body arrangement portion 2M of the module holder 2. In the illustrated example, the lower portion of the first sphere 7A is slidably housed in the first recess 2R1 formed on the upper surface of the first support body arrangement portion 2M1, and the lower portion of the third sphere 7C is slidably housed in the second recess 2R2 formed on the upper surface of the second support body arrangement portion 2M2.

[0042] Of the four magnets 8, each of the first magnet 8A and the third magnet 8C that constitute the first magnetic member MG1 is housed and fixed in a magnet housing portion 2S formed on the lower surface of the support arrangement portion 2M of the module holder 2. In the illustrated example, the first magnet 8A is housed and fixed with an adhesive in the first magnet housing portion 2S1 formed on the lower surface of the first support arrangement portion 2M1, and the third magnet 8C is housed and fixed with an adhesive in the second magnet housing portion 2S2 formed on the lower surface of the second support arrangement portion 2M2.

[0043] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the positional relationship between the connecting member 3 and each of the distal metal member 5M, the flexible metal member 6, the sphere 7, and the central conductive member 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connecting member 3, the distal metal member 5M, the flexible metal member 6, the sphere 7, and the central conductive member 10. Specifically, the upper diagram of FIG. 5 (the diagram above the block arrow) is a perspective view of the connecting member 3, the distal metal member 5M, the flexible metal member 6, the sphere 7, and the central conductive member 10 in a separated state. The central diagram of FIG. 5 (the diagram below the block arrow) is an upper perspective view of the connecting member 3 to which the distal metal member 5M, the flexible metal member 6, and the sphere 7 are attached and in which the central conductive member 10 is embedded. The lower diagram of FIG. 5 is a lower perspective view of the connecting member 3 to which the distal metal member 5M and the flexible metal member 6 are attached and in which the central conductive member 10 is embedded. In the lower diagram of FIG. 5, the sphere 7 is removed from the connecting member 3 for easier explanation.

[0044] The central conductive member 10 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel or iron. In the illustrated example, the central conductive member 10 includes a first central conductive member 10A, a second central conductive member 10B, a third central conductive member 10C, and a fourth central conductive member 10D. The first central conductive member 10A has a first portion 10A1 exposed on the upper surface of the first side portion 3A1 of the connecting member 3 and a second portion 10A2 exposed on the upper surface of the fourth side portion 3A4 of the connecting member 3. The second central conductive member 10B has a first portion 10B1 exposed on the upper surface of the first side portion 3A1 of the connecting member 3 and a second portion 10B2 exposed on the upper surface of the second side portion 3A2 of the connecting member 3. The third central conductive member 10C has a first portion 10C1 exposed on the upper surface of the third side portion 3A3 of the connecting member 3 and a second portion 10C2 exposed on the upper surface of the second side portion 3A2 of the connecting member 3. The fourth central conductive member 10D has a first portion 10D1 exposed on the upper surface of the third side portion 3A3 of the connecting member 3 and a second portion 10D2 exposed on the upper surface of the fourth side portion 3A4 of the connecting member 3.

[0045] The first distal metal member 5M1 and the second distal metal member 5M2 are joined to the outer surface (front surface) of the first side portion 3A1 of the connecting member 3 by an adhesive or caulking. The third distal metal member 5M3 and the fourth distal metal member 5M4 are joined to the outer surface (rear surface) of the third side portion 3A3 of the connecting member 3 by an adhesive or caulking. The fifth distal metal member 5M5 and the sixth distal metal member 5M6 are joined to the outer surface (right side surface) of the fourth side portion 3A4 of the connecting member 3 by an adhesive or caulking. The seventh distal metal member 5M7 and the eighth distal metal member 5M8 are joined to the outer surface (left side surface) of the second side portion 3A2 of the connecting member 3 by an adhesive or caulking.

[0046] Further, the first distal-side metal member 5M1 has a first fixing portion CM1 that is overlapped and joined to the second portion 6B2 of the second flexible metal member 6B on the upper surface of the first side portion 3A1. The first fixing portion CM1 is formed by bending the upper portion of the first distal-side metal member 5M1 into an L shape. Note that the first fixing portion CM1 is disposed on the lower surface side of the second portion 6B2. The same applies to the second fixing portion CM2 of the second distal-side metal member 5M2 that is overlapped and joined to the second portion 6F2 of the sixth flexible metal member 6F on the upper surface of the first side portion 3A1, the third fixing portion CM3 of the third distal-side metal member 5M3 that is overlapped and joined to the second portion 6E2 of the fifth flexible metal member 6E on the upper surface of the third side portion 3A3, and the fourth fixing portion CM4 of the fourth distal-side metal member 5M4 that is overlapped and joined to the second portion 6C2 of the third flexible metal member 6C on the upper surface of the third side portion 3A3.

[0047] Further, the fifth distal-side metal member 5M5 has a fifth fixing portion CM5 that is overlapped and joined to the second portion 10A2 of the first central conductive member 10A on the upper surface of the fourth side portion 3A4. The fifth fixing portion CM5 is formed by bending the upper portion of the fifth distal-side metal member 5M5 into an L shape. The same applies to the sixth fixing portion CM6 of the sixth distal-side metal member 5M6 that is overlapped and joined to the second portion 10D2 of the fourth central conductive member 10D on the upper surface of the fourth side portion 3A4, the seventh fixing portion CM7 of the seventh distal-side metal member 5M7 that is overlapped and joined to the second portion 10C2 of the third central conductive member 10C on the upper surface of the second side portion 3A2, and the eighth fixing portion CM8 of the eighth distal-side metal member 5M8 that is overlapped and joined to the second portion 10B2 of the second central conductive member 10B on the upper surface of the second side portion 3A2.

[0048] The second portion 6A2 of the first flexible metal member 6A is overlapped and joined to each of the first portion 10A1 of the first central conductive member 10A and the first portion 10B1 of the second central conductive member 10B on the upper surface of the first side portion 3A1 of the connecting member 3. Similarly, the second portion 6D2 of the fourth flexible metal member 6D is overlapped and joined to each of the first portion 10C1 of the third central conductive member 10C and the first portion 10D1 of the fourth central conductive member 10D on the upper surface of the third side portion 3A3 of the connecting member 3.

[0049] Each of the four spheres 7 is housed and fixed in a recess 3R formed on the lower surface of the frame body 3A of the connecting member 3. In the illustrated example, the upper part of the first sphere 7A is housed and fixed with an adhesive in a first recess 3R1 formed on the lower surface of the first side portion 3A1, the upper part of the second sphere 7B is housed and fixed with an adhesive in a second recess 3R2 formed on the lower surface of the second side portion 3A2, the upper part of the third sphere 7C is housed and fixed with an adhesive in a third recess 3R3 formed on the lower surface of the third side portion 3A3, and the upper part of the fourth sphere 7D is housed and fixed with an adhesive in a fourth recess 3R4 formed on the lower surface of the fourth side portion 3A4.

[0050] Next, referring to FIG. 6, the positional relationship between the base member 18 and each of the proximal metal member 5F, the flexible metal member 6, the sphere 7, the magnet 8, and the outer conductive member 11 will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the proximal metal member 5F, the flexible metal member 6, the sphere 7, the magnet 8, the outer conductive member 11, and the base member 18. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 6 (the figure above the block arrow) is a perspective view of the separated proximal metal member 5F, flexible metal member 6, sphere 7, magnet 8, outer conductive member 11, and base member 18. The central view of FIG. 6 (the figure below the block arrow) is an upper perspective view of the base member 18 with the proximal metal member 5F, flexible metal member 6, sphere 7, and magnet 8 attached and the outer conductive member 11 embedded therein. The lower view of FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view of the base member 18 with the proximal metal member 5F, flexible metal member 6, and sphere 7 attached and the outer conductive member 11 embedded therein. In the lower view of FIG. 6, the magnet 8 is removed from the base member 18 for easier explanation.

[0051] The outer conductive member 11 is formed of a magnetic metal such as ferrite stainless steel or iron. In the illustrated example, the outer conductive member 11 includes a first outer conductive member 11A, a second outer conductive member 11B, a third outer conductive member 11C, a fourth outer conductive member 11D, a fifth outer conductive member 11E, and a sixth outer conductive member 11F. The first outer conductive member 11A has a first portion 11A1 exposed on the upper surface of the second side portion 18A2 of the base member 18, a second portion 11A2 exposed on the lower surface of the second side portion 18A2 of the base member 18, and a third portion 11A3 constituting a second magnetic member MG2 which is an example of the magnetic member MG. The second outer conductive member 11B has a first portion 11B1 exposed on the upper surface of the third side portion 18A3 of the base member 18 and a second portion 11B2 exposed on the lower surface of the second side portion 18A2 of the base member 18. The third outer conductive member 11C has a first portion 11C1 exposed on the upper surface of the second side portion 18A2 of the base member 18 and a second portion 11C2 exposed on the lower surface of the second side portion 18A2 of the base member 18. The fourth outer conductive member 11D has a first portion 11D1 exposed on the upper surface of the fourth side portion 18A4 of the base member 18, a second portion 11D2 exposed on the lower surface of the fourth side portion 18A4 of the base member 18, and a third portion 11D3 constituting a second magnetic member MG2 which is an example of the magnetic member MG. The fifth outer conductive member 11E has a first portion 11E1 exposed on the upper surface of the first side portion 18A1 of the base member 18 and a second portion 11E2 exposed on the lower surface of the fourth side portion 18A4 of the base member 18. The sixth outer conductive member 11F has a first portion 11F1 exposed on the upper surface of the fourth side portion 18A4 of the base member 18 and a second portion 11F2 exposed on the lower surface of the fourth side portion 18A4 of the base member 18.

[0052] The fifth proximal metal member 5F5 and the sixth proximal metal member 5F6 are joined to the outer surface (right side surface) of the second support arrangement portion 18M2 of the base member 18 by an adhesive or caulking or the like. Similarly, the seventh proximal metal member 5F7 and the eighth proximal metal member 5F8 are joined to the outer surface (left side surface) of the first support arrangement portion 18M1 of the base member 18 by an adhesive or caulking or the like.

[0053] Further, the fifth proximal metal member 5F5 has a fifth fixing portion CF5 that extends outward (rightward) on the lower surface of the second support body arrangement portion 18M2. The fifth fixing portion CF5 is formed by bending the lower portion of the fifth proximal metal member 5F5 into an L shape. The same applies to the sixth fixing portion CF6 of the sixth proximal metal member 5F6 that extends outward (rightward) on the lower surface of the second support body arrangement portion 18M2, the seventh fixing portion CF7 of the seventh proximal metal member 5F7 that extends outward (leftward) on the lower surface of the first support body arrangement portion 18M1, and the eighth fixing portion CF8 of the eighth proximal metal member 5F8 that extends outward (leftward) on the lower surface of the first support body arrangement portion 18M1.

[0054] The first portion 6A1 of the first flexible metal member 6A is overlapped and joined with the first portion 11E1 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E on the upper surface of the first side portion 18A1 of the base member 18. The first portion 6B1 of the second flexible metal member 6B is overlapped and joined with the first portion 11A1 of the first outer conductive member 11A on the upper surface of the second side portion 18A2 of the base member 18. The first portion 6C1 of the third flexible metal member 6C is overlapped and joined with the first portion 11C1 of the third outer conductive member 11C on the upper surface of the second side portion 18A2 of the base member 18. The first portion 6D1 of the fourth flexible metal member 6D is overlapped and joined with the first portion 11B1 of the second outer conductive member 11B on the upper surface of the third side portion 18A3 of the base member 18. The first portion 6E1 of the fifth flexible metal member 6E is overlapped and joined with the first portion 11D1 of the fourth outer conductive member 11D on the upper surface of the fourth side portion 18A4 of the base member 18. The first portion 6F1 of the sixth flexible metal member 6F is overlapped and joined with the first portion 11F1 of the sixth outer conductive member 11F on the upper surface of the fourth side portion 18A4 of the base member 18.

[0055] Of the four spheres 7, each of the second sphere 7B and the fourth sphere 7D that constitute the second support SB2 is housed in a recess 18R formed on the upper surface of the support arrangement portion 18M of the base member 18. In the illustrated example, the lower portion of the second sphere 7B is slidably housed in a first recess 18R1 formed on the upper surface of the first support arrangement portion 18M1, and the lower portion of the fourth sphere 7D is slidably housed in a second recess 18R2 formed on the upper surface of the second support arrangement portion 18M2.

[0056] Of the four magnets 8, each of the second magnet 8B and the fourth magnet 8D that constitute the fourth magnetic member MG4 is housed and fixed in a magnet housing portion 18S formed on the lower surface of the support arrangement portion 18M of the base member 18. In the illustrated example, the second magnet 8B is housed in a first magnet housing portion 18S1 formed on the lower surface of the first support arrangement portion 18M1 and fixed with an adhesive, and the fourth magnet 8D is housed in a second magnet housing portion 18S2 formed on the lower surface of the second support arrangement portion 18M2 and fixed with an adhesive.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the module holder 2 is configured to function as a wire support member that supports one end of each of the first wire SA1 to the fourth wire SA4. As shown in FIG. 6, the base member 18 is configured to function as a wire support member that supports one end of each of the fifth wire SA5 to the eighth wire SA8. And as shown in FIG. 5, the connecting member 3 is configured to function as a wire support member that supports the other end of each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8. With this configuration, the optical module OM is supported in a state where it can swing around each of the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2 by the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8.

[0058] Next, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the metal member 5 to which the shape memory alloy wire SA is attached will be described. FIG. 7 is a three - view drawing (front view, top view, and right - side view) of the first proximal - side metal member 5F1, the second proximal - side metal member 5F2, the first distal - side metal member 5M1, the second distal - side metal member 5M2, the first wire SA1, the second wire SA2, and the first sphere 7A. Note that the positional relationship of each member shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the positional relationship when the module driving device MD is assembled and current is supplied to each of the first wire SA1 and the second wire SA2. And in FIG. 7, for clarity, the illustration of other members is omitted. Also, the following description with reference to FIG. 7 relates to the combination of the first wire SA1 and the second wire SA2, but the combination of the third wire SA3 and the fourth wire SA4 can be similarly applied.

[0059] Specifically, one end of the first wire SA1 is fixed to the first proximal - side metal member 5F1 at the holding portion J1 of the first proximal - side metal member 5F1, and the other end of the first wire SA1 is fixed to the first distal - side metal member 5M1 at the holding portion J2 of the first distal - side metal member 5M1. Similarly, one end of the second wire SA2 is fixed to the second proximal - side metal member 5F2 at the holding portion J3 of the second proximal - side metal member 5F2, and the other end of the second wire SA2 is fixed to the second distal - side metal member 5M2 at the holding portion J4 of the first distal - side metal member 5M1.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a three - view drawing (right - side view, top view, and rear view) of the fifth proximal - side metal member 5F5, the sixth proximal - side metal member 5F6, the fifth distal - side metal member 5M5, the sixth distal - side metal member 5M6, the fifth wire SA5, the sixth wire SA6, and the fourth sphere 7D. Note that the positional relationship of each member shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the positional relationship when the module driving device MD is assembled and current is supplied to each of the fifth wire SA5 and the sixth wire SA6. And in FIG. 8, for clarity, the illustration of other members is omitted. Also, the following description with reference to FIG. 8 relates to the combination of the fifth wire SA5 and the sixth wire SA6, but the combination of the seventh wire SA7 and the eighth wire SA8 can be similarly applied.

[0061] Specifically, one end of the fifth wire SA5 is fixed to the fifth proximal metal member 5F5 at the holding portion J5 of the fifth proximal metal member 5F5, and the other end of the fifth wire SA5 is fixed to the fifth distal metal member 5M5 at the holding portion J6 of the fifth distal metal member 5M5. Similarly, one end of the sixth wire SA6 is fixed to the sixth proximal metal member 5F6 at the holding portion J7 of the sixth proximal metal member 5F6, and the other end of the sixth wire SA6 is fixed to the sixth distal metal member 5M6 at the holding portion J8 of the sixth distal metal member 5M6.

[0062] The holding portion J1 is formed by bending a part of the first proximal metal member 5F1. Specifically, a part of the first proximal metal member 5F1 is caulked in a state of sandwiching the end portion (one end) of the first wire SA1 to form the holding portion J1. Note that the coating of the end portion (one end) of the first wire SA1 has been peeled off before being sandwiched by the holding portion J1. And the end portion (one end) of the first wire SA1 is fixed to the holding portion J1 by welding. Thereafter, the end portion (one end) of the first wire SA1 may be protected by a protective resin. The same applies to the holding portions J2 to J8.

[0063] Also, the first wire SA1 and the second wire SA2 are arranged so as to be in a twisted position with respect to each other. That is, the first wire SA1 and the second wire SA2 are arranged so as not to contact each other (to be non-contact). Specifically, as shown in the front view of FIG. 7, when viewed from the X1 side (the direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the first proximal metal member 5F1), the first wire SA1 and the second wire SA2 are arranged so as to intersect. Similarly, as shown in the right side view of FIG. 8, when viewed from the Y2 side (the direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the fifth proximal metal member 5F5), the fifth wire SA5 and the sixth wire SA6 are arranged so as to intersect.

[0064] Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, the current path flowing through the shape memory alloy wire SA will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the metal member 5, the flexible metal member 6, the inner conductive member 9, the central conductive member 10, the outer conductive member 11, and the shape memory alloy wire SA. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the metal member 5, the flexible metal member 6, the inner conductive member 9, the outer conductive member 11, and the shape memory alloy wire SA, showing a part of the members in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the metal member 5, the flexible metal member 6, the inner conductive member 9, the central conductive member 10, the outer conductive member 11, and the shape memory alloy wire SA, showing a part of the members in FIG. 9.

[0065] As shown in the upper figure of FIG. 10, when the second portion 11A2 of the first outer conductive member 11A is connected to a high potential and the second portion 11E2 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E is connected to a low potential, the current flows from the second portion 11A2 of the first outer conductive member 11A through the first portion 11A1 of the first outer conductive member 11A, the first portion 6B1 and the second portion 6B2 of the second flexible metal member 6B, the first fixing portion CM1 and the holding portion J2 of the first distal metal member 5M1, the first wire SA1, the holding portion J1 and the first fixing portion CF1 of the first proximal metal member 5F1, the third portion 9B3 and the first portion 9B1 of the second inner conductive member 9B, the third portion 6A3 and the first portion 6A1 of the first flexible metal member 6A, and the first portion 11E1 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E to the second portion 11E2 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E.

[0066] Also, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 10, when the second portion 11F2 of the sixth outer conductive member 11F is connected to a high potential and the second portion 11E2 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E is connected to a low potential, current flows from the second portion 11F2 of the sixth outer conductive member 11F, through the first portion 11F1 of the sixth outer conductive member 11F, the first portion 6F1 and the second portion 6F2 of the sixth flexible metal member 6F, the second fixing portion CM2 and the holding portion J4 of the second distal metal member 5M2, the second wire SA2, the holding portion J3 and the second fixing portion CF2 of the second proximal metal member 5F2, the third portion 9A3 and the first portion 9A1 of the first inner conductive member 9A, the third portion 6A3 and the first portion 6A1 of the first flexible metal member 6A, and the first portion 11E1 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E to the second portion 11E2 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E.

[0067] The above description with reference to FIG. 10 relates to the combination of the first wire SA1 and the second wire SA2, but the same may be similarly applied to the combination of the third wire SA3 and the fourth wire SA4.

[0068] Also, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 11, when the fifth fixing portion CF5 of the fifth proximal metal member 5F5 is connected to a high potential and the second portion 11E2 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E is connected to a low potential, current flows from the fifth fixing portion CF5 of the fifth proximal metal member 5F5, through the holding portion J5 of the fifth proximal metal member 5F5, the fifth wire SA5, the holding portion J6 and the fifth fixing portion CM5 of the fifth distal metal member 5M5, the second portion 10A2 and the first portion 10A1 of the first central conductive member 10A, the second portion 6A2 and the first portion 6A1 of the first flexible metal member 6A, and the first portion 11E1 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E to the second portion 11E2 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E.

[0069] Also, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 11, when the sixth proximal metal member 5F6's sixth fixing portion CF6 is connected to a high potential and the second portion 11E2 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E is connected to a low potential, the current flows from the sixth fixing portion CF6 of the sixth proximal metal member 5F6, through the holding portion J7 of the sixth proximal metal member 5F6, the sixth wire SA6, the holding portion J8 and the sixth fixing portion CM6 of the sixth distal metal member 5M6, the second portion 10D2 and the first portion 10D1 of the fourth central conductive member 10D, the second portion 6D2 and the third portion 6D3 of the fourth flexible metal member 6D, the second portion 9B2 and the first portion 9B1 of the second inner conductive member 9B, the third portion 6A3 and the first portion 6A1 of the first flexible metal member 6A, and the first portion 11E1 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E to the second portion 11E2 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E.

[0070] The above description with reference to FIG. 11 relates to the combination of the fifth wire SA5 and the sixth wire SA6, but it can be similarly applied to the combination of the seventh wire SA7 and the eighth wire SA8.

[0071] Also, when passing a current through the sixth wire SA6, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 11, the sixth fixing portion CF6 of the sixth proximal metal member 5F6 may be connected to a high potential and the second portion 11B2 of the second outer conductive member 11B may be connected to a low potential. In this case, the current flows from the sixth fixing portion CF6 of the sixth proximal metal member 5F6, through the holding portion J7 of the sixth proximal metal member 5F6, the sixth wire SA6, the holding portion J8 and the sixth fixing portion CM6 of the sixth distal metal member 5M6, the second portion 10D2 and the first portion 10D1 of the fourth central conductive member 10D, the second portion 6D2 and the first portion 6D1 of the fourth flexible metal member 6D, and the first portion 11B1 of the second outer conductive member 11B to the second portion 11B2 of the second outer conductive member 11B. Similarly for each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8, a current may be passed using a path other than the above-described path.

[0072] Note that the four examples shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are common in that the second portion 11E2 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E is connected to a low potential, and the current path from the first flexible metal member 6A (first portion 6A1) to the second portion 11E2 of the fifth outer conductive member 11E is the same.

[0073] A control device CTR (see FIG. 1) outside the module driving device MD as described above can individually control the contraction of each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 by controlling the voltage applied to each of the fixing portions (fifth fixing portion CF5 to eighth fixing portion CF8) of the proximal metal member 5F and the second portions (second portion 11A2 of the first outer conductive member 11A to second portion 11F2 of the sixth outer conductive member 11F) of the outer conductive member 11. Note that the control device CTR may be configured to detect the resistance value of each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 and perform feedback control on the contraction amount of each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8. In this case, the control device CTR can derive the position and orientation of the module holder 2 based on the resistance value of each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8. Further, the control device CTR may be disposed within the module driving device MD. Further, the control device CTR may be a component of the module driving device MD.

[0074] Further, the control device CTR can swing the module holder 2 around each of the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2, for example, by using the driving force generated by the contraction of the shape memory alloy wire SA as the driving unit DM.

[0075] Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16, the details of the drive unit DM will be described. FIG. 12 is a table showing the expansion and contraction states of the shape memory alloy wires SA when realizing each of the three-degree-of-freedom movements of the module holder 2. Specifically, "contraction" in FIG. 12 represents contracting the shape memory alloy wire SA in the reference state, "expansion" in FIG. 12 represents expanding the shape memory alloy wire SA in the reference state, and "-" in FIG. 12 represents neither contracting nor expanding the shape memory alloy wire SA in the reference state. The reference state means the state of the shape memory alloy wire SA when the module drive device MD is in the neutral state. In the illustrated example, when the module drive device MD is in the neutral state, each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 is not slack because current is flowing. Note that the neutral state of the module drive device MD is, for example, a state where the movable-side members MB (module holder 2 and connecting member 3) are located in the middle of the rotatable ranges around each of the three mutually orthogonal axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis), that is, a state where the movable-side members MB (module holder 2 and connecting member 3) are in the neutral position. Typically, in the neutral state of the module drive device MD, the module holder 2 is located at the center of the rotatable range around each of the three axes, and the connecting member 3 is located at the center of the rotatable range around each of the two axes (Y-axis and Z-axis). Note that the connecting member 3 does not rotate around the X-axis. Also, neither the module holder 2 nor the connecting member 3 translates along each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0076] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the three members (module holder 2, connecting member 3, and base member 18) when the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 rotate (swing) about the second axis AX2 with respect to the base member 18. FIG. 14 is a front view of the three members when the module holder 2 rotates (swings) about the first axis AX1 with respect to the connecting member 3. FIG. 15 is a top view of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, the sphere 7, and the base member 18. FIG. 16 is a top view of the three members when the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 rotate (turn) about the optical axis OA with respect to the base member 18. In FIGS. 13 to 16, for clarity, the module holder 2 is provided with a fine dot pattern, the connecting member 3 is provided with a coarse dot pattern, and the base member 18 is provided with an even coarser dot pattern. Further, in FIGS. 13 and 14, a part of the metal member 5 and the shape memory alloy wire SA is shown for easy explanation.

[0077] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the three members when the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 swing clockwise by an angle α1 about the second axis AX2 with respect to the base member 18. Specifically, the upper figure in FIG. 13 is a right side view of the three members before the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 rotate (swing), and the lower figure in FIG. 13 is a right side view of the three members after the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 rotate (swing). When the control device CTR swings the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 clockwise about the second axis AX2 with respect to the base member 18 in a right side view, as shown in the table of FIG. 12, the fifth wire SA5 and the eighth wire SA8 are extended by substantially the same amount of extension, and the sixth wire SA6 and the seventh wire SA7 are contracted by substantially the same amount of contraction. In the illustrated example, extending two shape memory alloy wires SA by substantially the same amount of extension means extending the two shape memory alloy wires SA until the lengths of the two shape memory alloy wires SA become substantially the same predetermined length. Similarly, contracting two shape memory alloy wires SA by substantially the same amount of contraction means contracting the two shape memory alloy wires SA until the lengths of the two shape memory alloy wires SA become substantially the same predetermined length. The same applies to the following description. The control device CTR keeps the amount of expansion and contraction of the first wire SA1 to the fourth wire SA4 maintained. Specifically, the control device CTR controls the amount of expansion and contraction of each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 as described above by individually adjusting the magnitude of the current supplied to each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8. By the control by this control device CTR, the drive unit DM can swing the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 clockwise about the second axis AX2 with respect to the base member 18 as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 13.

[0078] When the control device CTR rotates the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 counterclockwise about the second axis AX2 with respect to the base member 18 in a right side view, as shown in the table of FIG. 12, the fifth wire SA5 and the eighth wire SA8 are contracted by substantially the same amount of contraction, and the sixth wire SA6 and the seventh wire SA7 are extended by substantially the same amount of extension. The control device CTR causes the first wire SA1 to the fourth wire SA4 to maintain their amounts of expansion and contraction. The control device CTR controls the amounts of expansion and contraction of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 as described above by individually adjusting the magnitudes of the currents supplied to the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8. By the control by this control device CTR, the drive unit DM can swing the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 counterclockwise about the second axis AX2 with respect to the base member 18.

[0079] FIG. 14 is a front view of the three members when the module holder 2 swings counterclockwise by an angle α2 about the first axis AX1 with respect to the connecting member 3 and the base member 18. Specifically, the upper diagram of FIG. 14 is a front view of the three members before the module holder 2 rotates (swings), and the lower diagram of FIG. 14 is a front view of the three members after the module holder 2 rotates (swings). When the control device CTR swings the module holder 2 counterclockwise about the first axis AX1 with respect to the connecting member 3 in a front view, as shown in the table of FIG. 12, the first wire SA1 and the fourth wire SA4 are extended by substantially the same amount of extension, and the second wire SA2 and the third wire SA3 are contracted by substantially the same amount of contraction. The control device CTR causes the fifth wire SA5 to the eighth wire SA8 to maintain their amounts of expansion and contraction. Specifically, the control device CTR controls the amounts of expansion and contraction of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 as described above by individually adjusting the magnitudes of the currents supplied to the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8. By the control by this control device CTR, the drive unit DM can swing the module holder 2 counterclockwise about the first axis AX1 with respect to the connecting member 3 as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 14.

[0080] When the control device CTR swings the module holder 2 clockwise around the first axis AX1 with respect to the connecting member 3 in a front view, as shown in the table of FIG. 12, the first wire SA1 and the fourth wire SA4 are contracted by substantially the same amount of contraction, and the second wire SA2 and the third wire SA3 are extended by substantially the same amount of extension. The control device CTR keeps the amount of expansion and contraction of the fifth wire SA5 to the eighth wire SA8 unchanged. Specifically, the control device CTR controls the amount of expansion and contraction of each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 as described above by individually adjusting the magnitude of the current supplied to each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8. By the control of this control device CTR, the drive unit DM can swing the module holder 2 clockwise around the first axis AX1 with respect to the connecting member 3.

[0081] FIG. 15 is a top view of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, the spherical body 7, and the base member 18. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 15 is a top view of the module holder 2 and the base member 18, the central view of FIG. 15 is a top view of the module holder 2, the spherical body 7, and the base member 18, and the lower view of FIG. 15 is a top view of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, and the base member 18.

[0082] As shown in the upper view of FIG. 15, a pair of concave portions 2R are formed on the upper surface of the support arrangement portion 2M of the module holder 2 so as to face each other across the optical axis OA, and a pair of concave portions 18R are formed on the upper surface of the support arrangement portion 18M of the base member 18 so as to face each other across the optical axis OA. Specifically, the concave portion 2R includes a first concave portion 2R1 formed on the upper surface of the first support arrangement portion 2M1 in front of the optical axis OA and a second concave portion 2R2 formed on the upper surface of the second support arrangement portion 2M2 behind the optical axis OA. The concave portion 18R includes a first concave portion 18R1 formed on the upper surface of the first support arrangement portion 18M1 on the left side of the optical axis OA and a second concave portion 18R2 formed on the upper surface of the second support arrangement portion 18M2 on the right side of the optical axis OA.

[0083] The first recess 2R1, the second recess 2R2, the first recess 18R1, and the second recess 18R2 are all arranged within an annular range in plan view surrounded by a first circle CL1 and a second circle CL2 which are two concentric circles centered on the optical axis OA, and are V-grooves having a narrow bottom surface and extending in a partial annular shape in plan view.

[0084] The four spheres 7 adhesively fixed within the recess 3R of the connecting member 3 (see the lower figure of Fig. 5) are arranged within the first recess 2R1, the second recess 2R2, the first recess 18R1, and the second recess 18R2 as shown in the central figure of Fig. 15. Specifically, the first sphere 7A is arranged slidably along the circumferential direction of the first circle CL1 within the first recess 2R1, the second sphere 7B is arranged slidably along the circumferential direction of the first circle CL1 within the first recess 18R1, the third sphere 7C is arranged slidably along the circumferential direction of the first circle CL1 within the second recess 2R2, and the fourth sphere 7D is arranged slidably along the circumferential direction of the first circle CL1 within the second recess 18R2.

[0085] With this configuration, the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 are connected so as to be relatively rotatable about the optical axis OA, and the connecting member 3 and the base member 18 are connected so as to be relatively rotatable about the optical axis OA.

[0086] Fig. 16 is a top view of the three members when the connecting member 3 rotates clockwise by an angle α3 about the optical axis OA with respect to the base member 18, and the module holder 2 rotates clockwise by an angle α4 about the optical axis OA with respect to the connecting member 3. That is, Fig. 16 is a top view of the three members when the module holder 2 rotates clockwise by an angle α5 about the optical axis OA with respect to the base member 18. The angle α5 is the sum of the angle α3 and the angle α4. Specifically, the upper figure of Fig. 16 is a top view of the three members before the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 rotate, the central figure of Fig. 16 is a top view of the three members after the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 rotate by the angle α3, and the lower figure of Fig. 16 is a top view of the three members after the module holder 2 further rotates by the angle α4.

[0087] When the control device CTR rotates the connecting member 3 clockwise about the optical axis OA with respect to the base member 18 in a top view (plan view), as shown in the table of FIG. 12, the sixth wire SA6 and the eighth wire SA8 are contracted with substantially the same amount of contraction, and the fifth wire SA5 and the seventh wire SA7 are extended with substantially the same amount of extension. When the control device CTR rotates the module holder 2 clockwise about the optical axis OA with respect to the connecting member 3 in a top view, as shown in the table of FIG. 12, the second wire SA2 and the fourth wire SA4 are extended with substantially the same amount of extension, and the first wire SA1 and the third wire SA3 are contracted with substantially the same amount of contraction. Specifically, the control device CTR controls the amount of expansion and contraction of each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 as described above by individually adjusting the magnitude of the current supplied to each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8. By the control by this control device CTR, the drive unit DM can rotate the connecting member 3 clockwise about the optical axis OA with respect to the base member 18 as shown in the central figure of FIG. 16, and can rotate the module holder 2 clockwise about the optical axis OA with respect to the connecting member 3 as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 16.

[0088] When the control device CTR rotates the connecting member 3 counterclockwise around the optical axis OA with respect to the base member 18 in a top view, as shown in the table of FIG. 12, the sixth wire SA6 and the eighth wire SA8 are extended by substantially the same amount of extension, and the fifth wire SA5 and the seventh wire SA7 are contracted by substantially the same amount of contraction. When the control device CTR rotates the module holder 2 counterclockwise around the optical axis OA with respect to the connecting member 3 in a top view, as shown in the table of FIG. 12, the second wire SA2 and the fourth wire SA4 are contracted by substantially the same amount of contraction, and the first wire SA1 and the third wire SA3 are extended by substantially the same amount of extension. Specifically, the control device CTR controls the amount of expansion and contraction of each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8 as described above by individually adjusting the magnitude of the current supplied to each of the first wire SA1 to the eighth wire SA8. By the control of this control device CTR, the drive unit DM can rotate the connecting member 3 counterclockwise around the optical axis OA with respect to the base member 18, and rotate the module holder 2 counterclockwise around the optical axis OA with respect to the connecting member 3.

[0089] The table of FIG. 12 shows the expansion and contraction states of the shape memory alloy wire SA when the connecting member 3 is rotated around the optical axis OA with respect to the base member 18 in a top view and at the same time the module holder 2 is rotated in the same direction around the optical axis OA with respect to the connecting member 3 in a top view.

[0090] However, the control device CTR may rotate only the connecting member 3 around the optical axis OA with respect to the base member 18 in a top view by maintaining the amount of expansion and contraction of the first wire SA1 to the fourth wire SA4. Alternatively, the control device CTR may rotate only the module holder 2 around the optical axis OA with respect to the connecting member 3 in a top view by maintaining the amount of expansion and contraction of the fifth wire SA5 to the eighth wire SA8.

[0091] Next, with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19, the details of the magnetic member MG will be described. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, the spherical body 7, the magnet 8, the inner conductive member 9, the central conductive member 10, the outer conductive member 11, and the base member 18. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, and the base member 18. In the upper view of FIG. 17, the spherical body 7, the magnet 8, the inner conductive member 9, the central conductive member 10, and the outer conductive member 11 are not visible due to the presence of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, and the base member 18. The lower view of FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the spherical body 7, the magnet 8, the inner conductive member 9, the central conductive member 10, and the outer conductive member 11. In the lower view of FIG. 17, the illustration of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, and the base member 18 is omitted. FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, the spherical body 7, the magnet 8, the inner conductive member 9, the central conductive member 10, the outer conductive member 11, and the base member 18. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 18 shows a cross-section of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, the spherical body 7, the magnet 8, the inner conductive member 9, the outer conductive member 11, and the base member 18 in a cutting plane parallel to the YZ plane including the line segment L1 in the upper view of FIG. 17. Further, the lower view of FIG. 18 shows a cross-section of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, the spherical body 7, the magnet 8, the outer conductive member 11, and the base member 18 in a cutting plane parallel to the XZ plane including the line segment L2 in the upper view of FIG. 17. Therefore, in the upper and lower views of FIG. 18, the central conductive member 10 does not appear. FIG. 19 is a view of the module holder 2, the magnet 8, the inner conductive member 9, the outer conductive member 11, and the base member 18. Specifically, FIG. 19 includes a horizontal cross-sectional view of the module holder 2, the magnet 8, the inner conductive member 9, the outer conductive member 11, and the base member 18 in a cutting plane parallel to the XY plane including the line segment L3 in FIG. 18, a front view of the second magnet 8B, the fourth magnet 8D, the first inner conductive member 9A, and the second inner conductive member 9B, and a right side view of the first magnet 8A, the third magnet 8C, the first outer conductive member 11A, and the fourth outer conductive member 11D.

[0092] As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 17, the magnetic member MG includes a first magnetic member MG1 to a fourth magnetic member MG4. The first magnetic member MG1 and the second magnetic member MG2, which are relatively movable with respect to each other, are arranged to be attracted to each other by a magnetic attractive force and face each other in the initial state of the module driving device MD when the driving unit DM is not driven. The initial state of the module driving device MD may be, for example, the state of the module driving device MD when no current is applied to the shape memory alloy wire SA, or the neutral state of the module driving device MD (for example, the state where the module holder 2 is located at the center of the rotatable range around each of the three axes of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis). The same applies to the combination of the third magnetic member MG3 and the fourth magnetic member MG4, which are relatively movable with respect to each other.

[0093] In the illustrated example, the first magnetic member MG1 includes a first magnet 8A and a third magnet 8C and is fixed to the module holder 2. The second magnetic member MG2 includes a third portion 11A3 of the first outer conductive member 11A formed of a magnetic metal and a third portion 11D3 of the fourth outer conductive member 11D formed of a magnetic metal, and is embedded in the base member 18. The first magnet 8A and the third portion 11A3 of the first outer conductive member 11A, which are relatively movable with respect to each other, are attracted to each other by a magnetic attractive force acting in the direction along the axis of the first axis AX1 in the initial state of the module driving device MD, and are arranged to face each other in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). Also, the third magnet 8C and the third portion 11D3 of the fourth outer conductive member 11D, which are relatively movable with respect to each other, are attracted to each other by a magnetic attractive force acting in the direction along the axis of the first axis AX1 in the initial state of the module driving device MD, and are arranged to face each other in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0094] Note that, in a plan sectional view as shown in FIG. 19, the first axis AX1 is arranged to pass through the centers of the first magnetic member MG1 and the second magnetic member MG2 in the initial state of the module driving device MD. However, the first axis AX1 only needs to be arranged to pass through at least a part of each of the first magnetic member MG1 and the second magnetic member MG2 in the initial state of the module driving device MD.

[0095] Further, the third magnetic member MG3 includes the fifth portion 9A5 of the first inner conductive member 9A formed of a magnetic metal and the fifth portion 9B5 of the second inner conductive member 9B formed of a magnetic metal, and is embedded in the module holder 2. The fourth magnetic member MG4 includes the second magnet 8B and the fourth magnet 8D, and is fixed to the base member 18. In the initial state of the module driving device MD, the second magnet 8B and the fifth portion 9A5 of the first inner conductive member 9A, which are relatively movable to each other, are attracted to each other by a magnetic attractive force acting in the direction along the axis of the second axis AX2, and are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Also, in the initial state of the module driving device MD, the fourth magnet 8D and the fifth portion 9B5 of the second inner conductive member 9B, which are relatively movable to each other, are attracted to each other by a magnetic attractive force acting in the direction along the axis of the second axis AX2, and are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0096] Note that, in a plan sectional view as shown in FIG. 19, the second axis AX2 is arranged to pass through the centers of the third magnetic member MG3 and the fourth magnetic member MG4 in the initial state of the module driving device MD. However, the second axis AX2 only needs to be arranged to pass through at least a part of each of the third magnetic member MG3 and the fourth magnetic member MG4 in the initial state of the module driving device MD.

[0097] With this configuration, in the initial state of the module driving device MD, the magnetic member MG can move the movable-side member MB (the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3) to the neutral position, suppress the rotation of the movable-side member MB with respect to the fixed-side member FB, and maintain the posture of the movable-side member MB.

[0098] Further, the relatively movable sphere 7 and the magnet 8 are arranged so as to face each other in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and to be attracted to each other by a magnetic attractive force. In the illustrated example, the first sphere 7A and the first magnet 8A formed of a magnetic metal are arranged so as to face each other in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and to be attracted to each other by a magnetic attractive force. The same applies to the combination of the second sphere 7B and the second magnet 8B formed of a magnetic metal, the combination of the third sphere 7C and the third magnet 8C formed of a magnetic metal, and the combination of the fourth sphere 7D and the fourth magnet 8D formed of a magnetic metal.

[0099] With this configuration, the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C fixed to the connecting member 3 and the first magnet 8A and the third magnet 8C fixed to the module holder 2 can attract the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 to each other by a magnetic attractive force, and it is possible to suppress the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 connected via the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C from separating from each other. Further, the second sphere 7B and the fourth sphere 7D fixed to the connecting member 3 and the second magnet 8B and the fourth magnet 8D fixed to the base member 18 can attract the connecting member 3 and the base member 18 to each other by a magnetic attractive force, and it is possible to suppress the connecting member 3 and the base member 18 connected via the second sphere 7B and the fourth sphere 7D from separating from each other.

[0100] Next, referring to FIG. 20, a module driving device MD1, which is another configuration example of the module driving device MD, will be described. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the module holder 2, the connecting member 3, the base member 18, and the magnetic member MG in the module driving device MD1.

[0101] The module driving device MD1 is different from the module driving device MD in that the first magnetic member MG1 and the fourth magnetic member MG4 are fixed to the connecting member 3, the first magnetic member MG1 is fixed to the module holder 2, and the fourth magnetic member MG4 is fixed to the base member 18.

[0102] Note that in the module driving device MD, as shown in FIG. 19, magnets 8 (the first magnetic member MG1 and the fourth magnetic member MG4) are fixed to the module holder 2 and the base member 18, respectively, and magnetic metals (the second magnetic member MG2 and the third magnetic member MG3) are fixed to the module holder 2 and the base member 18, respectively. On the other hand, in the module driving device MD1, as shown in FIG. 20, magnets (the first magnetic member MG1 and the fourth magnetic member MG4) are fixed to the connecting member 3, and magnetic metals (the second magnetic member MG2 and the third magnetic member MG3) are fixed to the base member 18 and the module holder 2, respectively. However, in either the module driving device MD or the module driving device MD1, at least one of the first magnetic member MG1 and the second magnetic member MG2 facing each other may be a magnet. The same applies to the third magnetic member MG3 and the fourth magnetic member MG4 facing each other.

[0103] Alternatively, the first magnetic member MG1 may be fixed to the base member 18 instead of the connecting member 3. In this case, the second magnetic member MG2 may be fixed to the connecting member 3 instead of the base member 18. Alternatively, the third magnetic member MG3 may be fixed to the connecting member 3 instead of the module holder 2. In this case, the fourth magnetic member MG4 may be fixed to the module holder 2 instead of the connecting member 3. Alternatively, the third magnetic member MG3 may be fixed to the base member 18. In this case, the fourth magnetic member MG4 may be fixed to the module holder 2. Alternatively, the third magnetic member MG3 may be fixed to the module holder 2, and the fourth magnetic member MG4 may be fixed to both the connecting member 3 and the base member 18. Also, the first magnetic member MG1 may be fixed to both the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3, and the second magnetic member MG2 may be fixed to the base member 18.

[0104] Further, the module driving device MD1 is different from the module driving device MD in that the support SB, which is a magnetic metal including a hemispherical portion, is embedded in the connecting member 3, while the support SB formed of the sphere 7 is adhesively fixed to the connecting member 3. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the support SB has a portion embedded in the connecting member 3 and a hemispherical portion exposed on the lower surface of the connecting member 3.

[0105] Although having such a difference in configuration, the module driving device MD1 can achieve the same effects as the module driving device MD. That is, also in the module driving device MD1, in the initial state of the module driving device MD1, the magnetic member MG can move the movable-side member MB (the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3) to the neutral position, suppress the rotation of the movable-side member MB with respect to the fixed-side member FB, and maintain the posture of the movable-side member MB. Further, the first support SB1 can realize the rotation (oscillation) of the module holder 2 around the first axis AX1 with respect to the connecting member 3 and the rotation of the module holder 2 around the optical axis OA with respect to the connecting member 3. Similarly, the second support SB2 can realize the rotation (oscillation) of the connecting member 3 around the second axis AX2 with respect to the base member 18 and the rotation of the connecting member 3 around the optical axis OA with respect to the base member 18.

[0106] As described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the module driving device MD according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a module holder 2 capable of holding an optical module OM having a lens body LS and an imaging device IS, and a connecting member 3 connected to the module holder 2 so that the module holder 2 can swing around a first axis AX1 intersecting the optical axis direction, and a connecting member 3 is connected to a fixed-side member FB (base member 18) so that the connecting member 3 can swing around a second axis AX2 intersecting the optical axis direction and perpendicular to the axial direction of the first axis AX1, and a driving unit DM configured to have a plurality of shape memory alloy wires SA for moving the module holder 2 relative to the fixed-side member FB. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the first movable part MB1 including the module holder 2 has a third magnetic member MG3, and at least one of the second movable part MB2 including the connecting member 3 and the fixed-side member FB has a fourth magnetic member MG4. And at least one of the third magnetic member MG3 and the fourth magnetic member MG4 (the fourth magnetic member MG4) is constituted by magnets 8 (the second magnet 8B and the fourth magnet 8D), and the magnetic force (attractive force) acting between the third magnetic member MG3 and the fourth magnetic member MG4 suppresses the swing of the module holder 2 around the first axis AX1 in the initial state where the driving unit DM is not driven, and the posture of the module holder 2 is maintained. Further, the movable-side member MB including the first movable part MB1 and the second movable part MB2 has a first magnetic member MG1, and the fixed-side member FB has a second magnetic member MG2. At least one of the first magnetic member MG1 and the second magnetic member MG2 (the first magnetic member MG1) is constituted by magnets 8 (the first magnet 8A and the third magnet 8C), and the magnetic force (attractive force) acting between the first magnetic member MG1 and the second magnetic member MG2 suppresses the swing of the connecting member 3 around the second axis AX2 in the initial state, and the posture of the connecting member 3 is maintained.

[0107] This configuration can hold the posture of the module holder 2 in the initial state where the driving unit DM is not driven. Therefore, when shooting a moving image or the like in the initial state or a state close to the initial state, the current flowing through the shape memory alloy wire SA constituting the driving unit DM can be suppressed, and the power saving can be realized.

[0108] Also, as shown in FIG. 19, in a plan sectional view along the optical axis direction, the first magnetic member MG1 and the second magnetic member MG2 may be located on the axis of the first axis AX1. In this case, the first magnetic member MG1 and the second magnetic member MG2 may be arranged to be separated from each other in the axial direction of the first axis AX1 in a state where a magnetic force attracting each other acts.

[0109] This configuration brings an effect that the swinging of the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 around the second axis AX2 in the initial state of the module driving device MD can be appropriately suppressed.

[0110] Also, as shown in FIG. 19, a pair of the first magnetic member MG1 and the second magnetic member MG2 may be arranged at positions separated (opposite) from each other in the axial direction of the first axis AX1 with the optical axis OA interposed therebetween.

[0111] This configuration brings an effect that the holding of the movable-side member MB (module holder 2 and connecting member 3) in the initial state of the module driving device MD can be made more reliable.

[0112] Also, the first magnetic member MG1 may be constituted by magnets 8 (first magnet 8A and third magnet 8C). In this case, the second magnetic member MG2 is constituted by a magnetic metal (the third portion 11A3 of the first outer conductive member 11A and the third portion 11D3 of the fourth outer conductive member 11D) provided on the base member 18 constituting the fixed-side member FB, and may be arranged outside the first magnetic member MG1 (on the side away from the optical axis).

[0113] This configuration brings an effect that a simple configuration can be realized and an increase in the number of magnets can be suppressed.

[0114] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 may be connected so as to partially overlap in the optical axis direction via two first supports SB1 arranged to face each other across the optical axis OA in the axial direction of the first axis AX1. In this case, the first magnetic member MG1 may be constituted by magnets 8 (the first magnet 8A and the third magnet 8C), and the first supports SB1 (the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C) may be constituted by a magnetic material. Then, the first magnetic member MG1 and the first support SB1 may be arranged to attract each other in the optical axis direction. For example, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 18, the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C constituting the first support SB1 are constituted by a magnetic material. And the first magnet 8A constituting the first magnetic member MG1 and the first sphere 7A constituting the first support SB1 are arranged to attract each other in the optical axis direction. The same applies to the combination of the third sphere 7C and the third magnet 8C.

[0115] This configuration has the effect of stabilizing the connection between the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 via the spheres 7 (the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C) as the first support SB1, by also using the magnets 8 (the first magnet 8A and the third magnet 8C), which are the first magnetic members MG1 used to hold the movable member MB in the initial state of the module driving device MD. In the illustrated example, the sphere 7 is formed of a magnetic metal and is adhesively fixed to the connecting member 3. Further, the magnet 8 is a two-pole magnet having different magnetic poles in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). This configuration has the effect of making the attraction of the sphere 7 by the magnet 8 more reliable.

[0116] Further, the module holder 2 may have a support arrangement portion 2M arranged below the connecting member 3. In this case, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 4, the first magnetic members MG1 (the first magnet 8A and the third magnet 8C) are arranged in a magnet housing portion 2S as a magnet arrangement portion formed on the lower surface (lower side) of the support arrangement portion 2M, and the first support SB1 may be arranged on the support arrangement portion 2M as shown in the upper figure of FIG. 4. Note that the magnet arrangement portion does not necessarily have to form a recess.

[0117] This configuration brings about the effect of enabling the thinning of the module drive device MD. Further, in this configuration, since the first support SB1 (the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C) formed of a magnetic material and the first magnetic member MG1 (the first magnet 8A and the third magnet 8C) fixed to the module holder 2 attract each other, it brings about the effect of being able to stabilize the contact between the first support SB1 (the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C) and the module holder 2.

[0118] Also, as shown in FIG. 19, in a plane cross-sectional view along the optical axis direction, the third magnetic member MG3 and the fourth magnetic member MG4 may be located on the axis of the second axis AX2. In this case, the third magnetic member MG3 and the fourth magnetic member MG4 may be arranged to be separated from each other in the axial direction of the second axis AX2 in a state where a magnetic force attracting each other acts.

[0119] This configuration brings about the effect of being able to appropriately suppress the swing of the module holder 2 around the first axis AX1 in the initial state of the module drive device MD.

[0120] Also, as shown in FIG. 19, a pair of the third magnetic member MG3 and the fourth magnetic member MG4 may be arranged at positions separated from each other in the axial direction of the second axis AX2 with the optical axis OA interposed therebetween.

[0121] This configuration brings about the effect of being able to more reliably hold the movable-side member MB (the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3) in the initial state of the module drive device MD.

[0122] Also, the fourth magnetic member MG4 may be constituted by magnets 8 (the second magnet 8B and the fourth magnet 8D). In this case, the third magnetic member MG3 may be constituted by a metal (the fifth portion 9A5 of the first inner conductive member 9A and the fifth portion 9B5 of the second inner conductive member 9B) provided on the module holder 2, and may be arranged inside the fourth magnetic member MG4 (on the side closer to the optical axis).

[0123] This configuration can achieve a simple configuration and has the effect of suppressing an increase in the number of magnets.

[0124] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the fixed-side member FB (base member 18) and the connecting member 3 may be connected so as to overlap in the optical axis direction via two second supports SB2 (second sphere 7B and fourth sphere 7D) arranged to face each other across the optical axis OA in the axial direction of the second axis AX2. In this case, the fourth magnetic member MG4 may be constituted by magnets (second magnet 8B and fourth magnet 8D), and the second support SB2 may be constituted by a magnetic material. Then, the fourth magnetic member MG4 and the second support SB2 may be arranged so as to attract each other in the optical axis direction.

[0125] This configuration has the effect of stabilizing the connection between the connecting member 3 and the fixed-side member FB (base member 18) via the spheres 7 (second sphere 7B and fourth sphere 7D) as the second support SB2, by also using the magnets 8 (second magnet 8B and fourth magnet 8D) which are the fourth magnetic member MG4 used for holding the movable-side member MB in the initial state of the module driving device MD.

[0126] Further, the base member 18 constituting the fixed-side member FB may have a support arrangement portion 18M. In this case, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 6, the fourth magnetic member MG4 (second magnet 8B and fourth magnet 8D) is arranged in a magnet housing portion 18S as a magnet arrangement portion formed on the lower surface (lower side) of the support arrangement portion 18M, and the second support SB2 (second sphere 7B and fourth sphere 7D) may be arranged on the support arrangement portion 18M as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 6. Note that the magnet arrangement portion does not necessarily have to form a recess.

[0127] This configuration has the effect of stabilizing the contact between the second support SB2 (the second sphere 7B and the fourth sphere 7D) formed of a magnetic material and the fixed-side member FB (the base member 18) because the second support SB2 (the second sphere 7B and the fourth sphere 7D) and the fourth magnetic member MG4 (the second magnet 8B and the fourth magnet 8D) fixed to the fixed-side member FB (the base member 18) attract each other.

[0128] Further, the module driving device MD may include a plurality of first shape memory alloy wires (the first wire SA1 to the fourth wire SA4) provided between the first movable part MB1 (the module holder 2) and the second movable part MB2 (the connecting member 3), and a plurality of second shape memory alloy wires (the fifth wire SA5 to the eighth wire SA8) provided between the second movable part MB2 (the connecting member 3) and the fixed-side member FB (the base member 18).

[0129] This configuration has the effect of increasing the degree of freedom of movement of the module holder 2.

[0130] Also, in the module driving device MD according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3, two first supports SB1 (the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C) may be fixed to the first member (the connecting member 3) which is one of the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 so as to face each other across the optical axis OA in the axial direction of the first axis AX1. In this case, at least the surface (the lower surface) on the side of the second member (the module holder 2) of the first support SB1 is formed in a convex curved surface shape and may be formed of metal or ceramic. And the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 may be arranged so as to partially overlap in the optical axis direction via the two first supports SB1.

[0131] Since the first support SB1 is formed of metal or ceramic in this configuration, it has the effect of suppressing the generation of wear powder due to contact between the first support SB1 and the second member as compared with the case where the first support SB1 is formed of synthetic resin. In the present embodiment, the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 are connected via two first supports SB1 so that the module holder 2 can swing around the first axis AX1.

[0132] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, two second supports SB2 (the second sphere 7B and the fourth sphere 7D) may be fixed to the connecting member 3, which is one of the connecting member 3 and the fixed-side member FB (base member 18), the third member (connecting member 3), so as to face each other across the optical axis OA in the axial direction of the second axis AX2. In this case, at least the surface (the lower surface) on the side of the fourth member (base member 18), which is the other of the connecting member 3 and the fixed-side member FB (base member 18), of the second support SB2 may be formed in a convex curved surface shape and may be formed of metal or ceramic. Then, the connecting member 3 and the fixed-side member FB (base member 18) may be arranged so as to overlap in the optical axis direction via the two second supports SB2.

[0133] Since the second support SB2 is formed of metal or ceramic in this configuration, it has the effect of suppressing the generation of wear powder due to contact between the second support SB2 and the fourth member as compared with the case where the second support SB2 is formed of synthetic resin. In the present embodiment, the connecting member 3 is connected to and supported by the fixed-side member FB (base member 18) via two second supports SB2 so that the connecting member 3 can swing around the second axis AX2.

[0134] Further, each of the first support SB1 and the second support SB2 may be constituted by a metal sphere 7.

[0135] This configuration brings about the effect of facilitating the enhancement of sphericity compared to the case of forming a sphere with a material other than metal. Therefore, this configuration brings about the effect of being able to enhance the stability of the movement of the movable member MB with respect to the fixed member FB. Further, this configuration brings about the effect of facilitating the enhancement of durability compared to the case of forming a sphere with a material other than metal. Also, unlike the case of having a shape other than a sphere, this configuration brings about the effect of being able to enhance the productivity (assemblability) of the module driving device MD because there is no need to worry about the orientation during assembly.

[0136] Further, the module holder 2 may have a support body arrangement portion 2M disposed below the connecting member 3. In this case, a first support body SB1 may be disposed above the support body arrangement portion 2M (the subject side), and the first support body SB1 and the second support body SB2 may be fixed to the lower side (the lower surface side) of the connecting member 3.

[0137] This configuration brings about the effect of being able to suppress the height dimension of the module driving device MD in the optical axis direction compared to the case where the entire module holder 2 is disposed at a position higher than the connecting member 3 in the optical axis direction, for example. Also, since the first support body SB1 and the second support body SB2 are fixed to the same member (connecting member 3), this configuration brings about the effect of being able to enhance the productivity (assemblability) of the module driving device MD.

[0138] Further, the first support body SB1 and the second support body SB2 may be formed of a magnetic material. In this case, on the second member (module holder 2) which is the other of the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3, as shown in the upper figure of FIG. 4, magnets 8 (first magnet 8A and third magnet 8C) for causing an attractive force to act between the first support body SB1 may be fixed at positions spaced apart from the first support body SB1 in the optical axis direction. Also, on the fourth member (base member 18) which is the other of the connecting member 3 and the fixed member FB (base member 18), as shown in the upper figure of FIG. 6, magnets 8 (second magnet 8B and fourth magnet 8D) for causing an attractive force to act between the second support body SB2 may be fixed at positions spaced apart from the second support body SB2 in the optical axis direction.

[0139] This configuration makes the contact between the first support SB1 and the second member, and the contact between the second support SB2 and the fourth member more reliable, and has the effect of making the swinging operation of the movable-side member MB more stable.

[0140] Also, as shown in FIG. 15, the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3 may be configured to be relatively rotatable about the optical axis OA. And, on the other second member (module holder 2) of the module holder 2 and the connecting member 3, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 15, an arc-shaped (partially annular) first groove portion (concave portion 2R) is formed in a plan view, and during relative rotation, the first support SB1 (the first sphere 7A and the third sphere 7C) may slide on the first groove portion (concave portion 2R). And / or, the connecting member 3 and the fixed-side member FB (base member 18) may be configured to be relatively rotatable about the optical axis OA. And, on the other fourth member (base member 18) of the connecting member 3 and the fixed-side member FB (base member 18), an arc-shaped (partially annular) second groove portion (concave portion 18R) is formed in a plan view, and during relative rotation, the second support SB2 (the second sphere 7B and the fourth sphere 7D) may slide on the second groove portion (concave portion 18R).

[0141] This configuration has the effect of enabling not only pitching correction and yawing correction but also rotation correction (rolling correction) around the optical axis OA as shake correction.

[0142] The drive unit DM (a plurality of shape memory alloy wires SA) may include a plurality of first shape memory alloy wires (first wire SA1 to fourth wire SA4) provided between a first movable part MB1 including a module holder 2 and a second movable part MB2 including a connecting member 3, and a plurality of second shape memory alloy wires (fifth wire SA5 to eighth wire SA8) provided between the second movable part MB2 and a fixed-side member FB (base member 18). In this case, as shown in the top view of FIG. 7, when viewed along the optical axis direction, the first shape memory alloy wires (first wire SA1 to fourth wire SA4) may be arranged such that a straight line SL passing through one end and the other end of the first shape memory alloy wires (first wire SA1 to fourth wire SA4) is substantially parallel to the second axis AX2 (substantially perpendicular to the first axis AX1). Also, as shown in the top view of FIG. 8, when viewed along the optical axis direction, the second shape memory alloy wires (fifth wire SA5 to eighth wire SA8) may be arranged such that a straight line SL passing through one end and the other end of the second shape memory alloy wires (fifth wire SA5 to eighth wire SA8) is substantially parallel to the first axis AX1 (substantially perpendicular to the second axis AX2). Further, each of the first shape memory alloy wires (first wire SA1 to fourth wire SA4) and the second shape memory alloy wires (fifth wire SA5 to eighth wire SA8) may have one end and the other end at different positions in the optical axis direction, as shown in the front view of FIG. 7 and the right side view of FIG. 8. That is, the height of one end and the height of the other end may be different. Also, the axis AX (first axis AX1 and second axis AX2) may pass through the center of the sphere 7 and exist between one end and the other end of the shape memory alloy wires (first wire SA1 to eighth wire SA8) in the optical axis direction.

[0143] Also, in the illustrated example, the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2 exist at the same height position in the optical axis direction, that is, on the same plane, but they do not necessarily have to exist on the same plane. However, the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2 preferably exist at the same height position in the optical axis direction.

[0144] The configuration in which the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2 are at the same height position in the optical axis direction brings the effect that the degree of freedom of movement of the module holder 2 can be increased compared to the configuration in which the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2 are at different height positions in the optical axis direction. This is because the center point of rotation (oscillation) around the first axis AX1 and the center point of rotation (oscillation) around the second axis AX2 are the same.

[0145] Also, the configuration in which one end and the other end of the shape memory alloy wire SA are at different height positions in the optical axis direction brings the effect that the oscillation amount (oscillation angle) of the module holder 2 can be increased compared to the configuration in which one end and the other end of the shape memory alloy wire SA are at the same height position in the optical axis direction. Even if the distance between the projection point of one end and the projection point of the other end of the shape memory alloy wire SA in a plane parallel to the XY plane is the same, in the configuration where one end and the other end are at different height positions in the optical axis direction, the length (distance between one end and the other end) of the shape memory alloy wire SA is larger than that in the configuration where one end and the other end are at the same height position in the optical axis direction.

[0146] Also, as shown in the front view of FIG. 7, the first shape memory alloy wire (the first wire SA1 to the fourth wire SA4) may have one end and the other end located on different sides with respect to the first virtual plane PL1 that is perpendicular to the second axis AX2 and includes the first axis AX1. Also, as shown in the right side view of FIG. 8, the second shape memory alloy wire (the fifth wire SA5 to the eighth wire SA8) may have one end and the other end located on different sides with respect to the second virtual plane PL2 that is perpendicular to the first axis AX1 and includes the second axis AX2. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 7, one end of the first wire SA1 is located on the right side (Y2 side) of the first virtual plane PL1, and the other end is located on the left side (Y1 side) of the first virtual plane PL1. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, one end of the fifth wire SA5 is located on the rear side (X2 side) of the second virtual plane PL2, and the other end is located on the front side (X1 side) of the second virtual plane PL2.

[0147] Also, as shown in the top view of FIG. 7, in a plan view seen along the optical axis direction, one of one end and the other end of the first shape memory alloy wire (first wire SA1 to fourth wire SA4) may be located closer to the first axis AX1 than the other of one end and the other end of the first shape memory alloy wire (first wire SA1 to fourth wire SA4). Further, as shown in the top view of FIG. 8, in a plan view seen along the optical axis direction, one of one end and the other end of the second shape memory alloy wire (fifth wire SA5 to eighth wire SA8) may be located closer to the second axis AX2 than the other of one end and the other end of the second shape memory alloy wire (fifth wire SA5 to eighth wire SA8). In the illustrated example, as shown in the top view of FIG. 7, the distance D1R between one end (right end) of the first wire SA1 and the first axis AX1 in the plan view is smaller than the distance D1L between the other end (left end) of the first wire SA1 and the first axis AX1 in the plan view. Also, as shown in the top view of FIG. 8, the distance D5B between one end (rear end) of the fifth wire SA5 and the second axis AX2 in the plan view is smaller than the distance D5F between the other end (front end) of the fifth wire SA5 and the second axis AX2 in the plan view.

[0148] This configuration brings about the effect that the movable side member MB can be swung even when the angle θ (see FIGS. 7 and 8) between the straight line SL passing through one end and the other end of the shape memory alloy wire SA and the axis AX in the side view is large. Further, this configuration can increase the swing amount (swing angle) of the movable side member MB (module holder 2 and connecting member 3) even when the contraction amount of the shape memory alloy wire SA that contracts by energization is small. This is because one end of the shape memory alloy wire SA is fixed at a position close to the axis AX.

[0149] Further, as shown in the front view of FIG. 7, the first shape memory alloy wires (first wire SA1 to fourth wire SA4) have the first wire SA1 and the second wire SA2 arranged to intersect each other when viewed along the first axis AX1. When viewed along the first axis AX1, the first intersection point NP1 between the straight line SL1 passing through one end and the other end of the first wire SA1 and the straight line SL2 passing through one end and the other end of the second wire SA2 may be at a position different from the first axis AX1. Also, as shown in the right side view of FIG. 8, the second shape memory alloy wires (fifth wire SA5 to eighth wire SA8) have the third wire (fifth wire SA5) and the fourth wire (sixth wire SA6) arranged to intersect each other when viewed along the second axis AX2. When viewed along the second axis AX2, the second intersection point NP2 between the straight line SL5 passing through one end and the other end of the fifth wire SA5 and the straight line SL6 passing through one end and the other end of the sixth wire SA6 may be at a position different from the second axis AX2.

[0150] This configuration has the effect of enabling the movable side member MB to be reliably swung by energizing the shape memory alloy wire SA.

[0151] Also, as shown in the front view of FIG. 7, the first axis AX1 may be above the first intersection point NP1, and as shown in the right side view of FIG. 8, the second axis AX2 may be above the second intersection point NP2.

[0152] This configuration has the effect of suppressing the height dimension of the module drive device MD. Also, this configuration can avoid the situation where, in a side view, the straight line connecting the rotation (swing) center and one end of the shape memory alloy wire SA coincides with the straight line connecting one end and the other end of the shape memory alloy wire SA, thus having the effect of avoiding the movable side member MB from rotating (swinging) in an undesired rotation (swing) direction.

[0153] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications, substitutions, etc. can be applied without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, each of the features described with reference to the above embodiments may be appropriately combined as long as there is no technical contradiction.

[0154] For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in the top view of FIG. 7, in a plan view seen along the optical axis direction, the first shape memory alloy wire (the first wire SA1 to the fourth wire SA4) is arranged such that a straight line SL passing through one end and the other end of the first shape memory alloy wire (the first wire SA1 to the fourth wire SA4) is substantially parallel to the second axis AX2 (substantially perpendicular to the first axis AX1). However, it may be arranged to be substantially parallel to the first axis AX1 (substantially perpendicular to the second axis AX2).

[0155] Also, in the above embodiment, as shown in the top view of FIG. 8, in a plan view seen along the optical axis direction, the second shape memory alloy wire (the fifth wire SA5 to the eighth wire SA8) is arranged such that a straight line SL passing through one end and the other end of the second shape memory alloy wire (the fifth wire SA5 to the eighth wire SA8) is substantially parallel to the first axis AX1 (substantially perpendicular to the second axis AX2). However, it may be arranged to be substantially parallel to the second axis AX2 (substantially perpendicular to the first axis AX1).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0156] 1 ··· Cover member 1A ··· Side plate part 1A1 ··· First side plate part 1A2 ··· Second side plate part 1A3 ··· Third side plate part 1A4 ··· Fourth side plate part 1B ··· Top plate part 1K ··· Opening 2 ··· Module holder 2A ··· Frame body 2A1 ··· First side part 2A2 ··· Second side part 2A3 ··· Third side part 2A4 ··· Fourth side part 2M ··· Support body arrangement part 2M1 ··· First support body arrangement part 2M2 ··· Second support body arrangement part 2R ··· Recess 2R1 ··· First recess 2R2 ··· Second recess 2S ··· Magnet housing part 2S1 ··· First magnet housing part 2S2 ··· Second magnet housing part 3 ··· Connecting member 3A ··· Frame body 3A1 ··· First side part 3A2 ··· Second side part 3A3 ··· Third side part 3A4 ··· Fourth side part 3R ··· Recess 3R1 ··· First recess 3R2 ··· Second recess 3R3 ··· Third recess 3R4 ··· Fourth recess 4 ··· Movable side cover member 4A ··· Side plate part 4A1 ··· First side plate part 4A2 ··· Second side plate part 4A3 ··· Third side plate part 4A4 ··· Fourth side plate part 4B ··· Top plate part 4K ··· Opening 5 ··· Metal member 5F ··· Proximal side metal member 5F1 ··· First proximal side metal member 5F2 ··· Second proximal side metal member 5F3 ··· Third proximal side metal member 5F4 ··· Fourth proximal side metal member 5F5 ··· Fifth proximal side metal member 5F6 ··· Sixth proximal side metal member 5F7 ··· Seventh proximal side metal member 5F8 ··· Eighth proximal side metal member 5M ··· Distal side metal member 5M1 ··· First distal side metal member 5M2 ··· Second distal side metal member 5M3 ··· Third distal side metal member 5M4 ··· Fourth distal side metal member 5M5 ··· Fifth distal side metal member 5M6 ··· Sixth distal side metal member 5M7 ··· Seventh distal side metal member 5M8 ··· Eighth distal side metal member 6 ··· Flexible metal member 6A ··· First flexible metal member 6A1 ··· First part 6A2 ··· Second part 6A3 ··· Third part 6B ··· Second flexible metal member 6B1 ··· First part 6B2 ··· Second part 6C ··· Third flexible metal member 6C1 ··· First part 6C2 ··· Second part 6D ··· Fourth flexible metal member 6D1 ··· First part 6D2 ··· Second part 6D3 ··· Third part 6E ··· Fifth flexible metal member 6E1 ··· First part 6E2 ··· Second part 6F ··· Sixth flexible metal member 6F1 ··· First part6F2 ··· Part 2 7 ··· Sphere 7A ··· First Sphere 7B ··· Second Sphere 7C ··· Third Sphere 7D ··· Fourth Sphere 8 ··· Magnet 8A ··· First Magnet 8B ··· Second Magnet 8C ··· Third Magnet 8D ··· Fourth Magnet 9 ··· Inner Conductive Member 9A ··· First Inner Conductive Member 9A1 ··· First Part 9A2 ··· Second Part 9A3 ··· Third Part 9A4 ··· Fourth Part 9A5 ··· Fifth Part 9B ··· Second Inner Conductive Member 9B1 ··· First Part 9B2 ··· Second Part 9B3 ··· Third Part 9B4 ··· Fourth Part 9B5 ··· Fifth Part 10 ··· Central Conductive Member 10A ··· First Central Conductive Member 10A1 ··· First Part 10A2 ··· Second Part 10B ··· Second Central Conductive Member 10B1 ··· First Part 10B2 ··· Second Part 10C ··· Third Central Conductive Member 10C1 ··· First Part 10C2 ··· Second Part 10D ··· Fourth Central Conductive Member 10D1 ··· First Part 10D2 ··· Second Part 11 ··· Outer Conductive Member 11A ··· First Outer Conductive Member 11A1 ··· First Part 11A2 ··· Second Part 11A3 ··· Third Part 11B ··· Second Outer Conductive Member 11B1 ··· First Part 11B2 ··· Second Part 11C ··· Third Outer Conductive Member 11C1 ··· First Part 11C2 ··· Second Part 11D ··· Fourth Outer Conductive Member 11D1 ··· First Part 11D2 ··· Second Part 11D3 ··· Third Part 11E ··· Fifth Outer Conductive Member 11E1 ··· First Part 11E2 ··· Second Part 11F ··· Sixth Outer Conductive Member 11F1 ··· First Part 11F2 ··· Second Part 18 ··· Base Member 18A ··· Frame 18A1 ··· First Side Portion 18A2 ··· Second Side Portion 18A3 ··· Third Side Portion 18A4 ··· Fourth Side Portion 18M ··· Support Body Arrangement Portion 18M1 ··· First Support Body Arrangement Portion 18M2 ··· Second Support Body Arrangement Portion 18R ··· Recess 18R1 ··· First Recess 18R2 ··· Second Recess 18S ··· Magnet Accommodation Portion 18S1 ··· First Magnet Accommodation Portion 18S2 ··· Second Magnet Accommodation Portion AX ··· Axis AX1 ··· First Axis AX2 ··· Second Axis CF1 ··· First Fixing Portion CF2 ··· Second Fixing Portion CF3 ··· Third Fixing Portion CF4 ··· Fourth Fixing Portion CF5 ··· Fifth Fixing Portion CF6 ··· Sixth Fixing Portion CF7 ··· Seventh Fixing PortionCF8 ··· 8th fixing part CL1 ··· 1st circle CL2 ··· 2nd circle CM1 ··· 1st fixing part CM2 ··· 2nd fixing part CM3 ··· 3rd fixing part CM4 ··· 4th fixing part CM5 ··· 5th fixing part CM6 ··· 6th fixing part CM7 ··· 7th fixing part CM8 ··· 8th fixing part CTR ··· control device DM ··· drive part FB ··· fixed side member FC ··· substrate FC1 ··· outer part FC2 ··· inner part FC3 ··· connecting part FC3L ··· left connecting part FC3R ··· right connecting part HS ··· housing IS ··· imaging element J1~J8 ··· holding part LD ··· lens drive device LS ··· lens body MB ··· movable side member MB1 ··· 1st movable part MB2 ··· 2nd movable part MD, MD1 ··· module drive device MG ··· magnetic member MG1 ··· 1st magnetic member MG2 ··· 2nd magnetic member MG3 ··· 3rd magnetic member MG4 ··· 4th magnetic member NP1 ··· 1st intersection point NP2 ··· 2nd intersection point OA ··· optical axis OM ··· optical module SA ··· shape memory alloy wire SA1 ··· 1st wire SA2 ··· 2nd wire SA3 ··· 3rd wire SA4 ··· 4th wire SA5 ··· 5th wire SA6 ··· 6th wire SA7 ··· 7th wire SA8 ··· 8th wire SB ··· support SB1 ··· 1st support SB2 ··· 2nd support SL, SL1, SL2, SL5, SL6 ··· straight line SP ··· spacer SPK ··· opening

Claims

1. A module holder capable of holding an optical module having a lens body and an imaging device, A connecting member connected to the module holder so that the module holder can swing around a first axis intersecting the optical axis direction, A fixed-side member connected to the connecting member so that the connecting member can swing around a second axis intersecting the optical axis direction and perpendicular to the axial direction of the first axis, A drive unit configured to have a plurality of shape memory alloy wires that move the module holder relative to the fixed-side member, Having a first magnetic member, a second magnetic member, a third magnetic member, and a fourth magnetic member, The first movable part including the module holder has the third magnetic member, At least one of the second movable part including the connecting member and the fixed-side member has the fourth magnetic member, At least one of the third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member is constituted by a magnet, and the posture of the module holder is maintained in an initial state where the drive unit is not driven by the magnetic force acting between the third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member. The movable-side member including the first movable part and the second movable part has the first magnetic member, The fixed-side member has the second magnetic member, At least one of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member is constituted by a magnet, and the posture of the connecting member in the initial state is maintained by the magnetic force acting between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. A module drive device characterized by the above.

2. In a plan view along the optical axis direction, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are located on the axis of the first axis, The first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are arranged to be separated from each other in the axial direction of the first axis in a state where a magnetic force attracting each other acts. The module drive device according to claim 1.

3. The first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are arranged in a pair at positions separated from each other in the axial direction of the first axis with the optical axis interposed therebetween. The module drive device according to claim 2.

4. The first magnetic member is constituted by a magnet, The second magnetic member is constituted by a metal having magnetism provided on a base member constituting the fixed-side member, and is arranged outside the first magnetic member. The module drive device according to claim 3.

5. The module holder and the connecting member are connected so as to overlap in the optical axis direction via two first supports arranged to face each other with the optical axis interposed therebetween in the axial direction of the first axis. The first magnetic member is constituted by a magnet. The first support is constituted by a magnetic material. The first magnetic member and the first support are arranged so as to attract each other in the optical axis direction. The module driving device according to claim 3.

6. The module holder has a support arrangement portion. The first magnetic member is arranged below the support arrangement portion. The first support is arranged on the support arrangement portion. The module driving device according to claim 5.

7. In a plan view along the optical axis direction, the third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member are located on the axis of the second axis. The third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member are arranged to be separated from each other in the axial direction of the second axis in a state where a magnetic force attracting each other acts. The module driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A pair of the third magnetic member and the fourth magnetic member are arranged at positions separated from each other in the axial direction of the second axis with the optical axis interposed therebetween. The module driving device according to claim 7.

9. The fourth magnetic member is constituted by a magnet. The third magnetic member is constituted by a magnetic metal provided on the module holder and is arranged inside the fourth magnetic member. The module driving device according to claim 8.

10. The fixed-side member and the connecting member are connected so as to overlap in the optical axis direction via two second supports arranged to face each other with the optical axis interposed therebetween in the axial direction of the second axis. The fourth magnetic member is constituted by a magnet. The second support is constituted by a magnetic material. The fourth magnetic member and the second support are arranged so as to attract each other in the optical axis direction. The module driving device according to claim 8.

11. The base member constituting the fixed-side member has a support arrangement portion. The fourth magnetic member is arranged below the support arrangement portion. The second support is arranged on the support arrangement portion. The module driving device according to claim 10.

12. The drive unit includes a plurality of first shape memory alloy wires provided between the first movable part and the second movable part, and a plurality of second shape memory alloy wires provided between the second movable part and the fixed-side member. It has. The module drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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