Optical element driving device
The optical element driving device addresses vibration and foreign matter issues by using a spacer member with a damping material storage section, ensuring stable operation and improved image quality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024009350
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing optical element driving devices face issues with unnecessary vibration and foreign matter intrusion, which affect image quality due to the design of the vibration-damping material placement.
The device incorporates a spacer member with a storage section that houses a vibration-damping material, where the optical element holding member's protrusion contacts the damping material, while the fixed side member is open to the lower side, effectively suppressing vibrations and foreign matter entry.
This configuration successfully reduces unnecessary vibrations and prevents foreign matter intrusion, enhancing image quality by maintaining device stability and cleanliness.
Smart Images

Figure 2025115042000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical element driving device mounted in, for example, a portable device. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, there is known a lens unit driving device (optical element driving device) that includes a lens holder (optical element holding member) and a coil arranged on the outer periphery of the optical element holding member (see Patent Document 1). In this device, the optical element holding member is held by a pair of elastic members (leaf springs) arranged above and below the optical element holding member so that it can move in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the lens.
[0003] In addition, in this device, in order to prevent the optical element holding member from vibrating unnecessarily due to external vibrations or impacts, etc., a damper material (vibration-damping material) is housed in a recess provided on the upper surface of the optical element holding member, and the protruding portion protruding downward from the top surface of the cover member is configured to come into contact with the vibration-damping material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-140017 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] However, in the above-described configuration, it is necessary to enlarge the opening in the top surface to form the protrusion, which makes it easier for foreign matter to enter the inside of the optical element driving device. If the foreign matter adheres to the imaging element located below the optical element driving device, it may affect the image.
[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an optical element driving device that can suppress unnecessary vibration of the optical element holding member while suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter into the optical element driving device. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] An optical element driving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fixed side member, an optical element holding member having a through portion penetrating in the vertical direction and capable of holding an optical element, a support member that supports the optical element holding member so that it can move in the vertical direction, and a driving unit that moves the optical element holding member at least in the vertical direction relative to the fixed side member, wherein the fixed side member has a storage section that is open to at least one of the upper and lower sides, the optical element holding member has a protrusion whose tip is inserted into the storage section, a vibration-damping material is stored in the storage section, and the tip of the protrusion is in contact with the vibration-damping material provided in the storage section. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] The optical element driving device described above can suppress unnecessary vibration of the optical element holding member while suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter into the optical element driving device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example configuration of an optical element driving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical element driving device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a bottom view of the optical element driving device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a top perspective view of the optical element driving device shown in FIG. 1 with some of the components removed. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an optical element holding member, a coil, and a metal member. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are top and bottom views of an optical element holding member, a coil, and a metal member. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a spacer member and an optical element holding member. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical element driving device shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a bottom view of the optical element driving device shown in FIG. 1 with some of the components removed. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coil, a terminal member, a metal member, and a lower leaf spring. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another configuration example of the optical element driving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 12 is a top perspective view of a metal member embedded in the optical element holding member shown in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 13] 12 is a top view of the optical element driving device shown in FIG. 11 with some of the components removed. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the optical element driving device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An optical element driving device 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of the optical element driving device 101. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical element driving device 101. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the optical element driving device 101.
[0011] In FIG. 1, X1 represents one direction of the X axis constituting the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and X2 represents the other direction of the X axis. Furthermore, Y1 represents one direction of the Y axis constituting the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and Y2 represents the other direction of the Y axis. Similarly, Z1 represents one direction of the Z axis constituting the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and Z2 represents the other direction of the Z axis. In FIG. 1, the optical axis OA extends parallel to the Z axis. The X1 side of the optical element driving device 101 corresponds to the front side (front surface side) of the optical element driving device 101, and the X2 side of the optical element driving device 101 corresponds to the rear side (rear surface side) of the optical element driving device 101. The Y1 side of the optical element driving device 101 corresponds to the left side of the optical element driving device 101, and the Y2 side of the optical element driving device 101 corresponds to the right side of the optical element driving device 101. Moreover, the Z1 side of the optical element driving device 101 corresponds to the upper side of the optical element driving device 101, and the Z2 side of the optical element driving device 101 corresponds to the lower side of the optical element driving device 101. This is the same in the other figures.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 2 , the optical element driving device 101 includes an optical element holding member 2 capable of holding an optical element (not shown), a driving unit MP capable of moving the optical element holding member 2 along the optical axis direction, a leaf spring 6 as a support member that supports the optical element holding member 2 movably in the optical axis direction, a fixed-side member FB to which one end of the leaf spring 6 is fixed, terminal members 7 (first terminal member 7A, second terminal member 7B, and third terminal member 7C) that provide electrical connection with the outside, and a metal member 8. The optical element is, for example, an imaging element, a polarizing element, or a lens body. In the illustrated example, the optical element holding member 2 is configured to hold a lens body. The lens body is, for example, a cylindrical lens barrel equipped with at least one lens. The optical axis direction includes the direction of the optical axis OA relative to the lens body and a direction parallel to the optical axis OA.
[0013] 2, the driving unit MP includes a coil 3 wound in a rectangular ring shape, a cover member 4 that also serves as an outer case with a rectangular cylindrical outer wall portion 4A, and a rectangular parallelepiped magnet 5. The magnet 5 includes a rear magnet 5B, a front magnet 5F, a left magnet 5L, and a right magnet 5R that are arranged facing each of the four sides of the coil 3. The fixed side member FB includes a spacer member 1, the cover member 4, the magnet 5, and a base member 18 in which terminal members 7 are embedded.
[0014] The leaf springs 6 include an upper leaf spring 16 arranged between the spacer member 1 and the optical element holding member 2, and a lower leaf spring 26 arranged between the optical element holding member 2 and the base member 18. The lower leaf springs 26 include a left lower leaf spring 26L and a right lower leaf spring 26R.
[0015] In the illustrated example where the optical element is a lens body, the optical element driving device 101 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape as shown in FIG. 1 and is mounted on a substrate (not shown) on which an imaging element (not shown) is mounted. The substrate, the optical element driving device 101, the lens body attached to the optical element holding member 2, and the imaging element mounted on the substrate so as to face the lens body constitute a camera module. The coil 3 is connected to a power source via a metal member 8 embedded in the optical element holding member 2, a lower leaf spring 26, a terminal member 7 embedded in the base member 18, and the substrate. When a current flows through the coil 3, the driving unit MP generates an electromagnetic force along the optical axis direction.
[0016] The optical element driving device 101 utilizes this electromagnetic force to move the optical element holding member 2 along the optical axis direction on the Z1 side (subject side) of the image sensor, thereby realizing an autofocus function. Specifically, the optical element driving device 101 moves the optical element holding member 2 away from the image sensor to enable macro photography, and moves the optical element holding member 2 toward the image sensor to enable infinity photography.
[0017] Next, the optical element holding member 2 and the driving unit MP will be described. FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the optical element driving device 101 with some of the components removed. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the optical element driving device 101 with the cover member 4 removed, and the lower view of FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the optical element driving device 101 with the spacer member 1 and magnet 5 removed. FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the optical element holding member 2, the coil 3, and the metal members 8. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the optical element holding member 2, the center view of FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the metal members 8 (the rear metal member 8B, the front metal member 8F, the left metal member 8L, and the right metal member 8R), and the lower view of FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the optical element holding member 2 with the coil 3 wound around it and the metal members 8 embedded. FIG. 6 is a view of the optical element holding member 2 with the coil 3 wound around it and the metal members 8 embedded. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 6 is a top view of the optical element holding member 2, and the lower view of FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the optical element holding member 2. FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the spacer member 1 and the optical element holding member 2. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the spacer member 1, and the lower view of FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the optical element holding member 2. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the optical element driving device 101. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of the optical element driving device 101 taken on an imaginary plane parallel to the optical axis OA and including the cutting line CL1 in FIGS. 1 and 3. The lower view of FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of the optical element driving device 101 taken on an imaginary plane parallel to the optical axis OA and including the cutting line CL2 (perpendicular to the cutting line CL1) in the upper views of FIGS. 3 and 8. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the optical element driving device with some of the components removed. 9 is a bottom view of the optical element driving device with the terminal member 7 and base member 18 removed, and the bottom view of Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the optical element driving device with the optical element holding member 2, metal member 8, and lower leaf spring 26 removed. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the path of the current flowing through the coil 3.Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of the coil 3, the first terminal member 7A, the second terminal member 7B, the left metal member 8L, the right metal member 8R, the left lower leaf spring 26L, and the right lower leaf spring 26R, and the lower view of Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of the first terminal member 7A, the second terminal member 7B, the left metal member 8L, the right metal member 8R, the left lower leaf spring 26L, and the right lower leaf spring 26R. Note that the area R1 surrounded by the dashed line in Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the area R1A surrounded by the dashed line, and the area R2 surrounded by the dashed line in Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the area R2A surrounded by the dashed line.
[0018] In the illustrated example, the optical element holding member 2 is produced by injection molding a synthetic resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Specifically, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 5, the optical element holding member 2 includes a tubular portion 12 as a through-hole formed to extend along the optical axis direction, and a flange portion (brim-shaped portion) 52 formed on the imaging element side (Z2 side) in the optical axis direction. Approximately the upper half of the tubular portion 12 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.
[0019] The cylindrical portion 12 is formed so that a lens body can be attached to its inner peripheral surface. Furthermore, two seating portions 12d are provided on the end surface of the cylindrical portion 12 facing the subject, sandwiching the optical axis OA. Two recesses 12dh are provided in each of the two seating portions 12d. Furthermore, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 4, the inner portion 16i of the upper leaf spring 16 is placed on the seating portions 12d.
[0020] As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 5, a coil support portion 12j is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12 as an outer wall portion that supports the coil 3 from the inside. In this embodiment, the coil support portion 12j has a substantially rectangular outer shape in top view so as to be able to support the coil 3, which has a substantially rectangular ring-like shape in top view. On the subject side of the coil support portion 12j, four eave portions 12h are formed that protrude radially outward so as to face the flange portion 52 in the optical axis direction. As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 5, the coil 3 is supported by the coil support portion 12j and is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the optical element holding member 2 so as to be sandwiched between the eave portions 12h and the flange portion 52 in the optical axis direction.
[0021] The flange portion 52 protrudes radially outward from the end portion on the imaging element side (Z2 side) of the cylindrical portion 12. The coil 3 is disposed on the subject side of the flange portion 52. As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 7, the flange portion 52 includes four round convex protrusions 2t that protrude downward (in the Z2 direction) from the surface on the imaging element side (Z2 side).
[0022] As shown in the center diagram of FIG. 5, each of the four metal members 8 (rear metal member 8B, front metal member 8F, left metal member 8L, and right metal member 8R) has a base portion 8M embedded in the optical element holding member 2. Specifically, the rear metal member 8B has a rear base portion 8MB, the front metal member 8F has a front base portion 8MF, the left metal member 8L has a left base portion 8ML, and the right metal member 8R has a right base portion 8MR. Furthermore, as shown in the center diagram and the bottom diagram of FIG. 5, two of the four metal members 8 (the left metal member 8L and the right metal member 8R) have an extension portion 8C around which an extension portion 33, which is part of the conductive wire that constitutes the coil 3, is wound. Specifically, the left metal member 8L has a left extension portion 8CL, and the right metal member 8R has a right extension portion 8CR. The extension portion 33 includes a right extension portion 33R, which is a portion of the wire at the winding start side of the coil 3, and a left extension portion 33L, which is a portion of the wire at the winding end side of the coil 3. The right extension portion 33R is wound around the right extension portion 8CR, and the left extension portion 33L is wound around the left extension portion 8CL.
[0023] In this way, two of the four metal members 8 (the left metal member 8L and the right metal member 8R) are used as conductive paths, but the remaining two of the four metal members 8 (the front metal member 8F and the rear metal member 8B) are not used as conductive paths. Therefore, the four metal members 8 are connected to each other when embedded in the optical element holding member 2 by insert molding, but are separated from each other during assembly. Therefore, even if two of the four metal members 8 (the left metal member 8L and the right metal member 8R) generate heat due to the passage of electricity, the heat is unlikely to be transmitted by conduction to the remaining two of the four metal members 8 (the front metal member 8F and the rear metal member 8B).
[0024] As shown in the upper view of FIG. 9 , the protrusions 2t include two protrusions 2t corresponding to the two through holes 26q formed in the lower-left leaf spring 26L and two protrusions 2t corresponding to the two through holes 26q formed in the lower-right leaf spring 26R. The inner portions 26i serving as first support portions (movable support portions) of the lower-left leaf spring 26L and the lower-right leaf spring 26R are attached and fixed to the protrusions 2t. The fixation of the inner portions 26i of the lower-left leaf spring 26L and the lower-right leaf spring 26R is achieved by thermally caulking the protrusions 2t inserted into the through holes 26q formed in the inner portions 26i. Note that in the lower view of FIG. 7 and the upper view of FIG. 9 , the protrusions 2t are shown with their tips deformed after being thermally caulked. This also applies to other figures showing the protrusions 2t.
[0025] Next, the driving unit MP of the optical element driving device 101 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the driving unit MP includes a coil 3, a cover member 4, and a magnet 5. The magnets 5 include a rear magnet 5B, a front magnet 5F, a left magnet 5L, and a right magnet 5R, which are arranged to face each of the four side surfaces of the cover member 4. The driving unit MP generates a driving force (thrust) using the current flowing through the coil 3 and the magnetic field generated by the magnet 5, and can move the optical element holding member 2 up and down along the optical axis direction.
[0026] As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 5, the coil 3 is formed by placing a conductive (metallic) wire (conductor) around the outer periphery of the optical element holding member 2. Specifically, the coil 3 includes a winding portion 13 as a coil main body formed by winding the wire in a rectangular ring shape, and an extension portion 33 extending from the winding portion 13 and wound around the extension portion 8C. For clarity, the lower diagram of Figure 5 omits the detailed winding state of the conductive wire whose surface is coated with an insulating member for the winding portion 13. That is, the winding portion 13 is illustrated in a simplified form. This also applies to other figures that illustrate the winding portion 13.
[0027] The extension portion 33 includes a left extension portion 33L connected to the end portion (winding end portion) of the winding portion 13 located on the outer periphery side of the winding portion 13 at the winding end side of the coil 3, and a right extension portion 33R connected to the end portion (winding start portion) of the winding portion 13 located on the inner periphery side of the winding portion 13 at the winding start side of the coil 3.
[0028] In the illustrated example, the extending portion 33 includes a wound portion 33m wound around the extending portion 8C as shown in Fig. 10. Specifically, the wound portion 33m includes a right wound portion 33mR wound around the right extending portion 8CR by three turns, and a left wound portion 33mL wound around the left extending portion 8CL by three turns.
[0029] In the illustrated example, the right extending portion 33R is wound around the right extending portion 8CR of the right metal member 8R embedded in the optical element holding member 2 before the wire material constituting the coil 3 is wound around the coil support portion 12j of the optical element holding member 2. As a result, as shown in Fig. 10, the right winding portion 33mR is formed on the right extending portion 8CR, and a part of the right extending portion 33R is held by the right extending portion 8CR. However, the right extending portion 33R may also be wound around the right extending portion 8CR after the wire material constituting the coil 3 is wound around the coil support portion 12j of the optical element holding member 2.
[0030] As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 5 , the winding portion 13 of the coil 3 wound around the coil support portion 12j of the optical element holding member 2 is positioned so as to surround the periphery of the optical element holding member 2. The winding portion 13 is supported from the inside by the coil support portion 12j and is fixed to the object side of the flange portion 52 so as to be sandwiched between the visor portion 12h and the flange portion 52. The inner peripheral surface of the winding portion 13 is isotropically supported in a well-balanced manner by the coil support portion 12j, so that the winding portion 13 is held by the optical element holding member 2 with the central axis of the coil 3 and the central axis of the optical element holding member 2 coinciding. Therefore, the optical axis OA of the lens body held by the optical element holding member 2 is configured to easily coincide with the central axes of the optical element holding member 2 and the coil 3, respectively.
[0031] When the winding of the wire around the outer circumference of the optical element holding member 2 is completed, the left extension portion 33L connected to the end of the winding portion 13 on the winding end side is wound around the left extension portion 8CL of the left metal member 8L embedded in the optical element holding member 2, as shown in Figure 10.
[0032] Next, the cover member 4 constituting the drive unit MP will be described. In the illustrated example, the cover member 4 is fabricated by subjecting a plate made of a soft magnetic material such as iron to punching, drawing, and other processes, and functions as a yoke. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover member 4 has a box-like outer shape that defines a storage section 4s. The cover member 4 has a rectangular cylindrical outer wall portion 4A and a flat, approximately rectangular annular ceiling portion 4B that is continuous with the upper end (the end on the Z1 side) of the outer wall portion 4A. The cover member 4 configured in this manner accommodates the coil 3 and the magnet 5 in the storage section 4s, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 9, and is coupled to the base member 18 as shown in FIG. 1 to form the housing HS together with the base member 18. However, the cover member 4 may also be formed of a non-magnetic material such as austenitic stainless steel.
[0033] Next, the magnets 5 constituting the driving unit MP will be described. The magnets 5 are bipolar magnetized permanent magnets and have a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 9, the magnets 5 are positioned outside the coil 3 and arranged along each of the four side surfaces of the roughly rectangular cylindrical outer wall portion 4A constituting the cover member 4. Each of the four magnets 5 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the cover member 4 with an adhesive and is arranged, for example, with the north pole on the inside and the south pole on the outside. However, each of the four magnets 5 may also be arranged with the south pole on the inside and the north pole on the outside.
[0034] The leaf springs 6 are made from metal plates primarily made of copper alloy. As shown in FIG. 2, the leaf springs 6 include an upper leaf spring 16 disposed between the optical element holding member 2 and the cover member 4 (specifically, the spacer member 1), and a lower leaf spring 26 disposed between the optical element holding member 2 and the base member 18. When the optical element holding member 2 and the leaf springs 6 (the upper leaf spring 16, the lower-left leaf spring 26L, and the lower-right leaf spring 26R) are combined, the leaf springs 6 support the optical element holding member 2 so that the optical element holding member 2 can move in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction). The lower leaf springs 26 also function as a power supply member for supplying current to the coil 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the lower-left leaf spring 26L is electrically connected to one end of the coil 3 via the left metal member 8L, and the lower-right leaf spring 26R is electrically connected to the other end of the coil 3 via the right metal member 8R. A spacer member 1 is disposed between the upper leaf spring 16 and the cover member 4 .
[0035] The spacer member 1 is arranged so as to prevent the optical element holding member 2 and the cover member 4 from colliding with each other when the optical element holding member 2 moves in the Z1 direction. In other words, the spacer member 1 is arranged so as to form a space between the optical element holding member 2 and the ceiling portion 4B of the cover member 4. However, if a space can be formed between the optical element holding member 2 and the ceiling portion 4B of the cover member 4 by using another structure or the like, the spacer member 1 may be omitted. In the illustrated example, the spacer member 1 is made by injection molding a synthetic resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP).
[0036] 2, the upper leaf spring 16 has a substantially rectangular annular outer shape and includes an inner portion 16i serving as a first support portion (movable support portion) fixed to the optical element holding member 2, an outer portion 16e serving as a second support portion (fixed support portion) fixed to the fixed member FB, and four elastic arms 16g located between the inner portion 16i and the outer portion 16e. Specifically, the outer portion 16e has four corner portions 16b and four crosspieces 16r connecting the four corner portions 16b. The crosspieces 16r are sandwiched between the spacer member 1 and the magnet 5 and fixed with an adhesive. The spacer member 1, the cover member 4, and the magnet 5 function as the fixed member FB.
[0037] When the upper leaf spring 16 is assembled to the optical element holder 2, the inner portion 16i is placed on the pedestal portion 12d of the optical element holder 2, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 4. The inner portion 16i is fixed to the optical element holder 2 by adhesive AD applied to a recess 12dh (see the upper diagram of Fig. 5) formed in the pedestal portion 12d. The outer portion 16e contacts the upper surface (the surface on the Z1 side) of the magnet 5, is sandwiched between the spacer member 1 and the magnet 5, and is fixed by the adhesive. The outer portion 16e sandwiched and fixed between the spacer member 1 and the magnet 5 functions as the fixed-side member FB.
[0038] The upper leaf spring 16 is formed to have two-fold rotational symmetry about the optical axis OA. The upper leaf spring 16 is fixed to the optical element holder 2 at its inner portion 16i, and is fixed to the cover member 4 via the spacer member 1 at its outer portion 16e. Therefore, the upper leaf spring 16 can support the optical element holder 2 in a well-balanced manner.
[0039] The lower-left leaf spring 26L and the lower-right leaf spring 26R are configured so that their respective inner shapes are substantially arc-shaped, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 9. Each of the lower-left leaf spring 26L and the lower-right leaf spring 26R includes an inner portion 26i serving as a first support portion (movable-side support portion) fixed to the optical element holding member 2, an outer portion 26e serving as a second support portion (fixed-side support portion) fixed to the fixed-side member FB, and two elastic arm portions 26g located between the inner portion 26i and the outer portion 26e.
[0040] 10, each of the inner portions 26i of the lower-left leaf spring 26L and the lower-right leaf spring 26R includes an inner joint portion 26c that is joined to the protrusion 2t of the optical element holder 2, and a connecting plate portion 26h that faces the exposed portion 8P of the metal member 8. Specifically, the exposed portion 8P includes a left exposed portion 8PL that faces the left connecting plate portion 26hL of the lower-left leaf spring 26L, and a right exposed portion 8PR that faces the right connecting plate portion 26hR of the lower-right leaf spring 26R. The metal member 8 is embedded in the optical element holder 2 so that the lower surface of the exposed portion 8P is exposed at a recess 2r (see the lower diagram in FIG. 7) on the lower surface of the optical element holder 2.
[0041] When the lower-left leaf spring 26L and the lower-right leaf spring 26R are assembled to the optical element holder 2, the four protrusions 2t of the optical element holder 2 are inserted into circular through-holes 26q provided in the inner joint portions 26c of the lower-left leaf spring 26L and the lower-right leaf spring 26R, respectively, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 9. The inner joint portions 26c are then fixed to the optical element holder 2, for example, by thermally or coldly caulking the protrusions 2t, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 9. As a result, the inner portions 26i of the lower-left leaf spring 26L and the lower-right leaf spring 26R are positioned and fixed to the optical element holder 2.
[0042] As shown in the upper view of FIG. 9, the outer portion 26e of the lower-left leaf spring 26L includes an outer joint portion 26d that is joined to the base member 18. A through-hole 26s provided in the outer joint portion 26d of the lower-left leaf spring 26L receives a protrusion 18t (see FIG. 2) provided on the upper surface of the base member 18. The protrusion 18t is then fixed to the outer joint portion 26d by thermal crimping or cold crimping. This positions and fixes the outer portion 26e of the lower-left leaf spring 26L to the base member 18. The same applies to the lower-right leaf spring 26R. Note that in FIG. 2, the protrusion 18t is shown with its tip deformed after thermal crimping. This also applies to other figures that illustrate the protrusion 18t. Note that the protrusion 18t may also be fixed to the outer joint portion 26d by cold crimping.
[0043] The left lower leaf spring 26L is connected to the optical element holder 2 via one inner joint portion 26c, and is connected to the base member 18 via two outer joint portions 26d. The same is true for the right lower leaf spring 26R. With this configuration, the left lower leaf spring 26L and the right lower leaf spring 26R can support the optical element holder 2 in a well-balanced manner while allowing it to move in the optical axis direction.
[0044] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an example of the connection structure of the coil 3, first terminal member 7A, second terminal member 7B, left metal member 8L, right metal member 8R, left lower leaf spring 26L, and right lower leaf spring 26R will be described.
[0045] The right connecting plate portion 26hR of the right lower leaf spring 26R is configured to face the right exposed portion 8PR of the right metal member 8R embedded in the optical element holding member 2. Specifically, the right lower leaf spring 26R is configured so that the surface of the right connecting plate portion 26hR facing the subject (Z1 side) comes into contact with the surface of the right exposed portion 8PR facing the imaging element (Z2 side). The same is true for the left lower leaf spring 26L.
[0046] One of the two outer joint portions 26d of the lower-right leaf spring 26R is configured to face the exposed portion 7AP of the first terminal member 7A embedded in the base member 18. Specifically, the first terminal member 7A is embedded in the base member 18 so that the upper surface of the exposed portion 7AP is exposed at a recess 18r (see FIG. 2) on the upper surface of the base member 18. The lower-right leaf spring 26R is configured so that the surface of the outer joint portion 26d on the imaging element side (Z2 side) comes into contact with the surface of the exposed portion 7AP of the first terminal member 7A on the subject side (Z1 side). The same is true for the lower-left leaf spring 26L.
[0047] 10, the right extending portion 33R of the coil 3 is wound around the right extending portion 8CR of the right metal member 8R. The right extending portion 33R and the right extending portion 8CR are joined by laser welding. The right extending portion 33R and the right extending portion 8CR may also be joined by soldering, a conductive adhesive, or the like. The same applies to the left extending portion 33L of the coil 3.
[0048] Next, the fixed member FB will be described. The fixed member FB includes a spacer member 1, a cover member 4, and a magnet 5 for fixing the upper leaf spring 16, and a base member 18 for fixing the lower leaf spring 26.
[0049] The base member 18 is produced by injection molding using a synthetic resin such as a liquid crystal polymer. In this embodiment, the base member 18 is a member having a substantially rectangular outer shape, with a substantially circular opening 18k formed in the center, as shown in Fig. 2. In addition, six rounded protrusions 18t that protrude upward are provided on the surface (top surface) of the base member 18 facing the subject (Z1 side).
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, terminal members 7 made of a metal plate containing copper, iron, or an alloy containing these as a main component are embedded in the base member 18 by insert molding. The terminal members 7 include a first terminal member 7A to a third terminal member 7C. The first terminal member 7A and the second terminal member 7B are configured such that their exposed portions 7AP and 7BP are exposed on the upper surface (the surface on the Z1 side) of the base member 18. The first terminal member 7A and the second terminal member 7B are electrically and mechanically connected to a substrate (not shown) on which an imaging element is mounted via terminal portions 7AT and 7BT, respectively, extending downward (in the Z2 direction) from the end of the front side (X1 side) of the base member 18. As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 10, the exposed portion 7AP of the first terminal member 7A is electrically and mechanically connected to the lower-right leaf spring 26R by laser welding at a through-hole 26t formed in the outer joint portion 26d of the lower-right leaf spring 26R. Similarly, the second terminal member 7B is electrically and mechanically connected at the exposed portion 7BP to the left lower leaf spring 26L by laser welding at a through hole 26t formed in the outer joint portion 26d of the left lower leaf spring 26L. Furthermore, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 10, the right lower leaf spring 26R is electrically and mechanically connected to the right exposed portion 8PR of the right metal member 8R by laser welding at a through hole 26u formed in the right connecting plate portion 26hR of the right lower leaf spring 26R (see the upper diagram of Figure 9). Similarly, the left lower leaf spring 26L is electrically and mechanically connected to the left exposed portion 8PL of the left metal member 8L by laser welding at a through hole 26u formed in the left connecting plate portion 26hL of the left lower leaf spring 26L (see the upper diagram of Figure 9). 9, weld mark WD1 indicates a weld mark between terminal member 7 and lower leaf spring 26, and weld mark WD2 indicates a weld mark between metal member 8 and lower leaf spring 26. Note that the terminal member 7 and metal member 8 may be joined to lower leaf spring 26 using a bonding material such as solder or a conductive adhesive.
[0051] With this configuration, the right extension 33R of the coil 3 is connected to an external first potential via the right metal member 8R, the right lower leaf spring 26R, and the first terminal member 7A, and the left extension 33L of the coil 3 is connected to an external second potential (different from the first potential) via the left metal member 8L, the left lower leaf spring 26L, and the second terminal member 7B. Therefore, the coil 3 can be supplied with current via the terminal member 7, the metal member 8, and the lower leaf spring 26.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, the third terminal member 7C includes four connection portions 7CP. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the third terminal member 7C has four connection portions 7CP exposed on the upper surface of the base member 18 so as to correspond to the lower ends of the four corners of the cover member 4. After the inner surface of the lower end of the outer peripheral wall portion 4A of the cover member 4 and the outer peripheral side surface of the base member 18 are fitted together to position the base member 18, the connection portions 7CP are welded to the lower ends of the four corners of the cover member 4 and fixed to the cover member 4, as shown in FIG. 1. The cover member 4 and the base member 18 may be at least partially fixed with an adhesive. As a result, the third terminal member 7C and the cover member 4 are electrically integrated and grounded via the terminal portion 4T of the cover member 4.
[0053] Next, we will explain the damping material DM that suppresses vibration of the optical element holding member 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the damping material DM is housed in a housing portion SP formed on the lower surface of the spacer member 1. Note that in Fig. 3, for clarity, a cross pattern is applied to the first damping material DM1 to the fourth damping material DM4, and a dot pattern is applied to the optical element holding member 2.
[0054] Specifically, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 7, the spacer member 1 has four fixed-side corners 1C corresponding to the four corners of the housing HS (see Fig. 1). Each of the four fixed-side corners 1C has a protrusion 1P that protrudes downward. Specifically, the fixed-side corners 1C include a first fixed-side corner 1C1 to a fourth fixed-side corner 1C4, and the protrusion 1P includes a first protrusion 1P1 to a fourth protrusion 1P4.
[0055] The storage portions SP are formed on the lower surface (Z2-side surface) of each of the four protrusions 1P so as to be recessed upward (in the Z1 direction) toward the subject. Specifically, the storage portions SP include a first storage portion SP1 to a fourth storage portion SP4. The first storage portion SP1 is formed on the lower surface of the first protrusion 1P1, the second storage portion SP2 is formed on the lower surface of the second protrusion 1P2, the third storage portion SP3 is formed on the lower surface of the third protrusion 1P3, and the fourth storage portion SP4 is formed on the lower surface of the fourth protrusion 1P4.
[0056] The damping material DM is a member for suppressing vibration of the optical element holder 2. The damping material DM is arranged to connect the optical element holder 2 and the fixed-side member FB, and is configured to elastically expand and contract in response to the relative movement of the optical element holder 2 with respect to the fixed-side member FB. In the illustrated example, the damping material DM is configured to have a hardness and shape that can suppress vibration of the optical element holder 2 without affecting the original movement of the optical element holder 2 achieved by the drive unit MP, that is, to exhibit an appropriate damping force. Specifically, the damping material DM is a gel-like damper material formed by curing a fluid adhesive with ultraviolet light or heat, and includes first to fourth damping materials DM1 to DM4 as shown in FIG. 3. In the illustrated example, the damping material DM is a UV-curable gel-like damper material. The storage section SP is also called a gel pocket. More specifically, the first damping material DM1 is accommodated in the first accommodation portion SP1, the second damping material DM2 is accommodated in the second accommodation portion SP2, the third damping material DM3 is accommodated in the third accommodation portion SP3, and the fourth damping material DM4 is accommodated in the fourth accommodation portion SP4. The damping materials DM may be formed of a thermosetting resin, an ultraviolet curing resin, a thermosetting silicone rubber, an ultraviolet curing silicone rubber, or the like.
[0057] As shown in the center of FIG. 5, the metal member 8 has an upward extending portion 8T as a protrusion PT extending upward (in the Z1 direction) from the base portion 8M. The protrusion PT is also called a damping pin. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion PT includes a first protrusion PT1 (right front upward extending portion 8TFR) corresponding to the first damping material DM1 housed in the first housing portion SP1, a second protrusion PT2 (left front upward extending portion 8TFL) corresponding to the second damping material DM2 housed in the second housing portion SP2, a third protrusion PT3 (left rear upward extending portion 8TBL) corresponding to the third damping material DM3 housed in the third housing portion SP3, and a fourth protrusion PT4 (right rear upward extending portion 8TBR) corresponding to the fourth damping material DM4 housed in the fourth housing portion SP4.
[0058] Specifically, the four protrusions PT are configured to be disposed at positions spaced the same distance from the optical axis OA, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 6. The upper diagram of Fig. 6 shows that the four protrusions PT are located on the circumference of a circle RG1 that is parallel to the XY plane and has its center on the optical axis OA. The upper diagram of Fig. 6 also shows that the first protrusion PT1 (right front upper extension 8TFR) is located forward (X1 side) of the first diagonal line DL1, the second protrusion PT2 (left front upper extension 8TFL) is located forward (X1 side) of the second diagonal line DL2, the third protrusion PT3 (left rear upper extension 8TBL) is located rear (X2 side) of the first diagonal line DL1, and the fourth protrusion PT4 (right rear upper extension 8TBR) is located rear (X2 side) of the second diagonal line DL2. The first diagonal line DL1 and the second diagonal line DL2 are diagonal lines of a rectangle that surrounds the optical element holding member 2 on the XY plane, and pass through the optical axis OA.
[0059] 8, the second protrusion PT2 has a tip ED that is inserted into the second housing portion SP2. In the initial state of the optical element driving device 101, the tip ED is in contact with the second damping material DM2 housed in the second housing portion SP2. The initial state of the optical element driving device 101 is, for example, a state of the optical element driving device 101 when the Z1 direction is vertically upward and no current is supplied to the coil 3. The same applies to the first protrusion PT1, the third protrusion PT3, and the fourth protrusion PT4.
[0060] 7, the optical element holding member 2 has four movable-side corners 2C corresponding to the four corners of the housing HS (see FIG. 1). Each of the four movable-side corners 2C has a through-hole 2h formed therein for receiving a portion of the convex portion 1P of the spacer member 1 so as not to come into contact with the convex portion 1P. Specifically, the first movable-side corner 2C1 has a first through-hole 2h1 formed therein for receiving a portion of the first convex portion 1P1 so as not to come into contact with the first convex portion 1P1, the second movable-side corner 2C2 has a second through-hole 2h2 formed therein for receiving a portion of the second convex portion 1P2 so as not to come into contact with the second convex portion 1P2, the third movable-side corner 2C3 has a third through-hole 2h3 formed therein for receiving a portion of the third convex portion 1P3 so as not to come into contact with the third convex portion 1P3, and the fourth movable-side corner 2C4 has a fourth through-hole 2h4 formed therein for receiving a portion of the fourth convex portion 1P4 so as not to come into contact with the fourth convex portion 1P4.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, the base member 18 has four base-side corners 18C corresponding to the four corners of the housing HS (see FIG. 1). An opening 18h is formed in each of the four base-side corners 18C to expose the housing SP. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a first opening 18h1 is formed in the first base-side corner 18C1 to expose the first housing SP1, a second opening 18h2 is formed in the second base-side corner 18C2 to expose the second housing SP2, a third opening 18h3 is formed in the third base-side corner 18C3 to expose the third housing SP3, and a fourth opening 18h4 is formed in the fourth base-side corner 18C4 to expose the fourth housing SP4. The first opening 18h1 to the fourth opening 18h4 are formed by cutouts cut outward from a substantially circular opening 18k formed in the base member 18.
[0062] With this configuration, the fluid adhesive (liquid adhesive) that is the material for the damping material DM can be easily injected into the housing portion SP using, for example, a long, thin nozzle, even after the optical element driving device 101 is assembled, and the amount of injection can be easily controlled. After the optical element driving device 101 is assembled, that is, while the liquid adhesive is in contact with the tip ED of the protrusion PT that is inserted into the housing portion SP, it is cured by, for example, ultraviolet light irradiation to become the damping material DM. Typically, a nozzle for injecting the liquid adhesive is inserted so as to penetrate the opening 18h of the base member 18 and the through-hole 2h of the optical element holding member 2 of the assembled and inverted optical element driving device 101. The liquid adhesive injected into the housing portion SP through the nozzle is visible from below, as shown in FIG. 3, and is therefore cured by ultraviolet light irradiation from below. In other words, when an ultraviolet-curing vibration-damping material DM is used, the opening 18h of the base member 18 and the through-hole 2h of the optical element holding member 2 are configured so that their opening areas are larger than the opening area of the storage portion SP.
[0063] With this configuration, the optical element driving device 101 suppresses unnecessary vibrations of the optical element holding member 2 using the vibration-damping material DM, but since no openings or the like for injecting and hardening the fluid adhesive (liquid adhesive) that is the material of the vibration-damping material DM are formed on the top surface and outer peripheral surface of the housing HS, it has the effect of suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter through such openings.
[0064] Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14, an optical element driving device 101A, which is another configuration example of the optical element driving device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the optical element driving device 101A and corresponds to FIG. 2. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a metal member 8 embedded in an optical element holding member 2. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the metal member 8 constituting the optical element driving device 101, and the lower view of FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the metal member 8 constituting the optical element driving device 101A. FIG. 13 is a top view of the optical element driving device 101A with the spacer member 1, the cover member 4, and the upper leaf spring 16 removed. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the optical element driving device 101A and corresponds to FIG. 8. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 14 shows a cross-section of the optical element driving device 101A taken along a virtual plane parallel to the optical axis OA and including the cutting line CL3 in FIG. 13. The lower diagram of FIG. 14 shows a cross section of optical element driving device 101A on an imaginary plane parallel to the optical axis OA and including cutting line CL4 (perpendicular to cutting line CL3) in the upper diagrams of FIGS.
[0065] 11, the optical element driving device 101A differs from the optical element driving device 101 in that the accommodation portion SP is formed in the base member 18. In the optical element driving device 101, the accommodation portion SP is formed in the spacer member 1.
[0066] 12, the optical element driving device 101A differs from the optical element driving device 101 in that the protrusion PT extends downward from the base 8M of the metal member 8. In the optical element driving device 101, the protrusion PT extends upward from the base 8M of the metal member 8, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG.
[0067] Specifically, the metal member 8 constituting the optical element driving device 101A has a downward extending portion 8U as a protrusion PT extending downward (in the Z2 direction) from a base portion 8M as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 12. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, the protrusion PT includes a first protrusion PT1 (right front downward extending portion 8UFR) corresponding to the first damping material DM1 housed in the first housing portion SP1, a second protrusion PT2 (left front downward extending portion 8UFL) corresponding to the second damping material DM2 housed in the second housing portion SP2, a third protrusion PT3 (left rear downward extending portion 8UBL) corresponding to the third damping material DM3 housed in the third housing portion SP3, and a fourth protrusion PT4 (right rear downward extending portion 8UBR) corresponding to the fourth damping material DM4 housed in the fourth housing portion SP4.
[0068] With this configuration, the optical element driving device 101A provides the same effect as the optical element driving device 101. Specifically, it provides the effect of suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter into the optical element driving device 101A while suppressing unnecessary vibrations of the optical element holding member 2 with the vibration-damping material DM. In the optical element driving device 101A, the fluid adhesive (liquid adhesive) that is the material of the vibration-damping material DM is typically injected and hardened after the upper leaf springs 16 are assembled to the optical element holding member 2, but it may also be injected and hardened before the upper leaf springs 16 are assembled to the optical element holding member 2.
[0069] As described above, the optical element driving device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a fixed member FB, an optical element holding member 2 having a through-hole (cylindrical portion 12) penetrating in the vertical direction and capable of holding an optical element, a support member (leaf spring 6) supporting the optical element holding member 2 so that it can move in the vertical direction, and a driving unit MP for moving the optical element holding member 2 at least in the vertical direction relative to the fixed member FB. The fixed member FB has a storage portion SP that is open at least upward and downward. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the spacer member 1 serving as the fixed member FB has a storage portion SP that is open downward, as shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the base member 18 serving as the fixed member FB has a storage portion SP that is open upward, as shown in FIG. 11. The optical element holding member 2 has a protrusion PT whose tip is inserted into the storage portion SP. A vibration-damping material DM is stored in the storage portion SP. The tip of the protrusion PT is in contact with the vibration-damping material DM provided in the storage portion SP. The protrusion PT may be part of another member held by the optical element holding member 2, or may be part of the optical element holding member 2. In other words, the protrusion PT may be made of synthetic resin.
[0070] This configuration has the advantage of being able to prevent foreign matter from entering because the protrusion PT is provided on the optical element holding member 2, i.e., there is no need to increase the size of the opening in the ceiling (for example, the opening in the ceiling 4B of the cover member 4) in order to provide the protrusion PT on part of the ceiling of the housing HS or the like that is an exterior part that constitutes the fixed-side member FB. Furthermore, the area of the ceiling (for example, the ceiling 4B of the cover member 4) does not increase.
[0071] Preferably, the protrusion PT is made of metal. This configuration has the advantage that the protrusion PT can be made thinner than when it is made of synthetic resin. Therefore, this configuration has the advantage that the damping effect is too strong and interferes with the driving of the driving unit MP. This configuration also has the advantage that the strength can be increased compared to when the protrusion PT is made of synthetic resin. This configuration also has the advantage that deterioration of the protrusion PT can be suppressed when the fluid adhesive (liquid adhesive) that is the material of the vibration-damping material DM is cured by ultraviolet irradiation.
[0072] Also, preferably, a metal member 8 is embedded in the optical element holding member 2. The protrusion PT is made up of the metal member 8 exposed from the optical element holding member 2. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the protrusion PT is made up of a right front upper extending portion 8TFR and a left front upper extending portion 8TFL of a front metal member 8F embedded in the optical element holding member 2, and a left rear upper extending portion 8TBL and a right rear upper extending portion 8TBR of a rear metal member 8B embedded in the optical element holding member 2.
[0073] This configuration brings about the effect of improving the productivity of the optical element driving device 101 compared to a configuration in which the protrusion PT is fixed to the optical element holding member 2 with an adhesive.
[0074] Preferably, the metal member 8 is made of a metal plate and has a base 8M embedded in the optical element holding member 2. The base 8M has a portion that is wider than the tip ED of the protrusion PT. In the example shown in the center diagram of Fig. 5, the width DS1 of the rear base 8MB of the rear metal member 8B is greater than the width DS2 of the tip ED of the right rear upward extending portion 8TBR serving as the protrusion PT.
[0075] This configuration brings about the effect that the optical element holding member 2 can reliably support the protrusion PT.
[0076] Preferably, the metal member 8 has a bent portion 8S between the base portion 8M and the protrusion PT (upward extending portion 8T). In the example shown in the center of Fig. 5, the front metal member 8F has a right front bent portion 8SFR between the front base portion 8MF and the right front upper extending portion 8TFR which is the protrusion PT, and a left front bent portion 8SFL between the front base portion 8MF and the left front upper extending portion 8TFL which is the protrusion PT. The rear metal member 8B has a right rear bent portion 8SBR between the rear base portion 8MB and the right rear upper extending portion 8TBR which is the protrusion PT, and a left rear bent portion 8SBL between the rear base portion 8MB and the left rear upper extending portion 8TBL which is the protrusion PT.
[0077] This configuration brings about the effect that the protrusion PT can be easily formed by bending the metal member 8.
[0078] Preferably, the optical element holding member 2 has a through-hole 2h that exposes the storage portion SP, as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the spacer member 1 may have a convex portion 1P that protrudes downward, as shown in FIG. 7. The storage portion SP may be provided on the underside of the convex portion 1P. In the illustrated example, the convex portion 1P is configured to be inserted into the through-hole 2h formed in the movable-side corner portion 2C of the optical element holding member 2, as shown in FIG. 8, and to extend into the through-hole 2h by a distance DS3 in the optical axis direction. That is, at least a portion of the storage portion SP is disposed inside the optical element holding member 2. The protrusion PT is configured to be embedded in the vibration-damping material DM by a distance DS4 (shorter than the distance DS3) in the optical axis direction.
[0079] This configuration has the effect of facilitating the installation of the vibration-damping material DM. Specifically, this configuration has the effect of facilitating the injection of the fluid adhesive (liquid adhesive) that is the material of the vibration-damping material DM and the curing of the liquid adhesive injected into the storage portion SP by ultraviolet irradiation. This is because the distance from the underside of the base member 18 to the storage portion SP is shorter than when the storage portion SP is disposed outside the optical element holding member 2. This configuration also has the effect of shortening the length of the upward extension portion 8T as the protrusion PT compared to a configuration in which the storage portion SP is disposed outside the optical element holding member 2. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of suppressing unnecessary vibrations of the optical element holding member 2 at an earlier stage. This is because the upward extension portion 8T can be prevented from becoming undesirably long.
[0080] 2, the support member (leaf spring 6) preferably has an upper leaf spring 16 fixed to the upper part of the optical element holding member 2 and a lower leaf spring 26 fixed to the lower part of the optical element holding member 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed side member FB has a base member 18, a cover member 4 integrated with the base member 18, and a spacer member 1 arranged between a ceiling portion 4B of the cover member 4 and the upper leaf spring 16. And, as shown in FIG. 7, the storage portion SP is provided on the underside of the spacer member 1.
[0081] This configuration has the effect of making it more difficult for foreign matter to get into the damping material DM compared to when the storage portion SP is formed in a member other than the spacer member 1. This is because there is no need to form openings or the like on the top surface and outer peripheral surface of the housing HS for injecting and hardening the fluid adhesive (liquid adhesive) that is the material of the damping material DM, and this means that it is possible to prevent foreign matter from getting in through such openings.
[0082] Preferably, the base member 18 has an opening 18h that exposes the storage portion SP, as shown in FIG.
[0083] This configuration has the effect of facilitating the placement of the damping material DM. Specifically, this configuration has the effect of facilitating the injection of a fluid adhesive (liquid adhesive) that is the material of the damping material DM, and the curing of the liquid adhesive injected into the storage section SP by ultraviolet irradiation.
[0084] 11, the storage section SP may be provided on the upper surface side of the base member 18. As shown in FIG.
[0085] This configuration, as in the case where the storage section SP is provided in the spacer member 1, has the advantage that it is not necessary to increase the size of the opening in the ceiling of the housing HS, etc., which is an exterior part that constitutes the fixed side member FB (for example, the opening in the ceiling section 4B of the cover member 4), and it is possible to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter.
[0086] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications or substitutions may be applied to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the features described with reference to the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate unless technically inconsistent.
[0087] For example, in the above embodiment, the driving unit MP is configured to move the optical element holding member 2 in the up-down direction, but it may also be configured to move the optical element holding member 2 in the front-back direction and the left-right direction. Also, the driving unit MP may be configured to rotate the optical element holding member 2 around at least one of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. [Explanation of symbols]
[0088] 1···Special member 1C···Fixed side corner portion 1C1···First fixed side corner portion 1C2···Second fixed side corner portion 1C3···Third fixed side corner portion 1C4···Fourth fixed side corner portion 1P···Protrusion 1P1···First protrusion 1P2···Second protrusion 1P3···Third protrusion 1P4···Fourth protrusion 2···Optical element holding member 2C···Movable side corner portion 2C1···First movable side corner portion 2C2···Second movable side corner portion 2C3···Third movable side corner portion 2C4···Fourth movable side corner portion 2h···Through portion 2h1···First through portion 2h2···Second through portion 2h3· ··3rd through portion 2h4···4th through portion 2r···recess 2t···protruding portion 3···core 4···caval member 4A···outer wall portion 4B···ceiling portion 4s···storage portion 4T···terminal portion PT···protruding portion 5···magnet 5B···rear magnet 5F···front magnet 5L···left magnet 5R···right magnet 6···plate 7···terminal member 7A···1st terminal member 7AP···exposed portion 7AT···terminal portion 7B···2nd terminal member 7BP···exposed portion 7BT···terminal portion 7C···3rd terminal member 7CP···connecting portion 8···metal Member 8B···Rear metal member 8C···Extension 8CL···Left extension 8CR···Right extension 8F···Front metal member 8L···Left metal member 8M···Base 8MB···Rear base 8MF···Front base 8ML···Left base 8MR···Right base 8P···Exposed portion 8PL···Left exposed portion 8PR···Right exposed portion 8R···Right metal member 8S···Folded curved portion 8SBL···Left rear folded curved portion 8SBR···Right rear folded curved portion 8SFL···Left front folded curved portion 8SFR···Right front folded curved portion 8T···Upper extension portion 8TBL·· ·Left rear upper extension portion 8TBR···Right rear upper extension portion 8TFL···Left front upper extension portion 8TFR···Right front upper extension portion 8U···Lower extension portion 8UBL···Left rear lower extension portion 8UBR···Right rear lower extension portion 8UFL···Left front lower extension portion 8UFR···Right front lower extension portion 12···Cylinder portion 12d···Base portion 12dh···Dimple 12h···Shelter portion 12j···Corrugated support portion 13···Rolled portion 16···Upper side plate 16b···Corner portion 16e···Outer portion 16g···Elastic wrist portion 16i···Inner portion16r···Ring portion 18···Base member 18C···Base side corner 18C1···First base side corner 18C2···Second base side corner 18C3···Third base side corner 18C4···Fourth base side corner 18h···Opening 18h1···First opening 18h2···Second opening 18h3···Third opening 18h4···Fourth opening 18k···Opening 18r···Concave portion 18t···Protruding portion 26···Lower leaf spring 26c···Inner joint portion 26d···Outer joint portion 26e···Outer portion 26g···Elastic arm portion 26h···Connecting plate portion 26hL···Left connecting plate portion 26hR···Right connecting plate portion 26i...Inner part 26L...Left lower leaf spring 26q...Through hole 26R...Right lower leaf spring 26s...Through hole 26t...Through hole 33...Extended part 33L...Left extended part 33m...Wrap part 33mL...Left wrap part 33mR...Right wrap part 33R... Right extension part 52... Flange part 101, 101A... Optical element drive device AD... Adhesive DM... Damping material DM1... First damping material DM2... Second damping material DM3... Third damping material DM4... Fourth damping material ED... Tip part FB... Fixed side member HS...Housing MP...Driver OA...Optical axis PT···Protrusion PT1···First protrusion PT2···Second protrusion PT3···Third protrusion PT4···Fourth protrusion SP···Receptacle SP1···First receptacle SP2···Second receptacle SP3···Third receptacle SP4···Fourth receptacle
Claims
1. A fixed side member; an optical element holding member having a through-hole penetrating in the vertical direction and capable of holding an optical element; a support member that supports the optical element holding member so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a drive unit that moves the optical element holding member at least in a vertical direction relative to the fixed member, the fixed member has a housing portion that is open at least one of upward and downward, the optical element holding member has a protruding portion whose tip is inserted into the accommodation portion, The housing contains a vibration-damping material, The optical element driving device, wherein the tip of the protrusion is in contact with the vibration-damping material provided in the housing portion.
2. The protrusion is formed of metal. The optical element driving device according to claim 1 .
3. a metal member is embedded in the optical element holding member, the protrusion is formed of the metal member exposed from the optical element holding member. The optical element driving device according to claim 2 .
4. the metal member is made of a metal plate and has a base portion embedded in the optical element holding member, The base portion has a portion wider than the tip portion of the protrusion. The optical element driving device according to claim 3 .
5. The metal member has a bent portion between the base portion and the protrusion portion.
5. The optical element driving device according to claim 4.
6. the optical element holding member has a through-hole that exposes the housing portion; The optical element driving device according to claim 1 .
7. the support member has an upper leaf spring fixed to an upper part of the optical element holding member and a lower leaf spring fixed to a lower part of the optical element holding member, the fixed member has a base member, a cover member integrated with the base member, and a spacer member disposed between a ceiling portion of the cover member and the upper leaf spring, The accommodation portion is provided on the lower surface side of the spacer member.
7. The optical element driving device according to claim 1.
8. The base member has an opening that exposes the storage portion. The optical element driving device according to claim 7 .
9. the support member has an upper leaf spring fixed to an upper part of the optical element holding member and a lower leaf spring fixed to a lower part of the optical element holding member, the fixed-side member has a base member and a cover member integrated with the base member, The storage portion is provided on the upper surface side of the base member.
7. The optical element driving device according to claim 1.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Lens unit drive device
JP2021140017A