Camera module

Abstract

To provide a camera module in which a common actuator can shift and tilt a lens, an imaging element and the like.SOLUTION: A camera module includes a lens that forms an image, an image sensor that captures the image, a housing, and six linear objects that extend in six directions non-parallel to each other and are expandable and contractible, in which one end of each linear object included in the six linear objects is connected to a driven body including at least one selected from the group consisting of the lens and the image sensor, and the other end of each linear object is connected to the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a camera module. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device. In this imaging device, a voice coil motor-type lens drive device holds a lens body. A module holder holds a camera module including the lens drive device, the lens body, and an imaging element. A drive mechanism made of shape memory alloy wire moves the module holder so as to tilt the optical axis relative to the lens body (paragraphs 0009, 0013, and 0017). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-163541 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, the number of mobile phones equipped with cameras equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS) functions has been increasing. The camera modules equipped in such cameras are often required to have actuator functions that can correct not only the shift direction but also the tilt direction.

[0005] However, in order to provide the camera module with this actuator function, it is necessary to mount both a shift mechanism for shifting the lens, image sensor, etc., and a tilt mechanism for tilting the lens, image sensor, etc., on the camera module, which makes the structure of the camera module complex.

[0006] In addition, when flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) are connected to the shift mechanism and tilt mechanism, the FPCs connected to the shift mechanism and the tilt mechanism must be mounted on the camera module. Furthermore, to ensure that these FPCs do not interfere with the shift and tilt of the lens, image sensor, etc., the shapes of these FPCs must be complex, further complicating the structure of the camera module.

[0007] In view of these problems, an aspect of the present disclosure provides a camera module in which a common actuator can shift and tilt a lens, an image sensor, and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A camera module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a lens that forms an image, an image sensor that captures the image, a housing, and six linear bodies that extend in six directions that are non-parallel to each other and are extendable and contractible, one end of each of the six linear bodies being connected to a driven body that comprises at least one type selected from the group consisting of the lens and the image sensor, and the other end of each of the six linear bodies being connected to the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a camera module according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an initial state of a lens unit and a first linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an initial state of an image sensor unit and a second linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a top view schematically illustrating an initial state of a lens unit, a housing, and a first linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5]2 is a top view schematically illustrating an initial state of an image sensor unit, a housing, and a second linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the camera module according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a top view schematically illustrating the state of the lens unit, the housing, and the first linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment after the lens unit has been shifted in a direction intermediate between the +X direction and the +Y direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a top view schematically illustrating the state of the image sensor unit, the housing, and the second linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment after the image sensor unit has been shifted in a direction intermediate between the +X direction and the +Y direction. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state of a lens unit, an image sensor unit, and an actuator provided in the camera module of the first embodiment after the lens unit has been shifted in the +Z direction. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a top view schematically illustrating the state of the lens unit, the housing, and the first linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment after the lens unit has been rotated in the +θZ direction. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a top view schematically illustrating the state of the image sensor unit, the housing, and the second linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment after the image sensor unit has been rotated in the +θZ direction. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state of a lens unit, an image sensor unit, and an actuator provided in the camera module of the first embodiment after the lens unit and the image sensor unit are tilted in the +X direction. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] 1. First embodiment 1.1 Camera module Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the initial state of the camera module of the first embodiment, and also illustrates the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system defined in the space in which the camera module is placed.

[0012] The camera module 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 receives light L, forms an image according to the received light L, captures the formed image, and outputs image data according to the captured image.

[0013] 1, the camera module 1 includes a lens unit 11, an infrared cut filter (IRCF) 12, an image sensor unit 13, an actuator 14, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 15, and a stiffener 16. The lens unit 11 includes a lens 21 and a lens barrel 22. The image sensor unit 13 includes an image sensor 31 and a substrate 32.

[0014] Light L is incident on the lens 21. The lens 21 transmits the incident light L and focuses the transmitted light on the image sensor 31. As a result, the lens 21 forms an image on the image sensor 31 that corresponds to the incident light L. The lens 21 has an optical axis 21a. In the initial state of the image sensor unit 13, the Z axis coincides with the optical axis 21a. The three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system is defined so that the +Z direction, which is parallel to the Z axis, is the direction from the image sensor 31 to the lens 21 and is the direction facing vertically upward.

[0015] The lens barrel 22 holds the lens 21 .

[0016] The lens unit 11 may include elements other than the lens 21 and the lens barrel 22 .

[0017] The IRCF 12 transmits light that passes through the lens 21 and is received by the image sensor 31. The IRCF 12 cuts out infrared components from the light that is transmitted.

[0018] The image sensor 31 receives the collected light and photoelectrically converts the received light into an electrical signal. As a result, the image sensor 31 captures the formed image and outputs image data corresponding to the captured image. The image sensor 31 may be a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, or the like.

[0019] An image sensor 31 is mounted on the substrate 32.

[0020] The image sensor unit 13 may include elements other than the image sensor 31 and the substrate 32 .

[0021] The actuator 14 independently drives the lens unit 11 and the image sensor unit 13. Therefore, the lens unit 11 including the lens 21 is a first driven body driven by the actuator 14. The image sensor unit 13 including the image sensor 31 is a second driven body driven by the actuator 14. The actuator 14 may drive only the lens unit 11, may drive only the image sensor unit 13, or may drive the lens unit 11 and the image sensor unit 13 together.

[0022] Power and control signals are supplied to the actuator 14. The actuator 14 operates with the supplied power and shifts, tilts, and rotates each of the lens unit 11 and the image sensor unit 13 in accordance with the supplied control signals.

[0023] One end of the FPC 15 is electrically connected to the actuator 14. The FPC 15 supplies power and control signals to the actuator 14. In the camera module 1, the actuator that drives the lens unit 11 and the image sensor unit 13 is a single common actuator 14. Therefore, the FPC connected to the actuator that drives the lens unit 11 and the image sensor unit 13 is a single FPC 15 connected to a single actuator 14. This prevents the shape of the FPC 15 from becoming complicated, making it easier to mount the FPC 15.

[0024] Stiffener 16 reinforces FPC15.

[0025] 1.2 Actuator Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an initial state of a lens unit and a first linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an initial state of an image sensor unit and a second linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a top view schematically illustrating an initial state of a lens unit, a housing, and a first linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a top view schematically illustrating an initial state of an image sensor unit, a housing, and a second linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. Figs. 2 to 5 also depict the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system defined in a space in which the camera module is arranged.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the actuator 14 includes a housing 41, six first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e and 42f, and six second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e and 43f.

[0027] The housing 41 has a rectangular cylindrical shape. Therefore, an internal space 41a is formed in the housing 41. The lens unit 11, the IRCF 12, the image sensor unit 13, the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f, and the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f are arranged in the internal space 41a. The housing 41 may have a shape other than a rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0028] The first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f are extendable. Each of the first linear bodies 42 included in the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f may be a flexible wire or an inflexible rod. One end of each first linear body 42 is connected to the lens unit 11. The other end of each first linear body 42 is connected to the housing 41. This allows the lens unit 11 to move relative to the housing 41 by extending or contracting all or part of the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f. One end of each first linear body 42 is connected to, for example, the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 22, and the other end of each first linear body 42 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the housing 41 opposite the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 22.

[0029] The six first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f do not intersect with each other and extend in six directions D1a, D1b, D1c, D1d, D1e, and D1f that are non-parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 2. This allows the lens unit 11 to have six degrees of freedom of movement relative to the housing 41. This allows the lens unit 11 to translate in ±X directions parallel to the X axis, ±Y directions parallel to the Y axis, and ±Z directions parallel to the Z axis. In addition, the lens unit 11 can move in ±θ directions around a rotation axis parallel to the X axis. X Direction, ±θ around a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis Y ±θ around the direction and Z axis Z The lens unit 11 can be rotated in the direction.

[0030] By translating the lens unit 11 in the ±X direction and / or ±Y direction, the lens unit 11 can be shifted in the XY plane. By translating the lens unit 11 in the ±Z direction, the lens unit 11 can be shifted in the ±Z direction. ±θ X Direction and / or ±θ Y By rotating the lens unit 11 in the direction of ±θ, the lens unit 11 can be tilted. Z By rotating the lens unit 11 in the ±Z direction, the lens unit 11 can be caused to rotate around the Z axis. The shift and tilt in the XY plane and the rotation around the Z axis are used for image stabilization. The shift in the ±Z directions is used for focusing.

[0031] The direction D1a is a direction inclined from the +X direction to the +Z direction. The direction D1b is a direction inclined from a direction midway between the +X direction and the +Y direction to the +Z direction. The direction D1c is a direction inclined from a direction midway between the -X direction and the +Y direction to the +Z direction. The direction D1d is a direction inclined from the -X direction to the +Z direction. The direction D1e is a direction inclined from a direction midway between the -X direction and the -Y direction to the +Z direction. The direction D1f is a direction inclined from a direction midway between the +X direction and the -Y direction to the +Z direction. One ends of the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f connected to the lens unit 11 are at the same first position in the ±Z direction. The other ends of the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f connected to the housing 41 are at the same second position in the ±Z direction. The second position is located on the +Z direction side and vertically above the first position.

[0032] Each first linear body 42 is a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire. Therefore, each first linear body 42 generates Joule heat according to the current flowing through it, releases the generated heat into the surrounding air, and expands and contracts according to changes in temperature determined by the generated and released heat.

[0033] The actuator 14 may include an additional first linear body other than the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f. The additional first linear body is extendable. One end of the additional first linear body is connected to the lens unit 11. The other end of the additional first linear body is connected to the housing 41. The direction in which the additional first linear body extends may be parallel to one direction included in the directions D1a, D1b, D1c, D1d, D1e, and D1f, or may be non-parallel to all of the directions D1a, D1b, D1c, D1d, D1e, and D1f.

[0034] The second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f are extendable. Each of the second linear bodies 43 included in the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f may be a flexible wire or an inflexible rod. One end of each second linear body 43 is connected to the image sensor unit 13. The other end of each second linear body 43 is connected to the housing 41. This allows the image sensor unit 13 to move relative to the housing 41 by extending or contracting all or part of the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f. One end of each second linear body 43 is connected to, for example, an end surface of the substrate 32, and the other end of each first linear body 42 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the housing 41 facing the end surface of the substrate 32.

[0035] The six second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f do not intersect with each other and extend in six directions D2a, D2b, D2c, D2d, D2e, and D2f that are non-parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 3. This allows the image sensor unit 13 to have six degrees of freedom of movement relative to the housing 41. This allows the image sensor unit 13 to translate in ±X directions parallel to the X axis, ±Y directions parallel to the Y axis, and ±Z directions parallel to the Z axis. In addition, the image sensor unit 13 can move in ±θ directions around a rotation axis parallel to the X axis. X Direction, ±θ around a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis Y ±θ around the direction and Z axis ZThe image sensor unit 13 can be rotated in the direction.

[0036] By translating the image sensor unit 13 in the ±X direction and / or ±Y direction, the image sensor unit 13 can be shifted in the XY plane. By translating the image sensor unit 13 in the ±Z direction, the image sensor unit 13 can be shifted in the ±Z direction. ±θ X Direction and / or ±θ Y By rotating the image sensor unit 13 in the ±θ direction, the image sensor unit 13 can be tilted. Z By rotating the image sensor unit 13 in the Z direction, the image sensor unit 13 can be rotated around the Z axis. The shift and tilt in the XY plane and the rotation around the Z axis are used for image stabilization. The shift in the ±Z directions is used for focusing.

[0037] The direction D2a is a direction inclined from the +X direction to the +Z direction. The direction D2b is a direction inclined from a direction midway between the +X direction and the +Y direction to the +Z direction. The direction D2c is a direction inclined from a direction midway between the -X direction and the +Y direction to the +Z direction. The direction D2d is a direction inclined from the -X direction to the +Z direction. The direction D2e is a direction inclined from a direction midway between the -X direction and the -Y direction to the +Z direction. The direction D2f is a direction inclined from a direction midway between the +X direction and the -Y direction to the +Z direction. One ends of the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f connected to the image sensor unit 13 are at the same third position in the ±Z direction. The other ends of second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f connected to housing 41 are at the same fourth position in the ±Z directions. The fourth position is located on the +Z direction side of the third position and vertically above it.

[0038] Each second linear body 43 is an SMA wire. Therefore, each second linear body 43 generates Joule heat according to the current flowing through it, releases the generated heat into the surrounding air, and expands and contracts according to changes in temperature determined by the generated and released heat.

[0039] The actuator 14 may include an additional second linear body other than the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f. The additional second linear body is extendable. One end of the additional second linear body is connected to the image sensor unit 13. The other end of the additional second linear body is connected to the housing 41. The direction in which the additional second linear body extends may be parallel to one direction included in the directions D2a, D2b, D2c, D2d, D2e, and D2f, or may be non-parallel to all of the directions D2a, D2b, D2c, D2d, D2e, and D2f.

[0040] 1.3 Actuator Control FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system of the camera module of the first embodiment.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, the camera module 1 includes a controller 51.

[0042] The controller 51 controls the current flowing through each first linear body 42 to control the change in temperature of each first linear body 42, and controls the expansion and contraction of each first linear body 42 by controlling the change in temperature of each first linear body 42. In this way, the controller 51 shifts, tilts, and rotates the lens unit 11.

[0043] The controller 51 controls the current flowing through each second linear body 43 to control the change in temperature of each second linear body 43, and controls the expansion and contraction of each second linear body 43 by controlling the change in temperature of each second linear body 43. In this way, the controller 51 shifts, tilts, and rotates the image sensor unit 13.

[0044] The controller 51 includes a microcontroller and associated circuits. The microcontroller includes a processor and memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory to cause the controller 51 to perform the above-described processes. All or part of the processes performed by the microcontroller may be performed by dedicated electronic circuits.

[0045] Instead of the SMA wire, each of the first linear bodies 42 and each of the second linear bodies 43 may be expanded and contracted by a piezoelectric body, a motor, or the like.

[0046] 1.4 Relationship between the movement of the lens unit and image sensor unit and the expansion and contraction of the linear body In the following description, the direction in which each first linear body 42 extends is the direction from one end connected to the lens unit 11 to the other end connected to the housing 41. Also, the direction in which each second linear body 43 extends is the direction from one end connected to the image sensor unit 13 to the other end connected to the housing 41.

[0047] Fig. 7 is a top view schematically illustrating a state of a lens unit, a housing, and a first linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment after the lens unit has been shifted in a direction intermediate between the +X direction and the +Y direction. Fig. 8 is a top view schematically illustrating a state of an image sensor unit, a housing, and a second linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment after the image sensor unit has been shifted in a direction intermediate between the +X direction and the +Y direction.

[0048] 7, when the lens unit 11 is caused to shift in a direction DA that is halfway between the +X direction and the +Y direction, the first linear bodies 42a and 42b extending in a direction that forms an angle of less than 90° with the direction DA when the XY plane is seen in a planar view are contracted, and the remaining first linear bodies 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f are stretched. Also, when the image sensor unit 13 is caused to shift in the direction DA as shown in FIG. 8, when the image sensor unit 13 is caused to shift in the direction DA, the second linear bodies 43a and 43b extending in a direction that forms an angle of less than 90° with the direction DA when the XY plane is seen in a planar view are contracted, and the remaining second linear bodies 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f are stretched.

[0049] In addition, for example, when the lens unit 11 is caused to shift in the +X direction, the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, and 42f extending in a direction forming an angle of less than 90° with the +X direction when the XY plane is seen in a planar view are contracted, and the remaining first linear bodies 42c, 42d, and 42e are extended. Also, for example, when the image sensor unit 13 is caused to shift in the +X direction, the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, and 43f extending in a direction forming an angle of less than 90° with the +X direction when the XY plane is seen in a planar view are contracted, and the remaining second linear bodies 43c, 43d, and 43e are extended.

[0050] For example, when the lens unit 11 is caused to shift in the +Y direction, the first linear bodies 42b and 42c extending in a direction forming an angle of less than 90° with the +Y direction when the XY plane is seen in a planar view are contracted, and the remaining first linear bodies 42a, 42d, 42e, and 42f are extended. Also, when the image sensor unit 13 is caused to shift in the +Y direction, for example, the second linear bodies 43b and 43c extending in a direction forming an angle of less than 90° with the +Y direction when the XY plane is seen in a planar view are contracted, and the remaining second linear bodies 43a, 43d, 43e, and 43f are extended.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the lens unit, image sensor unit, and actuator provided in the camera module of the first embodiment after the lens unit has been shifted in the +Z direction.

[0052] As shown in Figure 9, when the lens unit 11 is shifted in the +Z direction, the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f are contracted until they become horizontal, and then extended after reaching horizontal.

[0053] In addition, when the lens unit 11 is caused to shift in the −Z direction, for example, the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f are extended.

[0054] For example, when the image sensor unit 13 is caused to shift in the +Z direction, the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f are contracted until they become horizontal, and then extended after they reach horizontal. When the image sensor unit 13 is caused to shift in the -Z direction, the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f are extended.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the lens unit, the housing, and the first linear body provided in the camera module of the first embodiment and the +θ Z 11 is a top view schematically illustrating a state after the lens unit has been rotated in the +θ direction. Z 10 is a top view schematically illustrating the state after the image sensor unit has been rotated in the direction. FIG.

[0056] As shown in Figure 10, +θ Z When the lens unit 11 is rotated in the +θ direction, the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f are extended. Z When the image sensor unit 13 is caused to rotate in the direction, the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f are stretched.

[0057] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the state of the lens unit, image sensor unit, and actuator provided in the camera module of the first embodiment after the lens unit and the image sensor unit are tilted in the +X direction.

[0058] As shown in Figure 12, if the rotation center of the lens unit 11 is located on the +Z side of one end of the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f connected to the lens unit 11, when the lens unit 11 is tilted in the +X direction, the first linear bodies 42a, 42b, and 42f located on the +X side of the rotation center of the lens 21 are extended, and the first linear bodies 42c, 42d, and 42e located on the -X side of the rotation center of the lens 21 are contracted. Furthermore, if the rotation center of the image sensor unit 13 is located on the +Z side of one end of the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f connected to the image sensor unit 13, when the image sensor unit 13 is tilted in the +X direction, the second linear bodies 43a, 43b, and 43f located on the +X side of the center of the image sensor unit 13 are extended, and the second linear bodies 43c, 43d, and 43e located on the -X side of the center of the image sensor unit 13 are contracted.

[0059] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be replaced with a configuration that is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiments, a configuration that has the same effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 camera module 11 Lens unit 12 Infrared cut filter (IRCF) 13 Image sensor unit 14 Actuators 15 Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) 16 Stiffna 21 Lens 21a Optical axis 22 Lens barrel 31 Image Sensor 32 Circuit board 41 Housing 41a Interior space 42 each first linear body 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f First linear body 43 each second linear body 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, 43f Second linear body 51 Controller L light

Claims

1. a lens for forming an image; an image sensor that captures the image; The housing and Six linear bodies that are extendable and contractible in six directions that are non-parallel to one another; Equipped with one end of each of the six linear bodies is connected to a driven body including at least one selected from the group consisting of the lens and the image sensor; The other end of each linear body is connected to the housing. Camera module.

2. The driven body includes the lens. The camera module of claim 1 .

3. the six linear bodies are six first linear bodies, the driven body is a first driven body, the first driven body includes the lens, six second linear bodies extending in six directions non-parallel to one another and being stretchable; one end of each of the six second linear bodies is connected to a second driven body including the image sensor; The other end of each of the second linear bodies is connected to the housing. The camera module according to claim 2 .

4. The driven body includes the image sensor. The camera module of claim 1 .

5. A controller is provided to control the expansion and contraction of the six linear bodies to shift and tilt the driven body.

5. A camera module according to claim 1.

Images