Optical unit

Abstract

To reduce the size of an optical unit.SOLUTION: Provided is an optical unit 1 comprising a fixed body 10, a movable body 20 in which a lens unit 22 is disposed, and a gimbal mechanism 30 for supporting the movable body 20 to the fixed body 10 to be capable of rotationally moving in a direction crossing the optical axis direction as a pivot shaft. The gimbal mechanism 30 includes a fixed body side leg part 30A connected to the fixed body 10, and a movable body side leg part 30B connected to the movable body 20. At least one of the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side leg part 30A as a pair and the movable body 20 and movable body side leg part 30B as a pair is connected directly without any other member interposed therebetween.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical unit.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various optical units have been used. Among these, there are various optical units including a fixed body, a movable body provided with a lens unit, and a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body with respect to the fixed body about an axis of rotation in a direction intersecting the optical axis direction. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical unit including a fixed body, a movable body provided with an optical module, and a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body with respect to the fixed body about a first direction and a second direction intersecting the optical axis direction as axes of rotation. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an optical unit including a fixed body, a movable body provided with a camera module, and an intermediate member that rotatably supports the movable body with respect to the fixed body about a first intersection direction and a second intersection direction intersecting the optical axis direction as axes of rotation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional optical unit including a fixed body such as the optical units of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a movable body provided with a lens unit, and a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body with respect to the fixed body about an axis of rotation in a direction intersecting the optical axis direction, the fixed body, the movable body, and the gimbal mechanism are connected via other members. For example, in the optical unit of Patent Document 1, the fixed body, the movable body, and the gimbal mechanism are connected via a thrust receiving member. Further, in the optical unit of Patent Document 2, the movable body and the gimbal mechanism are connected via a first support member, and the fixed body and the gimbal mechanism are connected via a second support member.

[0005] However, in a configuration in which the fixed body, the movable body, and the gimbal mechanism are connected via other members, such as the optical units of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, not only does the size of the other members add up, but it is also necessary to provide regions for adhering or welding the other members to the fixed body and the movable body. For this reason, the connection portion between the fixed body, the movable body, and the gimbal mechanism tends to be enlarged, and there has been a problem that the optical unit becomes larger.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Therefore, the optical unit of the present invention includes a fixed body, a movable body provided with a lens unit, and a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body with respect to the fixed body about an axis of rotation in a direction intersecting the optical axis direction. The gimbal mechanism has a fixed body side leg portion connected to the fixed body and a movable body side leg portion connected to the movable body, and at least one of the fixed body and the fixed body side leg portion and the movable body and the movable body side leg portion is directly connected without intervening other members.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The optical unit of the present invention can be miniaturized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the optical unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. In each figure, the Z-axis direction is the optical axis direction, the X-axis direction is the direction intersecting the optical axis AX, in other words, the axial direction of yawing, and the Y-axis direction is the direction intersecting the optical axis AX, in other words, the axial direction of pitching. Also, among the Z-axis directions, the +Z direction in which the arrow points is the direction of the subject side, and the -Z direction, which is the direction opposite to the direction in which the arrow points, is the direction of the anti-subject side opposite to the subject side. Further, in this specification, the direction intersecting the Z-axis direction is defined as the width direction, and both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction correspond to one direction among the width directions.

[0010] The optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes a movable body 20 having a lens unit 22, and a fixed body 10 surrounding the movable body 20 in a circumferential direction intersecting the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) of the lens unit 22. Further, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes a gimbal mechanism 30 that rotatably supports the movable body 20 with respect to the fixed body 10 about axes of rotation in directions (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) intersecting the optical axis direction. Furthermore, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes a drive unit 60 having a coil 61 disposed on the fixed body 10 and magnets 62 (magnets 62A and 62B) disposed at positions facing the coil 61 (coils 61A and 61B) in the movable body 20. Note that the coil 61 is provided inside a flexible printed circuit board 63 attached to the fixed body 10 as viewed from the optical axis direction.

[0011] <Overall Configuration of Optical Unit> First, the overall configuration of the optical unit 1 of this embodiment will be described. The optical unit 1 of this embodiment can be preferably used in a camera, a smartphone, or the like. This is because the optical unit 1 of this embodiment can be configured compactly, and the camera or smartphone can be configured compactly. However, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment is not limited to a camera or a smartphone, and can be used in various devices without particularly limiting the application.

[0012] The optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes a movable body 20 having a lens unit 22 provided with a lens or the like. The movable body 20 has a lens unit 22 and a holder 21 that surrounds the movable body 20 in the circumferential direction intersecting the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) of the lens unit 22. Further, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes a fixed body 10 that covers the lens unit 22 in a state where a part of the lens unit 22 is exposed from the +Z direction. The fixed body 10 has a housing portion 11, a metal case 12 that is housed in the housing portion 11 and surrounds the movable body 20 in the circumferential direction, and a resin case 13 attached to the outside of the metal case 12. Further, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes a gimbal mechanism 30 between the movable body 20 and the fixed body 10, the gimbal mechanism 30 having a fixed body side leg portion 30A connected to the fixed body 10, a movable body side leg portion 30B connected to the movable body 20, and a flat plate portion 30C provided with the fixed body side leg portion 30A and the movable body side leg portion 30B. The gimbal mechanism 30 has spring properties and supports the movable body 20 so as to be rotatable with respect to the fixed body 10 about the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction as rotation axes.

[0013] <Movable body> The movable body 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The lens unit 22 is held inside the holder 21 when viewed from the optical axis direction, and is arranged so that the lens forming portion protrudes from the +Z direction surface of the holder 21. Further, a magnet 62A as a magnet 62 constituting a drive unit 60 for moving the movable body 20 with respect to the fixed body 10 is provided on the side surface of the holder 21 in the +X direction. Further, a magnet 62B as a magnet 62 constituting the drive unit 60 is provided on the side surface of the holder 21 in the +Y direction. Here, both the magnet 62A and the magnet 62B have the same configuration. Note that the magnet 62A and the magnet 62B can also be regarded as a part of the movable body 20.

[0014] <Fixed body> The fixed body 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Inside the housing part 11, a metal case 12 with a resin case 13 attached thereto is arranged. And a movable body 20 is arranged inside the metal case 12 as viewed from the optical axis direction. Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the case part 14 is constituted by the metal case 12 and the resin case 13. Further, coils 61 constituting the drive part 60 are provided on the side surface on the +X direction side and the side surface on the +Y direction side of the resin case 13. These coils 61 are arranged at positions facing the magnet 62A and the magnet 62B. Here, the coil 61A at the position facing the magnet 62A among the coils 61 and the coil 61B at the position facing the magnet 62B among the coils 61 have the same configuration.

[0015] <Gimbal mechanism> The gimbal mechanism 30 has a flat plate part 30C with a circular hole passing through the lens forming part of the lens unit 22 and having a rectangular outer shape, and fixed body side legs 30A and movable body side legs 30B which are connection parts between the fixed body 10 and the movable body 20. The fixed body side legs 30A and the movable body side legs 30B are formed at the four corners of the rectangular flat plate part 30C. Among these, the fixed body side legs 30A which are two connection parts on the diagonal are rotatably connected to the fixed body 10, and the movable body side legs 30B which are two connection parts on the other diagonal are rotatably connected to the movable body 20. Details of the connection part between the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side legs 30A and the connection part between the movable body 20 and the movable body side legs 30B will be described later.

[0016] Note that the optical unit 1 of this embodiment is configured such that the movable body 20 can be rotated with respect to the fixed body 10 in the yawing axis direction and the pitching axis direction by the gimbal mechanism 30. However, further, a mechanism different from the gimbal mechanism 30 may be provided so that the movable body 20 can be rotated with respect to the fixed body 10 in the rolling direction.

[0017] <Drive part> Next, the drive unit 60 will be described. As described above, the magnets 62A and 62B have the same configuration, and the two coils 61A and 61B arranged at positions facing the magnets 62A and 62B have the same configuration. The optical unit 1 of this embodiment has, as the drive unit 60, a pitching axis rotation mechanism including the magnet 62A and the coil 61A, and a yawing axis rotation mechanism including the magnet 62B and the coil 61B. However, it is not limited to such a configuration, and it may be configured to include only one of the pitching axis rotation mechanism and the yawing axis rotation mechanism. Further, a rolling axis rotation mechanism that allows the movable body 20 to rotate in the rolling direction with respect to the fixed body 10 may be provided.

[0018] <Connection portion between the fixed body, the movable body, and the gimbal mechanism> Next, the connection portion between the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side leg portion 30A and the connection portion between the movable body 20 and the movable body side leg portion 30B will be described. Note that there are two connection portions between the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side leg portion 30A, and there are also two connection portions between the movable body 20 and the movable body side leg portion 30B, and all of these have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description of the connection portion between the fixed body 10 and the movable body 20 and the gimbal mechanism 30, the fixed body 10 can be read as the movable body 20, and the fixed body side leg portion 30A can be read as the movable body side leg portion 30B. Further, the movable body 20 can be read as the fixed body 10, and the movable body side leg portion 30B can be read as the fixed body side leg portion 30A.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a convex portion 31 protruding inward is provided on the fixed body side leg portion 30A of the gimbal mechanism 30. Further, at the position of the connection surface 12A (see FIG. 5) of the fixed body 10 where the convex portion 31 is disposed when the gimbal mechanism 30 is connected to the fixed body 10, a concave portion 81 recessed inward is provided. Similarly, a convex portion 31 protruding inward is provided on the movable body side leg portion 30B of the gimbal mechanism 30. Further, at the position of the connection surface 21A (see FIGS. 6 to 8) of the movable body 20 where the convex portion 31 is disposed when the gimbal mechanism 30 is connected to the movable body 20, a concave portion 81 recessed inward is provided.

[0020] With the fixed body 10, the movable body 20, and the gimbal mechanism 30 having such a configuration, in each of the corresponding convex portion 31 and concave portion 81, the convex portion 31 engages with the concave portion 81 as shown in FIG. 7, for example. As shown in FIG. 7, when the gimbal mechanism 30 is connected to the movable body 20, the movable body side leg portion 30B is fitted from the outside to the connection surface 21A of the movable body 20, and at that time, the applied pressure G is applied due to the spring property of the movable body side leg portion 30B. Similarly, although not shown, when the gimbal mechanism 30 is connected to the fixed body 10, the fixed body side leg portion 30A is fitted from the outside to the connection surface 12A of the fixed body 10, and at that time, the applied pressure G is applied due to the spring property of the fixed body side leg portion 30A. With such a configuration, both the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side leg portion 30A, and the movable body 20 and the movable body side leg portion 30B are directly connected without intervening other members.

[0021] Here, to summarize once, the optical unit 1 of the present embodiment includes a fixed body 10, a movable body 20 provided with a lens unit 22, and a gimbal mechanism 30 that rotatably supports the movable body 20 with respect to the fixed body 10 about rotation axes in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction that intersect the optical axis direction. Here, the gimbal mechanism 30 has a fixed body side leg portion 30A connected to the fixed body 10 and a movable body side leg portion 30B connected to the movable body 20.

[0022] The fixed body 10 and the fixed-body side leg portion 30A, and the movable body 20 and the movable-body side leg portion 30B are directly connected without using other members such as a thrust receiving member, for example. In other words, the optical unit 1 of the present embodiment can be configured such that the gimbal mechanism 30 is supported by the fixed body 10 so as to be rotatable about an axis intersecting the optical axis direction without using other members, and the gimbal mechanism 30 can be supported by the movable body 20 so as to be rotatable about an axis intersecting the optical axis direction without using other members. That is, "directly connected without using other members" can be read as "connected without using other members".

[0023] As in the optical unit 1 of the present embodiment, at least one of the fixed body 10 and the fixed-body side leg portion 30A, and the movable body 20 and the movable-body side leg portion 30B is directly connected without using other members, so that at the connection portion between the fixed body 10 and the movable body 20 and the gimbal mechanism 30, the need to separately prepare a connecting member (such as a thrust receiving member) for connecting the fixed body 10 and the movable body 20 and the gimbal mechanism 30 can be eliminated.

[0024] By eliminating the need to separately prepare a connecting member such as a thrust receiving member, the number of members can be reduced, and the connection process of the connecting member can be reduced. Furthermore, since the connection portion can be miniaturized, the optical unit 1 can be miniaturized.

[0025] Also, if the configuration is such that a connecting member is separately prepared, for example, the connecting member may be adhered or welded to the connection surface 12A or the connection surface 21A. However, with the configuration as in the present embodiment, the area required for adhering or welding the connecting member to the connection surface 12A or the connection surface 21A can be eliminated from the connection surface 12A or the connection surface 21A, and the connection surface 12A or the connection surface 21A can be narrowed. And this enables miniaturization of the optical unit 1 in particular. Note that the connection surface (connection surface 12A or connection surface 21A) for connecting the connecting member may be made of metal or resin, for example, and there is no particular limitation on the material.

[0026] In the optical unit 1 of the present embodiment, both the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side leg portion 30A, and the movable body 20 and the movable body side leg portion 30B are directly connected without intervening other members. By adopting such a configuration, both the connection portion between the fixed body 10 and the gimbal mechanism 30 and the connection portion between the movable body 20 and the gimbal mechanism 30 can be miniaturized, and in particular, the optical unit 1 can be miniaturized.

[0027] However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and it is sufficient that only one of the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side leg portion 30A, and the movable body 20 and the movable body side leg portion 30B is directly connected without intervening other members. Further, when there are a plurality of connection portions between the fixed body 10 and the gimbal mechanism 30 and between the movable body 20 and the gimbal mechanism 30, in at least one of them, the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side leg portion 30A, and the movable body 20 and the movable body side leg portion 30B may be directly connected without intervening other members.

[0028] Also, as shown in FIG. 7 and the like, in the optical unit 1 of the present embodiment, the movable body 20 and the movable body side leg portion 30B are connected by a convex portion 31 and a concave portion 81 that engages with the convex portion 31. Similarly, in the optical unit 1 of the present embodiment, the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side leg portion 30A are also connected by a convex portion 31 and a concave portion 81 that engages with the convex portion 31. Thus, it is preferable that at least one of the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side leg portion 30A, and the movable body 20 and the movable body side leg portion 30B is connected by a convex portion 31 and a concave portion 81 that engages with the convex portion 31.

[0029] By adopting such a configuration, the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 81 can be easily configured, and the fixed body 10 and the movable body 20 can be easily slid with respect to the gimbal mechanism 30 at the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 81, and the movable body 20 can be easily rotated with respect to the fixed body 10. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a columnar protrusion may be provided instead of the convex portion 31, and a round hole for inserting the protrusion may be provided instead of the concave portion 81.

[0030] Also, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, the convex portion 31 is formed by deforming a part of the flat plate-shaped fixed body side leg portion 30A and the movable body side leg portion 30B together. Therefore, the number of parts at the connection portion between the fixed body 10, the movable body 20, and the gimbal mechanism 30 can be reduced due to the formation of the convex portion 31.

[0031] However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a configuration in which a ball-shaped member or the like is welded or adhered to the flat plate-shaped fixed body side leg portion 30A and the movable body side leg portion 30B may be used. By adopting a configuration in which a ball-shaped member or the like is welded or adhered to the fixed body side leg portion 30A and the movable body side leg portion 30B, the protruding amount into the concave portion 81 can be easily increased, and the convex portion 31 can be configured robustly, so that the applied pressure G can be increased, and the supporting force when the gimbal mechanism 30 supports the fixed body 10 or the movable body 20 can be strengthened.

[0032] Also, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, the convex portion 31 is provided on the fixed body side leg portion 30A and the concave portion 81 is provided on the fixed body 10, and the convex portion 31 is provided on the movable body side leg portion 30B and the concave portion 81 is provided on the movable body 20. Thus, it is preferable to satisfy at least one of the following: the convex portion 31 is provided on the fixed body side leg portion 30A and the concave portion 81 is provided on the fixed body 10; the convex portion 31 is provided on the movable body side leg portion 30B and the concave portion 81 is provided on the movable body 20. This is because such a configuration can easily form the connection portion between the fixed body 10, the movable body 20, and the gimbal mechanism 30.

[0033] However, it is not limited to such a configuration. A configuration in which a concave portion is provided on the fixed body side leg portion 30A and a convex portion is provided on the fixed body 10 may be used, or a configuration in which a concave portion is provided on the movable body side leg portion 30B and a convex portion is provided on the movable body 20 may be used. By adopting such a configuration, the connection between the fixed body 10, the movable body 20, and the gimbal mechanism 30 becomes simple when connecting them.

[0034] Specifically, when connecting the fixed body 10 and the gimbal mechanism 30, the gimbal mechanism 30 is moved in the -Z direction with respect to the fixed body 10 for connection. At this time, the convex portion 31 of the fixed body side leg portion 30A and the protruding portion 32 described later move in a state of being in contact with the connection surface 12A. By adopting a configuration in which a concave portion is provided on the fixed body side leg portion 30A and a convex portion is provided on the fixed body 10, the moving distance in the contacting state and the pressure accompanying the movement can be reduced.

[0035] Similarly, when connecting the movable body 20 and the gimbal mechanism 30, the gimbal mechanism 30 is moved in the -Z direction with respect to the movable body 20 for connection. At this time, the convex portion 31 of the movable body side leg portion 30B and the protruding portion 32 described later move in a state of being in contact with the connection surface 21A. By adopting a configuration in which a concave portion is provided on the movable body side leg portion 30B and a convex portion is provided on the movable body 20, the moving distance in the contacting state and the pressure accompanying the movement can be reduced.

[0036] Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, in the optical unit 1 of the present embodiment, protruding portions 32 protruding inward are provided on the fixed body side leg portion 30A and the movable body side leg portion 30B, and hole portions 82 into which the protruding portions 32 are fitted are provided on the connection surface 12A of the fixed body 10 and the connection surface 21A of the movable body 20. In this way, at least one of the fixed body 10 and the fixed body side leg portion 30A, and the movable body 20 and the movable body side leg portion 30B is preferably connected by the convex portion 31, the concave portion 81, the protruding portion 32, and the hole portion 82 into which the protruding portion 32 is fitted. This is because, by being connected by the protruding portion 32 and the hole portion 82 in addition to the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 81, it is possible to prevent the gimbal mechanism 30 from coming off the fixed body 10 and the movable body 20.

[0037] Furthermore, in the optical unit 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, etc., around the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 81, there are projection portions 32A, 32B, and 32C as projection portions 32, and there are hole portions 82A, 82B, and 82C as hole portions 82. In this way, it is preferable that a plurality of the projection portions 32 and the hole portions 82 are provided around the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 81. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to particularly preferably suppress the gimbal mechanism 30 from coming off the fixed body 10 and the movable body 20.

[0038] Finally, the present invention will be comprehensively described below. (1) An optical unit comprising: a fixed body; a movable body provided with a lens unit; and a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body with respect to the fixed body about an axis of rotation in a direction intersecting the optical axis direction, wherein the gimbal mechanism has a fixed-body side leg portion connected to the fixed body and a movable-body side leg portion connected to the movable body, and at least one of the fixed body and the fixed-body side leg portion, and the movable body and the movable-body side leg portion is directly connected without an intervening member.

[0039] (2) The optical unit according to (1) above, wherein both the fixed body and the fixed-body side leg portion, and the movable body and the movable-body side leg portion are directly connected without an intervening member.

[0040] (3) The optical unit according to (1) or (2) above, wherein at least one of the fixed body and the fixed-body side leg portion, and the movable body and the movable-body side leg portion is connected by a convex portion and a concave portion that engages with the convex portion.

[0041] (4) In the optical unit according to (3) above, the optical unit is characterized in that at least one of the following is satisfied: the convex portion is provided on the fixed body side leg portion and the concave portion is provided on the fixed body; the convex portion is provided on the movable body side leg portion and the concave portion is provided on the movable body.

[0042] (5) In the optical unit according to (3) or (4) above, at least one of the fixed body and the fixed body side leg portion, and the movable body and the movable body side leg portion is connected by a protrusion portion and a hole portion into which the protrusion portion fits, in addition to the convex portion and the concave portion. The optical unit is characterized by this.

[0043] (6) In the optical unit according to (5) above, the optical unit is characterized in that a plurality of the protrusion portions and the hole portions are provided around the convex portion and the concave portion.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0044] 1... Optical unit, 10... Fixed body, 11... Housing portion, 12... Metal case, 12A... Connection surface, 13... Resin case, 14... Case portion, 20... Movable body, 21... Holder, 21A... Connection surface, 22... Lens unit, 30... Gimbal mechanism, 30A... Fixed body side leg portion, 30B... Movable body side leg portion, 30C... Flat plate portion, 31... Convex portion, 32... Protrusion portion, 32A... Protrusion portion, 32B... Protrusion portion, 32C... Protrusion portion, 60... Driving portion, 61... Coil, 61A... Coil, 61B... Coil, 62... Magnet, 62A... Magnet, 62B... Magnet, 63... Flexible printed circuit board, 81... Concave portion, 82... Hole portion, 82A... Hole portion, 82B... Hole portion, 82C... Hole portion

Claims

1. A fixed body, a movable body provided with a lens unit, a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body with respect to the fixed body about an axis of rotation in a direction intersecting the optical axis direction, comprising: The gimbal mechanism has a fixed body side leg portion connected to the fixed body and a movable body side leg portion connected to the movable body, An optical unit, wherein at least one of the fixed body and the fixed body side leg portion, and the movable body and the movable body side leg portion are directly connected without intervening other members.

2. In the optical unit according to claim 1, An optical unit, wherein both the fixed body and the fixed body side leg portion, and the movable body and the movable body side leg portion are directly connected without intervening other members.

3. In the optical unit according to claim 1 or 2, An optical unit, wherein at least one of the fixed body and the fixed body side leg portion, and the movable body and the movable body side leg portion are connected by a convex portion and a concave portion that engages with the convex portion.

4. In the optical unit according to claim 3, An optical unit, characterized in that at least one of the following is satisfied: the convex portion is provided on the fixed body side leg portion and the concave portion is provided on the fixed body; the convex portion is provided on the movable body side leg portion and the concave portion is provided on the movable body.

5. In the optical unit according to claim 3, An optical unit, wherein at least one of the fixed body and the fixed body side leg portion, and the movable body and the movable body side leg portion are connected by, in addition to the convex portion and the concave portion, a protrusion and a hole into which the protrusion fits.

6. In the optical unit according to claim 5, An optical unit, wherein a plurality of the protrusions and the holes are provided around the convex portion and the concave portion.

Images