Imaging device

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus comprising a movement restriction member mechanically clamping a movable member.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus comprises: a movable member including an imaging device; a support member supporting the movable member in a plane intersecting an optical axis of the imaging device; and a movement restriction member including a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member move between a clamping position in which the first and second members clamp a clamping object member provided in the movable member and a non-clamping position spaced away from the clamping object member, and the first member and second member clamp the clamping object member at least two or more portions in the clamping position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose an imaging device including an image blur correction function for correcting blur of an imaging image (hereinafter referred to as image blur) by moving an imaging element, and a movement restriction function for restricting movement of the imaging element.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

[0004] One embodiment according to the technology of the present disclosure provides an imaging device including a movement restriction function for mechanically restricting movement of an imaging element.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The imaging device according to the first aspect includes a movable member including an imaging element, a support member that supports the movable member in a plane intersecting the optical axis of the imaging element, and a movement restriction member including a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member move between a clamping position where a clamped member provided on the movable member is clamped and a non-clamping position where the first member and the second member are separated from the clamped member. In the clamping position, the first member and the second member clamp the clamped member at at least two locations or more.

[0006] In the imaging device according to the second aspect, the first member and the second member clamp the clamped member at three points, and the triangle formed by connecting the three points is an acute triangle.

[0007] In the imaging device according to the third aspect, the longitudinal direction of the member to be sandwiched is parallel to the optical axis, and the first member and the second member move between the sandwiching position and the non-sandwiching position within a plane intersecting the optical axis.

[0008] In the imaging device according to the fourth aspect, the first member and the second member move in different directions within a plane intersecting the optical axis.

[0009] In the imaging device according to the fifth aspect, when the first member moves from the non-sandwiching position to the sandwiching position, the first member reaches the sandwiching position earlier than the second member.

[0010] In the imaging device according to the sixth aspect, the moving distances between the sandwiching position and the non-sandwiching position of the first member and the second member are different, and / or the moving speeds between the sandwiching position and the non-sandwiching position of the first member and the second member are different.

[0011] In the imaging device according to the seventh aspect, the driving force for moving the first member in the direction of the sandwiching position is greater than the driving force for moving the second member in the direction of the sandwiching position.

[0012] In the imaging device according to the eighth aspect, the imaging device has at least two members to be sandwiched, and the first member contacts at least one of the at least two members to be sandwiched at two locations.

[0013] In the imaging device according to the ninth aspect, the first member includes two long holes through which two shafts provided on the support member are inserted, and at the sandwiching position, one of the two shafts and one of the two long holes contact at two locations.

[0014] In the imaging device according to the tenth aspect, the second member includes at least one elastic member, and at the sandwiching position, the elastic member biases at least one of the members to be sandwiched. Covered by sandwiching member.

[0015] In the imaging device according to the eleventh aspect, the member to be sandwiched includes an adjustment member for aligning the center of the imaging element and the optical axis of the imaging optical system.

[0016] In the imaging device according to the twelfth aspect, the adjusting member includes a third member disposed on the movable member and a cylindrical fourth member, and the gap between the third member and the fourth member is filled with an ultraviolet curable adhesive.

[0017] In the imaging device according to the thirteenth aspect, the movable member includes a support member or three ball receiving surfaces that accommodate three balls disposed between the movable member and the support member, and the member to be clamped is disposed inside a virtual triangle formed by the three ball receiving surfaces.

[0018] In the imaging device according to the fourteenth aspect, a processor that controls the operation of the movement restricting member is provided, and the processor controls whether or not the movement restricting member restricts the movement of the movable member according to specific conditions.

[0019] In the imaging device according to the fifteenth aspect, the imaging device includes a power supply, and the specific condition is the state of the power supply.

[0020] In the imaging device according to the sixteenth aspect, the imaging device includes a user interface unit, and the specific condition is the state of an operation on the user interface unit.

[0021] In the imaging device according to the seventeenth aspect, the imaging device includes a sensor that detects acceleration, and when the sensor detects an acceleration exceeding the range in which the movement of the movable member is allowed, the processor performs control to cause the movement restricting member to restrict the movement of the movable member.

[0022] In the imaging device according to the eighteenth aspect, the specific condition is the state of the output of the sensor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera 100 which is an embodiment of an imaging apparatus of the present invention. The digital camera 100 includes a camera body 101 and an interchangeable lens 102 detachably attached to the camera body 101. In the embodiment, the digital camera 100 with a detachable interchangeable lens 102 will be described, but the digital camera 100 may be a lens-integrated camera.

[0026] The digital camera 100 includes a camera body 101 and an interchangeable lens 102 including an imaging optical system 103. The camera body 101 includes an imaging unit 5 including an image blur correction device 3 and a movement restricting member 4, an imaging element driving unit 105 for driving the imaging element 20, an analog front end (AFE) 104, an image processing unit 107, a motion detection sensor 106, an operation unit 110, a display unit 111, and a system control unit 108 for overall control of the entire digital camera 100. The image blur correction device 3 includes a movable member 2 including the imaging element 20 and a support member 1 for movably supporting the movable member 2.

[0027] The imaging optical system 103 includes a focus lens or a zoom lens and a diaphragm.

[0028] The imaging element 20 images a subject through the imaging optical system 103, and includes a semiconductor chip on which a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, or the like is formed, and a package that houses this semiconductor chip.

[0029] As will be described later, the light receiving surface 20a (see FIG. 3) of this imaging element 20 is rectangular.

[0030] As described above, the image blur correction device 3 includes a movable member 2 including the imaging element 20 and a support member 1 that supports the movable member 2. The support member 1 supports the movable member 2 within a plane that intersects the optical axis K of the imaging element 20. The image blur correction device 3 corrects image blur of an imaging image captured by the imaging element 20 by moving the light receiving surface 20a of the imaging element 20 within a plane that intersects the optical axis K of the imaging element 20. The optical axis K of the imaging element 20 is an imaginary straight line that passes through the center P of the light receiving surface 20a of the imaging element 20 and is orthogonal to the light receiving surface 20a.

[0031] In this specification, in the digital camera 100, a state in which the light receiving surface 20a of the imaging element 20 is perpendicular to the gravitational direction and a state in which the image blur correction device 3 is not energized are defined as a reference state. In this reference state, the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103 and the optical axis K of the imaging element 20 basically coincide.

[0032] The image blur correction device 3, although its detailed configuration will be described later, corrects image blur by moving the movable member 2 including the imaging element 20 relative to the support member 1 in three directions: a first direction that is the short side direction (direction X shown in FIG. 3) of the light receiving surface 20a of the imaging element 20 in the above reference state, a second direction that is the long side direction (direction Y shown in FIG. 3) of the light receiving surface 20a of the imaging element 20, and a third direction that is a direction along the circumference of a circle centered on the center P of the light receiving surface 20a of the imaging element 20 (direction θ shown in FIG. 3).

[0033] The movement restricting member 4, although its detailed configuration will be described later, is disposed on the opposite side of the movable member 2 with the support member 1 interposed therebetween, and mechanically restricts the movement of the movable member 2 with respect to the support member 1.

[0034] The AFE 104 includes a signal processing circuit that performs correlation double sampling processing, digital conversion processing, etc. on the imaging signal output from the imaging element 20.

[0035] The image processing unit 107 digitally processes the imaging signal processed by the AFE 104 to generate imaging image data in a format such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group).

[0036] The motion detection sensor 106 is a sensor for detecting the motion of the digital camera 100 (camera body 101), and is constituted by an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, or both of them.

[0037] The system control unit 108 controls the imaging element driving unit 105 and the AFE 104 to cause the imaging element 20 to image a subject, output an imaging signal corresponding to the subject image from the imaging element 20, and generate a still image, a moving image, or a through image for recording.

[0038] The operation unit 110 includes a release switch for operating the timing of driving a shutter (not shown), a user interface unit for making various settings such as a shooting mode for the digital camera 100, and various operation members such as a power switch.

[0039] The display unit 111 is provided on the back surface of the camera body 101, and displays a still image, a moving image, or a moving image including a through image taken, information related to operations (menu), etc. The user interface unit of the operation unit 110 also includes a touch panel disposed overlapping the display unit 111.

[0040] The system control unit 108 controls the image blur correction device 3 based on the motion information of the digital camera 100 detected by the motion detection sensor 106. The system control unit 108 controls the movement of the movable member 2 including the imaging element 20, and corrects the image blur of the captured image captured by the imaging element 20 by moving the light receiving surface 20a of the imaging element 20 in at least one of the directions X, Y, and θ.

[0041] When the system control unit 108 is energizing the image blur correction device 3 and the motion detection sensor 106 does not detect the motion of the digital camera 100, the system control unit 108 controls the operation of the image blur correction device 3 so that the position of the light receiving surface 20a of the imaging element 20 becomes the position in the above reference state.

[0042] The system control unit 108 controls the operation of the movement restricting member 4, and controls whether or not the movement restricting member 4 restricts the movement of the movable member 2 according to specific conditions.

[0043] (Processor) In the above embodiment, in the imaging element driving unit 105, the analog front end (AFE) 104, the image processing unit 107, and the system control unit 108, the hardware structures of the processing units (processing unit) that execute various processes are various processors (processor) as shown below. The various processors include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (program) and functions as various processing units, a programmable logic device (Programmable Logic Device: PLD), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electric circuit, which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically to execute specific processes, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0044] One processing unit may be composed of one of these various processors, or may be composed of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a plurality of FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, a plurality of processing units may be composed of one processor. As an example of configuring a plurality of processing units with one processor, first, as represented by a computer such as a client or a server, one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as a plurality of processing units. Second, as represented by a System On Chip (SoC), etc., there is a form in which a processor that realizes the functions of an entire system including a plurality of processing units with one IC (Integrated Circuit) chip is used. Thus, various processing units are configured using one or more of the above various processors as a hardware structure.

[0045] Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electrical circuit (circuitry) that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0046] The above-described respective configurations and functions can be appropriately realized by any hardware, software, or a combination of both. For example, it is also applicable to a program that causes a computer to execute the above-described processing steps (processing procedures), a computer-readable recording medium (non-transitory recording medium) that records such a program, or a computer to which such a program can be installed.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image blur correction device 3 in the digital camera 100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0048] The image blur correction device 3 includes a movable member 2 movable in each of the directions X, Y, and θ, and a support member 1 that movably supports the movable member 2 in each of the directions X, Y, and θ.

[0049] On the movable member 2, a circuit board 21 to which an imaging element 20 is fixed (mounted), an X-axis and rotation drive coil C1, an X-axis and rotation drive coil C2, and a Y-axis drive coil C3 are fixed.

[0050] The output signals of the Hall element H1, the Hall element H2, and the Hall element H3 are input to the system control unit 108.

[0051] Based on this output signal, the system control unit 108 controls the control current flowing through the X-axis and rotation drive coil C1, the control current flowing through the X-axis and rotation drive coil C2, and the control current flowing through the Y-axis drive coil C3 to move the movable member 2 and correct image blurring.

[0052] The support member 1 is composed of a first support member 1A and a second support member 1B as will be described later.

[0053] On the first support member 1A, an X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv1, an X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv2, and a Y-axis drive magnet Mv3 are fixed.

[0054] The second support member 1B includes a yoke 18 (see FIG. 4) at a position facing the X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv1, the X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv2, and the Y-axis drive magnet Mv3.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the imaging unit 5 as viewed from the side (front side) of the imaging optical system 103. As described above, the imaging unit 5 includes an image blur correction device 3 and a movement restricting member 4, and the image blur correction device 3 includes a movable member 2 and a support member 1.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the image blur correction device 3 includes a support member 1 composed of a first support member 1A and a second support member 1B, and a movable member 2 to which a circuit board 21 on which an imaging element 20 is mounted is fixed. The first support member 1A is disposed on the back side of the movable member 2 (the side of the surface opposite to the light receiving surface 20a). The second support member 1B is disposed on the front side of the movable member 2 (the light receiving surface 20a side), and is fixed to the first support member 1A by screwing or the like with the movable member 2 sandwiched between the first support member 1A and the second support member 1B. The movement restricting member 4 is disposed on the back side of the first support member 1A (the side of the surface opposite to the light receiving surface 20a). The configuration of the movement restricting member 4 will be described later.

[0057] The imaging unit 5 including the image blur correction device 3 and the movement restricting member 4 is fixed to the camera body 101 with the light receiving surface 20a facing the imaging optical system 103 shown in FIG. 1.

[0058] The image blur correction device 3 performs image blur correction by moving the movable member 2 in a direction θ centered on an optical axis K perpendicular to the light receiving surface 20a and passing through the center P of the light receiving surface 20a, a direction X which is the longitudinal direction of the light receiving surface 20a, and a direction Y which is the short-side direction of the light receiving surface 20a, respectively.

[0059] Hereinafter, the direction extending along the optical axis K of the imaging element 20 is referred to as the direction Z. In the embodiment, the plane perpendicular to the optical axis K is the plane in which the movable member 2 moves.

[0060] The movable member 2 is movable by the same distance in one direction (left direction) of the direction X and the other direction (right direction) of the direction X from the reference state.

[0061] Also, the movable member 2 is movable by the same distance in one direction (upward direction) of the direction Y and the other direction (downward direction) of the direction Y from the reference state.

[0062] Also, the movable member 2 is rotatable by the same angle in one direction (right rotation direction) of the direction θ and the other direction (left rotation direction) of the direction θ from the reference state.

[0063] In the digital camera 100 shown in FIG. 1, the posture in which the direction Y shown in FIG. 3 is parallel to the gravitational direction is defined as the correct posture (the posture for performing so-called horizontal shooting).

[0064] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the support member 1 of the image blur correction device 3 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the imaging optical system 103 side.

[0065] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the support member 1 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the side opposite to the imaging optical system 103 side.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first support member 1A includes a plate-like base 10 formed of resin or the like and having a plane perpendicular to the direction Z, and protrusions 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d extending in the direction Z from the peripheral portion of the base 10 toward the imaging optical system 103 side.

[0067] The second support member 1B has a substantially U-shaped yoke 18 as viewed from the imaging optical system 103 side. Hole portions 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d are formed in the yoke 18 at positions facing the protrusions 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d. The yoke 18 is substantially U-shaped with the right side in the direction X open as viewed from the imaging optical system 103 side.

[0068] With a movable member 2 (not shown) disposed between the first support member 1A and the second support member 1B, the protrusions 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d of the first support member 1A are inserted into the hole portions 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d of the second support member 1B facing them, respectively, and are fixed by screws SC. Thereby, the movable member 2 is supported by the support member 1.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 4, on the surface of the base 10 on the imaging optical system 103 side, a substantially L-shaped yoke 14 is disposed at the left end in the direction X and the lower end in the direction Y as viewed from the imaging optical system 103 side.

[0070] On the surface of the portion of the yoke 14 of the first support member 1A that extends along the direction Y, an X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv1 that constitutes the first driving magnet and an X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv2 that constitutes the second driving magnet are arranged and fixed side by side with a space therebetween in the direction Y.

[0071] As viewed from the imaging optical system 103 side, for the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv1, the N pole is arranged facing the right direction of the X-axis, and the S pole is arranged facing the left direction of the X-axis.

[0072] As viewed from the imaging optical system 103 side, for the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv2, the N pole is arranged facing the right direction of the X-axis, and the S pole is arranged facing the left direction of the X-axis.

[0073] On the surface of the portion of the yoke 14 of the first support member 1A that extends along the direction X, a Y-axis driving magnet Mv3 that constitutes the third driving magnet is fixed.

[0074] As viewed from the imaging optical system 103 side, for the Y-axis driving magnet Mv3, the N pole is arranged facing the upward direction of the Y-axis, and the S pole is arranged facing the downward direction of the Y-axis.

[0075] The yoke 18 is arranged at a position overlapping with the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv1, the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv2, and the Y-axis driving magnet Mv3 as viewed from the imaging optical system 103 side in order to prevent leakage of magnetic flux to the surroundings. The shape of the yoke 18 is not limited to a substantially U shape as long as it overlaps with the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv1, the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv2, and the Y-axis driving magnet Mv3, and it may be a substantially L shape.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusions 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d are fixed to the base 10 of the first support member 1A by screws SC. On the surface of the base 10 opposite to the imaging optical system 103 side, two reflection type photosensors 12 are arranged at a position on the right side in the X direction and the upper side in the Y direction as viewed from the opposite side of the imaging optical system 103 side in order to detect the position of the movement restricting member 4 described later.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 4, on the surface of the base 10 on the side of the imaging optical system 103, three planes 15a, 15b, and 15c perpendicular to the direction Z are formed. The planes 15a, 15b, and 15c all have the same position in the direction Z and are formed on the same plane.

[0078] On the surface of the base 10 on the side of the imaging optical system 103, when viewed from the side of the imaging optical system 103, a through hole 11a is formed on the upper side in the direction Y and on the side close to the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv1 to restrict the movement of the movable member 2 and allow the sandwiched member 26a (see FIGS. 6 and 7) to pass through. A through hole 11b is formed on the upper side in the direction Y and on the side close to the protrusion 17d to restrict the movement of the movable member 2 and allow the sandwiched member 26b (see FIGS. 6 and 7) to pass through. A through hole 11c is formed on the lower side in the direction Y and on the side close to the Y-axis driving magnet Mv3 to restrict the movement of the movable member 2 and allow the insertion member 28 (see FIG. 7) to pass through.

[0079] A through hole 11d for passing the flexible printed circuit board 25 attached to the movable member 2 described later is formed at approximately the center of the base 10. The through hole 11d has a rectangular shape with a length in the direction X longer than the length in the direction Y.

[0080] On the upper side of the base 10 in the direction Y, between the through hole 11a and the through hole 11b, a hook 16 to which one end of the spring 24a (see FIGS. 8 and 9) is locked is formed. A through hole 11e for passing the spring 24b (see FIGS. 8 and 9) is formed on the lower side of the base 10 in the direction Y and above the Y-axis driving magnet Mv3.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the movable member 2 of the image blur correction device 3 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the side of the imaging optical system 103.

[0082] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the movable member 2 shown in FIG. 6 as viewed from the side opposite to the side of the imaging optical system 103.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 7, the movable member 2 includes a linear portion extending in the direction X (also referred to as the upper horizontal side portion), a linear portion extending downward in the direction Y from the right end portion of this portion in the direction X (also referred to as the vertical side portion), a linear portion extending to the left side in the direction X from the lower end portion of the portion extending in the direction Y (also referred to as the lower horizontal side portion), and a vertical side portion extending in the direction Y from the left end portion of the upper horizontal side portion and continuous with the left end portion of the lower horizontal side portion. When viewed from the imaging optical system 103 side, it includes a substantially rectangular base 22 that surrounds the four sides of the circuit board 21. As shown in Fig. 7, when the movable member 2 is viewed from the side opposite to the imaging optical system 103 side, the left side in the direction X is open for the base 22.

[0084] As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, on this base 22, the circuit board 21 on which the imaging element 20 is mounted is fixed by an adhesive or the like in the region surrounded by the four portions of the upper horizontal side portion, the two vertical side portions, and the lower horizontal side portion.

[0085] Also, as shown in Fig. 7, on the base 22, an X-axis and rotation driving coil C1 is arranged at a position facing the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv1 shown in Fig. 4.

[0086] Also, on this base 22, an X-axis and rotation driving coil C2 is arranged at a position facing the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv2 shown in Fig. 4.

[0087] Furthermore, on this base 22, a Y-axis driving coil C3 is arranged at a position facing the Y-axis driving magnet Mv3 shown in Fig. 4.

[0088] The X-axis and rotation driving coil C1 shown in Fig. 7 and the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv1 shown in Fig. 4 constitute a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) for X-axis driving.

[0089] The VCM for X-axis driving moves the movable member 2 in the direction X by the Lorentz force between the X-axis and rotation driving coil C1 and the X-axis and rotation driving magnet Mv1 by flowing a control current through the X-axis and rotation driving coil C1.

[0090] The VCM is constituted by the X-axis and rotation drive coil C2 shown in FIG. 7 and the X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv2 shown in FIG. 4. The rotation drive VCM is constituted by this VCM and the above-described X-axis drive VCM.

[0091] The rotation drive VCM rotates the movable member 2 around the optical axis K with the center P of the light receiving surface 20a as the rotation center by reversing the directions of the control currents flowing through the X-axis and rotation drive coil C1 and the X-axis and rotation drive coil C2 shown in FIG. 7, by the Lorentz force between the X-axis and rotation drive coil C1 and the X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv1 and the Lorentz force between the X-axis and rotation drive coil C2 and the X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv2.

[0092] The Y-axis drive VCM is constituted by the Y-axis drive coil C3 shown in FIG. 7 and the Y-axis drive magnet Mv3 shown in FIG. 4.

[0093] This Y-axis drive VCM moves the movable member 2 in the direction Y by the Lorentz force between the Y-axis drive coil C3 and the Y-axis drive magnet Mv3 by flowing a control current through the Y-axis drive coil C3.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 7, a Hall element H1 is disposed at the center of the X-axis and rotation drive coil C1, a Hall element H2 is disposed at the center of the X-axis and rotation drive coil C2, and a Hall element H3 is disposed at the center of the Y-axis drive coil C3. The Hall element H1 is fixed at a position facing the intermediate position between the S pole and the N pole of the X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv1.

[0095] The Hall element H2 is fixed at a position facing the intermediate position between the S pole and the N pole of the X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv2.

[0096] The Hall element H3 is fixed at a position facing the intermediate position between the S pole and the N pole of the Y-axis drive magnet Mv3.

[0097] The Hall element H1 outputs a signal corresponding to the magnetic field generated by the X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv1. Based on the change in the output of this signal, the system control unit 108 detects the position of the movable member 2 in the X direction.

[0098] The Hall element H2 outputs a signal corresponding to the magnetic field generated by the X-axis and rotation drive magnet Mv2. Based on the change in the output of this signal, the system control unit 108 detects the position of the movable member 2 in the X direction.

[0099] The Hall element H3 outputs a signal corresponding to the magnetic field generated by the Y-axis drive magnet Mv3, and the system control unit 108 detects the position of the movable member 2 in the Y direction.

[0100] Based on the change in the output signal of the Hall element H1 and the change in the output signal of the Hall element H2, the system control unit 108 detects the rotation angle of the movable member 2 around the optical axis K as the position of the movable member 2 in the θ direction.

[0101] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a hook 23a is disposed at a position facing the hook 16 (see FIG. 4) of the support member 1 on the base 22. The other end of a spring 24a (see FIGS. 8 and 9) is locked to the hook 23a.

[0102] The movable member 2 is biased toward the first support member 1A by the springs 24a respectively locked to the hook 16 and the hook 23a.

[0103] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a hook 23b is disposed at a position facing the through hole 11e (see FIG. 4) of the support member 1 on the base 22. The other end of a spring 24b (see FIGS. 8 and 9) is locked to the hook 23b. One end of the spring 24b is locked to a hook 435d (see FIG. 10) of a gear box 435 that constitutes a movement restricting member 4 to be described later.

[0104] The movable member 2 is biased toward the first support member 1A by springs 24b respectively locked to the hook 435d and the hook 23b.

[0105] Although the springs 24a and 24b are exemplified as coil springs, as long as the movable member 2 can be biased toward the first support member 1A constituting the support member 1, a magnetic spring using the attracting force of a magnet may be used, or a combination of a coil spring and a magnetic spring may also be used.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 7, in the base 22, at a position facing the plane 15a of the first support member 1A shown in FIG. 4, a recess 290a for accommodating a rolling element (spherical ball) for enabling the movable member 2 to move in a plane perpendicular to the direction Z is arranged. The bottom surface 29a of the recess 290a is constituted by a plane perpendicular to the direction Z.

[0107] Also, in the base 22, at a position facing the plane 15b of the first support member 1A shown in FIG. 4, a recess 290b for accommodating a rolling element for enabling the movable member 2 to move in a plane perpendicular to the direction Z is formed. The bottom surface 29b of the recess 290b is constituted by a plane perpendicular to the direction Z.

[0108] Furthermore, in the base 22, at a position facing the plane 15c of the first support member 1A shown in FIG. 4, a recess 290c for accommodating a rolling element for enabling the movable member 2 to move in a plane perpendicular to the direction Z is formed. The bottom surface 29c of the recess 290c is constituted by a plane perpendicular to the direction Z.

[0109] The bottom surfaces 29a, 29b and 29c are all at the same position in the direction Z and are all formed on the same plane. In this example, the bottom surfaces 29a, 29b and 29c are arranged on the same plane, but they do not have to be on the same plane as long as the bottom surfaces 29a, 29b and 29c are in a relatively parallel positional relationship.

[0110] By the rolling of rolling elements disposed between the bottom surface 29a of the movable member 2 and the flat surface 15a of the first support member 1A, between the bottom surface 29b of the movable member 2 and the flat surface 15b of the first support member 1A, and between the bottom surface 29c of the movable member 2 and the flat surface 15c of the first support member 1A, the movable member 2 moves within a plane perpendicular to the direction Z.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 7, two connectors 21a are disposed at the lower end in the direction Y on the back surface of the circuit board 21 fixed to the movable member 2.

[0112] The two connectors 21a include terminals connected to various terminals of the imaging element 20 (such as a power supply terminal which is a terminal for power supply, a ground terminal which is a terminal for grounding, a signal output terminal, and a driving terminal, etc.) mounted on the circuit board 21.

[0113] Flexible printed boards 25 (not shown), which are flexible substrates, are respectively connected to the two connectors 21a. The terminals included in the connector 21a and the wirings included in the flexible printed board 25 are electrically connected.

[0114] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the movable member 2 to which the flexible printed board 25 is connected, as viewed from the side of the imaging optical system 103.

[0115] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the movable member 2 to which the flexible printed board 25 shown in FIG. 8 is connected, as viewed from the side opposite to the imaging optical system 103.

[0116] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a flexible printed circuit board 25 is connected to the movable member 2. As shown in FIG. 9, one end of the flexible printed circuit board 25 is connected to the connector 21a. The flexible printed circuit board 25 extends upward in the direction Y from the connector 21a and is folded back downward in the direction Y midway. The flexible printed circuit board 25 extends to the lower horizontal side portion of the base 22 and is folded back upward in the direction Y midway. The flexible printed circuit board 25 is provided with terminals at both ends. One end terminal is electrically connected to the connector 21a, and the other end terminal is connected to a connector of a main board (a board on which the system control unit 108 and the like are formed) not shown.

[0117] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the sandwiched members 26a and 26b protruding in the direction Z toward the first support member 1A side are fixed to the surface of the base 22 on the first support member 1A side of the movable member 2. The sandwiched members 26a and 26b are arranged side by side with a space therebetween along the direction X on the upper horizontal side portion of the base 22 above the circuit board 21 in the direction Y. The sandwiched members 26a and 26b are substantially the same in position in the directions Y and Z. The movement of the movable member 2 is restricted by the movement restricting member 4, which will be described later, mechanically sandwiching the sandwiched members 26a and 26b. The longitudinal direction of the sandwiched members 26a and 26b is preferably parallel to the optical axis K. Note that the sandwiched members 26a and 26b may be referred to as the sandwiched member 26 when there is no particular need to distinguish between the two.

[0118] The sandwiched member 26a is inserted into the through hole 11a of the first support member 1A shown in FIG. 4. The sandwiched member 26b is inserted into the through hole 11b of the first support member 1A shown in FIG. 4.

[0119] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, an insertion member 28 protruding in the direction Z toward the first support member 1A side is fixed to the surface of the base 22 on the first support member 1A side. The insertion member 28 is arranged below the circuit board 21 and above the Y-axis driving coil C3 in the direction Y. The insertion member 28 is inserted into the through hole 11c of the first support member 1A shown in FIG. 4.

[0120] Next, the configuration of the movement restricting member 4 will be described. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging unit 5 as seen from the side opposite to the imaging optical system 103 side. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging unit 5 as seen from the imaging optical system 103 side.

[0121] The movement restricting member 4 includes a first member 41, a second member 42, a gear portion 43, and an idler gear 44.

[0122] <Gear portion> The gear portion 43 includes a motor 431 whose rotation axis extends in the X direction, a worm gear 432 attached to the rotation axis of the motor 431, a worm wheel 433 that meshes with the worm gear 432, a reduction gear 434 that meshes with the worm wheel 433, and a gear box 435 that holds the motor 431, the worm gear 432, the worm wheel 433, and the reduction gear 434.

[0123] The worm wheel 433 is composed of a first wheel 433a and a second wheel 433b. The second wheel 433b has a larger diameter than the first wheel 433a. The second wheel 433b with the larger diameter meshes with the worm gear 432.

[0124] The reduction gear 434 is composed of a first gear 434a and a second gear 434b. (See FIG. 11) The first gear 434a has a larger diameter than the second gear 434b. The first gear 434a of the reduction gear 434 meshes with the first wheel 433a of the worm wheel 433.

[0125] The gear box 435 has a housing portion 435a for housing the worm gear 432, the worm wheel 433, and the reduction gear 434. In the housing portion 435a, a first shaft 435b that rotatably supports the worm wheel 433 and a second shaft 435c that rotatably supports the reduction gear 434 are arranged. The gear box 435 includes a hook 435d to which one end of the spring 24b described above is locked.

[0126] The gear unit 43 further includes a motor cover 436 that covers the motor 431 and a gear cover 437 that covers the accommodating portion 435a of the gear box 435.

[0127] <First member> The first member 41 is composed of a member extending in the direction X as a whole. The first member 41 is preferably made of metal. The first member 41 is provided with two long holes 41a and 41b. The two long holes 41a and 41b penetrate the first member 41 and extend in the direction X. The long hole 41a allows the shaft 121a provided on the first support member 1A of the support member 1 to pass through, and the long hole 41b allows the shaft 121b provided on the first support member 1A of the support member 1 to pass through. The shafts 121a and 121b are fixed to the first support member 1A.

[0128] The first member 41 includes a claw portion 41c that contacts the sandwiched member 26a on the lower side in the direction Y and a claw portion 41d that contacts the sandwiched member 26b. An idler gear 44 meshes with a rack gear 41e provided on the first member 41 below the long hole 41b in the direction Y. The rack gear 41e extends in the direction X.

[0129] By the pair of the long hole 41a and the shaft 121a and the pair of the long hole 41b and the shaft 121b, the moving direction of the first member 41 is restricted to the direction along the direction X. The shaft 121a functions as a guide shaft with respect to the long hole 41a, and the shaft 121b functions as a guide shaft with respect to the long hole 41b.

[0130] <Second member> The second member 42 includes a main body portion 421 that extends in the direction X as a whole, similar to the first member 41. The main body portion 421 includes two long holes 421a and 421b. The long holes 421a and 421b penetrate the main body portion 421 and extend in an oblique direction from the lower left to the upper right when viewed from the side opposite to the side of the imaging optical system 103. The long hole 421a allows the shaft 122a provided on the first support member 1A of the support member 1 to pass through, and the long hole 421b allows the shaft 122b provided on the first support member 1A of the support member 1 to pass through. The shafts 122a and 122b are fixed to the first support member 1A. The main body portion 421 is provided with a rack gear 421c that extends substantially parallel to the long hole 421b on the lower side in the direction Y of the long hole 421b. The rack gear 421c meshes with the second gear 434b of the reduction gear 434.

[0131] For example, a plate-shaped elastic member 422 that has been bent is attached to the main body portion 421 on the lower side in the direction Y. The elastic member 422 includes a claw portion 422a that contacts the sandwiched member 26a and a claw portion 422b that contacts the sandwiched member 26b.

[0132] The main body portion 421 has a housing portion 421d adjacent to the left side in the direction X of the long hole 421b, and a charging member 423 is housed in the housing portion 421d. The charging member 423 includes a rack gear 423a that meshes with the idler gear 44 and an elastic member 423b. When the elastic member 423b is housed in the housing portion 421d, it biases the rack gear 423a in the upper right diagonal direction. The rack gear 423a is movably fixed to the housing portion 421d by a screw SC.

[0133] The pair of the long hole 421a and the shaft 122a and the pair of the long hole 421b and the shaft 122b limit the moving direction of the second member 42 to a direction along the oblique direction from the lower left to the upper right. The shaft 121a functions as a guide shaft with respect to the long hole 41a, the shaft 121a functions as a guide shaft with respect to the long hole 41a, and the shaft 121b functions as a guide shaft with respect to the long hole 41b.

[0134] <Idler gear> The idler gear 44 is composed of a first gear 44a and a second gear 44b. The first gear 44a has a smaller diameter than the second gear 44b (see FIGS. 12 and 13). The first gear 44a meshes with the rack gear 423a of the second member 42, and the second gear 44b meshes with the rack gear 41e of the first member 41. Through this meshing, the idler gear 44 transmits the driving force transmitted from the motor 431, which is the driving source, to the second member 42 to the first member 41. By making the number of teeth of the first gear 44a different from the number of teeth of the second gear 44b, the transmission force can be changed.

[0135] <Operation of the movement restricting member> Next, the operation of the movement restricting member 4 will be described. FIG. 12 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the movement restricting member 4 as viewed from the side opposite to the imaging optical system 103 side of the imaging unit 5. FIG. 12 shows a state in a non-clamped position where the first member 41 and the second member 42 are separated from the clamped members 26a and 26b provided on the movable member 2.

[0136] 1200A is FIG. 1200A is an overall view of the imaging unit 5, and 1200B is a partially enlarged view of the imaging unit 5. As shown in FIG. 12, the clamped member 26a of the movable member 2 is inserted into the through hole 11a of the first support member 1A, and the clamped member 26a protrudes to the side opposite to the imaging optical system 103 side. Also, the clamped member 26b of the movable member 2 is inserted into the through hole 11b of the first support member 1A, and the clamped member 26a protrudes to the side opposite to the imaging optical system 103 side.

[0137] The first member 41 and the second member 42 are located at a non-clamped position separated from the clamped members 26a and 26b. The claw portion 41c of the first member 41 is separated from the clamped member 26a, and the claw portion 41d of the first member 41 is separated from the clamped member 26b. Similarly, the claw portion 422a of the second member 42 is separated from the clamped member 26a, and the claw portion 422b of the second member 42 is separated from the clamped member 26b. As shown in FIG. 12, the first member 41 is located at a position PA1 which is a non-clamped position. Similarly, the second member 42 is located at a position PB1 which is a non-clamped position.

[0138] When the first member 41 is located at a non-clamping position PA1 where it is separated from the clamped member 26a and the second member 42 is located at a non-clamping position PB1 where it is separated from the clamped member 26b, the movable member 2 is allowed to move for image blur correction.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 12, the clamped member 26a of the movable member 2 is inserted into the through-hole 11a of the first support member 1A, the clamped member 26b of the movable member 2 is inserted into the through-hole 11b of the first support member 1A, and the inserted member 28 of the movable member 2 is inserted into the through-hole 11c of the first support member 1A. The movement range of the clamped member 26a is restricted inside the through-hole 11a, the movement range of the clamped member 26b is restricted inside the through-hole 11b, and the movement range of the inserted member 28 is restricted inside the through-hole 11c. In this way, the movement range of the movable member 2 (the movement range in the X direction, the movement range in the Y direction, and the movement range in the θ direction) is regulated within a predetermined range by the pair of the clamped member 26a and the through-hole 11a, the pair of the clamped member 26b and the through-hole 11b, and the pair of the inserted member 28 and the through-hole 11c.

[0140] As described above, the worm gear 432 attached to the rotation shaft of the motor 431 meshes with the worm wheel 433. The worm wheel 433 meshes with the reduction gear 434. The reduction gear 434 meshes with the rack gear 421c (not shown) of the second member 42. The rack gear 423a of the second member 42 meshes with the idler gear 44. The idler gear 44 meshes with the rack gear 41e of the first member 41. The motor 431, the first member 41, and the second member 42 are mechanically connected via the worm gear 432 and the like, and a transmission path of the driving force having the motor 431 as a driving source is formed.

[0141] FIG. 13 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the movement restricting member 4 as viewed from the side opposite to the imaging optical system 103 side of the imaging unit 5. FIG. 13 shows a state of the clamping position where the first member 41 and the second member 42 clamp the clamped members 26a and 26b provided on the movable member 2.

[0142] When the motor 431 is driven, the worm gear 432 rotates about the rotation axis. The worm wheel 433 meshing with the worm gear 432 rotates. Thereby, the driving force is transmitted to the worm wheel 433 having a rotation axis orthogonal to the rotation axis of the worm gear 432. Next, the driving force is transmitted to the reduction gear 434 meshing with the worm wheel 433, and the driving force in the rotation direction is transmitted to the rack gear 421c of the second member 42 meshing with the reduction gear 434. Thereby, the driving force in the rotation direction of the reduction gear 434 is converted into the driving force in the linear direction.

[0143] The second member 42 moves within a plane intersecting the optical axis K (not shown) by the converted driving force in the linear direction. The moving direction of the second member 42 is restricted by the pair of the long hole 421a and the shaft 122a and the pair of the long hole 421b and the shaft 122b, and the second member 42 moves in a direction along the diagonal direction from the lower left to the upper right.

[0144] The driving force transmitted from the reduction gear 434 is transmitted to the idler gear 44 meshing with the rack gear 423a of the second member 42. Thereby, the driving force in the linear direction is converted into the driving force in the rotation direction.

[0145] The driving force in the rotation direction is transmitted to the rack gear 41e of the first member 41 meshing with the idler gear 44. Thereby, the driving force in the rotation direction of the idler gear 44 is converted into the driving force in the linear direction. The first member 41 moves within a plane intersecting the optical axis K (not shown) by the converted driving force in the linear direction. The moving direction of the first member 41 is restricted by the pair of the long hole 41a and the shaft 121a and the pair of the long hole 41b and the shaft 121b, and the first member 41 moves in a direction along the direction X.

[0146] The first member 41 moves from the position PA1 at the non-clamping position to the position PA2 at the clamping position, the second member 42 moves from the position PB1 at the non-clamping position to the position PB2 at the clamping position, and the first member 41 and the second member 42 mechanically clamp the clamped members 26a and 26b. Since the clamped members 26a and 26b are clamped, the movement of the movable member 2 to which the clamped members 26a and 26b are fixed is restricted.

[0147] The movable member 2 of the image blur correction device 3 has three degrees of freedom: translation in the X direction and the Y direction, and rotation about the optical axis K. In order to restrict the rotation about the optical axis K, it is preferable that the two sandwiched members 26a and 26b sandwiched by the first member 41 and the second member 42 are separated. When the first member 41 and the second member 42 sandwich the two sandwiched members 26a and 26b, the degree of freedom of the movable member 2 becomes zero. The movement restricting member 4 including the first member 41 and the second member 42 fixes the relative position of the movable member 2 with respect to the support member 1.

[0148] When releasing the movement of the movable member 2, by rotating the motor 431 in the reverse direction, the direction of the transmitted driving force is reversed, the first member 41 moves from the clamping position PA2 to the non-clamping position PA1, and the second member 42 moves from the clamping position PB2 to the non-clamping position PB1. Therefore, by switching the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the motor 431, it is possible to determine whether or not the movement restricting member 4 restricts the movement of the movable member 2.

[0149] In the embodiment, the case where the first member 41 and the second member 42 are moved by one motor 431 is exemplified, but the first member 41 and the second member 42 may be moved by separate actuators.

[0150] Since the worm gear 432 is provided in the driving force transmission path, the positions of the first member 41 and the second member 42 can be maintained by the frictional force of the worm gear 432 even when the driving of the motor 431 is turned off (OFF).

[0151] As shown in FIG. 13, in the plane intersecting the optical axis K, the first member 41 moves between the position PA1 (non-clamping position) and the position PA2 (clamping position), the second member 42 moves between the position PB1 (non-clamping position) and the position PB2 (clamping position), and the moving directions of the first member 41 and the second member 42 are different.

[0152] In the embodiment, the movable member 2 is provided with two sandwiched members 26a and 26b, and the movement restricting member 4 is provided with a first member 41 and a second member 42 that move in a plane intersecting the optical axis K. The positions of the movable member 2 are fixed by sandwiching the two sandwiched members 26a and 26b from different directions by the claw portions 41c and 41d of the first member 41 and the claw portions 422a and 422b of the second member 42.

[0153] Further, by providing two claw portions 41c and 41d on the first member 41 and two claw portions 422a and 422b on the second member 42, the number of actuators required to sandwich the two sandwiched members 26a and 26b can be reduced.

[0154] For example, the first member 41 may be composed of two members each having a claw portion 41c and a claw portion 41d, and these two members may be driven independently. Similarly, the second member 42 may be composed of two members each having a claw portion 422a and a claw portion 422b, and these two members may be driven independently.

[0155] In the embodiment, the claw portions 41c and 41d of the first member 41 are formed by processing the first member 41 or the like and have rigidity. The claw portions 41c and 41d are formed in an arc shape smaller than the diameters of the sandwiched members 26a and 26. The claw portion 41c contacts the sandwiched member 26a at two points, and the claw portion 41d contacts the sandwiched member 26b at two points. b On the other hand, the claw portions 422a and 422b of the second member 42 are formed by processing a plate-like member and are configured as an elastic member similar to a leaf spring. When the sandwiched member 26a is sandwiched between the claw portion 41c and the claw portion 422a, the claw portion 422a can urge the sandwiched member 26a toward the claw portion 41c. The sandwiched member 26a can be stably held between the claw portion 41c and the claw portion 422a. Note that the elastic member is not limited to a leaf spring or the like. Similarly, since the claw portion 422b urges the sandwiched member 26b toward the claw portion 41d, the sandwiched member 26b can be stably held between the claw portion 41d and the claw portion 422b. The claw portion 422a contacts the sandwiched member 26a at one point, and the claw portion 422b contacts the sandwiched member 26b at one point.

[0156] ​

[0157] The claw portion 41c of the first member 41 and the claw portion 422a of the second member 42 sandwich the sandwiched member 26a at three points. The triangle connecting these three points is an acute triangle. Also, the claw portion 41d of the first member 41 and the claw portion 422b of the second member 42 sandwich the sandwiched member 26b at three points. The triangle connecting these three points is an acute triangle. By sandwiching at three points and making the triangle connecting the three points an acute triangle, stable clamping can be achieved. In the embodiment, the first member 41 and the second member 42 sandwich the sandwiched members 26a and 26b at at least two or more locations.

[0158] Two reflective photosensors 12 are arranged on the base 10 of the first support member 1A (see FIG. 5). The reflective photosensors 12 are arranged at positions facing the main body portion 421 of the second member 42. The two reflective photosensors 12 output different signals according to the position of the main body portion 421. The two reflective photosensors 12 can detect the position of the main body portion 421 when the second member 42 is in the non-clamped position, and can detect the position of the main body portion 421 when the second member 42 is in the clamped position. A mirror is attached to the main body portion 421 at a position facing the reflective photosensor 12, and the light is reflected at a position overlapping the reflective photosensor 12 to detect the position of the main body portion 421.

[0159] Next, the preferred shapes of the claw portion (here, claw portion 1-A) provided on the first member 41 and the claw portion (here, claw portion 1-B) provided on the second member 42 will be described. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the sandwiched member 26, the claw portion 1-A, and the claw portion 1-B.

[0160] In FIG. 14, the claw portion 1-A of the first member 41 and the claw portion 1-B of the second member 42 sandwich the sandwiched member 26 at three or more points.

[0161] In 1400A, the member 26 to be clamped has a cylindrical cross-section. The claw 1-A of the first member 41 is L-shaped and contacts the member 26 to be clamped at two points. The claw 1-B of the second member 42 is rectangular and contacts the member 26 to be clamped at one point. The claw 1-A of the first member 41 and the claw 1-B of the second member 42 clamp the member 26 to be clamped at three points. The triangle formed by connecting these three points is an acute triangle.

[0162] In 1400B, the member 26 to be clamped has a triangular cross-section. The claw 1-A of the first member 41 is L-shaped and contacts the member 26 to be clamped at two points. The claw 1-B of the second member 42 is rectangular and contacts the member 26 to be clamped at one point. The claw 1-A of the first member 41 and the claw 1-B of the second member 42 clamp the member 26 to be clamped at three points. The triangle formed by connecting these three points is an acute triangle.

[0163] In 1400C, the member 26 to be clamped has a cylindrical cross-section. The claw 1-A of the first member 41 is L-shaped and contacts the member 26 to be clamped at two points. The claw 1-B of the second member 42 is L-shaped and contacts the member 26 to be clamped at two points. The claw 1-A of the first member 41 and the claw 1-B of the second member 42 clamp the member 26 to be clamped at four points.

[0164] In 1400D, the member 26 to be clamped has a pentagonal cross-section. The claw 1-A of the first member 41 is arc-shaped and contacts the member 26 to be clamped at two points. The claw 1-B of the second member 42 is rectangular and contacts the member 26 to be clamped at two points. The claw 1-A of the first member 41 and the claw 1-B of the second member 42 clamp the member 26 to be clamped at three points. The triangle formed by connecting these three points is an acute triangle.

[0165] In 1400E, the member 26 to be clamped has a cross-shaped (cross-shaped) cross-section. The claw 1-A of the first member 41 is arc-shaped and contacts the member 26 to be clamped at two points. The claw 1-B of the second member 42 is L-shaped and contacts the member 26 to be clamped at two points. The claw 1-A of the first member 41 and the claw 1-B of the second member 42 clamp the member 26 to be clamped at four points.

[0166] The claw portion 1-A of the first member 41, the claw portion 1-B of the second member 42, and the member 26 to be clamped are not particularly limited in terms of the cross-sectional shape. By clamping the member 26 to be clamped at three points by the claw portion 1-A of the first member 41, the claw portion 1-B of the second member 42, and the member 26 to be clamped, the member 26 to be clamped can be stably held. In particular, when the triangle connecting the three points is an acute triangle, more stable clamping becomes possible.

[0167] Next, when the movement of the movable member 2 is restricted by the movement restricting member 4 and imaging is performed by the digital camera 100 in that state, it is preferable to align the optical axis K of the imaging element 20 of the movable member 2 with the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103. For this purpose, it is preferable to improve the reproducibility of the clamping positions where the first member 41 and the second member 42 are clamped by the members 26a and 26b to be clamped.

[0168] As described above, when the second member 42 moves from the position PB1 (non-clamping position) to the position PB2 (clamping position) by the driving force of the motor 431, the first member 41 moves from the position PA1 (non-clamping position) to the position PA2 (clamping position) via the idler gear 44. At that time, when the first member 41 moves from the position PA1 (non-clamping position) to the position PA2 (clamping position), it is preferable that the first member 41 reaches the position PA2 (clamping position) before the second member 42 reaches the position PB2 (clamping position).

[0169] When the first member 41 reaches the position PA2 (clamping position) where the members 26a and 26b to be clamped are clamped, and then the second member 42 reaches the position PB2 (clamping position) where the members 26a and 26b to be clamped are located, the procedure for clamping the members 26a and 26b to be clamped can be made constant, and the reproducibility of the clamping position can be improved.

[0170] In order to make the procedure for clamping the members 26a and 26b to be clamped constant, the moving distances (the distance between the position PA1 and the position PA2, the distance between the position PB1 and the position PB2) between the clamping position and the non-clamping position of the first member 41 and the second member 42 are different, and / or the moving speeds between the clamping position and the non-clamping position of the first member and the second member are preferably different.

[0171] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the first member 41. 1500A shows the state where the first member 41 is in the non-clamped position, and 1500B shows the state where the first member 41 is in the clamped position. As described above, the first member 41 includes a long hole 41a and a long hole 41b. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the shapes of the long hole 41a and the long hole 41b are different.

[0172] As shown in 1500A, the shape of the right end of the long hole 41a is V-shaped as indicated by the tangent line TL1 along the hole shape. The right end of the long hole 41a becomes the region that contacts the shaft 121a when the first member 41 moves to the clamped position. As shown in 1500B, the shaft 121a and the long hole 41a contact at two locations. By contacting at two locations, the position of the first member 41 in the direction X can be determined. The reproducibility of the clamped position of the first member 41 in the direction X can be improved. As shown in 1500A, the right end of the long hole 41b is arc-shaped and is different from the shape of the long hole 41a of the first member 41.

[0173] With the first member 41 in a state where the shaft 121a and the long hole 41a contact at two locations, when the second member 42 (not shown) moves to the clamped position, the member to be clamped 26a is clamped by the claw portion 41c and the claw portion 422a, and the member to be clamped 26b is clamped by the claw portion 41d and the claw portion 422b. As a result, the first member 41 is biased upward in the direction Y via the member to be clamped 26a and the member to be clamped 26b, and contacts the lower side indicated by the tangent line TL2 of the long hole 41b and the shaft 121b. By the contact between the long hole 41b and the shaft 121b, the position of the first member 41 in the direction Y can be determined. Since the pair of the shaft 121a and the long hole 41a and the pair of the shaft 121b and the long hole 41b determine the position of the first member 41 in the plane of the directions X and Y, the reproducibility of the clamped position of the first member 41 can be enhanced.

[0174] In 1500A and 1500B, the distance L from the right end of the slot 41b to the right end of the periphery of the slot 41b is shown. As shown in 1500B, in a state where the shaft 121a and the slot 41a are in contact at two points at the right end of the slot 41a, there is a clearance because the shaft 121b and the right end of the slot 41b are not in contact. Thus, when the first member 41 moves to the clamping position, the shaft 121b and the right end of the slot 41b do not come into contact, and it can be ensured that the shaft 121a and the slot 41a are surely in contact at two points. Therefore, the reproducibility of the clamping position of the first member 41 can be further enhanced.

[0175] As described above, the first member 41 is moved to the clamping position (position PA2), and then the second member 42 is moved to the clamping position (position PB2), and the members to be clamped 26a and 26b are the case of clamping illustrated by the first member 41 and the second member 42. In this case, it is preferable that the position of the first member 41 in the direction X does not change due to the movement of the second member 42 to the clamping position (position PB2). Therefore, the driving force for moving the first member 41 in the direction of the clamping position (position PA2) is preferably greater than the driving force for moving the second member 42 in the direction of the clamping position (position PB2).

[0176] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the first member 41 and the second member 42. Based on FIG. 16, the relationship between the driving force for moving the first member 41 in the direction of the clamping position (position PA2) and the driving force for moving the second member 42 in the direction of the clamping position (position PB2) will be described.

[0177] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the driving force for moving the first member 41 in the direction of the clamping position (position PA2) and the driving force for moving the second member 42 in the direction of the clamping position (position PB2).

[0178] As shown in Fig. 16, the charging member 423 is accommodated in the second member 42 so as to be movable parallel to the moving direction of the second member 42. Here, assuming that the gear ratio between the second gear 44b and the first gear 44a of the idler gear 44 is D / d, the relationship of F2 / d = F1 / D holds. F1 is the driving force for moving the second member 42, and F2 is the driving force for moving the first member 41. First, assuming that the driving force for moving the second member 42 to the clamping position is F1 = 2T / d, the driving forces from the second member 42 received by the clamped members 26a and 26b are each T / d. From the above relational expression, the driving force for moving the first member 41 to the clamping position is F2 = 2T / D, and the driving forces from the first member 41 received by the clamped members 26a and 26b are each T / D.

[0179] As shown in Fig. 16, the component force (T / d)×cosθ in the direction X of T / d by the second member 42 and T / D of the first member 41 become driving forces that are parallel in the direction X and opposite in direction. By satisfying T / D > (T / d)×cosθ, that is, by satisfying 1 > (D / d)×cosθ, the force in the direction X applied to the clamped members 26a and 26b is such that the driving force of the first member 41 becomes dominant over the second member 42, and the clamping position of the first member 41 is not displaced by the driving force of the second member 42. Therefore, the clamping position of the first member 41 can be fixed at a predetermined position. For example, when θ = 45°, D < d×(2) 1 / 2 is obtained.

[0180] Next, in the case where the clamped members 26a and 26b are clamped by the first member 41 and the second member 42, the preferred arrangement positions of the clamped members 26a and 26b will be described.

[0181] Fig. 17 is a plan view of the movable member 2 as viewed from the side opposite to the imaging optical system 103. As shown in Fig. 17, the movable member 2 includes bottom surfaces 29a, 29b, and 29c which are three ball receiving surfaces for accommodating spherical balls. The clamped members 26a and 26b are arranged inside a virtual triangle formed by the three bottom surfaces 29a, 29b, and 29c.

[0182] The claw portions 41c and 41d of the first member 41 and the claw portions 422a and 422b of the second member 42 are in line contact with the sandwiched members 26a and 26b in the Z direction. It is preferable that the direction of this contact line coincides with the optical axis OA. On the other hand, when the claw portions 41c and 41d, the claw portions 422a and 422b, and the sandwiched members 26a and 26b have variations in the shape of the parts, the direction of this contact line becomes a direction having an angle with the optical axis OA (not parallel). Therefore, when the sandwiched member 26a is sandwiched by the claw portion 41c and the claw portion 422a, or when the sandwiched member 26b is sandwiched by the claw portion 41d and the claw portion 422b, a force that tilts the unintended light-receiving surface 20a is generated. Therefore, by arranging the sandwiched members 26a and 26b inside the virtual triangle formed by the bottom surfaces 29a, 29b, and 29c, the force that tilts the light-receiving surface 20a can be supported by the three rolling elements (spherical balls) arranged on the bottom surfaces 29a, 29b, and 29c, and the tilt of the light-receiving surface 20a can be suppressed.

[0183] Next, a movement restricting member 4A of another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 18 is a plan view for explaining the movement restricting member 4A of another embodiment. The movement restricting member 4A is different from the movement restricting member 4 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 in the configurations of the first member 41 and the second member 42. Note that parts having the same functions as those of the above-described movement restricting member 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions of those parts are omitted, and mainly differences from other embodiments will be described.

[0184] 1800A shows a state of a non-clamping position where the first member 41 and the second member 42 are separated from the sandwiched members 26a and 26b provided on the movable member 2. 1800B shows a state of a clamping position where the first member 41 and the second member 42 clamp the sandwiched members 26a and 26b provided on the movable member 2.

[0185] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the claw portion 41f that contacts the sandwiched member 26b of the first member 41 is configured as a substantially flat surface facing the lower side in the Y direction. A plate-shaped elastic member 422 having only a claw portion 422a that contacts the sandwiched member 26a is attached to the main body portion 421 of the second member 42. A claw portion 422c that contacts the sandwiched member 26b is disposed in the accommodating portion 421e of the main body portion 421 of the second member 42. The claw portion 422c has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the region that contacts the sandwiched member 26b is configured as a substantially flat surface facing the upper side in the Y direction. An elastic member 422d that biases the claw portion 422c in the upward direction in the Y direction is disposed between the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 421e and the claw portion 422c.

[0186] As shown in 1800B, when the first member 41 and the second member 42 move from the non-clamped position to the clamped position, the sandwiched member 26a is clamped at three points by the first member 41 and the second member 42. On the other hand, the sandwiched member 26b is clamped at two points by the claw portion 41f and the claw portion 422c. Similar to the movement restricting member 4, the claw portion 422a biases the sandwiched member 26a toward the claw portion 41c, and the claw portion 422c biases the sandwiched member 26b toward the claw portion 41f. The sandwiched member 26a and the sandwiched member 26b can be stably held by the first member 41 and the second member 42.

[0187] FIG. 20 is a drawing for explaining the arrangement positions of the sandwiched member 26a and the sandwiched member 26b, the claw portion 41c and the claw portion 422a, and the claw portion 41f and the claw portion 422c in the movement restricting member 4A.

[0188] As shown in FIG. 20, the sandwiched member 26a is clamped at three points by the claw portion 41c and the claw portion 422a. The sandwiched member 26b is clamped at two points by the claw portion 41d and the claw portion 422c.

[0189] The direction in which the claw portion 41d and the claw portion 422c sandwich the sandwiched member 26b is the direction Y that is substantially orthogonal to the direction X. Therefore, when the claw portion 41d and the claw portion 422c sandwich the sandwiched member 26b, almost no component force parallel to the direction X is generated. Therefore, even when the claw portion 41d and the claw portion 422c are used for sandwiching, almost no driving force for moving the first member 41 in the direction opposite to the sandwiching position is generated, so that the reproducibility of the sandwiching position of the first member 41 can be improved.

[0190] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 in FIG. 18. It is a cross-sectional view of the claw portion 41f, the sandwiched member 26a, and the claw portion 422c.

[0191] As described above, the claw portion and the sandwiched member are in line contact at an angle with the optical axis OA. Therefore, when the sandwiched members 26a and 26b are sandwiched by the first member 41 and the second member 42, there is a concern that the light receiving surface 20a (not shown) may tilt.

[0192] As shown in 2100A, the sandwiched member 26b includes a protruding portion 26c that protrudes toward the claw portion 41f of the first member 41 and the claw portion 422c of the second member 42. The protruding portion 26c is provided in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the sandwiched member 26b. The protruding portion 26c is configured, for example, in a dome shape having a top in a cross-sectional view. Point contact is possible at the top.

[0193] By bringing the protruding portion 26c into contact with the claw portion 41f and the claw portion 422c, two-point contact is achieved. By changing from line contact to point contact, it is possible to suppress the generation of an unintended force that tilts the light receiving surface 20a.

[0194] The 2100B is provided with a protruding portion 41g where the claw portion 41f contacts the member 26b to be clamped. Further, it is provided with a protruding portion 422e where the claw portion 422c contacts the member 26b to be clamped. By bringing the protruding portion 41g and the protruding portion 422e into contact with the member 26b to be clamped, point contact at two points is achieved. By changing from line contact to point contact, generation of an unintended force that tilts the light receiving surface 20a can be suppressed. The protruding portions 26c, 41g, and 422e are configured in a dome shape having a top portion in a cross-sectional view, for example. Point contact is possible at the top portion.

[0195] Next, adjustment for aligning the center P of the imaging element 20 and the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103 will be described based on FIGS. 22 and 23.

[0196] 2200A in FIG. 22 shows a state before adjustment for aligning the center P of the imaging element 20 and the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103. In the imaging unit 5, the light receiving surface 20a is set downward in the direction of gravity. The member 26 to be clamped is composed of a shaft 261 and a cylindrical member 262 surrounding the shaft 261. The shaft 261 corresponds to the third member, and the cylindrical member 262 corresponds to the cylindrical fourth member. There is a gap between the shaft 261 and the cylindrical member 262, and an ultraviolet curable adhesive 263 is filled in this gap. Note that the ultraviolet curable adhesive 263 is not cured.

[0197] As shown in 2200B, by driving the VCM, the movable member 2 is moved to align the center P of the imaging element 20 and the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103. The first member 41 and the second member 42 are moved to the clamping positions. The cylindrical member 262 is clamped and positioned by the first member 41 and the second member 42. On the other hand, since the shaft 261 is fixed to the movable member 2, it is positioned by driving the VCM. In the state before adjustment, the cylindrical member 262 and the shaft 261 are positioned separately. In 2200B, the centers of the shaft 261 and the cylindrical member 262 coincide. In this state, ultraviolet rays are irradiated to cure the ultraviolet curable adhesive 263. Thereby, the shaft 261 and the cylindrical member 262 are fixed.

[0198] As shown in 2200C, by moving the first member 41 and the second member 42 to the non-clamping position, the adjustment for aligning the center P of the imaging element 20 with the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103 is completed.

[0199] Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 23. 2300A in FIG. 23, similar to 2200A in FIG. 22, shows the state before the adjustment for aligning the center P of the imaging element 20 with the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103. An ultraviolet curable adhesive 263 is filled between the shaft 261 and the cylindrical member 262.

[0200] As shown in 2300B, by driving the VCM, the movable member 2 is moved to align the center P of the imaging element 20 with the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103. The first member 41 and the second member 42 are moved to the clamping position. The cylindrical member 262 is clamped and positioned by the first member 41 and the second member 42. Since the shaft 261 is fixed to the movable member 2, it is positioned by the driving of the VCM. In the state before adjustment, the cylindrical member 262 and the shaft 261 are separately positioned. In 2300B, since the centers of the shaft 261 and the cylindrical member 262 do not coincide due to component tolerances, etc., by clamping the first member 41 and the second member 42, the cylindrical member 262 is moved to a position away from the center of the shaft 261. Since the ultraviolet curable adhesive 263 is not cured, the cylindrical member 262 can be moved. In this state, ultraviolet rays are irradiated to cure the ultraviolet curable adhesive 263. Thereby, the shaft 261 and the cylindrical member 262 are fixed.

[0201] As shown in 2300C, by moving the first member 41 and the second member 42 to the non-clamping position, the adjustment for aligning the center P of the imaging element 20 with the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103 is completed.

[0202] As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, as the adjustment member of by using the shaft 261, the cylindrical member 262, and the ultraviolet curable adhesive 263 filled in the gap, when the sandwiched member 26 is sandwiched by the first member 41 and the second member 42, it is ensured that the center P of the imaging element 20 coincides with the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103.

[0203] If the shaft 261 and the cylindrical member 262 are simply fixed with their centers aligned without making the above-described adjustment, when the sandwiched member 26 is sandwiched between the first member 41 and the second member 42, the cylindrical member 262 moves due to the sandwiching by the first member 41 and the second member 42, and the shaft 261 also moves as the cylindrical member 262 moves. As a result, a state occurs in which the center P of the imaging element 20 does not coincide with the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103. When the first member 41 and the second member 42 are in the non-sandwiching position, the center P of the imaging element 20 coincides with the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103 by the VCM. However, when the first member 41 and the second member 42 are in the sandwiching position, the center P of the imaging element 20 does not coincide with the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103, which may affect the imaging range.

[0204] By applying the adjustment member as in the embodiment, the occurrence of such a problem can be suppressed.

[0205] As another preferred aspect, it is preferable that the movable member 2, the sandwiched member 26, and the first member 41 and / or the second member 42 that contact the sandwiched member 26 are made of a member having a high thermal conductivity. Thereby, when the sandwiched member 26 is sandwiched between the first member 41 and the second member 42, heat generated from the imaging element 20 and the circuit board 21 can be dissipated to the exterior of the electronic device through the base 22, the sandwiched member 26, the first member 41 and / or the second member 42. When the movement of the movable member 2 is restricted by the movement restricting member 4, it is not necessary to use the VCM provided in the movable member 2, so the power consumption becomes zero, which is advantageous for heat generation.

[0206] Next, the control of the operation of the movement restricting member 4(4A) will be described. The operation of the movement restricting member 4(4A) can be controlled by the system control unit 108 that functions as a processor.

[0207] The system control unit 108 controls whether or not the movement restricting member 4(4A) restricts the movement of the movable member 2 when a specific condition is received.

[0208] The specific condition is, for example, the state of the power supply. When the power supply is turned off, the system control unit 108 controls the movement restricting member 4 (4A) to restrict the movement of the movable member 2. Since the sandwiched member 26 is sandwiched by the first member 41 and the second member 42 when the power supply is off, it is possible to suppress the movable member 2 from moving when carrying the digital camera 100.

[0209] The specific condition is the state of an operation on the user interface unit of the operation unit 110. When the system control unit 108 receives a user operation from the operation unit 110, it controls the movement restricting member 4 (4A) to restrict the movement of the movable member 2. It is possible to control whether or not to restrict the movement of the movable member 2 based on the user's intention.

[0210] The specific condition is the detection result from a sensor that detects the acceleration included in the motion detection sensor 106. When the sensor detects an acceleration exceeding the range allowing the movement of the movable member 2, the system control unit 108 performs control to restrict the movement of the movable member 2 by the movement restricting member 4.

[0211] In particular, for vehicles such as automobiles and motorcycles, when mounting a digital camera La1 00 as In shooting in a fixed state, a large acceleration (for example, 3G or more) may act on the camera body 101 due to the impact during traveling. Generally, when the image blur correction device 3 is off, the center P of the light receiving surface 20a and the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 103 are held to coincide with each other by the VCM. However, when a large acceleration acts on the camera body 101, the inertial force due to the impact of the movable member 2 becomes larger than the center holding force of the VCM, so that image blur occurs during video shooting.

[0212] In recent years, the use of mounting a digital camera 100 on a drone for aerial photography has been increasing. In a large drone that flies with a camera such as a single-lens reflex or a mirrorless camera, a very large acceleration (7G or more) acts on the camera body 101 during a sharp turn, so it is necessary to hold the imaging element 20 with a force larger than the inertial force.

[0213] Therefore, when the system control unit 108 detects an acceleration exceeding the range in which the sensor allows the movement of the movable member 2, the movement restricting member 4 performs control to restrict the movement of the movable member 2, thereby preventing image blurring.

[0214] The specific condition is the detection result from the sensor that detects the acceleration included in the motion detection sensor 106. When the acceleration is not detected for a certain period of time, it is determined that the shooting is being performed with a tripod. The system control unit 108 controls the movement restricting member 4 to restrict the movement of the movable member 2. In shooting with a tripod, since it is not necessary to operate the image blur correction device 3, the movement restricting member 4 restricts the movement of the movable member 2.

Explanation of Signs

[0215] 1 Support member 1A First support member 1-A Claw portion 1B Second support member 1-B Claw portion 2 Movable member 3 Image blur correction device 4 Movement restricting member 4A Movement restricting member 5 Imaging unit 10 Base 11a Through hole 11b Through hole 11c Through hole 11d Through hole 11e Through hole 12 Reflective photosensor 14 Yoke 15a Plane 15b Plane 15c Plane 16 Hook 17a Protrusion 17b Protrusion 17c Protrusion 17d Protrusion 18 Yoke 19a Hole portion 19b Hole portion 19c Hole portion 19d hole part 20 imaging element 20a light-receiving surface 21 circuit board 21a connector 22 base 23a hook 23b hook 24a spring 24b spring 25 flexible printed circuit board 26 sandwiched member 26a sandwiched member 26b sandwiched member 26c protruding part 28 insertion member 29a bottom surface 29b bottom surface 29c bottom surface 41 first member 41a long hole 41b long hole 41c claw part 41d claw part 41e rack gear 41f claw part 41g protruding part 42 second member 43 gear part 44 idler gear 44a first gear 44b second gear 100 digital camera 101 camera body 102 interchangeable lens 103 imaging optical system 105 imaging element drive unit 106 detection sensor 107 image processing unit 108 system control unit 110 operation unit 111 display unit 121a axis 121b axis 122a axis 122b axis 261 axis 262 cylindrical member 263 ultraviolet curable adhesive 290a recess 290b recess 290c recess 421 body part 421a slot 421b slot 421c rack gear 421d housing part 421e housing part 422 elastic member 422a claw part 422b claw part 422c claw part 422d elastic member 422e protruding part 423 charging member 423a rack gear 423b elastic member 431 motor 432 worm gear 433 worm wheel 433a first wheel 433b second wheel 434 reduction gear 434a first gear 434b second gear 435 gear box 435a housing part 435b first shaft 435c second shaft 435d hook 436 motor cover 437 gear cover

Claims

1. a movable member including an imaging element; A clamped member provided on the movable member; a support member that supports the movable member within a plane that intersects with an optical axis of the image sensor; a movement restricting member including a first member that moves between a first clamping position and a first non-clamping position, and a second member that moves between a second clamping position and a second non-clamping position, the first member that has been moved from the first non-clamping position to the first clamping position, and the second member that has been moved from the second non-clamping position to the second clamping position, clamping the clamped member between them, thereby restricting movement of the movable member; Equipped with When the first member and the second member clamp the clamped member, the movement restricting member clamps the clamped member at two or more points after the first member reaches the first clamping position and the second member reaches the second clamping position. Imaging device.

2. The clamped member is provided with an adjustment member for aligning the center of the image sensor with the optical axis of the image pickup optical system. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

3. The adjustment member comprises a third member disposed on the movable member and a cylindrical fourth member, and a gap between the third member and the fourth member is filled with an ultraviolet curing adhesive. The imaging device according to claim 2 .

4. a movable member including an imaging element; A clamped member provided on the movable member; a support member that supports the movable member within a plane that intersects with an optical axis of the image sensor; a movement restricting member including a first member that moves between a first clamping position and a first non-clamping position, and a second member that moves between a second clamping position and a second non-clamping position, the first member that has been moved from the first non-clamping position to the first clamping position, and the second member that has been moved from the second non-clamping position to the second clamping position, clamping the clamped member between them, thereby restricting movement of the movable member; Equipped with the clamped member includes an adjustment member for aligning a center of the image sensor with an optical axis of an image pickup optical system, the movement restricting member clamps the clamped member at two or more points by the first member moved to the first clamping position and the second member moved to the second clamping position; Imaging device.

5. The adjustment member includes a third member disposed on the movable member and a cylindrical fourth member, and a gap between the third member and the fourth member is filled with an ultraviolet curing adhesive. The imaging device according to claim 4.

6. When the first member and the second member clamp the clamped member, the movement restricting member is configured such that, after the first member reaches the first clamping position, the second member reaches the second clamping position to clamp the clamped member, The imaging device according to claim 4 .

7. When the movement restricting member clamps the clamped member between the first member and the second member, the clamped member is clamped at three points, and a triangle connecting the three points is an acute triangle. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

8. a longitudinal direction of the clamped member is parallel to the optical axis, the first member moves between the first clamped position and the first non-clamped position in a plane intersecting the optical axis, and the second member moves between the second clamped position and the second non-clamped position in a plane intersecting the optical axis; The imaging device according to claim 1 .

9. the first member and the second member move in different directions within the plane intersecting the optical axis; The imaging device according to claim 8.

10. a distance that the first member moves between the first clamping position and the first non-clamping position is different from a distance that the second member moves between the second clamping position and the second non-clamping position, and / or a speed at which the first member moves between the first clamping position and the first non-clamping position is different from a speed at which the second member moves between the second clamping position and the second non-clamping position. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

11. a driving force that moves the first member toward the first clamping position is greater than a driving force that moves the second member toward the second clamping position; The imaging device according to claim 1 .

12. The clamping mechanism includes at least two clamped members, and the first member contacts at least one of the clamped members at two points. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

13. 13. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the first member has two long holes through which two shafts provided in the support member are inserted, and in the first clamping position, one of the two shafts and one of the two long holes are in contact at two points.

14. Having at least two of the clamped members, The second member includes at least one elastic member, and in the second clamping position, the elastic member biases the at least one clamped member. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

15. The movable member has three ball receiving surfaces for accommodating three balls arranged on the support member or between the movable member and the support member, and the clamped member is arranged inside a virtual triangle formed by the three ball receiving surfaces. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

16. A processor for controlling an operation of the movement restricting member, the processor controls whether or not the movement restricting member restricts the movement of the movable member according to a specific condition. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

17. The imaging device includes a power source; The imaging device according to claim 16 , wherein the specific condition is a state of the power supply.

18. the imaging device includes a user interface unit; the specific condition is a state of an operation on the user interface unit; 18. The imaging device according to claim 16 or 17.

19. the imaging device includes a sensor for detecting acceleration; the processor controls the movement restricting member to restrict movement of the movable member when the sensor detects acceleration exceeding a range allowing movement of the movable member; 19. The imaging device according to claim 16.

20. The specific condition is a state of the output of the sensor.

20. The imaging device according to claim 19.

Images